ABSTRACT
In the last few years there has been increasing interest in the field of polarized-lightemitting layers because these systems can provide the linearly polarized emission that is needed for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), thus simplifying their manufacture and reducing costs. There are a number of existing flat-panel display technologies in direct competition and, of these LCDs have gained a strong position for most applications because their low cost, lower power consumption, low operating voltage, and low weight constitute advantages that are not easily surpassed [1]. However, any position in the market cannot be sustained without continuous improvement in performance and cost, assisted by developments in liquid crystal materials, science, and technology [2]. Color LCD commercial devices are based on the manipulation of polarized light that is generated by transmitting light from an independent light source (either internal or external) through a combination of sheet polarizers and color filters. Such a combination of elements reduces the brightness and overall energy efficiency of the device because a substantial fraction of the incident light is converted into thermal energy.
One approach to overcome these limitations was proposed byWeder et al. [3,4]. The incorporation within a conventional LCD configuration of photoluminescent polarizers, which both polarize light and generate bright colors, enables the design of devices with improved brightness, contrast efficiency, and viewing angle.
