Pillared Polymer Network for Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blue phase liquid crystal display devices face limitations in operating temperature range, driving voltage, and hysteresis, which affect display quality.
Innovation Solution
A display device configuration featuring a pillared polymer network between substrate assemblies, where the polymer network's ends abut against the substrates and electrode layers, enhancing transmittance and mitigating hysteresis effects to reduce driving voltage and improve display quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystals are used to increase operating temperature range, then the operating temperature range increases from 1K to 60K, but the driving voltage and hysteresis remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer network is segmented into discrete pillared structures distributed throughout the liquid crystal layer, rather than forming a continuous network. This segmentation allows the polymer to stabilize the blue phase structure across a wide temperature range while minimizing interference with the electric field and liquid crystal molecule reorientation, thus reducing driving voltage and hysteresis effects
Solution Approach 2:
The pillared polymer network acts as an intermediary structure that stabilizes the blue phase liquid crystal without directly interfering with the electro-optic response. The polymer pillars provide structural support and phase stabilization while allowing the liquid crystal molecules to reorient in response to applied electric fields, thereby decoupling the temperature stabilization function from the electro-optic switching function
2Temperature
If polymer stabilized blue phase liquid crystals are used to increase operating temperature range, then the operating temperature range increases from 1K to 60K, but hysteresis effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer network is segmented into discrete pillared structures distributed throughout the liquid crystal layer, rather than forming a continuous network. This segmentation allows the polymer to stabilize the blue phase structure across a wide temperature range while minimizing interference with the electric field and liquid crystal molecule reorientation, thus reducing driving voltage and hysteresis effects
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer structure is designed with local quality variations - the pillared configuration provides stabilization at specific locations while leaving other regions free for optimal liquid crystal response. This localized approach allows temperature stabilization without pervasive interference that would cause hysteresis
3Reliability
If conventional polymer network configuration is used, then blue phase stabilization is achieved, but transmittance is reduced and hysteresis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer network is segmented into discrete pillared structures distributed throughout the liquid crystal layer, rather than forming a continuous network. This segmentation allows the polymer to stabilize the blue phase structure across a wide temperature range while minimizing interference with the electric field and liquid crystal molecule reorientation, thus reducing driving voltage and hysteresis effects
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer is configured as vertical pillars extending through the liquid crystal layer thickness, utilizing the z-dimension to provide stabilization without blocking light in the optical path. This dimensional approach allows the polymer to perform its stabilizing function while maintaining high transmittance for display applications
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
The pillared polymer network effectively increases transmittance and reduces hysteresis, leading to a broader operating temperature range and lower driving voltage, thereby enhancing the overall display quality of blue phase liquid crystal display devices.
Implementation Method 1
radiating the ultraviolet curing monomer by an ultraviolet light according to a patterned mask from one of the sides of the first and second substrate assemblies to form a pillared polymer network
Implementation Method 2
heating the thermal curing monomer by the patterned first electrode layer to form a pillared polymer network
Implementation Method 3
the liquid crystal mixture is optically isotropic when the ultraviolet curing monomer is radiated by the ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
A display device having a plurality of pixel units and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The display device includes a first substrate assembly, a second substrate assembly, a liquid crystal mixture, and a pillared polymer network. The first substrate assembly includes a first substrate and a first electrode layer disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate assembly includes a second substrate. The liquid crystal mixture is disposed between the first and second substrate assemblies. The pillared polymer network is disposed between the first and second substrate assemblies and has a first end and second end. The first end abuts against the first substrate assembly and is disposed correspondingly to the first electrode layer. The second end abuts against the second substrate assembly. Each of the pixel units includes the pillared polymer network.