Diffraction effect on high-resolution liquid-crystal-on-silicon devices

Abstract

We extend the beam propagation method to calculate light propagation in reflective liquid crystal displays. The effect of diffraction on the optical performance of high-resolution liquid-crystal-on-silicon devices is investigated. The light efficiencies are simulated with respect to the pixel pitch for the vertically aligned and finger-on-plane modes. Computer simulation results indicate that the effect of diffraction on these devices is significant.