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US 2006/0139536 A1Published application
Liquid crystal device
AssigneeZBD Displays Limited
InventorJohn Jones
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AssigneeZBD Displays Limited
InventorJohn Jones
Estimating the term…
This invention relates to a liquid crystal device wherein the surface profile of a surface alignment grating stabilizes at least one stable state. The invention involves the introduction or breaks (34, 36, 38) or discontinuities into the grating (10) to divide the grating into a plurality of groove segments. The breaks are discontinuities in the grating in the groove direction, the grating having substantially the same groove direction on each side of the break. The introduction of breaks prevent free movement of defects along the groove of the grating and therefore help to stabilize the desired liquid crystal configuration, either a Defect state or a Continuous state. Suitable breaks involve gaps (34) in the groove ridges (30), necks (36) between the groove ridges (30) and slips or relative displacement (38) of the grating.
A liquid crystal device comprising a layer of liquid crystal material disposed between two cell walls, at least one region on the internal surface of at least one cell wall comprising a surface alignment grating having a single groove direction characterised in that the surface alignment grating comprises a plurality of breaks along the groove direction.
A surface alignment grating for a liquid crystal material comprising a grating having a single groove direction characterised in that the grating has a plurality of breaks (34;
A multistable liquid crystal device comprising a layer of liquid crystal material disposed between two cell walls, at least one region on the internal surface of at least one cell wall comprising a multistable surface alignment grating having a single groove direction characterised in that the surface alignment grating comprises a plurality of breaks (34;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.