A new concept for matrix addressing a bistable nematic liquid crystal display with a potential writing capacity of several hundred lines per second is described. The bistability of two optically differentiable configurations provides permanent memory without refresh. The use of uniform electrodes provides a switching threshold that is very sharply defined and suitable for large scale multiplexing. Erasure is achieved by selectively heating any row to a temperature above the clearing point and allowing preferential relaxation to the lower energy configuration. The pulse switching characteristics of rsquo;rsquo;writingrsquo;rsquo; and the thermal properties of rsquo;rsquo;erasurersquo;rsquo; are described. The physical processes involved and their implications for display applications are discussed.
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