twisted nematic

Definition: Type of liquid crystal display. * Liquid crystal in is nematic (thread-like, as in 'nematode') phase is sandwiched between two polarising plates to which the crystals align: as the axis of one plate is perpendicular to that of the other, they cause the crystals to twist 90< which removes their polarizing ability. * When a voltage is applied, the crystals untwist, become polarizing, which cuts the transmission as the light entering the crystal is polarized at 90< to the untwisted crystals.

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