How does viewing angle LCM achieve seamless color consistency?
Publish Time: 2026-02-02
Liquid crystal display modules have long been limited by the anisotropic optical properties of liquid crystal molecules, leading to phenomena such as brightness attenuation, contrast reduction, color shift, and even "grayscale inversion" when deviating from the vertical viewing angle, forming so-called "blind spots." However, in high-end human-computer interaction scenarios—such as in-vehicle central control, medical displays, industrial control panels, and high-end consumer electronics—users often need to read information clearly and accurately from any angle. Viewing angle LCM technology emerged to address this need, with its core goal being to achieve seamless color consistency and image stability. This breakthrough is not the result of a single technology, but rather the result of multi-dimensional collaborative innovation in materials, optics, driving, and structural design.1. Advanced Liquid Crystal Mode: Laying the Physical Foundation for Wide Viewing AnglesTraditional TN-type liquid crystals have extremely narrow viewing angles due to the limited rotation angle of molecules. Viewing angle LCM commonly employs IPS or FFS technology. In these modes, liquid crystal molecules rotate in a plane parallel to the substrate, rather than flipping vertically. Because the influence of liquid crystal alignment changes on the optical path is significantly reduced, even when viewed from a nearly 90° side angle, transmittance and phase retardation remain highly stable, fundamentally suppressing color shift and contrast collapse. In particular, FFS technology, through optimized electrode structure, further widens the viewing angle while maintaining a high aperture ratio, achieving a 178° horizontal and vertical viewing angle.2. Multi-domain Vertical Alignment and Alignment Segmentation TechnologyAnother mainstream solution is MVA or Samsung's modified PVA. This technology divides each pixel into multiple microdomains, with liquid crystal molecules in each domain tilted along different pretilt directions. When light is incident from different angles, some microdomains are always in optimal optical condition, while the remaining microdomains compensate for each other, thus achieving overall viewing angle uniformity. Combined with precise raised structures or light-controlled alignment processes, the tilt direction of each domain can be precisely controlled, avoiding the static electricity and contamination problems caused by traditional friction alignment, while also improving color consistency.3. Optical Compensation Film: Correcting Residual Phase DelayEven with advanced liquid crystal modes, residual phase delay still occurs in the liquid crystal layer at oblique viewing angles, leading to color shift. Viewing angle LCMs address this by introducing multiple layers of optical compensation films between the upper and lower polarizers for dynamic correction. These films possess specific birefringence properties, which can compensate for the optical path difference of the liquid crystal at different viewing angles. For example, a negative C-plate film effectively compensates for phase delay in the vertical direction, while a biaxial film provides omnidirectional correction for oblique incident light. High-end modules even employ "film stacking + customized design" to match compensation schemes to specific liquid crystal parameters, achieving near-perfect viewing angle flatness.4. High-Precision Alignment and Process Control: Ensuring Microscopic ConsistencyAchieving color consistency relies not only on macroscopic design but also on nanometer-level process precision. Viewing angle LCMs commonly use photo-alignment technology instead of traditional mechanical friction. By irradiating the photosensitive polyimide layer with ultraviolet light, the initial orientation of the liquid crystal molecules can be precisely set without contact with the surface, avoiding scratches, static electricity, and orientation deviations. This process is particularly suitable for multi-domain structures, ensuring clear boundaries and precise angles for each micro-domain, and eliminating localized color spots or uneven brightness caused by alignment disorders.In summary, the viewing angle LCM systematically solves the viewing angle limitations of traditional LCDs through a five-pronged technological approach: advanced liquid crystal mode, multi-domain structure, optical compensation, precision manufacturing process, and intelligent driving. It truly achieves high consistency in color, brightness, and contrast across a range of 0° to 178°. This not only enhances the user experience but also expands the application boundaries of LCDs in demanding professional fields, demonstrating the superior integration of optical physics and manufacturing processes in modern display engineering.
