Nanoparticle‐embedded polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal for paper‐like displays

Abstract— A polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (PDLC) matrix template embedded with nano/microparticles can be backfilled/infiltrated with a dye‐doped liquid crystal for a paper‐like reflective display. In this way, a desirable degree of diffusion can be realized to reduce the viewing‐angle dependency of a gain reflector and metallic glare without changing other electro‐optical properties.     

Patterned liquid‐crystal laser film for multi‐dimensional multi‐color emissive film technology

Abstract— A two‐dimensional array consisting of dye‐doped reflection‐mode holographic‐polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (H‐PDLC) lasers with alternating pitch lengths is presented. These post structures each reflect at a narrow bandwidth of light. The addition of laser dye to the H‐PDLC system allows for the generation of laser emission at the edge of the reflection band, or photonic band gap. In patterning these H‐PDLC post structures, a narrow‐linewidth patterned emissive color film is realized. The potential of such films and their implication in the display industry is discussed. In creating a three‐color array, an active emissive color film could replace the backlight and color filter components within the display. Such a patterned system would possess a wide color gamut, through spatial color synthesis, formed by narrow‐linewidth lasing structures with well‐defined wavelengths of emission.     

Flexible ferroelectric liquid‐crystal devices containing fine polymer fibers

A new flexible ferroelectric liquid‐crystal‐display device with gray‐scale capability has been created by using submicrometer‐diameter polymer fibers. The polymer fibers, which are formed by photopolymerization of aligned monomer molecules in liquid crystal, align the ferroelectric liquid crystal and mechanically support two flexible thin plastic substrates. The composite film made of liquid crystal and polymer with a thickness of 2 μm was formed between the plastic substrates by using a fabrication method consisting of coating, lamination, and ultraviolet irradiation processes without the conventional gap‐forming and injection processes. The fabricated flexible device revealed gray‐scale capability due to the change in spatial distribution of micrometer‐sized binary‐switching liquid‐crystal domains. From the polarizing microscope observation, it was found that the switching domains are generated and expanded from the areas with poor polymer density. The experimental results indicated that the polymer fibers spatially modulate the threshold voltage for molecular switching. Our device exhibits great potential for flexible large‐sized light‐weight motion‐image displays.     

A reflective polarizer‐free display using dye‐doped polymer‐stabilized blue‐phase liquid crystals

Abstract— A reflective polarizer‐free display using dye‐doped polymer‐stabilized blue‐phase liquid crystal (DDPSBP‐LC) has been demonstrated. The mechanism is a combination of electrically tunable light absorption and Bragg reflection. In this paper, the influence of light absorption in DDPSBP‐LC by changing the dye concentration and absorption paths has been studied. Increased dye concentration can improve the contrast ratio of DDPSBP‐LC; however, the response time is the tradeoff. Increasing the cell gap can improve the contrast ratio of DDPSBP‐LC; however, the response time remains the same. The study of DDPSBP‐LC can help in shutter‐glass applications of 3‐D displays and electronic paper.     

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.     

Simulation and fabrication of a fast fringe‐field switching liquid crystal with enhanced surface anchoring enabled by controlled polymer topology

We demonstrate a fringe‐field switching nematic liquid crystal with electro‐optical behavior modulated by both bulk and surface polymer stabilization. The polymer is formed by ultraviolet irradiation‐induced phase separation of various amounts of a reactive monomer in the planar‐aligned nematic liquid crystal. Simulation is carried out to verify the effect of anchoring energy. Experimental evidence validates the effect of monomer concentration on transmittance–voltage and response times curves of fringe‐field switching cells. The polymer‐stabilized alignment with a higher polymer concentration escalates the interaction between the liquid crystal and the polymer structure and increases the surface anchoring energy. The polymer stabilization also improves the dynamic response times of liquid crystal. The enabling polymer‐stabilized alignment technique has excellent electro‐optical properties such as a very good dark state, high optical contrast, and fast rise and decay times that may lead to development of a wide range of applications.     

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.     

A single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display using different pretilt angles in transmissive and reflective regions

Abstract— A single‐cel l‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display with two types of liquid‐crystal alignment based on an in‐plane‐switching structure is proposed. The transmissive region is almost homeotropically aligned with the rubbed surfaces at parallel directions while the reflective region has a homeotropic liquid‐crystal alignment. For every driving voltage for a positive‐dielectric‐anisotropy nematic liquid crystal, the effective cell‐retardation value in the transmissive region becomes larger than that in the reflective region because of optical compensation film which is generated by low‐pretilt‐angle liquid crystal in the transmissive region. Under the optimization of the liquid‐crystal cell and alignment used in the transmissive and reflective areas, the transmissive and reflective parts have similar gamma curves. An identical response time in both the transmissive and reflective regions and a desirable viewing angle for personal portable displays can also be obtained.     

Effects of carbon‐nanotube doping on the performance of a TN‐LCD

Abstract— The electro‐optical characteristics of a 90° twisted‐nematic liquid‐crystal display (TN‐LCD) were analyzed. The test cell was composed of a minute amount of dopant, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and a standard nematic mixture, E7, used in TN‐LCDs with direct addressing. Under the experimental conditions, no hystereses in optical transmittance were observed in either the doped cell or a neat counterpart under an applied ac voltage. Experimental results show that doping with nanotubes rectifies the electro‐optical properties of the cells by reducing the driving voltage as well as the rise time. Similar results were found in a TN cell of a TFT‐grade liquid crystal instead of the mixture consisting completely of polar compounds.     

Birefringent light‐shaping films for mini‐LED backlights

Birefringent light‐shaping films (BLSFs) for mini‐LED backlit liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are proposed and experimentally demonstrated by passive polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Such films show angle‐selective scattering properties, achieved by proper material engineering and good vertical alignment of liquid crystals. They only respond to angles rather than spatial locations. By directly adhering the BLSF onto a LED, the angular intensity distribution of light can be tailored from Lambertian‐like to batwing‐like. Further simulation proves that by engineering the angular distribution, a fewer number of LEDs or equivalently a shorter light‐spreading distance is required to maintain good uniformity. These BLSFs are expected to find widespread applications in emerging mini‐LED backlit LCDs and shed light on designing other light‐shaping films in the future.     

Field‐induced photo‐reactive alignment technology for the vertical‐alignment liquid‐crystal mode

Abstract— An advanced vertical‐alignment liquid‐crystal (VA‐LC) technology based on field‐induced photo‐reactive alignment (FPA) as an advanced alignment mode for VA is proposed. FPA realizes uniform alignment and a faster rising response time, especially at high voltage. This technology can generate a pre‐tilt angle only by using photo‐reactive alignment material so that the tact time is shorter and the long‐term reliability is higher than that of conventional photo‐reactive processes, which require additional photo‐reactive monomers. The advanced hybrid FPA was developed by adopting both the tilted alignment with a pre‐tilt angle and conventional vertical alignment. By using an advanced hybrid structure, the response time and contrast ratio can be further improved.     

Viewing‐angle enhancement in holographic reflective displays by nanoscale holographic patterning

Abstract— This work presents a method to increase the viewing angle of holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal (H‐PDLC) reflective displays. One of the drawbacks to H‐PDLC technology is the existence of a narrow viewing angle. We present a way to alleviate this problem by structuring the phase front of the recording beams to increase the viewing cone of the display. Analysis of the diffractive properties of these holograms shows that the macroscopic and the nanoscale morphologies both play a role in the optical properties of the films.     

Full‐color photo‐addressable electronic paper using cholesteric liquid crystals and organic photoconductors

Abstract— Full‐color photo‐addressable electronic paper using cholesteric liquid crystals and organic photoconductors was developed. The electronic paper is comprised of two stacked photo‐addressable elements displaying blue/green and red images, respectively. Each photo‐addressable element was independently controlled by two different color‐addressing lights. Furthermore, blue and green images were selectively switched by one organic photoconductor using the threshold characteristics of cholesteric liquid crystals. A highly reflective polymer‐dispersed cholesteric liquid‐crystal (PDCLC) layer was obtained by a new formation process based on the sol‐gel transition behavior of a gelatin matrix and an agar overcoat layer. The PDCLC layer had a close‐packed honeycomb‐like monolayer structure with a flat surface. The A6‐sized prototype had paper‐like features and showed full‐color bistable images instantly written with a viewer‐type writing apparatus.     

Polarization‐independent and electrically tunable liquid‐crystal Fresnel lenses based on photoalignment in dye‐doped liquid crystals

Abstract— This work demonstrates polarization‐independent and electrically tunable liquid‐crystal (LC) Fresnel lenses based on photoalignment in dye‐doped liquid crystals (DDLCs). The LC alignments in the adjacent odd and even zones of the LC Fresnel lens are orthogonally hybrid alignments. Those are generated by surface treatment of homeotropic and homogeneous alignment layers, and the dye‐adsorption layer onto the UV‐cured surface‐relief Fresnel zone plate. The maximum focusing efficiency (～34.14%) of the fabricated LC Fresnel lens by applying a suitable AC voltage is close to the maximal theoretical focusing efficiency of a binary phase LC Fresnel lens (～40.5%). Additionally, the focusing efficiency is polarization‐independent and electrically tunable.     

Motion‐blur‐free LCD for high‐resolution virtual reality displays

A new liquid crystal display device with fast response time, high transmittance, and low voltage for virtual reality is reported. When driven at 90 Hz with 17% duty ratio, the motion picture response time is 1.5 ms, which is comparable with cathode‐ray tube, leading to indistinguishable motion blur. Moreover, this device enables high‐resolution density because only one thin‐film transistor per pixel is needed and it has a built‐in storage capacitor.     

Switchable helical holographic structures

Abstract— A 3‐D array of helical structures fabricated using holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals (H‐PDLC) is presented. Multiple coherent beams are interfered to create a constructive helical pattern which is permanently captured using the standard H‐PDLC method. Films with such array of helical structures have both diffractive and circular polarization sensitive reflective properties. Iso‐intensity patterns, design parameters, fabrication process, optical/electro‐optical performance of these periodic helical structures are discussed along with their potential application for advanced electro‐optical devices.     

Review Paper: Emerging vertical‐alignment liquid‐crystal technology associated with surface modification using UV‐curable monomer

Abstract— The recent development of polymer‐induced pretilt angle in multi‐domain vertical‐alignment liquid‐crystal (LC) structures is reviewed. To create a small but well‐defined pretilt angle, ～0.1 wt.% of a photo‐curable monomer was mixed in an LC host and a bias voltage was applied to reorient the LC directors within each domain. The monomers are polymerized near the substrate surfaces by UV exposure. The formed polymer layers change the surface pretilt angle of the LC from 90° to about 89° with a defined azimuthal orientation. Consequently, within each domain the LC reorientation direction responding to the external field is well‐defined which leads to faster rise time and higher transmittance. This new technology overcomes the long standing problems of conventional MVA devices and is therefore expected to play a dominant role in the future.     

Technologies toward flexible liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— Several leading technologies for flexible liquid‐crystal displays have been developed recently at ERSO. The roll‐to‐roll compatible techniques, polymer‐added liquid crystal, have been applied on a film‐like substrate. A flexible black‐and‐white cholesteric liquid‐crystal display was also implemented by photo‐induced phase separation. Color filters placed on a plastic substrate by a low‐temperature manufacturing process was successfully fabricated. A novel design of a wide‐viewing‐angle color plastic LCD was also proposed.     

Refractive‐index matching between liquid crystals and photopolymers

Abstract— Refractive indices of two photocurable polymers, NOA65 and NOA81 (Norland Optical Adhesive), and two series of Merck liquid crystals, E‐series (E44, E48, and E7) and BL‐series (BL038, BL003 and BL006), and two UCF high‐birefringence liquid‐crystal mixtures were measured using an Abbe refractometer in the visible spectral region and 15–55°C temperature range. Some liquid crystals have excellent index matching with NOA65 in the red, while some fit better in the blue spectral region. To validate this index‐matching property found in the material level, we prepared some polymer‐dispersed liquid‐crystal devices. Good correlations between material and device performances are obtained.     

Novel photo‐aligned LC‐polymer compensation film for wide‐view TN displays

Abstract— We demonstrate a novel TN‐display compensation film with excellent contrast and minimal color shift, meeting the requirements for avionics displays. The film configuration was identified via extensive computer modeling. The experimental implementation based on ROLIC's LPP/LCP (linearly photopolymerizable polymer/liquid‐crystal polymer) technology results in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.