Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes plural liquid crystal picture elements selectively operable to affect light by scattering or absorbing light or by reducing such scattering or absorption of light, a separator integral with and between respective picture elements, the separator being substantially non-selectively operable to affect light and including spacers between respective picture elements forming a grid of spacers and picture elements and overlying parts of respective driving TFT transistors or the like so they do not detrimentally affect an image or in effect mask out drive elements from being seen in the displayed image or projected image. The liquid crystal may have a birefringence in the range of about 0.12 or less and may be used in a projection system in which an image is formed from nonspecular light.

Abstract: An optical system and projector includes a source of light, an output system having a collection angle for receiving light and passing such received light as an output, and a liquid crystal device including relatively low birefringence liquid crystal material for selectively scattering light through a controlled angle such that a major portion of the scattered light may be collected by said output system, or for transmitting light, the output system including an aperture for transmitting such scattered light and blocking unscattered light. A method of optimizing the angle of scattering of output light in a liquid crystal device which is operable to transmit light or to scatter light to match the entrance pupil of an optical system in order to maximize the amount of collected scattered light, includes selecting the birefringence of the liquid crystal material of about 0.16 or less, and placing the liquid crystal material and medium in physical relation to cause such light scattering or transmission.