Abstract
The viewing angle, contrast ratio, and response time of a negative birefringent film‐compensated homeotropic liquid‐crystal cell were evaluated. A spin‐coated polyimide film was found to cancel the phase retardation of the liquid‐crystal cell over a wide range of incident angle. Such a film‐compensated homeotropic liquid‐crystal cell exhibits a reasonably wide viewing angle, excellent contrast ratio, and relatively fast response time. This film also makes a significant improvement on the horizontal viewing angle of the twisted nematic cell.