Liquid crystal display device having form birefringent compensator

摘要

A liquid crystal display device ( 500 ) includes first and second substrates ( 510, 530 ); a liquid crystal layer ( 522 ) disposed between the first and second substrates ( 510, 530 ); a pair of electrodes ( 520, 526 ) for selectively changing an orientation of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer ( 522 ) to selectively control a polarization of light passing through the liquid crystal layer ( 522 ); and a form birefringent compensator ( 550 ) on a surface of one of the two substrates ( 510, 530 ) through which the light passes. The form birefringent compensator ( 550 ) may comprise a series of gratings having a rectangular or triangular cross-section. The form birefringent compensator ( 550 ) compensates for a residual retardance produced by the liquid crystal layer ( 522 ) when the device ( 500 ) is operating in a dark state.