Phoretic display

US7311951B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• QINETIQ LIMITED · GB

Inventors

• Richard Jonathan Miller · Raleigh, US
• Victor Hui · Malvern, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2004
• Grant date: Dec 25, 2007
• Expiry date: May 18, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02F1/13378
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A phoretic display having a liquid crystal suspension medium and a relief structure alignment layer comprising a relief structure surface incorporating a plurality of indentations. The relief structure alignment layer is adapted to generate a preferred alignment of the liquid crystal suspension medium within the display by creating defects within the alignment of the liquid crystal director at the base of each indentation. The relief structure alignment layer provides a substantially planar liquid crystal director alignment in the vicinity of the internal surface of each indentation and a substantially homeotropic liquid crystal director alignment in the vicinity of the relief structure surface and in the bulk of the liquid crystal material.