1. LCD Screen Fundamentals

An LCD screen (Liquid Crystal Display) is the core component of an e-book reader that displays information to interact with users. Most e-book reader screens currently use black-and-white displays, though high-end models are gradually evolving toward color. Meanwhile, screen sizes are increasing, with display capability typically measured in pixels (i.e., the number of dots that can be shown).

2. Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Technology

2.1 Definition and Core Principle

A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is a type of active matrix LCD (AM-LCD), where each pixel is driven by an integrated thin film transistor. This design enables high-speed, high-brightness, and high-contrast display, distinguishing it as a "true color" technology compared to passive matrix alternatives (e.g., TN, DSTN).

2.2 Working Mechanism

• Drive Method: TFT uses a "backlit" light source design (light projects upward from the screen’s base). A thin film transistor controls each pixel’s liquid crystal structure to block or transmit light, enabling image display.

• Key Advantages:
  • Response Time: Early TFTs had a response time of ~80ms, but modern main models now achieve <20ms, suitable for dynamic content.
  • Color Depth: Supports 65K, 260K, and up to 16 million colors, far exceeding TN and DSTN technologies.
  • Viewing Angle: Typically reaches ~130°, enabling multi-angle visibility.TFT vs. Other Display Technologies

4. Evolution and Market Landscape

4.1 Technological Advances

• Early Stages: Initially used in laptops, early TFT-LCDs lagged behind CRT displays in response speed, color accuracy, and viewing angles due to technical limitations and low yield rates, making them expensive.
• Modern Innovations: Technologies like a-Si (amorphous silicon), LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon), and Oxide have improved response speed, color saturation, and viewing angles. For example, LTPS is now widely used in high-resolution smartphone screens (e.g., as OLED driver backplanes) due to its high electron mobility.

4.2 Global Production Landscape

• Widespread Adoption: TFT-LCD is now the dominant technology in laptops, monitors, and smartphones, especially in mid-to-high-end color screens (e.g., 16-million-color phone displays).

• Manufacturing Hubs:
  • While Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan were traditional production centers, mainland China (e.g., BOE, CSOT) now accounts for over 50% of global LCD panel capacity, driving cost reductions.
  • Asia remains the R&D and manufacturing core for LCD panels, with technological competition shifting to next-gen TFT technologies like LTPS and Oxide.

5. Conclusion: The Value of TFT Technology

TFT’s active matrix design—driving each pixel independently—delivers superior display performance, including fast response times, vivid colors, and wide viewing angles. With technological advancements and China’s manufacturing scale, TFT-LCD has transitioned from a niche high-end product to a mainstream solution, also serving as a foundation for next-gen display technologies like OLED. This continues to drive innovation in the display industry.

Key Improvements

1. Structural Reorganization: Consolidated repetitive sections into a logical flow (concepts → principles → comparisons → market).
2. Terminology Standardization: Corrected inaccuracies (e.g., "active matrix" instead of "digital power amplifier-induced matrix").
3. Data Update: Incorporated modern technologies (LTPS, Oxide) and 2025-era market data (China’s Capacity leadership).
4. Readability Enhancements: Used hierarchical headings, comparison tables, and bullet points for technical clarity.