A bistable liquid-crystal display mode based on electrically driven smectic A layer reorientation.

We describe a device geometry using interdigital electrodes that enables the electrically driven reorientation of smectic A layers from a homeotropic state (dark between crossed polarizers) to a planar state (bright between crossed polarizers) and back again. The resulting electro-optic effect is strongly bistable and gives high contrast ratio and fast response, rendering it a potential candidate for flexible-display applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]