Circular Polarizers for Reflective LCDs

Characteristics of reflective LCDs, which have gained a lot of notice in recent years, rely largely on optical design of circular polarizers and the quarter-wave plates, as a component. Important design includes wavelength dispersion, viewing angle, uniformity of display and matching of refractive index. Our work has contributed to improving performance of reflective LCDs by enhancing the characteristics of polymer film using stretching and optical lamination technologies. To design that offers higher contrast and wider viewing angle, we have discovered that it is necessary to control viewing angle variation of the polarizing axis in order to compensate for the viewing angle of the polarizing film as well as the optical anisotropic properties of liquid crystal. Applying this technology to circular polarizers used for reflective LCDs enables design of wide viewing angle circular polarizers. In order to realize higher contrast for reflective LCDs, it is also necessary to design other optical materials including polarizing films. For design of hybrid optical film, it is particularly necessary to reduce surface reflection and interface reflection. This paper also reports our findings concerning this topic.