Abstract: In a liquid crystal device a substrate (1) favors at least two stable or metastable differently directed liquid crystal alignments, and switching means for causing the liquid crystal material to switch between the alignments includes means arranged for optically irradiating said device. The latter may provide linearly polarized light (3) for inducing a torque on the liquid crystal to determine the alignment direction, and may optionally cooperate with a second energy supplying means such as an electric field (V) for assisting and switching. Alternatively, the alignment of the liquid crystal may be switched by a second energy supplying means such as an electric field, the light serving to produce heat to aid the switching. Either or both energy sources may be applied locally for switching of selected areas or pixels. Energy levels at the bistable substrate may be adjusted by the use of an oligomeric additive (slippery surface).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator imaging system comprises an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (EASLM 4, 30) whose optical image output is projected onto different areas of an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM, 6, 8, 31) in a sequence. The OASLM carries electrodes which allow separate areas to be selectively addressed by application of a voltage whilst receiving light from the EASLM. The combined output from all areas of the OASLM forms a visible image to an observer (11). When illuminated by coherent light the OASLM may produce a holographic image, otherwise incoherent light is used to provide a two dimensional image. The OASLM in one example contains a layer of nematic liquid crystal material between two cell walls both treated with an alignment layer providing low tilt surface alignment that is parallel in opposite direction; the product of layer thickness d and material birefringence ?n approximately equals one quarter of the wavelength ? of read light (12, 37).

Abstract: A video display for displaying a large image to an observer, comprising a screen for displaying patterns, the screen being formed of a plurality of separate areas each capable of receiving a segment of a pattern the segments collectively forming a complete frame of a pattern; projection means for projecting a segment of a pattern to each separate area of the screen in sequence; means for receiving each segment of a pattern and forming a complete frame; and means for illuminating the screen with collimated light to display a large area display.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator imaging system comprises an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (EASLM 4, 30) whose optical image output is projected onto different areas of an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM, 6, 8, 31) in a sequence. The OASLM carries electrodes which allow separate areas to be selectively addressed by application of a voltage whilst receiving light from the EASLM. The combined output from all areas of the OASLM forms a visible image to an observer (11). When illuminated by coherent light the OASLM may produce a holographic image, otherwise incoherent light is used to provide a two dimensional image. The OASLM in one example contains a layer of nematic liquid crystal material between two cell walls both treated with an alignment layer providing low tilt surface alignment that is parallel in opposite direction; the product of layer thickness d and material birefringence &Dgr;n approximately equals one quarter of the wavelength &lgr; of read light (12, 37).

Abstract: A holographic display comprises a source of coherent light and an Electrically Addressable Spatial Light Modulator (EASLM) in the path of the light source. The EASLM is arranged in use to be driven successively by a set of sub-holograms which together correspond to a holographic image. Light guiding means is arranged to guide light output from the EASLM such that the sub-holograms are displayed successively in respective tiled regions of an EASLM projection surface.

Abstract: A holographic display comprises a light source and an Electrically Addressable Spatial Light Modulator (EASLM) 1 in the path of the light source. A light guide is arranged to guide light from the EASLM to each of a set of tiled regions of a OASLM in turn. The Optically Addressable Spatial Light Modulator (OASLM) 8 has a monostable light modulation property which is changed from a first state to a second state by incident light.

Abstract: A system for the production of a dynamic image for use in display applications includes a light source (16) which travels via a liquid crystal modulator (18) placed in the path of the light source (16). The output of the LC modulator (18) passes modulated light a lens ray (22) which itself guides light to an optically addressed spatial light modulator (24). The resulting real image from the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24) may be used in two dimensional and three dimensional displays. The addressing frame-rate of the liquid crystal modulator (18) is substantially greater than the frame-rate of the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24).

Abstract: An image display system, e.g. for projection type displays, has an electrically addressed spatial light modulator or EASLM (1) and an optically addressed spatial light modulator or OASLM (5). An image formed on the EASLM (1) is transferred to a part of the OASLM (5) by an image transfer means (3) and the image produced by the OASLM (5) is formed from a plurality of successive images formed by the EASLM.

Abstract: A system for the production of a dynamic image for use in display applications includes a light source (16) which travels via a liquid crystal modulator (18) placed in the path of the light source (16). The output of the LC modulator (18) passes modulated light a lens ray (22) which itself guides light to an optically addressed spatial light modulator (24). The resulting real image from the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24) may be used in two dimensional and three dimensional displays. The addressing frame-rate of the liquid crystal modulator (18) is substantially greater than the frame-rate of the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24).

Abstract: A system for the production of a dynamic image for use in holography includes a light source (16) which travels via a liquid crystal modulator (18) placed in the path of the light source (16). The output of the LC modulator (18) passes modulated light through a lens array (22) which itself guides light to an optically addressed spatial light modulator (24). The resulting real image from the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24) may be used in holography. The addressing frame-rate of the liquid crystal modulator (18) is substantially greater than the frame-rate of the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24).