Abstract: In a method for addressing an array of pixels contained, for example, in a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal material is switched from a first stable state to a second stable state by applying a voltage of one polarity and a given duration between electrodes on opposite sides of the pixel. Likewise, the liquid crystal material is switched from the second stable state to the first stable state by applying a voltage of an opposite polarity and given duration between the electrodes, the magnitude of the voltage required between the electrodes to switch from either stable state to the other stable state being subject to different thresholds for different parts of the total area layer.

Abstract: An infrared detector comprises an array of detector elements (2) of the type having a layer of pyroelectric material (4)sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes (6,8) and separated along each edge by separations (16). The electrical sheet resistance of the upper electrode array (6) is reduced by forming gold rims (24) on the edges of the electrodes (6) around the periphery of each separation (16).