JP2006251700A - Inorganic alignment layer, inorganic alignment layer forming method, substrate for electronic device, liquid crystal panel and electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inorganic alignment layer which has excellent light fastness and an excellent aligning property (a function to control an alignment state of a liquid crystal material), to provide an inorganic alignment layer forming method with which this kind of alignment layer is efficiently manufactured, and to provide a substrate for an electronic device which is equipped with the inorganic alignment layer, a liquid crystal panel, and an electronic appliance. <P>SOLUTION: The inorganic alignment layer is formed of an inorganic material, wherein a dielectric constant of the inorganic material is 6 or more. The inorganic material is crystallized in a columnar shape. The inorganic alignment layer is formed of a plurality of columnar crystals consisting mainly of the inorganic material, wherein the columnar crystals are aligned in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle θ<SB>c</SB>relative to the surface direction of the inorganic alignment layer. The predetermined angle θ<SB>c</SB>is 30-60°. Average thickness of the inorganic alignment layer is 0.02-0.3 μm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an inorganic alignment film, a method for forming an inorganic alignment film, an electronic device substrate, a liquid crystal panel, and an electronic apparatus.

A projection display device that projects an image on a screen is known. In this projection display device, a liquid crystal panel is mainly used for image formation.
Such a liquid crystal panel usually has an alignment film set so as to develop a predetermined pretilt angle in order to align liquid crystal molecules in a certain direction. In order to manufacture these alignment films, a method of rubbing a thin film made of a polymer compound such as polyimide formed on a substrate with a cloth such as rayon in one direction is known (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

However, an alignment film made of an organic material such as polyimide may cause photodegradation depending on the use environment, use time, and the like. When such photodegradation occurs, constituent materials such as the alignment film and the liquid crystal layer are decomposed, and the decomposition products may adversely affect the performance of the liquid crystal.
In order to solve such a problem, there is an attempt to employ an alignment film (inorganic alignment film) made of an inorganic material (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Such an inorganic alignment film is generally formed using SiO ₂ as an inorganic material.
However, such an inorganic alignment film is superior in transparency, light resistance, and heat resistance to an alignment film composed of an organic material, but has a problem that the ability to align liquid crystal molecules is low.

JP-A-10-161133 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-80336

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inorganic alignment film having excellent light resistance and excellent alignment characteristics (function to regulate the alignment state of a liquid crystal material), and it is possible to efficiently manufacture such an alignment film. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an inorganic alignment film, and to provide a substrate for an electronic device, a liquid crystal panel, and an electronic apparatus including the inorganic alignment film.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
The inorganic alignment film of the present invention is an inorganic alignment film mainly composed of an inorganic material,
The inorganic material has a relative dielectric constant of 6 or more.
Thereby, an inorganic alignment film having excellent light resistance and excellent alignment characteristics (function of regulating the alignment state of the liquid crystal material) can be provided.

In the inorganic alignment film of the present invention, it is preferable that the inorganic material can be crystallized in a columnar shape.
Thereby, the alignment state (at the time of no voltage application) of the liquid crystal molecule which comprises a liquid-crystal layer can be controlled more easily.
In the inorganic alignment film of the present invention, it is composed of a plurality of columnar crystals mainly composed of the inorganic material,
The columnar crystal is preferred for the surface direction of the inorganic alignment film is obtained by orienting a state inclined by a predetermined angle theta _c.
By setting it as such a structure, the orientation state of a liquid crystal molecule can be controlled suitably.

In the inorganic alignment film of the present invention, the predetermined angle θ _c is preferably 30 to 60 °.
Thereby, a more appropriate pretilt angle can be expressed, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules can be more suitably regulated.
In the inorganic alignment film of the present invention, the average thickness of the inorganic alignment film is preferably 0.02 to 0.3 μm.
Thereby, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules can be more effectively regulated.

The method for forming an inorganic alignment film of the present invention is a method for forming an inorganic alignment film of the present invention on a substrate,
Sputtering particles are extracted by irradiating an ion beam to a target provided facing the substrate,
The sputtered particles are irradiated onto the substrate from a direction inclined by a predetermined angle θ _{s with} respect to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate on which the inorganic alignment film is formed.
Thereby, an inorganic alignment film having excellent light resistance and excellent alignment characteristics (function of regulating the alignment state of the liquid crystal material) can be formed.

In the method for forming an inorganic alignment film of the present invention, the predetermined angle θ _s is preferably 40 ° or more.
Thereby, it is possible to more suitably form an inorganic alignment film in which columnar crystals are arranged in an inclined state, and as a result, the obtained inorganic alignment film has a more excellent function of regulating the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules. Become.

An electrode on the substrate;
The electronic device substrate of the present invention includes the inorganic alignment film of the present invention.
Thereby, the board | substrate for electronic devices excellent in the alignment characteristic (function which regulates the orientation state of liquid crystal material) and excellent in light resistance can be provided.
The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes the inorganic alignment film of the present invention and a liquid crystal layer.
Thereby, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal panel having excellent alignment characteristics (function of regulating the alignment state of the liquid crystal material) and excellent light resistance.

The liquid crystal panel of the present invention comprises an electrode and the inorganic alignment film,
Preferably, a barrier layer is provided between the electrode and the inorganic alignment film to prevent or suppress the electrode from affecting the liquid crystal layer.
Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent free electrons or the like generated by the photocatalytic reaction from entering the liquid crystal layer, and to prevent a decrease in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.

In the liquid crystal panel of the present invention, the barrier layer is preferably mainly composed of silicon oxide.
Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent free electrons and the like generated by the photocatalytic reaction from entering the liquid crystal layer.
An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal panel according to the present invention.
Thereby, an electronic device with high reliability can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, prior to the description of the method for forming the inorganic alignment film, the liquid crystal panel of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of the liquid crystal panel of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an inorganic alignment film formed by the method of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 1A includes a liquid crystal layer 2, inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′, barrier layers 4A and 4A ′, transparent conductive films (electrodes) 5 and 6, and polarizing films 7A and 7A. 'And the substrates 9 and 10.

The liquid crystal layer 2 is mainly composed of a liquid crystal material.
As the liquid crystal material constituting the liquid crystal layer 2, any liquid crystal material may be used as long as it can be aligned, such as nematic liquid crystal and smectic liquid crystal. However, in the case of a TN type liquid crystal panel, a material that forms nematic liquid crystal is preferable. For example, phenylcyclohexane derivative liquid crystal, biphenyl derivative liquid crystal, biphenyl cyclohexane derivative liquid crystal, terphenyl derivative liquid crystal, phenyl ether derivative liquid crystal, phenyl ester derivative liquid crystal, bicyclohexane derivative liquid crystal, azomethine derivative liquid crystal, azoxy derivative liquid crystal, pyrimidine derivative liquid crystal, dioxane Examples include derivative liquid crystals and cubane derivative liquid crystals. Furthermore, liquid crystal molecules in which a fluorine-based substituent such as a monofluoro group, a difluoro group, a trifluoro group, a trifluoromethyl group, a trifluoromethoxy group, or a difluoromethoxy group is introduced into these nematic liquid crystal molecules are also included.

Inorganic alignment films 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> A ′ are disposed on both surfaces of the liquid crystal layer 2.
The inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′ have a function of regulating the alignment state (when no voltage is applied) of the liquid crystal material (liquid crystal molecules) constituting the liquid crystal layer 2.
The inorganic alignment film 3A is formed on a base material 100 composed of a barrier layer 4A, a transparent conductive film 5, and a substrate 9 as described later, and the inorganic alignment film 3A is a barrier layer 4A ′ as described later. And the transparent conductive film 6 and the substrate 10.

The inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′ are mainly composed of an inorganic material. In general, inorganic materials have excellent chemical stability compared to organic materials, and therefore have particularly excellent light resistance compared to conventional alignment films composed of organic materials. .
In particular, the present invention is characterized in that a material having a dielectric constant of 6 or more is used as the inorganic material constituting the inorganic alignment film.
By the way, an inorganic alignment film composed of an inorganic material (SiO ₂ ) has excellent light resistance as compared with an alignment film composed of an organic material, but has a low affinity with liquid crystal molecules, and the liquid crystal molecules It is difficult to regulate the alignment state of the liquid crystal, and there is a problem that the ability to align liquid crystal molecules is low.

Therefore, as a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have used a material having a dielectric constant of 6 or more as the inorganic material constituting the inorganic alignment film, so that the liquid crystal has a desired pretilt angle while having excellent light resistance. It has been found that molecules can be easily aligned and have excellent alignment characteristics (function to regulate the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules). This is presumably because the affinity of the inorganic alignment film with the liquid crystal molecules is improved, so that the liquid crystal molecules can be attracted to the inorganic alignment film and the liquid crystal molecules can be arranged in a more stable state.
As described above, the present invention is characterized in that a material having a dielectric constant of 6 or more is used as the inorganic material constituting the inorganic alignment film, but a material having a dielectric constant of 8 to 12 is preferably used. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect becomes more remarkable.
Moreover, it is preferable that the inorganic material which comprises inorganic alignment film 3A, 3A 'can be crystallized in a column shape. Thereby, the alignment state (when no voltage is applied) of the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 2 can be more easily regulated.

Examples of the inorganic material described above include LiNbO ₃ , PbTiO ₃ , Pb (Zr, Ti) O ₃ , PbNbO ₆ , ZnO, Al ₂ O _3, etc., and one or more of these can be used. They can be used in combination.
Such inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A 'are formed by, for example, a method as described later (method for forming the inorganic alignment film of the present invention). As shown in FIG. against 100 has a configuration which is arranged in a predetermined state of being inclined at a predetermined angle theta _c in the direction of the (constant). With such a configuration, the direction of polarization can be aligned in a desired direction, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules can be suitably regulated.

The inclination θ _c of the columnar crystal with respect to the substrate 100 is preferably 30 to 60 °, and more preferably 40 to 50 °. Thereby, a more appropriate pretilt angle can be expressed, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules can be more suitably regulated.
Moreover, it is preferable that the width | variety of such a columnar crystal is 10-40 nm, and it is more preferable that it is 10-20 nm. Thereby, a more appropriate pretilt angle can be expressed, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules can be more suitably regulated.

In addition, the width W of such columnar crystals is preferably 10 to 40 nm, and more preferably 10 to 20 nm. Thereby, a more appropriate pretilt angle can be expressed, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules can be more suitably regulated.
The inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′ have an average thickness of preferably 0.02 to 0.3 μm, and more preferably 0.02 to 0.08 μm. If the average thickness is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to make the pretilt angle at each portion sufficiently uniform. On the other hand, when the average thickness exceeds the upper limit value, the drive voltage increases and the power consumption may increase.

A barrier layer 4A is disposed on the upper surface side of the inorganic alignment film 3A (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 2). Similarly, a barrier layer 4A ′ is disposed on the lower surface side (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 2) of the alignment film 3A ′.
The barrier layers 4A and 4A ′ have a function of preventing transparent conductive films (electrodes) 5 and 6 described later from affecting liquid crystal molecules.

  By the way, among materials constituting a transparent conductive film (electrode) as described later, there is a material that undergoes a photocatalytic reaction when irradiated with ultraviolet rays or the like. When such a photocatalytic reaction occurs, free electrons are generated in the transparent conductive film. The free electrons generated in this way are combined with oxygen to generate active oxygen having a high reducing power. Such active oxygen may alter the liquid crystal material, which is an organic material, and reduce the orientation of liquid crystal molecules.

However, by providing a barrier layer as in this embodiment, free electrons and the like can be effectively prevented from entering the liquid crystal layer 2 and a decrease in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules can be prevented.
Examples of the material constituting such barrier layers 4A and 4A ′ include silicon oxide and silicon nitride, and one or more of these can be used in combination.

The average thickness of the barrier layers 4A and 4A ′ is preferably 0.01 to 0.5 μm, and more preferably 0.05 to 0.2 μm.
The barrier layers 4A and 4A ′ as described above are preferably formed by a vapor deposition method such as an evaporation method, a sputtering method, a CVD method, or an ion plating method. Thereby, the barrier layers 4A and 4A ′ can be made denser, and the barrier property is improved.

A transparent conductive film (transparent electrode) 5 is disposed on the outer surface side of the barrier layer 4A (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 2). Similarly, a transparent conductive film (transparent electrode) 6 is disposed on the outer surface side of the barrier layer 4A ′ (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 2).
The transparent conductive films 5 and 6 have a function of driving (changing the orientation of) the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 2 by energizing them.

Control of energization between the transparent conductive films 5 and 6 is performed by controlling a current supplied from a control circuit (not shown) connected to the transparent conductive film.
The transparent conductive films 5 and 6 have conductivity, and are made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium oxide (IO), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), or the like.
On the outer surface side of the transparent conductive film 5 (surface side opposite to the surface facing the inorganic alignment film 3A), a substrate 9 is disposed. Similarly, the substrate 10 is disposed on the outer surface side of the transparent conductive film 6 (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the inorganic alignment film 3A ′).

  The substrates 9 and 10 have a function of supporting the liquid crystal layer 2, the inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ', the transparent conductive films 5 and 6, and the polarizing films 7A and 8A described later. The constituent materials of the substrates 9 and 10 are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include glass such as quartz glass and plastic materials such as polyethylene terephthalate. Among these, it is particularly preferable that the glass is made of glass such as quartz glass. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal panel which is less likely to be warped or bent and which is more stable. In FIG. 1, the description of the sealing material, the wiring, etc. is omitted.

A polarizing film (polarizing plate, polarizing film) 7A is arranged on the outer surface side of the substrate 9 (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the transparent conductive film 5). Similarly, a polarizing film (polarizing plate, polarizing film) 8A is disposed on the outer surface side of the substrate 10 (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the transparent conductive film 6).
Examples of the constituent material of the polarizing films 7A and 8A include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Moreover, as a polarizing film, you may use what doped the said material with iodine.

As a polarizing film, what extended | stretched the film comprised with the said material to the uniaxial direction can be used, for example.
By disposing the polarizing films 7A and 8A as described above, it is possible to more reliably control the light transmittance by adjusting the energization amount.
The direction of the polarization axis of the polarizing films 7A and 8A is usually determined according to the alignment direction of the inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′.
In the present embodiment, the inorganic alignment film has a structure as shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited to this, and any shape can be used as long as the liquid crystal molecules are stably aligned. It may be.

Next, an alignment film forming apparatus and an inorganic alignment film forming method used for forming the inorganic alignment film of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alignment film forming apparatus used in the method for forming an inorganic alignment film of the present invention.
First, an alignment film forming apparatus will be described.
An ion beam sputtering apparatus S100 shown in FIG. 3 includes an ion source S1 that irradiates an ion beam, a target S2 that generates (irradiates) sputtered particles by irradiation with the ion beam, a vacuum chamber S3, and a pressure in the vacuum chamber S3. And an exhaust pump S4 for controlling.

The ion source S1 has a filament S11 and an extraction electrode S12 therein. In addition, a gas supply source S13 that supplies gas into the ion source S1 is connected to the ion source S1.
Further, the ion beam sputtering apparatus S100 has a base material holder S5 for fixing the base material on which the inorganic alignment film is formed in the vacuum chamber S3, and the base material holder S5 moves relative to the target S2. Or it can rotate.
When an ion beam sputtering apparatus as shown in the figure is used, an inorganic alignment film is formed as follows. Hereinafter, the case where the inorganic alignment film 3A is formed will be typically described.

1. The base material 100 is installed in the base material holder S5 in the vacuum chamber S3.
2. The inside of the vacuum chamber S3 is depressurized by the exhaust pump S4.
3. Gas is supplied from the gas supply source S13 into the ion source S1.
4). A current (ion beam current) is supplied to the filament S11 from a power source (not shown) to generate thermoelectrons.

5. The generated thermoelectrons collide with the introduced gas, the gas is ionized, and plasma is generated.
6). An ion acceleration voltage is applied to the extraction electrode S12 to accelerate the ions, and the target S2 is irradiated as an ion beam.
7). The target S2 irradiated with the ion beam irradiates the substrate 100 with sputtered particles, and the incident and deposition of the sputtered particles on the substrate 100 proceeds, and the inorganic alignment film 3A is formed on the substrate 100. A substrate (a substrate for an electronic device of the present invention) is obtained.

The base material holder S5 has a predetermined angle (irradiation angle) θ _{s of} sputtered particles generated from the target S2 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the base material 100 on which the inorganic alignment film 3A is formed. It may be moved or rotated in advance so as to be irradiated at an inclination, or may be moved or rotated so that the irradiation angle becomes θ _s while irradiating the sputtered particles.
As shown in FIG. 2, the inorganic alignment film formed in this way is an array in which columnar crystals are inclined in a certain direction.

By the way, it is possible to form the inorganic alignment film by using a conventional method (for example, vapor deposition method). However, when the conventional method is used, an inorganic alignment film as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained. It was difficult, and it was difficult for the resulting inorganic alignment film to exhibit an appropriate pretilt angle.
However, by using the method as described above, an inorganic alignment film as shown in FIG. 2 can be easily formed. In addition, the polarization direction of the inorganic material can be easily aligned in a desired direction.

The irradiation angle θ _s of the sputtered particles is preferably 40 ° or more, more preferably 50 to 87 °, and further preferably 70 to 87 °. Thereby, it is possible to more suitably form an inorganic alignment film in which columnar crystals are arranged in an inclined state, and as a result, the obtained inorganic alignment film has a more excellent function of regulating the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules. Become. On the other hand, if the irradiation angle θ _s is too small, a sufficient pretilt angle cannot be obtained, and the function of regulating the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules may not be sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, if the irradiation angle θ _s is too large, there may be a problem that the production efficiency decreases.

The pressure in the vacuum chamber S3, that is, the pressure of the atmosphere when forming the inorganic alignment film 3A is preferably 10 ⁻² Pa or less. Thereby, the inorganic alignment film 3A in which columnar crystals are arranged can be obtained more suitably. If the pressure in the vacuum chamber S3 is too high, the straightness of the irradiated sputtered particles may be deteriorated, and as a result, the columnar crystals may not be sufficiently formed. In addition, the crystal orientation may not be sufficiently aligned.

The gas supplied from the gas supply source S13 into the ion source S1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a rare gas, but among them, argon gas is particularly preferable. Thereby, the formation speed (sputter rate) of the inorganic alignment film 3A can be improved.
The voltage applied to the filament S11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 to 80V, and more preferably 60 to 70V. Thereby, it is possible to more suitably form an inorganic alignment film in which columnar crystals are arranged in an inclined state. On the other hand, when the voltage applied to the filament S11 is less than the lower limit value, the sputtering rate is lowered, and sufficient productivity may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the voltage applied to the filament S11 exceeds the upper limit, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules tends to vary.

  The ion acceleration voltage applied to the extraction electrode S12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 800 to 3000V, and more preferably 1500 to 2300V. Thereby, it is possible to more suitably form an inorganic alignment film in which columnar crystals are arranged in an inclined state. On the other hand, when the ion acceleration voltage is less than the lower limit value, the sputtering rate is lowered, and sufficient productivity may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the ion acceleration voltage exceeds the upper limit, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules tends to vary.

  The ion beam current of the irradiated ion beam is preferably 50 to 500 mA. Thereby, it is possible to more suitably form an inorganic alignment film in which columnar crystals are arranged in an inclined state. On the other hand, when the ion beam current is less than the lower limit value, the sputtering rate is lowered and sufficient productivity may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the ion beam current exceeds the upper limit, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules tends to vary.

The temperature of the base material 100 when forming the inorganic alignment film 3A is preferably relatively low. Specifically, the temperature of the substrate 100 is preferably 150 ° C. or less, more preferably 80 ° C. or less, and further preferably 20 to 50 ° C. Thereby, the phenomenon in which the sputtered particles attached to the substrate 100 move from the position where they are first attached, that is, migration, can be suppressed, and the inorganic alignment film 3A in which columnar crystals are arranged can be obtained more suitably. In addition, you may cool as needed so that the temperature of the base material 100 at the time of forming inorganic alignment film 3A may become the thing of the said range.
Although the case where the inorganic alignment film 3A is formed has been described above, the inorganic alignment film 3A ′ can be formed in the same manner.

Next, a second embodiment of the liquid crystal panel of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the liquid crystal panel of the present invention. Hereinafter, the liquid crystal panel 1B shown in FIG. 5 will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 4, a liquid crystal panel (TFT liquid crystal panel) 1B includes a TFT substrate (liquid crystal drive substrate) 17, a barrier layer 4B bonded to the TFT substrate 17, and an inorganic alignment film 3B bonded to the barrier layer 4B. A liquid crystal panel counter substrate 12, a barrier layer 4B ′ bonded to the liquid crystal panel counter substrate 12, an inorganic alignment film 3B ′ bonded to the barrier layer 4B ′, an inorganic alignment film 3B, and an inorganic alignment film 3B. And a polarizing film 7B bonded to the outer surface of the TFT substrate (liquid crystal driving substrate) 17 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the barrier layer 4B). And a polarizing film 8B bonded to the outer surface side of the counter substrate 12 for the liquid crystal panel (the surface side opposite to the surface facing the barrier layer 4B ′). The inorganic alignment films 3B and 3B ′ are the same as the inorganic alignment films 3A and 3A ′ described in the first embodiment, and the barrier layers 4B and 4B ′ are the barrier layers 4A described in the first embodiment. The polarizing films 7B and 8B are the same as the polarizing films 7A and 8A described in the first embodiment.

The counter substrate 12 for the liquid crystal panel is provided on the microlens substrate 11, the surface layer 114 of the microlens substrate 11, the black matrix 13 in which the opening 131 is formed, and the black matrix 13 on the surface layer 114 so as to cover the black matrix 13. A transparent conductive film (common electrode) 14.
The microlens substrate 11 includes a microlens concave substrate (first substrate) 111 provided with a plurality of (many) concave portions (microlens concave portions) 112 having a concave curved surface, and the microlens concave substrate 111. And a surface layer (second substrate) 114 joined via a resin layer (adhesive layer) 115 on the surface provided with the recess 112, and the resin layer 115 fills the recess 112. The microlens 113 is formed by the resin thus formed.

The substrate with concave portions for microlenses 111 is manufactured from a flat base material (transparent substrate), and a plurality of (many) concave portions 112 are formed on the surface thereof. The recess 112 can be formed by, for example, a dry etching method, a wet etching method, or the like using a mask.
The substrate with concave portions 111 for microlenses is made of glass, for example.

The thermal expansion coefficient of the base material is preferably approximately the same as the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass substrate 171 (for example, the ratio of the thermal expansion coefficients of the two is about 1/10 to 10). As a result, in the obtained liquid crystal panel, warpage, deflection, peeling, and the like caused by differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of the two when the temperature changes are prevented.
From this point of view, it is preferable that the substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses and the glass substrate 171 are made of the same type of material. This effectively prevents warpage, deflection, peeling, and the like due to differences in the thermal expansion coefficient when the temperature changes.

  In particular, when the microlens substrate 11 is used in a high-temperature polysilicon TFT liquid crystal panel, the substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses is preferably made of quartz glass. The TFT liquid crystal panel has a TFT substrate as a liquid crystal driving substrate. For such a TFT substrate, quartz glass whose characteristics are unlikely to change depending on the manufacturing environment is preferably used. For this reason, the micro liquid crystal substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses is made of quartz glass, so that a TFT liquid crystal panel with excellent stability that is less likely to be warped or bent can be obtained.

A resin layer (adhesive layer) 115 that covers the recess 112 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate with recesses 111 for microlenses.
The concave portion 112 is filled with the constituent material of the resin layer 115 to form the microlens 113.
The resin layer 115 can be made of, for example, a resin (adhesive) having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the constituent material of the substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses. For example, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, acrylic epoxy It can be suitably configured with an ultraviolet curable resin or the like.

A flat surface layer 114 is provided on the upper surface of the resin layer 115.
The surface layer (glass layer) 114 can be made of glass, for example. In this case, it is preferable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the surface layer 114 is substantially equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses (for example, the ratio of the thermal expansion coefficients of the two is about 1/10 to 10). As a result, warpage, deflection, peeling, etc. caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate 111 with concave portions for microlenses and the surface layer 114 are prevented. Such an effect can be more effectively obtained when the substrate with concave portions for microlenses 111 and the surface layer 114 are made of the same material.

When the microlens substrate 11 is used in a liquid crystal panel, the thickness of the surface layer 114 is usually about 5 to 1000 μm, more preferably about 10 to 150 μm, from the viewpoint of obtaining necessary optical characteristics.
In addition, the surface layer (barrier layer) 114 can also be comprised, for example with ceramics. Examples of ceramics include nitride ceramics such as AlN, SiN, TiN, and BN, oxide ceramics such as Al ₂ O ₃ and TiO ₂ , and carbide ceramics such as WC, TiC, ZrC, and TaC. Can be mentioned. When the surface layer 114 is made of ceramics, the thickness of the surface layer 114 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 20 nm to 20 μm, and more preferably about 40 nm to 1 μm.
Such a surface layer 114 can be omitted if necessary.

The black matrix 13 has a light blocking function and is made of, for example, a metal such as Cr, Al, Al alloy, Ni, Zn, Ti, or a resin in which carbon, titanium, or the like is dispersed.
The transparent conductive film 14 has conductivity and is made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium oxide (IO), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), or the like.
The TFT substrate 17 is a substrate that drives the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 2, and is a glass substrate 171 and a plurality (large number) of pixel electrodes 172 provided on the glass substrate 171 and arranged in a matrix (matrix). And a plurality of (many) thin film transistors (TFTs) 173 corresponding to the respective pixel electrodes 172. In FIG. 4, the description of the sealing material, wiring, etc. is omitted.

The glass substrate 171 is preferably made of quartz glass for the reasons described above.
The pixel electrode 172 drives the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 2 by charging and discharging with the transparent conductive film (common electrode) 14. The pixel electrode 172 is made of, for example, the same material as that of the transparent conductive film 14 described above.

The thin film transistor 173 is connected to the corresponding pixel electrode 172 in the vicinity. The thin film transistor 173 is connected to a control circuit (not shown) and controls a current supplied to the pixel electrode 172. Thereby, charging / discharging of the pixel electrode 172 is controlled.
The barrier layer 4B is bonded to the pixel electrode 172 of the TFT substrate 17, and the barrier layer 4B ′ is bonded to the transparent conductive film 14 of the counter substrate 12 for the liquid crystal panel. The inorganic alignment film 3B is bonded to the barrier layer 4B, and the inorganic alignment film 3B ′ is bonded to the barrier layer 4B ′.

The liquid crystal layer 2 is made of a liquid crystal material (liquid crystal molecules), and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, that is, the liquid crystal changes corresponding to the charge / discharge of the pixel electrode 172.
In such a liquid crystal panel 1B, normally, one micro lens 113, one opening 131 of the black matrix 13 corresponding to the optical axis Q of the micro lens 113, one pixel electrode 172, and such a pixel. One thin film transistor 173 connected to the electrode 172 corresponds to one pixel.

  Incident light L incident from the liquid crystal panel counter substrate 12 side passes through the microlens concave substrate 111 and is condensed when passing through the microlens 113, while opening the resin layer 115, the surface layer 114, and the black matrix 13. 131, the transparent conductive film 14, the liquid crystal layer 2, the pixel electrode 172, and the glass substrate 171 are transmitted. At this time, since the polarizing film 8B is provided on the incident side of the microlens substrate 11, when the incident light L passes through the liquid crystal layer 2, the incident light L is linearly polarized light. At this time, the polarization direction of the incident light L is controlled in accordance with the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 2. Therefore, the luminance of the emitted light can be controlled by transmitting the incident light L transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 1B to the polarizing film 7B.

  As described above, the liquid crystal panel 1 </ b> B has the microlens 113, and the incident light L that has passed through the microlens 113 is collected and passes through the openings 131 of the black matrix 13. On the other hand, the incident light L is shielded in a portion where the opening 131 of the black matrix 13 is not formed. Accordingly, in the liquid crystal panel 1B, unnecessary light is prevented from leaking from portions other than the pixels, and attenuation of the incident light L at the pixel portions is suppressed. For this reason, the liquid crystal panel 1B has a high light transmittance in the pixel portion.

  In the liquid crystal panel 1B, for example, barrier layers 4B and 4B ′ are bonded to a TFT substrate 17 and a liquid crystal panel counter substrate 12 manufactured by a known method, respectively, and an inorganic alignment film is formed on these surfaces. 3B and 3B ′ are joined together, and then both are joined via a sealing material (not shown), and then liquid crystal is injected into the cavity from the enclosed hole (not shown) formed by the cavity. Then, it can be manufactured by closing the sealing hole.

In the liquid crystal panel 1B, the TFT substrate is used as the liquid crystal drive substrate. However, a liquid crystal drive substrate other than the TFT substrate, for example, a TFD substrate or an STN substrate may be used as the liquid crystal drive substrate.
Moreover, a liquid crystal panel provided with the inorganic alignment film as described above can be suitably used for those having a strong light source and those used outdoors.

Next, an electronic apparatus (liquid crystal display device) of the present invention including the liquid crystal panel 1A as described above will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mobile (or notebook) personal computer to which the electronic apparatus of the present invention is applied.
In this figure, a personal computer 1100 includes a main body 1104 having a keyboard 1102 and a display unit 1106. The display unit 1106 is supported by the main body 1104 via a hinge structure so as to be rotatable. Yes.
In the personal computer 1100, the display unit 1106 includes the liquid crystal panel 1A described above and a backlight (not shown). An image (information) can be displayed by transmitting light from the backlight to the liquid crystal panel 1A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mobile phone (including PHS) to which the electronic apparatus of the present invention is applied.
In this figure, a cellular phone 1200 includes the above-described liquid crystal panel 1A and a backlight (not shown) as well as a plurality of operation buttons 1202, an earpiece 1204 and a mouthpiece 1206.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a digital still camera to which the electronic apparatus of the present invention is applied. In this figure, connection with an external device is also simply shown.
Here, an ordinary camera sensitizes a silver halide photographic film with a light image of a subject, whereas a digital still camera 1300 photoelectrically converts a light image of a subject with an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). An imaging signal (image signal) is generated.

The above-described liquid crystal panel 1A and a backlight (not shown) are provided on the back of the case (body) 1302 in the digital still camera 1300. The liquid crystal panel 1A is configured to perform display based on an imaging signal from the CCD. Functions as a finder that displays the subject as an electronic image.
A circuit board 1308 is installed inside the case. The circuit board 1308 is provided with a memory that can store (store) an imaging signal.

A light receiving unit 1304 including an optical lens (imaging optical system), a CCD, and the like is provided on the front side of the case 1302 (on the back side in the illustrated configuration).
When the photographer confirms the subject image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 1A and presses the shutter button 1306, the CCD image pickup signal at that time is transferred and stored in the memory of the circuit board 1308.

  In the digital still camera 1300, a video signal output terminal 1312 and an input / output terminal 1314 for data communication are provided on the side surface of the case 1302. As shown in the figure, a television monitor 1430 is connected to the video signal output terminal 1312 and a personal computer 1440 is connected to the input / output terminal 1314 for data communication as necessary. Further, the imaging signal stored in the memory of the circuit board 1308 is output to the television monitor 1430 or the personal computer 1440 by a predetermined operation.

Next, as an example of the electronic apparatus of the present invention, an electronic apparatus (liquid crystal projector) using the liquid crystal panel 1B will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an optical system of the electronic apparatus (projection display device) of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the projection display apparatus 300 includes a light source 301, an illumination optical system including a plurality of integrator lenses, a color separation optical system (light guide optical system) including a plurality of dichroic mirrors, and the like. A liquid crystal light valve (liquid crystal optical shutter array) 24 corresponding to red (liquid crystal optical shutter array) 24 corresponding to red, a liquid crystal light valve (liquid crystal optical shutter array) 25 corresponding to green (liquid crystal optical shutter array) 25, and a liquid crystal light valve corresponding to blue (for blue) ) A liquid crystal light valve (liquid crystal light shutter array) 26, a dichroic prism (color combining optical system) 21 formed with a dichroic mirror surface 211 reflecting only red light and a dichroic mirror surface 212 reflecting only blue light, and projection And a lens (projection optical system) 22.

  The illumination optical system includes integrator lenses 302 and 303. The color separation optical system includes mirrors 304, 306, and 309, a dichroic mirror 305 that reflects blue light and green light (transmits only red light), a dichroic mirror 307 that reflects only green light, and a dichroic that reflects only blue light. A mirror (or a mirror that reflects blue light) 308 and condenser lenses 310, 311, 312, 313, and 314 are included.

The liquid crystal light valve 25 includes the liquid crystal panel 1B described above. The liquid crystal light valves 24 and 26 have the same configuration as the liquid crystal light valve 25. The liquid crystal panels 1B included in these liquid crystal light valves 24, 25 and 26 are connected to driving circuits (not shown).
In the projection display device 300, the dichroic prism 21 and the projection lens 22 constitute the optical block 20. The optical block 20 and liquid crystal light valves 24, 25 and 26 fixedly installed on the dichroic prism 21 constitute a display unit 23.

Hereinafter, the operation of the projection display apparatus 300 will be described.
White light (white light beam) emitted from the light source 301 passes through the integrator lenses 302 and 303. The light intensity (luminance distribution) of the white light is made uniform by the integrator lenses 302 and 303. The white light emitted from the light source 301 preferably has a relatively high light intensity. Thereby, the image formed on the screen 320 can be made clearer. In addition, since the projection display device 300 uses the liquid crystal panel 1B having excellent light resistance, excellent long-term stability can be obtained even when the intensity of light emitted from the light source 301 is large.

White light transmitted through the integrator lenses 302 and 303 is reflected to the left side in FIG. 8 by the mirror 304, and blue light (B) and green light (G) of the reflected light are respectively reflected by the dichroic mirror 305 in FIG. The red light (R) is reflected downward and passes through the dichroic mirror 305.
The red light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 305 is reflected downward in FIG. 8 by the mirror 306, and the reflected light is shaped by the condenser lens 310 and enters the liquid crystal light valve 24 for red.

Green light of blue light and green light reflected by the dichroic mirror 305 is reflected to the left in FIG. 8 by the dichroic mirror 307, and the blue light passes through the dichroic mirror 307.
The green light reflected by the dichroic mirror 307 is shaped by the condenser lens 311 and enters the green liquid crystal light valve 25.

Further, the blue light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 307 is reflected on the left side in FIG. 8 by the dichroic mirror (or mirror) 308, and the reflected light is reflected on the upper side in FIG. 8 by the mirror 309. The blue light is shaped by the condenser lenses 312, 313, and 314, and enters the liquid crystal light valve 26 for blue.
As described above, the white light emitted from the light source 301 is separated into the three primary colors of red, green, and blue by the color separation optical system, and is guided to the corresponding liquid crystal light valve and enters.
At this time, each pixel (the thin film transistor 173 and the pixel electrode 172 connected thereto) of the liquid crystal panel 1B included in the liquid crystal light valve 24 is subjected to switching control by a drive circuit (drive means) that operates based on the image signal for red. (On / off), ie modulated.

Similarly, green light and blue light are incident on the liquid crystal light valves 25 and 26, respectively, and modulated by the respective liquid crystal panels 1B, thereby forming a green image and a blue image. At this time, each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 1B included in the liquid crystal light valve 25 is switching-controlled by a drive circuit that operates based on a green image signal, and each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 1B included in the liquid crystal light valve 26 is used for blue color. Switching control is performed by a drive circuit that operates based on the image signal.
As a result, red light, green light, and blue light are modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 24, 25, and 26, respectively, and a red image, a green image, and a blue image are formed, respectively.

The red image formed by the liquid crystal light valve 24, that is, the red light from the liquid crystal light valve 24, enters the dichroic prism 21 from the surface 213, is reflected by the dichroic mirror surface 211 to the left in FIG. The light passes through the surface 212 and exits from the exit surface 216.
Further, the green image formed by the liquid crystal light valve 25, that is, the green light from the liquid crystal light valve 25, enters the dichroic prism 21 from the surface 214, passes through the dichroic mirror surfaces 211 and 212, and exits. The light exits from the surface 216.

Further, the blue image formed by the liquid crystal light valve 26, that is, the blue light from the liquid crystal light valve 26 is incident on the dichroic prism 21 from the surface 215, and is reflected by the dichroic mirror surface 212 to the left in FIG. The light passes through the dichroic mirror surface 211 and exits from the exit surface 216.
Thus, the light of each color from the liquid crystal light valves 24, 25 and 26, that is, the images formed by the liquid crystal light valves 24, 25 and 26 are synthesized by the dichroic prism 21, thereby forming a color image. Is done. This image is projected (enlarged projection) on the screen 320 installed at a predetermined position by the projection lens 22.

  In addition to the personal computer (mobile personal computer) of FIG. 5, the mobile phone of FIG. 6, the digital still camera of FIG. 7, and the projection display device of FIG. , Video camera, viewfinder type, monitor direct view type video tape recorder, car navigation device, pager, electronic notebook (including communication function), electronic dictionary, calculator, electronic game device, word processor, workstation, video phone, crime prevention TV monitors, electronic binoculars, POS terminals, devices with touch panels (for example, cash dispensers and automatic ticket vending machines for financial institutions), medical devices (for example, electronic thermometers, sphygmomanometers, blood glucose meters, electrocardiographs, ultrasound diagnostic devices) , Endoscope display devices), fish detectors, various measuring instruments, instruments (for example, Two, aircraft, gauges of a ship), such as flight simulators, and the like. And it cannot be overemphasized that the liquid crystal panel of this invention mentioned above is applicable as a display part of these various electronic devices, and a monitor part.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment of illustration, this invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the method for forming an inorganic alignment film of the present invention, one or two or more optional steps may be added. Further, for example, in the electronic device substrate, the liquid crystal panel, and the electronic apparatus of the present invention, the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration that exhibits the same function, and any configuration is added. You can also.

In the above-described embodiment, the barrier layer is provided between the inorganic alignment film and the transparent conductive film. However, the barrier layer may not be provided.
Further, the inorganic alignment film of the present invention is not limited to the one formed by the method described above, and may be formed by, for example, oblique vapor deposition using a vapor deposition apparatus.
In the above-described embodiment, the projection display device (electronic device) has three liquid crystal panels, and the liquid crystal panel of the present invention is applied to all of them, but at least these One of them may be the liquid crystal panel of the present invention. In this case, it is preferable to apply the present invention to at least a liquid crystal panel used for a liquid crystal light valve for blue.

[Manufacture of LCD panels]
A liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. 4 was manufactured as follows.
Example 1
First, a microlens substrate was manufactured as follows.
Prepare a raw quartz glass substrate (transparent substrate) with a thickness of about 1.2 mm as a base material, and wash it by immersing it in a cleaning solution (mixed solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide solution) at 85 ° C. The surface was cleaned.

Thereafter, a polycrystalline silicon film having a thickness of 0.4 μm was formed on the front and back surfaces of the quartz glass substrate by a CVD method.
Next, an opening corresponding to the recess to be formed was formed in the formed polycrystalline silicon film.
This was done as follows. First, a resist layer having a concave pattern to be formed was formed on the polycrystalline silicon film. Next, the polycrystalline silicon film was dry-etched with CF gas to form openings. Next, the resist layer was removed.

Next, the quartz glass substrate was immersed in an etching solution (mixed aqueous solution of 10 wt% hydrofluoric acid + 10 wt% glycerin) for 120 minutes for wet etching (etching temperature 30 ° C.) to form a recess on the quartz glass substrate.
Thereafter, the quartz glass substrate was immersed in a 15 wt% tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution for 5 minutes to remove the polycrystalline silicon film formed on the front and back surfaces, thereby obtaining a substrate with concave portions for microlenses.

Next, an ultraviolet (UV) curable acrylic optical adhesive (refractive index of 1.60) is applied without bubbles on the surface of the substrate with concave portions for microlenses, and then the optical adhesive is used. A cover glass (surface layer) made of quartz glass was bonded to the optical adhesive, and then the optical adhesive was cured by irradiating the optical adhesive with ultraviolet rays to obtain a laminate.
Thereafter, the cover glass was ground and polished to a thickness of 50 μm to obtain a microlens substrate.
In the obtained microlens substrate, the thickness of the resin layer was 12 μm.

With respect to the microlens substrate obtained as described above, a light shielding film (Cr film) having a thickness of 0.16 μm in which an opening is provided at a position corresponding to the microlens of the cover glass by using a sputtering method and a photolithography method. That is, a black matrix was formed. Further, an ITO film (transparent conductive film) having a thickness of 0.15 μm is formed on the black matrix by a sputtering method, and then a SiO ₂ film (barrier layer) having a thickness of 0.05 μm is formed on the ITO film. A counter substrate was manufactured.
An inorganic alignment film was formed on the SiO ₂ film of the counter substrate for a liquid crystal panel thus obtained using an apparatus as shown in FIG. 3 as follows.

First, a counter substrate for a liquid crystal panel was placed on the substrate holder S5 in the vacuum chamber S3, and the inside of the vacuum chamber S3 was depressurized to 5.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ Pa by the exhaust pump S4.
Next, argon gas is supplied from the gas supply source S13 into the ion source S1, a voltage of 70 V is applied to the filament S11, plasma is generated, and an ion acceleration voltage of 1400 V is applied to the extraction electrode S12. Ions were accelerated and irradiated to the target S2 as an ion beam. As the target S2, Al ₂ O ₃ having a relative dielectric constant of 9 to 12 was used. The ion beam current of the irradiated ion beam was 250 mA.

The target S2 irradiated with the ion beam was irradiated with sputtered particles toward the counter substrate for the liquid crystal panel, and an inorganic alignment film composed of Al ₂ O ₃ having an average thickness of 0.03 μm was formed on the SiO ₂ film. . Note that the irradiation angle θ _s of the sputtered particles was 75 °.
The inclination angle theta _c with respect to the liquid crystal panel for a counter substrate of columnar crystals constituting the formed inorganic alignment film, in 45 °, the width of the columnar crystal was 25 nm.

Further, the direction of polarization of the inorganic material constituting the formed inorganic alignment layer, the tilt angle theta _b with respect to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the inorganic alignment film was 45 °.
In addition, an inorganic alignment film was formed on the surface of a separately prepared TFT substrate (made of quartz glass) in the same manner as described above.
The counter substrate for a liquid crystal panel on which the inorganic alignment film was formed and the TFT substrate on which the inorganic alignment film was formed were bonded via a sealing material. This bonding was performed such that the alignment direction of the inorganic alignment film was shifted by 90 ° so that the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer were twisted to the left.

Next, liquid crystal (Merck Corp .: MJ99247) was injected into the gap from the gap hole formed between the inorganic alignment film and the inorganic alignment film, and then the hole was closed. The formed liquid crystal layer had a thickness of about 3 μm.
Thereafter, a polarizing film 8B and a polarizing film 7B are bonded to the outer surface side of the counter substrate for the liquid crystal panel and the outer surface side of the TFT substrate, respectively, thereby manufacturing a TFT liquid crystal panel having a structure as shown in FIG. did. As the polarizing film, a film made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and stretched in a uniaxial direction was used. The bonding directions of the polarizing film 7B and the polarizing film 8B were determined based on the alignment directions of the inorganic alignment film 3B and the inorganic alignment film 3B ′, respectively. That is, the polarizing film 7B and the polarizing film 8B are bonded so that the incident light is not transmitted when the voltage is applied and the incident light is transmitted when the voltage is not applied.
The pretilt angle of the manufactured liquid crystal panel was in the range of 3 to 7 °.

(Example 2)
The target S2 (inorganic material) shown in Table 1 was used, and the conditions for forming the inorganic alignment film were as shown in Table 1 except that the inorganic alignment film was formed. A liquid crystal panel was manufactured.
(Comparative Example 1)
Without using an apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, a polyimide resin (PI) solution (manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd .: AL6256) is prepared and applied onto the transparent conductive film of the counter substrate for the liquid crystal panel by spin coating. A liquid crystal panel was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a film having an average thickness of 0.05 μm was formed and a rubbing treatment was performed so that the pretilt angle was 3 to 7 ° to obtain an alignment film. . In Comparative Example 1, dusty material was generated during the rubbing process.
(Comparative Example 2)
Example 1 except that SiO ₂ having a relative dielectric constant of 4 to 5 was used as the target S2 and the conditions for forming the inorganic alignment film were as shown in Table 1 and the inorganic alignment film was formed. A liquid crystal panel was produced in the same manner.

[LCD panel evaluation]
The light transmittance was continuously measured for the liquid crystal panels (liquid crystal panels manufactured as the first sheet) manufactured in the above Examples and Comparative Examples. The light transmittance was measured by placing each liquid crystal panel at a temperature of 50 ° C. and irradiating it with white light having a light flux density of 15 lm / mm ² without applying voltage.
As the evaluation of the liquid crystal panel, the time (light resistance time) from the start of the white light irradiation of the liquid crystal panel manufactured in Comparative Example 1 until the light transmittance is reduced by 50% compared to the initial light transmittance. As a standard, evaluation was performed in four stages as follows.

A: Light resistance time is 5 times or more that of Comparative Example 1.
○: Light resistance time is 2 times or more and less than 5 times that of Comparative Example 1.
Δ: Light resistance time is 1 to 2 times that of Comparative Example 1.
X: Light resistance time is inferior to that of Comparative Example 1.
Table 1 shows the constituent material of the alignment film (type of target (inorganic material)), the polarizability of the inorganic material and the inclination angle θ _{b of} the polarization direction, the formation condition of the inorganic alignment film, the average thickness of the inorganic alignment film, and the columnar shape. The evaluation results of the liquid crystal panel are shown together with the crystal width and tilt angle θ _c and the pretilt angle of each liquid crystal panel.

As is apparent from Table 1, the liquid crystal panel of the present invention showed excellent light resistance as compared with the liquid crystal panel of Comparative Example 1. Further, in the liquid crystal panel of the present invention, a sufficient pretilt angle was obtained, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules could be reliably regulated. However, in the liquid crystal panel of Comparative Example 2, a sufficient pretilt angle was not obtained, It was difficult to regulate the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules.
[Evaluation of LCD projector (electronic equipment)]
A liquid crystal projector (electronic device) having a structure as shown in FIG. 8 was assembled using the TFT liquid crystal panels manufactured in the above Examples and Comparative Examples, and this liquid crystal projector was continuously driven for 5000 hours.
As an evaluation of the liquid crystal projector, a projected image immediately after driving and a projected image after 5,000 hours after driving were observed, and sharpness was evaluated in four stages as follows.

A: A clear projected image was observed.
○: An almost clear projected image was observed.
(Triangle | delta): The projection image somewhat inferior to a clearness was observed.
X: The projection image which is not clear was confirmed.
The results are shown in Table 2.

As is clear from Table 2, the liquid crystal projector (electronic device) manufactured using the liquid crystal panel of the present invention obtained a clear projected image even when it was continuously driven for a long time.
On the other hand, in the liquid crystal projector manufactured using the liquid crystal panel of Comparative Example 1, the sharpness of the projected image clearly decreased with the driving time. This is presumably because the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is uniform in the initial stage, but the alignment film deteriorates and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules decreases due to long-term driving. In the liquid crystal projector manufactured using the liquid crystal panel of Comparative Example 2, a clear projection image was not obtained from the beginning of driving. This is considered to be because the orientation of the inorganic alignment film is originally low.
Moreover, when a personal computer, a cellular phone, and a digital still camera equipped with the liquid crystal panel of the present invention were manufactured and evaluated in the same manner, similar results were obtained.
From these results, it can be seen that the liquid crystal panel and the electronic apparatus of the present invention are excellent in light resistance and stable characteristics can be obtained even after long-term use.

It is a typical longitudinal section showing a 1st embodiment of a liquid crystal panel of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the inorganic alignment film formed by the method of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the alignment film formation apparatus used for the formation method of the inorganic alignment film of this invention. It is a typical longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the liquid crystal panel of this invention. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mobile (or notebook) personal computer to which an electronic apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the mobile telephone (PHS is also included) to which the electronic device of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the digital still camera to which the electronic device of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows typically the optical system of the projection type display apparatus to which the electronic device of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B ... Liquid crystal panel 2 ... Liquid crystal layer 3A, 3A ', 3B, 3B' ... Inorganic alignment film 4A, 4A ', 4B, 4B' ... Barrier layer 5 ... Transparent conductive film 6 ... Transparent conductive film 7A, 7B ... Polarization Films 8A, 8B ... Polarizing film 9 ... Substrate 10 ... Substrate 100 ... Base material 101 ... Base material 200 ... Substrate for electronic device S100 ... Ion beam sputtering apparatus S1 ... Ion source S11 ... Filament S12 ... Extraction electrode S13 ... Gas supply source S2 ... Target S3 ... Vacuum chamber S4 ... Exhaust pump S5 ... Substrate holder 11 ... Microlens substrate 111 ... Substrate with concave portion for microlens 112 ... Concavity 113 ... Microlens 114 ... Surface layer 115 ... Resin layer 12 ... Counter substrate for liquid crystal panel 13 ... Black matrix 131 ... Opening 14 ... Transparent conductive film 17 ... TFT substrate 171 ... Glass substrate 72 ... Pixel electrode 173 ... Thin film transistor 1100 ... Personal computer 1102 ... Keyboard 1104 ... Main body 1106 ... Display unit 1200 ... Mobile phone 1202 ... Operation button 1204 ... Earpiece 1206 ... Mouthpiece 1300 ... Digital still camera 1302 ... Case (body) DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1304 ... Light receiving unit 1306 ... Shutter button 1308 ... Circuit board 1312 ... Video signal output terminal 1314 ... Input / output terminal for data communication 1430 ... Television monitor 1440 ... Personal computer 300 ... Projection type display device 301 ... Light source 302, 303 ... Integrator lens 304, 306, 309 ... Mirror 305, 307, 308 ... Dichroic mirror 310-314 ... Condensing lens 320 ... Screen 20 ... Optical block 2 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dichroic prism 211, 212 ... Dichroic mirror surface 213-215 ... Surface 216 ... Output surface 22 ... Projection lens 23 ... Display unit 24-26 ... Liquid crystal light valve

Claims (12)

An inorganic alignment film mainly composed of an inorganic material,
An inorganic alignment film, wherein the inorganic material has a relative dielectric constant of 6 or more.   The inorganic alignment film according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic material can be crystallized in a columnar shape. Consists of a plurality of columnar crystals mainly composed of the inorganic material,
3. The inorganic alignment film according to claim 1, wherein the columnar crystals are aligned in a state inclined by a predetermined angle θ _{c with} respect to a plane direction of the inorganic alignment film. The predetermined angle theta _c is an inorganic alignment film according to claim 3 which is 30 to 60 °.   The inorganic alignment film according to claim 1, wherein an average thickness of the inorganic alignment film is 0.02 to 0.3 μm. A method for forming an inorganic alignment film according to any one of claims 1 to 5 on a substrate,
Sputtering particles are extracted by irradiating an ion beam to a target provided facing the substrate,
Irradiating the sputtered particles onto the substrate from a direction inclined by a predetermined angle θ _{s with} respect to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate on which the inorganic alignment film is formed. Forming method. The method for forming an inorganic alignment film according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined angle θ _s is 40 ° or more. An electrode on the substrate;
An electronic device substrate comprising the inorganic alignment film according to claim 1.   A liquid crystal panel comprising the inorganic alignment film according to claim 1 and a liquid crystal layer. An electrode, and the inorganic alignment film,
The liquid crystal panel according to claim 9, further comprising a barrier layer between the electrode and the inorganic alignment film, which prevents or suppresses the electrode from affecting the liquid crystal layer.   The liquid crystal panel according to claim 10, wherein the barrier layer is mainly composed of silicon oxide. An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal panel according to claim 9.

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