Patent ID: 6184967
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A nematic liquid crystal cell, comprising two electrode-equipped (5, 6) plates (1, 2) which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other to define an inner cavity (C) and of which at least a first plate (1) is transparent and has a thickness b which does not exceed 1 mm; and a modulus of elasticity E; a liquid crystal layer (3) sealed in said cavity and containing nematic material and having a thickness d corresponding to a height of the cavity; and spacers (11) fixed in said cavity and having a height h corresponding to the thickness d of said layer, said spacers being distributed over the cavity with a spacing L and having substantially the same modulus of elasticity E as said first plate, characterised in that the spacers (11), at least in one direction, have a width not exceeding 50 .mu.m; that a degree of surface coverage s by supporting areas of said spacers (11) on said first plate (1) exceeds or is equal to 1%; and that the value of L is so selected in dependence on current values of d and b that, when applying a pressure P on said first plate (1), a maximum relative deflection .DELTA.d/d, caused by said pressure P, of said first plate between the spacers satisfies the following condition: ##EQU4##where G1 is equal to or lower than a value of the following expression (B), representing a relative compression of the spacers (11), caused by said pressure P, for a case where the degree of surface coverage s assumes its minimum value of 1%: ##EQU5##