JP4621861B2 - Switching memory device using liquid crystal flow - Google Patents
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本発明は、液晶の流動を利用したスイッチング・メモリ素子に関する。 The present invention relates to a switching memory device using liquid crystal flow.
すべての物質には気体・液体・結晶の３状態があることは、一般によく知られている。ある種の物質は、この３状態に加えて、液体と結晶の中間的状態をとる場合があり、該中間的状態が「液晶状態」と呼ばれる。「液晶状態」をとる物質は、該物質の構成分子が棒状或いは円板状等の特別な形状を有する。 It is generally well known that all substances have three states: gas, liquid, and crystal. Certain substances may take an intermediate state between a liquid and a crystal in addition to these three states, and this intermediate state is called a “liquid crystal state”. A substance that takes a “liquid crystal state” has a special shape such as a rod shape or a disk shape of the constituent molecules of the substance.
「液晶状態」をとる物質は、「結晶状態」とされると、その分子配列が重心位置及び分子の向きがともに規則正しく並んでいる状態となり、「液晶状態」とされると、重心位置が不規則となる一方で、分子の向きの規則性は略維持された状態となり、「液体状態」とされると、重心位置及び分子の向きが不規則な状態となる。「液晶状態」のときの、液晶分子の局所的平均配向方向は、「配向方向」或いは「ディレクタ」と表される。
液晶は、その構成分子の配向状態により、「ネマティック液晶」、「コレステリック液晶」、「スメクティック液晶」の３種類に大別される。
このような「液晶状態」をとる物質、即ち、液晶は液晶ディスプレイを筆頭に様々な工業製品に応用されている。近年になり、液晶における圧電効果が発見され圧電材料としての利用用途が期待されている。
A substance that takes the “liquid crystal state” is in a “crystalline state”, and its molecular arrangement is in a state where both the center of gravity and the orientation of the molecules are regularly arranged. In the “liquid crystal state”, the center of gravity is not aligned. On the other hand, the regularity of the direction of the molecule is maintained substantially, and when it is in the “liquid state”, the position of the center of gravity and the direction of the molecule are irregular. The local average alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules in the “liquid crystal state” is expressed as “alignment direction” or “director”.
Liquid crystals are roughly classified into three types, “nematic liquid crystals”, “cholesteric liquid crystals”, and “smectic liquid crystals”, depending on the alignment state of the constituent molecules.
Substances that take such a “liquid crystal state”, that is, liquid crystals, are applied to various industrial products such as liquid crystal displays. In recent years, the piezoelectric effect in liquid crystals has been discovered and is expected to be used as a piezoelectric material.
液晶の圧電効果について説明する。図１は、分子の分極状態を示す図であり、図１（ａ）は液晶分子の永久双極子モーメントが分子長軸方向を向いている楔形状分子において、液晶分子の配向場に歪みを生じさせる前の状態を示し、図１（ｂ）は、図１（ａ）に示す配向場に歪みを生じさせた後の状態を示す。図１（ｃ）は液晶分子の永久双極子モーメントが分子軸に対して垂直方向を向いているバナナ形状分子において、液晶分子の配向場に歪みを生じさせる前の状態を示し、図１（ｄ）は、図１（ｃ）に示す配向場に歪みを生じさせた状態を示す。図１中矢印は永久双極子モーメントの方向を示す。
ある物質は、特定の方向に力を加えると応力に応じた電気分極を生じ、一対の物質表面に正負の電荷が生ずる。この現象は、圧電効果或いは正圧電効果と呼ばれる。また、このような物質に電場をかけると電場に応じた歪みが発生する。この現象は、逆圧電効果と呼ばれる。
このような圧電効果は、気体や液体の状態にある物質においては、該物質を構成する分子がたとえ永久双極子モーメントを有するものであったとしても、自由な分子運動のためにその分子の向きはランダムとなり、巨視的な分極を生じ得ない。また、結晶状態の物質においても、その構成分子が反転対称中心を有する場合には、その分子配列の対称性から巨視的な分極を生ずるものとはならない。
液晶は、流動性を有するものの、短距離とはいえ分子配向の秩序を有する。したがって、液晶分子の配向場に歪みを与えると、巨視的な分極を生ずるものとなる。これは、フレクソエレクトリック効果と呼ばれる。
The piezoelectric effect of the liquid crystal will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the polarization state of a molecule. FIG. 1A shows distortion in the alignment field of liquid crystal molecules in a wedge-shaped molecule in which the permanent dipole moment of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented in the molecular long axis direction. FIG. 1 (b) shows a state after causing strain in the alignment field shown in FIG. 1 (a). FIG. 1C shows a state before distorting the alignment field of liquid crystal molecules in a banana-shaped molecule in which the permanent dipole moment of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the molecular axis. ) Shows a state in which the orientation field shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the arrow indicates the direction of the permanent dipole moment.
When a force is applied in a specific direction, a certain substance generates electric polarization corresponding to the stress, and positive and negative charges are generated on the surface of a pair of substances. This phenomenon is called a piezoelectric effect or a positive piezoelectric effect. In addition, when an electric field is applied to such a substance, distortion corresponding to the electric field is generated. This phenomenon is called an inverse piezoelectric effect.
Such a piezoelectric effect is caused by the orientation of molecules in a gas or liquid state for free molecular motion even if the molecules constituting the material have a permanent dipole moment. Becomes random and cannot cause macroscopic polarization. Further, even in a crystalline material, when the constituent molecule has an inversion symmetry center, macroscopic polarization does not occur due to the symmetry of the molecular arrangement.
Although the liquid crystal has fluidity, it has an order of molecular orientation although it is a short distance. Therefore, when the alignment field of the liquid crystal molecules is distorted, macroscopic polarization occurs. This is called the flexoelectric effect.
図１（ａ）及び（ｃ）に示すように、分子が外力を受けていない場合においては、永久双極子モーメントが対称性を保つ。したがって、分子の形状効果は相殺され、巨視的な分極は発生しない。しかしながら、図１（ｂ）及び（ｄ）に示すように、液晶分子の配向場に歪みを生じさせると、分子配列の対称性が崩れ、巨視的な分極を生ずる。 As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the permanent dipole moment maintains symmetry when the molecule is not subjected to external force. Therefore, the molecular shape effect is canceled out and no macroscopic polarization occurs. However, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, when the alignment field of the liquid crystal molecules is distorted, the symmetry of the molecular arrangement is lost and macroscopic polarization occurs.
上述の如く、液晶材料は液晶ディスプレイ等の既によく知られた工業製品への応用のみならず、新たな技術的利用分野への応用が試みられている。特許文献１には、液晶の特性を応用した新規な技術的応用装置が開示されている。特許文献１に開示される装置は、一対の平板間に封入された液晶に所定電圧を加えることによって、該液晶の分子を回転させ、平板間の液晶を流動可能とするものである。この装置は液晶の流動エネルギを利用してアクチュエータなどの装置に利用可能なものである。
As described above, liquid crystal materials are not only applied to well-known industrial products such as liquid crystal displays, but are also being applied to new technical fields.
現在のところ、静止した状態の液晶に電磁エネルギを付加し、ディレクタを動作させるという現象の利用のみが研究されており、流動する液晶からなる液晶分子場の歪みから得られる物理的変動を利用する研究は行われていない。
本発明は上記実情を鑑みてなされたものであって、液晶分子場を歪ませ、該歪み発生現象から得られる物理的変動を利用したスイッチング・メモリ素子を提供することを目的とする。
Currently, only the use of the phenomenon of applying electromagnetic energy to a stationary liquid crystal and operating the director has been studied, and the physical variation obtained from the distortion of the liquid crystal molecular field consisting of flowing liquid crystal is used. No research has been conducted.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switching memory element that distorts a liquid crystal molecular field and uses physical fluctuations obtained from the phenomenon of distortion.
請求項１記載の発明は、液晶に対するラビング処理を施された第１配向面を有する光透過性の第１部材と、前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差が生じるように、前記ラビング処理が施された方向に移動することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項２記載の発明は、液晶に対する配向処理を施された第１配向面を有する光透過性の第１部材と、前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材は、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面を対向させて、前記第１配向面の法線方向に配され、前記第１配向処理は、前記第１配向面の平行方向に施されており、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、前記第１配向面の平行方向に移動することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項３記載の発明は、液晶に対する配向処理を施された第１配向面を有する光透過性の第１部材と、前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、前記第１部材は、小径の円筒形状に形成され、前記第２部材は、前記第１部材の外周面に所定間隔を空けて覆うように配設される大径の円筒形状に形成されてなり、前記第１部材の外周面は、周方向に前記配向処理が施されて、前記第１配向面を形成し、前記第２部材の内壁面は、前記第２配向面であり、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、中心軸周りに回転することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項４記載の発明は、液晶に対する配向処理を施された第１配向面を有する光透過性の第１部材と、前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材は、一対の円盤状板からなり、前記第１部材の前記第１配向面には、環状に配向処理が施され、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、軸心周りに回転することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項５記載の発明は、前記光測定手段が、前記液晶配向場に光線を照射する光源と、
前記光源からの光線を受光する受光器からなることを特徴とする請求項１乃至３の何れかに記載のスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項６記載の発明は、前記光測定手段が、前記光源からの光の光量を測定することを特徴とする請求項５に記載のスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
請求項７記載の発明は、前記光測定手段が、前記光源からの光の波長を測定することを特徴とする請求項６記載のスイッチング・メモリ素子である。
The invention according to
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting first member having a first alignment surface that has been subjected to an alignment treatment for liquid crystal, and a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface. A light transmissive second member having a second alignment surface having a binding force to the liquid crystal alignment, and liquid crystal sealed in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface. And light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member, The first member and the second member are disposed in a normal direction of the first alignment surface with the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface facing each other, and the first alignment treatment is performed in the first alignment The first member and the second member are at least one of the first member and the first member. To produce a velocity difference between the second member is a switching memory device characterized by moving the parallel direction of the first alignment surface.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmitting first member having a first alignment surface that has been subjected to an alignment treatment for liquid crystal, and a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface. A light transmissive second member having a second alignment surface having a binding force to the liquid crystal alignment, and liquid crystal sealed in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface. And light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member, The first member is formed in a small-diameter cylindrical shape, and the second member is formed in a large-diameter cylindrical shape disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the first member with a predetermined interval, The outer peripheral surface of the first member is subjected to the alignment treatment in the circumferential direction to form the first alignment surface, and the front surface The inner wall surface of the second member is the second orientation surface, and at least one of the first member and the second member creates a speed difference between the first member and the second member. A switching memory device characterized by rotating around a central axis .
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-transmissive first member having a first alignment surface that has been subjected to alignment treatment for liquid crystal, and a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface. A light transmissive second member having a second alignment surface having a binding force to the liquid crystal alignment, and liquid crystal sealed in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface. And light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member, The first member and the second member are formed of a pair of disk-shaped plates, and the first orientation surface of the first member is subjected to an annular orientation treatment, and at least the first member and the second member One rotates around the axis so as to create a speed difference between the first member and the second member. A switching memory element, characterized by.
The invention according to
4. The switching memory element according to
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the switching memory element according to the fifth aspect, wherein the light measuring unit measures the amount of light from the light source.
The invention according to
請求項１乃至４記載の発明は、第１部材と第２部材の一方を往復移動させることにより、液晶配向場の液晶分子のいくつかを０°の回転位置と略１８０°の倍数の回転位置の両方の状態とすることができ、両状態の光の透過量により、スイッチング・メモリ素子に接続する回路のオン・オフを切換え、若しくは回路の状態を維持することが可能となる。 According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, one of the first member and the second member is reciprocated to move some of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal alignment field to a rotation position of 0 ° and a multiple of about 180 °. It is possible to switch both on and off of the circuit connected to the switching memory element or to maintain the circuit state according to the amount of light transmitted in both states.
以下、本発明に係る液晶の流動を利用したスイッチング・メモリ素子について、図を参照しつつ説明する。図２は、図１を用いて説明した液晶分子の分極発生原理を利用した液晶の流動による液晶分子場歪み発生機構の概略図であり、該液晶分子場歪み発生機構は本発明に係るスイッチング・メモリ素子の基本構成部分である。図２（ａ）は、液晶の流動による液晶分子場歪み発生機構作動前の状態を示し、図２（ｂ）は、液晶の流動による液晶分子場歪み発生機構作動後の状態を示す。
図２に示す液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）は、一対の平板からなり、下側に配される平板が第１部材（２）であり、上側に配される平板が第２部材（３）である。
第１部材（２）上面は、ラビング処理が施され、液晶分子を強く束縛（anchoring）する第１配向面（２１）とされる。第１配向面（２１）に対向する第２部材（３）の下面は、軽いラビング処理が施される或いはラビング処理が施されない第２配向面（３１）であり、第２配向面（３１）は液晶分子をほとんど或いは全く束縛しない。尚、第１配向面（２１）並びに第２配向面（３１）に対して施される処理は、ラビング処理に限られるものではなく、液晶を一定方向に配向させるための全ての処理が適用可能である。
第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）の間の空間には液晶が配設され、該液晶は該空間内を流動可能である。図２において、矩形状に示される複数のディレクタ（４）が示されている。上述の如く、ディレクタ（４）は液晶分子の局所的平均配向方向を表す。
Hereinafter, a switching memory device using the flow of liquid crystal according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism due to the flow of liquid crystal using the polarization generation principle of liquid crystal molecules described with reference to FIG. This is a basic component of the memory element. 2A shows a state before the operation of the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism due to the flow of liquid crystal, and FIG. 2B shows the state after the operation of the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism due to the flow of liquid crystal.
The liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a pair of flat plates, the flat plate arranged on the lower side is the first member (2), and the flat plate arranged on the upper side is the second member (3). ).
The upper surface of the first member (2) is subjected to a rubbing process to be a first alignment surface (21) that strongly anchors liquid crystal molecules. The lower surface of the second member (3) facing the first orientation surface (21) is a second orientation surface (31) that is subjected to a light rubbing treatment or not subjected to a rubbing treatment, and the second orientation surface (31). Binds little or no liquid crystal molecules. The treatment applied to the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) is not limited to the rubbing treatment, and all treatments for aligning the liquid crystal in a certain direction are applicable. It is.
Liquid crystal is disposed in a space between the first member (2) and the second member (3), and the liquid crystal can flow in the space. In FIG. 2, a plurality of directors (4) shown in a rectangular shape are shown. As described above, the director (4) represents the local average alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules.
図２において、取られる座標は、右方をＸ軸正の向きとし、上方をＹ軸正の向きとしている。また、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との距離は「Ｈ」の記号で示されている。
図２に示す液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）の第２部材（３）は、Ｘ軸方向に平行移動可能とされている。一方、第１部材（２）は静止状態を維持するものとされる。ここで、第２部材（３）がＸ軸正方向に速度Ｕで移動すると、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に配設された液晶にせん断歪みを生じ、液晶配向場に歪みを生ずる（図２（ｂ）参照）。
In FIG. 2, the coordinates to be taken are the positive direction of the X axis on the right side and the positive direction of the Y axis on the upper side. The distance between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) is indicated by the symbol “H”.
The second member (3) of the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) shown in FIG. 2 is movable in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, the first member (2) is assumed to remain stationary. Here, when the second member (3) moves in the positive direction of the X-axis at a speed U, shear strain is generated in the liquid crystal disposed between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31). Then, distortion occurs in the liquid crystal alignment field (see FIG. 2B).
第１配向面（２１）のラビング処理の方向はＸ軸に平行とされ、図２（ａ）に示す如く、第２部材（３）動作前においては、ディレクタ（４）は第１配向面（２１）のラビング処理方向に従い、その長軸をＸ軸に平行に且つ第１配向面（２１）に平行に横たわる。尚、この状態においては、液晶配向場には歪みが生じておらず、液晶分子の永久双極子モーメントが対称性を保った状態にあるので、ディレクタ（４）として表される局所領域において巨視的な分極は発生していない。
第２部材（３）をＸ軸正方向に移動させると、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）の間にある液晶が流動する。液晶の流動に伴い、ディレクタ（４）はディレクタ（４）として表される局所領域の重心位置を軸として回転運動する。図２（ｂ）に示す例においては、第２部材（３）の移動方向はＸ軸正方向であるので、各ディレクタ（４）は時計回りに回転する。尚、第２部材（３）をＸ軸負方向に移動させると、各ディレクタ（４）は反時計回りに回転する。
第１配向面（２１）は、その束縛作用により、各ディレクタ（４）の回転量に影響を与え、第１配向面（２１）近傍にあるディレクタ（４）はほとんど回転せず、第１配向面（２１）から離れるほど、ディレクタ（４）の回転量は増加する。
The direction of rubbing treatment of the first orientation surface (21) is parallel to the X axis, and as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the director (4) is in contact with the first orientation surface (before the operation of the second member (3)). According to the rubbing treatment direction of 21), the major axis lies parallel to the X axis and parallel to the first orientation plane (21). In this state, since the liquid crystal alignment field is not distorted and the permanent dipole moment of the liquid crystal molecules is in a state of symmetry, it is macroscopic in the local region represented as the director (4). No significant polarization has occurred.
When the second member (3) is moved in the positive direction of the X-axis, the liquid crystal between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) flows. As the liquid crystal flows, the director (4) rotates about the position of the center of gravity of the local region represented as the director (4). In the example shown in FIG. 2B, since the moving direction of the second member (3) is the positive direction of the X axis, each director (4) rotates clockwise. When the second member (3) is moved in the negative direction of the X axis, each director (4) rotates counterclockwise.
The first orientation surface (21) affects the amount of rotation of each director (4) by its restraining action, and the director (4) in the vicinity of the first orientation surface (21) hardly rotates, and the first orientation surface (21) is not rotated. The further away from the surface (21), the more the director (4) rotates.
各ディレクタ（４）の回転動作は、液晶分子の長距離弾性力によって、一定の回転量で停止する。即ち、第２部材（３）の移動動作によって生ずる液晶の流動によるエネルギとこれに反発する液晶分子の長距離弾性力によるエネルギが釣り合うとき、ディレクタ（４）の回転が停止し、各ディレクタ（４）は第２部材（３）の移動速度に応じた回転位置、即ち傾斜状態を保つ。 The rotation operation of each director (4) is stopped at a constant rotation amount by the long-range elastic force of the liquid crystal molecules. That is, when the energy due to the flow of the liquid crystal generated by the movement of the second member (3) and the energy due to the long-range elastic force of the liquid crystal molecules repelling the balance, the rotation of the director (4) stops, and each director (4 ) Keeps the rotational position corresponding to the moving speed of the second member (3), that is, the inclined state.
図２（ｂ）に示す如く、各ディレクタ（４）は第２部材（３）の移動速度及びＹ軸方向位置に応じた角度でそれぞれ異なる角度で傾斜している。即ち、ディレクタ（４）として表されている局所領域における液晶配向場は、第２部材（３）の移動動作によって生ずる液晶の流動によって歪み、該局所領域内の液晶分子配列の対称性が崩れ、巨視的な分極を生ずるものとなる。この分極により、ディレクタ（４）として表される局所領域は一方の側にプラスの電荷を有し、他方の側にマイナスの電荷を有するものとなる。プラス及びマイナスの電荷がいずれの端部に現れるかは、用いられる液晶の種類によって定まる。
ディレクタ（４）は上述の如く回転動作をするため、第１部材（２）側に、ディレクタ（４）のプラス若しくはマイナスの電荷を備えるディレクタ（４）端部が集まり、第２部材（３）側に、ディレクタ（４）のマイナス若しくはプラスの電荷を備えるディレクタ（４）端部が集まる。これにより、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に電位差が生ずる。
As shown in FIG. 2B, each director (4) is inclined at a different angle depending on the moving speed of the second member (3) and the position in the Y-axis direction. That is, the liquid crystal alignment field in the local region represented as the director (4) is distorted by the flow of liquid crystal generated by the movement of the second member (3), and the symmetry of the liquid crystal molecular arrangement in the local region is lost. It causes macroscopic polarization. This polarization causes the local region represented as director (4) to have a positive charge on one side and a negative charge on the other side. Which end portion of positive and negative charges appears depends on the type of liquid crystal used.
Since the director (4) rotates as described above, the end of the director (4) having a positive or negative charge of the director (4) gathers on the first member (2) side, and the second member (3) On the side, the ends of the director (4) with negative or positive charge of the director (4) gather. Thereby, a potential difference is generated between the first member (2) and the second member (3).
上述の如く、各ディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度は、第２部材（３）の移動速度によって定まる。したがって、第２部材（３）の移動速度によって、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に生ずる電位差が定まる。したがって、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間の電位差を計測することにより、第２部材（３）の移動速度を求めることが可能となる。 As described above, the inclination angle of each director (4) is determined by the moving speed of the second member (3). Therefore, the potential difference generated between the first member (2) and the second member (3) is determined by the moving speed of the second member (3). Therefore, the moving speed of the second member (3) can be obtained by measuring the potential difference between the first member (2) and the second member (3).
その他の方法として、光の測定によって第２部材（３）の移動速度を求めることも可能である。光の測定として、透過光の光量或いは透過光の波長の測定が例示できる。光の測定により第２部材（３）の移動速度を求める場合には、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に電位差を生じせしめる必要がないので、液晶分子場で分極を生じている必要を要さない。第１部材（２）及び第２部材（３）を通過する光の透過率及び波長はディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度に応じて定まる。上述の如く、第２部材（３）の移動速度に応じてディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度が定まるので、第１部材（２）及び第２部材（３）を透過する光の透過率及び／又は波長を計測することで、第２部材（３）の速度を計測することができる。 As another method, the moving speed of the second member (3) can be obtained by measuring light. Examples of the light measurement include measurement of the amount of transmitted light or the wavelength of transmitted light. When the moving speed of the second member (3) is obtained by measuring light, it is not necessary to generate a potential difference between the first member (2) and the second member (3), so that the polarization is caused by the liquid crystal molecular field. It is not necessary to have caused. The transmittance and wavelength of light passing through the first member (2) and the second member (3) are determined according to the inclination angle of the director (4). As described above, since the inclination angle of the director (4) is determined according to the moving speed of the second member (3), the transmittance of the light transmitted through the first member (2) and the second member (3) and / or By measuring the wavelength, the speed of the second member (3) can be measured.
図３は、他の応用例を示す。図３（ａ）は、図２（ａ）に示す状態からＸ軸正方向に第２部材（３）を移動させている状態を示し、図３（ｂ）は図３（ａ）に示す状態から第２部材（３）の移動動作を停止させた状態を示す。尚、図３において、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）の間には、７つのディレクタ（４）が示され、これら各ディレクタ（４）には、第１部材（２）に近いほうからＹ軸正方向に向かって、符号４１乃至４７が付されている。
図３（ａ）に示す状態において、ディレクタ（４５乃至４７）は初期状態（図２（ａ）に示す状態）から９０°以上の回転量で傾斜している。その他のディレクタ（４１乃至４４）は初期状態から９０°未満の回転量で傾斜した状態である。
この状態で、第２部材（３）の移動動作を停止させると、ディレクタ（４１乃至４７）は、傾斜した状態から、第１配向面（２１）に平行になろうとする。このとき各液晶分子（４１乃至４７）は、平行状態となるために最も近い経路を辿ろうとするので、傾斜角度が９０°以上であったディレクタ（４５乃至４７）は、初期状態に対して、略反転した状態（即ち、１８０°回転した状態）となり、他のディレクタ（４１乃至４４）は初期状態に戻る。
次に第２部材（３）を、図３（ａ）で示す第２部材の移動動作と反対方向に且つ同じ速度で移動させると、ディレクタ（４）は、図３（ａ）と逆方向の回転動作をする。そして、第２部材（３）を停止させると、整列したディレクタ（４）全てが同一の方向となり、初期状態に戻る。
FIG. 3 shows another application example. 3A shows a state in which the second member (3) is moved in the X-axis positive direction from the state shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3B shows the state shown in FIG. 3A. The state which stopped the movement operation of the 2nd member (3) from FIG. In FIG. 3, seven directors (4) are shown between the first member (2) and the second member (3), and each director (4) is connected to the first member (2).
In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the directors (45 to 47) are inclined at an amount of rotation of 90 ° or more from the initial state (the state shown in FIG. 2A). The other directors (41 to 44) are inclined from the initial state by a rotation amount of less than 90 °.
When the movement of the second member (3) is stopped in this state, the director (41 to 47) tends to be parallel to the first orientation surface (21) from the inclined state. At this time, since each liquid crystal molecule (41 to 47) is in a parallel state and tries to follow the closest path, the director (45 to 47) having an inclination angle of 90 ° or more is compared with the initial state. The state is substantially reversed (that is, the state rotated by 180 °), and the other directors (41 to 44) return to the initial state.
Next, when the second member (3) is moved in the direction opposite to the movement of the second member shown in FIG. 3 (a) and at the same speed, the director (4) is moved in the direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 3 (a). Rotate. When the second member (3) is stopped, all the aligned directors (4) are in the same direction and return to the initial state.
このように第２部材（３）を同速度で往復移動させることにより、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）の間に配されるディレクタ（４）の所定個数が、第２部材（３）の停止状態時において、１８０°反転した状態となる。整列する全てのディレクタ（４）が同一の方向にあるとき（即ち、図２（ａ）に示す状態）と、整列するディレクタ（４）のうちいくつかが略１８０°回転した状態にあるとき（即ち、図３（ｂ）に示す状態）とでは、光の透過率及び波長が異なる。したがって、この光の透過率及び／又は波長の差異を読み取ることによって、液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）はメモリ機能及びスイッチング機能を備えることとなる。
尚、図３（ｂ）に示すように、略１８０°回転した状態のディレクタ（４５乃至４７）は若干の傾斜を有している。これは、液晶分子の長距離弾性力により、初期状態側に引っ張られるためである。これら略１８０°回転した状態のディレクタ（４５乃至４７）の傾斜により生ずる電位差を計測することによって、液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）にメモリ機能及びスイッチング機能を持たすことができる。
尚、上記において、ディレクタ（４）が略１８０°回転したときの状態を示したが、これに限られるものではなく、略１８０°の倍数（３６０°、５４０°、７２０°など）であれば、メモリ機能及びスイッチング機能を備える装置に適用可能である。
By reciprocating the second member (3) at the same speed as described above, the predetermined number of directors (4) arranged between the first member (2) and the second member (3) is reduced to the second member. In the stop state of (3), the state is reversed 180 °. When all the directors (4) to be aligned are in the same direction (that is, the state shown in FIG. 2A), and when some of the directors (4) to be aligned are rotated by approximately 180 ° ( That is, in the state shown in FIG. 3B, the light transmittance and wavelength are different. Therefore, by reading the difference in light transmittance and / or wavelength, the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) has a memory function and a switching function.
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the directors (45 to 47) rotated approximately 180 ° have a slight inclination. This is because the liquid crystal molecules are pulled toward the initial state by the long-range elastic force. The liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) can be provided with a memory function and a switching function by measuring a potential difference caused by the inclination of the directors (45 to 47) rotated approximately 180 °.
In the above, the state when the director (4) is rotated by about 180 ° is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a multiple of about 180 ° (360 °, 540 °, 720 °, etc.). It can be applied to a device having a memory function and a switching function.
図４は、液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）の他の実施形態を示す。図４（ａ）は円筒型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）を示し、図４（ｂ）は円盤型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）を示す。
上述において、単純化のために平行平板を用いた液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）について説明してきたが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではない。
例えば、図４（ａ）に示すような形態を採用してもよい。図４（ａ）に示す円筒型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）は、小径に形成された円筒形状の第１部材（２）と第１部材（２）外周面に対して所定間隔を空けて覆うように配設される大径に形成された円筒形状の第２部材（３）を備える。第１部材（１）外周面は、その周方向にラビング処理が施され、第１配向面（２１）を形成している。第１配向面（２１）に対向する第２部材（３）内壁面は、液晶分子をほとんど或いは全く束縛しない第２配向面（３１）である。第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間には液晶が流動可能に配されている。
ここで、第１部材（２）を固定し、第２部材（３）をその中心軸周りに回転させると、図２を用いて説明したのと同様に、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間の液晶配向場に歪みを生じ、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に電位差を生ずる。該電位差或いは液晶配向場の歪みに起因する光の透過率及び／又は波長の変化を測定することにより、第２部材（３）の回転速度を計測可能となる。
或いは、第２部材（３）を一方向に回転させた後停止させ、次に逆方向に第２部材（３）を他の方向に同速度で回転させた後停止させ、それぞれの停止状態における光の透過率及び／又は波長或いは第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）間の電位差を計測可能とすることで、円筒形状をしたメモリ素子或いはスイッチング素子とすることができる。
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1). 4A shows a cylindrical liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1), and FIG. 4B shows a disk type liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1).
In the above description, the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) using parallel plates has been described for the sake of simplicity, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, you may employ | adopt a form as shown to Fig.4 (a). The cylindrical liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) shown in FIG. 4 (a) has a predetermined interval with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the first member (2) and the first member (2) having a small diameter. A cylindrical second member (3) formed in a large diameter is provided so as to be vacantly covered. The outer circumferential surface of the first member (1) is rubbed in the circumferential direction to form a first orientation surface (21). The inner wall surface of the second member (3) facing the first alignment surface (21) is the second alignment surface (31) that binds little or no liquid crystal molecules. Liquid crystals are arranged to flow between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31).
Here, when the first member (2) is fixed and the second member (3) is rotated around its central axis, the first orientation surface (21) and the first orientation surface (21) are the same as described with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal alignment field between the two alignment planes (31) is distorted, and a potential difference is generated between the first alignment plane (21) and the second alignment plane (31). The rotational speed of the second member (3) can be measured by measuring the light transmittance and / or wavelength change caused by the potential difference or the distortion of the liquid crystal alignment field.
Alternatively, the second member (3) is rotated after being rotated in one direction and then stopped, and then the second member (3) is rotated in the opposite direction at the same speed and then stopped. By making it possible to measure the light transmittance and / or wavelength or the potential difference between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31), a memory element or switching element having a cylindrical shape can be obtained.
図４（ｂ）に示すような円盤型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）も形成可能である。
円盤型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）は、一対の円盤状板からなり、下側に配設される円盤状板は第１部材（２）であり、上側に配設される円盤状板は第２部材（３）である。第１部材（２）上面には環状にラビング処理が施され、第１配向面（２１）を形成している。第２部材（３）下面は、液晶分子をほとんど或いは全く束縛しない第２配向面（３１）である。第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）の間には、液晶が流動可能に配されている。
第２部材（３）をその軸心周りに回転させると、上述と同様に、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に形成される液晶配向場に歪みが生ずる。該歪みによって生ずる第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間の電位差或いは光の透過率及び／又は波長を計測することで第２部材（３）の回転速度を計測可能となる。
或いは、第２部材（３）を一方向に回転させた後停止させ、次に逆方向に第２部材（３）を他の方向に同速度で回転させた後停止させ、それぞれの停止状態における光の透過率及び／又は波長或いは第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）間の電位差を計測可能とすることで、円筒形状をしたメモリ素子或いはスイッチング素子とすることができる。
A disc-shaped liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) as shown in FIG. 4B can also be formed.
The disc-shaped liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) includes a pair of disc-like plates, and the disc-like plate disposed on the lower side is the first member (2), and the disc-like shape disposed on the upper side. The plate is the second member (3). The upper surface of the first member (2) is annularly rubbed to form a first orientation surface (21). The lower surface of the second member (3) is a second alignment surface (31) that binds little or no liquid crystal molecules. Liquid crystals are arranged between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) so as to flow.
When the second member (3) is rotated around its axis, the liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) is distorted as described above. . The rotational speed of the second member (3) can be measured by measuring the potential difference or the light transmittance and / or wavelength between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) caused by the strain. It becomes.
Alternatively, the second member (3) is rotated after being rotated in one direction and then stopped, and then the second member (3) is rotated in the opposite direction at the same speed and then stopped. By making it possible to measure the light transmittance and / or wavelength or the potential difference between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31), a memory element or switching element having a cylindrical shape can be obtained.
上述において、第１部材（２）を固定し、第２部材（３）を平行移動或いは回転させる例を示してきたが、本発明はこれに限られるものではなく、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に速度差が生ずればよい。例えば、上述の例とは逆に、第１部材（２）を平行移動或いは回転させ、第２部材（３）を固定してもよい。或いは、第１部材（２）を第２部材（３）の移動方向と同方向に且つ第２部材（３）の移動速度と異なる速度で移動させてもよい。或いは、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）を反対方向に移動させてもよい。 In the above description, the example in which the first member (2) is fixed and the second member (3) is translated or rotated has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first member (2) and What is necessary is just to produce a speed difference between the second member (3). For example, contrary to the above-described example, the first member (2) may be translated or rotated to fix the second member (3). Alternatively, the first member (2) may be moved in the same direction as the moving direction of the second member (3) and at a speed different from the moving speed of the second member (3). Alternatively, the first member (2) and the second member (3) may be moved in opposite directions.
更には、上記説明において、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）とが平行に整列した例を示してきたが、本発明はこれに限られるものではない。即ち、本発明においては、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）とが液晶に対する異なる束縛力を備え、且つ、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に速度差を生じ、液晶分子場に歪みを発生させればよく、この条件を満たす限り、本発明の適用は可能である。したがって、第１部材（２）並びに第２部材（３）にフィルム等の変形しやすい材料をも適用可能であり、或いは第１配向面（２１）並びに第２配向面（３１）が不規則に波打つような形状をも採用可能である。よって、本発明は適用場所や適用材料に何ら限定されず、広い用途に適用可能である。 Furthermore, in the above description, the example in which the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) are aligned in parallel has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the present invention, the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) have different binding forces on the liquid crystal, and between the first member (2) and the second member (3). It is sufficient that a difference in speed is generated and distortion occurs in the liquid crystal molecular field, and the present invention can be applied as long as this condition is satisfied. Therefore, it is also possible to apply a material such as a film that is easily deformed to the first member (2) and the second member (3), or the first orientation surface (21) and the second orientation surface (31) are irregular. A wavy shape can also be employed. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to an application place or an application material, and can be applied to a wide range of uses.
図５に、上記液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）を速度・変位量センサに応用した例を示す。図５（ａ）は液晶配向場の歪みにより生ずる電位差を測定することにより速度を計測する速度・変位量センサの構成図であり、図５（ｂ）は液晶配向場を透過する光の透過率及び／又は波長を測定することにより速度を計測する速度・変位量センサの構成図である。
図５（ａ）に示す速度・変位量センサ（１０）は、図３で示した平行平板型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）を用いている。しかしながら、上述の円筒型或いは円盤型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）若しくはその他形状の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）も同様に適用可能である。第１部材（２）は透明なガラス板（２２）とガラス板（２２）上面に配設された配向膜（２３）から形成されている。配向膜（２３）は例えばポリイミド等の高分子物質からなり、その上面には第２部材（３）移動方向に平行な方向にラビング処理が施され、第１配向面（２１）を形成するものとなる。配向膜（２３）には金属箔（５ａ）が埋設されている。
尚、ここでは、第１部材（２）は固定されている。
また第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）の間に配される液晶には、ＭＢＢＡ（4-methoxybenzylidene-4'-butylaniline）が用いられているが、回転可能な液晶分子を有する液晶であれば適用可能である。
FIG. 5 shows an example in which the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) is applied to a velocity / displacement sensor. FIG. 5A is a configuration diagram of a speed / displacement amount sensor that measures the speed by measuring a potential difference caused by distortion of the liquid crystal alignment field, and FIG. 5B is a transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal alignment field. And / or a configuration diagram of a speed / displacement sensor that measures speed by measuring a wavelength.
The speed / displacement sensor (10) shown in FIG. 5 (a) uses the parallel plate type liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) shown in FIG. However, the above-described cylindrical or disc-shaped liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) or other shapes of liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) can be similarly applied. The first member (2) is formed of a transparent glass plate (22) and an alignment film (23) disposed on the upper surface of the glass plate (22). The alignment film (23) is made of a polymer material such as polyimide, and the upper surface thereof is rubbed in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the second member (3) to form the first alignment surface (21). It becomes. A metal foil (5a) is embedded in the alignment film (23).
Here, the first member (2) is fixed.
MBBA (4-methoxybenzylidene-4'-butylaniline) is used as the liquid crystal disposed between the first member (2) and the second member (3), but the liquid crystal has rotatable liquid crystal molecules. If so, it is applicable.
第２部材（３）は、ガラス板からなる。第２部材（３）下面上の前記金属箔（５ａ）と対向する位置には他のもう一つの金属箔（５ｂ）が配設される。これら金属箔（５）は、液晶の流動を乱さぬように第１部材（２）上面、第２部材（３）下面とそれぞれ面一とされる。この一対の金属箔（５）は電圧計（５１）と電気的に接続している。電圧計（５１）により、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に形成される液晶配向場の歪みによって生ずる電位差を計測可能となる。上述の如く電位差と第２部材（３）の移動速度とは相関関係があるので、電位差を測定することで、第２部材（３）の移動速度を測定可能となる。また、移動速度を積分演算することで、変位量を求めることが可能となる。尚、本実施例において、金属箔を用いているが、金属以外の材料からなる導電体も使用可能である。 The second member (3) is made of a glass plate. Another metal foil (5b) is disposed at a position facing the metal foil (5a) on the lower surface of the second member (3). These metal foils (5) are flush with the upper surface of the first member (2) and the lower surface of the second member (3) so as not to disturb the flow of liquid crystal. The pair of metal foils (5) are electrically connected to the voltmeter (51). The voltmeter (51) makes it possible to measure the potential difference caused by the distortion of the liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31). As described above, there is a correlation between the potential difference and the moving speed of the second member (3). Therefore, the moving speed of the second member (3) can be measured by measuring the potential difference. Further, the displacement amount can be obtained by integrating the moving speed. In this embodiment, a metal foil is used, but a conductor made of a material other than metal can also be used.
図５（ａ）において、第２部材（３）はシリンダ（６）と接続し、平行移動するようにされている。尚、第２部材（３）はシリンダ（６）等のアクチュエータによって能動的に動かされる必要はなく、速度計測の対象物と接続され、該対象物の移動に伴い移動されるようにされてもよい。 In FIG. 5 (a), the second member (3) is connected to the cylinder (6) so as to move in parallel. Note that the second member (3) does not need to be actively moved by an actuator such as the cylinder (6), but is connected to an object for speed measurement and may be moved along with the movement of the object. Good.
シリンダ（６）を作動させると、第２部材（３）はシリンダ（６）のロッドの動作に追従して第１部材（２）に対して平行に移動する。この移動に伴い、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に形成される液晶配向場に歪みが生じ、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間に電位差が生ずる。金属箔（５）に電気的に接続する電圧計（５１）は、この電位差を計測する。電位差と第２部材（３）の速度の相関関係により第２部材（３）の移動速度が検知される。また、検知された移動速度を積分演算することで、第２部材（３）の変位量を求めることができる。 When the cylinder (6) is operated, the second member (3) moves parallel to the first member (2) following the movement of the rod of the cylinder (6). With this movement, the liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) is distorted, and the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31). A potential difference is generated between A voltmeter (51) electrically connected to the metal foil (5) measures this potential difference. The moving speed of the second member (3) is detected by the correlation between the potential difference and the speed of the second member (3). Moreover, the displacement amount of the second member (3) can be obtained by integrating the detected moving speed.
図５（ｂ）に示す速度・変位量センサ（１０）は、図５（ａ）に示す速度・変位量センサ（１０）と略同一の構成を備えるが、金属箔（５）及び電圧計（５１）の代わりに、光源（７）及び受光器（７１）を用いている。
光源（７）には、小型赤外線レーザ等の光源装置が適用可能である。受光器（７１）は光源（７）からの光を受光し、その受光量を測定する。この受光量は第２部材（３）の速度と相関関係があるので、第２部材（３）の移動速度が検知可能となる。
尚、光量を測定する以外にも、受光される光の波長を検出することによっても、第２部材（３）の移動速度が検知可能となる。また、得られた速度データから第２部材（３）の変位量を求めることも可能となる。
The speed / displacement sensor (10) shown in FIG. 5 (b) has substantially the same configuration as the speed / displacement sensor (10) shown in FIG. 5 (a), but has a metal foil (5) and a voltmeter ( Instead of 51), a light source (7) and a light receiver (71) are used.
A light source device such as a small infrared laser can be applied to the light source (7). The light receiver (71) receives light from the light source (7) and measures the amount of light received. Since this received light amount has a correlation with the speed of the second member (3), the moving speed of the second member (3) can be detected.
In addition to measuring the amount of light, the moving speed of the second member (3) can be detected by detecting the wavelength of the received light. In addition, the displacement amount of the second member (3) can be obtained from the obtained speed data.
更に、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に液晶分子場の歪み速度を検知することも可能である。
上記速度・変位量センサ（１０）の構成に演算装置を加える。演算装置は、第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間の速度差に対する液晶分子の分極によって発生する電位差、或いは液晶分子場の歪みにより変化する透過光の光量或いは透過光の波長のキャリブレーション・データを備える。速度・変位量センサ（１０）から得られる入力値、即ち、電圧データ、光量データ或いは波長データが、演算装置に入力される。また演算装置は、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間の間隔、即ち液晶分子場の厚さのデータが入力可能とされる。
演算装置は、上記速度・変位量センサ（１０）から得られる入力値に応じて、キャリブレーション・データから第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間の速度差を算出する。そして、液晶分子場の厚さの値で、算出された速度差を除する。この除された結果が液晶分子場の歪み速度となる。演算装置は、算出された液晶分子場の歪み速度を出力する。この出力された歪み速度を時間で積分した値により、液晶分子場の歪み量の算出値を得ることが可能となる。このように、上記速度・変位量センサ（１０）を応用して、液晶分子場の歪み速度並びに歪み量を検知可能な歪み速度・歪み量センサを構築可能である。
Furthermore, it is also possible to detect the strain rate of the liquid crystal molecular field between the first member (2) and the second member (3).
An arithmetic unit is added to the configuration of the speed / displacement sensor (10). The arithmetic unit is configured to detect the amount of transmitted light or the amount of transmitted light that changes due to a potential difference generated by polarization of liquid crystal molecules with respect to a speed difference between the first member (2) and the second member (3), or distortion of the liquid crystal molecule field. Contains wavelength calibration data. Input values obtained from the speed / displacement amount sensor (10), that is, voltage data, light amount data, or wavelength data are input to the arithmetic unit. Further, the arithmetic unit can input data on the distance between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31), that is, the thickness of the liquid crystal molecular field.
The arithmetic device calculates a speed difference between the first member (2) and the second member (3) from the calibration data in accordance with the input value obtained from the speed / displacement sensor (10). Then, the calculated speed difference is divided by the thickness value of the liquid crystal molecular field. The result of this division becomes the strain rate of the liquid crystal molecular field. The arithmetic unit outputs the calculated strain rate of the liquid crystal molecular field. A calculated value of the distortion amount of the liquid crystal molecular field can be obtained by a value obtained by integrating the output strain rate with time. Thus, by applying the speed / displacement sensor (10), it is possible to construct a strain speed / strain amount sensor capable of detecting the strain speed and the strain amount of the liquid crystal molecular field.
尚、図５（ａ）及び図５（ｂ）に示すシリンダ（６）のロッドを同一速度で伸長及び収縮させることで速度・変位量センサ（１０）はメモリ素子或いはスイッチング素子となる。
例えば、シリンダ（６）が収縮状態にあるときの電圧計（５１）の計測する電圧値に応じて、電圧計（５１）と接続する回路をオン状態とし、シリンダ（６）が伸長状態にあるときの電圧計（５１）の計測する電圧値に応じて、電圧計（５１）と接続する回路をオフ状態としてもよい。或いは、電圧値に代えて、受光器（７１）の計測する受光量或いは受光される光の波長に応じて受光器（７１）に接続する回路のオン・オフの切換を行うことも可能である。
The speed / displacement sensor (10) becomes a memory element or a switching element by extending and contracting the rod of the cylinder (6) shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) at the same speed.
For example, according to the voltage value measured by the voltmeter (51) when the cylinder (6) is in the contracted state, the circuit connected to the voltmeter (51) is turned on, and the cylinder (6) is in the extended state. Depending on the voltage value measured by the voltmeter (51), the circuit connected to the voltmeter (51) may be turned off. Alternatively, it is also possible to switch on / off the circuit connected to the light receiver (71) according to the amount of light received by the light receiver (71) or the wavelength of the light received instead of the voltage value. .
上述の説明では、初期状態においてディレクタ（４）の長軸を液晶の流動方向、即ちＸ軸に平行に配した例を示したが、Ｙ軸に平行としてもよい。
図６に、図２で示す平行平板型の液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）の第２部材（３）を平行移動させたときのディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度を計算したシミュレーション結果を示す。尚、シミュレーションにおいて、初期条件として、ディレクタ（４）の長軸はＹ軸に平行とされている。また、図６に示すシミュレーション結果は、第２部材（３）が移動動作を開始して、液晶の流動が定常状態となったときのディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度を現わしている。
図６（ａ）はエリクセン数Ｅｒを１０００としたときのシミュレーション結果であり、図６（ｂ）はエリクセン数Ｅｒを５００としたときのシミュレーション結果である。尚、ここで、エリクセン数Ｅｒは粘性力と弾性力の比を表す液晶固有の無次元数である。高いＥｒは第２部材（３）の速度が高いことを意味する。
また図６に示す結果は、第２部材（３）下面に形成される第２配向面（３１）の液晶に対する束縛力を変化させたときのディレクタ（４）の傾斜状態の変化を示し、該束縛力は図６中、Ａｅで示されている。Ａｅは壁面におけるディレクタ（４）の束縛力と弾性力の比を表し、Ａｅの値が大きくなるほど、第２配向面（３１）の束縛力が増加する。
図６において、横軸には第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）間の距離Ｈを無次元化した値ｙ＊を用い、「ｙ＊＝０」は第１配向面（２１）上にあることを示し、「ｙ＊＝１」は第２配向面（３１）上にあることを示す。また、縦軸にはディレクタ（４）の角度θを取り、「θ＝９０」はＹ軸に平行であることを示し、「θ＝０」はＹ軸に対して直角であることを示す。
In the above description, the example in which the major axis of the director (4) is arranged in parallel with the flow direction of the liquid crystal, that is, the X axis in the initial state, may be parallel to the Y axis.
FIG. 6 shows a simulation result of calculating the inclination angle of the director (4) when the second member (3) of the parallel plate type liquid crystal molecular field distortion generating mechanism (1) shown in FIG. 2 is translated. In the simulation, as an initial condition, the major axis of the director (4) is parallel to the Y axis. Moreover, the simulation result shown in FIG. 6 shows the inclination angle of the director (4) when the second member (3) starts moving and the liquid crystal flows in a steady state.
FIG. 6A shows a simulation result when the Eriksen number Er is 1000, and FIG. 6B shows a simulation result when the Erichsen number Er is 500. Here, the Erichsen number Er is a dimensionless number unique to liquid crystal that represents the ratio of the viscous force to the elastic force. High Er means that the speed of the second member (3) is high.
Moreover, the result shown in FIG. 6 shows the change in the tilt state of the director (4) when the binding force to the liquid crystal of the second alignment surface (31) formed on the lower surface of the second member (3) is changed. The binding force is indicated by Ae in FIG. Ae represents the ratio of the binding force and the elastic force of the director (4) on the wall surface, and the binding force of the second orientation surface (31) increases as the value of Ae increases.
In FIG. 6, a value y * obtained by making the distance H between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) dimensionless is used for the horizontal axis, and “y * = 0” indicates the first alignment surface ( 21) indicating that it is on the surface, and “y * = 1” indicates that it is on the second alignment surface (31). Further, the vertical axis represents the angle θ of the director (4), “θ = 90” indicates that it is parallel to the Y axis, and “θ = 0” indicates that it is perpendicular to the Y axis.
図６に示すように、第２配向面（３１）の束縛力Ａｅを変化させることによって、液晶配向場のディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度の分布形態を変化させることができる。したがって、第２配向面（３１）のラビング処理の有無、或いはラビング処理による細溝の深さの調整によって、液晶の巨視的分極を調整可能となる。
また、図６（ａ）と図６（ｂ）に示すグラフ曲線の形状の差異から、第２部材（３）の速度がディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度に影響を与えることが分かる。例えば、「Ｅｒ＝１０００」（即ち、高速度で第２部材（３）を移動させたとき（図６（ａ）参照））のときは、「ｙ＊＞０．２」の領域にあるディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度が略一定となっているのに対し、「Ｅｒ＝５００」（即ち、低速度で第２部材（３）を移動させたとき（図６（ｂ）参照））のときは、「ｙ＊＞０．４」の領域にあるディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度が略一定となっている。このことは、第２部材（３）の速度を増加させると、より広い領域で、ディレクタ（４）のより大きな回転量を得ることが出来るということを意味する。このように、ディレクタ（４）の傾斜角度分布が、第２部材（３）の移動速度によって影響を受けるので、上述のように液晶配向場に生ずる電位差を測定し、或いは液晶配向場を通過する光の透過量を計測することによって、第２部材（３）の移動速度を測定することが可能である。
As shown in FIG. 6, by changing the binding force Ae of the second alignment surface (31), the distribution pattern of the tilt angle of the director (4) of the liquid crystal alignment field can be changed. Therefore, the macroscopic polarization of the liquid crystal can be adjusted by the presence or absence of the rubbing treatment of the second alignment surface (31) or the adjustment of the depth of the narrow groove by the rubbing treatment.
Moreover, it turns out that the speed of the 2nd member (3) affects the inclination-angle of a director (4) from the difference of the shape of the graph curve shown to Fig.6 (a) and FIG.6 (b). For example, when “Er = 1000” (that is, when the second member (3) is moved at a high speed (see FIG. 6A)), the director in the region of “y * > 0.2”. While the inclination angle of (4) is substantially constant, “Er = 500” (that is, when the second member (3) is moved at a low speed (see FIG. 6B)). The angle of inclination of the director (4) in the region of “y * > 0.4” is substantially constant. This means that if the speed of the second member (3) is increased, a larger amount of rotation of the director (4) can be obtained in a wider area. Thus, since the inclination angle distribution of the director (4) is affected by the moving speed of the second member (3), the potential difference generated in the liquid crystal alignment field is measured or passed through the liquid crystal alignment field as described above. By measuring the amount of transmitted light, the moving speed of the second member (3) can be measured.
上述において、二次元配向場を考えてきたが、三次元の配向場においても、本発明は適用可能である。
図７は、３次元配向場のモデル図である。上述と同様に、下方に第１配向面（２１）が形成された第１部材（２）を配設し、第１部材（２）と平行に第２部材（３）を配設している。第２配向面（３１）が第２部材（３）の下面に形成されている。第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）との間には、液晶が流動可能に満たされている。尚、図７中には１つのディレクタ（４）が示されているが、初期状態において、ディレクタ（４）はＹ軸に沿って複数整列している。
ディレクタ（４）は、Ｘ−Ｙ平面においてその長軸はＹ軸に平行であるが、Ｙ−Ｚ平面において僅かにＺ軸方向に傾斜している。この場合、第１配向面（２１）に施されるラビング処理の方向は、Ｘ−Ｚ平面上で、Ｘ軸及びＺ軸方向に正方向に増加する方向である。尚、ここで用いられる液晶は８ＣＢ（4'-n-Octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl）であるが、回転可能な液晶分子を有する液晶であれば、特に制限されるものではない。
In the above description, the two-dimensional orientation field has been considered. However, the present invention can also be applied to a three-dimensional orientation field.
FIG. 7 is a model diagram of a three-dimensional orientation field. Similar to the above, the first member (2) having the first orientation surface (21) formed below is disposed, and the second member (3) is disposed in parallel with the first member (2). . A second orientation surface (31) is formed on the lower surface of the second member (3). A liquid crystal is filled between the first alignment surface (21) and the second alignment surface (31) so as to flow. In FIG. 7, one director (4) is shown. In the initial state, a plurality of directors (4) are aligned along the Y axis.
The director (4) has a long axis parallel to the Y axis in the XY plane, but is slightly inclined in the Z axis direction in the YZ plane. In this case, the direction of the rubbing process performed on the first orientation surface (21) is a direction that increases in the positive direction in the X-axis and Z-axis directions on the XZ plane. The liquid crystal used here is 8CB (4′-n-Octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl), but it is not particularly limited as long as it has a liquid crystal molecule that can rotate.
ここで、第２部材（３）を速度ＵでＸ軸正方向に平行移動させた場合の分極の大きさの変動について説明する。分極の大きさ（Ｐｆ）は次式で表される。尚、次式中、ｅ１１及びｅ１３はフレクソ係数と呼ばれる液晶の物性値である。また、ｎはディレクタであり、分子の局所平均配向を表す単位ベクトルである。 Here, the variation in the magnitude of polarization when the second member (3) is translated in the positive direction of the X axis at the speed U will be described. The magnitude of polarization (P f ) is expressed by the following equation. In the following equation, e 11 and e 13 are physical property values of the liquid crystal called flexo coefficients. N is a director, which is a unit vector representing the local average orientation of molecules.
図８は上記分極の大きさＰｆを表す式に基づいて算出された結果である。図８中、「Ｐ１ ＊」は上式第１項の値を表し、「Ｐ２ ＊」は上式第２項の値を表す。図８中横軸に取られる「ｔ＊」は、第１配向面（２１）と第２配向面（３１）間の距離「Ｈ」をフレクソ係数ｅ１１及びｅ１３で無次元化したものであり、第２部材（３）の移動時間を示す。
図８に示す如く、上式第１項の値Ｐ１ ＊と第２項Ｐ２ ＊の値は周期的変動を示す。第２項の値Ｐ２ ＊の周期は、第１項の値Ｐ１ ＊の周期の２倍である。この周期的変動は時間経過に関わらず一定であり、減衰しない。したがって、上記のようにモデル化された３次元配向場においては、ディレクタ（４）は常に回転運動を続けることが分かる。また、分極の大きさは周期的変動を示す。この周期は、第２部材（３）の移動速度によって変化し、第２部材（３）の移動速度の増加は、変動周期を短縮させる。
FIG. 8 shows the result of calculation based on the equation representing the magnitude of polarization P f . In FIG. 8, “P 1 * ” represents the value of the first term of the above formula, and “P 2 * ” represents the value of the second term of the above formula. “T * ” taken on the horizontal axis in FIG. 8 is obtained by making the distance “H” between the first orientation surface (21) and the second orientation surface (31) dimensionless with flexo coefficients e 11 and e 13. Yes, shows the travel time of the second member (3).
As shown in FIG. 8, the value P 1 * and the value of the second term P 2 * in the first term of the above equation show periodic fluctuations. The period of the value P 2 * of the second term is twice the period of the value P 1 * of the first term. This periodic variation is constant over time and does not decay. Therefore, in the three-dimensional orientation field modeled as described above, it can be seen that the director (4) always keeps rotating. Moreover, the magnitude | size of polarization shows a periodic fluctuation | variation. This period changes according to the moving speed of the second member (3), and an increase in the moving speed of the second member (3) shortens the fluctuation period.
このような３次元配向場を備える液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）を利用して、液晶配向場に生ずる電位差を測定すれば、その測定値は周期的変動を示すこととなる。その周期的変動の周波数から第２部材（３）の移動速度を求めることが可能となる。また、３次元配向場を通過する光量の変動を測定し、光量の変動周波数を求めることによっても、第２部材（３）の移動速度を求めることが可能となる。 If the potential difference generated in the liquid crystal alignment field is measured using the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) having such a three-dimensional alignment field, the measured value shows periodic fluctuation. The moving speed of the second member (3) can be obtained from the frequency of the periodic fluctuation. It is also possible to determine the moving speed of the second member (3) by measuring the variation in the amount of light passing through the three-dimensional orientation field and determining the variation frequency of the amount of light.
図９は、３次元配向場を備える液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）において、第２部材（３）を平行移動させたときの第２配向面上でのディレクタ（４）の配向変化を表すグラフである。
縦軸はディレクタの変化角度を表し、横軸には図８に関連して説明された「ｔ＊」が用いれ、横軸は、第２部材（３）の移動時間を示している。
図９中、Ｌ１で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝５０，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件であり、Ｌ２で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝１００，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件であり、Ｌ３で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝１２５，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件であり、Ｌ４で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝２００，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件であり、Ｌ５で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝２５０，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件であり、Ｌ６で示す曲線は、Ａｅ＝３００，Ｅｒ＝５００の条件である。
FIG. 9 shows a change in the orientation of the director (4) on the second orientation plane when the second member (3) is translated in the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) having a three-dimensional orientation field. It is a graph.
The vertical axis represents the change angle of the director, “t * ” described in relation to FIG. 8 is used for the horizontal axis, and the horizontal axis represents the movement time of the second member (3).
In FIG. 9, the curve indicated by L1 is a condition of Ae = 50 and Er = 500, the curve indicated by L2 is a condition of Ae = 100 and Er = 500, and the curve indicated by L3 is Ae = 125, Er = 500, the curve indicated by L4 is Ae = 200, Er = 500, the curve indicated by L5 is Ae = 250, Er = 500, and the curve indicated by L6 is The conditions are Ae = 300 and Er = 500.
曲線Ｌ１からＬ６に示すように、Ｅｒが一定の条件で、束縛力Ａｅを変化させると、ディレクタ（４）の配向変化量が増加する。また曲線Ｌ１及びＬ２に示す条件においては、ディレクタ（４）の配向変化は一定の周期性を示す。
このように束縛力Ａｅを変更することによって、ディレクタ（４）の配向量の変化状態を変えることができる。このことは、第２配向面（３１）の束縛力Ａｅによって、例えば、液晶分子場歪み発生機構（１）がセンサとして用いられた場合、センサの感度を変えることが可能である。即ち、束縛力Ａｅを小さくすればセンサの感度を上昇させることができ、逆に束縛力Ａｅを大きくすればセンサの感度を下げることができる。
As shown by curves L1 to L6, when the binding force Ae is changed under the condition that Er is constant, the amount of change in the orientation of the director (4) increases. Further, under the conditions shown by the curves L1 and L2, the change in the orientation of the director (4) shows a certain periodicity.
Thus, by changing the binding force Ae, the change state of the orientation amount of the director (4) can be changed. For example, when the liquid crystal molecular field distortion generation mechanism (1) is used as a sensor, the sensitivity of the sensor can be changed by the binding force Ae of the second alignment surface (31). That is, if the binding force Ae is reduced, the sensitivity of the sensor can be increased. Conversely, if the binding force Ae is increased, the sensitivity of the sensor can be reduced.
また第２部材（３）の移動時間ｔ＊を増加させると、ディレクタ（４）の第２配向面（３１）上での回転状態が略０°（Ａｅ＝３００）、略−１８０°（Ａｅ＝２５０、２００）、略−３６０°（Ａｅ＝１２５）、略−５４０°（Ａ＝１００）、略−７２０°（Ａｅ＝５０）となる位置に収束する。したがって、束縛力Ａｅの強さに応じて、異なるディレクタの回転収束状態を作り出すことができ、異なる複数の信号を発生可能なメモリ・スイッチング装置を作ることが可能となる。 Further, when the movement time t * of the second member (3) is increased, the rotation state of the director (4) on the second orientation surface (31) is approximately 0 ° (Ae = 300), approximately −180 ° (Ae). = 250, 200), approximately −360 ° (Ae = 125), approximately −540 ° (A = 100), and approximately −720 ° (Ae = 50). Therefore, the rotational convergence state of different directors can be created according to the strength of the binding force Ae, and a memory switching device capable of generating a plurality of different signals can be made.
図１０は、図９の曲線Ｌ６で示す条件でのディレクタ（４）の時間経過に伴う変化を示す。図１０中の矢印は第１部材（２）と第２部材（３）との間に配された液晶の速度を示している。
図１０に示す如く、ディレクタ（４）の配列は、第２部材（３）の移動につれて、ねじれていく。尚、このねじれ形態にもかかわらず、第１配向面（２１）及び第２配向面（３１）上にあるディレクタ（４）は、束縛されているため、その配向は略一定である。
図１０中、「ｔ＊＝２０００」でよく表されるように、ディレクタ（４）の変化の影響を受けて、液晶の流速分布が影響を受ける。
FIG. 10 shows changes over time of the director (4) under the conditions indicated by the curve L6 in FIG. The arrows in FIG. 10 indicate the speed of the liquid crystal disposed between the first member (2) and the second member (3).
As shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement of the directors (4) is twisted as the second member (3) moves. In spite of this twisted form, the director (4) on the first orientation surface (21) and the second orientation surface (31) is constrained, so that the orientation is substantially constant.
In FIG. 10, as well represented by “t * = 2000”, the flow velocity distribution of the liquid crystal is affected by the change of the director (4).
本発明は、液晶を利用したスイッチング・メモリ素子に好適に適用される。 The present invention is suitably applied to a switching memory element using liquid crystal.
２・・・・・第１部材
２１・・・・第１配向面
３・・・・・第２部材
３１・・・・第２配向面
４・・・・・液晶分子
５・・・・・金属箔
５１・・・・電圧計
７・・・・・光源
７１・・・・受光器
2...
Claims (7)
前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、
前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差が生じるように、前記ラビング処理が施された方向に移動することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子。 A light transmissive first member having a first alignment surface subjected to a rubbing treatment for liquid crystal;
A light-transmissive second member comprising a second alignment surface having a binding force for liquid crystal alignment having a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface;
A liquid crystal sealed in a flowable manner in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface;
A light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member;
At least one of the first member and the second member, as the speed difference between the second member and the first member is caused, thus being moved in the direction in which the rubbing process has been performed Switching memory element.
前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、
前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材は、前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面を対向させて、前記第１配向面の法線方向に配され、
前記第１配向面の配向処理は、前記第１配向面の平行方向に施されており、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、前記第１配向面の平行方向に移動することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子。 A light transmissive first member having a first alignment surface subjected to an alignment treatment for liquid crystal;
A light-transmissive second member comprising a second alignment surface having a binding force for liquid crystal alignment having a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface;
A liquid crystal sealed in a flowable manner in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface;
A light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member;
The first member and the second member are arranged in a normal direction of the first alignment surface with the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface facing each other,
The alignment treatment of the first alignment surface is performed in the parallel direction of the first alignment surface,
At least one of the first member and the second member moves in a direction parallel to the first orientation plane so as to generate a speed difference between the first member and the second member. Switching memory element.
前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、
前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、
前記第１部材は、小径の円筒形状に形成され、前記第２部材は、前記第１部材の外周面に所定間隔を空けて覆うように配設される大径の円筒形状に形成されてなり、前記第１部材の外周面は、周方向に前記配向処理が施されて、前記第１配向面を形成し、前記第２部材の内壁面は、前記第２配向面であり、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、中心軸周りに回転することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子。 A light transmissive first member having a first alignment surface subjected to an alignment treatment for liquid crystal;
A light-transmissive second member comprising a second alignment surface having a binding force for liquid crystal alignment having a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface;
A liquid crystal sealed in a flowable manner in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface;
A light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member;
The first member is formed in a small-diameter cylindrical shape, and the second member is formed in a large-diameter cylindrical shape disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the first member with a predetermined interval. The outer peripheral surface of the first member is subjected to the alignment treatment in the circumferential direction to form the first alignment surface, the inner wall surface of the second member is the second alignment surface, and the first At least one of the member and the second member rotates around a central axis so as to produce a speed difference between the first member and the second member .
前記第１配向面に対向する面に該第１配向面と異なる強さの液晶配向に対する束縛力を有する第２配向面を備える光透過性の第２部材と、
前記第１配向面と前記第２配向面の間に形成される空間内に流動可能に封入される液晶と、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材に光を照射し、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材との間に形成される液晶配向場を通過する光を測定する光測定手段を備え、
前記第１部材及び前記第２部材は、一対の円盤状板からなり、前記第１部材の前記第１配向面には、環状に配向処理が施され、前記第１部材及び前記第２部材の少なくとも一方は、前記第１部材と前記第２部材との間に速度差を生じるように、軸心周りに回転することを特徴とするスイッチング・メモリ素子。 A light transmissive first member having a first alignment surface subjected to an alignment treatment for liquid crystal;
A light-transmissive second member comprising a second alignment surface having a binding force for liquid crystal alignment having a strength different from that of the first alignment surface on a surface facing the first alignment surface;
A liquid crystal sealed in a flowable manner in a space formed between the first alignment surface and the second alignment surface;
A light measuring means for irradiating the first member and the second member with light and measuring light passing through a liquid crystal alignment field formed between the first member and the second member;
The first member and the second member are formed of a pair of disk-shaped plates, and the first orientation surface of the first member is subjected to an annular orientation treatment, and the first member and the second member At least one of the switching memory elements rotates around an axis so as to produce a speed difference between the first member and the second member .
前記光源からの光線を受光する受光器からなることを特徴とする請求項１乃至４の何れかに記載のスイッチング・メモリ素子。5. The switching memory element according to claim 1, further comprising a light receiver that receives a light beam from the light source.
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