Microcell liquid crystal film for high-contrast flexible display applications

Abstract

We have successfully fabricated high-contrast microcell liquid crystal displays (LCDs) using microstructure replication technology in thin plastic film substrates. These novel flexible LCDs comprise microcell replication, alignment treatments, and cell assembly. The cell gap of such flexible LCDs was maintained well by cross-type spacers formed by photolithography, despite bending: moreover, the deviation in cell gap under various bending states was less than 0.1 mu m. The structure, fabrication technique, and basic display characteristics of the flexible LCD are also described. Finally, this device shows high mechanical stability against external bending, a high contrast ratio of 500 : 1, and an acceptable response time. Compared with photopolymerisation-induced phase separation, the micro-cell LCD has a higher contrast ratio, a more reliable fabrication process, and a strong potential as a high-performance flexible LCD.