Liquid crystals alignment with PbS nanosculptured thin films

Lead sulphide (PbS) nano-sculptured thin films (nSTFs) are prepared for the first time using glancing angle deposition technique by physical vapour deposition process. An anisotropic morphology is obtained, which provides an orientational effect. Due to this anisotropic nature of PbS nSTF an attempt has been made to check its effect on the alignment of nematic liquid crystals (LCs). Two different LC devices were fabricated, that is, anti-parallel aligned or electrically-controlled birefringence and hybrid twisted nematic. It is noticed that in both types of devices, good alignment is obtained with high extinction and contrast. A significant effect of these alignments on the electro-optic properties of the LC is reported such as the threshold voltage, response time and contrast ratio.