Simulation of the viewing properties and optical compensation of the biaxial nematic in-plane switching mode

摘要

Using Berreman 4 X 4 optical methods and continuum theory, we investigate the theoretical viewing properties of a potential homeotropically aligned biaxial nematic display switched with in-plane fields. We determine the isocontrast, isotransmission viewing characteristics for wide-angle viewing for in-plane switching and consider the necessary requirements for optical compensation to produce a high transmission in the bright state and low transmission in the dark state. We show how compensation can be achieved with biaxial compensation layers using a homogeneous biaxial film or from birefringence.