Modulated photoregulation of liquid crystal alignment by azobenzene Langmuir-Blodgett layers: reversible alignment changes of liquid crystals induced by photochromic molecular films, Part 11

In-plane homogeneous alignment controls of a liquid crystal on photochromic azobenzene (Az) Langmuir-Blodgett layers are investigated. A nematic liquid crystal takes the parallel (planar) alignment with the cis-Az surface. In this mode LC molecules are oriented parallel to the dipping direction when the deposition number is more than 3. Under particular conditions a linearly polarized UV light induces subsequent in-plane reorientation of the LC molecules, the reorientation direction being perpendicular to the polarization plane.