Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a layer of fibers or filaments (15) permeated with liquid crystal material, the layer (15) being located between electrodes (13, 14) by means of which an electric field can be applied across the layer to vary the transmissivity of the liquid crystal/fiber composite. The diameters of the fibers/filaments are selected so that the light transmissivity of the composite has reduced sensitivity with respect to mismatch of the refractive indices of the liquid crystal and the fibers/filaments.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal device comprises producing, for example by means of electrostatic spraying, ligaments of a curable liquid which are deposited as such or as droplets (as a result of breaking up of the ligaments) on a sheet which is to form one boundary wall of the device. Curing of the liquid may be initiated while the liquid is in flight and completed after deposition. Liquid crystal material is applied to the deposited ligaments or droplets and a second sheet is laminated with the first sheet to encapsulate the liquid crystal material. The deposited ligaments or droplets serve to space the sheets apart and/or provide surfaces with which, in the field-off condition, the liquid crystal molecules can align in directions different to the direction of alignment induced by application of an electric or magnetic field.