Fast responding and highly multiplexible distorted helix ferroelectric liquid-crystal displays

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We present data on the electro-optics and the display performance of liquid-crystal devices based on the distorted helix ferroelectric (DHF) effect which demonstrate TV switching rates and low driving voltages. The DHF effect is based on S*c ferroelectric liquid crystals with very short pitch, which form in suitable cells a bookshelf arrangement of the smectic layers with a helical axis parallel to the plane of the display. The distortion of this helix by an applied electric field is responsible for the electro-optical effect: If the pitch is shorter than the wavelength, the distortion leads to a change of the effective refractive index. Unwinding of the helix is one of the limitations of these devices. We show that standard cell preparation techniques and driving schemes—including active matrix addressing—minimize helix unwinding and lead to highly multiplexible displays with short response times in the 10-μs region. Black–white contrast ratios >12:1 at driving voltages <2 V and grey scales are reported.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: