Abstract: A light modulation layer of a full-color reflective display (112), the light modulation layer including an addressing layer (404); a mirror (406) positioned above the addressing layer (404), the mirror (406) configured to reflect light of a predetermined wavelength band; and an electro-optic layer (416) positioned above the mirror (406), the electro-optic layer (416) configured to absorb light of a predetermined wavelength band in response to a signal received from a switching device (204) of the addressing layer (404).

Abstract: A reflective display device (2) comprises a plurality of controllable light absorption layers (8) arranged in a stack. Each of the layers (8) is capable of absorbing incident light in a specified wavelength band. A selective reflector (10) is immediately behind at least one of the layers (8) and is adapted to reflect at least some wavelengths of light within the wavelength band and substantially to transmit light of other wavelengths.

Abstract: A reflective display device includes a first absorption layer configured to be modulated between being strongly and weakly absorbing of light within a first specified wavelength band and to absorb light weakly in a second specified wavelength band and a third specified wavelength band, a second absorption layer configured to be modulated between being strongly and weakly absorbing of light within the second specified wavelength band and to absorb light weakly within the third specified wavelength band, a third absorption layer configured to be modulated between being strongly and weakly absorbing of light within at least the third specified wavelength band, and at least one reflector arranged between two of the first, second, and third absorption layers, the at least one reflector being configured to reflect light strongly within one of the specified wavelength bands assigned to the absorption layers above the at least one reflector.

Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of pixel components, each of which includes a first electro-optic layer positioned between a first pair of electrodes, in which the first electro-optic layer is configured to selectively absorb light in a first specified wavelength, a second electro-optic layer positioned between a second pair of electrodes, in which the second electro-optic layer is configured to selectively absorb light in a second specified wavelength band and to convert the absorbed light to at least a portion of the first specified wavelength band, in which the first electro-optic layer and the second electro-optic layer are arranged in a stack with respect to each other.

Abstract: Various reflective display devices are provided. In one embodiment, a reflective display device is provided that includes a first controllable light absorption layer capable of absorbing incident light in a first specified wavelength band and at least a second specified wavelength band and a first reflector behind the first absorption layer, which is capable of selectively reflecting at least some wavelengths of light within the first and second specified wavelength bands and substantially transmit light of other wavelengths. The reflective display device further includes a second controllable light absorption layer behind the selective reflector, which is capable of absorbing incident light in at least a third specified wavelength band and a second reflector behind the second layer, which is capable of reflecting at least some wavelengths of light within the third specified wavelength band.

Abstract: A reflective display includes a display cell having a light incident wall, a second wall, and a reflective layer. A cholesteric liquid crystal fluid is disposed within the display cell between the light incident wall and the reflective layer and a plurality of pigment particles are movably suspended within the cholesteric liquid crystal fluid.

Abstract: A cholesteric reflector (100) includes a substrate (110) and a first cholesteric layer (120) which is disposed over the substrate (110) and reflects a first polarization of light within a design waveband. A second cholesteric layer (140) is disposed over the first cholesteric layer (120) and reflects a second polarization of light within the design waveband.

Abstract: A birefringent diffuser includes a first optical material and a first birefringent material. The first optical material and the first birefringent material are combined to form a planar layer. The planar layer has an internal pattern of the materials presenting a substantially uniform index of refraction for incident light which is substantially normal to the planar layer and exhibiting a varying index of refraction for at least a portion of light which is trapped in guided modes.

Abstract: A full-color reflective display pixel includes first and second independently addressable electro-optic layers, each layer being independently switchable between a first state in which the layer is configured to absorb at least one color region of visible light and a second state in which the layer is configured to transmit the at least one color region of visible light. A reflective color filter is located between the back surface of the first electro-optic layer and the front surface of the second electro-optic layer, the reflective color filter being subdivided into a plurality of sub-pixels in which each sub-pixel is configured to transmit a first color region of visible light and reflect a second color region of visible light. A broadband reflective layer is located behind the back surface of the second electro-optic layer.

Abstract: Various reflective display pixels are provided. In one embodiment, among others, a reflective display pixel for modulating the return of incident visible light is provided that includes one or more stacked cells. Each cell includes a fluid containing a light absorbing medium capable of absorbing incident light in at least one specified wavelength band for that cell and a light returning medium capable of selectively returning at least a portion of the light within the specified wavelength band for that cell. In other embodiments, each cell includes a fluid containing a light absorbing medium capable of absorbing incident light in at least one specified wavelength band for that cell and a light returning medium capable of selectively returning at least a portion of visible light outside the specified wavelength band for that cell.

Abstract: A light diffuser (20, 46) includes a plurality of fiber-like features (24) disposed in a filler (26) in a two-dimensional array. The features (24) have a longitudinal axis and are substantially parallel to one another. A refractive index of the features (24) is different from a refractive index of the filler (26). The features (24) are either a polymeric solid or a liquid. The filler (26) is substantially solid when features (24) are liquid. When the features (24) are a polymeric solid, at least one feature (24) of the plurality includes at least one predetermined variation in one or both of a longitudinal cross-sectional dimension and a horizontal cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A reflective display device has multiple display pixels. Each pixel has at least three color sub-pixels disposed side-by-side for three primary colors respectively. At least one color sub-pixel has a light shutter with adjustable transmission, a luminescent layer containing a luminescent material that emits light of a selected color, and a mirror for reflecting light corresponding to that selected color.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite stamp (24) for embossing comprises the steps of: (a) taking a master structure (10) having a conductive surface (16) and dielectric features (18) thereon; (b) depositing an opaque material on exposed regions of the conductive surface (16) to form an opaque mask (20); (c) coating the dielectric features (18) and opaque mask (20) with a fluid material (4) which is capable of being transformed to a form-retaining material; (d) causing or permitting the fluid material (4) to be transformed to a form-retaining material which is bonded to the opaque mask (20); and (e) removing the form-retaining material (4) and bonded opaque mask (20) from the master structure (10) to provide the composite stamp (24). Other aspect of the invention provide a composite stamp (24) and a composite structure (22) for making the composite stamp.

Abstract: Electro-optical display systems are disclosed. An electro-optical display system may include a plurality of electrodes; a display volume containing a fluid having a plurality of colorant particles; a layer adjacent to or part of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and configured to at least one of (i) reflect at least one wavelength of light and (ii) absorb at least one wavelength of light; and recessed regions configured to contain the plurality of colorant particles, wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to selectively move the plurality of colorant particles between a compacted position in which all or nearly all of the plurality of colorant particles are in the recessed regions, and a spread position in which the plurality of colorant particles are spread across the display volume.

Abstract: Electro-optical display systems are disclosed. An electro-optical display system may include a plurality of electrodes; a display volume containing a fluid having a plurality of colorant particles; a layer adjacent to or part of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and configured to at least one of (i) reflect at least one wavelength of light and (ii) absorb at least one wavelength of light; and recessed regions configured to contain the plurality of colorant particles, wherein the plurality of electrodes are configured to selectively move the plurality of colorant particles between a compacted position in which all or nearly all of the plurality of colorant particles are in the recessed regions, and a spread position in which the plurality of colorant particles are spread across the display volume.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell comprises first (1) and second (2) opposed cell walls enclosing a liquid crystal material (6) having an anisotropic absorber therein, and a microstructure (4) on an inner surface of the first cell wall (1). The microstructure (4) is formed from a material which has a refractive index that is more closely matched to the ordinary refractive index (no) of the liquid crystal material than to the extraordinary refractive index (ne).

Abstract: A reflective display device (2) comprises a plurality of controllable light absorption layers (8) arranged in a stack. Each of the layers (8) is capable of absorbing incident light in a specified wavelength band. A selective reflector (10) is immediately behind at least one of the layers (8) and is adapted to reflect at least some wavelengths of light within the wavelength band and substantially to transmit light of other wavelengths.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cell wall assembly for an electro-optic display device with greyscale capability comprises: forming on a substantially planar surface of a transfer carrier, at least one dielectric structure; forming on said at least one dielectric structure at least one electrode structure; wherein said dielectric structure extends in a direction perpendicular to said surface by a distance which varies substantially within the area of the or each electrode structure; adhering said at least one electrode structure to a major surface of a substrate of glass or a plastics material; and removing the transfer carrier. Other aspects of the invention include the cell wall assembly, a device with greyscale capability, a method of manufacturing the device, and the transfer carrier.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a first cell wall and a second cell wall enclosing a layer of liquid crystal material. The device has electrodes for applying an electric field across at least some of the liquid crystal material, and a surface alignment structure on a region of a substantially planar inner surface of at least the first cell wall. The alignment structure induces the liquid crystal material to adopt a desired alignment in an azimuthal plane. The surface alignment structure comprises a two dimensional array of microstructures which are shaped and oriented to produce the desired alignment. Each microstructure has no plane of symmetry orthogonal to the azimuthal plane and to said planar inner surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer comprising a polymerized liquid crystal material with homeotrophic orientation, to methods of its preparation, to polymerizable liquid crystal compositions and liquid crystal polymers used for the preparation of the alignment layer, to liquid crystal devices comprising the alignment layer, and to a method of controlling the electrooptical steepness of a liquid crystal display comprising at least one alignment layer by varying the surface anchoring energy of the alignment layer.