Solution of the dark state problem in antiferroelectric liquid crystal displays

So far, it has proven impossible to achieve an acceptable dark state betwee n crossed polarizers for antiferroelectric liquid crystals (AFLCs), which o therwise would have an enormous potential for electro-optic applications, i n particular for high-resolution full color displays. The reason lies in st atic and dynamic spatial fluctuations of the optic axis. As both have intri nsic causes it is not likely that the problem is ever going to be solved by improvement in alignment and addressing methods. We show that if the direc tors in alternating layers are orthogonal to each other, the AFLC acquires new optical properties such that the problem is eliminated, and a dark stat e extinction is achieved which is only limited by the quality of the polari zers. After having synthesized such a material, we have been able to demons trate the predicted unique electro-optical properties of this new class of AFLC materials. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)0432 4-2].