A liquid crystal alignment layer that can be applied to preformed cavities

This paper describes a robust liquid crystal alignment layer that can be applied to the interior surfaces of a preformed cavity. In this paper, we describe a method of infusing a dye into a microcavity to produce an effective photodefinable alignment layer. Additionally, we demonstrate that after the application of a diffused RM layer, the alignment of the liquid crystal can be rendered insensitive to subsequent light exposure. In this work we make clear the effect of the RM is not stabilizing the azodye layer, but becomes the stable alignment layer. This is demonstrated by using the process described above with the additional step of realigning of the azodye layer to be perpendicular to the surface through photo-bleaching; and showing the alignment of the LC is unaffected by this process. This versatile alignment layer method, offers significant promise for new photonics applications.