Operating voltage of optical instruments based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal for inspecting transparent electrodes

Optical instruments based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) have been used to inspect transparent electrodes. Generally the operating voltage of an inspection instrument using PDLC is very high, over 300 V, reducing its lifetime and reliability. The operating-voltage issue becomes more serious in the inspection of touch-screen panel (TSP) electrodes, due to the bezel structure protruding over the electrodes. We have theoretically calculated the parameters affecting the operating voltage as a function of the distance between the TSP and the PDLC, the thickness, and the dielectric constant of the sublayers when the inspection module was away from the TSP electrodes. We have experimentally verified the results, and have proposed a way to reduce the operating voltage by substituting a plastic substrate film with a hard coating layer of smaller thickness and higher dielectric constant.