According to Varitronix, IBN technology works along similar principles as standard twisted nematic (TN). However, the liquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned, as opposed to horizontally, allowing a very pronounced black in negative mode. This enhances the contrast ratio up to 500:1, the highest possible for passive technology.
Other advantages are an excellent wide viewing angle of -35° to 35° horizontally and vertically, and an ability to operate over a wide temperature range of -35 to +80°C. Varitronix is offering the technology in negative mode only (a full range of coloured characters on black), in custom sizes. Minimum order quantities are aligned to industrial markets, whilst production scale is sufficient to fulfil automotive demand. IBN is perfect for simple interfaces such as numerical information, therefore automotive and industrial instrumentation are good potential applications.