Diffraction effects in liquid‐crystal aligning layers

Abstract

Silicon monoxide liquid‐crystal aligning layers have been found to produce strong asymmetric diffraction when deposited on glass substrates for evaporant angles less than 10°. The diffracted light produces a series of concentric arcs, asymmetric with respect to the source direction. Multiple arcs are observed because of total internal reflection. The arc radii are essentially independent of incident wave length.