EP0894282A1 - Liquid crystal display and method - Google Patents

Liquid crystal display and method

Info

Publication number
EP0894282A1
EP0894282A1 EP97918498A EP97918498A EP0894282A1 EP 0894282 A1 EP0894282 A1 EP 0894282A1 EP 97918498 A EP97918498 A EP 97918498A EP 97918498 A EP97918498 A EP 97918498A EP 0894282 A1 EP0894282 A1 EP 0894282A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid crystal
crystal display
layer
dye
polarizing coating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97918498A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0894282A4 (en
Inventor
Ir Gvon Khan
Yuri A. Bobrov
Victor A. Bykov
Leonid Y. Ignatov
Pavel I. Lazarev
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Optiva Inc
Original Assignee
Russian Technology Group
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Russian Technology Group filed Critical Russian Technology Group
Publication of EP0894282A1 publication Critical patent/EP0894282A1/en
Publication of EP0894282A4 publication Critical patent/EP0894282A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/133528Polarisers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/30Polarising elements
    • G02B5/3016Polarising elements involving passive liquid crystal elements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/133509Filters, e.g. light shielding masks
    • G02F1/133514Colour filters
    • G02F1/133516Methods for their manufacture, e.g. printing, electro-deposition or photolithography
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/133528Polarisers
    • G02F1/133538Polarisers with spatial distribution of the polarisation direction
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1337Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers
    • G02F1/133711Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers by organic films, e.g. polymeric films

Definitions

  • This invention refers to information display devices, and in particular, to liquid crystal (LC) cells, that can be employed in systems involving optical devices for various purposes, such as planar displays, optical modulators and matrix systems of light modulation.
  • LC liquid crystal
  • the known devices of this type usually comprise a flat cell formed by two parallel glass plates with electrodes deposited onto the inner surfaces of the plates.
  • the electrodes are made of a conducting optically transparent material such as tin dioxide.
  • the surface of the plate carrying the electrode is specially treated to ensure the required homogeneous orientation of the molecules of liquid crystal both at the surface and in the bulk of the LC.
  • the long axes of the liquid crystal near the plate surfaces are aligned parallel to the orientation directions of each of the plates. Usually these orientation directions are perpendicular.
  • the polarizers employed for this purpose are usually based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films colored by iodine vapors or dichroic dyes; they possess low mechanical strength. Thus special protection measures are required to avoid mechanical damage of the system, making the device more complicated and expensive. As a result, the polarizer can become a complex structure containing up to ten layers :
  • an assembled liquid crystal cell can have more than 20 layers . Note that damage of only one of these layers can make the polarizer inapplicable for use in LC cells. For example see A.E. Perregaux, "Polarizers for liquid crystal devices: the user's viewpoint", SPIE,
  • the plates carrying deposited transparent electrodes are covered with a polymer (e.g., PVA) solution that may also contain iodine or a dichroic dye.
  • a polymer e.g., PVA
  • the polymer solution is subjected to a shear deformation (e.g., using a squegee moved along the plate surface) , upon which the linear polymer molecules are aligned in the direction of squegee motion.
  • a shear deformation e.g., using a squegee moved along the plate surface
  • the cell (containing iodine or a dichroic dye) is oriented and can simultaneously produce both the polarization of light and the alignment of liquid crystal. Then the cell is assembled, filled with a liquid-crystalline compound, and sealed. In this system, the polarizer is inside the cell and is thus protected against the external mechanical factors. For example see U.S.
  • Patent No. 3,941,901 issued March 2, 1976 to Thomas B.
  • the main disadvantages of this device are as follows: (a) Low thermal stability, which is caused by the use of polyvinyl alcohol (or other vinyl polymers) for obtaining the polarizing film, and iodine for dyeing the film;
  • the gel is then mechanically oriented (e.g., by centrifugation), which ensures obtaining a thin dye film of required thickness.
  • the surface of the plate carries a thin film of a molecularly oriented dye layer, which serves simultaneously as a polarizer and a alignment layer for homogeneously oriented liquid crystal. Therefore, this system, like that described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,941,901, does not require deposition of any additional alignment layers.
  • the plates prepared in this manner are used to assemble a standard LC cell, which is filled with an appropriate liquid-crystalline compound and sealed.
  • the dichroic dyes are usually represented by compounds of the azoxy group having anisotropic molecules (e.g., chrysophenine, Brilliant Yellow,
  • Dyes used for creating the polarizing films belong to the class of azo compounds, which have relatively poor thermal and light stability;
  • This LC cell design is characterized by differing surface properties between the materials of transparent electrode and substrate and by a marked relief of the transparent electrode surface, which result in a disorientation of the polarizing coating on the contour boundary of the transparent electrode;
  • This LC cell design requires placing the reflector on the outer side of the substrate plae in a reflection mode cell, which markedly reduces the advantages achieved by using a cell design with internal polarizing films .
  • This cell design does not allow creation of anLC cell embodiment employing the supertwist effect .
  • the purpose of this invention is then to create LC elements with increased performance over previously known LC cells, including thcellse LC cells of the reflection type and the LC cells based on the supertwist effect, with the arrangement of all functional optical layers on the inner side of substrates.
  • the internal polarizers are represented by a thin layer of molecular-oriented dichroic dyes forming a polarizing coating
  • the polarizing coating is formed from a lyotropic liquid crystalline composition based on organic dyes capable of forming the corresponding LC phase described, (e.g., by formulas l-X) to provide for polarizers with high thermal and light stability;
  • the reflecting film is formed on the inner surface of the plate
  • the color compensation is achieved by forming a birefringent non-absorbing film with preset optical thickness on the polarizing coating;
  • liquid-crystalline compositions employed for the obtaining of polarizing coatings contain the following components:
  • This additive can be any of the following types of substances: low-volatile and high-molecular compounds containing various functional groups (OH, COOH, CONH2, NH, CHO, CO, etc.) , for example, pentaerythritol, succinic aldehyde, hydroxycarboxylic acids, poly(ethylene glycol) , poly(acrylic acid) , poly(acrylamide) , poly(ethyleneimine) , polyethylene - polyamines, poly(propyleneglycol) , their copolymers, etc.
  • functional groups OH, COOH, CONH2, NH, CHO, CO, etc.
  • various lacquers, binders, and glue compositions including organoelemental ones, such as organosilicon lacquers of the KO grade (where 'KO' is a Russian grade of organosilicon lacquers) ; liquid-crystalline polymers, for example, poly(n-benzamide) , poly(n- phenylene terephthalimide) , and cellulose esters (hydroxypropyl or ethyl derivatives) .
  • a surfactant which facilitates wetting of the substrate surface;
  • An antioxidant or inhibitor which is introduced into the lyotropic liquid-crystalline composition to increase its stability to light and elevated temperature, or to the action of oxidizers, lacquers, and glues .
  • Figures 1 to 6 show schematic diagrams of various types of LC cells proposed. These include a transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic liquid crystal (Fig. 1) , a transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic LC with a differing arrangement of the polarizing layer and electrodes (Fig. 2) , a reflection cell based on a usual nematic LC (Fig. 3) , a transmission cell based on a supertwist-nematic LC (Fig. 4) , an LC cell with the effect of switch color (Fig. 5) , and a color matrix LC display (Fig. 6) .
  • Fig. 1 transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic liquid crystal
  • Fig. 3 a transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic LC with a differing arrangement of the polarizing layer and electrodes
  • Fig. 3 a reflection cell based on a usual nematic LC
  • Fig. 4 a transmission cell
  • the LC element depicted in Fig. 1 comprises two plates (1 and 2) made of glass, plastic, or any other rigid or flexible transparent material.
  • the inner surfaces of these plates facing layer 3 of a nematic liquid crystal are carrying transparent electrodes 4 and 5.
  • Each electrode is covered by a dielectric film
  • the surface of the film can be rendered orientationally anisotropic by rubbing or by some other method, in order to ensure proper orientation of molecules in the polarizing coatings (8 and 9) deposited onto this film.
  • the coatings are oriented in such a way that their axes on plates 1 and 2 are perpendicular to one another. Note that it is the polarizing coatings themselves which produce alignment of the nematic liquid crystal.
  • FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a transmission LC cell, in which a surface of plates 1 and 2 is initially coated with a polarizing film 8 and 9, respectively, protected by a layer 6 and 7, respectively, above which a transparent electrode 4 and 5, respectively, are deposited. These are followed by a layer 10 and 11, respectively, for aligning the nematic liquid crystal.
  • This structure ensures the required smoothness of polarizing film and provides its isolation from the liquid crystal layer, thus preventing LC from becoming contaminated with ions or molecules of foreign substances that can be in the polarizing film.
  • the second (mirror-supporting) plate 2 can be made either transparent or non-transparent (e.g., crystalline silicon) .
  • This second plate is coated with a diffuse-reflecting layer 12.
  • the reflecting film can be obtained by depositing a polymeric layer containing particles of an arbitrary or special shape and dimensions, having the refractive index differing from that of the polymer itself.
  • a polymer film containing suspended aluminium powder, or some other highly reflecting material can be deposited.
  • a pattern in or on the plate surface can be created, onto which a reflecting layer 12 (e.g., an aluminum film) is deposited.
  • the pattern can be formed by treating the surface with an abrasive tool, engraving, pressing, depositing a polymeric film with particles having certain shapes and dimensions, or by selectively etching the plate surface (or an overlayer of polymer or some other material) through a mask.
  • an aluminum film can also serve as the continuous electrode.
  • electrodes of any desired configuration e.g., rectangular matrices for planar matrix displays
  • the polarizing coating can be deposited onto the reflecting layer either immediately or with a smoothening and isolating interlayer pre ⁇ formed on the reflector.
  • a special electrode layer can be deposited onto an insulating interlayer or the reflecting film.
  • the insulating layer can be represented by a polymeric film, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, or some other nonconducting material.
  • the polarizing coating can also be deposited either directly on the reflector or above the electrodes.
  • Another transmission mode embodiment of a LC cell is shown in Fig. 4 having a super twisted nematic LC 3. Color compensation is provided by an additional optically anisotropic film 13 with a preset optical thickness, formed on the second (reflecting) plate 2.
  • This film can be deposited either directly onto polarizing film 9, or above the pre-deposited layers 5, 7, or 11 (see Fig. 2) .
  • Optical anisotropy is obtained through orientation of molecules in the deposited polymer (or LC-polymer) layer under the action of electromagnetic forces or by mechanically stretching the layer during or after the deposition.
  • a photoanisotropic material which, by photopolymerization of the film in a polarized light allows anisotropic films to be obtained having a specific differential optical pathlength and orientation of the birefringence ellipsoid axes. See Russian Patent No. 2,013,794, "Liquid Crystal Indicator Element” , published May 30, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.
  • a reflection mode embodiment of an LC cell with a supertwist-nematic film, shown in Fig. 4, may require two additional optically anisotropic layers to be formed. These layers are deposited onto both plates and situated between the polarizing films. They can be applied directly onto the polarizing coatings or indirectly using interlayers .
  • a polarizing layer with differently colored regions can be formed. This markedly extends the informational and ergonomic possibilities of the LC display devices.
  • the ability to switch colors can be also provided as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 5.
  • This embodiment uses a neutral grey polarizing film 8 deposited onto one plate, and two polarizing films (9 and 9') applied
  • Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a color matrix LC display obtained by properly arranging the polarizing elements inside the device.
  • the polarizing film is applied either directly onto color filter 15, supported by a transparent electrode matrix 5, or with interlayer 7.
  • a color filter or a preset color pattern can be produced either by deposition through a photoresist mask, selective dyeing of the polymer layer with the desired dye, deposition of a dye film with the aid of stenciling techniques or by other printing methods.
  • the arrangement of the polarizer and color filter are not restricted and depends only on convenience and or the technology of layer deposition employed.
  • the principles of operation of an LC display with polarizing elements situated inside the cell can be considered for a transmission embodiment of the display cell having a nematic LC with
  • Nonpolarized light flux is incident to the device from the side of first plate 1.
  • the light Upon transmission through substrate plate 1, transparent electrode 4, and smoothing interlayer 6, the light is polarized on passage through polarizing film 8. If no voltage is applied to the cell electrodes, the polarized light passes through the layer of liquid crystal 3, whereby its plane of polarization is rotated by 90° and leaves the device, without any additional attenuation, through the second polarizing film 9, interlayer 7, transparent electrode 5, and plate 2. The electrode area would appear as bright.
  • the electric field will convert the nematic LC from the twisted form to the homeotropic.
  • the optical axis of the nematic LC is oriented perpendicular to plates 1 and 2, and the liquid crystal no longer rotates the plane of polarization of the transmitted light.
  • the polarization determined by polarizer 8 will not change upon transmission of the light through the LC.
  • the direction of polarization at the exit from nematic LC 3 will be perpendicular to the orientation of the second polarizer 9. Therefore, . the light will be absorbed by polarizer 9 and this region will appear dark.
  • the regions of the cell area where no electrode film is deposited will always appear as bright . Because the polarization of a plane-polarized light does not change on reflection, the reflection embodiment of the LC cell will operate essentially in the same manner.
  • the only difference consists in that the light does not pass through plate 2, but doubly travels through all other component layers.
  • the plane- polarized light produced by the first polarizer 8 passes through the twisted nematic and becomes elliptically polarized.
  • the light acquires color because the optical pathlength depends on the wavelength.
  • the optically anisotropic exit layer either compensates coloration of the transmitted light so as to obtain non-colored light at the cell output, or produces the desired color on properly selecting the initial directions of the polarizer axes, the mutual orientation of polarizer and the anisotropic layer, and the thickness of the anisotropic layer.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the principle of operation of a color switching device.
  • the light passes sequentially through the first polarizing film 8, the nematic liquid crystal 3, which rotates the plane of polarization by 90°, the polarizing film 9' (whose polarization axis is perpendicular to that of first polarizer 8) , and is absorbed by the second layer of a dichroic polarizer 9 (whose polarization axis is perpendicular to that of layer 9 ' ) .
  • the polarization plane of light does not change upon the passage through the liquid crystal. The light is absorbed by the dichroic polarizer 9' and acquires a different color.
  • the matrix LC display (Fig. 6) .
  • the light passes through polarizer 8, liquid crystal, and the second neutral polarizer 9, and is selectively absorbed by dyed layer 14 to give the device the corresponding color.
  • the device is switched on, the light is polarized by polarizer 8, passes the liquid crystal layer without rotation of the polarization plane, and is blocked by polarizer 9. As a result, the device appears as dark.
  • An important distinguishing feature of this invention consists in that the LC display devices (whose variety is not restricted to the examples given above) employ the polarizing films based on the organic dyes capable of forming lyotropic LC phases. These dyes give stable lyotropic LC compositions.
  • LC displays of various colors can be obtained.
  • the grey color can be also obtained as a result of the layer-by-layer deposition of yellow, red, and blue polarizing films during the formation of polarizers on the cell plates.
  • lyotropic LC compositions for the formation of polarizers allows both monochrome and colored LC indicators and displays to be made.
  • various methods of layer deposition during the application of polarizing coatings can be employed. These include photogravure and flexographic printing techniques with the use of polygraphic equipment.
  • additional orienting and brightness-enhancing layers can be included in the device structure. These layers can be deposited using the same equipment as that employed for the polarizing film application.
  • dye-based polarizing coatings as polarizers does not exclude the use of conventional polarizing films, including the iodine-colored PVA- based polarizers.
  • a combination of internal polarizing coating on a first plate with iodine-colored reflecting or transmission polarizer adhered to the external surface of a second plate leads to a device characterized by high contrast of the image and no need in the additional glass usually required for protecting the polarizer glued to the external surface of the first plate.
  • polarization coatings allows formation of LC display cells with a traditional external arrangement of polarizers.
  • a polarizing coating is applied onto a transparent polymeric film, and this film polarizer is fixed to the external surface of plates . Note that such a device would contain a smaller number of component layers as compared to a conventional LC device with PVA-based polarizing films.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Polarising Elements (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)

Abstract

A liquid crystal display has a first substrate plate (1) and a second substrate plate (2), and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the plates (1) and (2). A polarizing coating (8) or (9), having molecules of one or more organic dyes capable of forming a lyotropic liquid crystalline phase, is formed overlying a selected surface of each plate (1) and (2). Orientation of the polarizing coating (8) or (9) is obtained by applying a force to the dye molecules when in the liquid crystal phase and subsequently converting the liquid crystal phase to a solid film.

Description

LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND METHOD
BACKGROUND This invention refers to information display devices, and in particular, to liquid crystal (LC) cells, that can be employed in systems involving optical devices for various purposes, such as planar displays, optical modulators and matrix systems of light modulation.
The known devices of this type usually comprise a flat cell formed by two parallel glass plates with electrodes deposited onto the inner surfaces of the plates. The electrodes are made of a conducting optically transparent material such as tin dioxide. The surface of the plate carrying the electrode is specially treated to ensure the required homogeneous orientation of the molecules of liquid crystal both at the surface and in the bulk of the LC. In a homogeneously oriented layer, the long axes of the liquid crystal near the plate surfaces are aligned parallel to the orientation directions of each of the plates. Usually these orientation directions are perpendicular. After assembling the cell, it iε filled with a liquid-crystalline compound to form a 5 to 20 micrometer (mm) thick layer, which is the active medium changing the optical properties (namely, the angle of rotation of the polarization plane) of the cell under the action of an applied electric voltage. This change of optical properties is detected by crossed polarizers that are usually fixed to the external surfaces of the plates. For example see L.K. Vistin, "Application of Liquid Crystals in Modern Technology" , Journal of All Union Chemical Society, Vol. XXVII, no. 2, (1983) , pp. 141-48, which is incorporated by reference herein. The polarizers employed for this purpose are usually based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films colored by iodine vapors or dichroic dyes; they possess low mechanical strength. Thus special protection measures are required to avoid mechanical damage of the system, making the device more complicated and expensive. As a result, the polarizer can become a complex structure containing up to ten layers :
1. protection film;
2. weak adhesive layer; 3. first carrier film;
4. adhesive layer;
5. polarizing film;
6. adhesive layer;
7. second carrier film; 8. adhesive;
9. silicon compound;
10. release film.
Before attaching the polarizer, the siliconized film (layers 9 and 10) is detached, and after assembling the LC display, the protective film with a weak adhesive layer (layers 1 and 2) can be removed and replaced by a protective glass. As a result, an assembled liquid crystal cell can have more than 20 layers . Note that damage of only one of these layers can make the polarizer inapplicable for use in LC cells. For example see A.E. Perregaux, "Polarizers for liquid crystal devices: the user's viewpoint", SPIE,
Vol. 307 Polarizers and Applications, pp. 70-5, (1981) , incorporated by reference herein.
One of the ways to protect polarizers from mechanical damage is to place them inside the cell. To this end, the plates carrying deposited transparent electrodes are covered with a polymer (e.g., PVA) solution that may also contain iodine or a dichroic dye. Then the polymer solution is subjected to a shear deformation (e.g., using a squegee moved along the plate surface) , upon which the linear polymer molecules are aligned in the direction of squegee motion. After the removal of solvent, the resulting PVA film
(containing iodine or a dichroic dye) is oriented and can simultaneously produce both the polarization of light and the alignment of liquid crystal. Then the cell is assembled, filled with a liquid-crystalline compound, and sealed. In this system, the polarizer is inside the cell and is thus protected against the external mechanical factors. For example see U.S.
Patent No. 3,941,901 issued March 2, 1976 to Thomas B.
Harsch and incorporated herein by reference.
The main disadvantages of this device are as follows: (a) Low thermal stability, which is caused by the use of polyvinyl alcohol (or other vinyl polymers) for obtaining the polarizing film, and iodine for dyeing the film;
(b) The use of iodine (soluble in the liquid- crystal medium) for dyeing the polymeric results in gradually decreasing contrast of the pattern and markedly increasing energy consumption, eventually reducing the useful life of the device.
Inventor's Certificate No. 697,950, "A Method of Preparing Liquid Crystal Devices" , published November
19, 1979, and incorporated herein by reference, shows a system similar to the instant invention in that it is a device, previously known, with polarizers placed inside the LC cell. To create the internal polarizing layer of this previously known device, the inner surface of a plate is coated (above a transparent electrode film) with a dichroic dye gel having a concentration of 1 to
30 weight percent (wt. %) . The gel is then mechanically oriented (e.g., by centrifugation), which ensures obtaining a thin dye film of required thickness. After solvent removal, the surface of the plate carries a thin film of a molecularly oriented dye layer, which serves simultaneously as a polarizer and a alignment layer for homogeneously oriented liquid crystal. Therefore, this system, like that described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,941,901, does not require deposition of any additional alignment layers. The plates prepared in this manner are used to assemble a standard LC cell, which is filled with an appropriate liquid-crystalline compound and sealed.
The dichroic dyes are usually represented by compounds of the azoxy group having anisotropic molecules (e.g., chrysophenine, Brilliant Yellow,
Direct Blue 14, etc.) . The known LC device of the aforementioned
Inventor's Certificate exhibits higher stability than that reported in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,941,901, because the polarizer is formed by a film comprising a dye alone, offering higher thermal stability as compared to that of vinyl polymers. At the same time, this device also has some disadvantages that restrict the field of possible applications and decrease the useful life. The most noticeable of these are as follows:
(a) Dyes used for creating the polarizing films belong to the class of azo compounds, which have relatively poor thermal and light stability;
(b) Dye solutions used exhibit insufficient wetting of the surface and pronounced viscoelastic rheological properties, which make forming homogeneous polarizing films a quite difficult task;
(c) This LC cell design is characterized by differing surface properties between the materials of transparent electrode and substrate and by a marked relief of the transparent electrode surface, which result in a disorientation of the polarizing coating on the contour boundary of the transparent electrode;
(d) This LC cell design requires placing the reflector on the outer side of the substrate plae in a reflection mode cell, which markedly reduces the advantages achieved by using a cell design with internal polarizing films . (e) This cell design does not allow creation of anLC cell embodiment employing the supertwist effect . The purpose of this invention is then to create LC elements with increased performance over previously known LC cells, including thcellse LC cells of the reflection type and the LC cells based on the supertwist effect, with the arrangement of all functional optical layers on the inner side of substrates.
The problem formulated above can be solved by implementing one or more of the following ideas:
(a) The internal polarizers are represented by a thin layer of molecular-oriented dichroic dyes forming a polarizing coating;
(b) The polarizing coating is formed from a lyotropic liquid crystalline composition based on organic dyes capable of forming the corresponding LC phase described, (e.g., by formulas l-X) to provide for polarizers with high thermal and light stability;
(c) The reflecting film is formed on the inner surface of the plate;
(d) In the supertwist-nematic cell, the color compensation is achieved by forming a birefringent non-absorbing film with preset optical thickness on the polarizing coating;
(e) Additional protective and leveling layers are made on the inner surfaces of the plates.
I, n=2-4, M - cation
I, n=2, M - cation
IV, R=H,CF3;X=H,Br,SO3M;n=i-3; Cl (b);
Vll, n=2, M - cation
VIII, n=2-3, M - cation
X=0, NH, CH2; n= 2, M - cation Besides the dyes, the liquid-crystalline compositions employed for the obtaining of polarizing coatings contain the following components:
(a) a modifying additive to control adhesion of the polarizing coating to the substrate and to produce a plasticizing effect on the coating. This additive can be any of the following types of substances: low-volatile and high-molecular compounds containing various functional groups (OH, COOH, CONH2, NH, CHO, CO, etc.) , for example, pentaerythritol, succinic aldehyde, hydroxycarboxylic acids, poly(ethylene glycol) , poly(acrylic acid) , poly(acrylamide) , poly(ethyleneimine) , polyethylene - polyamines, poly(propyleneglycol) , their copolymers, etc. ; various lacquers, binders, and glue compositions, including organoelemental ones, such as organosilicon lacquers of the KO grade (where 'KO' is a Russian grade of organosilicon lacquers) ; liquid-crystalline polymers, for example, poly(n-benzamide) , poly(n- phenylene terephthalimide) , and cellulose esters (hydroxypropyl or ethyl derivatives) . (b) A surfactant, which facilitates wetting of the substrate surface; (c) An antioxidant or inhibitor, which is introduced into the lyotropic liquid-crystalline composition to increase its stability to light and elevated temperature, or to the action of oxidizers, lacquers, and glues .
All the above components allow us to increase both the performance and the working characteristics of polarizing coatings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1 to 6 show schematic diagrams of various types of LC cells proposed. These include a transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic liquid crystal (Fig. 1) , a transmission cell based on a usual twist-nematic LC with a differing arrangement of the polarizing layer and electrodes (Fig. 2) , a reflection cell based on a usual nematic LC (Fig. 3) , a transmission cell based on a supertwist-nematic LC (Fig. 4) , an LC cell with the effect of switch color (Fig. 5) , and a color matrix LC display (Fig. 6) .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The LC element depicted in Fig. 1 comprises two plates (1 and 2) made of glass, plastic, or any other rigid or flexible transparent material. The inner surfaces of these plates facing layer 3 of a nematic liquid crystal are carrying transparent electrodes 4 and 5. Each electrode is covered by a dielectric film
(6 or 7) made of a polymer or another suitable material, which smoothes the relief of the electrode and provides for homogeneous surface properties of the plate. The surface of the film can be rendered orientationally anisotropic by rubbing or by some other method, in order to ensure proper orientation of molecules in the polarizing coatings (8 and 9) deposited onto this film. The coatings are oriented in such a way that their axes on plates 1 and 2 are perpendicular to one another. Note that it is the polarizing coatings themselves which produce alignment of the nematic liquid crystal. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a transmission LC cell, in which a surface of plates 1 and 2 is initially coated with a polarizing film 8 and 9, respectively, protected by a layer 6 and 7, respectively, above which a transparent electrode 4 and 5, respectively, are deposited. These are followed by a layer 10 and 11, respectively, for aligning the nematic liquid crystal. This structure ensures the required smoothness of polarizing film and provides its isolation from the liquid crystal layer, thus preventing LC from becoming contaminated with ions or molecules of foreign substances that can be in the polarizing film.
In the LC cell of the reflection type depicted in Fig. 3, the second (mirror-supporting) plate 2 can be made either transparent or non-transparent (e.g., crystalline silicon) . This second plate is coated with a diffuse-reflecting layer 12. The reflecting film can be obtained by depositing a polymeric layer containing particles of an arbitrary or special shape and dimensions, having the refractive index differing from that of the polymer itself. For example, a polymer film containing suspended aluminium powder, or some other highly reflecting material, can be deposited. Alternatively, a pattern in or on the plate surface can be created, onto which a reflecting layer 12 (e.g., an aluminum film) is deposited. The pattern can be formed by treating the surface with an abrasive tool, engraving, pressing, depositing a polymeric film with particles having certain shapes and dimensions, or by selectively etching the plate surface (or an overlayer of polymer or some other material) through a mask.
Where an aluminum film is formed, it can also serve as the continuous electrode. By photolithographically etching a narrow (10 to 100 mm wide) aluminum strip along a preset path, electrodes of any desired configuration (e.g., rectangular matrices for planar matrix displays) can be formed while retaining the general reflecting background over the entire working area of the device. The polarizing coating can be deposited onto the reflecting layer either immediately or with a smoothening and isolating interlayer pre¬ formed on the reflector.
If for any reason the reflecting film cannot be employed as the electrode, (e.g., if the reflector is non-conductive) , a special electrode layer can be deposited onto an insulating interlayer or the reflecting film. The insulating layer can be represented by a polymeric film, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, or some other nonconducting material. The polarizing coating can also be deposited either directly on the reflector or above the electrodes. Another transmission mode embodiment of a LC cell is shown in Fig. 4 having a super twisted nematic LC 3. Color compensation is provided by an additional optically anisotropic film 13 with a preset optical thickness, formed on the second (reflecting) plate 2. This film can be deposited either directly onto polarizing film 9, or above the pre-deposited layers 5, 7, or 11 (see Fig. 2) . Optical anisotropy is obtained through orientation of molecules in the deposited polymer (or LC-polymer) layer under the action of electromagnetic forces or by mechanically stretching the layer during or after the deposition. Moreover, it is possible to use a photoanisotropic material, which, by photopolymerization of the film in a polarized light allows anisotropic films to be obtained having a specific differential optical pathlength and orientation of the birefringence ellipsoid axes. See Russian Patent No. 2,013,794, "Liquid Crystal Indicator Element" , published May 30, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference.
A reflection mode embodiment of an LC cell with a supertwist-nematic film, shown in Fig. 4, may require two additional optically anisotropic layers to be formed. These layers are deposited onto both plates and situated between the polarizing films. They can be applied directly onto the polarizing coatings or indirectly using interlayers .
Using the methods of photolithography or printing techniques for the application of dyes, and using the dyes of various colors, a polarizing layer with differently colored regions can be formed. This markedly extends the informational and ergonomic possibilities of the LC display devices.
The ability to switch colors can be also provided as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 5. This embodiment uses a neutral grey polarizing film 8 deposited onto one plate, and two polarizing films (9 and 9') applied
(one after another or with interlayer 14) onto another plate. The latter two polarizing films (9 and 9') must have differing colors and perpendicular directions of polarization.
Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a color matrix LC display obtained by properly arranging the polarizing elements inside the device. In one of these embodiments, the polarizing film is applied either directly onto color filter 15, supported by a transparent electrode matrix 5, or with interlayer 7.
A color filter or a preset color pattern can be produced either by deposition through a photoresist mask, selective dyeing of the polymer layer with the desired dye, deposition of a dye film with the aid of stenciling techniques or by other printing methods.
Thus, the arrangement of the polarizer and color filter are not restricted and depends only on convenience and or the technology of layer deposition employed. Returning to Fig. 1, the principles of operation of an LC display with polarizing elements situated inside the cell can be considered for a transmission embodiment of the display cell having a nematic LC with
90° twist. Nonpolarized light flux is incident to the device from the side of first plate 1. Upon transmission through substrate plate 1, transparent electrode 4, and smoothing interlayer 6, the light is polarized on passage through polarizing film 8. If no voltage is applied to the cell electrodes, the polarized light passes through the layer of liquid crystal 3, whereby its plane of polarization is rotated by 90° and leaves the device, without any additional attenuation, through the second polarizing film 9, interlayer 7, transparent electrode 5, and plate 2. The electrode area would appear as bright. Upon the application of voltage between electrodes, the electric field will convert the nematic LC from the twisted form to the homeotropic. As a result, the optical axis of the nematic LC is oriented perpendicular to plates 1 and 2, and the liquid crystal no longer rotates the plane of polarization of the transmitted light. This implies that the polarization determined by polarizer 8 will not change upon transmission of the light through the LC. Thus, the direction of polarization at the exit from nematic LC 3 will be perpendicular to the orientation of the second polarizer 9. Therefore, . the light will be absorbed by polarizer 9 and this region will appear dark. The regions of the cell area where no electrode film is deposited will always appear as bright . Because the polarization of a plane-polarized light does not change on reflection, the reflection embodiment of the LC cell will operate essentially in the same manner. The only difference consists in that the light does not pass through plate 2, but doubly travels through all other component layers. In the nematic LC display cell based on the supertwist-nematic liquid crystal (Fig. 4) , the plane- polarized light produced by the first polarizer 8 passes through the twisted nematic and becomes elliptically polarized. As a result, the light acquires color because the optical pathlength depends on the wavelength. The optically anisotropic exit layer either compensates coloration of the transmitted light so as to obtain non-colored light at the cell output, or produces the desired color on properly selecting the initial directions of the polarizer axes, the mutual orientation of polarizer and the anisotropic layer, and the thickness of the anisotropic layer. On the application of voltage between the electrode layers, the liquid crystal transforms from twisted to uniaxial state and ceases to rotate the polarization plane of light. In this case, the light passes through the LC layer without changing the orientation of polarization plane. On the passage through the anisotropic layer, the light becomes circularly or elliptically polarized and, upon passing through the second polarizing film, takes on a complementary coloration to that observed in the initial (switched-off) state. Fig. 5 illustrates the principle of operation of a color switching device. In the switched-off state, the light passes sequentially through the first polarizing film 8, the nematic liquid crystal 3, which rotates the plane of polarization by 90°, the polarizing film 9' (whose polarization axis is perpendicular to that of first polarizer 8) , and is absorbed by the second layer of a dichroic polarizer 9 (whose polarization axis is perpendicular to that of layer 9 ' ) . After switching on the cell voltage, the polarization plane of light does not change upon the passage through the liquid crystal. The light is absorbed by the dichroic polarizer 9' and acquires a different color.
Let us consider the matrix LC display (Fig. 6) . In the switched-off device, the light passes through polarizer 8, liquid crystal, and the second neutral polarizer 9, and is selectively absorbed by dyed layer 14 to give the device the corresponding color. When the device is switched on, the light is polarized by polarizer 8, passes the liquid crystal layer without rotation of the polarization plane, and is blocked by polarizer 9. As a result, the device appears as dark. An important distinguishing feature of this invention consists in that the LC display devices (whose variety is not restricted to the examples given above) employ the polarizing films based on the organic dyes capable of forming lyotropic LC phases. These dyes give stable lyotropic LC compositions. Application of such composition onto the surface of plates (glass or polymeric) with simultaneous orienting mechanical treatment, followed by the solvent removal, yields a thin layer of a molecularly ordered dye that serves as a polarizing coating. This coating not only provides efficient polarization of the transmitted light, but also produces alignment of the liquid crystalline component. High thermal and light stability of the proposed device is ensured by the use of thermostable and light stable dyes that are capable of forming stable lyotropic liquid crystalline phases. Introducing antioxidants or inhibitors to the lyotropic LC composition during application of the polarizing coating can provide enhanced thermal and light stability when desired.
By varying the dye component of the lyotropic LC composition, LC displays of various colors, including grey, can be obtained. The grey color can be also obtained as a result of the layer-by-layer deposition of yellow, red, and blue polarizing films during the formation of polarizers on the cell plates.
The use of lyotropic LC compositions for the formation of polarizers allows both monochrome and colored LC indicators and displays to be made. For this purpose, various methods of layer deposition during the application of polarizing coatings can be employed. These include photogravure and flexographic printing techniques with the use of polygraphic equipment.
In order to ensure high contrast images in the proposed devices, which are intended for application in high-resolution displays, additional orienting and brightness-enhancing layers can be included in the device structure. These layers can be deposited using the same equipment as that employed for the polarizing film application.
The application of dye-based polarizing coatings as polarizers does not exclude the use of conventional polarizing films, including the iodine-colored PVA- based polarizers. For example, a combination of internal polarizing coating on a first plate with iodine-colored reflecting or transmission polarizer adhered to the external surface of a second plate leads to a device characterized by high contrast of the image and no need in the additional glass usually required for protecting the polarizer glued to the external surface of the first plate.
Moreover, the use of polarization coatings allows formation of LC display cells with a traditional external arrangement of polarizers. To this end, a polarizing coating is applied onto a transparent polymeric film, and this film polarizer is fixed to the external surface of plates . Note that such a device would contain a smaller number of component layers as compared to a conventional LC device with PVA-based polarizing films.
DYES SYNTHESIS.
EXAMPLE 1. Synthesis of a dye with formula I, n = 2. 5 grams (gm) of a dye with formula I, n=0 (C.I. 51319) is dissolved in 25 ml of sulfuric acid and stirred at 20-25°C for 7 hours (hr) . After the exposure, the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration of 50%. The reaction mixture is filtered and the residue washed with a 17% hydrochloric acid solution until no sulfate anions are detected in the filtrate. The residue is then dried to yield 6.4 gm of a dye with formula I, n=2. For: C34H22C12N408S2 + 2H20 Found (%) : Cl 8.92, 9.12; N 6.89, 6.99; S 8.67, 8.73.
Calculated (%) : Cl 9.03; N 7.13; S 8.16. A liquid crystal preparation and polarizing coating formation are performed using methods described in PCT/US 94/05493, "Thermostable and Lightfast Dichroic Light Polarizers" , filed May 20, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
EXAMPLE 2. Synthesis of a dye with formula I, n = 4.
5 gm of a dye with formula I, n=0 (C.I. 51319) , is dissolved in a mixture of 15-20% fuming sulfuric acid
(15 ml) and chlorosulfonic acid (10 ml) . The solution is heated to 50°C and after exposure at 50-60°C for 3 hr the reaction mixture is diluted with water (10 ml) . and then filtered. The residue is washed with 16% hydrochloric acid until no sulfate anions are detected in the filtrate and then dried to yield 6.8 gm of a dye with formula I, n=4.
For: C34H22C12N4014S4 + 4H20
Found (%) : Cl 6.88, 6.97; N 5.34, 5.60; S 13.46, 13.73. Calculated (%) : Cl 7.22; N 5.71; S 13.06.
EXAMPLE 3. Synthesis of a dye with formula II, n = 2.
5 gm of a dye with formula II, n=0 iε dissolved in a mixture of 15-20% fuming sulfuric acid (15 ml) and chlorosulfonic acid (10 ml) . The solution is heated to 80°C and after exposure at 80-90°C for 8-10 hr the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration 50% and filtered. The residue is washed with 16% hydrochloric acid and a water- isopropanol mixture (1:1) until no sulfate and chloride anions are detected in the filtrate and dried to yield 6.3 gm of a dye with formula II, n = 2. For: C30H16N4O10S2 + 2H20 Found (%) : N 7.88, 7.96; S 9.48, 9.66. Calculated (%) : N 8.09; S 9.26.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula III, X=0, n=0 (CI. 67000) yields a dye with formula III, X=0, n = 2. For: C29H14N2011S2 + 2H20
Found {%) : N 3.86, 4.01; S 9.58, 9.82. Calculated (%) : N 4.20; S 9.62.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula III, X=S, n=0 (CI. 67100) yields a dye with formula III,
X=S, n = 2.
For: C29H14N2O10S3 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 4.00, 4.25; S 14.43, 14.69.
Calculated (%) : N 4.10; S 14.09.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula V, n=0 (CI. 70305) yields a dye with formula V, n=2.
For: C36H1608S4 + 2H20
Found (%) : S 17.56, 17.80. Calculated (%) : S 17.31.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula IV,
R=H, R'=(b) , R' '=C1, X=S03M, n=0 yields a dye with formula IV, R=H, R' = (b) , R' '=C1, X=S03M, n=2, M=H. For: C28H15C1N2013S4 + 2H20
Found (%) : Cl 4.80, 5.03; N 3.51, 3.87; S 12.70, 13.11 Calculated ( % ) : Cl 4 . 70 ; N 3 . 71 ; S 12 . 74 .
EXAMPLE 4 .
Synthesis of a dye with formula VI, n=2 5 gm of a dye with formula VI, n=0 is dissolved in
5-10% fuming sulfuric acid (25 ml) and the solution heated at 70-80°C for 4 hr. After the exposure, the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration 60% and filtered. The residue is washed with hydrochloric acid until no sulfate anions are detected in the filtrate and dried to yield 6.8 gm of dye with formula VI, n=2.
For: C28H14N208S4 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 3.99, 4.23; S 18.79, 18.95. Calculated (%) : N 4.18; S 19.12.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula VIII, n=0 (dimethylquinacridone) yields a dye with formula VIII, n=3. For: C22H16N2011S3 + 3H20
Found (%) : N 4.35, 4.00; S 15.11; 15.43. Calculated (%) : N 4.41; S 15.16.
EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of a dye with formula VII, n = 2.
5 gm of a dye with formula VII, n=0 (CI. 70400) is dissolved in 20-45% fuming sulfuric acid (50 ml) .
Then mercury sulfate (0.03 gm) is added and the mixture is heated to 100°C After keeping the mixture at 95- 105°C for 8 hr the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration of 50% and 25 gm sodium chloride is added. The suspension is heated to 75°C and filtered in the hot state. The residue is washed with a 12% solution of sodium chloride, a 16% hydrochloric acid, and isopropyl alcohol until no sulfate anions are detected in the filtrate and dried to yield 6.0 gm of dye with formula VII, n=2. For: C30H12N2O10S4 + 2H20 Found (%) : N 3.89, 4.00; S 17.34, 17.66. Calculated (%) : N 3.88; S 17.74.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula V, n=0 (CI. 70305) yields a dye with formula V, n=4. For: C36H16014S6+4H20 Found (%) : S 20.09, 20.33. Calculated (%) : S 20.53.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula III, X=S, n=0 (CI. 67100) yields a dye with formula III, X=S, n=3. For: C29H14N2013S4 + 3H20
Found (%) : N 3.46, 3.71; S 16.70, 16.83. Calculated (%) : N 3.59; S 16.43.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula IV, R=CF3, R'=(c) , Y=H, n=0 yields a dye with formula IV, R=CF3, R'=(c) , Y=H, n=3. For: C43H20F3N3O15S3 + 3H20 Found (%) : N 4.07, 4.26; S 9.69, 9.82. Calculated (%) : N 4.10; S 9.38.
EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of a dye with formula VIII, n=2.
5 gm of a dye with formula VIII, n=0, dissolved in 25% fuming sulfuric acid (25 ml) is heated at 45-55°C for 3 hr. After the exposure, the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration 55% and 20 gm sodium chloride is added. The suspension is heated to 50°C and filtered. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with ammonia to pH=5-6 and then an equal volume of isopropanol is added. The solution is stored at room temperature for 2-4 hr and then filtered. The residue is washed with water-isopropanol mixture (1:1) and dried to yield 5.4 gm of a dye with formula VIII, n=2, M=NH4. For: C22H22N408S2 + 2H20 Found (%) : N 9.45, 9.89; S 11.11, 11.43. Calculated (%) : N 9.82; S 11.24.
EXAMPLE 7
Synthesis of a dye with formula IX, R = CH30 5 gm of a dye with formula IX, n=0 is dissolved in 15-20% fuming sulfuric acid (50 ml) and heated at 120- 130°C for 5-7 hr until obtaining a water-soluble probe. After the exposure, the reaction mixture is diluted with water to a sulfuric acid concentration of 50% and filtered. The residue is first washed with 17% hydrochloric acid until no sulfate anions are detected in the filtrate and then with isopropanol. The residue is then dried to yield 6.3 gm of dye with formula IX, R = CH30, M=H, n=2. For: C30H22N2O14S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 3.65, 3.96; S 8.76,9.05. Calculated (%) : N 3.81; S 8.73.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula IX, R=H, n=0 yields a dye with formula IX, R=H, n=2, M=H. For: C28H18N2012S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 3.97, 4.08; S 9.61, 9.88. Calculated (%) : N 4.15; S 9.50.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula IX, R=C1, n=0 yields a dye with formula IX, R=C1, n=2, M=H. For: C28H16C12N2012S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : Cl 9.49, 9.63; N 3.65, 3.78; S 8.71, 8.97. Calculated (%) : Cl 9.54; N 3.77; S 8.62.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula IX,
R=CH3, n=0 yields a dye with formula IX, R=CH3, n=2,
M=H.
For: C30H22N2O12S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 4.05, 4.11; S 9.42, 9.69. Calculated (%) : N 3.99; S 9.13.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X, R=H, X=0, n=0 yields a dye with formula X, R=H, X=0, n=2, M=H. For: C28H17N3011S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 5.99, 6.17; S 9.67, 9.81. Calculated (%) : N 6.26; S 9.55.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X, R=C2H50, X=0, n=0 yields a dye with formula X, R=C2H50,
X=0, n=2, M=H. For: C30H21N3O12S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 5.49, 5.66; S 8.90, 9.31.
Calculated (%) : N 5.87; S 8.96.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X, R=CH30, X=NH, n=0 yields a dye with formula X, R=CH30, X=NH, n=2, M=H.
For: C29H20N4O11S2 + 2H20 Found (%) : N 7.60, 7.91; S 9.23, 9.58. Calculated (%) : N 8.00; S 9.15.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X, R=NH2, X=CH2, n=0 yields a dye with formula X, R=NH2, X=CH2, n=2, M=H. For: C29H20N4O10S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : N 7.59, 7.80; S 9.51, 9.67. Calculated (%) : N 8.18; S 9.37.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X, R=Br, X=NH, n=0 yieldε a dye with formula X, R=Br,
X=NH, n=2, M=H.
For: C28H17BrN4O10S2 + 2H20
Found (%) : Br 10.31, 10.46; N 7.13, 7.42; S 8.50, 8.68
Calculated (%) : Br 10.66; N 7.48; S 8.55.
Similarly, sulfonation of a dye with formula X,
R=NHCH3, X=NH, n=0 yields a dye with formula X,
R=NHCH3, X=NH, n=2, M=H.
For: C29H22N5O10S2+2H2O Found (%) : N 10.13, 10.23; S 9.40, 9.58.
Calculated (%) : N 10.00; S 9.15.

Claims

CLAIMS We Claim:
1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a first substrate plate and a second substrate plate, each plate having an inner and an outer surface; and a polarizing coating comprising molecules of one or more organic dyes disposed overlying a selected surface of each plate, wherein said coating is formed from a lyotropic liquid crystal solution of said one or more dyes.
2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising a liquid crystal layer disposed between said inner surfaces of said first and second substrate plates.
3. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said first and second substrate plates comprise electrodes overlying said inner surface of each plate.
4. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said polarizing coating is an anisotropic absorbing layer of said molecules of one or more organic dyes.
5. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising a diffuse reflecting coating disposed overlying said second substrate plate and underlying said polarizing coating.
6. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 comprising a birfringent layer overlying said polarizing coating disposed on said second substrate plate.
7. The liquid crystal display of claim 6 comprising a birfringent layer overlying said polarizing coating disposed on said first substrate plate.
8. The liquid crystal display cell of claim 1 comprising a layer formed from colored patterns disposed underlying said polarizing coating of said first substrate plate and/or said second substrate plate.
9. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein each polarizing coating is a different color.
10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9 wherein each polarizing coating is oriented having a different polarization axis.
11. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein each polarizing coating is oriented having a different polarization axis.
12. The liquid crystal display of claim 11 wherein the polarization axes are perpendicular.
13. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 wherein said one or more organic dyes are selected from the group consisting of molecules where M is a cation and having Structure I where n=2, 3 or 4, Structure II where n=2, Structure III where n=2 or 3, Structure V where n= 2, 3 or 4, Structure VI where n=2, Structure VII where n=2 , Stucture VIII where n=2 or 3, Structure IX where n=2 and R=H, Cl, Alk or OAlk, Structure X where n=2, X=0,
NH or CH2 and R=H, Cl, Br, OAlk or NHR' and Structure IV where n=l, 2 or 3, R=H or CF3, X=H, Br or S03M and R'=H, (b) or (c) .
14. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display comprising the steps of: coating a selected surface of a substrate plate with a layer of lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprising one or more organic dyes; applying a force to said layer of lyotrpic liquid crystal wherein said force causes said dye molecules within said layer of lyotropic liquid crystal to have a preferred orientation; and solidifying said lyotropic liquid crystal solution wherein a polarizing layer is formed on said selected surface.
EP97918498A 1996-04-15 1997-04-15 Liquid crystal display and method Withdrawn EP0894282A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
RU96107430 1996-04-15
RU96107430A RU2120651C1 (en) 1996-04-15 1996-04-15 Lcd indicator
PCT/US1997/005423 WO1997039380A1 (en) 1996-04-15 1997-04-15 Liquid crystal display and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0894282A1 true EP0894282A1 (en) 1999-02-03
EP0894282A4 EP0894282A4 (en) 2000-07-12

Family

ID=20179389

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97918498A Withdrawn EP0894282A4 (en) 1996-04-15 1997-04-15 Liquid crystal display and method

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0894282A4 (en)
JP (2) JP3755831B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1111755C (en)
AU (1) AU2659197A (en)
RU (1) RU2120651C1 (en)
WO (1) WO1997039380A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (46)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2124746C1 (en) * 1997-08-11 1999-01-10 Закрытое акционерное общество "Кванта Инвест" Dichroic polarizer
WO1999031535A1 (en) 1997-12-16 1999-06-24 Gosudarstvenny Nauchny Tsentr Rossiiskoi Federatsii 'niopik' (Gnts Rf 'niopik') Polariser and liquid crystal display element
US6245399B1 (en) 1998-10-14 2001-06-12 3M Innovative Properties Company Guest-host polarizers
RU2179337C2 (en) 1999-03-01 2002-02-10 ОПТИВА, Инк. Smart card (electronic card) and its manufacturing process
JP2001091747A (en) * 1999-09-27 2001-04-06 Nitto Denko Corp Liquid crystal cell substrate
US6574044B1 (en) 1999-10-25 2003-06-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Polarizer constructions and display devices exhibiting unique color effects
US6538714B1 (en) 1999-10-25 2003-03-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Dual color guest-host polarizers and devices containing guest-host polarizers
US7015990B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-03-21 Nitto Denko Corporation Liquid crystal display including O-type and E-type polarizer
EP1605297B1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2007-11-07 Nitto Denko Corporation Liquid crystal display including O-type and E-type dichroic polarisers
JP2002148441A (en) * 2000-11-16 2002-05-22 Nitto Denko Corp Multilayer optical element and liquid crystal display
RU2225025C2 (en) 2000-12-06 2004-02-27 ОПТИВА, Инк. Liquid-crystal device for information display
CN1203328C (en) * 2000-12-14 2005-05-25 富士胶片株式会社 Substantially colorless and optically anisotropic material
JP4421120B2 (en) 2001-01-23 2010-02-24 日東電工株式会社 Method for producing wide viewing angle polarizing film for liquid crystal display
RU2207603C2 (en) * 2001-06-04 2003-06-27 Хан Ир Гвон Optical device for production and/or transformation of polarized electromagnetic radiation and optical device in the form of liquid crystalline display
US6989877B2 (en) 2001-06-06 2006-01-24 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid crystal display device and electronic apparatus
JP2004534283A (en) 2001-07-12 2004-11-11 テクディス・ソシエタ・ペル・アチオニ Method for manufacturing liquid crystal display having polarizing layer inside
US7053970B2 (en) 2001-07-26 2006-05-30 Nitto Denko Corporation Liquid crystal display and the method of its fabrication
RU2209456C2 (en) * 2001-07-26 2003-07-27 ОПТИВА, Инк. Liquid-crystalline display and method for its manufacture
JP3741011B2 (en) 2001-07-27 2006-02-01 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Liquid crystal display device and electronic device
RU2226708C2 (en) 2001-09-21 2004-04-10 ОПТИВА, Инк. Liquid-crystal display with reflection polarizer
WO2003025092A1 (en) * 2001-09-21 2003-03-27 Optiva, Inc. Liquid crystal display with reflecting polarizer
JP3765284B2 (en) 2002-04-09 2006-04-12 セイコーエプソン株式会社 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
JP3757956B2 (en) 2002-05-17 2006-03-22 セイコーエプソン株式会社 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
DE10223083A1 (en) * 2002-05-18 2003-12-04 Werner Sobek Ingenieure Gmbh & Transmissive electro-optical element and pane arrangement provided with it
JP4154940B2 (en) * 2002-07-22 2008-09-24 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display device
CN100442090C (en) * 2003-01-24 2008-12-10 日东电工株式会社 Color correcting polarizer
US20040201795A1 (en) * 2003-04-09 2004-10-14 Paukshto Michael V. Liquid crystal display with internal polarizer
JP4488793B2 (en) * 2003-05-26 2010-06-23 大日本印刷株式会社 Polarizing plate, liquid crystal display device using the same, and manufacturing method of polarizing plate
US7557876B2 (en) 2003-07-25 2009-07-07 Nitto Denko Corporation Anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film and backlight system and liquid crystal display incorporating the same
JP4404606B2 (en) * 2003-11-06 2010-01-27 日東電工株式会社 Polarizer, manufacturing method thereof, optical film, and image display device
JP2006023730A (en) * 2004-06-11 2006-01-26 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Liquid crystal display element
JP2007279477A (en) * 2006-04-10 2007-10-25 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Liquid crystal element, its manufacturing method and liquid crystal display panel
EP2053431A3 (en) 2006-09-07 2009-11-25 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Polarization control system and display device
JP2010072140A (en) 2008-09-17 2010-04-02 Hitachi Displays Ltd Liquid crystal display device
CN102342189B (en) 2009-03-26 2014-03-19 夏普株式会社 Chip component mounting structure, chip component mounting method and liquid crystal display device
JP5066543B2 (en) 2009-03-26 2012-11-07 株式会社ジャパンディスプレイイースト Liquid crystal display
JP2011002775A (en) 2009-06-22 2011-01-06 Hitachi Displays Ltd Liquid crystal display
JP5525213B2 (en) 2009-08-28 2014-06-18 富士フイルム株式会社 Polarizing film, laminate, and liquid crystal display device
JP5657243B2 (en) 2009-09-14 2015-01-21 ユー・ディー・シー アイルランド リミテッド Color filter and light emitting display element
CN102830534A (en) * 2012-08-23 2012-12-19 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 Color film substrate, array substrate, liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing color film substrate and array substrate
KR20170040207A (en) 2014-08-01 2017-04-12 미쓰비시 가가꾸 가부시키가이샤 Method for manufacturing optical element, optical element obtained using said method, and image display device provided with said optical element
CN105446042A (en) * 2015-12-30 2016-03-30 上海天马微电子有限公司 Array substrate, display panel and display device
CN109581724A (en) * 2018-12-18 2019-04-05 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 Liquid crystal display panel and its manufacturing method
CN110928006A (en) * 2019-11-07 2020-03-27 惠州市华星光电技术有限公司 Substrate, substrate manufacturing method and display panel
CN110922782A (en) * 2019-11-26 2020-03-27 深圳市三利谱光电科技股份有限公司 Dichroic dye and dye-based polarizing film
CN113362717A (en) * 2021-06-18 2021-09-07 武汉华星光电技术有限公司 Display panel and preparation method thereof

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63274921A (en) * 1987-05-06 1988-11-11 Jeco Co Ltd Liquid crystal stereoscopic display device
WO1994028073A1 (en) * 1993-05-21 1994-12-08 Russian Technology Group Thermostable and lightfast dichroic light polarizers
WO1996016015A1 (en) * 1994-11-18 1996-05-30 Russian Technology Group Dichroic light polarizers

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941901A (en) * 1974-02-15 1976-03-02 Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. Surface alignment method for liquid crystal cells and production of polarizers therefor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63274921A (en) * 1987-05-06 1988-11-11 Jeco Co Ltd Liquid crystal stereoscopic display device
WO1994028073A1 (en) * 1993-05-21 1994-12-08 Russian Technology Group Thermostable and lightfast dichroic light polarizers
WO1996016015A1 (en) * 1994-11-18 1996-05-30 Russian Technology Group Dichroic light polarizers

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 013, no. 093 (P-838), 6 March 1989 (1989-03-06) & JP 63 274921 A (JECO CO LTD), 11 November 1988 (1988-11-11) *
See also references of WO9739380A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0894282A4 (en) 2000-07-12
RU2120651C1 (en) 1998-10-20
WO1997039380A1 (en) 1997-10-23
JP3755831B2 (en) 2006-03-15
JP2001504238A (en) 2001-03-27
JP2006048078A (en) 2006-02-16
AU2659197A (en) 1997-11-07
CN1218557A (en) 1999-06-02
JP4152979B2 (en) 2008-09-17
CN1111755C (en) 2003-06-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6399166B1 (en) Liquid crystal display and method
EP0894282A1 (en) Liquid crystal display and method
JP4307991B2 (en) Optical device
US7453640B2 (en) Liquid crystal display including O-type and E-type polarizer
EP0777865B1 (en) Film containing oriented dye, method of manufacturing the same, and polarizer and liquid crystal display unit utilizing the same
JP3670963B2 (en) Liquid crystalline film
WO2004092808A2 (en) Liquid crystal display with internal polarizer
EP1295167B1 (en) Liquid crystal display including o-type & e-type polarisers
WO2005098488A1 (en) Optical film and image display
US6654081B2 (en) Optic element, illumination device and/or liquid-crystal display device
JP2007140127A (en) Polarizer, method for manufacturing the same, optical film and image display device
JP2001091736A (en) Polarizing film and polarizing plate
JP2007121996A (en) Optical compensation sheet, polarizing plate using the same, and liquid crystal display device
JP2000019323A (en) Color reflection type polarizing plate
RU2140663C1 (en) Monocrystalline indicating element
JP2007286331A (en) Optical compensation sheet, polarizing plate using the same and liquid crystal display
Bobrov et al. LCD applications of thin‐crystal‐film polarizers
RU2136025C1 (en) Dichroic light polarizer
KR100688001B1 (en) Optical element, illuminating device and liquid-crystal display device
Kozenkov et al. 47.3: Thin Photo‐Patterned Internal Polarizers for LCDs

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19981023

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: OPTIVA, INC.

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20000531

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: OPTIVA, INC.

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010906

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20020517