Electrically commanded surfaces: A new liquid-crystal-display concept

Fast in-plane switching of the optic axis was realized in liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) based on the concept of Electrically Commanded Surfaces (ECS). According to this concept, the liquid-crystal layer in such a display is aligned by means of thin ferroelectric liquid-crystal-polymer (FLCP) film deposited onto the inner side of the display substrates. 1 An electric field, applied normal to the substrates, switches the molecules of the ferroelectric film, representing the commanded surface that, via elastic forces, further transfers to the liquid-crystal layer. The concept of electrically commanded surfaces opens the door to a new generation of advanced LCDs exhibiting extraordinary performance such as fast in-plane switching.