Light-induced liquid crystal alignment on the non-organic isotropic surface

Light-induced planar alignment of nematic liquid crystal (LC) 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), on the isotropic surface of the fused quartz upon illumination with polarized UV light, is observed for the first time. The axis of LC easy orientation lies perpendicular to the direction of the incident light polarization. Such phenomenon is explained by proceeding from the photo-orientation of LC molecules adsorbed on a quartz. Activation energy of LC anchoring with the quartz surface is measured.