A Monochromatic Black and White Supertwisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display with a Single Cell and a Birefringent Film

To achieve a monochromatic black-and-white (B/W) STN-LCD with a single cell and a birefringent plastic film, the optimum conditions of optical properties in the birefringent film are analyzed theoretically and experimentally. By optimizing the film retardation to minimize the transmission of a STN-LCD at 550 nm, optical retardation in a STN cell is canceled and a B/W STN-LCD is obtained. By selecting the suitable conditions for compensating retardation of the STN cell, a B/W STN-LCD is achieved with the contrast ratio of 10:1.