This paper discusses the evolution of flat-panel display (FPD) technology over time and a forecast of the future of this technology. Discussion of its application is restricted to television and computer monitors only. Hereafter, any reference to ‘the market for FPD’ involves these applications only.
I. Description and Evolution of screen technology
The traditional cathode ray tube (CRT), had been a dominant design for a long time; however, in the last six years a shift in consumer preference for slimmer screen designs, less power consumption, and improved picture quality has been driving the demand for FPD technologies.
Discovery of the liquid crystal phenomenon dates back to 1888 by H. Reinitzer. Liquid crystal is an organic substance that has both solid crystalline and liquid characteristics within certain temperature ranges. In 1968, Williams of RCA Corporation discovered that the way light passes through liquid crystal changes when the liquid is charged with electricity. Five years later, Heilmeyer and his colleagues applied this property in a display device. In 1973, Sharp began producing the world's first mass-produced LCDs for calculators based on dynamic scattering mode technology , which suffered from low-resolution, monochrome colour, and poor viewing angles. Even with these technical shortfalls, the benefits of a small form-factor (tubeless unlike CRTs) and low power consumption made it ideal for portable applications (e.g. calculators and wristwatches). By the 1990's, twisted nematic (TN) technology (Exhibit 1-2) had proven to be reliable and advances in the manufacturing process allowed TN LCD panels to be produced at lower costs. By 1994, LCD became the most popular flat panel display with sales of $4.2 billion (Exhibi ...