Ferroelectric liquid crystals: The development of devices

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Abstract
The discovery of ferroelectric liquid crystals (1974) together with the subsequent discovery of the surface-stabilized liquid crystals (1980) have enriched the family of ferroelectrics with a new, different and powerful member. At the same time it has considerably raised the performance level of liquid crystals as general electro-optic media and opened up new opportunities in domains where fast processing is necessary, for instance in optical computing. The last few years have seen an important development in the technology of surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) devices, which today offers solutions for full dynamic grey scale, full color, high speed, high resolution and high information processing and storage. An example of a very demanding industrial application now attracting the SSFLC approach and where the full range of the SSFLC potential will be required, is the large and flat screen high definition television (HDTV). In this paper we review some key events in the research and development of FLC electro-optic devices following the demonstration of the SSFLC concept in 1980. We then review some of the recent achievements like generation of grey shades and color. Finally we discuss the relevant questions of device physics and compare the state of the art in SSFLC to that of other liquid crystal technologies.