liquid crystals
Screen display substance
Liquid crystals are substances that flow like liquids but have molecules arranged in orderly patterns like crystals.
This intermediate state between solid and liquid allows them to respond to electric fields, temperature, or pressure—properties exploited in LCD screens, where electrical signals alter molecular alignment to control light passage.
The display uses liquid crystals to create images.
Oriented liquid crystal phase
- isotropicSame properties all directions
- anisotropicVarying with orientation
- phase transitionMatter shifting between states
- directorOne who leads
Separation into opposing extremes
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
- refractionWave bending between media
- dichroismPolarization-dependent color absorption
- transmittanceFraction not absorbed
retardation · scattering · polarizer · analyzer · waveguide · photonic
Lowest shared fraction bottom
- backlightIllumination behind a display
- pixel densityDots per inch onscreen
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- contrast ratioBrightest-to-darkest luminance measurement
response time · refresh rate · viewing angle · color reproduction · monitor · television · smartphone · tablet
Fluid's flow resistance
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- entropyQuantified chaos in systems
- supercoolingLiquid chilled below freezing
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
Having two stable states
- smart materialsSubstances reacting to stimuli
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- thermochromicColor-changing with temperature
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
spacer · anchoring · encapsulation · flexible display · curved screen
nematic
Oriented liquid crystal phase
- isotropicSame properties all directions
- anisotropicVarying with orientation
- phase transitionMatter shifting between states
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
- refractionWave bending between media
- dichroismPolarization-dependent color absorption
transmittance · retardation · scattering · polarizer · analyzer · waveguide · photonic
LCD
Lowest shared fraction bottom
- backlightIllumination behind a display
- pixel densityDots per inch onscreen
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
contrast ratio · response time · refresh rate · viewing angle · color reproduction · monitor · television · smartphone · tablet · touchscreen
viscosity
Fluid's flow resistance
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- entropyQuantified chaos in systems
- supercoolingLiquid chilled below freezing
bistable
Having two stable states
- smart materialsSubstances reacting to stimuli
- elastomerStretchable polymer substance
- thermochromicColor-changing with temperature
rubbing · spacer · anchoring · encapsulation · flexible display · curved screen
- LCD panelsbacklight, LED backlight, pixels, subpixels, polarizer
- soft mattercolloids, emulsions, gels, foams, polymers
- advanced materialsgraphene, carbon nanotubes, Kevlar, superalloys, titanium alloy
- Chiral Substancesamino acids, sugars, lactic acid, limonene, menthol
- polarized opticsdouble refraction, polarized light, polarizer, analyzer, polarization
- polymerspolymer, elastomers, monomer, polyurethane foam, silicone rubber
liquid crystalsOLED
Emissive display technology
LED · CRT · plasma display · e-ink · cathode ray tube
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