An unprecedented look into the basic physics, chemistry, and technology behind the LCD Most notably used for computer screens, televisions, and mobile phones, LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are a pervasive and increasingly indispensable part of our lives. Providing both an historical and a business-minded context, this extensive resource describes the unique scientific and engineering techniques used to create these beautiful, clever, and eminently useful devices. In this book, the history of the science and technology behind the LCD is described in a prelude to the development of the device, presenting a rational development theme and pinpointing innovations. The book begins with Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, and the ultimately profound realization that light is an electromagnetic wave and an electromagnetic wave is light. The power of mathematical physics thus was brought to bear upon the study of light, and particularly the polarization of light by material bodies, including liquid crystals. After a brief historical description of polarization, a physical interpretation provides substance to the mathematical concepts. Subsequent chapters cover: Thermodynamics for liquid crystals The Maier-Saupe mean field, phenomenological, static continuum, and dynamic continuum theories The transistor and integrated circuit Glass, panels, and modules The calculus of variations The active matrix Semiconductor fabrication The global LCD business Additionally, the book illustrates how mathematics, physics, and chemistry are put to practical use in the LCDs we use every day. By describing the science from an historical perspective and in practical terms in the context of a device very familiar to readers, the book presents an engaging and unique view of the technology for everyone from science students to engineers, product designers, and indeed anyone curious about LCDs. Series Editor: Anthony C. Lowe, The Lambent Consultancy, Braishfield, UK The Society for Information Display (SID) is an international society, which has the aim of encouraging the development of all aspects of the field of information display. Complementary to the aims of the society, the Wiley-SID series is intended to explain the latest developments in information display technology at a professional level. The broad scope of the series addresses all facets of information displays from technical aspects through systems and prototypes to standards and ergonomics.

An unprecedented look into the basic physics, chemistry, andtechnology behind the LCDMost notably used for computer screens, televisions, and mobilephones, LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are a pervasive andincreasingly indispensable part of our lives. Providing both anhistorical and a business-minded context, this extensive resourcedescribes the unique scientific and engineering techniques used tocreate these beautiful, clever, and eminently useful devices.In this book, the history of the science and technology behindthe LCD is described in a prelude to the development of the devicepresenting a rational development theme and pinpointinginnovations. The book begins with Maxwell's theory ofelectromagnetism, and the ultimately profound realization thatlight is an electromagnetic wave and an electromagnetic wave islight.The power of mathematical physics thus was brought to bear uponthe study of light, and particularly the polarization of light bymaterial bodies, including liquid crystals. After a briefhistorical description of polarization, a physical interpretationprovides substance to the mathematical concepts. Subsequentchapters cover:* Thermodynamics for liquid crystals* The Maier-Saupe mean field, phenomenological, static continuumand dynamic continuum theories* The transistor and integrated circuit* Glass, panels, and modules* The calculus of variations* The active matrix* Semiconductor fabrication* The global LCD businessAdditionally, the book illustrates how mathematics, physics, andchemistry are put to practical use in the LCDs we use every day. Bydescribing the science from an historical perspective and inpractical terms in the context of a device very familiar toreaders, the book presents an engaging and unique view of thetechnology for everyone from science students to engineers, productdesigners, and indeed anyone curious about LCDs.Series Editor: Anthony C. Lowe, The Lambent ConsultancyBraishfield, UKThe Society for Information Display (SID) is an internationalsociety, which has the aim of encouraging the development of allaspects of the field of information display. Complementary to theaims of the society, the Wiley-SID series is intended to explainthe latest developments in information display technology at aprofessional level. The broad scope of the series addresses allfacets of information displays from technical aspects throughsystems and prototypes to standards and ergonomics.

Series Editor's Foreword by Anthony C. Lowe.Preface.Acknowledgments.About the Author.1 Double Refraction.2 Electromagnetism.3 Light in Matter.4 The Polarization of an Electromagnetic Wave.5 Liquid Crystals.6 Thermodynamics for Liquid Crystals.7 The Calculus of Variations.8 The Mean Field.9 Maier-Saupe Theory.10 Phenomenological Theory.11 Static Continuum Theory.12 Dynamic Continuum Theory.13 The First Liquid Crystal Display.14 Liquid Crystal Display Chemistry.15 The Twisted Nematic.16 Engineering the Liquid Crystal.17 The Active Matrix.18 New Screens.19 The Transistor and Integrated Circuit.20 A Transistor for the Active Matrix.21 Semiconductor Fabrication.22 Enhancing the Image.23 The Wider View.24 Liquid Crystal Television.25 Glass, Panels, and Modules.26 The Global LCD Business.27 New Technologies and Products.Index.