Dual mode light valve display

摘要

An improved dual mode display optimized for image contrast in both the active and passive modes is described herein. The dual mode display comprises two tandemly disposed light valves in which a semi-transparent reflective surface disposed behind the first light valve display reflects incident light in the passive mode and transmits light from a back illuminating light source in the active mode. The optical density of the electro-responsive material in the first light valve is selected to optimize the image contrast of the image formed by reflected incident light and the optical density of the electro-responsive material of the second light valve cooperates with the electro-responsive material of the first light valve to optimize the contrast of the transmitted image in the active mode of operation.