Patent ID: 6671028
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: C09K,G02F

Abstract:
An electro-optical cell comprising:a) front and rear transparent plate means; b) means for applying an electric potential to the plate means; c) a chiral ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal layer disposed between the plate means and having a helical structure which is influenced by the action of the electric potential means so as to alter its optical anisotropy; and d) surface orientation means disposed on each surface of the plate means adjacent the liquid crystal so as to align the molecules of the liquid crystal in a predetermined manner; and e) front and rear polarizers disposed respectively on the surface of the front and rear plate means opposite to the surface orientation means, wherein a ratio d/p of the thickness d of the liquid crystal layer to a pitch height p of a helical twisting is greater than about 10, and a smectic tilt angle &thgr;o is between about 0.39 radians and about 0.87 radians.