Dynamic behavior of twisted nematic liquid-crystal layers in switched fields

Abstract

The Ericksen-Leslie equations, describing the dynamic behavior of nematic liquid crystals, have been applied to a twisted nematic layer and have been numerically solved for a number of cases. The results account well for the observed dynamic behavior of displays using a twisted nematic layer. In particular, an explanation is given for the ’’bounce’’ in the optical transmission of a twisted nematic cell between polarizers after switching off the applied field. Materials having a frequency dependence of the sign of the dielectric anisotropy show a reversal of twist after the frequency of the applied field has been switched. This can also be explained. It is shown that fluid motion is essential to the occurrence of these phenomena.