The core component of LCD panel: polarizer

The “Secret Guardian” of LCD panels: Revealing the magical effect of polarizers in modern electronic devices, LCD displays are almost everywhere. Whether it’s smartphones, tablets, or TV screens, they all rely on LCD display technology to present images and video content. Behind this, there is a seemingly insignificant but crucial component – the polarizer. This article will delve into this mysterious component, revealing its core position and working principle in LCD panels. What is a polarizer? Polarizer, also known as polarizer or polarizer, is a thin film material that can control the direction of light. It achieves the polarization effect of light by filtering out specific directions of light. In nature, most light sources emit non polarized light, meaning that light waves can propagate in various directions. However, after passing through the polarizer, only photons that vibrate in a specific direction can pass through, while others will be absorbed. This characteristic is crucial for the normal operation of LCD displays. The working principle of polarizers lies within the liquid crystal panel, where there are two types of molecules: liquid crystal molecules and parallel oriented layer molecules. In the absence of an applied electric field, the long axis of liquid crystal molecules will randomly distribute, resulting in the inability of light to pass through. When a voltage is applied, these molecules become arranged in an orderly manner, allowing light to pass through. This is the basic principle of LCD display. In this process, the polarizer plays a crucial role. Firstly, the light from the backlight module enters the first polarizer, which only allows horizontal light to pass through. Then, after being modulated by the liquid crystal layer, these light rays reach our eyes again through the second polarizer. Without these two polarizers, even if there is a voltage signal driving the liquid crystal molecules, we still cannot see any image because unpolarized light will reflect back on the surface of the display. The characteristics and requirements of polarizers are important components of LCD panels, and polarizers need to meet a series of strict requirements. Firstly, its transmittance should be high enough to allow as much useful light as possible to pass through; Secondly, its polarization efficiency should also be very high to block unnecessary stray light; In addition, the polarizer must also have good durability and stability, which can maintain its performance unchanged after long-term use; Finally, due to the different brightness requirements of different application scenarios, polarizers also need to have a certain degree of flexibility and can be adjusted and designed according to specific situations. With the advancement of technology, various new polarizer products have emerged in the market, such as circular polarizers, linear polarizers, etc. Each type has its unique characteristics and usage scenarios. For example, circular polarizers are commonly used in fields such as 3D glasses because they can effectively eliminate double image interference. Summary and Outlook: Although polarizers are only thin transparent films, they are one of the essential key components of liquid crystal panels. Without it, we cannot enjoy a clear and vivid visual experience. In the future, with the continuous improvement of people’s requirements for display quality and the rapid development of emerging technologies, we believe that polarizers will also usher in more innovation and development opportunities, bringing us a richer and more colorful visual enjoyment in our lives.