PARAMETER SPACE REPRESENTATION OF LIQUID-CRYSTAL DISPLAY OPERATING MODES

A parameter space approach is used to represent the operation of all l iquid crystal displays. The Jones matrix nematic is used to analyze th e static optical properties of liquid crystal displays with any twist angle, cell thickness, natural birefringence, and polarizer angles. Al l the usual display modes such as 90 degrees TN, ECB, OMI, SEE, and ST N can be visualized on a simple parameter space diagram. Besides its p edagogical values, this formulation has the advantage of simplicity in showing the physics and operating conditions of supertwist as well as low twist liquid crystal displays. It can also be used to analyze nov el situations such as reflective displays which do not require any bac k polarizer. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.