Molecular engineering of textile dyes has produced new materials that have thermostability like the precursor textile dyes, and that can be used to produce thin film coatings. Dye molecules are aligned in crystalline fashion and produce a polarizing effect. Blending different dye mixes controls optical and color characteristics of such film polarizers. Effective black and color thin film polarizers made from dye blends with hues varying in wide range of color coordinates were manufactured and tested.
Abstract— New thin‐film polarizers have been developed for use in optical applications. The polarization technology is based upon liquid‐crystalline material built from dichroic dyes that can be deposited on virtually any substrate. Theoretical calculations and experimental results on viewing‐angle characterization of conventional O‐type polarizers and new E‐type polarizers are presented. At large viewing angles, the E‐type polarizers demonstrate lower light leakage, higher contrast ratio, and higher efficiency. Spectral performance depends on the composition of the dye mixture that is used to produce the polarizer coating. The new polarizers exhibit enhanced viewing angle and more design flexibility, providing new opportunities for the liquid‐crystal‐display industry.
LCDs with internal polarizers were designed and fabricated as production prototype TN-LCDs. Optiva™ Thin Crystalline Films (TCFs) were used as the polarizers for these displays. The design and processes for fabrication of a TN-LCD with Optiva internal polarizers will be discussed.
E-type polarizers are now available for industrial applications. New polarizers are produced as submicron thin film polarizing coating. Glass and plastic (PET) TN LCDs were manufactured with Thin Film Polarizers replacing conventional polarizers. Another design uses new polarizers to replace the alignment layer and performs both functions: polarization and LC alignment. Optical characteristics of new LCD design are comparable (Contrast Ratio =60) or better (Viewing Angle Cone) than conventional technology.
Optiva, Inc. has developed new technology for Thin Crystal Film (TCF) polarizers and retarders manufactured by deposition and drying of water-based lyotropic liquid crystal materials. An effective method to control and monitor two significant steps of this technology, a self-assembly into rod-like supramolecules in liquid material and its subsequent molecular alignment into TCF, is X-ray diffraction. There is direct correlation between X-ray data and the final optical characteristics of TCF polarizers and retarders and therefore its implementation into LCD applications.
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