Patent ID: 6549256
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A liquid crystal display device comprising:(a) a layer of nematic liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy disposed between a first cell wall and a second cell wall; (b) said first cell wall having a first planar surface alignment treatment providing a single first azimuthal surface alignment direction to said layer of nematic liquid crystal material in the presence and absence of an imposed electric field; (c) said second cell wall having a second surface alignment treatment providing a second defined azimuthal surface alignment direction to said layer of nematic liquid crystal material when an electric field is imposed and a substantially homoetropic surface alignment direction to said layer of nematic liquid crystal material in the absence of an imposed electric field; (d) means for distinguishing between differing optical states; and (e) electrodes disposed on said first cell wall and said second cell wall so as to impose an electric field on said layer of liquid crystal material, wherein said surface alignment direction of said liquid crystal material at said second surface is dependent upon a magnitude of said imposed electric field such that said layer of liquid crystal material varies between substantially untwisted and substantially twisted molecular configurations.