Cost-effective Path Research Articles

Large liquid-crystalline displays addressed by vitreous varistor switches

Abstract Guest-host LC dot matrix displays with hundreds of lines and columns and with pixels of square millimetre size can be addressed by means of an electronic matrix consisting of novel varistors sandwiched of only three layers, Al-SiOx-Al. These can be vacuum-deposited through our re-usable stencil masks on cold glass plates (hanging face downward) in one pumpdown, with no dust problem. Square metre sized monolithic display panels become possible in combination with our novel step-and-repeat vacuum deposition of many monomodules side-by-side, employing a simple stepping mechanism inside an enlarged bell jar. This promises to become a very cost-effective new technological path towards wall panel television receivers.