Scattering mode displays with in-plane electrode structure

The electro-optical properties of a scattering mode display with an in-plan e electrode structure are investigated. The in-plane electrodes are pattern ed on one side of a glass substrate, and the other side is roughened. Neith er side of the substrate has an alignment layer. In the off state, this rou ghened surface disrupts the uniform molecular orientation and induces light scattering. In the on state, the liquid crystal molecules are uniformly al igned due to the applied electric field. This display mode does not require a polarizer. Under He-Ne laser irradiation, the contrast ratio was 17:1. T he response times of transmittance rise and fall were 6.3 and 46.5 ms, resp ectively, which are somewhat shorter than that of conventional in-plane swi tching mode displays. It is considered that the disordered alignment is res ponsible for this improvement in response time, realized as a function of t he roughened surface and/or weak surface anchoring. (C) 2001 American Insti tute of Physics.