Proposal of Fast-Moving Ball Actuator Mode for Electronic-Paper Displays

Abstract

We propose a new display mode using a fast-moving ball actuator (FMBA) for reflective electronic paper displays. To realize ball position stability, we developed a triangular wedge-shaped electrode instead of a conventional plane electrode. Using the wedge-shaped electrode we could achieve position stability of the ball and the operation voltage decreased from 60 to 40 V. Since the microballs move one by one, not collectively, the FMBA is free from agglomeration or lateral diffusion. Using the ball-by-ball display mode, the FMBA can achieve a fast response of less than 0.2 ms, as can be seen in quick-response liquid power displays (QR-LPDs). The FMBA can also provide a high resolution of displays over 6350 pixels per inch (PPI) for a pixel size of less than 4 mu m and a ball of diameter of less than 1 mu m. It is a major advantage for achieving a minute pixel size owing to the use of ball-by-ball displays. (c) 2011 The Japan Society of Applied Physics