Turn‐On Time Reduction and Contrast Enhancement in Matrix‐Addressed Liquid‐Crystal Light Valves

A new method of response time reduction and contrast enhancement in matrix‐addressed liquid‐crystal light‐valve arrays is described based on the effect that the threshold for hydrodynamic instability in certain nematic liquid crystals is increased by a superimposed electric field of sufficiently high frequency. The effect is discussed in terms of the Helfrich model.