Liquid crystal device

A liquid crystal device comprising an active matrix substrate and a counter-substrate having facing homeotropic alignment surfaces, between which is disposed a layer of nematic liquid crystal material, and carrying a pixel electrode arrangement and a counter-electrode arrangement, respectively, defining a plurality of pixel regions, each of at least some of which has a pixel electrode and a counter-electrode, arranged to apply a first electric field for controlling a liquid crystal director out-of-plane tilt angle, and a further electrode electrically insulated from the pixel and counter-electrodes and arranged to cooperate with at least one thereof to apply a second electric field for controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle;

• wherein the first electric field is substantially uniform within the area of the pixel electrode and oriented perpendicular to the substrate surfaces, and
• the second electric field in at least one state preserves the uniformity and direction of the first electric field, and in at least one other state disrupts the first electric field creating non-uniformities with some component parallel to the substrate surface, thereby controlling the director in-plane azimuth angle.