A first auxiliary region has liquid crystal molecules aligned in first direction without electric field application. A second auxiliary region contains liquid crystal molecules aligned at 90 degree w.r.t. The first alignment without electric field application. An electrical field generator produces an electric field in the plane in a sealed liquid crystal layer. This electric field is applied to the liquid crystal molecules to turn then in a direction in which the two original alignments retain the mutual angle of 90 degree. Preferably the field generator contains parallel electrode pairs in the two auxiliary regions. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned at 45 degree w.r.t. the electrodes on electric fixed application.
