TFT: Thin Film Transistor or Active Matrix LCD

Active-matrix TFT LCDs utilize tiny switching transistors and capacitors, called thin film transistors (TFT), or thin film LCD. Each thin film transistor is arranged in a matrix directly on the glass substrate using amorphous silicon. In order to address a particular pixel on a thin film transistor display, the proper row and column is addressed. This charges a capacitor associated with an individual pixel. The capacitor is able to hold the charge until the next refresh cycle. Because the liquid crystal charge is held at the pixel location and does not dissipate like the passive matrix STN and TN structures, this liquid crystal cell is capable of achieving higher contrast ratios at much higher switching speeds. The result is full motion video at a much higher contrast, with a full color pallet of 262K or more unique colors.