Abstract: An optical modulation device includes first (1,4,6) and second (2,5,7) optically transmissive parallel plates having a ferroelectric liquid crystal material sandwiched between them. A plurality of spacer members (10), each secured to one of the plates, are located between the plates to maintain the plate spacing. The spacer members form walls defining parallel liquid crystal material-containing channels (11) which extend parallel to the plates. These channels communicate along their lengths with cavities (12) at least partly defined by the spacer members (10). These cavities may be created by segmenting each wall, the separations between the successive segments constituting the respective cavities. Alternatively, each wall may be provided with a parallel auxiliary wall of lesser height close to it but spaced from it, the space between the two walls forming a cavity.

Abstract: A color sequential illumination system, such as, for example, a backlighting system for a liquid crystal display (LCD), comprises lamps for emitting blue, red and green light. The red and green light is provided by lamps including fluorescent dyes having optical decay times similar to a phosphor material used to provide the blue light. In this manner, the blue, red and green emissions can be fully synchronized with electrical signals used to energise the lamps, enhancing color range and color quality. Furthermore, if the fluorescent dyes are carried in plastics materials, then trapping and concentration of the light generated may also be achieved, providing enhanced brightness for the LCD for a given power input.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a color filter for a liquid crystal cell comprises forming a plurality of patterns, each of a respective dye intermediate material, on a carrier element. The patterns of dye intermediate materials are then brought into contact with a substrate layer, supported on a glass substrate, under the application of heat and pressure. The substrate layer, such as a polyacrylonitrile layer, contains free acid groups which interact with the dye intermediate materials to form the colors of the color filter in the substrate layer. The method permits the actual formation of the colors on the substrate to be effected in a single alignment step, minimizing wastage of the relatively expensive glass substrates. Furthermore, as the dyes providing the colors of the filter are chemically part of the substrate layer, they are very resistant to leaching by the liquid crystal materials.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell comprises first and second substrates located in a substantially parallel relative arrangement to define an active display region therebetween when filled with liquid crystal material. The cell further includes means to effect filling of the active display region with liquid crystal material from at least a part of an edge of the active display rgion.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell comprises first and second substrates located in a substantially parallel relative arrangement to define an active display region therebetween when filled with liquid crystal material. The cell further includes means to effect filling of the active display region with liquid crystal material from at least a part of an edge of the active display region.