Improved reflective displays based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals

Layered dispersions of liquid crystals and polymers form a new dass of mate rials for reflective displays, known as holographic polymer-dispersed liqui d crystals (H-PDLC). Alternating layers of liquid crystal and polymer havin g dimensions of about 150 nm possess a variable reflectance, providing a wi de reflection spectrum in the absence of a field. When an electric field is applied, this coefficient takes an intermediate value between the refracti ve index of the liquid crystal acid that of the polymer, smoothing out the difference between them. This article is devoted to research and developmen t of these materials, which are promising for use in reflective displays du e to their brightness, saturation, and low control voltage. (C) 2000 The Op tical Society of America. [S1070-9762(00)00308-0].