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LCD operation in a nutshell

The operation of TN, VA and IPS-LCDs can be summarized as follows:

• a well aligned LC configuration is deformed by an applied electric field,
• this deformation changes the orientation of the local LC optical axis with respect to the direction of light propagation through the LC layer,
• this change of orientation changes the polarization state of the light propagating through the LC layer,
• this change of the polarization state is converted into a change of intensity by dichroic absorption, usually by external dichroic polarizers.

Activation

Liquid crystals can be aligned by both magnetic and electric fields. The strength of the required magnetic field is too high to be feasible for display applications.

One electro-optical effect with LCs requires a current through the LC-cell; all other practiced electro-optical effects only require an electric field (without current) for alignment of the LC.

Absorption Effects

The state of polarization of the light traveling through the LC layer cannot be perceived by human observers, it must be converted into intensity (e.g. luminance) in order to become perceivable. This is achieved with absorption by dichroic dyes and dichroic polarizers.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals

Liquid crystals with low molecular weight can be mixed with high molecular weight polymers, followed by phase-separation to form a kind of spongy matrix filled with LC droplets. An external electric field can align the LC to match its index with that of the polymer matrix, switching that cell from a milky (scattering) state to a clear transparent state. When dichroic dyes are dissolved in the LC an electric field can switch the PDLC from an absorbing state to a fairly transparent state.

When the amount of polymer is small compared to that of the LC there will be no separation of both components, but the polymer forms an anisotropic fiber-like network within the LC that stabilizes the state in which it has been formed. In such a way, certain physical properties (e.g. elasticities, viscosities, and thus threshold voltages and response times, respectively) can be controlled.

Bistable LCDs

For some applications bistability of electro-optical effects is highly advantageous, since the optical response (visual information) is maintained even after removal of the electrical activation, thus saving battery charge. These effects are beneficial when the displayed visual information is changed only in extended intervals (e.g. electronic paper, electronic price tags, etc.).

Reduction of Variations with Viewing Direction in LCDs

With the direction of light propagation in the LC layer also the state of polarization of the light changes, and, as a consequence, the intensity and the spectral distribution of transmitted light changes too. In order to reduce such unwanted variations to a minimum, two approaches are used in actual LC displays: multi-domain approaches and application of external birefringent layers (retarder sheets).

Literature

• Pochi Yeh, Claire Gu, Optics of Liquid Crystal Displays, John Wiley & Sons, 1999
• D.K. Yang, S.T. Wu, Fundamentals of Liquid Crystal Devices, Wiley SID Series in Display Technology, 2006

References

1. Heilmeier, G. H.; Zanoni, L. A. (1968). "GUEST‐HOST INTERACTIONS IN NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS. A NEW ELECTRO‐OPTIC EFFECT". Applied Physics Letters. 13 (3). AIP Publishing: 91–92. doi:10.1063/1.1652529. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

2. Schadt, M.; Helfrich, W. (1971-02-15). "VOLTAGE‐DEPENDENT OPTICAL ACTIVITY OF A TWISTED NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL". Applied Physics Letters. 18 (4). AIP Publishing: 127–128. doi:10.1063/1.1653593. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

3. Scheffer, T. J.; Nehring, J. (1984-11-15). "A new, highly multiplexable liquid crystal display". Applied Physics Letters. 45 (10). AIP Publishing: 1021–1023. doi:10.1063/1.95048. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

4. Soref, R.A. (1973-02-15). "Transverse field effects in nematic liquid crystals". Applied Physics Letters. 22 (4). AIP Publishing: 165–166. doi:10.1063/1.1654597. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

5. Schiekel, M. F.; Fahrenschon, K. (1971-11-15). "Deformation of Nematic Liquid Crystals with Vertical Orientation in Electrical Fields". Applied Physics Letters. 19 (10). AIP Publishing: 391–393. doi:10.1063/1.1653743. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

6. K. Ohmuro, et al., SID'97 Digest, p. 845 ↩

7. J. O. Kwag, et al., SID'00 Digest, p. 1077 ↩

8. Bos, Philip J.; Koehler/beran, K. Rickey (1984). "The pi-Cell: A Fast Liquid-Crystal Optical-Switching Device". Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals. 113 (1). Informa UK Limited: 329–339. doi:10.1080/00268948408071693. ISSN 0026-8941. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

9. White, Donald L.; Taylor, Gary N. (1974). "New absorptive mode reflective liquid‐crystal display device". Journal of Applied Physics. 45 (11). AIP Publishing: 4718–4723. doi:10.1063/1.1663124. ISSN 0021-8979. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

10. Berreman, D. W.; Heffner, W. R. (1980). "New bistable cholesteric liquid‐crystal display". Applied Physics Letters. 37 (1). AIP Publishing: 109–111. doi:10.1063/1.91680. ISSN 0003-6951. /wiki/Doi_(identifier) ↩

11. G. P. Brown, Proc. IDRC 2000, p. 76 ↩