Liquid-Crystal Displays (LCDs) play a large role in our daily lives. In fact, most cell phone users walk around with an LCD panel in their pocket every day. These devices utilize the optical characteristics of liquid crystals to convert electrical stimuli into visual signals. LCD panels have been used in calculators and digital watches for a long time. In recent years, televisions and computers have also started using LCD panels for improved display.
An LCD panel is a thin display panel with wide-reaching applications. There are many different elements that work together to contribute to the functioning of an LCD monitor. If you are a tech enthusiast interested in liquid-crystal displays, read on to learn about 5 components that make them work.
Liquid Crystal
Perhaps the most essential part of an LCD panel is its liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystals represent their own state of the matter entirely, lingering between a liquid and a solid. Because of this, they can be “twisted” with the application of electrical voltage. This allows them to block polarized light when they are off but reflect light when they are activated. an LCD panel contains red, green, and blue light layers. When the levels of red, green, and blue light are adjusted, millions of color combinations are possible. Liquid crystals rotate polarized light to make this happen. Liquid crystals are one of the main components of LCD panels.
Common Mode Chokes
Another electrical component found in LCD panels is common mode chokes. A choke is an inductor that blocks high-frequency signals while allowing the direct current (DC) and the lower-frequency alternating current (AC) to pass. A common mode choke consists of an insulated wire that is wound around a magnetic core. It is used to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) and prevent electronic equipment from failing. Common mode chokes help protect LCD panels’ circuit systems from EMI by blocking any unwanted high-frequency signals from interfering with panel functioning. Common mode chokes are another important component of LCD panels.
Backlight
Backlighting is another important component of LCD panels. Liquid Crystals do not generate light of their own. An LCD is a transmissive display that needs an external light source to function. Thus, backlighting provides the light required to allow the screen to be viewed. There are several backlight options on an LCD panel. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are the most commonly used light for the display. An LED-backlit LCD allows for a thinner panel, lower power consumption, and better heat dissipation than counterparts. The two most common LED backlighting systems are Edge-lit and Direct-lit LED. Edge LED allows for a slimmer profile while Direct LED provides higher brightness displays. Backlighting in any form is an essential component of any LED panel.
Display Glass
LCD panels also include a display glass component. In order to function properly, the liquid crystal must be sandwiched between two pieces of the polarized display glass. This display glass is made from transparent plastic called substrates and its composition must be extremely particular. If the glass has too many alkali ions, for example, they can move to the surface and alter the pattern of the electrical field. Thus, it is essential that the right display glass is in place in order to optimize liquid crystal alignment and allow the LCD panel to function properly. The display glass is another essential component of LED panels.
Color Filter (RGB)
Another important component of an LCD panel is its color filter. The color filter is used to generate three basic colors for an LCD. It contains red, green and glue pigments that align with a particular subpixel within the cell. The color filter is made up of color resist and thin class substrate. Red, green and blue color resist patterns are formed on the glass substrate. These patterns are called subpixels. The color filter is where careful control and variation of the voltage is applied to maximize the range of shades that each subpixel can provide. The color filter enables the reproduction of millions of colors by mixing red, blue and green pigments. It is an important component of all LCD panels.
LCDs play a large role in the technology we use today. There are many different small components that contribute to the functioning of LCD panels. Liquid crystal layers allow for the rotation of polarized light to help make the display happen. Common mode chokes block high-frequency signals to prevent EMI and help LCDs to function properly. Backlighting provides the light required to allow liquid crystals to work properly and be viewed. Display glass holds all of the different layers together and protects them from outside stimuli. The color filter enables the reproduction of any color by mixing the necessary pigments. If you are interested in Liquid crystal displays, these are the critical components that make them work.