Project Title:

Multicolor Flat-Panel Display using Tunable Bi-Refringence Filters

09.03-8933
Multicolor Flat-Panel Display using Tunable Bi-Refringence Filters
Displaytech Inc.
220 Central Avenue
Boulder
CO
80301
Mark A.
Handschy
(303-449-8933)
JSC

Abstract:

A multicolor, flat-panel, information display will be developed by combining a monochrome,
high-information-content panel with an electrically tunable color filter. Multicolor
images are provided by sequentially presenting monochrome images in the three primary
colors while simultaneously tuning the filter for the correct illumination color.
The novel tunable color filters will be made from ferro-electric liquid crystals
(FLCs), whose fast, low-power switching permits filter programming well within the
10 ms allowed for three primary colors at video frame rate (30 Hz). This electro-optic
filter could be combined with any broad-spectrum display to give multicolor images.
FLCs can also be used to make the information-containing flat panel itself; the resulting
display's fast switching capability makes it especially well suited to the frame-sequential
color concept. The project will develop the color filter during Phase I and integrate
filters with monochrome flat panels into full-scale displays during Phase II.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Economical, low-power, multicolor, flat-panel
displays could replace CRTs in many applications where small thickness and low power
consumption would be advantageous .