Flat panel displays: how bright and colorful is the future?

The dominant technologies for flat panel displays are reviewed. The current dominant technology is liquid crystal displays, which is a non-emissive light valve technology requiring backlighting and having tremendous advantages in terms of power consumption and cost. The disadvantages include viewing angle and temperature limitations. The competing emissive technologies include electroluminescent, field emission, plasma, and light emitting diode/diode laser displays. These technologies are reviewed and applications of ferroelectric materials are noted.