Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display apparatus

• US 5,680,185 A
• Filed: 04/15/1994
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Samizu, Kiyohiro, Wu, Jin Jei, Kobayashi, Hidekazu, Chino, Eiji
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US08/228,044
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 359/40, 359/41, 359/51, 359/52, 359/68, 359/75, 359/96, 349/88, 349/94, 349/86
• US Class Current: 349/88
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/3852 Poly(meth)acrylate derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/542 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 19/544 as dispersing or encapsulating medium around the liquid crystal
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13345 Network or three-dimensional gels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133638 Waveplates, i.e. plates with a retardation value of lambda/n
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13725 based on guest-host interaction G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence

Abstract

A polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus has a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes formed spatially disposed substrates. The medium includes a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase having optical axes alignable together in a predetermined direction. A light absorption additive is included in the liquid crystal phase to provide light absorption when said optical axes are aligned in said predetermined direction so that in the presence or absence of an electric field applied between said electrodes, two different conditions are achieved comprising alignment and misalignment of the optical axes of the liquid crystal phase relative to the polymer phase so that in one condition, a light absorption state is created in the medium and in the other condition, a light scattering state is created in the medium. The polymer phase comprises a network including a plurality of continuous strings of particles connected in helicoid formation due to the addition of a chiral component, and this network may also include separate discrete polymer particles. Also a matrix network may be employed. A reflecting surface on the side of the liquid crystal/polymer medium opposite to that of incident light will enhance the light scattering and light absorbing properties in either of the two different conditions. Alternatively, the opposite side may be a white surface providing for a high contrast display with light absorption additive in the medium of dark contrast, such as, black dichroic dye.

Claims

1. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus having a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes, comprising

a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase formed in said medium as said polymer dispersed in said liquid crystal,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable together in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in said liquid crystal phase to provide light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in said predetermined direction, and

means for applying an electric field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that in a condition of absence of said electric field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and in another condition of presence of said electric field, a light scattering state is created in said medium.

2. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the degree of light scattering on the liquid crystal/polymer medium is greater in the case when an electric field is applied than in the case when an electric field is not applied.

3. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a reflecting component positioned next to said liquid crystal/polymer medium on a side thereof opposite to a side wherein incident light enters said medium, a portion of said incident light, not scattered by said medium, is transmitted through said medium and reflected by said reflecting component for reentry into said medium where it is further scattered.

4. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light absorption quality by said liquid crystal/polymer medium is smaller in the case when an electric field is applied than in the case when an electric field is not applied.

5. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a reflecting component positioned next to said liquid crystal/polymer medium on a side thereof opposite to a side wherein incident light enters said medium, a portion of said incident light, not absorbed by said medium, is transmitted through said medium and reflected by said reflecting component for reentry into said medium where it is further absorbed.

6. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein a light reflecting surface is provided adjacent to said liquid crystal/polymer medium.

7. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 6 wherein level of reflectivity of said light reflecting surface is smaller in the case when an electric field is applied than in the case when an electric field is not applied.

8. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 6 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium is in contact with said reflective light reflecting surface.

9. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 6 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium is in contact with one surface of two surfaces of a transparent layer with the other surface having said reflective light reflecting surface.

10. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 9 wherein said transparent layer is an insulating material.

11. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 10 wherein said transparent layer is a passivation film or an alignment film.

12. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 9 wherein said transparent layer is a conductive material.

13. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 12 wherein said transparent layer is an ITO layer.

14. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 6 wherein said light reflecting surface comprises at least one layer of a metal or metal oxide.

15. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 14 wherein said light reflecting surface comprise at least one layer selected from the group consisting of Al, Cr, Ag, Ni, Al--Mg alloy, or Al alloy.

16. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light absorption state is created in said medium when an electric field is not applied and said light scattering state is created in said medium when an electric field is applied.

17. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium displays bright information against a dark background.

18. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium displays dark information against a bright background.

19. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer phase comprises a network including a plurality of continuous strings of particles connected in helicoid formation.

20. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer phase comprises a network including a gel matrix of polymer particles.

21. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electric field applied to said medium is accomplished via an active device.

22. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein said active device is a MIM device.

23. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein said active device is a TFT device.

24. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein said active device is MSI device.

25. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 21 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes comprise a pixel electrode connected via said active device and a counter electrode for applying an electric field therebetween to optically disalign said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase optical axes scattering substantially all light incident on said liquid crystal/polymer medium.

26. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein a reflecting component is positioned next to said liquid crystal/polymer medium on a side thereof opposite to a side wherein incident light enters said medium, the optical axis of said polymer phase oriented substantially in a direction from which incident light entering said liquid crystal/polymer medium is reflected back through said medium.

27. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein means is applied to said apparatus to reduce reflection glare.

28. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 27 wherein said means is provided on a side of said liquid crystal/polymer medium wherein incident light enters said medium.

29. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 27 wherein a reflecting component is positioned next to said liquid crystal/polymer medium on a side thereof opposite to a side wherein incident light enters said medium, said means is provided between said reflecting component and said liquid crystal/polymer medium.

30. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 27 wherein said means comprises a treated film.

31. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes are formed on respective substrates between which said liquid crystal/polymer medium is supported, a layer provided between said substrates, said layer having a diffraction index different from a diffraction index of at least one of said substrates affective for reducing reflection glare.

32. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes are formed on respective substrates between which said liquid crystal/polymer medium is supported, at least one of said substrates including a film having a fluorine-containing compound affective for reducing reflection glare.

33. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 further comprising illumination means for projecting light onto said apparatus.

34. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes are formed on respective substrates between which said liquid crystal/polymer medium is supported, said substrates comprising a polymer material.

35. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 34 wherein said polymer material is flexible.

36. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes are formed on respective substrates between which said liquid crystal/polymer medium is supported, said substrates comprising a material selected from the group consisting of glass, metal, metal oxide and semiconductor compound.

37. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes form a plurality of pixels, said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a mixture of a liquid crystal material, light absorbing material, and at least one polymer, said mixture permitting said pixels to display a different color tone.

38. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 37 wherein said pixels include individual encapsulated cells of liquid crystal/polymer medium containing said light absorbing material, at least some of said of said encapsulated light absorbing material cells being of different color tone from others of said encapsulated light absorbing material cells.

39. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 37 wherein said light absorbing material is transmissive to UV light of a predetermined wavelength.

40. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 37 wherein color tone provided by said light absorbing material and color tone provided by said liquid crystal/polymer medium are of complement colors.

41. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 37 wherein more than one light absorbing material is provided in said mixture, color tones provided by said liquid crystal/polymer medium are of complement colors.

42. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes form a plurality of pixels, at least some of said pixels provided with a light absorbing means of a different color tone from others of said pixels to provide different displayed colors.

43. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spatially disposed electrodes form a plurality of pixels, at least some of said pixels provided with a combination light reflecting means and a light absorbing material of a different color tone from others of said pixels to provide different displayed colors.

44. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 43 wherein said light absorption material is provided relative to one major surface of said liquid crystal/polymer medium and said light reflecting means is provided relative to the other major surface of said liquid crystal/polymer medium.

45. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 44 wherein said one major surface is on a side of said medium wherein incident light enters said medium.

46. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprises at least one liquid crystal component that contains a halogen atom.

47. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium contains at least one liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR4## wherein "n" is an integer;

"R" is an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an alkoxy group; and

"X" is H, F, Cl or CN.

48. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light absorption additive is selected from the group consisting of anthraquinone derivatives, perylene derivatives, and quinophthalone derivatives.

49. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer in said medium comprises at least a biphenyldimethacrylate derivative or biphenylacrylate derivative.

50. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said polymer contains at least one of one of groups consisting of a phenyl group, biphenyl group, terphenyl group, quaterphenyl group, or tolane group.

51. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 1 further comprising controller means to provide information signals to said apparatus for visual display of information represented by said signals.

52. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a polymer dispersed in liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes,

said apparatus having a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction, and

means for applying a field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in a condition of absence of said field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition of presence of said field, a light scattering state is created in said medium.

53. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a polymer dispersed in liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium,

a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

integrated circuit means to address said electrode sets, the set of electrodes formed on one of said substrates including a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected to an active device,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction, and

means for applying a field between said electrode sets to switch, via said active devices, between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in a condition of absence of said field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition of presence of said field, a light scattering state is created in said medium.

54. The information processing apparatus of claim 53 wherein said active devices are a MIM device, TFT device or a MSI device.

55. The information processing apparatus of claim 53 wherein said pixel electrodes and said active devices are integrally formed together on said one substrate, said pixel electrodes comprising a light reflecting surface.

56. The information processing apparatus of claim 53 further said integrated circuit means further comprises integrated circuit drivers for driving said active devices, said active devices and said integrated circuit drivers formed on one of said substrates.

57. The information processing apparatus of claim 56 further comprising means to electrically connect said active devices and said integrated circuit drivers on said one substrate to electrical means formed on the other of said substrates for connection to an external circuit.

58. The information processing apparatus of claim 56 wherein said active devices and said integrated circuit drivers on said one substrate are environmentally protected through encapsulation with insulating material.

85. The information processing apparatus of claim 53, further comprising data input means to receive the data and transmit the data to said controller.

86. The information processing apparatus of claim 85, wherein said data input means is selected from the group consisting of a keyboard, a touch panel, an input pen, and a trackball.

59. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a polymer dispersed in liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium,

a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

integrated circuit means to address said electrode sets, the set of electrodes formed on one of said substrates including a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected to a bi-terminal active device, the set of said electrodes formed on the other of said substrates comprising aligned counter electrodes,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction, and

means for applying a field between said pixel electrodes and said counter electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in a condition of absence of said field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition of presence of said field, a light scattering state is created in said medium,

said switching between states accomplished by application of a voltage inverse to the voltage-current characteristic for bi-terminal active devices.

60. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a polymer dispersed in liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium,

a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

an array of microlenses on a surface of one of said substrates,

a light reflecting surface on a surface of the other of said substrates,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction, and

means for applying a field between said spatially disposed electrode sets to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in a condition of absence of said field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition of presence of said field, a light scattering state is created in said medium.

61. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a polymer dispersed in liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between surfaces of spatially disposed substrates,

alignment means provided on at least one of the surfaces of said substrates in contact with said medium,

the polymer in said medium formed by polymerization of at least one monomer after said medium has been subjected to substantial predetermined alignment brought about by said alignment means,

a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

the set of electrodes formed on one of said substrates including a plurality of pixel electrodes,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction, and

means for applying a field between said spatially disposed electrode sets to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in a condition of absence of said field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition of presence of said field, a light scattering state is created in said medium.

62. The information processing apparatus of claim 61 wherein said alignment means is an alignment film, a single alignment direction formed on said alignment film relative to each of said pixel electrodes.

63. The information processing apparatus of claim 61 wherein said alignment means is an alignment film, at least two different alignment directions formed on said alignment film relative to each of said pixel electrodes.

64. The information processing apparatus of claim 63 wherein said different alignment directions are formed in opposite directions.

65. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase formed in said medium as said polymer dispersed in said liquid crystal,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable together in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in said liquid crystal phase to provide light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in said predetermined direction,

means for applying an electric field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that in a condition of absence of said electric field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and in another condition of presence of said electric field, a light scattering state is created in said medium, and

enhancing means applied to said apparatus for improving the clarity of viewing of said display apparatus.

66. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus of claim 65 wherein said enhancing means comprises anti-reflection glare layer formed adjacent to one of said substrates.

67. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus of claim 65 wherein said enhancing means comprises a light absorption layer formed adjacent to one of said substrates.

68. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus comprising:

a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase formed in said medium,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable together in a predetermined direction,

means for applying an electric field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that in one condition, a light absorption state is created in said medium and in the other condition, a light scattering state is created in said medium,

wherein said polymer phase comprises a network comprising a plurality of helicoids of coupled polymer particles extending between said substrates.

69. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 wherein the amount of light scattering in said light scattering state is greater in the case where said electric field is applied as compared to a case where said electric field is not applied.

70. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 further comprising a light reflecting surface provided adjacent to one major surface of said liquid crystal/polymer medium, at least a portion of incident light entering said medium from another major surface of said liquid crystal/polymer medium, opposite to said one major surface, reflected by said light reflecting surface back into said medium.

71. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 70 wherein the amount of reflected light from said light reflecting surface back into said medium is smaller in the case where said electric field is applied as compared to a case where said electric field is not applied.

72. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 wherein said polymer phase further comprises separate polymer particles, which together with other associated polymer particles form a gel network.

73. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium contains at least one liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR5## wherein "n" is an integer;

"R" is an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an alkoxy group; and

"X" is H, F, Cl or CN.

74. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 wherein said means for applying an electric field includes a plurality of active devices formed on one of said substrates.

75. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 at least one of the sets of electrodes includes a plurality of pixel electrodes each connected to an active device, wherein selected of said pixel electrodes are provided with a light filtering layer having a different color tone compared to other of said pixel electrodes.

76. The polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus of claim 68 wherein said liquid crystal/polymer medium contains at least one liquid crystal component containing a halogen atom.

77. A method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus including the formation of a liquid crystal/polymer medium having a polymer network between two surfaces of spatially disposed substrates, comprising the steps of:

forming a layer comprising a light absorption material on at least one of said substrate surfaces,

applying a liquid crystal/polymer medium onto the light-absorbing layer, and

dissolving the light absorption material into the liquid crystal/polymer medium,

wherein said polymer network comprises a plurality of helicoids of coupled polymer particles extending between said substrates.

78. The method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus of claim 77 further comprising the steps of

forming regions of said medium disposed between the substrate surfaces into a plurality of pixels, and

forming a barrier to the flow of the liquid crystal/polymer medium between adjacently formed pixels to create different color tones relative to different pixels.

79. A method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus including the formation of a liquid crystal/polymer medium having a polymer network between two surfaces of spatially disposed substrates, comprising the steps of:

forming a set of electrodes on the respective surfaces of said substrates,

incorporating a light absorption additive in the liquid crystal/polymer medium capable of displaying at least two different color tones,

forming a plurality of color filters relative to a surface of one of the substrates comprising at least two different color tones,

controlling said electrodes so that respective cross points will display black, white, or one of said color tones.

80. The method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus of claim 79 wherein the color tones of light absorption additive and the color filters are complementary.

81. The method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus of claim 79 wherein the step of controlling comprises the steps of:

applying no electrical field to a plurality of cross point pixels will display black,

applying an electrical field to all of a plurality of cross point pixels will display white, and

applying an electrical field to selected of a plurality of cross point pixels will display a color of one of said color tones.

82. An information processing apparatus comprising

a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal/polymer medium,

a controller for receiving data for processing and displaying information based upon the data via addressing means applied to said liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed substrates each having a surface with a set of electrodes, the spatial crossing points of said spatially disposed electrode sets forming display pixels,

said liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable in a predetermined direction,

a light absorption additive included in the liquid crystal phase to provide for light absorption when said optical axes are substantially aligned in the said predetermined direction,

means for applying a field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that, in one condition, a light absorption state is created in said medium and, in another condition, a light scattering state is created in said medium, and

means for driving said liquid crystal/polymer medium wherein each pixel has a different color tone so that in the case of an applied voltage greater than a saturation voltage to which said medium is responsive will display white, in the case of an applied voltage less than a threshold voltage said medium is responsive will display black, and in the case of an applied voltage between the saturation voltage and the threshold voltage said medium will display at least one color.

83. A polymer dispersed liquid crystal apparatus comprising:

a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes each having a surface with a set of electrodes,

a polymer phase dispersed in a liquid crystal phase formed in said medium,

said polymer phase and said liquid crystal phase having optical axes substantially alignable together in a predetermined direction,

means for applying an electric field between said electrodes to switch between multiple states comprising alignment and misalignment of said optical axes of said liquid crystal phase relative to said polymer phase so that in a condition of absence of said electric field, a light absorption state is created in said medium and in another condition of presence of said electric field, a light scattering state is created in said medium,

wherein said polymer phase has a mesh-like matrix structure.

84. A method of fabricating a polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus including the formation of a liquid crystal/polymer medium having a polymer network between two surfaces of spatially disposed substrates, comprising the steps of:

forming a layer comprising a light absorption material on at least one of said substrate surfaces,

applying a liquid crystal/polymer medium comprising polymer dispersed in liquid crystal onto the light-absorbing layer, wherein said polymer and said liquid crystal have optical axes substantially alignable together in a predetermined direction, and

dissolving the light absorption material into the liquid crystal/polymer medium,

wherein said polymer phase has a mesh-like matrix structure.