Method of addressing display regions in an electron beam-addressed

Abstract

An electron beam addressed liquid crystal light modulator or 'valve' (10) includes a liquid crystasl cell (40) having a target surface (45) which a writing electron beam (60a) and an erasing electron beam (60b) address to provide a display image. The writing electron beam and the erasing electron beam sequentially strike preselected locations on the target surface to cause an emission of secondary electrons and, thereby, develop an electrostatic potential at such preselected locations. A secondary electron collector electrode (66) positioned over and above the target surface collects in a uniform manner the secondary electrons emitted by all regions of the target surface. A collector electrode controller circuit (81) sequentially applied first and second potential differences between the target surface and the collector electrode in synchronism with the striking of the preselected locations by the respective writing and erasing beams. The first potential difference causes the collector electrode to collect a sufficient number of the secondary electrons to maintain the electrostatic potential at the preselected locations on the target surface. This causes the liquid crystal cell to transmit light in a first polarization sense. The second potential difference causes the collector electrode to collect a relatively small number of the secondary electrons. The remaining secondary electrons redistribute over the target surface and change the electrostatic potential at the preselected locations.