JP2009217097A - Manufacturing method of liquid crystal device, and liquid crystal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein a shape difference between a part which is cured firstly and a part which is cured secondly is easily generated. <P>SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal device has: a liquid crystal interposed between a pair of substrates opposed to each other; and a retardation film interposed between one substrate of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, wherein the retardation film has: a retardation part 101 imparting retardation to incident light; and an isotropy part showing optical isotropy. The method includes steps of: forming a liquid body film 95b on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate by using a liquid body containing a material which constitutes the retardation film; curing a portion of the liquid body film to form the retardation part 101; and curing at least a portion on the outer side of the retardation part 101 in the liquid body film 95b to form the isotropy part. A bank part 157 enclosing a region where the isotropy part is to be formed is formed before the step of forming the isotropy part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device and a liquid crystal device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a transflective liquid crystal device having a reflective region for performing reflective display and a transmissive region for performing transmissive display.
Conventionally, such a liquid crystal device has an optical element formed by connecting a liquid crystal phase that gives a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic phase that is isotropic with respect to incident light. Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-121740 A

  The liquid crystal device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal and an optical element are interposed between a pair of substrates. In this liquid crystal device, display is controlled by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates. The optical element interposed between the pair of substrates has a configuration in which a liquid crystal material is cured. In this optical element, the liquid crystal phase is provided corresponding to the reflection region, and the isotropic phase is provided corresponding to the transmission region. The liquid crystal phase and the isotropic phase of this optical element are formed from the same liquid crystal material.

In this method of manufacturing an optical element, first, a liquid crystal material is applied on an alignment film provided on a substrate in a series of states between a reflective region and a transmissive region.
By irradiating the liquid crystal material applied on the alignment film with light through a photomask, the liquid crystal material corresponding to the reflective region is cured to form a liquid crystal phase.
After the liquid crystal phase corresponding to the reflection region is cured, the liquid crystal material corresponding to the transmission region is changed to the isotropic phase by heating the liquid crystal material to the isotropic phase transition temperature.
And the isotropic phase corresponding to a permeation | transmission area | region is formed by hardening the liquid crystal material which changed to the isotropic phase.

Meanwhile, the liquid crystal material corresponding to the transmissive region is in an uncured state after the liquid crystal material corresponding to the reflective region is cured until the liquid crystal material corresponding to the transmissive region is cured. The liquid crystal material tends to flow out when the uncured state continues for a long time. As a result, a difference in shape of the liquid crystal material tends to occur between the reflective region and the transmissive region.
That is, there is an unsolved problem that a shape difference is likely to occur between a portion cured first and a portion cured later.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A liquid crystal interposed between a pair of substrates facing each other, and a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, the retardation film Is a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device having a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic, and is disposed on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate. A step of forming a liquid film with a liquid containing a material constituting the phase difference film, and a part of the liquid film is cured to form one of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion. After the step and the step of forming the one part, at least a part of the liquid film outside the one part is cured, and the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part is formed. And before the step of forming the other part, Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, and forming a bank portion of at square sites surrounding the formation region of the other sites.

The liquid crystal device according to the manufacturing method of Application Example 1 includes a liquid crystal and a retardation film. The liquid crystal is interposed between a pair of substrates facing each other. The retardation film is interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal. The retardation film has a phase difference portion that gives a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic.
The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal device includes a step of forming a liquid film on the liquid crystal side of one substrate, a step of forming one of a phase difference portion and an isotropic portion, and a step of forming one portion. And a step of forming the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part. In the step of forming the liquid film, the liquid film is formed of a liquid material containing a material constituting the retardation film. In the step of forming one part, a part of the liquid film is cured to form one of the phase difference part and the isotropic part. In the step of forming the other part, at least a part of the liquid film outside the one part is cured to form the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part.

  And in this manufacturing method of a liquid crystal device, before the process of forming the other part, the bank part which surrounds the formation field of the other part in one part is formed. In this manufacturing method, before forming the other part, the formation region of the other part can be surrounded by one part. For this reason, it is possible to dam the liquid material in the other formation region between the formation of the bank portion and the formation of the other portion. For this reason, it is possible to easily suppress the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion.

  Application Example 2 A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to the above-described method, wherein the bank portion is formed in the step of forming the one portion.

  In Application Example 2, since the bank portion is formed in the step of forming one portion, the time difference between the formation of one portion and the formation of the bank portion can be reduced. For this reason, the liquid material in the other formation region can be dammed between the formation of one portion and the formation of the bank portion. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion.

  Application Example 3 In the above-described method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, the liquid crystal device has a plurality of pixels set in a display area where an image can be displayed, and each pixel is transmissively displayed. A transmissive region and a reflective region for performing reflective display are set. In the formation of the phase difference portion, the liquid film in the region including each reflective region is given the phase difference to the incident light in a plan view. In the formation of the isotropic portion, the liquid film in the region including each of the transmissive regions in plan view is optically isotropic. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, wherein the isotropic portion is formed while being cured.

In the liquid crystal device according to the manufacturing method of Application Example 3, a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed. In each pixel, a transmissive region for transmissive display and a reflective region for reflective display are set.
In this method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, in the formation of the phase difference portion, the liquid film in the region including each reflection region is cured in a plan view while maintaining the property of imparting the phase difference to the incident light. Form a site. In forming the isotropic portion, the isotropic portion is formed by curing the liquid film in the region including each transmission region in a plan view while keeping the optical isotropic property. Thereby, the phase difference portion can correspond to the reflection region, and the isotropic portion can correspond to the transmission region. For this reason, the modulation state of the incident light can be made different between the reflection region and the transmission region. Thereby, reflective display and transmissive display can be realized.

  Application Example 4 In the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal device described above, in the formation of the bank portion, the bank portion that surrounds the display region of the other part from the outside of the display region together with the display region is formed. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device.

  In the application example 4, in the formation of the bank portion, the bank portion that surrounds the formation region of the other portion from the outside of the display region together with the display region is formed, so that the bank portion that individually surrounds each of the other other portions is formed. As a result, the efficiency can be easily improved.

  Application Example 5 In the above-described method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, the material constituting the retardation film includes a liquid crystal compound, and in forming the retardation portion, the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound is changed to the liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal compound is cured to form the phase difference portion while maintaining the phase difference alignment state that gives the phase difference to the incident light, and in the formation of the isotropic portion, the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound is changed. A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device, comprising: curing the liquid crystal compound to form the isotropic portion while maintaining the isotropic alignment state in which the liquid crystal compound is optically isotropic.

  In Application Example 5, the material constituting the retardation film includes a liquid crystal compound. In this manufacturing method, in the formation of the retardation region, the liquid crystal compound is cured to form the retardation region while maintaining the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound in the retardation alignment state in which the liquid crystal compound imparts a phase difference to the incident light. . In forming the isotropic portion, the liquid crystal compound is cured to form the isotropic portion while maintaining the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound in the isotropic alignment state in which the liquid crystal compound is optically isotropic. Thereby, while being able to make a phase difference site | part into the property which gives a phase difference to incident light, an isotropic site | part can be made optically isotropic.

  Application Example 6 In the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal device, the liquid crystal compound has photopolymerizability, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound is changed to the position before the step of forming the liquid film. Forming a liquid crystal film on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate, and in the step of forming the liquid film, the liquid film covering the alignment film with the liquid material is formed. Forming the phase difference portion, irradiating the liquid film in the region where the phase difference portion is to be formed with light to form the phase difference portion; and forming the isotropic portion, the liquid crystal After the compound is heated to shift the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound to the isotropic alignment state, the liquid film in the region where the isotropic portion is to be formed is irradiated with the light to the isotropic portion. In the formation of the bank portion, the area where the bank portion should be formed Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device by irradiating the light to the liquid film of the inner and forming the bank part.

In Application Example 6, the liquid crystal compound has photopolymerizability. Further, this manufacturing method includes a step of forming an alignment film on the liquid crystal side of one substrate before the step of forming the liquid film. The alignment film regulates the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound to the phase difference alignment state.
In this manufacturing method, in the step of forming the liquid film, a liquid film that covers the alignment film with the liquid is formed. In the formation of the phase difference portion, the liquid phase film in the region where the phase difference portion is to be formed is irradiated with light to form the phase difference portion. In the formation of the isotropic region, the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound is changed to the isotropic alignment state by heating the liquid crystal compound, and then the liquid film in the region where the isotropic region is to be formed is irradiated with light, etc. To form a unilateral region. In the formation of the bank portion, the bank portion is formed by irradiating light to the liquid film in the region where the bank portion is to be formed.
Thereby, each of a phase difference part, an isotropic part, and a bank part can be formed from a liquid.

  Application Example 7 In the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal device, in the step of forming the alignment film, the alignment film is formed over a region surrounding the display region from the outside in a plan view on the one substrate. In the step of forming one part, the phase difference part is formed.

  In Application Example 7, in the step of forming the alignment film, the alignment film is formed over a region surrounding the display region from the outside in a plan view on one substrate. In the step of forming one part, a phase difference part is formed. Thereby, before forming an isotropic part, the formation area of an isotropic part can be enclosed by a phase difference part.

  Application Example 8 An image is displayed having a liquid crystal interposed between a pair of substrates facing each other and a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal. A liquid crystal device manufacturing method in which a plurality of pixels are set in a display area to be obtained, and a transmissive area for performing transmissive display and a reflective area for performing reflective display are set corresponding to each of the pixels. Forming a bank part surrounding the display area from the outside of the display area in a plan view on the liquid crystal side of the substrate, and a liquid containing a material constituting the retardation film at least inside the bank part The liquid film covering the display area is formed, and the liquid film in the area including each of the reflection areas in a plan view is cured while maintaining the property of imparting a phase difference to incident light. , The step of forming the phase difference portion, and in plan view Curing the liquid film in the region including each of the transmission regions outside the region where the phase difference site is to be formed, while maintaining optical isotropy, and forming the isotropic site. And the step of forming the phase difference portion and the step of forming the isotropic portion after the step of forming the phase difference portion and the step of forming the isotropic portion. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, wherein the other step of the above is performed.

The liquid crystal device according to the manufacturing method of Application Example 8 includes a liquid crystal and a retardation film. The liquid crystal is interposed between a pair of substrates facing each other. The retardation film is interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal. Further, in this liquid crystal device, a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed, and a transmissive area for performing transmissive display and a reflective area for performing reflective display are set corresponding to each pixel. Yes.
The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal device includes a step of forming a bank portion on the liquid crystal side of one substrate, a step of forming a liquid film at least inside the bank portion, a step of forming a phase difference portion, and an isotropic portion Forming the step. In the step of forming the bank portion, a bank portion that surrounds the display region from the outside of the display region in plan view is formed. In the step of forming the liquid film, the liquid film is formed of a liquid material containing a material constituting the retardation film. In the step of forming the phase difference portion, the liquid film in the region including each reflection region in a plan view is cured while maintaining the property of imparting the phase difference to the incident light, thereby forming the phase difference portion. In the step of forming the isotropic portion, the liquid film in the region including each transmission region outside the region where the phase difference portion is to be formed in a plan view is cured while being kept optically isotropic. Form an isotropic region.

And in this manufacturing method, after either one of the process of forming a phase difference part and the process of forming an isotropic part, Of the process of forming a phase difference part and the process of forming an isotropic part The other step is performed.
In this manufacturing method, since the liquid material film is formed inside the bank portion, the liquid material can be dammed inside the bank portion. In a state where the liquid material is dammed up by the bank part, a part of the liquid material film is cured to form a phase difference part or an isotropic part, so that it is easy to suppress a shape difference between the phase difference part and the isotropic part. Can do.

  Application Example 9 A pair of substrates facing each other, a liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates, and a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, The retardation film has a phase difference portion that gives a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic, and the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion Of these, a region in which one part is formed is surrounded by a region in which the other part is formed.

  The liquid crystal device of Application Example 9 includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal, and a retardation film. The pair of substrates are opposed to each other. The liquid crystal is interposed between the pair of substrates. The retardation film is interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, and includes a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic. Have. And the area | region which formed one site | part among the phase difference site | parts and the isotropic site | part is surrounded by the area | region which formed the other site | part.

  Here, for example, when forming a retardation film from a liquid containing a material constituting the retardation film, a part of the liquid is cured to form one of the retardation part and the isotropic part. From this, it is conceivable that a part of the liquid material is cured to form another one of the phase difference part and the isotropic part. In this case, before forming the other one of the phase difference part and the isotropic part, if the other one formation region is surrounded by one of the phase difference part and the isotropic part, the other It is possible to keep the liquid material from flowing out from one formation region. As a result, the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion can be easily suppressed.

  In this liquid crystal device, a region in which one of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is formed is surrounded by a region in which the other portion is formed. That is, in this liquid crystal device, since the difference in shape between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is kept low, the distance from one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the phase difference portion, and the isotropic portion from one substrate The difference from the distance to the liquid crystal side surface is kept low. For this reason, it is possible to easily align the modulation state of light emitted from the isotropic portion and directed to one substrate and the modulation state of light emitted from the phase difference portion and directed to the one substrate. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily reduce leakage of light that is emitted from an isotropic portion and directed to one substrate, or light that is emitted from a phase difference portion and directed to one substrate, and it is easy to improve contrast. can do.

  Application Example 10 A pair of substrates facing each other, a liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates, and a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, A plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed, and each pixel has a transmission area for performing transmissive display and a reflective area for performing reflective display, and the retardation film Has a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light, and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic with respect to the incident light, and the phase difference portion is provided in each reflection region. Provided in a region overlapping in plan view, and the isotropic part is provided in a region overlapping each transmission region in plan view, and one of the phase difference part or the isotropic part is provided in plan view. It is also provided in an area surrounding the display area outside the display area. The liquid crystal device to be.

The liquid crystal device of Application Example 10 includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal, and a retardation film. The pair of substrates are opposed to each other. The liquid crystal is interposed between the pair of substrates. The retardation film is interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, and includes a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic. Have. In this liquid crystal device, a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed. In each pixel, a transmissive region for transmissive display and a reflective region for reflective display are set. The phase difference portion is provided in a region overlapping each reflection region in plan view. Further, the isotropic portion is provided in a region that overlaps each transmission region in plan view.
In this liquid crystal device, one of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is also provided in a region surrounding the display region outside the display region in plan view.

  Here, for example, when the retardation film is formed from a liquid containing the material constituting the retardation film, a part of the liquid is cured to form one of the retardation part and the isotropic part. Then, it is conceivable that a part of the liquid material is cured to form the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part. In this case, if the liquid is surrounded by one part from the outside of the display area before the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part is formed, the flow of the liquid from the display area is suppressed to a low level. be able to. As a result, the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion can be easily suppressed.

  In this liquid crystal device, since one of the phase difference portion or the isotropic portion is also provided in a region surrounding the display region outside the display region in plan view, the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is provided. Is kept low. Thereby, the difference between the distance from one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the phase difference portion and the distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the isotropic portion is kept low. For this reason, it is possible to easily align the modulation state of light emitted from the isotropic portion and directed to one substrate and the modulation state of light emitted from the phase difference portion and directed to the one substrate. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily reduce leakage of light that is emitted from an isotropic portion and directed to one substrate, or light that is emitted from a phase difference portion and directed to one substrate, and it is easy to improve contrast. can do.

  Application Example 11 A pair of substrates facing each other, a liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates, a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, and a plane And a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed, and each of the pixels has a transmissive area for performing transmissive display and a reflective display. A reflection region to be set is set, and the retardation film has a phase difference portion that gives a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic with respect to the incident light. The phase difference portion is provided in a region overlapping each reflection region in plan view, the isotropic portion is provided in a region overlapping each transmission region in plan view, and the bank portion is The retardation film is enclosed outside the display area in plan view. A liquid crystal device.

The liquid crystal device of Application Example 11 includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal, a retardation film, and a bank portion. The pair of substrates are opposed to each other. The liquid crystal is interposed between the pair of substrates. The retardation film is interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, and includes a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic. Have. The bank surrounds the retardation film in plan view. In this liquid crystal device, a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed. In each pixel, a transmissive region for transmissive display and a reflective region for reflective display are set. The phase difference portion is provided in a region overlapping each reflection region in plan view. Further, the isotropic portion is provided in a region that overlaps each transmission region in plan view.
In this liquid crystal device, the bank portion surrounds the retardation film outside the display region in plan view.

  Here, for example, when the retardation film is formed from a liquid containing the material constituting the retardation film, a part of the liquid is cured to form one of the retardation part and the isotropic part. Then, it is conceivable that a part of the liquid material is cured to form the other part of the phase difference part and the isotropic part. In this case, if the liquid is surrounded by the bank from the outside of the display area before forming the other one of the phase difference part and the isotropic part, the flow of the liquid from the display area can be suppressed to a low level. Can do. As a result, the shape difference between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion can be easily suppressed.

  In this liquid crystal device, since the bank portion is provided in a region surrounding the display region outside the display region in a plan view, the difference in shape between the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is suppressed low. Thereby, the difference between the distance from one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the phase difference portion and the distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the isotropic portion is kept low. For this reason, it is possible to easily align the modulation state of light emitted from the isotropic portion and directed to one substrate and the modulation state of light emitted from the phase difference portion and directed to the one substrate. As a result, for example, it is possible to easily reduce leakage of light that is emitted from an isotropic portion and directed to one substrate, or light that is emitted from a phase difference portion and directed to one substrate, and it is easy to improve contrast. can do.

  Application Example 12 In the above-described liquid crystal device, the distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the phase difference portion, and the distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the isotropic portion A liquid crystal device characterized in that the distance is substantially equal.

  In Application Example 12, since the distance from one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the phase difference portion is substantially equal to the distance from one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the isotropic portion, the light is emitted from the isotropic portion. Thus, it is possible to easily align the modulation state of the light toward one substrate and the modulation state of the light emitted from the phase difference portion and toward the one substrate. For this reason, for example, it is possible to easily reduce leakage of light emitted from an isotropic portion and directed to one substrate, or light emitted from a phase difference portion and directed to one substrate, and the contrast can be easily improved. can do.

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a display device, which is one of liquid crystal devices, as an example.
As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 in the first embodiment includes a display panel 3 and a lighting device 5.

  Here, a plurality of pixels 7 are set on the display panel 3. The plurality of pixels 7 are arranged in the X direction and Y direction in the drawing within the display area 8, and constitutes a matrix M in which the X direction is the row direction and the Y direction is the column direction. The display device 1 selectively emits light incident on the display panel 3 from the illumination device 5 from the plurality of pixels 7 set on the display panel 3 to the outside of the display panel 3 through the display surface 9. Thus, an image can be displayed on the display surface 9. The display area 8 is an area where an image can be displayed. In FIG. 1, the pixels 7 are exaggerated and the number of the pixels 7 is reduced for easy understanding of the configuration.

The display panel 3 includes a liquid crystal panel 10 and polarizing plates 13a and 13b, as shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
The liquid crystal panel 10 includes a drive element substrate 15, a counter substrate 17, a liquid crystal 19, and a sealing material 21.
On the display surface 9 side, that is, the liquid crystal 19 side, the driving element substrate 15 is provided with switching elements and the like to be described later corresponding to the plurality of pixels 7.

  The counter substrate 17 faces the drive element substrate 15 on the display surface 9 side with respect to the drive element substrate 15, and is provided with a gap between the counter substrate 17 and the drive element substrate 15. The counter substrate 17 is provided with a retardation film, which will be described later, on the bottom surface 23 side, that is, the liquid crystal 19 side, which corresponds to the back surface of the display surface 9 in the display panel 3.

  The liquid crystal 19 is interposed between the drive element substrate 15 and the counter substrate 17, and is interposed between the drive element substrate 15 and the counter substrate 17 by a sealing material 21 that surrounds the display region 8 inside the periphery of the display panel 3. It is sealed. In the present embodiment, an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) type driving method is employed as the driving method of the liquid crystal 19.

  The polarizing plate 13 a is provided closer to the bottom surface 23 than the driving element substrate 15. The polarizing plate 13 b is provided closer to the display surface 9 than the counter substrate 17. In the display device 1, the polarizing plates 13a and 13b are set such that the direction of the light transmission axis in the polarizing plate 13a and the direction of the light transmission axis in the polarizing plate 13b are orthogonal to each other. Each of the polarizing plates 13a and 13b can transmit light having a polarization axis in the direction of the transmission axis.

  In addition, the structure which provided the optical compensation film between the polarizing plate 13a and the drive element board | substrate 15, or between the polarizing plate 13b and the opposing board | substrate 17 can also be employ | adopted. By providing the optical compensation film, it is possible to compensate for the phase difference of the liquid crystal 19 when the liquid crystal 19 is viewed from the normal direction of the display surface 9 or when viewed from the direction inclined from the normal direction. Thereby, light leakage can be reduced and the contrast can be improved.

  As the optical compensation film, a negative uniaxial medium (for example, a WV film manufactured by Fuji Film) in which discotic liquid crystal molecules having negative refractive index anisotropy or the like are hybrid-aligned can be used. Also, a positive uniaxial medium (for example, NH film manufactured by Nippon Petroleum) in which nematic liquid crystal molecules having a positive refractive index anisotropy are hybrid-aligned may be employed. Further, a configuration in which a negative uniaxial medium and a positive uniaxial medium are combined may be employed. In addition, a biaxial medium in which the refractive index in each direction satisfies nx> ny> nz, a negative C-Plate, or the like can be employed.

The illumination device 5 is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the display panel 3 and has a light guide plate 31 and a light source 33. The light guide plate 31 is provided on the lower side of the display panel 3 as viewed in FIG. 2 and has a light emission surface 35 b facing the bottom surface 23 of the display panel 3.
The light source 33 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or a cold cathode tube, and is provided on the left side of the side surface 35a of the light guide plate 31 as viewed in FIG.

  Light from the light source 33 enters the side surface 35 a of the light guide plate 31. The light incident on the light guide plate 31 is emitted from the light exit surface 35 b while being repeatedly reflected in the light guide plate 31. The light emitted from the light emission surface 35b enters the display panel 3 from the bottom surface 23 of the display panel 3 through the polarizing plate 13a. The light guide plate 31 is provided with a diffuser plate on the light exit surface 35b and a reflector plate on the bottom surface 35c as necessary.

Each of the plurality of pixels 7 set in the display panel 3 has a red color (R), a green color (G), and a blue color (B) as shown in FIG. ). That is, the plurality of pixels 7 constituting the matrix M include a pixel 7r that emits R light, a pixel 7g that emits G light, and a pixel 7b that emits B light.
In the following, the notation of pixel 7 and the notation of pixels 7r, 7g, and 7b are used appropriately.

  Here, the color of R is not limited to a pure red hue, and includes orange and the like. The color of G is not limited to a pure green hue, and includes blue-green and yellow-green. The color of B is not limited to a pure blue hue, and includes bluish purple and blue-green. From another viewpoint, light exhibiting the color of R can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in a range of 570 nm or more in the visible light region. The light exhibiting the color G can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in the range of 500 nm to 565 nm. Light exhibiting the color B can be defined as light having a light wavelength peak in the range of 415 nm to 495 nm.

In the matrix M, a plurality of pixels 7 arranged along the Y direction form one pixel column 41. The light color of each pixel 7 in one pixel column 41 is set to one of R, G, and B. That is, the matrix M includes a pixel column 41r in which a plurality of pixels 7r are arranged in the Y direction, a pixel column 41g in which a plurality of pixels 7g are arranged in the Y direction, and a pixel column 41b in which a plurality of pixels 7b are arranged in the Y direction. have. In the matrix M, the pixel column 41r, the pixel column 41g, and the pixel column 41b are arranged repeatedly in this order along the X direction.
In the following, the notation of the pixel column 41 and the notation of the pixel column 41r, the pixel column 41g, and the pixel column 41b are appropriately used.

Each pixel 7 has a transmission region T and a reflection region H, as shown in FIG. 4 which is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG. In FIG. 4, the reflective region H is hatched for easy understanding of the configuration.
In the transmissive region T, transmissive display is performed by transmitting light incident on the liquid crystal 19 from the illumination device 5 illustrated in FIG. 2 through the bottom surface 23 to the display surface 9 side.

  In the reflection region H, the external light incident on the liquid crystal 19 through the display surface 9 is reflected by the reflection film described later on the display surface 9 side, and the reflected light is emitted to the display surface 9 side to reflect. Display is performed. The external light is any light incident from the display surface 9 of the display panel 3. The outside light includes, for example, indoor and outdoor illumination light and sunlight.

Here, the configuration of each of the drive element substrate 15 and the counter substrate 17 of the liquid crystal panel 10 will be described in detail.
The drive element substrate 15 has a first substrate 51 as shown in FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. The first substrate 51 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or quartz, for example, and includes a first surface 53a facing the display surface 9 and a second surface 53b facing the bottom surface 23. have.

A gate insulating film 57 is provided on the first surface 53 a of the first substrate 51. An insulating film 59 is provided on the display surface 9 side of the gate insulating film 57. An alignment film 61 is provided on the display surface 9 side of the insulating film 59.
The drive element substrate 15 includes a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) element 63, which is one of the switching elements, a reflective film 65, a common electrode 67, and a pixel electrode 69 corresponding to each pixel 7. The first substrate 51 is provided on the first surface 53a side.

The TFT element 63 has a gate electrode 71, a semiconductor layer 73, a source electrode 75, and a drain electrode 77. The gate electrode 71 is provided on the first surface 53 a of the first substrate 51 and is covered with the gate insulating film 57 from the display surface 9 side. In addition, as a material of the gate electrode 71, metals, such as molybdenum, tungsten, and chromium, an alloy containing these, etc. can be employ | adopted, for example. Further, as the material of the gate insulating film 57, for example, a light transmissive material such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be employed.
The semiconductor layer 73 is made of, for example, amorphous silicon, and is provided at a position facing the gate electrode 71 with the gate insulating film 57 interposed therebetween.

The source electrode 75 is provided on the display surface 9 side of the gate insulating film 57 and partly overlaps the semiconductor layer 73. The drain electrode 77 is provided on the display surface 9 side of the gate insulating film 57 and partly overlaps the semiconductor layer 73. The TFT element 63 having the above configuration is a so-called bottom gate type in which the semiconductor layer 73 is located between the gate electrode 71 and the source electrode 75 and the drain electrode 77.
The TFT element 63 is covered with the insulating film 59 from the display surface 9 side. As the material of the insulating film 59, for example, a light transmissive material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or acrylic resin can be employed.

The reflective film 65 is provided on the first surface 53a of the first substrate 51 and overlaps the reflective region H in plan view. As the material of the reflective film 65, for example, a material having light reflectivity such as aluminum can be adopted.
The common electrode 67 is provided on the first surface 53a side of the first substrate 51 and overlaps the transmission region T and the reflection region H in plan view. The common electrode 67 overlaps the display surface 9 side of the reflective film 65 in the reflective region H. As a material of the common electrode 67, for example, a light transmissive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) can be adopted.
The reflective film 65 and the common electrode 67 are covered with the gate insulating film 57 from the display surface 9 side.

The pixel electrode 69 is provided on the display surface 9 side of the insulating film 59. The pixel electrode 69 is connected to the drain electrode 77 in the transmissive region T through a contact hole 79 provided in the insulating film 59. As a material of the pixel electrode 69, for example, a material having optical transparency such as ITO can be adopted.
The alignment film 61 is made of a light-transmitting material such as polyimide, and covers the insulating film 59 and the pixel electrode 69 from the display surface 9 side. The alignment film 61 is subjected to an alignment process.

The counter substrate 17 has a second substrate 81. The second substrate 81 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or quartz, for example, and has an outward surface 83a facing the display surface 9 side and an opposing surface 83b facing the bottom surface 23 side. is doing.
On the facing surface 83 b of the second substrate 81, a light absorption layer 85 that partitions each pixel 7 is provided over the region 86. The light absorption layer 85 is made of, for example, a resin containing a material having a high light absorption property such as carbon black or chromium, and is provided in a lattice shape in plan view. In the display device 1, each pixel 7 can be defined as a region surrounded by the light absorption layer 85.

In addition, a color filter 87 is provided on the facing surface 83b of the second substrate 81 so as to cover each region surrounded by the light absorption layer 85, that is, each pixel 7 region from the bottom surface 23 side.
Here, the color filter 87 can transmit light in a predetermined wavelength region of incident light. The color filter 87 is composed of a resin colored in a different color for each of the pixels 7r, 7g, and 7b. The color filter 87 corresponding to the pixel 7r can transmit R light. The color filter 87 corresponding to the pixel 7g can transmit G light, and the color filter 87 corresponding to the pixel 7b can transmit B light. In the following, when R, G, and B are identified for each color filter 87, the notation of color filters 87r, 87g, and 87b is used.

An overcoat layer 91 is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the light absorption layer 85 and the color filter 87. The overcoat layer 91 is made of a light-transmitting resin or the like, and covers the light absorption layer 85 and the color filter 87 from the bottom surface 23 side.
A first alignment film 93 is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the overcoat layer 91. A retardation film 95 is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the first alignment film 93. A second alignment film 97 is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the retardation film 95. In addition, a gap adjusting film 99 is provided between the retardation film 95 and the second alignment film 97 in a region that overlaps each reflective region H of the plurality of pixels 7 in plan view.

The first alignment film 93 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material such as polyimide, and covers the overcoat layer 91 from the bottom surface 23 side. The first alignment film 93 is subjected to an alignment process from the bottom surface 23 side.
The retardation film 95 is made of, for example, a material containing a liquid crystal compound, and covers the first alignment film 93 from the bottom surface 23 side.
The gap adjusting film 99 is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or epoxy resin, and is provided on the bottom surface 23 side of the retardation film 95.
In each pixel 7, the retardation film 95 and the gap adjustment film 99 are covered with the second alignment film 97 from the bottom surface 23 side.

The liquid crystal 19 interposed between the drive element substrate 15 and the counter substrate 17 is interposed between the alignment film 61 and the second alignment film 97. In the liquid crystal panel 10, a so-called multi-gap structure in which the thickness of the liquid crystal 19 is different between the transmissive region T and the reflective region H is adopted in each pixel 7.
In the transmissive region T, the liquid crystal 19 has a thickness of L1. On the other hand, in the reflection region H, the thickness of the gap adjustment film 99 is set so that the thickness L2 of the liquid crystal 19 satisfies L1> L2. In the liquid crystal panel 10, L1 is set to approximately twice L2.

Here, the phase difference film 95 has a phase difference portion 101 and an isotropic portion 103 for each pixel 7 as shown in FIG. 6 which is a diagram showing an E portion in FIG. 5.
The phase difference portion 101 overlaps the reflection region H in plan view. The phase difference portion 101 gives a half-wave phase difference to the light incident on the phase difference portion 101.
The isotropic portion 103 overlaps the transmission region T in plan view. The isotropic portion 103 is a portion that is optically isotropic.

As shown in FIG. 7 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 6, the phase difference portions 101 are arranged over a plurality of pixels 7 arranged in the X direction. That is, the phase difference portion 101 overlaps the plurality of reflection regions H arranged in the X direction in units of pixel rows 42 of the matrix M shown in FIG.
Similarly, the isotropic portions 103 are also arranged in series between the plurality of pixels 7 arranged in the X direction, and overlap the plurality of transmission regions T arranged in the X direction in units of pixel rows 42.

Here, the arrangement of the TFT element 63, the common electrode 67, and the pixel electrode 69 in each pixel 7 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8 which is a plan view, the pixel electrode 69 is provided over the region of the pixel 7 and has a plurality of slit portions 111. In FIG. 8, the pixel electrode 69 is hatched for easy understanding of the configuration.
The plurality of slit portions 111 extend along a direction in which each slit portion 111 intersects the Y direction, and are arranged at a predetermined interval along the Y direction. In addition, the direction in which each slit part 111 extends is inclined from the X direction.

The common electrode 67 is provided in a region that covers the pixel electrode 69. Between the pixels 7 adjacent in the X direction, the common electrodes 67 are connected by a common line 113.
In each pixel 7, the common electrode 67 and the pixel electrode 69 have their peripheral portions overlapping the region 86.
Note that the reflective film 65 shown in FIG. 5 overlaps the common electrode 67 on the reflective region H side with respect to the boundary 115 shown in FIG. Therefore, the reflective region H can be defined as a region where each pixel 7 and the reflective film 65 overlap in plan view. In addition, the transmissive region T can be defined as a region where the region excluding the reflective region H from each pixel 7 and the common electrode 67 overlap in plan view.

The TFT element 63 is provided in a region 86 on the left side of the transmissive region T as viewed in FIG. 8, and the drain electrode 77 extends from the region 86 into the transmissive region T. Between the pixels 7 adjacent to each other in the X direction, the gate electrodes 71 are connected to each other by a gate line 117. Further, between the pixels 7 adjacent in the Y direction, the source electrodes 75 are connected by a data line 119.
Note that the cross sections of the TFT element 63, the reflective film 65, the common electrode 67, and the pixel electrode 69 in FIG. 5 correspond to the cross section along the line JJ in FIG.

When a voltage is applied between the common electrode 67 and the pixel electrode 69, an electric field is generated between the common electrode 67 and the pixel electrode 69. In the liquid crystal panel 10, when the TFT element 63 changes from the OFF state to the ON state, an electric field is generated between the common electrode 67 and the pixel electrode 69. The alignment state of the liquid crystal 19 can be changed by this electric field.
In the display device 1, the display is controlled by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal 19 for each pixel 7 in a state in which the illumination device 5 irradiates the display panel 3 with light. The alignment state of the liquid crystal 19 can be changed by switching between the OFF state and the ON state of the TFT element 63.

Each of the alignment film 61 and the second alignment film 97 is subjected to an alignment process. The initial alignment state of the liquid crystal 19 is regulated by the alignment film 61 and the second alignment film 97 that have been subjected to the alignment treatment.
FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the polarization state in the transmission region T when the TFT element 63 is in the OFF state, and FIG. 9B is the polarization state in the transmission region T when the TFT element 63 is in the ON state. FIG.
In the display device 1, the initial alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 is set to a direction along the transmission axis 123a of the polarizing plate 13a as shown in FIG.
When the TFT element 63 is switched to the ON state, the alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 is counterclockwise as viewed in this figure with respect to the transmission axis 123a of the polarizing plate 13a in plan view, as shown in FIG. 9B. It changes in a direction having an inclination of 45 degrees.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the polarization state in the reflection region H when the TFT element 63 is in the OFF state, and FIG. 10B is the polarization state in the reflection region H when the TFT element 63 is in the ON state. FIG.
The alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 in the reflective region H is the same as that in the transmissive region T, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).

  9A and 9B and FIGS. 10A and 10B, the X ′ direction and the Y ′ direction are along the transmission axis 123a of the polarizing plate 13a. The Y ′ direction indicates the direction along the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b. The X ′ direction and the Y ′ direction are arbitrary two directions orthogonal to each other in the XY plane.

In the transmission region T, the incident light that has entered through the polarizing plate 13a from the bottom surface 23 side has a polarization axis along the transmission axis 123a of the polarizing plate 13a, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). The linearly polarized light 125 is incident on the liquid crystal 19.
When the TFT element 63 is in the OFF state, the linearly polarized light 125 incident on the liquid crystal 19 has a polarization axis along the alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the linearly polarized light 125 incident on the liquid crystal 19 is incident on the isotropic portion 103 of the retardation film 95 as the linearly polarized light 125 while maintaining the polarization state.

The linearly polarized light 125 incident on the isotropic portion 103 is transmitted through the isotropic portion 103 while maintaining the polarization state, and is incident on the polarizing plate 13b as the linearly polarized light 125.
The linearly polarized light 125 incident on the polarizing plate 13b is absorbed by the polarizing plate 13b because the polarization axis is orthogonal to the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b.

  On the other hand, when the TFT element 63 is in the ON state, the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light 125 intersects the alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the linearly polarized light 125 incident on the liquid crystal 19 is given a phase difference of ½ wavelength by the liquid crystal 19, and the linearly polarized light 127 having a polarization axis orthogonal to the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light 125 is used as the linearly polarized light 127. Incident to the isotropic portion 103.

The linearly polarized light 127 incident on the isotropic portion 103 passes through the isotropic portion 103 while maintaining the polarization state, and is incident on the polarizing plate 13b as the linearly polarized light 127. The linearly polarized light 127 incident on the polarizing plate 13b is transmitted through the polarizing plate 13b because its polarization axis is along the direction of the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b.
Thus, in the transmissive region T, transmissive display is controlled by switching the TFT element 63 between the ON state and the OFF state.

In the reflection region H, the incident light incident from the display surface 9 through the polarizing plate 13b is polarized along the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). Is incident on the phase difference portion 101 of the phase difference film 95 as the linearly polarized light 129 having the above.
Here, the slow axis 131 of the phase difference portion 101 is set in a direction having an inclination of 67.5 degrees counterclockwise as viewed in these drawings with respect to the X ′ direction in plan view.
Accordingly, the linearly polarized light 129 incident on the phase difference portion 101 is given a half-wave phase difference and is incident on the liquid crystal 19 as the linearly polarized light 133. The polarization axis of the linearly polarized light 133 is along a direction having an inclination of 45 degrees counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 10A and 10B with respect to the X ′ direction in plan view.

The linearly polarized light 133 incident on the liquid crystal 19 has a polarization axis that intersects the alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 when the TFT element 63 is in the OFF state, as shown in FIG. For this reason, the linearly polarized light 133 incident on the liquid crystal 19 is given a phase difference of ¼ wavelength, and is emitted toward the reflective film 65 as a counterclockwise circularly polarized light 135 as seen in this figure.
The circularly polarized light 135 is reflected by the reflective film 65, and enters the liquid crystal 19 as circularly polarized light 137 that rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG.
The circularly polarized light 137 incident on the liquid crystal 19 is given a phase difference of ¼ wavelength, and is along a direction having a tilt of 135 degrees counterclockwise as viewed in this figure with respect to the X ′ direction in plan view. The light is incident on the phase difference portion 101 as linearly polarized light 139 having a polarization axis.

The linearly polarized light 139 incident on the phase difference portion 101 is given a half-wave phase difference, and is incident on the polarizing plate 13b as a linearly polarized light 141 having a polarization axis along the X ′ direction in plan view.
The linearly polarized light 141 incident on the polarizing plate 13b is absorbed by the polarizing plate 13b because the polarization axis is orthogonal to the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b.

On the other hand, when the TFT element 63 is in the ON state, the linearly polarized light 133 incident on the liquid crystal 19 has a polarization axis along the alignment direction 121 of the liquid crystal 19 as shown in FIG. While maintaining the state, it is emitted toward the reflective film 65 as linearly polarized light 133.
The linearly polarized light 133 emitted toward the reflective film 65 is reflected by the reflective film 65 while maintaining the polarization state, and is incident on the liquid crystal 19.

The linearly polarized light 133 incident on the liquid crystal 19 from the reflecting film 65 is incident on the phase difference portion 101 while maintaining the polarization state. The linearly polarized light 133 incident on the phase difference portion 101 is given a phase difference of ½ wavelength, and is incident on the polarizing plate 13b as a linearly polarized light 143 having a polarization axis along the Y ′ direction in plan view. The linearly polarized light 143 incident on the polarizing plate 13b passes through the polarizing plate 13b because the polarization axis is along the direction of the transmission axis 123b of the polarizing plate 13b.
As described above, also in the reflective area H, the reflective display is controlled by switching the TFT element 63 between the ON state and the OFF state as in the transmissive area T.

Here, a method for manufacturing the display device 1 will be described.
The manufacturing method of the display device 1 is roughly divided into a substrate manufacturing process, a liquid crystal panel 10 manufacturing process, a display panel 3 manufacturing process, and a display device 1 manufacturing process.
First, the manufacturing process of a board | substrate is demonstrated.
The manufacturing process of the substrate is roughly divided into a manufacturing process of the drive element substrate 15 and a manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17.

In the manufacturing process of the drive element substrate 15, as shown in FIG. 11A, first, the gate electrode 71 and the reflective film 65 are formed on the first surface 53 a of the first substrate 51. The gate electrode 71 and the reflective film 65 are formed by, for example, forming a metal film on the first surface 53a using a sputtering technique and then patterning the metal film using, for example, a photolithography technique or an etching technique. Can be done.
Next, the common electrode 67 is formed on the first surface 53a side of the first substrate 51 using a sputtering technique, a photolithography technique, an etching technique, and the like.

  Next, a gate insulating film 57 that covers the gate electrode 71 and the common electrode 67 from the first surface 53a side is formed. The gate insulating film 57 can be formed of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or the like by using, for example, a CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) technique, a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technique, a vapor deposition technique, or the like.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the semiconductor layer 73 is formed on the gate insulating film 57, and then the source electrode 75 and the drain electrode 77 that overlap with part of the semiconductor layer 73 are formed. Thereby, the TFT element 63 is formed.
The source electrode 75 and the drain electrode 77 are formed by forming a metal film on the gate insulating film 57 using, for example, a sputtering technique, and then patterning the metal film using, for example, a photolithography technique or an etching technique. Can be formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11C, an insulating film 59 that covers the TFT element 63 and the gate insulating film 57 from the first surface 53a side is formed. The insulating film 59 can be formed of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or the like by utilizing, for example, CVD technology, PVD technology, vapor deposition technology, or the like. The insulating film 59 can also be formed of an acrylic resin or the like by utilizing, for example, a spin coating technique.
Next, a contact hole 79 reaching the drain electrode 77 of the TFT element 63 is formed in the insulating film 59 by utilizing a photolithography technique and an etching technique.

Next, an ITO film is formed on the insulating film 59 by utilizing a sputtering technique or the like.
Next, the ITO film is patterned using a photolithography technique, an etching technique, and the like to form a pixel electrode 69 as shown in FIG.

Next, a resin film that covers the pixel electrode 69 with a resin such as polyimide is formed over the pixel electrode 69 and the insulating film 59. The resin film can be formed by utilizing, for example, a spin coating technique.
Next, the alignment film 61 shown in FIG. 5 is formed by performing an alignment process such as a rubbing process on the resin film. Thereby, the drive element substrate 15 can be manufactured.

  In the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17, as shown in FIG. 12A, first, the light absorption layer 85 is formed in a lattice shape on the counter surface 83 b of the second substrate 81 in a plan view. The light absorption layer 85 can be formed by forming a resin film containing carbon black, chromium, or the like and then patterning the resin film using, for example, a photolithography technique.

Next, a color filter 87 is formed in the area of each pixel 7 surrounded by the light absorption layer 85. The color filter 87 can be formed by disposing a resin containing a colorant corresponding to each of R, G, and B light in the region of each pixel 7. In addition, arrangement | positioning of resin in the area | region of each pixel 7 can be performed by utilizing an inkjet technique or a vapor deposition technique, for example.
Next, an overcoat layer 91 is formed on the light absorption layer 85 and the color filter 87. The overcoat layer 91 can be formed of a resin having light transparency by utilizing, for example, a spin coat technique.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, a first alignment film 93 is formed on the overcoat layer 91. In the formation of the first alignment film 93, for example, a spin coat technique is used to form a resin film on the overcoat layer 91 with a resin such as polyimide, and then an alignment process such as a rubbing process is performed on the resin film. Thereby, the first alignment film 93 can be formed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12C, a liquid film 95 b is formed on the first alignment film 93 with the liquid 95 a containing a negative-type liquid crystal compound having photosensitivity. The liquid film 95b can be formed by utilizing, for example, a spin coating technique.
In addition, as the liquid body 95a, the structure which added the photoinitiator to what mixed the liquid crystal compound and the solvent may be employ | adopted.
As the liquid crystal compound, for example, LC242 manufactured by BASF may be employed. As the solvent, for example, cyclopentanone or the like can be employed. As the photopolymerization initiator, for example, Irgacure 907 manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals may be employed.

Here, the alignment state of the molecules of the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid film 95b is regulated by the first alignment film 93 that has been subjected to the alignment treatment. As a result, the liquid film 95b exhibits anisotropy in the refractive index.
An alignment state in which anisotropy is manifested in the refractive index is called a phase difference alignment state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12D, the liquid film 95 b is exposed with ultraviolet light 153 through a photomask 151. Here, the photomask 151 is provided with an opening 155 in a region overlapping the reflective region H. The liquid film 95b is irradiated with ultraviolet light 153 through the opening 155. Then, the exposed portion of the liquid film 95b is cured.
Thereby, the phase difference part 101 shown in FIG. 6 is formed in the liquid film 95b.

Here, in the formation of the phase difference portion 101, the region outside the display region 8 (FIG. 1) is exposed to the ultraviolet light 153 in plan view. The area to be exposed at this time is an area surrounding the display area 8 from the outside of the display area 8 outside the display area 8. That is, in the liquid film 95b, the area surrounding the display area 8 from the outside of the display area 8 outside the display area 8 is cured.
As a result, a bank portion 157 surrounding the display region 8 from the outside of the display region 8 can be formed outside the display region 8 as shown in FIG. 13 which is a plan view showing the liquid film 95b. At this time, each phase difference part 101 and the bank part 157 are formed in a series.
In addition, it is preferable that the exposure for the phase difference portion 101 and the exposure for the bank portion 157 are performed with the same exposure because the exposure process can be efficiently performed. However, the exposure for the phase difference portion 101 and the exposure for the bank portion 157 may be either before or after.

Thereby, a region where the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed in the liquid film 95b is surrounded by the phase difference portion 101 and the bank portion 157.
The first alignment film 93 may be provided only in the display area 8 or may extend from the display area 8 to the outside of the display area 8. When the first alignment film 93 is provided only in the display region 8, the bank portion 157 is cured in an optically isotropic state because the molecular alignment state is not regulated by the first alignment film 93. . On the other hand, when the first alignment film 93 extends from the inside of the display region 8 to the outside of the display region 8, the bank portion 157 is cured in the phase difference alignment state.

Following the formation of the phase difference portion 101 and the bank portion 157, the liquid film 95b shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A is kept at about 100 ° C. When the liquid film 95b is kept at about 100 ° C., the orientation of the molecules of the liquid crystal compound is easily released. Thereby, the liquid film 95b becomes optically isotropic. An alignment state that is optically isotropic is called an isotropic alignment state.
Maintaining the liquid film 95b in the phase difference alignment state at about 100 ° C. means that the phase difference alignment state is transferred to the isotropic alignment state.

  Next, when the liquid film 95b is in an isotropic orientation state, the liquid film 95b is exposed with ultraviolet light 153 as shown in FIG. At this time, the liquid film 95b is cured in the isotropic orientation state. Thereby, the isotropic part 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed, and the retardation film 95 having the isotropic part 103 and the retardation part 101 can be formed.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14C, a resin film 99 a is formed on the retardation film 95 using, for example, an acrylic or epoxy resin. The resin film 99a can be formed by utilizing, for example, a spin coating technique.
Next, the gap adjustment film 99 shown in FIG. 14D is formed by patterning the resin film 99a using, for example, a photolithography technique.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a second alignment film 97 that covers the gap adjusting film 99 and the retardation film 95 from the bottom surface 23 side in the display region 8 is formed.
In forming the second alignment film 97, a resin film is formed on the retardation film 95 and the gap adjusting film 99 with a resin such as polyimide, and then an alignment process such as a rubbing process is performed on the resin film.
Thereby, the second alignment film 97 is formed, and the counter substrate 17 can be manufactured.

In the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal panel 10, first, the drive element substrate 15 and the counter substrate 17 are provided with a sealing material 21 (FIG. 2) provided in an annular shape in plan view on either the drive element substrate 15 or the counter substrate 17. Join through. At this time, the sealing material 21 is provided in a state where a part of the annular contour is missing in a plan view. A portion of the sealing material 21 lacking a part of the annular contour becomes an inlet for the liquid crystal 19.
Next, after the liquid crystal 19 is injected from the injection port, the liquid crystal 19 is sealed by closing the injection port. Thereby, the liquid crystal panel 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be manufactured.

In the manufacturing process of the display panel 3, the liquid crystal panel 10 is provided with polarizing plates 13a and 13b shown in FIG. The polarizing plate 13a is provided on the second surface 53b (FIG. 5) of the first substrate 51, and the polarizing plate 13b is provided on the outward surface 83a (FIG. 5) of the second substrate 81. Thereby, the display panel 3 shown in FIG. 2 can be manufactured.
The polarizing plates 13a and 13b may be provided on the first substrate 51 and the second substrate 81 before the liquid crystal panel 10 is manufactured.
In the manufacturing process of the display device 1, the display device 1 can be manufactured by combining the display panel 3 and the illumination device 5.

  In the first embodiment, the first substrate 51 and the second substrate 81 correspond to a pair of substrates, the second substrate 81 corresponds to one substrate, the first substrate 51 corresponds to the other substrate, and the phase difference portion 101 corresponds to one part, isotropic part 103 corresponds to the other part, and first alignment film 93 corresponds to the alignment film.

  In the first embodiment, since the bank portion 157 is formed before the isotropic portion 103 is formed in the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17, the region where the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed in the liquid film 95b is positioned. It can be surrounded by the phase difference portion 101 and the bank portion 157. For this reason, the liquid 95a in the region where the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed can be blocked. Thereby, it is possible to easily suppress the shape difference between the phase difference portion 101 and the isotropic portion 103.

  For example, when the bank portion 157 is not formed before the isotropic portion 103 is formed, the shape difference between the phase difference portion 101 and the isotropic portion 103 is isotropic with the phase difference portion 101 as shown in FIG. It may be generated as a step between the portion 103. This can occur when the liquid material 95a flows out in a region where the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed after the retardation portion 101 is hardened until the isotropic portion 103 is hardened.

  When a step is generated between the phase difference portion 101 and the isotropic portion 103, a shift occurs in the relationship between the thicknesses L1 and L2 of the liquid crystal 19. For this reason, a deviation is likely to occur between the modulation state of light emitted from the isotropic portion 103 and directed to the second substrate 81 and the modulation state of light emitted from the phase difference portion 101 and directed to the second substrate 81. . As a result, light emitted from the isotropic portion 103 and directed to the second substrate 81 and light emitted from the phase difference portion 101 and directed to the second substrate 81 are likely to leak.

  On the other hand, in the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17 of the display device 1, the region where the isotropic portion 103 should be formed in the liquid film 95 b can be surrounded by the phase difference portion 101 and the bank portion 157. Steps due to the flow out of 95a hardly occur. That is, in the display device 1, the distance from the second substrate 81 to the surface of the phase difference portion 101 on the liquid crystal 19 side is substantially equal to the distance from the second substrate 81 to the surface of the isotropic portion 103 on the liquid crystal 19 side. is there. For this reason, the modulation state of light emitted from the isotropic portion 103 and directed to the second substrate 81 is easily aligned with the modulation state of light emitted from the phase difference portion 101 and directed to the second substrate 81. As a result, the leakage of the light emitted from the isotropic portion 103 and directed to the second substrate 81 and the light emitted from the phase difference portion 101 and directed to the second substrate 81 can be suppressed low, so that the contrast can be improved.

In the first embodiment, since the bank portion 157 is formed when the phase difference portion 101 is formed in the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17, the time difference between the formation of the phase difference portion 101 and the bank portion 157 is formed. Can be reduced. For this reason, the liquid 95a can be dammed between the formation of the phase difference portion 101 and the formation of the bank portion 157. As a result, the shape difference between the phase difference portion 101 and the isotropic portion 103 can be further suppressed.
Moreover, since the exposure with respect to the phase difference part 101 and the exposure with respect to the bank part 157 can be implemented by the same exposure, the time difference between formation of the phase difference part 101 and formation of the bank part 157 can also be suppressed. it can. Thereby, the shape difference between the phase difference part 101 and the isotropic part 103 can be further suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, in the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17, the bank portion 157 that surrounds the liquid material 95 a in the region where the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed from the outside of the display region 8 together with the display region 8 is formed. For this reason, for example, compared with the case where the liquid material 95a in which the isotropic portion 103 is to be formed is surrounded for each pixel 7, the efficiency of the process, the photomask 151, and the like can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, the order in which the isotropic portion 103 is formed after the phase difference portion 101 is formed is employed. However, the order in which the phase difference portion 101 and the isotropic portion 103 are formed is limited to this. Alternatively, the order in which the phase difference portion 101 is formed after the isotropic portion 103 is formed may be employed.

In this case, following the formation of the liquid film 95b, the liquid film 95b is kept at about 100 ° C., and the alignment state of the liquid film 95b is changed from the phase difference alignment state to the isotropic alignment state.
Next, when the liquid film 95b is in an isotropic orientation state, the liquid film 95b is exposed with ultraviolet light 153 through a photomask 161 as shown in FIG. Here, the photomask 161 is provided with an opening 163 in a region overlapping the transmission region T. The liquid film 95 b is irradiated with ultraviolet light 153 through the opening 163. Then, the exposed portion of the liquid film 95b is cured.
Thereby, the isotropic portion 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed in the liquid film 95b.

Here, in forming the isotropic portion 103, the region outside the display region 8 (FIG. 1) is also exposed to the ultraviolet light 153 in a plan view. The area to be exposed at this time is an area surrounding the display area 8 from the outside of the display area 8 outside the display area 8. That is, in the liquid film 95b, the area surrounding the display area 8 from the outside of the display area 8 outside the display area 8 is cured.
As a result, a bank portion 157 surrounding the display area 8 from the outside of the display area 8 can be formed outside the display area 8, as shown in FIG. 17 which is a plan view showing the liquid film 95b. At this time, each isotropic part 103 and bank part 157 are formed in a series of states.
In addition, it is preferable that the exposure to the isotropic portion 103 and the exposure to the bank portion 157 are performed with the same exposure because the exposure process can be efficiently performed. However, either the exposure to the isotropic portion 103 or the exposure to the bank portion 157 may be performed first or later.

Thereby, the region where the phase difference portion 101 is to be formed in the liquid film 95 b is surrounded by the isotropic portion 103 and the bank portion 157.
Subsequent to the formation of the isotropic portion 103 and the bank portion 157, the liquid film 95b shown in FIGS. 17 and 16B is kept in the phase difference alignment state.
Next, when the liquid film 95b is in the phase difference alignment state, the liquid film 95b is exposed with ultraviolet light 153 as shown in FIG. At this time, the liquid film 95b is cured while being in the phase difference alignment state. Thereby, the phase difference part 101 shown in FIG. 6 is formed, and the phase difference film 95 having the isotropic part 103 and the phase difference part 101 can be formed.

The first alignment film 93 may be provided only in the display area 8 or may extend from the display area 8 to the outside of the display area 8. Even if the first alignment film 93 is provided only in the display region 8 or extends from the display region 8 to the outside of the display region 8, the bank portion 157 is hardened in an isotropic alignment state. Isotropic.
When forming the phase difference portion 101 after forming the isotropic portion 103, the isotropic portion 103 corresponds to one portion, and the phase difference portion 101 corresponds to the other portion.
Even if the phase difference portion 101 is formed after the isotropic portion 103 is formed, the same effect as in the case where the isotropic portion 103 is formed after the phase difference portion 101 is formed can be obtained.

A second embodiment will be described.
The display device 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method of the counter substrate 17 except that the bank portion 157 is formed and then the liquid film 95b is formed in the bank portion 157 in a plan view. The display device 1 has the same configuration as that of the display device 1 according to one embodiment.
Therefore, in the following second embodiment, in order to avoid redundant description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted, and only the differences from the first embodiment are described. Will be described.

In the second embodiment, in the manufacturing process of the counter substrate 17, the bank portion 157 is formed before the liquid film 95b is formed. As shown in FIG. 18 which is a plan view, the bank portion 157 is provided in a region surrounding the display region 8 from the outside outside the display region 8.
Examples of the material of the bank portion 157 include various materials such as a material containing a liquid crystal compound, an acrylic or epoxy resin, and a material mixed with a material having high light absorption such as carbon black or chromium. Can be employed. In addition, it is preferable to mix a material having high light absorption such as carbon black or chromium in order to suppress light leakage from the bank portion 157.

The bank portion 157 is formed by, for example, forming a resin film on the first alignment film 93 with a resin or the like using a spin coat technique and then patterning the resin film using a photolithography technique, for example. Can be done.
Following the formation of the bank portion 157, a liquid film 95b is formed in a region surrounded by the bank portion 157 in plan view.
Next, the liquid film 95 b is exposed through the photomask 151. Thereby, the phase difference part 101 shown in FIG. 6 is formed in the liquid film 95b.
Next, the liquid film 95b is exposed in a state where the liquid film 95b is transitioned from the phase difference alignment state to the isotropic alignment state. Thereby, the isotropic part 103 shown in FIG. 6 is formed, and the retardation film 95 having the isotropic part 103 and the retardation part 101 can be formed.

In the second embodiment, the order of forming the isotropic portion 103 after forming the phase difference portion 101 is not limited, and the order of forming the phase difference portion 101 after forming the isotropic portion 103 is also adopted. Can be done.
In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
Further, in the second embodiment, since the bank portion 157 is formed and then the liquid film 95b is formed in the region surrounded by the bank portion 157, the liquid body 95a is prevented from flowing out. The film 95b can be exposed. Thereby, the shape difference between the phase difference part 101 and the isotropic part 103 can be further suppressed.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the FFS type driving method is adopted as the driving method of the liquid crystal 19, but the driving method is not limited to this, and an IPS (In Plane Switching) type, Various methods such as a VA (Vertical Alignment) type may be employed.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the retardation film 95 is provided on the counter substrate 17 side has been described as an example. However, the retardation film 95 is not limited thereto, and the drive element It may be provided on the substrate 15 side.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the phase difference part 101 that gives a half-wave phase difference to incident light has been described as an example. However, the phase difference given by the phase difference part 101 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various phase differences such as ¼ wavelength and １ ／ wavelength can be adopted.

  The display device 1 described above can be applied to, for example, the display unit 510 of the electronic device 500 illustrated in FIG. This electronic device 500 is a mobile phone. This electronic device 500 has operation buttons 511. The display unit 510 can display various information including information input by the operation buttons 511 and incoming call information. In this electronic apparatus 500, since the display device 1 is applied to the display unit 510, the contrast in the display unit 510 can be improved.

  The electronic device 500 is not limited to a mobile phone, and includes various electronic devices such as mobile computers, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, in-vehicle devices such as display devices for car navigation systems, and audio devices. The display panel 3 and the liquid crystal panel 10 can be applied as light valves to a projection display device such as a projector.

The disassembled perspective view which shows the main structures of the display apparatus in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing in the AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a plurality of pixels in the first embodiment. The enlarged view of the C section in FIG. Sectional drawing in the DD line | wire in FIG. The figure which shows the E section in FIG. Sectional drawing in the FF line | wire in FIG. The top view explaining arrangement | positioning of the TFT element in 1st Embodiment, a common electrode, and a pixel electrode. The figure explaining the polarization state in the transmissive area | region of the display panel in 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the polarization state in the reflective area | region of the display panel in 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the manufacturing process of the drive element board | substrate in 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the manufacturing process of the opposing board | substrate in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the liquid film in the manufacturing process of the opposing board | substrate in 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the manufacturing process of the opposing board | substrate in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the example of the shape difference of a phase difference site | part and an isotropic site | part. The figure explaining the other example of the manufacturing process of the opposing board | substrate in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the liquid film in the other example of the manufacturing process of the opposing substrate in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the bank part in 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view of the electronic device to which the display apparatus in this embodiment was applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display apparatus, 3 ... Display panel, 7 ... Pixel, 8 ... Display area, 10 ... Liquid crystal panel, 15 ... Drive element board | substrate, 17 ... Opposite substrate, 19 ... Liquid crystal, 51 ... 1st board | substrate, 53a ... 1st surface 53b ... second surface, 81 ... second substrate, 83a ... outward surface, 83b ... opposite surface, 93 ... first alignment film, 95 ... retardation film, 95a ... liquid, 95b ... liquid film, 101 ... position Phase difference part, 103 ... isotropic part, 151 ... photomask, 153 ... UV light, 155 ... opening, 157 ... bank, 161 ... photomask, 163 ... opening, 500 ... electronic device, 510 ... display, H ... reflective area, T ... transmissive area, M ... matrix.

Claims (12)

A liquid crystal interposed between a pair of substrates opposed to each other; and a retardation film interposed between the one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal; A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device having a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic,
Forming a liquid film with a liquid containing a material constituting the retardation film on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate;
Curing a part of the liquid film to form one of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion; and
After the step of forming the one portion, at least a part of the liquid film outside the one portion is cured to form the other portion of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion. And having
Before the step of forming the other part, a bank part surrounding the formation region of the other part is formed at the one part.   The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the bank portion is formed in the step of forming the one portion. In the liquid crystal device, a plurality of pixels are set in a display area where an image can be displayed, and in each of the pixels, a transmissive area for performing transmissive display and a reflective area for performing reflective display are set.
In the formation of the phase difference portion, the liquid film in the region including each of the reflection regions in a plan view is cured while maintaining the property of imparting the phase difference to the incident light, and the phase difference portion is formed. Forming,
In the formation of the isotropic portion, the isotropic portion is formed by curing the liquid film in a region including each of the transmission regions in a plan view while maintaining optical isotropy. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 3, wherein in forming the bank portion, the bank portion is formed so as to surround the formation region of the other part together with the display region from the outside of the display region. The material constituting the retardation film contains a liquid crystal compound,
In the formation of the phase difference site, the liquid crystal compound is cured while the liquid crystal compound is maintained in a phase alignment state in which the liquid crystal compound imparts the phase difference to the incident light. Forming,
In the formation of the isotropic portion, the liquid crystal compound is cured to form the isotropic portion while maintaining the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound in an isotropic alignment state in which the liquid crystal compound is optically isotropic. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The liquid crystal compound has photopolymerizability;
Before the step of forming the liquid film, the step of forming an alignment film that regulates the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound to the retardation alignment state on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate,
In the step of forming the liquid film, the liquid film covering the alignment film with the liquid is formed,
In the formation of the phase difference part, the liquid film in the region where the phase difference part is to be formed is irradiated with light to form the phase difference part,
In the formation of the isotropic portion, the liquid crystal compound is heated to change the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound to the isotropic alignment state, and then is applied to the liquid film in the region where the isotropic portion is to be formed. Irradiating the light to form the isotropic region;
6. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 5, wherein in forming the bank portion, the bank portion is formed by irradiating the liquid film in a region where the bank portion is to be formed with the light. . In the step of forming the alignment film, the alignment film is formed over a region surrounding the display region from the outside in a plan view on the one substrate,
The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device according to claim 6, wherein the phase difference portion is formed in the step of forming the one portion. A liquid crystal interposed between a pair of substrates facing each other, and a retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal, and in a display area where an image can be displayed A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device in which a plurality of pixels are set, and a transmissive region for performing transmissive display and a reflective region for performing reflective display are set corresponding to each of the pixels,
Forming a bank portion surrounding the display area from the outside of the display area in a plan view on the liquid crystal side of the one substrate;
Forming a liquid film covering the display region with a liquid containing a material constituting the retardation film at least inside the bank portion;
Curing the liquid film in a region including each of the reflection regions in a plan view while maintaining the property of imparting a phase difference to incident light to form a phase difference portion;
The liquid film in the region including each of the transmission regions outside the region where the phase difference region is to be formed in plan view is cured while maintaining optical isotropy to form an isotropic region. And a step of
After one of the step of forming the phase difference portion and the step of forming the isotropic portion, the other of the step of forming the phase difference portion and the step of forming the isotropic portion. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device, comprising performing the steps. A pair of substrates facing each other;
A liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates;
A retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal;
The retardation film has a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light, and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic,
The liquid crystal device, wherein a region in which one of the phase difference portion and the isotropic portion is formed is surrounded by a region in which the other portion is formed. A pair of substrates facing each other;
A liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates;
A retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal;
Multiple pixels are set in the display area where the image can be displayed,
In each of the pixels, a transmissive region for performing transmissive display and a reflective region for performing reflective display are set.
The retardation film has a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light, and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic with respect to the incident light.
The phase difference portion is provided in a region overlapping each reflection region in plan view,
The isotropic portion is provided in a region overlapping each transmission region in plan view,
One of the phase difference portion or the isotropic portion is also provided in a region surrounding the display region outside the display region in a plan view. A pair of substrates facing each other;
A liquid crystal interposed between the pair of substrates;
A retardation film interposed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal;
A bank portion surrounding the retardation film in plan view,
Multiple pixels are set in the display area where the image can be displayed,
In each of the pixels, a transmissive region for performing transmissive display and a reflective region for performing reflective display are set.
The retardation film has a phase difference portion that imparts a phase difference to incident light, and an isotropic portion that is optically isotropic with respect to the incident light.
The phase difference portion is provided in a region overlapping each reflection region in plan view,
The isotropic portion is provided in a region overlapping each transmission region in plan view,
The liquid crystal device, wherein the bank portion surrounds the retardation film outside the display region in a plan view.   The distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the retardation portion is substantially equal to the distance from the one substrate to the liquid crystal side surface of the isotropic portion. Item 12. The liquid crystal device according to any one of Items 9 to 11.

Images