What structures do LCD panels consist of?

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel is made up of multiple precisely layered structures, each playing a specific role in producing the final image. From top (viewer side) to bottom (backlight side), the main structures are:

1. Outer Protective Layer (Cover Glass or Plastic)

Protects the panel from scratches, impact, and environmental damage.

Often includes anti-glare, anti-reflective, or anti-fingerprint coatings.

2. Polarizer Film (Front Polarizer)

A special optical filter that allows light waves of only one polarization to pass.

Essential for controlling light through liquid crystals.

3. Transparent Electrode Layer (ITO Glass)

Made of indium tin oxide (ITO) coating on glass.

Forms one set of electrodes to apply voltage to the liquid crystal layer.

4. Alignment Layer

Microscopic grooves on the electrode surface that align the liquid crystal molecules in a specific direction before voltage is applied.

5. Liquid Crystal Layer

The core active layer.

Liquid crystals twist or untwist when voltage is applied, controlling light passage.

6. Second Alignment Layer & Electrode (Opposite Side)

Works with the top electrodes to form pixel control.

Usually paired with a thin-film transistor (TFT) array on the glass for pixel-by-pixel switching.

7. TFT Glass Substrate

Contains the thin-film transistors and pixel electrodes that control each subpixel’s voltage.

Works as the “control circuit” embedded directly into the display.

8. Color Filter Layer

Red, green, and blue subpixel filters create full-color images when combined.

Includes a black matrix to prevent light leakage between subpixels.

9. Second Polarizer Film (Rear Polarizer)

Oriented perpendicular to the front polarizer.

Works with the liquid crystal twisting effect to block or pass light.

10. Optical Films (Diffuser, Prism Sheets, Reflector)

Diffuser spreads light evenly.

Prism sheets focus light toward the viewer for higher brightness.

Reflector returns stray light into the backlight.

11. Backlight Unit (BLU)

Usually an LED array + light guide plate (LGP).

Provides a uniform light source since liquid crystals don’t emit light themselves.

LCD Displays & OLED Display product links for reference:
https://www.youritech.com/products/ips-displays/