ACM TechNews
A New Competitor to LCD
Technology Review (07/21/08) Patel-Predd, Prachi
A pixel that uses two micromirrors to block or transmit light could be
used to create displays that are faster, brighter, and more power-efficient
than liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Microsoft Research has published the
novel pixel design in Nature Photonics, and says that its design is also
simpler and easier to fabricate, paving the way for less expensive
displays. Three factors prevent LCDs from producing the highest-quality
image: first, the pixels do not turn completely off; second, switching from
black to white can take between 25 to 40 milliseconds, which is long enough
to cause fast-moving images to blur; and third, LCDs are almost impossible
to use in bright ambient light. The new telescopic pixels can switch off
and on within 1.5 milliseconds. In the "off" state, both mirrors reflect
light back to the source, while in the "on" state, a voltage applied
between the disc that is the first mirror and a transparent electrode bends
the disc out of the way, allowing light to bounce off the disc, toward the
second mirror, and through the display. Microsoft Research's Michael
Sinclair says that the ultrafast response time translates to simpler,
low-cost color displays. He says because the telescopic displays switch so
rapidly, a red, green and blue light-emitting diode could be put behind
each pixel to create different colors, reducing the complexity and cost of
the display. The telescopic pixels are also significantly brighter because
LCD displays use polarizing films, a liquid-crystal layer, and color
filters, which allows only 5 percent to 10 percent of the light to get
through. The telescopic pixels allow about 36 percent of the light
through, meaning a less powerful backlight could be used. Sinclair says
Microsoft Research is aiming to create large, low-cost displays,
potentially replacing small computer displays with "whiteboard-sized" thin
screens that IT workers can use without having to shrink windows.
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21104/?a=f
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