Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter is described that is optimised not for the maximum possible extinction ratio, but to provide a wide acceptance angle over substantially the whole visible range while still providing an adequate extinction ratio for use in specific applications such as a LCD projector display.

Abstract: To produce a print from digital image data, the image data is used to generate a display of the image on a display device, such as a reflective LCD, a digital mirror, or a TFT active matrix LCD. The displayed image is separately exposed to each of red, green and blue light, which is preferably polarized. The exposed image is projected onto photosensitive paper or film, and the duration of the exposure is controlled during projection.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid crystalline polyacetylene having a repeat structure of the formula 1

Abstract: Pulsed laser deposition is used to deposit organic thin films, in particular of materials that are of interest to display applications. Luminescent films such as tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq3 ) can be deposited without degradation of their luminescent properties. Alternating layers of different materials, one of which is an organic compound and another of which is an inorganic material, can be deposited using this method. High luminescent efficiency multi-layer films can be obtained.

Abstract: A generalized mixed twisted nematic/birefringent effect mode is presented for reflective liquid crystal displays with only one polarizer. This new MTB mode encompasses all previously published reflective nematic liquid crystal display modes and is clearly shown on the parameter space diagrams. The invention of how to obtain operating conditions of this generalized mixed mode display is discussed. For any given angle between the polarizer and the input director of the liquid crystal cell, a unique range of values of the twist angle and the retardation d&Dgr;n for efficient reflection and low dispersion is defined.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for driving bistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays. The method and apparatus provided a display in which all the pixels are initially driven to the P state. Selected pixels for the display are then driven to the FC state to provide the desired message. The state of the pixels is then maintained for a viewing period prior to any resetting of the display to the P state. The switching from the P state to the FC state allows faster addressing times and lower voltages to be used ha driving the display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is described in which the need for a conventional output polarizer is eliminated and the display comprises only a liquid crystal cell, a single input polarizer, a reflector placed behind the cell, and a retardation film placed between the reflector and the cell. A Jones matrix simulation approach is used in order to obtain the parameters corresponding to solution spaces for the above design and several combinations are disclosed that give good results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for measuring the optical properties, eg twist angle, cell gap, input director, of a transmissive or reflective liquid crystal cell. For a transmissive liquid crystal cell the cell is placed between a polarizer and an analyzer and the transmission spectrum observed while rotating the analyzer until zero transmission is obtained at at least one wavelength. The twist angle and the surface rubbing orientations of the liquid crystal cell are determined by the relative angle between the polarizer and the analyzer while the cell gap is determined from the calculated retardation value d.DELTA.n with known .DELTA.n. For reflective cells cell gap is determined based on a knowledge of twist angle and is accomplished by observing zero reflection wavelengths from a reflective cell with the polarizer and analyzer in cross-orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active matrix liquid crystal display device based on voltage control (non-zero driving voltage) of the birefringence (negative or positive) of the liquid crystal cell. In the device a ground (earth) plate comprises a piece of glass with a transparent conductive coating, such as indium tin oxide. A silicon wafer with integrated circuits on it has a coating of polymer for aligning liquid crystal molecules. The coated glass also has a coating for aligning the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a reflective liquid crystal display which consists of just an input polarizer, the liquid crystal cell and a rear reflector which can be placed inside or outside of the liquid crystal cell. There is no rear polarizer and no retardation film compensation. The invention is capable of producing a high contrast, low chromatic dispersion display. Depending on the twist angle chosen for the liquid crystal cell, the display can be used in direct view or in a projection type display. The display can also be driven in an active matrix mode or in a passive matrix multiplexed drive mode. A full numerical simulation which takes into account the liquid crystal director deformation under the application of an electric field was used to optimize such displays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of directly forming a thin, orientated layer, or film, of superconducting materials, suitably mixtures of Pervoskite-type superconducting oxides, on a support base, or substrate, by depositing the layer, or film, in an ionized oxygen atmosphere using a laser beam means. The present process is carried out at temperatures sufficiently high that the film adheres to the substrate, but sufficiently low that a superconducting layer is directly deposited the substrate. Preferably the process is carried out at a temperature less than about 450 degrees C. Temperatures as low as 400 degrees C. have been found useful.