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Background and Objectives |
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A flexible liquid crystal (LC) display consisting of an LC/polymer composite film sandwiched between two plastic film substrates is a focus of research on TV displays that will be freely scrollable for transport and that can be unrolled to enjoy TV problems anywhere at any time. The polymer wall (synthetic resin) formed in the composite film maintains the constant separation between the flexible substrates, making the display device capable of operating in grayscale precisely even when bent in a curvature radius of several centimeters. We have recently developed a technology for forming primary three color filters on the plastic substrates, which would be needed to realize a color film LC display. |
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Features |
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The device's LC layer, which is far thinner (1/3 or less) than conventional LC displays, requires the formation technique of color filters with a high degree of flatness on a flexible thin substrate. To accomplish this, we developed a low-temperature fabrication technology for the filter material that is suitable for plastic substrates. Using this, uniform color filters were individually formed on a substrate, and then the surface was smoothed by an overcoat layer.
As a result, we obtained a smooth surface enough for LC operation. The fabricated device could uniformly operate even when the color filters were formed in it. The following characteristics hold promise for its application as a flexible motion-picture display.
- Its composite structure of ferroelectric LC and polymer fibers enables a high-speed grayscale operation (1 millisecond or less).
- Its simple printing method of fabrication will be advantageous in constructing a large screen display.
- As it can use external light sources for a reflective-type display, it will consume very little power. |
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Future Work |
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Research will continue on methods to increase the substrate size, and to develop the matrix drive technique necessary for motion pictures.
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