Flexible area‐color reflective displays based on electric‐field‐induced blueshift in a cholesteric liquid‐crystal film

Abstract— An electrically controllable blueshift of the reflection band is observed in a cholesteric liquid crystal with either positive or negative dielectric anisotropy. The change in optical properties is a result of a two‐dimensional periodic undulation of the cholesteric texture, known as Helfrich deformation. This blueshift mechanism was used to demonstrate area‐color reflective displays in a cholesteric cell and a rollable polymeric film.     

Effect of small liquid crystal molecules on the driving voltage of cholesteric liquid crystal displays

In order to achieve a lower driving voltage of a cholesteric liquid crystal display (Ch-LCD) we formulated new nematic liquid crystal mixtures with dopants. The interesting thing is that the driving voltage is decreased more by adding the low molecular weight of liquid crystal materials in the cholesteric mixtures without decreasing its reflectivity. The cholesteric mixture is optimized by adding 20 wt% of CN-007 enough to drive the display, necessary for using a commercial STN driver. Homogeneous alignment layers provide a higher reflective panel because of stabilizing the planar texture of cholesteric liquid crystal, while homeotropic alignment layers provide a higher contrast ratio because of stabilizing focal-conic structure. The rubbing condition depending on the driving scheme also affects the panel properties. The combination of the panel structure and the process condition of cholesteric mixtures make the Ch-LCD high reflectivity and contrast ratio. Two 5.7 in. VGA monochromic cholesteric reflective liquid crystal displays with a high resolution like this folding type are demonstrated using a STN driver.     

Multiplane displays based on liquid crystals for AR applications

Multiplane displays are capable of displaying 3D scenes with correct focus cues by creating multilayer 2D images in the display volume. Hence, such a 3D display technique could effectively address the accommodation‐vergence conflict (AVC) problem, which is prevalent in augmented reality (AR) displays. In this paper, we review the recent progress on multiplane AR displays based on liquid crystals (LCs) for AR applications. The working principle of multiplane AR displays is illustrated, the electro‐optical properties of the tunable LC devices are investigated and display prototypes are demonstrated. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of multiplane AR displays based on LCs.     

Development of 3+2 dynamic drive scheme for cholesteric liquid crystal displays

In order to achieve fast driving for reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display (Ch-LCD) we have developed a novel 3+2 dynamic driving scheme (3+2 DDS), which uses 3 and 2 level driver ICs for row and columns, respectively. From the transient dielectric study, the selection period of around 1.0 ms/line showed the best contrast ratio at 30 °C in our system. The time of the homeotropic to transient planar state is strongly dependent on temperatures. The row driver IC has 3 level outputs of R_H, R_M (R_H/2), and R_L; 32, 16, and 0 V, respectively. And the outputs of the column driver IC are composed of 2 levels. We found that a preparation period of more than 40 times and an evolution period of around 40 times of the selection period are suitable. Also, we have accomplished a stable gray scale by using, as we call it, the pulse position modulation (PPM) in which the root mean square (RMS) value of the applied field during the evolution period does not change, even under cross-talk pulses. The driving condition made by PPM is more stable than that made by the usual PHM and PWM techniques. By adopting the 3+2 DDS, we have made 8.4 in. foldable VGA Ch-LCD (640×480×2) that shows an addressing speed of around 1.0 ms/line.     

A rugged display: Recent results of flexible cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— A 3‐m‐long rugged flexible display having a novel single‐plastic‐substrate structure has been demonstrated with a coated cholesteric liquid‐crystal mixture. The display is designed to be fabricated by a roll‐to‐roll process to increase productivity at a competitive cost. It has the advantage of having almost no limitation in display length. The high‐resolution (300‐dpi) monochrome cholesteric liquid‐crystal display (ChLCD) can be achieved by using a photo‐addressing method. A single‐layered 10.4‐in. color ChLCD also has been developed with good color and contrast.     

Auto‐calibration of drive condition for cholesteric liquid crystal displays

Dynamic drive scheme (DDS) is known widely as passive matrix addressing that obtains both high‐speed re‐writing and a high contrast ratio in the field of cholesteric liquid crystal displays (LCDs). However, DDS has a serious problem in that the proper drive condition is very narrow and it is largely influenced by individual differences in LCDs that arise during their production. We have developed a new auto‐calibration system that adjusts both the contrast ratio and color balance automatically using capacitances of effective pixels and temperature compensation models that utilize the physical properties of cholesteric LCDs. We have managed to optimize the driving conditions between 5 and 35 °C with this method, and obtained both stable and high‐quality color images where the reflectance is 36%, contrast ratio is 8, and NTSC ratio is 20%. This auto‐calibration system has been able to greatly improve the production yield of cholesteric LCDs and made it possible to make practical use of cholesteric LCDs.     

Thin flexible photosensitive cholesteric displays

Abstract— A novel optically addressable, flexible bistable cholesteric liquid‐crystal display (ChLCD) is presented. These displays utilizeazo‐binaphthalene photosensitive chiral dopants that undergo photo‐isomerization upon exposure to light. The isomerization results in a change in the pitch of the cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC), which enables the creation of inherently high‐resolution light‐weight displays that are optically written. The displays can be photo‐addressed without patterned electrodes or complex addressing schemes. Capitalizing on the dynamic pitch and the bistability of photosensitive ChLCDs, the display is switched with a single pulse at a specific single voltage to drive the region of the display with a shorter pitch to the focal‐conic texture and the region of the display with a longer pitch to the planar texture. Once in the different textures, the display can hold an image indefinitely regardless of ambient lighting. As such, these displays are a natural fit for badges, shelf‐labels, and point‐of‐sale cards. In this paper, the photosensitive properties of an encapsulated display system in comparison to an unencapsulated display system is discussed. Properties such a photosensitivity, thermal relaxation, and electro‐optical response are studied and reported. In addition, a flexible optically addressable ChLCD is developed and demonstrated.     

Multiple color high resolution reflective cholesteric liquid crystal displays

Abstract— A high-resolution multiple-color and black-on-white surface-stabilized reflective cholesteric liquid-crystal display with reflectivities as high as 40% is reported. The double-stacked 1/8-VGA, 100-dpi prototype shows four vivid colors with negligible parallax. The potential for eight colors and ultimately full color is demonstrated in a high-resolution triple-stacked prototype.     

Ripple phenomenon of displays with nematic liquid crystal

Liquid crystal displays will show ripple if the display surface or display bracket is subjected to tactile forces. In this paper, the ripple of liquid crystal displays is investigated by dealing with elastic wave propagation in a liquid crystal layer. The model proposed for a visco‐elastic medium like liquid crystals (LCs) is generalized by combining the properties of a crystalline solid and an anisotropic fluid. The governing equation is derived by using visco‐elastic and wave equations. In the experiments, a linear motor is used to touch the display panel for producing ripple. Displays of three different amounts of LCs are compared. Experimental results also show that each display panel has its own wave propagation velocity that is not changed by different motor touch speeds. In addition, both theoretical analysis and experimental results depict that displays with a larger amount of LCs lead to slower ripple speed.     

Anisotropic fluorophors for liquid crystal displays

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are commonly found in portable equipment. The main criticisms aimed at these displays are their asymmetric angle-of-view and dull grey appearance, which is particularly acute in low ambient lighting. However, by the inclusion of a fluorescent dye, it is possible to fabricate partially-emissive LCDs with a virtually hemispherical angle-of-view. This effect has been demonstrated succesfully for a range of dyes based on the perylene diester chromophor. An energy transfer mechanism between the liquid crystal host and dye molecule has been identified. This effect was used to enhance the fluorescence intensity.     

An effective way to achieve full color cholesteric liquid crystal displays with single liquid crystal mixture and layer

Two‐step ultraviolet exposure method to achieve flexible color cholesteric LCD with single liquid crystal mixture and layer was proposed. The first step for polymer wall formation via photo‐polymerization induced phase separation and second step for color rendering with the photo‐sensitive chiral dopant were independently carried out without the interference of ultraviolet reaction using proper band‐pass filer. This display has good color performance and mechanical stability, which can be also driven by simplified driving circuit so that it would be a substantive solution for color flexible displays.     

Progress in the development of polymer cholesteric liquid crystal flakes for display applications

Polymer cholesteric liquid crystal (PCLC) flake technology is being developed as an alternative display technology for flexible, reflective particle displays. The motion of PCLC flakes suspended in a host fluid can be controlled with an electric field, creating a way to electrically control the flakes' ability to brightly reflect light that is circularly polarized. The PCLC flake/host fluid dispersion has been successfully microencapsulated both in a polymer matrix and in gelatin micro-capsules. Microencapsulation will not only expand the applications scope of the technology, but also may aid in addressing some potential problem areas that are inherent to many forms of particle display technology. A second important development in PCLC flake technology involves the manufacture of shaped flakes based on soft lithography techniques. The size and shape of a flake impact its reorientation, and uniformly shaped flakes respond in a similar manner. The unique reflective properties of PCLC flakes also provide possible applications in areas such as optics and photonics, switchable ‘smart windows’ or conformal coatings, and information displays such as ‘electronic paper.’     

Substrate‐free cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— This paper demonstrates the first substrate‐free cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays. The encapsulated cholesteric displays are ultra‐thin (with a total thickness around 20 μm) and ultra‐lightweight (0.002 g/cm²). The displays exhibit unprecedented conformability, flexibility, and drapability while maintaining electro‐optical performance and mechanical integrity. All functional display layers are sequentially coated on a preparation substrate and then lifted‐off from the preparation substrate to form a free‐standing display. The display fabrication process, electro‐optical performance, and display flexibility are discussed.     

Luminescent dichroic‐dye‐doped cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— LCDs based on a luminescent dichroic‐dye‐doped non‐absorbing cholesteric LC with positive dielectric anisotropy is proposed. In the initial state, the orientation of the dye molecules provides effective light absorption and irradiation. By applying an electric field to the cell, the absorption and thus the luminescence is absent. A two‐color luminescence could be achieved by sandwiching two cells: the upper cell consists of a cholesteric LC with two dyes (sensitizer and emitter) and is used with an applied voltage (active cell); the lower cell consists of a cholesteric LC doped with one dye and works without applying a voltage (passive cell). The performance characteristics of luminescent dye‐doped cholesteric‐LCDs were investigated.     

Nanocomposite based on a liquid crystal doped with aluminum nitride nanotubes for optical sensor of sulfur dioxide

It has been demonstrated the possibilities of designing the material for optical sensor primary transducer. The nanocomposites based on a cholesteric liquid crystal with aluminum nitride for material of primary transducer of sulfur dioxide optical sensor were studied. The spectral characteristics of studied nanocomposite under the influence of sulfur dioxide were studied. The shift of central wavelength of selective reflection under the sulfur dioxide concentrations was observed.     

Colour size illusion on liquid crystal displays and design guidelines for bioinformatics tools

Although the influence of colour on size perception has been known for a century, there is only limited research on interventions that can reduce this effect. This study was therefore undertaken in order to identify appropriate interventions and propose design guidelines for information visualisation, especially in applications where size judgement is critical. The colour size illusion was replicated on an LCD monitor, revealing that yellow images appeared the smallest among a series of red, yellow, green and blue images on a white background. Three types of interventions (background brightness, border colour and background grid brightness) were tested to identify conditions that reduce the colour illusions, but none proved to be statistically significant. Based on these experimental results and an extensive literature survey, a set of design guidelines is proposed to enhance the usability of LCD monitors and a set of design recommendations given to extend these guidelines to applications in the field of bioinformatics. These design recommendations are accompanied by an evaluation of effectiveness obtained by interviewing domain experts.     

Mitigation of image blurring for performance enhancement in transparent displays based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal

In this paper, we propose an effective real-time image enhancing technology for transparent displays based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC). The image enhancing technology consists of both global and local enhancement functions. It not only removes the affected haze but also sharpens the edge regions for transparent PDLC displays. This technology can improve the image quality such as contrast, brightness, color saturation, and gamma correction for transparent PDLC displays. The experimental results indicated that our proposed method can effectively enhance the visibility and remove the affected haze in the transparent PDLC display.     

Dichroic fluorescent dyes for ‘guest-host’ liquid crystal displays

The spectral and electro-optic properties of some dichroic fluorescent dyes (bicarboxylic acid derivatives) in isotropic solvents and nematic liquid crystal mixture E18 have been studied. In addition, the order parameters of the dyes in the anisotropic matrix and the temperature of the nematic-isotropic phase transition for the dye-liquid crystal mixtures have been determined. It was found that the dyes investigated absorb blue and emit green light, are oriented well in liquid crystalline matrix, have high fluorescent efficiency, are stable to sunlight and do not destabilize the nematic phase of the host. Therefore, they can be utilized in ‘guest-host’ liquid crystal display devices.     

Review of operating principle and performance of polarizer‐free reflective liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— In this paper the operational principle and performance of guest‐host, liquid‐crystal/polymer‐composite scattering, and cholesteric liquid‐crystal reflective displays are reviewed. These displays do not use polarizers and have the advantage of providing high reflectance and compatibility with flexible plastic substrates.