From laptop computers and mobile phones to digital cinema, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are integral components in an increasing array of highly desirable consumer electronics and communication devices, and are already the predominant technology used in flat panel displays. 

This inter-disciplinary book is intended as an introductory guide to the fundamental properties of liquid crystals and their applications in display and photonic devices, providing a basic understanding of the physics, optics, electro-optics, and material aspects for state-of-the-art display and photonic devices.

Fundamentals of Liquid Crystal Devices includes:

• A comprehensive overview of LCDs including liquid crystal physics, electro-optical properties, simulation techniques and display and photonic applications.
• Numerous examples and case studies, solved problems and challenging homework conundrums starting with basic physics and gradually introducing advanced device concepts and structures.
• The principles for designing advanced specialist transmissive, reflective, and transflective liquid crystal displays.
• Chapters on emerging technologies such as tuneable liquid crystal photonic devices including laser beam steering, light switches for telecommunication and tunable-focus lenses.

Fundamentals of Liquid Crystal Devices is a valuable resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students following display systems courses, who will benefit from its systematic approach. The introduction of advanced device concepts and structures means that display engineers, scientists, and technicians active in the field can also utilise this unique resource, as can developers of a wide range of systems and applications.

About the Author

Deng-Ke Yang, Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242Deng-Ke Yang is currently Professor of the Chemical Physics Program at Kent State University. He has previously co-authored Reflective Liquid Crystal Displays (Wiley, 2001), written over 80 articles on liquid crystals and other displays and has 15 patents. His fields of research are in Liquid Crystal and Polymer Physics and Liquid Crystal Displays and his affiliations include the American Physical Society, the Society for Information Display and the International Liquid Crystal Society.

Dr Shin-Tson Wu, College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. Shin-Tson Wu is a provost-distinguished Professor of Optics at the College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. He is also a fellow of the IEEE, SID and OSA and has co-authored Introduction to Microdisplays (Wiley, 2006), Reflective Liquid Crystal Displays (Wiley, 2001), and Optics and Nonlinear Optics of Liquid Crystals (World Scientific, 1993), and written over 300 articles. His research interests are in liquid crystal displays and materials, bio-photonics, and optical communication.. Previous to his current role, Dr. Wu worked as a Senior Research Scientist at Hughes Research Laboratories (Malibu, California) for 18 years.