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<p>This study explores a scalable strategy for enhancing the optical and dielectric performance of nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) through photolithographic micro-patterning and gold nanoparticle incorporation. Traditional rubbing techniques for LC alignment suffer from limited precision and repeatability; to address this, we fabricated microgrooves (2 × 10&#xa0;µm) on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using photoresist thin films to induce uniform, anisotropic alignment. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) confirmed that these micro-patterned substrates provide superior alignment control compared to conventional methods. To further enhance the electro-optic response, spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and anisotropic gold nanorods (AuNRs) were integrated into the LC system. AuNPs were deposited within the microgrooves, while AuNRs were doped into the NLC bulk. This combined approach led to a measurable improvement in dielectric and optical properties. Specifically, the threshold voltage was reduced by ~ 18%, while the dielectric loss factor (tan δ) decreased by ~ 25% for AuNP-doped systems and ~ 32% for AuNR-doped systems. Moreover, the AuNR-enhanced system demonstrated a ~ 40% reduction in optical switching time compared to pure NLCs, indicating improved molecular alignment and faster electro-optic response. These findings highlight the combined influence of micro-pattern engineering and plasmonic nanomaterials in enhancing liquid crystal performance. The approach offers tunable dielectric anisotropy, lower energy consumption, and improved switching dynamics, establishing a promising platform for advanced applications in photonics, low-voltage display technologies, and optical sensing devices.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>Micro-patterned NLC devices integrated with Au nanorods exhibit enhanced optical switching and dielectric properties, enabling precise LC alignment. These advancements pave the way for scalable applications in photonics, biosensing, and optoelectronic technologies.</p> <p></p>

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Photolithographic Micro-Pattern Engineering with Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced Nematic Liquid Crystal Alignment and Dielectric Performance

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月7日

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  • Anil Prathamshetti,
  • Anupama Kadam,
  • Chiaki Terashima,
  • Mohamed Hashem,
  • Ratna Chauhan,
  • Suresh Gosavi

摘要

This study explores a scalable strategy for enhancing the optical and dielectric performance of nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) through photolithographic micro-patterning and gold nanoparticle incorporation. Traditional rubbing techniques for LC alignment suffer from limited precision and repeatability; to address this, we fabricated microgrooves (2 × 10 µm) on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using photoresist thin films to induce uniform, anisotropic alignment. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) confirmed that these micro-patterned substrates provide superior alignment control compared to conventional methods. To further enhance the electro-optic response, spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and anisotropic gold nanorods (AuNRs) were integrated into the LC system. AuNPs were deposited within the microgrooves, while AuNRs were doped into the NLC bulk. This combined approach led to a measurable improvement in dielectric and optical properties. Specifically, the threshold voltage was reduced by ~ 18%, while the dielectric loss factor (tan δ) decreased by ~ 25% for AuNP-doped systems and ~ 32% for AuNR-doped systems. Moreover, the AuNR-enhanced system demonstrated a ~ 40% reduction in optical switching time compared to pure NLCs, indicating improved molecular alignment and faster electro-optic response. These findings highlight the combined influence of micro-pattern engineering and plasmonic nanomaterials in enhancing liquid crystal performance. The approach offers tunable dielectric anisotropy, lower energy consumption, and improved switching dynamics, establishing a promising platform for advanced applications in photonics, low-voltage display technologies, and optical sensing devices.

Graphical Abstract

Micro-patterned NLC devices integrated with Au nanorods exhibit enhanced optical switching and dielectric properties, enabling precise LC alignment. These advancements pave the way for scalable applications in photonics, biosensing, and optoelectronic technologies.