JP2012013745A - Liquid crystal display device, method for manufacturing liquid crystal display device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display device with high transmittance.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal display device includes a color material layer, an electrode layer and an intermediate layer formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer, where a refractive index of the intermediate layer is higher than that of the color material layer and lower than that of the electrode layer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, and an electronic apparatus.

  Conventionally, a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer is sealed between a color filter substrate and an element substrate is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a liquid crystal display device, the element substrate can apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer for each pixel region, and the azimuth angle of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer changes depending on whether or not the electric field is applied. The light passing through has different polarization states depending on whether or not an electric field is applied. A part of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer is absorbed by the polarizing plate according to the polarization state, and becomes light of a desired gradation. On the other hand, the color filter substrate includes a plurality of color material layers having different wavelengths of light to be transmitted, and the color material layers correspond to the pixel regions on a one-to-one basis. The light emitted from the liquid crystal layer passes through the color material layer, so that a component in a predetermined wavelength band is absorbed and becomes desired color light. In general, the liquid crystal layer is independently controlled in the three red, green, and blue pixel regions, and one pixel of a full-color image is formed by light emitted from the three red, green, and blue pixel regions.

Japanese Patent No. 3261854

  However, in the above liquid crystal display device, when the color filter is irradiated with light, the difference in refractive index between the materials is large, so that the light is reflected at the interface between the materials and the transmittance is reduced. There was a problem.

  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 display device according to this application example includes a color material layer, an electrode layer, and an intermediate layer formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer. The refractive index is higher than the refractive index of the color material layer and lower than the refractive index of the electrode layer.

  According to this configuration, an intermediate layer having a refractive index between the refractive index of the color material layer and the refractive index of the electrode layer is formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer. For example, when light is irradiated from the color material layer side to the electrode layer side, the light travels from the color material layer to the electrode layer side through the intermediate layer, and at this time, the light gradually refracts as the light travels. The light travels in each layer where the rate changes (in this case, light travels in a direction in which the refractive index gradually increases). For this reason, when light travels, the reflection of light at the interface of each layer is reduced, and the transmittance can be improved. In addition, when light is irradiated from the electrode layer side toward the color material layer side, the same effect is obtained (in this case, the light travels in a direction in which the refractive index gradually decreases).

  Application Example 2 In the liquid crystal display device according to the application example described above, a contact surface between the color material layer and the intermediate layer has a convex shape toward the color material layer side.

  According to this configuration, the transmittance can be increased, and the contact surface having a convex shape can function as a condensing lens, and the irradiated light can be condensed.

  Application Example 3 In the liquid crystal display device according to the application example, the color of the contact surface corresponding to the color material layer having a long absorption light wavelength among the plurality of color material layers has a short absorption light wavelength. It is larger than the curvature of the said contact surface corresponding to a material layer, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to this structure, when the curvature of a contact surface is large, the focal distance of the transmitted light can be shortened. On the other hand, when the curvature of the contact surface is small, the focal length of the transmitted light can be increased. Accordingly, the focal length of the light transmitted through the color material layer having a relatively long absorption light wavelength is shortened, and the focal distance of the light transmitted through the color material layer having a short absorption light wavelength is increased, and the light passes through each color material layer. The light focus can be aligned and the color balance can be improved.

  Application Example 4 In the liquid crystal display device according to the application example described above, the difference in refractive index between the color material layer having a long absorption light wavelength and the intermediate layer among the plurality of color material layers is short in the absorption light wavelength. It is larger than the difference in refractive index between the color material layer and the intermediate layer.

  According to this configuration, when the difference in refractive index is large, the focal length of transmitted light can be shortened. On the other hand, when the difference in refractive index is small, the focal length of the transmitted light can be increased. Accordingly, the focal length of the light transmitted through the color material layer having a relatively long absorption light wavelength is shortened, and the focal distance of the light transmitted through the color material layer having a short absorption light wavelength is increased, and the light passes through each color material layer. The light focus can be aligned and the color balance can be improved.

  Application Example 5 A liquid crystal display device manufacturing method according to this application example includes a color material layer forming step of forming a color material layer on a substrate, and a refractive index of the color material layer on the color material layer. An intermediate layer forming step of forming an intermediate layer having a high refractive index, and an electrode layer forming step of forming an electrode layer having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the intermediate layer on the intermediate layer. Features.

  According to this configuration, an intermediate layer having a refractive index between the refractive index of the color material layer and the refractive index of the electrode layer is formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer. For example, when light is irradiated from the color material layer side to the electrode layer side, the light travels from the color material layer to the electrode layer side through the intermediate layer, and at this time, the light gradually refracts as the light travels. The light travels in each layer where the rate changes (in this case, light travels in a direction in which the refractive index gradually increases). For this reason, when light travels, the reflection of light at the interface of each layer is reduced, and the transmittance can be improved. In addition, when light is irradiated from the electrode layer side toward the color material layer side, the same effect is obtained (in this case, the light travels in a direction in which the refractive index gradually decreases).

  Application Example 6 An electronic apparatus according to this application example includes the above-described liquid crystal display device or a liquid crystal display device manufactured by the above-described liquid crystal display device manufacturing method.

  According to this configuration, a high-quality electronic device can be provided. In this case, the electronic device corresponds to, for example, a television receiver, a personal computer, a portable electronic device, and other various electronic devices equipped with the liquid crystal display device.

The structure of a liquid crystal display device is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) The partially enlarged plan view. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a configuration of a liquid crystal display device. The schematic diagram which shows the condensing state of a liquid crystal display device. The perspective view which shows the structure of a droplet discharge apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a droplet discharge head. Process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device. Process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device. The perspective view which shows the structure of an electronic device. The schematic diagram which shows the condensing state of the liquid crystal display device concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings used for explanation, in order to show characteristic portions in an easy-to-understand manner, dimensions and scales of structures in the drawings may be different from actual structures. In addition, in the embodiment, the same components are illustrated with the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

  1A and 1B show a configuration of a liquid crystal display device, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view and FIG. 1B is a plan view in which a display area is enlarged. As shown to Fig.1 (a), the liquid crystal display device 1a is a substantially plate-shaped thing, and has display area A1 on one surface. A plurality of pixel areas P are arranged in a matrix in the display area A1. The outside of the display area A1 is a frame A2. A plurality of scanning lines 10a and a plurality of data lines 10b are provided in the liquid crystal display device 1a. The plurality of scanning lines 10a are substantially parallel to each other, and the plurality of data lines 10b are also substantially parallel to each other. The scanning line 10a is substantially orthogonal (intersect) with the data line 10b. Each of the regions surrounded by the scanning lines 10a and the data lines 10b is a pixel region P.

  The scanning line 10a and the data line 10b are provided across the display area A1 and the frame A2. In the frame A2, the end of the scanning line 10a is electrically connected to a scanning line driving circuit (not shown) that supplies a scanning signal. The end of the data line 10b in the frame A2 is electrically connected to a data line driving circuit (not shown) that supplies an image signal.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the display area A1 includes a plurality of pixel areas P. The pixel area P of the present embodiment includes a red display pixel area Pr, a green display pixel area Pg, and a blue display pixel area Pb. When red light, green light, and blue light are emitted from the pixel areas Pr, Pg, and Pb toward the display side, respectively, the red light, green light, and blue light are mixed together and visually recognized. One pixel is displayed. A light shielding region D is provided between the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 1a includes an element substrate 11, a color filter substrate 12a disposed to face the element substrate 11, and a liquid crystal sandwiched between the element substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12a. Layer 13 is provided.

  The element substrate 11 is, for example, an active matrix type, and has a transparent substrate 11A made of glass, quartz, plastic, or the like as a base. An element layer 111 is provided on the transparent substrate 11A. The element layer 111 is provided with a thin film transistor (TFT) 112 as an element, various wirings such as the scanning line 10a and the data line 10b shown in FIG. The TFT 112 and various wirings are provided in a portion corresponding to the light shielding region D where light is shielded.

  On the liquid crystal layer 13 side of the element layer 111, island-shaped pixel electrodes 113 are formed for the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb. The pixel electrode 113 has a one-to-one correspondence with the TFT 112 and is electrically connected to the corresponding TFT 112. The TFT 112 switches the image signal based on the scanning signal and supplies the image signal to the pixel electrode 113 at a predetermined timing.

  A passivation film 114 made of, for example, an inorganic material such as silicon oxide is provided on the element layer 111 that overlaps the light shielding region D. The passivation film 114 is formed over the periphery of the pixel electrodes 113 so as to cover the periphery of the pixel electrodes 113 in a ring shape. A first alignment film 115 is provided between the pixel electrode 113 and the liquid crystal layer 13. The first alignment film 115 is obtained, for example, by subjecting a film made of polyimide or the like to an alignment process such as a rubbing process, and controls the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 13 together with a second alignment film 126 described later. Here, the first alignment film 115 and the second alignment film 126 are subjected to alignment treatment so that the liquid crystal layer 13 is nematic twist alignment (TN alignment). In addition, a first polarizing plate 116 is provided on the transparent substrate 11A on the side opposite to the element layer 111. The first polarizing plate 116 has a characteristic of passing linearly polarized light in a predetermined direction.

  The color filter substrate 12a includes a color material layer, an electrode layer, and an intermediate layer formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer. Details will be described below. The color filter substrate 12a is a transparent substrate 12A as a substrate, a plurality of color material layers 122r, 122g, 122b formed on the transparent substrate 12A, and an intermediate layer formed on each color material layer 122r, 122g, 122b. , A common electrode 125 as an electrode layer formed on the flattening layer 124, and a second alignment film 126 formed on the common electrode 125.

  The transparent substrate 12A is a transparent substrate made of glass, quartz, plastic, or the like. A partition wall 121 is provided in a portion overlapping the light shielding region D on the liquid crystal layer 13 side of the transparent substrate 12A. In the partition wall 121, openings are provided in portions overlapping the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb. That is, the partition wall 121 surrounds each of the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb in an annular shape. The partition wall 121 is made of, for example, an acrylic resin containing a light shielding material such as a black pigment, and functions as a black matrix.

  Color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b are partitioned and disposed in portions overlapping the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb on the liquid crystal layer 13 side of the transparent substrate 12A. The color material layers 122 r, 122 g, and 122 b are disposed in each of the plurality of openings provided in the partition wall 121, and are partitioned by the partition wall 121. The color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b have characteristics of transmitting red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, and absorbing color light in other wavelength bands.

  A planarizing layer 124 is provided on the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b. The planarization layer 124 is made of a light-transmitting resin material or the like. By the formation of the planarizing layer 124, the color material layer 122 is planarized. In the present embodiment, the surface of the planarizing layer 124 on the liquid crystal layer 13 side is substantially the same as the surface of the partition wall 121 on the liquid crystal layer 13 side.

  A common electrode 125 is provided on the planarization layer 124 and the partition wall 121. The common electrode 125 is formed of, for example, a transparent electrode member (ITO). A second alignment film 126 is provided on the common electrode 125. A second polarizing plate (polarizing layer) 127 is disposed on the opposite side of the transparent substrate 12A from the color material layer 122. The second polarizing plate 127 has a characteristic of passing linearly polarized light. Here, the transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 127 forms an angle of approximately 90 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 116. The common electrode 125, the second alignment film 126, and the second polarizing plate 127 are all provided over the entire surface so as to correspond to the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb.

  Here, the color filter substrate 12 a has a laminated structure of the color material layer 122, the planarization layer 124, and the common electrode 125. Then, the refractive index of the planarizing layer 124 formed between the color material layer 122 and the common electrode 125 is higher than the refractive index of the color material layer 122 and lower than the refractive index of the common electrode 125. Yes. Specifically, the refractive index of the color material layer 122 is set to about 1.5, the refractive index of the common electrode 125 is set to about 1.9, and the refractive index of the planarizing layer 124 is set to about 1.7. . That is, the refractive index of the planarizing layer 124 is set to be between the refractive index of the color material layer 122 and the refractive index of the common electrode 125. In this manner, by forming the planarizing layer 124 having an intermediate refractive index between the color material layer 122 and the common electrode 125, light is transmitted through the color material layer 122, the planarization layer 124, and the common electrode 125. In this case, the reflection of light at the interface of each layer is reduced, and the transmittance can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the contact surface 123 between the color material layer 122 and the planarization layer 124 has a convex shape toward the color material layer 122 side. Thereby, for example, when light is irradiated from the color material layer 122 side toward the common electrode 125 side, the light can be efficiently condensed and the contrast can be improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the curvature of the contact surface 123 corresponding to the color material layer 122 having a relatively long absorption light wavelength among the plurality of color material layers 122 has a relatively short absorption light wavelength. Is formed so as to be larger than the curvature of the contact surface 123 corresponding to. In other words, the degree of bending of the contact surface 123 corresponding to the color material layer 122 having a relatively long absorption light wavelength is the degree of bending of the contact surface 123 corresponding to the color material layer 122 having a relatively short absorption light wavelength. Bigger than. Specifically, among the plurality of color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b, the color material layer 122r that transmits red light has the longest absorption light wavelength, and then the color material layer 122g that transmits green light is long, The color material layer 122b that transmits blue light has the shortest absorption light wavelength. Accordingly, the curvature of the contact surface 123a corresponding to the color material layer 122r having a long absorption light wavelength is formed to be larger than the curvature of the contact surfaces 123b and 123c corresponding to the color material layers 122g and 122b having a short absorption light wavelength. ing. That is, the contact surface 123c corresponding to the color material layer 122b, the contact surface 123b corresponding to the color material layer 122g, and the contact surface 123a corresponding to the color material layer 122r are formed in such a manner that the curvature gradually increases. As a result, the light transmitted through the color material layer 122r having a long absorption light wavelength is refracted more than the light transmitted through the other color material layers 122g and 122b, and the focal length corresponding to the other color material layers 122g and 122b. Can also be shortened. On the other hand, the refraction of light transmitted through the color material layer 122b having a short absorption light wavelength can be reduced, and the focal length can be increased. The curvatures of the contact surfaces 123a, 123b, and 123c are formed so that the distances that pass through the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b and are collected from the element substrate 11 are equal. The method of setting the curvature of the contact surfaces 123a, 123b, 123c corresponding to the color material layers 122r, 122g, 122b is not particularly limited. For example, the curvature of the contact surface 123b corresponding to the color material layer 122g is used as a reference. The curvature of the contact surface 123a can be formed to be larger than the curvature of the contact surface 123b, and the curvature of the contact surface 123c can be smaller than the curvature of the contact surface 123b.

  The liquid crystal layer 13 is made of a liquid crystal material having birefringence. Here, the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 13 is TN alignment, and the liquid crystal layer 13 exhibits birefringence when no electric field is applied. When an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 13, the director direction of the liquid crystal molecules becomes substantially parallel to the electric field direction, and the liquid crystal layer 13 does not exhibit birefringence.

  Next, the condensing state of the liquid crystal display device 1a of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a light collection state of the liquid crystal display device. In the liquid crystal display device 1a, the irradiation light passes through the second polarizing plate 127 and becomes linearly polarized light, and the light transmitted through the transparent substrate 12A enters the color material layer 122. Here, focusing on the pixel region Pr, light incident on the color material layer 122r absorbs light in a wavelength band other than red light, and red light is emitted from the color material layer 122r. The red light emitted from the color material layer 122r is refracted by the color material layer 122r, the planarization layer 124, and the contact surface 123a, and the light transmitted through the planarization layer 124 is incident on the common electrode 125 and is planarized. And refracted at the interface between the common electrode and the liquid crystal layer 13. Here, in a state where an image signal is not supplied to the pixel electrode 113, the liquid crystal layer 13 is in a state where no electric field is applied, and exhibits birefringence. The light incident on the liquid crystal layer 13 in the state where no electric field is applied becomes phase-modulated and becomes second linearly polarized light rotated by 90 ° from the first linearly polarized light, enters the element substrate 11, and the vibration direction of the first polarizing plate 116. The optical axis substantially coincides with the transmission axis, passes through the first polarizing plate 116, the pixel region Pr becomes bright display (red), and the light transmitted through the first polarizing plate 116 is condensed at the condensing point CP. .

  The condensing state of the pixel areas Pg and Pb is the same as that of the pixel area Pr. However, the curvature of the contact surface 123a is set larger than the curvature of the other contact surfaces 123b and 123c in the contact surfaces 123a, 123b, and 123c. Then, the curvature of the contact surface 123b is set large. For this reason, light transmitted through the color material layer 122r having a long absorption light wavelength is refracted relatively large, and light transmitted through the color material layer 122b having a short absorption light wavelength is relatively suppressed in refraction. For this reason, even when the absorption light wavelengths are different, for example, the distances from the element substrate 11 to the condensing points of the light transmitted through the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b can be made substantially equal.

  Further, in a state where an image signal is supplied to the pixel electrode 113, the liquid crystal layer 13 is in an electric field applied state and does not exhibit birefringence. The linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal layer 13 in the electric field application state through the second polarizing plate 127 has a vibration direction substantially coincident with the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate 116 and is absorbed by the first polarizing plate 116. Thereby, the pixel region Pr is darkly displayed (black). The pixel areas Pg and Pb are the same as the pixel area Pr.

(Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display device)
Next, a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device will be described. In manufacturing a color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device, a droplet discharge device that discharges a functional liquid as droplets to form a pattern is used. The apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the droplet discharge device. The droplet discharge device IJ includes a droplet discharge head 1001, an X-axis direction drive shaft 1004, a Y-axis direction guide shaft 1005, a control device CONT, a stage 1007, a cleaning mechanism 1008, a base 1009, and a heater. 1015.

  The stage 1007 supports the workpiece W to which the functional liquid is applied, and includes a fixing mechanism (not shown) that fixes the workpiece W to a reference position.

  The droplet discharge head 1001 is a multi-nozzle type droplet discharge head including a plurality of discharge nozzles, and the longitudinal direction and the X-axis direction are made to coincide. The plurality of discharge nozzles are provided on the lower surface of the droplet discharge head 1001 at regular intervals. Then, the functional liquid is ejected as droplets from the ejection nozzle of the liquid droplet ejection head 1001 toward the work W supported by the stage 1007, and the functional liquid is applied onto the work W.

  An X-axis direction drive motor 1002 is connected to the X-axis direction drive shaft 1004. The X-axis direction drive motor 1002 is a stepping motor or the like, and rotates the X-axis direction drive shaft 1004 when a drive signal in the X-axis direction is supplied from the control device CONT. When the X-axis direction drive shaft 1004 rotates, the droplet discharge head 1001 moves in the X-axis direction.

  The Y-axis direction guide shaft 1005 is fixed so as not to move with respect to the base 1009. The stage 1007 includes a Y-axis direction drive motor 1003. The Y-axis direction drive motor 1003 is a stepping motor or the like, and moves the stage 1007 in the Y-axis direction when a drive signal in the Y-axis direction is supplied from the control device CONT.

  The control device CONT supplies a droplet discharge control voltage to the droplet discharge head 1001. In addition, a driving pulse signal for controlling movement of the droplet discharge head 1001 in the X-axis direction is supplied to the X-axis direction driving motor 1002, and a driving pulse signal for controlling movement of the stage 1007 in the Y-axis direction is supplied to the Y-axis direction driving motor 1003. Supply.

  The cleaning mechanism 1008 is for cleaning the droplet discharge head 1001. The cleaning mechanism 1008 includes a Y-axis direction drive motor (not shown). The cleaning mechanism moves along the Y-axis direction guide shaft 1005 by driving the Y-axis direction drive motor. The movement of the cleaning mechanism 1008 is also controlled by the control device CONT.

  Here, the heater 1015 is means for heat-treating the workpiece W by lamp annealing, and performs evaporation and drying of the solvent contained in the functional liquid disposed on the workpiece W. The heater 1015 is also turned on and off by the control device CONT.

  The droplet discharge device IJ is arranged in the X-axis direction on the lower surface of the droplet discharge head 1001 with respect to the workpiece W while relatively scanning the droplet discharge head 1001 and the stage 1007 that supports the workpiece W. Droplets are ejected from a plurality of ejection nozzles.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the principle of discharging the functional liquid by the piezo method. In FIG. 5, a piezo element 1022 is installed adjacent to a liquid chamber 1021 that contains a functional liquid. The functional liquid is supplied to the liquid chamber 1021 via a liquid material supply system 1023 including a material tank that stores the functional liquid. The piezo element 1022 is connected to a drive circuit 1024, and a voltage is applied to the piezo element 1022 via the drive circuit 1024 to deform the piezo element 1022, whereby the liquid chamber 1021 is deformed and functions from the discharge nozzle 1025. Liquid is discharged. In this case, the amount of distortion of the piezo element 1022 is controlled by changing the value of the applied voltage. Further, the strain rate of the piezo element 1022 is controlled by changing the frequency of the applied voltage. Since the droplet discharge by the piezo method does not apply heat to the material, it has an advantage of hardly affecting the composition of the material.

  Returning to the description of the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device, description will be made with reference to the drawings. 6 and 7 are process diagrams showing a method for manufacturing a color filter substrate of a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device manufacturing method of the present embodiment includes a color material layer forming step of forming a color material layer on a substrate, and an intermediate layer having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the color material layer on the color material layer. An intermediate layer forming step to be formed; and an electrode layer forming step of forming an electrode layer having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the intermediate layer on the intermediate layer.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the partition 121 is formed on the transparent substrate 12A. Specifically, for example, a resin material is formed on the transparent substrate 12A, and the partition 121 is formed by opening portions that overlap the pixel regions Pr, Pg, and Pb in the film.

  Next, in the color material layer forming step, as shown in FIG. 6B, each of the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b is directed from the droplet discharge head 1001 of the droplet discharge apparatus IJ toward the region partitioned by the partition 121. The functional liquid containing the material is ejected as droplets 51r, 52g, and 53b, and the functional liquids 122r ′, 122g ′, and 122b ′ are applied to the portions surrounded by the partition wall 121. At this time, the application amount (discharge amount) of each of the functional liquids 122r ′, 122g ′, 122b ′ is adjusted. In the present embodiment, the droplets 51r, 52g, and 53b are ejected so that the application amount increases in the order of the functional liquids 122r ′, 122g ′, and 122b ′.

  Thereafter, the applied functional liquids 122r ', 122g', and 122b 'are solidified by drying and baking. Thereby, as shown in FIG.6 (c), the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b are formed. Here, the curvature of the surface (contact surface 123) of the color material layer 122 increases in the order of the color material layers 122b, 122g, and 122r.

  Next, in the intermediate layer forming step, as shown in FIG. 7A, the planarizing layer 124 as an intermediate layer is formed from the droplet discharge head 1001 of the droplet discharge apparatus IJ toward the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b. The functional liquid containing the material is ejected as droplets 57, and the functional liquid 124 ′ is applied on the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b.

  Then, the applied functional liquid 124 ′ is solidified by drying and baking. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the planarization layer 124 is formed on the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b. The material is selected so that the refractive index of the planarizing layer 124 is higher than the refractive index of the color material layer 122.

  Next, in the electrode layer forming step, as shown in FIG. 7C, a transparent conductive material such as ITO is formed on the planarizing layer 124 and the partition wall 121 to form a common electrode 125 as an electrode layer. Then, the second alignment film 126 is formed on the common electrode 125. Thereby, the color filter substrate 12a excluding the second polarizing plate 127 is formed. The material is selected so that the refractive index of the common electrode 125 is higher than the refractive index of the planarization layer 124.

  Then, the element substrate 11 is formed separately from the formation of the color filter substrate 12a. Specifically, the TFT 112 and various wirings are formed on the transparent substrate 11A, and the element layer 111 is formed. Then, island-shaped pixel electrodes 113 are formed on the element layer 111. Then, a passivation film 114 is formed continuously between the peripheral edge of the pixel electrode 113 and the pixel electrode 113. For example, an inorganic material (for example, silicon oxide) is formed over almost the entire area of the transparent substrate 11A. Then, the passivation film 114 is obtained by patterning this film to expose portions (center portions) overlapping the pixel regions Pr, Pg, Pb in the pixel electrode 113. Then, a first alignment film 115 is formed over almost the entire area of the transparent substrate 11A so as to cover the pixel electrode 113 and the passivation film 114. The element substrate 11 can be formed by appropriately using known forming materials and forming methods.

  Next, the element substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12a are arranged to face each other with the pixel electrode 113 and the common electrode 125 inside. Then, while aligning the element substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12a, the peripheral portion of the element substrate 11 and the peripheral portion of the color filter substrate 12a are bonded together, and a liquid crystal is provided between the element substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12a. The material is sealed to seal the liquid crystal layer 13. Moreover, the liquid crystal display device 1a is obtained by sticking the first polarizing plate 116 outside the transparent substrate 11A and sticking the second polarizing plate 127 outside the transparent substrate 12A.

(Configuration of electronic equipment)
Next, the configuration of the electronic device will be described. In the present embodiment, the configuration of a mobile personal computer as an electronic device will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a mobile personal computer as an electronic apparatus. A mobile personal computer 1100 includes a liquid crystal display device 1a, a main body 1103 having a keyboard 1102, and the like. In addition, said electronic device is an example of the electronic device of this invention, Comprising: The technical scope of this invention is not limited. For example, the liquid crystal display device 1a can be applied to a mobile phone, a portable audio device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and the like as other electronic devices.

  Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) A planarizing layer 124 having a refractive index between the refractive index of the color material layer 122 and the refractive index of the common electrode 125 is provided between the color material layer 122 and the common electrode 125. Thereby, the difference in refractive index between the respective layers is reduced, and the reflection of light at the interface between the respective layers is reduced, so that the transmittance can be improved.

  (2) Further, the contact surface 123 where the color material layer 122 and the planarizing layer 124 are in contact with each other is formed in a convex shape toward the color material layer 122 side. Thereby, a condensing characteristic is improved and the transmittance | permeability can be raised further.

  (3) Among the plurality of color material layers 122r, 122g, 122b, the curvature of the contact surface 123a corresponding to the color material layer 122r having a long absorption light wavelength corresponds to the other color material layers 122g, 122b having a short absorption light wavelength. It formed so that it might become larger than the curvature of contact surface 123b, 123c to do. Specifically, the curvature of the contact surface 123 corresponding to each of the color material layers 122b, 122g, and 122r was increased in the order of the color material layer 122b, the color material layer 122g, and the color material layer 122r. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the focal length of the light transmitted through the color material layer 122r having a long absorption light wavelength, and to increase the focal length of the light transmitted through the color material layer 122b having a short absorption light wavelength. The heights of the light condensing points CP of the light transmitted through the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b from the display surface of the display device 1a can be made uniform. Thereby, a color balance can be improved.

  In addition, it is not limited to said embodiment, The following modifications are mentioned.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the planarization layer 124 as an intermediate layer is provided between the color material layer 122 and the common electrode 125, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the color material layer 122 and the common electrode 125 are not limited thereto. A plurality of intermediate layers may be provided between the two. In this case, the refractive index in each intermediate layer is made different, for example, the refractive index is gradually increased from the color material layer 122 toward the common electrode 125. In this way, the difference in refractive index between the layers is further reduced, so that light reflection can be further reduced and the transmittance can be improved.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the curvature of the contact surface corresponding to each color material layer is adjusted to make the focal length uniform. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may adjust with both the curvature and the refractive index difference between each member. Even in this case, similarly to the above, the heights of the condensing points CP of the light transmitted through the color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b can be made uniform.

  (Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the three color material layers 122r, 122g, and 122b have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color material layer 122 may be one or two types, or four or more types. Even in such a case, since the color material layer 122, the planarization layer 124, and the common electrode 125 are stacked, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  (Modification 4) In the above embodiment, the case where light is irradiated from the color filter substrate 12a side to the element substrate 11 side has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. Light may be irradiated to the filter substrate 12a side. Even in this case, since the light enters from the common electrode 125 and passes through the planarizing layer 124 having an intermediate refractive index between the common electrode 125 and the color material layer 122, the light travels to the color material layer 122. The transmittance can be increased and the irradiated light can be condensed.

  (Modification 5) In the liquid crystal display device 1a in the above embodiment, the color material layer 122 is formed on the transparent substrate 12A of the color filter substrate 12a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The color material layer 122 may be provided on the element substrate 11 side. In this case, for example, a TFT 112 or the like is provided on the transparent substrate 11A, a color material layer 122 is provided on the TFT 112, a flattening layer 124 as an intermediate layer is provided on the color material layer 122, and an electrode is provided on the flattening layer 124. A pixel electrode 113 as a layer may be provided. That is, a liquid crystal display device having a COA (Color filter On Array) configuration may be used. Then, the refractive index of the flattening layer of the liquid crystal display device 1 a configured as described above is set to be higher than the refractive index of the color material layer 122 and lower than the refractive index of the pixel electrode 113. Even if comprised in this way, the same effect as the above can be acquired.

  (Modification 6) The liquid crystal layer 13 described in the above embodiment may be of an orientation other than TN orientation such as VA orientation, or may be driven by a lateral electric field. When the orientation of the liquid crystal layer and the driving method are changed, the electrode arrangement, the characteristics of the alignment film, the characteristics of the polarizing plate, and the like may be changed as appropriate. In addition to a transmissive liquid crystal device, a reflective or transflective liquid crystal display device may be used. Even if it does in this way, the same effect as the above can be acquired.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a, 1b ... Liquid crystal display device, 11 ... Element substrate, 12a, 12b ... Color filter substrate, 13 ... Liquid crystal layer, 122, 122r, 122g, 122g ... Color material layer, 123, 123a, 123b, 123c ... Contact surface, 124 ... a flattening layer as an intermediate layer, 125 ... a common electrode as an electrode layer, 1100 ... a mobile personal computer as an electronic device, IJ ... a droplet discharge device, CP ... a condensing point.

Claims (6)

A color material layer;
An electrode layer;
An intermediate layer formed between the color material layer and the electrode layer,
The liquid crystal display device, wherein the refractive index of the intermediate layer is higher than the refractive index of the color material layer and lower than the refractive index of the electrode layer. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1.
A liquid crystal display device, wherein a contact surface between the color material layer and the intermediate layer has a convex shape toward the color material layer. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2,
Among the plurality of color material layers,
A liquid crystal display device, wherein a curvature of the contact surface corresponding to the color material layer having a long absorption light wavelength is larger than a curvature of the contact surface corresponding to the color material layer having a short absorption light wavelength. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2 or 3,
Among the plurality of color material layers,
A difference in refractive index between the color material layer having a long absorption light wavelength and the intermediate layer is larger than a difference in refractive index between the color material layer having a short absorption light wavelength and the intermediate layer. Display device. A color material layer forming step of forming a color material layer on the substrate;
Forming an intermediate layer having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the color material layer on the color material layer; and
An electrode layer forming step of forming an electrode layer having a refractive index higher than that of the intermediate layer on the intermediate layer.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the liquid crystal display device manufactured by the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to claim 5.

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