Nematic liquid crystal display with surface induced bistability and control by the flexoelectric effect

摘要

A bistable liquid crystal optical device includes two transparent plates (12, 14) provided with control electrodes (18, 19), between which is placed a nematic liquid crystal material (20). The transparent plates (12, 14) are surface-treated so as to define two stable configurations of molecules of the liquid crystal material generating respectively two flexoelectrical polarizations having components which are normal to electrodes Pz1Pz2 having oppsite directions. Devices (30) are provided for applying perpendicular electrical field pulses to the plates (12, 14), said pulses being directed selectively one way or the other.