Superior properties of homogeneously aligned twisted nematic liquid crystals on nanoscale molybdenum trioxide surfaces.

Homogeneously aligned twisted nematic liquid crystals (TN-LCs) were produced on molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) thin films via ion beam (IB) irradiation. Control of the pretilt angle was achieved by varying the IB incident angle. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the intensity of the Mo-O and O-Mo bonds at various IB incident angles exhibited the tendency that was opposite to that of the pretilt angle and the lowest intensity was produced at 45°. Superior electro-optical (EO) characteristics were also observed. Furthermore, a TN-LC cell fabricated with the MoO3 thin films exhibited high thermal stability. Such stability could be maintained at temperatures greater than 150 °C.