How do LCD displays work?

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technology operates by utilizing liquid crystals that can change their orientation in response to an electric current. When a voltage is applied, these liquid crystals can alter their shape, which affects how they interact with light. This change in orientation allows the liquid crystals to modulate light passing through them, thus creating different colors and images on the display.

Each pixel on an LCD screen is made up of subpixels, usually red, green, and blue. The ability of liquid crystals to be manipulated by electrical signals enables the display to create a wide range of colors. In contrast to other display types, such as OLEDs or CRTs, LCDs do not emit light on their own; instead, they rely on a backlight to illuminate the screen. This backlight shines through the liquid crystals and color filters to produce the visible image.

Understanding this mechanism emphasizes how vital the interaction between liquid crystals and electric currents is in generating the images we see on an LCD display.