Passive matrix SSFLC display with analogue grey levels using PTFE alignment films

Fabrication and performance of a surface stabilised ferroelectric liquid cr ystal display are reported. Grey shades are obtained by modulating the widt h of switched FLC microdomains by means of an electric field gradient distr ibuted over the pixel, between adjacent metal columns. Such a gradient, dep ending on the data voltages, is achieved through a high resistance film dep osited on the column glass plate. The choice of PTFE (Poly-tetra-fluoro-eth ylene) alignment layers, easily deposited by friction, provides very low hy steresis and sticking effect. Morphology of alignment layers, carried out b y AFM, is briefly described and evaluated. Addressing mode voltage waveform s to obtain grey shades are also reported. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.