Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) cell having LC phase gratings is disclosed. The LC cell includes alternating strips of a first single domain LC material having a twist angle with a magnitude and a positive sign, and a second single domain LC material having a twist angle with the same magnitude and a negative sign. The magnitude of the twist angle is approximately from 45 to 70 degrees. The first and second LC materials are twisted nematic LC materials or ferro-electric LC materials. The liquid crystal phase gratings operate preferably in a normally-black condition with low operating voltages of below 3 V and high optical diffraction efficiencies. The LC cell is used in reflective or transmissive spatial light modulators of displays.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal (TNLC) cell used in reflective spatial light modulators (SLMs) of displays is disclosed. The TNLC cell includes front and rear substrates, and a TNLC material having a thickness d and a left-handed or right-handed twist angle .phi.. The TNLC material is sandwiched between the front and rear substrates, and the twist angle .phi. is approximately from 46.degree. to 62.degree.. A direction of directors of the TNLC material located nearest the front substrate forms an initial angle .beta. with a direction of linearly polarized light incident thereon. The initial angle .beta. is approximately from -6.degree. to 60.degree.. A birefringence .DELTA.n of the TNLC material times the thickness d is between approximately 0.7.lambda. to 1.25.lambda., where .lambda. is a wavelength of light incident on the front substrate.

Abstract: A structural principle is described for control of the gap and the area around the periphery of a liquid crystal display by the formation of an insulating layer out of which, gap dimension maintaining posts and contaminant diffusion inhibiting segmented walls, remain after the display area is etched back out of the layer.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal cell for AMLCDs is provided wherein the reflective electrode may be passivated with an insulating film such as silicon oxide. In addition, the liquid crystal cell of the present invention may include a conducting transparent electrode that has a work function substantially equal to the work function of the reflective electrode in the cell. The reflective electrode may include a transparent conductive layer such as ITO, or may include an integer number of film pairs, wherein the film pair comprises a first dielectric film having a low index of refraction and a second dielectric film having a high index of refraction.

Abstract: A display device (10) having first and second substrates (12) and (30) and a layer of a PSCT or PFCT liquid crystal material disposed therebetween. The display is driven by an addressing scheme in which voltages are applied either in phase or out of phase in order to switch the liquid crystal material between stable states.

Abstract: A structurally stabilized bistable cholesteric display. The display has a back plate and a front plate with a liquid crystal material disposed therebetween. The liquid crystal material is homeotropically aligned at least at the substrate and is held in alignment by a securement matrix forming agent. The material is thermally annealed to align the helix axis of the liquid crystal molecules parallel to the substrates and a polymer may be used to secure the molecules in this position.

Abstract: A display device (10) having first and second substrates (12) and (30) and a layer of a liquid crystal material having a periodic modulated structure, such as a PSCT or PFCT liquid crystal material disposed therebetween. A layer of a color imparting material (18) is disposed atop one surface of one substrate. The liquid crystal material is tailored or tuned to complementarily provide color to said display in connection with said layer of color imparting material.