Liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal layer which contains liquid crystal molecules in a plurality of alignment state and method for driving the same
US6175401A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/30
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid crystal material which exhibits an antiferroelectric phase while the liquid crystal material is in a bulk state, is sealed between substrates. The liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates exhibits a mixed phase wherein the liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules aligned in a plurality of alignment states which differ from each other in the alignment order of the liquid crystal molecules forming adjoining smectic layers. The direction of the director of the liquid crystal layer varies continuously in accordance with the polarity and magnitude of a voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer. Gradation display can be achieved by arranging polarization plates such that the substrates are sandwiched therebetween.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.