How do liquid crystal displays (LCDs) work?

LCDs work by manipulating the properties of liquid crystals to control the passage of light.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are a type of flat-panel display used in electronic devices such as televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones. LCDs work by controlling the passage of light through a layer of liquid crystals, which are molecules that have properties of both liquids and solids.

The liquid crystals used in LCDs are aligned in a specific direction by a layer of polymer film. When an electric current is applied to the liquid crystals, they change their alignment and allow light to pass through. The amount of light that passes through is controlled by the voltage applied to the liquid crystals, which determines their alignment and the amount of light that can pass through.

LCDs typically have a backlight behind the layer of liquid crystals to provide illumination. The backlight is usually made up of a series of fluorescent or LED lights that shine through a diffuser to evenly distribute the light across the display.

LCDs have several advantages over other types of displays, including low power consumption, high contrast ratios, and the ability to display a wide range of colours. However, they also have some limitations, such as limited viewing angles and slower response times than other types of displays.

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