Printing fabrication process of polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal devices with film substrates

We have developed a fabrication method with printing for light-weight, large ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) devices with plastic film substrates. The proposed method uses flexographic printing. An FLC/monomer solution coated on an anilox roll is deposited on a letter press and then transferred from the press to the surface of the substrate. The pressure of the roller used to laminate the solution between two substrates was adjusted so that the upper substrate was pressed onto spacer particles dispersed in the solution film. The formation of air bubbles in the film was considerably reduced by heating the substrates to 50°C. A laminated solution film was pressed beneath a glass sheet to prevent curling of the substrates and to make the film temperature uniform. The solution film was then irradiated with ultraviolet light, causing polymer networks supporting the two substrates to form in the FLC. A device fabricated between polarizers exhibited a high contrast ratio more than 100:1 and grayscale capability.