what is an lcd

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display, which is a type of flat panel display technology that uses liquid crystals to control the amount of light passing through them, creating the image you see on the screen. Each pixel of an LCD typically consists of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent electrodes, often made of indium tin oxide (ITO), and two polarizing filters (parallel and perpendicular polarizers), the axes of transmission of which are perpendicular to each other. LCDs are used in a wide range of applications, including LCD televisions, computer monitors, instrument panels, aircraft cockpit displays, and indoor and outdoor signage. Small LCD screens are common in LCD projectors and portable consumer devices such as digital cameras, watches, calculators, and mobile telephones, including smartphones. LCDs consume much less power than LED and gas-display displays because they work on the principle of blocking light rather than emitting it.