Optical modulating element

Abstract

Abstract PURPOSE:To obtain operation chracteristics based upon the bistability of liquid crystal and monodomain structure, and constitute a high-speed shutter by arraying plural fibers made of high polymer liquid crystal as an orientation control member between a couple of substrates. CONSTITUTION:The side wall of a fiber made of high polymer liquid crystal has wall effect for orienting liquid-crystal molecules having bistability along the fiber. Even when no electric field is applied, the spiral structure of the liquid crystal molecules is loosened, and its dipole moment is turned upward (34) or downward (34'). This cell is applied with one of electric fields E and E' which are larger than a specific threshold value and differ in polarity as shown in a figure by a voltage applying means 31, 31'. Consequently, the dipole moment turns upward 34 or downward 34' according to the vector of the electric field E or E', and the liquid crystal molecules are oriented into the 1st stable state 34 or the 2nd stable state 33' accordingly. Consequently, display and driving characteristics are improved.

Inventors

• 👤 Kazuharu Katagiri
• 👤 片桐　一春
• 👤 Junichiro Kanbe
• 👤 純一郎 神辺
• 👤 Shuzo Kaneko
• 👤 金子　修三
• 👤 Yuichi Masaki
• 👤 裕一 正木

Bibliographic Details