Molecular orientation effects in the LC cell utilizing the nonuniform electric field by the extra controlling electrode

A new precise control scheme of the liquid crystal (LC) molecular orientati on state in the nonuniform electric field is discussed. An extra controllin g electrode is introduced outside of the conventional driving electrode in the LC cylinder lens and LC microlens, and the molecular orientation effect s and related optical properties are investigated for various experimental conditions. The behavior of disclination lines is very important in this ca se as is in other LC cells which are utilizing the nonuniform electric fiel d for the molecular orientation, and it strongly depends upon the rubbing d irection and the driving condition. The degradation of lens properties. whi ch is usually followed by a variable action such as variable focusing and/o r beam steering, becomes very slow because the reduction of the effective l ens aperture is restricted. Consequently, the variable range can be extende d by the extra controlling electrode structure.