FIELD-EFFECT LIQUID-CRYSTAL DISPLAYS AND LIQUID-CRYSTAL MATERIALS - KEY TECHNOLOGIES OF THE 1990S

Those liquid-crystal materials properties that essentially determine the operability of LCDs are reviewed. Examples of some modem liquid-crystal structures and correlations between them and their materials properties are given. The nematic electrooptical field effects, and their applications in displays, that are the basis of modem commercial LCDs are described. Some recent developments, such as the operation of twisted-nematic LCDs with not only linear, but also circularly polarized, light, are included. Two recently discovered smectic C field effects that lead to short response times, grey scales and/or bistable operation in short-pitch ferroelectric smectic C liquid crystals are described. A recently presented large-aperture liquid-crystal colour-projection concept, whose functional elements, i.e. polarizers, filters and modulators, consist entirely of liquid-crystal devices, is reviewed.