Thin-film-transistor/liquid crystal display technology - an introduction

Liquid crystals are simple and very efficient electro-optic transducers, or light valves. Thin-film transistors are simple electronic control devices which can be fabricated on large transparent substrates. These two technologies, when combined, allow the fabrication of electronic displays which challenge the dominance of the cathode ray tube (CRT). This paper reviews the history of this important development, presents the current status in comparison to the color CRT, and describes the remaining challenges to be overcome if the color CRT is truly to be displaced.