LCDs modeling by 2 x 2 and 4 x 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.<>