Each character of an LCD consists of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent electrodes, molecules that will be oriented depending on the electric field that is applied between these two electrodes. A character liquid-crystal or character LCD display is a thin, flat screen formed by a number of monochrome characters or symbols placed in front of a light source called backlight, although for some character LCD types (i.e. reflective or transflective) it is not necessary to use light sources.
