Single panel liquid crystal device switchable between reflective and transmissive modes

Abstract

We propose a single panel liquid crystal (LC) device that is switchable between reflective and transmissive modes. Operation in the reflective mode can be achieved by applying a vertical field to a dye-doped LC device, whereas the device can be in-plane switched for operation in the transmissive mode. Image inversion that was inevitable in a single panel device using a reflective polarizer is effectively eliminated through the absorption of ambient light by the dye-doped LCs. We believe that the proposed device can be applied to various display systems for outdoor mobile use.