Transparent liquid crystal device

A liquid crystal device comprising:

• a light source;
• a first transparent substrate;
• a first transparent electrode;
• a switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer arranged in an array of pixels;
• a liquid crystal layer;
• a fixed alignment layer;
• a second transparent electrode;
• and
• a second transparent substrate;
• wherein the device is polarizer-free;
• wherein the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first transparent substrate;
• wherein the fixed alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second transparent substrate;
• wherein light from the light source is not visible outside the liquid crystal device when the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer is in an off-state;
• and
• wherein the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer and the fixed alignment layer are in direct physical contact with the liquid crystal layer.

A liquid crystal device comprising a light source and further comprising in sequence:

• first transparent substrate;
• a first transparent electrode;
• a switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer arranged in an array of pixels;
• a liquid crystal layer;
• a fixed alignment layer;
• and
• a second transparent electrode;
• and
• a second transparent substrate;
• wherein the device is polarizer-free;
• wherein light from the light source is not visible outside the liquid crystal device when the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer is in an off-state;
• and
• wherein the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer and the fixed alignment layer are in direct physical contact with the liquid crystal layer.