Single-sided alignment of electroclinic liquid crystals for active matrix displays

Single-sided alignment, in which only one of the two display substrates bea rs an alignment layer, stands to significantly simplify the manufacture and improve the yield and performance of active matrix displays. Using polybut ylene terephthalate alignment layers, we show that single-sided alignment i s feasible for electroclinic liquid crystals and can result in faster switc hing and larger tilt angle. Most importantly, single-sided alignment gave h igh contrast in excess of 170:1. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S 0003-6951(98)03951-5].