1988-08-19
1990-02-13
Miller, Stanley D.
350350S, G02F 113
Patent
active
049001329
ABSTRACT:
A liquid crystal cell (10) includes a chiral liquid crystal material (16) captured between a pair of electrode structures (12 and 14). The liquid crystal material is of a type that exhibits in consecutive order chiral semitic nematic, smectic A, and chiral phases at successively lower temperatures. In a preferred embodiment, the chiral phase is of the smectic C type. The electrode structures have director alignment layers (22 and 22') deposited on their inner surfaces. The directors (28 and 30) of the liquid crystal material in the nematic phase in contact the alignment layers align at relatively large tilt bias angles relative to the alignment layer. The tilt bias angles of the directors in contact with one of the electrode structures are defined in a rotational sense which is opposite that of the tilt bias angles of the directors in contact with the other electrode structure. The liquid crystal cell of the present invention is substantially free from smectic plane alignment defects and exhibits substantially uniform director alignment properties. As a consequence, a display device (36) using the liquid crystal cell has an essentially contaminant-free viewing surface and good light extinction properties. Such a display device also has a relatively large off-axis viewing angle.
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Angello Paul S.
Mai Huy Kim
Miller Stanley D.
Tektronix Inc.
Winkelman John D.
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