Using the Berreman 4x4 method we developed a simulation program to study the effects of cell structure parameters of a liquid crystal optical switch based on total internal reflection. The study shows that the liquid crystal may convert one polarization into another, because of its birefringence and thus degrades the performance of the switch. Good contrast ratios can be achieved by using alignment layers with weak anchoring strengths and appropriate thin cell gaps.

Date Published: 28 May 2004
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 5289, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications X and Projection Displays X, (28 May 2004); doi: 10.1117/12.531687

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5289:
Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications X and Projection Displays X
Ming Hsien Wu; Liang-Chy Chien, Editor(s)