Performance of a passive matrix ferroelectric liquid crystal display with analog grey levels

Ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) are suitable materials for low power and low cost flat panel displays. In this paper fabrication and performance of a surface stabilised ferroelectric liquid crystal display with analog grey scale levels are reported. Grey shades are produced by width control of FLC microdomains by means of a gradient of electric field distributed over the pixel, between adjacent columns. Such gradient, depending on the data voltages, is achieved by using high resistance film deposited on the column substrate. The authors discuss the choice of teflon layers, easily deposited by friction, to align the smectic liquid crystal molecule layers. The overall fabrication process is low cost and produces shock resistant displays. The choice of the addressing mode is reported. Optical response of the display shows very low hysteresis and sticking effect under driving conditions