Smectic liquid crystals
AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorsJohn W. Goodby, Thomas M. Leslie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The use of a certain class of liquid crystal materials that exhibit a smectic C phase allows the production of a bistable liquid crystal display element. Such bistable display elements promote the use of matrix addressing for liquid crystal based elements in a display.
Claims14
A display comprising (1) a liquid crystal material, (2) a plurality of electrodes suitable for applying a voltage to said liquid crystal material, (3) electronic means for applying a voltage to a desired electrode, and (4) means for producing an observable optical change upon application of an appropriate voltage, wherein said liquid crystal comprises a liquid crystal in the smectic C phase characterized in that said liquid crystal material comprises a compound represented by the formula ##STR79## where Q is a core entity that comprises a moiety chosen from the group consisting of ##STR80## then Z is H, or CH.sub.3, where A provides a separation between Q and C.sub.a which is at least 2.0 .ANG., and where C.sub.a is an appropriate asymmetric carbon atom whose asymmetry is produced by an appropriate choice of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2.
A display comprising a liquid crystal material in the smectic C phase contacting an electrode characterized in that said liquid crystal material comprises a compound represented by the formula ##STR83## where Q is a core entity that comprises a moiety chosen from the group consisting of ##STR84## then Z is H, or CH.sub.3, where A provides a separation between Q and C.sub.a which is at least 2.0 .ANG., and where C.sub.a is an asymmetric carbon atom whose asymmetry is produced by an appropriate choice of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.