Title :
Capacitive techniques to monitor anchoring energy in liquid crystal-based sensors
Author :
Namkung, Jun ; Zou, Yang ; Hassanzadeh, Alireza ; Abu-Abed, Alaeddin S. ; Lindquist, Robert
Author_Institution :
ECE Dept., Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL
Abstract :
Using the orientation order of the liquid crystal molecules in chemical and biological sensors has been widely investigated. In this paper, a technique using capacitive transduction to monitor the anchoring energy of liquid crystal alignment layers is presented. Sensing changes in the anchoring energy of a liquid crystal film can significantly improve sensitivity of liquid crystal based sensors. The method and theory is presented. Preliminary experimental results are provided using UV irradiation to alter the anchoring energy of known alignment structures.
Keywords :
biosensors; chemical sensors; liquid crystal devices; molecular orientation; nematic liquid crystals; optical films; optical materials; optical sensors; surface treatment; ultraviolet radiation effects; UV irradiation; anchoring energy monitor; biological sensor; capacitive transduction technique; chemical sensor; liquid crystal alignment layer; liquid crystal film; liquid crystal-based sensor; nematic liquid crystal molecule orientation; Biosensors; Capacitance; Capacitive sensors; Chemical and biological sensors; Electrodes; Liquid crystals; Monitoring; Permittivity; Surface treatment; Voltage; ]liquid crystal; anchoring energy; orientation alignment; sensors; ultraviolet;
Conference_Titel :
Sensors Applications Symposium, 2009. SAS 2009. IEEE
Conference_Location :
New Orleans, LA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2786-4
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2787-1
DOI :
10.1109/SAS.2009.4801789
