Superior electro-optical properties of electrically controlled birefringence mode using solution-derived La₂O₃ films

The authors demonstrate a high performance electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode with solution-derived La₂O₃ films at various molar concentrations. Uniform and homogeneous liquid crystal (LC) alignment was spontaneously achieved on the La₂O₃ films for lanthanum concentrations at ratios greater than and equal to 0.2. A preferred orientation of LC molecules appeared along the filling direction, and the LC alignment was maintained via van der Waals force by nanocrystals of the La₂O₃ films. The LC alignment mechanism was confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. Superior electro-optical characteristics of the ECB cells constructed with solution-derived La₂O₃ films were observed, which suggests that the proposed solution-derived La₂O₃ films have strong potential for use in the production of advanced LC displays.