TFT / LCD Monitor - How it works! (3D Animation)

Summary

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are integral to various devices like calculators, tablets, and monitors. An LCD monitor operates by using a backlight that spreads light evenly through a series of layers, including two polarization filters. The upper filter creates polarized light, which is then twisted by liquid crystal molecules to allow light to pass through the lower filter. The intensity of this light is adjustable through electrodes, and a color filter creates a spectrum of colors by combining red, green, and blue light from tiny subpixels. This intricate process enables the vivid displays we see today.

Takeaways

• 📺 LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are widely used in various devices like calculators, tablets, and computer monitors.
• 🔍 Understanding the structure of an LCD involves examining the components within a monitor.
• 💡 The backlight at the bottom of the monitor spreads light evenly across the display.
• 📊 Two polarization filters are positioned at a 90-degree angle to each other in the glass panel.
• 🌈 The upper polarization filter polarizes unpolarized light, while the lower filter blocks it unless the light is appropriately rotated.
• 🔄 Twisted nematic liquid crystals enable the rotation of light's polarization by nearly 90 degrees.
• ⚡ The application of voltage to transparent electrodes adjusts the polarization and intensity of the light.
• ❌ When the liquid crystal molecules untwist, the light's path is blocked by the lower polarization filter.
• 🎨 A color filter on top of the LCD creates colored light, using red, green, and blue components to produce various colors.
• 🔢 Each pixel on an LCD is made up of three subpixels (red, green, blue), which appear as a single color to the human eye.

Q & A

What are liquid crystal displays (LCDs) commonly used for?

LCDs are commonly used in various devices such as calculators, tablets, and computer monitors.

How does the backlight in an LCD monitor function?

The backlight is generated at the bottom of the monitor and spreads light evenly through several layers.

What role do the polarization filters play in an LCD?

The upper polarization filter polarizes unpolarized light, while the lower filter blocks light unless it is rotated by 90 degrees.

What type of liquid crystals are used in LCDs?

LCDs typically use twisted nematic liquid crystal materials.

How do the alignment layers affect liquid crystal molecules?

Alignment layers at the top and bottom of the liquid crystal twist the molecules by almost 90 degrees, allowing the polarized light to pass through.

What happens when voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes in an LCD?

When voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules untwist, preventing the change of the polarization plane and blocking the light path.

How is color produced in an LCD monitor?

A color filter on top of the LCD combines red, green, and blue light emitted from subpixels, adjusting their intensity to create a wide range of colors.

What are subpixels, and how do they function in an LCD display?

Subpixels are the individual components of a pixel, typically consisting of red, green, and blue elements, which together appear as a single color to the human eye.

How many subpixels are typically found in an LCD display?

There are typically millions of subpixels in an LCD display, allowing for the display of complex images and colors.

What is the overall working principle of an LCD monitor?

An LCD monitor works by controlling light passage through layers of polarized filters and liquid crystals, adjusting color and intensity to create images.