Exploring the Mechanics of LCDs

Liquid-crystal display has become one of the leading display technologies used in the production of TVs, computer monitors, smartphones, tablets, portable video game consoles and other display devices. It receives its namesake from its use of liquid crystals, which are responsible for propagating light and, therefore, creating images. But unless you're familiar with their design, you might be wondering how exactly LCDs are able to produce images.

Liquid Crystals Are Embedded Between Two Glass Layers

While there are different ways to design an LCD, most feature a similar design in which liquid crystals are embedded between two glass layers. There's a top glass layer as well as a bottom or rear glass layer. Between these two layers is a container filled with micro-sized crystals suspended in a fluid solution. The top and bottom glass layers essentially sandwich the liquid crystals in place.

Polarizing Film

All LCDs also have polarizing film placed on both the top glass layer as well as the bottom glass layer. The presence of these polarizing films allows LCDs to selectively pass light, thus creating images. The polarizing film on the top glass layer is aligned in an opposite manner to that of the bottom glass layer's polarizing film. But as the light reaches the bottom film, the two films become aligned so that light can pass through.