Periodically aligned liquid crystal cell for projection displays

H. Sarkissian; N. Tabirian; B. Zeldovich

doi:10.1117/12.617396

20 August 2005 Periodically aligned liquid crystal cell for projection displays

H. Sarkissian, N. Tabirian, B. Zeldovich

Proceedings Volume 5936, Liquid Crystals IX; 593611 (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.617396
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We consider a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell with planar structure of director sinusoidally modulated in transverse direction in the cell plane. If thickness of the cell is such that it locally acts as a half-wave plate, thin screen approximation predicts complete diffraction of normally incident light into +1st and −1st diffraction orders. We numerically study the case when this periodically aligned structure is made using anchoring at surfaces. Proper direction of anchoring can be achieved by illumination of photosensitive polymer coating by interference pattern of pair of circularly polarized waves. We found that the structure is unstable when its thickness exceeds a certain critical thickness. Calculations show that for a number of commonly used NLC's this critical thickness lies between 0.66 and 0.86 of the physical period. Such thickness allows for diffraction angles up to 21°. Friedericksz transition voltage of this structure depends on its thickness. This dependence can be well described by an ellipse in the voltage-thickness coordinates. Propagation of a plane wave through the periodically aligned NLC is described using coupled-mode approach. We estimate the contrast ratio versus the influence of walk-off effects and deviation of equilibrium structure from perfectly sinusoidal. Estimations for reasonable set of NLC's parameters show that contrast ratio can be 1000:1 and higher. As a result of this analysis, the transverse size of the cell can be estimated to be less or about 0.25 mm, which suggests it for use as a pixel in projection displays.

Citation Download Citation

H. Sarkissian, N. Tabirian, and B. Zeldovich "Periodically aligned liquid crystal cell for projection displays", Proc. SPIE 5936, Liquid Crystals IX, 593611 (20 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.617396

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available