Abstract: Monomers with photopolymerization characteristics and an initiator for polymerization are added to a liquid crystal composition having a ferroelectric liquid crystal phase (S5). In a state (S6) where coexist two domains which differ from each other in directions of molecular major axes in the ferroelectric liquid crystal phase, light is projected to the liquid crystal layer to form a polymer reticulate structure therein (S7). As a result, this state is made a stable one and the liquid crystal shows macroscopic switching behaviors among two states causing dark and bright displays respectively, and the above-described state causing halftone display.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 1997
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2000
Assignees:
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Inventors:
Teiyu Sako, Aya Miyazaki, Akira Sakaigawa, Mitsuhiro Koden