Homeotropic alignment
Encyclopedia
In liquid crystals, homeotropic alignment is one of the ways of alignment of liquid crystalline molecules. Homeotropic alignment is the state in which a rod-like liquid crystalline molecule aligns perpendicularly to the substrate. In the polydomain state, the parts also are called homeotropic domains. In contrast, the state in which the molecule aligns to a substance in parallel is called homogeneous alignment
.
There are various other ways of alignment in liquid crystals. Because homeotropic alignment is not anisotropy optically, a dark field is observed between crossed polarizers in polarizing optical microscopy.
By conoscope observation, however, a cross image is observed in the homeotropic alignments. Homeotropic alignment often appears in the smectic A phase (SA).
In discotic liquid crystals
homeotropic alignment is defined as the state in which an axis of the column structure, which is formed by disc-like liquid crystalline molecules
, aligns perpendicularly to a substance. In other words, this alignment looks like a state in which columns formed by piled-up coins are arranged in an orderly way on a table.
In practice, the homeotropic alignment is usually achieved by surfactants and detergent for example lecithin, some esilanes or some special polyimide (PI 1211). Generally liquid crystals align homeotropically at an air or glass interface.
Homogeneous alignment
In liquid crystals, Homogeneous alignment sometimes called Planar alignment - this is the state of alignment of molecules which is opposite to homeotropic alignment. The molucules here align parallel to a substrate....
.
There are various other ways of alignment in liquid crystals. Because homeotropic alignment is not anisotropy optically, a dark field is observed between crossed polarizers in polarizing optical microscopy.
By conoscope observation, however, a cross image is observed in the homeotropic alignments. Homeotropic alignment often appears in the smectic A phase (SA).
In discotic liquid crystals
Columnar phase
The columnar phase is a class of mesophases in which molecules assemble into cylindrical structures to act as mesogens. Originally, these kinds of liquid crystals were called discotic liquid crystals because the columnar structures are composed of flat-shaped discotic molecules stacked...
homeotropic alignment is defined as the state in which an axis of the column structure, which is formed by disc-like liquid crystalline molecules
Columnar phase
The columnar phase is a class of mesophases in which molecules assemble into cylindrical structures to act as mesogens. Originally, these kinds of liquid crystals were called discotic liquid crystals because the columnar structures are composed of flat-shaped discotic molecules stacked...
, aligns perpendicularly to a substance. In other words, this alignment looks like a state in which columns formed by piled-up coins are arranged in an orderly way on a table.
In practice, the homeotropic alignment is usually achieved by surfactants and detergent for example lecithin, some esilanes or some special polyimide (PI 1211). Generally liquid crystals align homeotropically at an air or glass interface.