Numerical modelling of light wave propagation in reflective liquid crystal microdisplay devices

Abstract

Steep variation in the liquid crystal director orientation in more than one dimension is frequently encountered in microdisplay devices in the proximity of pixel edges. It is expected that light wave propagation inside such devices cannot be addressed rigorously if the traditional matrix methods for optics are employed. Numerical modelling is suggested for such demanding situations based on the general solution of Maxwell's equations by the finite difference time-domain method or by properly applying a vector beam propagation method suitable for anisotropic media. Interest is focused on reflective devices. A complete understanding of light diffraction in two-dimensional reflective devices is made possible using the proposed numerical methods, contrary to matrix methods for optics (which are not suitable for such a task). Approaches for addressing cases involving incoherent illumination are also suggested.