Light modulator
US6646710B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/1414
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A bright, and contrasty reflective display can be performed without using polarizer films, and display switching can be performed fast. A ferroelectric liquid crystal is sandwiched between substrates, and electrodes are formed face to face with each other in a direction parallel to the substrates. The ferroelectric liquid crystal, when no electric field is applied to it, goes into a planer state in which a helical axis becomes perpendicular to or almost perpendicular to the substrates, selectively reflecting light of specific wavelengths in a visible region. A driving circuit applies an electric field between the electrodes in a direction perpendicular to or almost perpendicular to the helical axis of the ferroelectric liquid crystal in the planer state. When an electric field equal to or greater than a threshold value is applied, the ferroelectric liquid crystal changes from a planer state due to a low electric field to a homeotropic state in which a helical structure disappears, going into a transparent state, wherein, in the homeotropic state, a cyclic change of refractive index disappears and liquid crystal molecules are arranged in the direction of the electric field. The chan…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.