Conformable displays based on polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal materials on flexible substrates

Abstract— We have developed a process that enables one to conform polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (PDLC) displays into a particular shape indefinitely. Planar PDLC displays are first fabricated between indium tin oxide (ITO) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. This fully functional display can then be conformed to a particular shape by heating above the glass‐transition temperature of PET and then allowing it to cool down to room temperature. The display retains its shape and is fully functional after processing. We have created spiral‐and wave‐like samples and have demonstrated their operation after the conformal process. The stress is relieved in the substrate by conforming. Temperature effects on polymer substrates were investigated for two types of polymer films (PET/ITO substrates and a conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS/PET substrate) to analyze the effects of temperature on the resistance and mechanics of the films under an applied uniaxial strain. We have found a decrease in contrast of the PDLC after conforming, but surprisingly, a reduced threshold voltage and reduced hysterisis occurs.     

Influence of alkyldiacrylate side‐chains on electro‐optical properties in liquid crystal/composite films

In order to realize a paper‐like display using polymer‐network liquid‐crystal (PNLC) films, an increase in backscattering intensity is required. The morphology of the films, and the molecular interactions between the liquid crystals and polymers forming the polymer network, both play an important role in determining film electro‐optical properties such as the driving voltage and the reflectance. We have analyzed several factors related to the morphology of the films. Aiming at a reduction in the driving voltage, the effects of alkyl side‐chains in diacrylates have been investigated. Based on the results, we successfully produced a prototype paper‐like display.     

Evaluation method of electro‐optical transfer function for display devices

Abstract— Various gamma‐evaluation methods are investigated and newly suggested in order to establish a standard gamma metrology. First, test patterns are suggested and compared for display technologies that dynamically adjust gray levels such as global‐dimming LCDs and PDPs. Second, two gamma‐determination methods are compared and their accuracy determination methods are suggested. Third, two new models for gamma‐distortion phenomena are suggested. Finally, the monotonic characteristics of EOTF are investigated. For the most part of this study, a new international standard named ICDM‐DMS is suggested.     

Microstructure and optical properties of nano Ag-ITO films

Nano Ag-ITO films with Ag volume fraction of 0.3%-1.0% were prepared by radio-frequency magnetron co-sputtering and analyzed by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.Microstructure analysis shows that the films are composed of polycrystalline ITO matrix embedded with Ag nanoparticles with a mean size of 60-100 nm.Transmissivity spectra of Ag-ITO films indicate that the visible light transmissivity of the films decreases with increasing the Ag fraction.The transm...     

Fast electro‐optical response at low temperature for metal nanoparticle embedded STN‐LCDs (Invited Paper)

Abstract— STN‐LCDs embedded with special metal nanoparticles of Ag/Pd are shown to be useful for a direct‐multiplexed dot‐matrix STN‐LCD with 320 × 240 pixels and show a fast response time by 3–5 times compared to those without nanoparticles. This phenomenon is shown to be attributed to the reduction of rotational viscosity by 70% at room temperature and by 30% at a low temperature (?20°C). The alteration of elastic constants by doping nanoparticles could be also essential.     

Analysis of electro‐optical properties of polymer‐stabilized OCB and the application to TFT‐LCDs

Abstract— A 9‐in. full‐color polymer‐stabilized OCB TFT‐LCD with stable bend alignment in the absence of an electric field was developed. The condition of the polymer stabilization, the characteristics of UV‐curable monomers, and their influence on the configurations of the polymer network in the cell were studied. Possible models of the configuration were proposed and their relationship to the electro‐optical properties was analyzed using a novel simulation method considering the distribution of anchoring effects from both alignment surfaces and the polymer network. It was suggested that a good performance such as high contrast ratio and fast response could be expected in the polymer network originating from newly developed monomers composed of multifunctional LC acrylates due to a relatively weak‐anchoring effect and presumably its localization near the alignment surfaces. By using the newly developed monomers under the optimized polymer‐stabilizing process, a high contrast ratio of 250:1 and fast response nearly equal to that of a conventional OCB cell were achieved.     

Perspectives of passive‐matrix‐LCD improvements

Abstract— The current status of STN‐LCDs is described. The accomplishments and the main problems (low contrast, pure color, and slow response) are discussed. Ways to make improvements (driving methods, retardation film, and memory displays) are considered. The use of memory displays appears to be the most appropriate.     

Molecular design for stabilizing a blue phase III and electro‐optical switching in the blue phase

Abstract— The molecular design of a liquid crystal to stabilize a blue phase III (BPIII) is reviewed, and the electro‐optical switching with a response time on the order of 10^?2 sec for BPIII exhibited by a novel chiral liquid crystal is reported. Binaphthyl derivatives and T‐shaped compounds are presented, and the structure‐property correlations of the chiral compounds are discussed. Two origins of the twisting power of the compounds, i.e., their inherent molecular chirality and the chirality‐induced twist conformation, play an important role in the appearance of the BPIII. Furthermore, BPIII was also induced in some binary mixtures of a host nematic liquid‐crystal possessing molecular biaxiality and a conventional chiral compound. The electro‐optical switching in the BPIII is attributed to an electric‐field‐induced phase transition between the BPIII and nematic (N) phases. BPIII is on the microscopically twisted nematic order, but is macroscopically isotropic. Therefore, the present technology can offer a pronounced black state in the BPIII without surface treatment and a homogeneous bright state in the induced N phase.     

Photo‐aligned anisotropic optical thin films

Abstract— Photo‐alignment of anisotropic optical thin films enables realization of novel optical elements, which were not feasible up until now. Photo‐aligned anisotropic thin films can be applied to rigid or flexible substrates, which may be flat or curved. The optical performance of such films can be tailored to application‐specific requirements by introducing tilt profiles of the optical axis and/or generate patterned retarders with continuous or periodical in‐plane variation of the optical axis.     

V‐shaped electro‐optical mode based on deformed‐helix ferroelectric liquid crystal with subwavelength pitch

Abstract— V‐shaped electro‐optical response is shown, both theoretically and experimentally, to be an inherent property of a deformed‐helix ferroelectric liquid‐crystal cell (DHFLC) under a special choice of the applied rectangular alternating‐electric‐field waveform, frequency, and cell geometry. In contrast to other known V‐shaped ferroelectric liquid‐crystal (FLC) modes, the discovered V‐shaped switching is observed in a broadband frequency range including 1 kHz, and not at a certain characteristic frequency. This type of V‐shaped switching allows for a drastic increase in the operating frequency of field‐sequential‐color (FSC) LCD cells in comparison with fast nematic liquid‐crystal (NLC) modes.     

Tailored liquid‐crystal switching on ferroelectric polymer films

Abstract— The development of voltage‐controlled visible‐wavelength progression in displays and optical data storage devices using ferroelectric polymers and liquid crystals is described. Ferroelectric polymers are materials that have a ready distribution of dipoles which can be oriented by manipulating material composition and external fields. Utilizing the charge polarization distribution, their performance as an alignment layer for inducing liquid‐crystal alignment is presented. The switching response of the devices was tailored by changing the material composition through copolymers and nanoclay doping.     

Multistable electro‐optical modes in ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract— Multistable electro‐optical modes exist under certain conditions in ferroelectric liquid‐crystal (FLC) cells, which means that any light‐transmission level can be memorized after the driving voltage is switched off. The multistability is responsible for three new electro‐optical modes with different shapes of the gray‐scale curve that can be either S‐shaped (double or single dependent upon the applied‐voltage pulse sequence and boundary conditions) or V‐shaped dependent upon boundary conditions and FLC cell parameters. The origin of these modes will be described.     

Optical characterization and ergonomical factors of near‐to‐eye displays

Abstract— Near‐to‐eye displays (NEDs) have unique optical properties requiring different characterization techniques compared to direct‐view display measurements. Here, a new version of a NED measurement system is introduced, and optical measurements of five commercially available consumer NED products are discussed. Luminance, focal distance, qualified viewing space, angular properties, and interocular differences are among the values. In addition, these results are compared to extensive subjective studies. The main intention is not to benchmark between the different products, but to show that display measurements are important for NEDs. According to the results, the determination of NED's characteristics helps to predict the subjective experiences, but the nature of the relation between subjective and objective findings is rather complex and depends on several NED‐, user‐, and task‐related features. Measured characteristics indicate that with a conventional biocular NED system approach of using two microdisplays and their enlarging optics, it is a design and a manufacturing challenge to build an ergonomically satisfactory NED device that fits everyone.     

Direct dry film optical bonding ‐ A low‐cost,robust, and scalable display lamination technology

Abstract— A robust, repeatable, low‐cost lamination process that utilizes pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) to directly bond substrates to displays, such as LC, OLED, plasma, and electrophoretic displays, has been developed. These substrates can vary in intent and serve as protective covers, reflection mitigation, heaters, filters, touch screens, environmental barriers, etc. The resultant assembly is very rugged (shock, impact, and vibration resistant), while maximizing optical performance. This paper briefly describes the traditional liquid bonding technologies and compares them to dry‐film bonding. A section of the paper focuses on the enhanced optical and environmental performances of dry‐film bonded displays. This paper may also serve as a brief review of optical‐bonding technologies.     

Measuring and modeling per‐element angular visibility in multi‐view displays

Abstract— Multi‐view displays employ an optical layer which distributes the light of an underlying TFT‐LCD panel in different directions. Certain properties of the layer create specific artifacts, such as ghost images, moiré patterns, and masking. The layer was modeled as an image‐processing channel, and the display parameters related with the model were identified, which are importantfor the design of image‐processing algorithms for artifact mitigation. The identified parameters are interleaving pattern, angular visibility, and frequency throughput of the display. A methodology for deriving these parameters for an arbitrary LCD‐based multi‐view display are presented, which does not require precisely positioned measurement equipment. As a case study, measurement and modeling results for a particular multi‐view display are also presented.     

Fabrication of 5.8‐in. OTFT‐driven flexible color AMOLED display using dual protection scheme for organic semiconductor patterning

Abstract— A 5.8‐in. wide‐QQVGA flexible color active‐matrix organic light‐emitting‐diode (AMOLED) display consisting of organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) and phosphorescent OLEDs was fabricated on a plastic film. To reduce the operating voltage of the OTFTs, Ta₂O₅ with a high dielectric constant was employed as a gate insulator. Pentacene was used for the semiconductor layer of the OTFTs. This layer was patterned by photolithography and dry‐etched using a dual protection layer of poly p‐xylylene and SiO₂ film. Uniform transistor performance was achieved in the OTFT backplane with QQVGA pixels. The RGB emission layers of the pixels were formed by vacuum deposition of phosphorescent small molecules. The resulting display could clearly show color moving images even when it was bent and operated at a low driving voltage (below 15 V).     

Roll‐to‐roll manufacturing of electronics on flexible substrates using self‐aligned imprint lithography (SAIL)

Abstract— The manufacture of large‐area arrays of thin‐film transistors on polymer substrates using roll‐to‐roll (R2R) processes exclusively is being developed. Self‐aligned imprint lithography (SAIL) enables the patterning and alignment of submicron‐sized features on meter‐scaled flexible substrates in the R2R environment. SAIL solves the problem of precision interlayer registry on a moving web by encoding all the geometry information required for the entire patterning steps into a monolithic three‐dimensional imprint with discrete thickness modulation. The pre‐aligned multiple‐step mask structure maintains its alignment regardless of subsequent substrate distortion. Challenges are encountered in relation to the novel nature of using flexible substrates and building toolsets for the R2R processing. In this paper, methods of the SAIL process, the resulting active‐matrix backplanes, the trajectory of SAIL process development, and the remaining issues for production are presented.     

光电耦合器在干扰弹测速系统中的应用

对干扰弹炮口初速的精确测量是顺利进行试验的基础条件。提出了一种采用漫反射式光电耦合器测速的方法。该光电耦合器是集发射器和接收器于一体的传感器,当有被检测物体经过时,漫反射回来的光被探测器接收转换为电信号并采集到计算机进行数据处理。介绍了干扰弹测速系统的结构、工作原理与驱动电路,并测量了光电耦合器的响应速度,最后,利用该系统对干扰弹的速度进行了测试,给出了试验波形。试验证明:该方法具有体积小、电路简单、成本低、灵敏度高等优点。     

Comparison of reflective PNLCDs and reflective single‐polarizer Heilmeier guest‐host displays

In this paper, the applicability of a zero‐polarizer reflective display (PNLC) and a single‐polarizer reflective display (Heilmeier guest host) for direct‐view applications is analyzed. A measurement set‐up is designed to analyze the applicability of all types of reflective displays. Simulation of the different types of illumination caused by the environmental light is essential for this set‐up. The measurements indicate that the contrast ratio and reflectance greatly depend on the type of illumination. It is demonstrated that the worst‐case illumination for one display technology may be the best‐case illumination for another one and vice versa.     

Low‐temperature amorphous‐silicon backplane technology development for flexible displays in a manufacturing pilot‐line environment

Abstract— A low‐temperature amorphous‐silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film‐transistor (TFT) backplane technology for high‐information‐content flexible displays has been developed. Backplanes were integrated with frontplane technologies to produce high‐performance active‐matrix reflective electrophoretic ink, reflective cholesteric liquid crystal and emissive OLED flexible‐display technology demonstrators (TDs). Backplanes up to 4 in. on the diagonal have been fabricated on a 6‐in. wafer‐scale pilot line. The critical steps in the evolution of backplane technology, from qualification of baseline low‐temperature (180°C) a‐Si:H process on the 6‐in. line with rigid substrates, to transferring the process to flexible plastic and flexible stainless‐steel substrates, to form factor scale‐up of the TFT arrays, and finally manufacturing scale‐up to a Gen 2 (370 × 470 mm) display‐scale pilot line, will be reviewed.