Applied Nanophotonics, Liquid Crystals and Biomedical Optics

The polar anchoring energy of nematic liquid crystals on nanodimensional films of chalcogenide glasses irradiated with linearly polarized visible light is measured using the optical retardation at high electric field method. It is found that the polar anchoring energy is increasing with irradiation time and comparable to that reported using other UV photoalignment polymers. Together with the fact that this is a solid transparent photoalignment layer, can be deposted in large area and on curved surfaces, photoconductive, and can be patterned, the hybrid liquid crystal devices have a great potential in displays and other photonic applications.