Energy efficient LCD (e2-LCD) and e-paper using photonic crystal based on cholesteric liquid crystal

Abstract

Photonic crystals based on cholesteric liquid crystals doped with fluorescent dyes have been developed as simultaneous light emitting and reflecting layer. New energy efficient LCDs (e²-LCDs) having the photonic crystal layers can utilize backlight and ambient light as well and can show good readability even under strong sunlight conditions. This technology can also be applied to e-paper, for example, in combination with electro-phoretic display. In addition to ambient light reflection, light emission from the fluorescent dye is also utilized, and hence bright full color e-paper will be achieved.