Improvement of voltage-dependent dynamics through an oblique electric field in vertically aligned liquid crystal director surrounded by patterned polymer walls

Voltage-dependent liquid crystal textures in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal (LC) device, where the chiral-doped liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy is locked by polymer walls with crossed polarizers, have been investigated. The device shows wide viewing angle characteristics with advantages that it is free from rubbing process and spacer. The time-resolved LC textures show that they are not stable enough during an instantaneous reorientation of LC when a voltage is applied. To improve dynamic characteristics, we propose advanced cell structure where the bend and twist deformation is controlled by polymer wall plus an oblique electric field through patterned electrode. Consequently, dynamic characteristics of the device are greatly improved.