How do Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens work?
In a liquid crystal display (LCD), a liquid crystal molecule layer sandwiched by two glass plates contains crystal molecules that are in an intermediate state between solid and liquid phases, and a light source (backlight) illuminates the display from behind. The polarizing characteristic (a property that transmits light oscillating only in a certain direction) of the liquid crystals changes when voltage is applied. This characteristic is used to block or transmit light in order to display an image. While the PDP is a self-emitting flat panel display, the LCD is a light-receiving (non-self-emitting) flat panel display. The backlight illuminates the liquid crystal layer between two glass plates from behind. The liquid crystals change their polarizing direction when voltage is applied. This characteristic is used to block or transmit light from the backlight in order to form an image on the screen. When voltage is applied, the liquid crystal elements twist, thus allowing light from the b
