Spectroscopies are the most widely used for understanding the crystallographic, chemical, and physical aspects of materials; therefore, numerous commercial and non-commercial software have been introduced to help researchers better handling their spectroscopic data. However, not many researchers, especially early-stage ones, have a proper background knowledge on the choice of fitting functions and a technique for actual fitting, although the essence of such data analysis is peak fitting. In this regard, we present a practical guide for peak fitting for data analysis. We start with a basic-level theoretical background why and how a certain protocol for peak fitting works, followed by a step-by-step visualized demonstration how an actual fitting is performed. We expect that this contribution is sure to help many active researchers in the discipline of materials science better handle their spectroscopic data.

We fabricated BiAlO thin film by a solution process with a brush coating to be used as liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer. Solution-processed BiAlO was coated on the glass substrate by brush process. Prepared thin films were annealed at different temperatures of 80℃, 180℃, and 280℃. To verify whether the BiAlO film was formed properly, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was performed on Bi and Al. Using a crystal rotation method by polarized optical microscopy, LC alignment state was evaluated. At the annealing temperature of 280℃, the uniform homogenous LC alignment was achieved. To reveal the mechanism of LC alignment by brush coating, field emission scanning electron microscope was used. Through this analysis, spin-coated and brush coated film surface were compared. It was revealed that physical anisotropy was induced by brush coating at a high annealing temperature. Particles were aligned in one direction along which brush coating was made, resulting in a physical anisotropy that affects a uniform LC alignment. Therefore, it was confirmed that brush coating combined with BiAlO thin film annealed at high temperature has a significant potential for LC alignment.