Table 2.
Commonly used display panel types (original work)
| Display type | Description |
|---|---|
| TN LCD | Liquid crystals within a cell are organized in a helical pattern that become parallel when stimulated with electric current. Generally, these displays are now the least expensive |
| IPS LCD | Liquid crystals within a cell are organized in a parallel pattern and shift collectively in the same angle when stimulated with electric current. Generally, these displays are more expensive to produce but offer better viewing angles and color reproduction. Another disadvantage is “backlight bleeding,” where a screen displaying darker colors appears unevenly lit |
| VA LCD | Liquid crystals within a cell are organized at an angle perpendicular to the surrounding polarizer panels. This LCD type was developed as a compromise between TN and IPS displays and has features and tradeoffs in common with both |
| CCFL LCD | Type of LCD backlight that relies on electrical excitation of a gas to produce light. These are typically less energy efficient than LED backlights and less commonly used today (longer warmup times, may require the use of mercury) |
| LED LCD | Type of LCD backlight relying on a semiconductor exposed to electric current. LED–LCDs are likely the most commonly used panels today |
| OLED | A technological alternative to LCDs that involves the generation of light from phosphors exposed to an electric field. These have better viewing angles and color reproduction at both high and low levels of luminance but are expensive, not available in all screen sizes, and are susceptible to burn-in (see text) |
| MicroLED | Latest display technology where the panel is composed of millions of tiny LEDs that provide both the light source and images seen on the screen. Purported to have better viewing angles, color reproduction, luminance levels, and energy efficiency over both traditional LCDs and OLED displays |
TN: Twisted nematic, LCDs: Liquid crystal displays, IPS: In-plane-switching, VA: Vertical alignment, CCFL: Cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, OLED: Organic light-emitting diode