> If you mix the pigments, isn't the effect really the same, but on a microscopic level rather than a macroscopic level?
No. It's the difference between colour addition and colour subtraction.
In a colour-addition (ie LCD) model, the maximum possible light transmission - what you get by displaying 'white' - is 33%, since it involves R, G, B side by side, all on. But in a colour-subtraction model (ie e-ink) you just remove all pigment and get 100% light transmission.
Another example: pure yellow. Addition: R, G on full, B off; total light transmission: (33% * 2/3 =) 22%. Subtraction: all yellow pigment, total light transmission: 66%.
Another example: pure red. Addition: R on full, G, B off; total light transmission: (33% * 1/3 =) 11%. Subtraction: yellow and magenta pigment mixed, total light transmission: 33%.
(to be clear, the numbers are waay over-simplified naive colour theory, not actual measurements or anything)
No. It's the difference between colour addition and colour subtraction.
In a colour-addition (ie LCD) model, the maximum possible light transmission - what you get by displaying 'white' - is 33%, since it involves R, G, B side by side, all on. But in a colour-subtraction model (ie e-ink) you just remove all pigment and get 100% light transmission.
Another example: pure yellow. Addition: R, G on full, B off; total light transmission: (33% * 2/3 =) 22%. Subtraction: all yellow pigment, total light transmission: 66%.
Another example: pure red. Addition: R on full, G, B off; total light transmission: (33% * 1/3 =) 11%. Subtraction: yellow and magenta pigment mixed, total light transmission: 33%.
(to be clear, the numbers are waay over-simplified naive colour theory, not actual measurements or anything)