Based on the provided reference, a key application of circular polarization is enhancing the viewability of emissive displays in bright light conditions.
Enhancing Display Viewability in Bright Light
One significant application of circular polarizers, as highlighted in the reference, is their use in improving the viewing experience of emissive displays, particularly when used in environments with high ambient light.
Bright light can cause reflections and glare on display surfaces, significantly reducing contrast and making it difficult to see the content displayed. Circular polarizers help to mitigate this issue by selectively blocking reflected light that originates from external sources.
When ambient light passes through a circular polarizer, it becomes circularly polarized. If this light reflects off the display's surface (or internal layers), its polarization state is altered (the handedness is reversed). When this reflected, circularly polarized light attempts to pass back out through the same circular polarizer, it is largely blocked because its polarization is now orthogonal to the direction the polarizer transmits light. This process effectively reduces glare and reflections, leading to better contrast and greatly improved viewability.
Display Types Benefiting from Circular Polarizers
The use of circular polarizers is particularly beneficial for several types of emissive displays operating in bright light environments. According to the reference, these include:
- Electroluminescent (EL) displays
- Field Emissive Displays (FED)
- Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays
- Light Emitting Diode (LED) displays
- Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays
Utilizing circular polarizers allows these technologies to maintain better performance and readability even when competing with strong external light sources like sunlight.
