title: Simulation of the viewing properties and optical compensation of the biaxial nematic in-plane switching mode.
abstract: Using Berreman 4 × 4 optical methods and continuum theory, we investigate the theoretical viewing properties of a potential homeotropically aligned biaxial nematic display switched with in-plane fields. We determine the isocontrast, isotransmission viewing characteristics for wide-angle viewing for in-plane switching and consider the necessary requirements for optical compensation to produce a high transmission in the bright state and low transmission in the dark state. We show how compensation can be achieved with biaxial compensation layers using a homogeneous biaxial film or from birefringence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK. philip.benzie@eng.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Benzie
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: Steve J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Elston