45.1: High-Contrast Homeotropic Alignment of Difluoro-tolane Liquid Crystals

Excellent homeotropic alignment of high birefringence and negative dielectric anisotropy difluoro-tolane liquid crystals was demonstrated using long-chain alcohol evaporated SiO2 inorganic layers and buffed polyimide layers. The addition of 5–10% isothiocyanato tolane not only improves the contrast ratio but also enhance the figure-of-merit. A disadvantage is in the increased threshold voltage.