Rubbing-free (chiral) nematic liquid crystal display

摘要

A liquid crystal display element does not include an orientation layer for orienting a liquid crystal material injected between a pair of substrates thereof. Liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material are oriented randomly in random directions between the substrates. Macroscopically, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material are oriented omnidirectionally in a substrate in-plane direction, so that the molecules have an equal random probability of orientation in each direction. Microscopically, however, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material are unidirectionally oriented. Among the types of possible orientations are: a type wherein micro-domains in the liquid crystal material are respectively oriented in one direction and occupy an entire micro-area of a substrate in-plane direction; another type of orientation includes a type wherein a plurality of micro-domains are dispersively distributed; and still another type of domain is a type wherein random changes in orientation occur in the micro-domains; and a still further type of orientation of the liquid crystal molecules has random changes in orientation in a broad area. Since the orientations are generally omnidirectional in a substrate in-plane direction; it is possible to form a liquid crystal display element in combination with a pair of polarizers. Optical anisotropy in the in-plane direction and adverse effects of rubbing are prevented.