Visual displays have never been more widely used, and can economically provide full colour high quality images for use in applications from mobile phones to aviation control.

Please have a look at our Formulation for research 2004-2007, we welcome your input.

Listed below are areas in which NPL carry out research into visual displays. PowerPoint presentations on NPL research projects are available below. Information on consultancy services, collaborative research and contact details are available here

Novel Light Emitting Materials
A system has been constructed to measure optical and electrical characteristics of light emitting materials. This system was developed using Light Emitting Polymer (LEP) samples from CDT Ltd. and is suitable for characterisation of many types of novel light emitting materials. The system is able to measure the following device attributes: luminance, chromaticity, pixel uniformity, device efficacy and current density.

Miniature Displays
NPL has the capability to measure very small areas of displays down to 30 microns diameter. This can be used for measuring pixel uniformity, or contrast of fine detail areas such as text.

3D Displays
NPL has developed several artefacts to assist in the characterisation of 3D displays. Research in this area is continuing to develop.

Human Factors
NPL is working to develop standards to link physical measurements with display characteristics such as readability and conspicuity. This aims to help display manufacturers focus development into areas that improve the visual appeal of their displays.

Lifetime Testing
NPL's Materials Centre works closely with the displays group to investigate accelerating degradation of displays. The Materials Centre has environmental chambers enabling temperature and humidity cycling of devices, which can then be linked to accelerated lifetime tests. The environmental chambers can also be used tro compare the effectiveness of your encapsulation techniques and materials. Work on standardisation of lifetime testing is ongoing.

Reference Standards for Displays
NPL has developed a prototype calibration standards for use with displays, which we wish to commercialise in partnership. We also have input into several standardisation bodies and aim to publish standard test methods which are simple to perform, while providing accurate results.

Presentations on NPL Research

The following presentations are available to download.

• Solid State Sources: How do we measure them? ( PDF 108 KB)
• Accuracy of 3D Displays: Virtual or Reality? ( PDF 2.56 MB)
• Display Calibrations and Uncertainties ( PDF 150 KB)
• Measurement of Microdisplays at NPL ( PDF 522 KB)
• Display Measurement and Evaluation ( PDF 2.72 MB)
• Characterisation and Testing of Microdisplays ( PPT 21.2 MB)

Consultancy Services

Tailor made consultancy can assist your company in developing a display measurement system to meet your requirements, or trouble shoot existing systems.

Collaborative Research

NPL are always developing new measurement techniques to improve our services. We are looking for partners in collaborative research projects and we are happy to discuss any ideas you may have.

Contact

For information or advice on measurement of spectral radiance, luminance, colour specification and contrast of reflective and self luminous displays, as well as specialist services, please contact Andrew Deadman