Liquid Crystal Pretilt Angle Measurement Using Jones Matrix Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the pretilt angle of liquid crystals in LCD devices are inadequate, as they fail to accurately distinguish and measure the pretilt angles for each substrate, affecting display performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving polarized light irradiation, scanning in a direction not parallel to the minute branch electrode, and calculating the Jones matrix to determine the pretilt angle based on light intensity and phase difference, allowing separate measurement for each substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional light measurement methods are used on LC cells, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates because pretilt angles cannot be separately measured for each substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement method segments the pretilt angle measurement into two separate measurements by utilizing the asymmetric light intensity distribution obtained when scanning light in a direction not parallel to the minute branch electrode. By detecting light intensity at multiple scanning positions and applying mathematical processing to the asymmetric distribution, the pretilt angles of the first and second substrates can be separately determined from a single light measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new measurement dimension by scanning light in a direction not parallel to the minute branch electrode (i.e., at an angle). This angular dimension creates an asymmetric light intensity distribution that contains information about both substrate pretilt angles, enabling separate measurement through mathematical analysis of the angular distribution pattern.
2Measurement precision
If light is scanned in a direction parallel to the minute branch electrode, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates because asymmetric light intensity distribution cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention deliberately introduces asymmetry by scanning light in a direction not parallel to the minute branch electrode. This asymmetric scanning direction creates an asymmetric light intensity distribution that is essential for separating the pretilt angle measurements of the two substrates. The asymmetric pattern provides distinct information that allows mathematical differentiation between the two pretilt angles.
3Measurement precision
If Jones matrix calculation is performed using only diagonal components, then calculation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates because non-diagonal components contain essential measurement information
Solution Approach 1:
The Jones matrix serves as an intermediary mathematical tool that connects the asymmetric light intensity distribution to the pretilt angle measurements. By calculating the Jones matrix from the measured light intensity values at different scanning positions and analyzing both diagonal and non-diagonal components, the method extracts precise pretilt angle information that would be inaccessible through simpler measurement approaches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise measurement of pretilt angles for each substrate, improving the accuracy and reliability of LCD display performance by utilizing non-diagonal components of the Jones matrix.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizer configured to polarize the light so that polarized light irradiates on the LC cell
Implementation Method 2
detecting an intensity of light that is transmitted through the LC cell; obtaining a pretilt angle of the LC based on a light intensity detection signal corresponding to the transmitted irradiated polarized light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for measuring a pretilt angle of a liquid crystal (LC) are disclosed. The method includes irradiating polarized light on an LC cell including a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and an LC layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a minute branch electrode. Irradiated light is scanned within a predetermined angle range in a direction not parallel to the minute branch electrode, an intensity of light that is transmitted through the LC cell is detected, and a pretilt angle of the LC is obtained by using a light intensity detection signal corresponding to the transmitted light.