Crucial influences of <i>K</i>33/<i>K</i>11 ratio on viewing angle of display mode using a bend-alignment liquid-crystal cell with a compensator

Abstract

The critical splay-to-bend-alignment transition in a liquid-crystal cell treated by parallel rubbing (π cell) was investigated to improve the optical performance of the display mode using this cell with a compensator. By analyzing the free energy in liquid crystal cells, it was found that nematic media with a smaller K33/K11 ratio can reduce the transition voltage considerably, and therefore, also reduce the required optical anisotropy of the liquid-crystal cell. The significantly improved viewing angle for this mode, achieved by using these newly designed parameters, is also confirmed theoretically and experimentally.