LCDs modeling by 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 propagation matrix methods and by generalized geometrical optics approximation

The authors present recent results on modeling of the electrooptics of various LCDs (liquid crystal displays) as a function of applied voltage and viewing angle by a newly formulated fast 2 × 2 propagation matrix method and the generalized geometrical optics approximation (GGOA). Good agreement between the 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 matrix methods and the GGOA is demonstrated. In general, GGOA's results are the same as those obtained by the 2 × 2 method, and the maximum discrepancy between the 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 matrix methods is less than 3%. However, the computation time for the 2 × 2 propagation matrix is less than one half that of the faster 4 × 4 propagation matrix. In addition, a simple analytic formula for calculating the electrooptics as a function of viewing angle is obtained. An improved 4 × 4 propagation matrix method to eliminate the Fabry-Perot effects was also obtained.