Photoaligned bistable twisted nematic liquid crystal displays

Novel, optically bistable, twisted nematic liquid crystal display configurations obtained using photoaligned and photopatterned substrates are presented. Switching by 360degrees between two stable twist configurations is shown. Undesired intermediate states which reduce bistability are effectively suppressed by photopatterned domains around picture elements which exhibit different azimuthal- and zenithal-aligning directions. The high degree of stability of the new, domain-stabilized bistable configurations enables the formation of nematic displays with inherent long term optical memory. Display switching at a few volts is demonstrated.