JP2013182120A - Polarization element, manufacturing method of the same, liquid crystal device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a polarization element that exhibits excellent characteristics with respect to light having a wide wavelength band.SOLUTION: A polarization element 1 of the present invention is provided with a polarization layer 5 containing a plurality of nanorods 7, acicular particles. In the plurality of nanorods 7, long axis directions of the plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented along a predetermined direction in a dielectric material 6 of the polarization layer 5, as viewed from a normal direction of one surface of the polarization layer 5, and regions where apparent aspect ratios of the nanorods 7 are relatively small and regions where the apparent aspect ratios thereof are relatively large, as viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarization layer 5, are arranged along the predetermined direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a polarizing element, a manufacturing method thereof, a liquid crystal device, and an electronic apparatus.

  As one of polarizing elements, polarizing glass is known. Since the polarizing glass can be composed only of an inorganic material, the deterioration with respect to light is remarkably small as compared with a polarizing plate containing an organic material. Accordingly, the polarizing glass has attracted attention as an optical device effective for a liquid crystal projector whose brightness has been increasing in recent years.

As a general polarizing glass, those described in Patent Document 1 below are known. The manufacturing method of the polarizing glass is as follows.
(1) A glass product having a desired shape is prepared from a composition containing at least one halide and silver selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide.
(2) The glass product is above the strain point for a period sufficient to produce AgCl, AgBr, or AgI crystals in the glass product, but not higher than about 50 ° C. from the glass softening point. Heat to produce a crystal-containing product.
(3) This crystal-containing product is stretched under stress at a temperature above the annealing point but below the temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity of about 108 poise so that the crystal is stretched to an aspect ratio of at least 5: 1. .
(4) Exposing the product to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature higher than about 250 ° C. but not higher than about 25 ° C. from the annealing point of the glass for a period sufficient to develop a chemically reduced surface layer on the product. To do. Thereby, at least a part of the elongated silver halide grains is reduced to silver element.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a polarizing element in which a complex dielectric is oriented by applying an electric field.

JP 56-169140 A Japanese Patent No. 3359394

  In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, halides are uniformly deposited in the glass product, but only the halide on the surface layer of the glass product can be reduced in the reduction step. Therefore, the halide remains in the central portion in the thickness direction of the glass product. This phase-separated halide contributes to light scattering and causes a decrease in the transmittance of the polarizing element. Therefore, when this polarizing element is applied to a liquid crystal display device, sufficient brightness may not be obtained. In addition, there are few types of halides that can be introduced by the above-described production method, and the present conditions are limited to silver chloride, copper chloride, and cadmium chloride. As a result, desired polarization characteristics cannot be obtained in a wide wavelength band.

  Patent Document 2 describes that a complex dielectric is oriented by applying an electric field, but does not describe a specific manufacturing method.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing element that exhibits excellent polarization characteristics in a wide wavelength band and a method for manufacturing the same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal device with excellent display quality by using such a polarizing element. Moreover, it aims at providing the electronic device provided with this kind of liquid crystal device.

In order to achieve the above object, the polarizing element of the present invention comprises a polarizing layer in which a plurality of needle-like particles are dispersed in a light-transmitting dielectric material, and the plurality of needle-like particles are When viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer, the major axis direction of the acicular particles is oriented along a predetermined direction in the dielectric material, and viewed from the normal direction of the one surface of the polarizing layer. In addition, a region where the apparent aspect ratio of the plurality of needle-like particles is relatively small and a region where the aspect ratio is relatively large are arranged along the predetermined direction.
The “aspect ratio of the acicular particles” is the ratio of the dimension in the major axis direction of the acicular particles to the dimension in the minor axis direction of the acicular particles.

  The acicular particles used in this type of polarizing element have a specific absorption wavelength depending on the aspect ratio. Therefore, in the case of a polarizing element having one kind of acicular particles, a desired polarization characteristic can be obtained at a specific wavelength, but a desired polarization characteristic may not be obtained for light deviated from a specific wavelength. is there. In that respect, the polarizing element of the present invention has a region in which the apparent aspect ratio of the acicular particles as viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer, that is, the traveling direction of light, is relatively small and a region having a relatively large size. They are arranged along the predetermined direction. Therefore, even one type of acicular particles is equivalent to the presence of acicular particles having various aspect ratios in the light absorption axis direction, and high light absorption occurs over a wide wavelength band. As a result, it is possible to realize a polarizing element that exhibits excellent polarization characteristics over a wide wavelength band.

  The polarizing element of the present invention includes a polarizing layer in which a plurality of acicular particles are dispersed in a light-transmitting dielectric material, and the plurality of acicular particles are from a normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer. When viewed, the plurality of acicular particles in a cross section in which the major axis direction is oriented along a predetermined direction in the dielectric material, and is perpendicular to one surface of the polarizing layer and parallel to the predetermined direction. Is a long axis of the acicular particles in a virtual curve connecting the first virtual line and the second virtual line extending in a direction parallel to one surface of the polarizing layer and perpendicular to the predetermined direction. It is characterized by being oriented so that the direction is along.

  In the polarizing element of the present invention, a first virtual particle in which a plurality of acicular particles extend in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction in a cross section perpendicular to one surface of the polarizing layer and parallel to the predetermined direction. The line is oriented along a virtual curve connecting the second virtual line and the second virtual line. At this time, when such an orientation state is viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer, the apparent aspect ratio of the acicular particles changes on a straight line connecting the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line. Looks like. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to realize a polarizing element that exhibits high light absorption over a wide wavelength band and exhibits excellent polarization characteristics.

In the polarizing element of the present invention, the virtual curve may be an electric force line generated when a voltage is applied between the first virtual line and the second virtual line.
According to this configuration, by applying a voltage between the first imaginary line and the second imaginary line, a polarizing element having the above-described acicular particle orientation state can be manufactured.

In the polarizing element of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of acicular particles are composed of a single metal or a composite metal in which the surface of the first metal is covered with the second metal.
According to this configuration, a polarizing element having desired polarization characteristics can be realized by appropriately selecting the type of a single metal or a composite metal.

The polarizing element of the present invention may further include a base material provided with the polarizing layer.
According to this configuration, the base material functions as a support member that supports the polarizing layer. Thereby, a polarizing element that is easy to handle can be realized.

In the polarizing element of the present invention, it is desirable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the dielectric material is substantially equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the base material.
According to this configuration, even when a temperature change occurs in the polarizing element, distortion due to thermal stress hardly occurs between the base material and the polarizing layer, and stable polarization characteristics can be obtained.

In the polarizing element of the present invention, it is preferable that the substrate is made of quartz or sapphire.
According to this configuration, even when a temperature change occurs in the polarizing element, the base material is hardly distorted, and stable polarization characteristics can be obtained.

  The manufacturing method of the polarizing element of the present invention includes a step of applying a solution in which a plurality of needle-like particles are dispersed in a liquid dielectric material on one surface of a substrate, and a surface of the solution substantially parallel to each other. Arranging the first electrode and the second electrode extending in a direction, applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, and generating the plurality of acicular particles by an electric field generated And a step of firing the dielectric material in which the plurality of needle-like particles are oriented.

  According to the method for manufacturing a polarizing element of the present invention, by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode arranged on the surface of the solution, the orientation state of the acicular particles in the solution is changed to the above-described state. Can be controlled. Therefore, a polarizing element that exhibits excellent polarization characteristics over a wide band can be easily manufactured without using a plurality of types of acicular particles.

In the method for manufacturing a polarizing element of the present invention, it is desirable that the dielectric material is fired simultaneously with the application of the voltage.
According to this configuration, the surrounding dielectric material is solidified by firing in a state where the orientation state of the plurality of needle-like particles is maintained, and the plurality of needle-like particles are fixed. Accordingly, a polarizing element having desired polarization characteristics can be manufactured.

In the step of disposing the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the solution, it is desirable to dispose a template substrate provided with the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the solution. .
According to this configuration, the first electrode and the second electrode can be easily handled, and the subsequent voltage application operation between the first electrode and the second electrode can be easily performed.

In the method for manufacturing a polarizing element of the present invention, it is desirable that each of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in a comb shape when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the template substrate.
According to this configuration, an electric field can be generated over a wide range of the substrate by applying a voltage to each electrode lead portion of the first electrode and the second electrode. As a result, a polarizing element having more uniform polarization characteristics over the entire surface of the substrate can be realized.

In the method for manufacturing a polarizing element of the present invention, it is desirable to include a step of peeling the first electrode and the second electrode from the surface of the dielectric material after orienting the plurality of acicular particles.
According to this configuration, since the first electrode and the second electrode do not remain on the completed polarizing element, the constituent materials of the first electrode and the second electrode do not have to be light transmissive. Therefore, the freedom degree of selection of the constituent material of these electrodes increases.

The liquid crystal device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and a polarizing element disposed on at least one surface side of the liquid crystal panel, and the polarizing element is the polarizing element of the present invention. It is characterized by being.
Since the liquid crystal device of the present invention includes the polarizing element of the present invention, a liquid crystal device excellent in display quality can be realized.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal device according to the present invention.
Since the electronic device according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, an electronic device having a liquid crystal display unit with excellent display quality can be realized.

It is sectional drawing which shows the polarizing element of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the polarizing element of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows order for the manufacturing process of the polarizing element of this embodiment later on. (A) It is a perspective view of the template board | substrate used at the manufacturing process of a polarizing element, (B) It is a top view of a template board | substrate. It is a figure for demonstrating the orientation state of several nanorods, (A) The state before voltage application, (B) The top view which shows the state after voltage application, respectively. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the aspect-ratio of a nanorod, and an absorption cross section. It is a top view which shows the liquid crystal device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the H-H 'line | wire of FIG. It is a top view which shows the electronic device of one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the polarizing element of this embodiment.
In the following drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of the size may be varied depending on the component.

  The polarizing element 1 of the present embodiment includes a thin-film polarizing layer 5 as shown in FIG. The polarizing layer 5 includes a thin-film dielectric material 6 having optical transparency and a plurality of nanorods 7 (acicular particles) dispersed in the dielectric material 6. The polarizing layer 5 is provided on the glass substrate 2 as a base material. The specific material of the glass substrate 2 is not particularly limited, and any known glass substrate may be used. In addition, when a base material needs to have a light transmittance, it does not specifically limit to a glass substrate as a base material, A quartz substrate, a quartz substrate, a sapphire substrate, a resin substrate, etc. may be used. When the polarizing element 1 is required to have heat resistance, it is desirable to use an inorganic substrate. In particular, it is desirable to use a quartz substrate or a sapphire substrate with small thermal strain. Further, depending on the application of the polarizing element 1, the substrate does not necessarily need to have light transmittance.

  The polarization layer 5 has characteristics in which the transmittance of the first polarization in the first polarization state is different from the transmittance of the second polarization in the second polarization state different from the first polarization state in a wide wavelength band. . For example, when light enters one surface of the polarizing layer 5, the transmittance of S-polarized light and the transmittance of P-polarized light are different. That is, the polarizing layer 5 has a characteristic of selectively transmitting the first polarized light while selectively absorbing the second polarized light in a wide wavelength band. The polarizing layer 5 is composed of a plurality of nanorods 7 (needle-like particles made of, for example, gold (Au) in a dielectric material 6 made of an inorganic substance and having a light transmission property, for example, a dielectric material 6 made of silicon oxide. ) Are dispersed.

  As a material for the nanorod 7, a simple metal such as silver (Ag) can be used in addition to gold. Alternatively, a composite metal in which the surface of a needle crystal made of gold (first metal) is coated with silver (second metal) can also be used. As the dielectric material 6, it is desirable to use a material such as silicon oxide having a high light transmittance. It is desirable that the thermal expansion coefficient of the dielectric material 6 is substantially equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass substrate 2 in order to minimize the thermal strain when the temperature change occurs. In order to realize a manufacturing method to be described later, the dielectric material 6 is liquid and can be applied on the glass substrate 2, and the nanorods 7 are uniformly dispersed and have a viscosity enough to change the alignment state when a voltage is applied. It is desirable.

  The nanorod 7 has a dimension in which the minor axis direction is, for example, about several nanometers to several tens of nm, and the major axis direction is, for example, several tens of nanometers to about 100 nm. As an example of the size of the nanorod 7, the dimension in the major axis direction is, for example, 15 nm, the dimension in the minor axis direction is, for example, 5 nm, and the aspect ratio is 3. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the dimension in the major axis direction to the dimension in the minor axis direction of the nanorod 7. The nanorod 7 has a characteristic that an absorption spectrum for a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the minor axis direction of the nanorod 7 is different from an absorption spectrum for a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the major axis direction of the nanorod 7. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, a first surface extending in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction on the surface of the polarizing layer 5 opposite to the surface in contact with the glass substrate. Assume a virtual line 11a and a second virtual line 11b. The first imaginary line 11a corresponds to a center line in the short direction of the electrode finger 3a of the first electrode 3 disposed when a voltage is applied in the manufacturing process of the polarizing element 1 described later. The second imaginary line 11b corresponds to a center line in the short direction of the electrode finger 4a of the second electrode 4 disposed when a voltage is applied in the manufacturing process of the polarizing element 1 described later. 5A and 5B, the straight line indicated by reference numeral 3 f is a straight line indicating the outline of the electrode finger 3 a of the first electrode 3, and the straight line indicated by reference numeral 4 f is the line of the electrode finger 4 a of the second electrode 4. It is a straight line showing an outline.

  In the cross section perpendicular to the main surface of the polarizing layer 5 and perpendicular to the first imaginary line 11a and the second imaginary line 11b, the plurality of nanorods 7 are connected to the first imaginary line 11a and the first imaginary line 11a as shown in FIG. It is oriented along a virtual curve connecting the two virtual lines 11b in a curved line. This virtual curve is a line of electric force when a voltage is applied between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 as described later. Here, in order to make the drawing easy to see, only the nanorods 7 oriented along the three lines of electric force are shown, but in addition to this, a number of nanorods 7 include the first virtual lines 11a and the second virtual lines 11b. They are oriented so that they are connected in a bow shape.

  On the other hand, when viewed from the normal direction of the main surface of the polarizing layer 5, the plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented in substantially the same direction as shown in FIG. The plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented such that the major axis direction is along a direction (predetermined direction) substantially perpendicular to the first virtual line 11a and the second virtual line 11b. When viewed from the normal direction of the main surface of the polarizing layer 5, the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 in the region overlapping the first imaginary line 11a or the region overlapping the second imaginary line 11b is the first imaginary line. It is smaller than the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 in the region between 11a and the second virtual line 11b. More specifically, the closer to the middle between the first virtual line 11a and the second virtual line 11b, the larger the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7, and the first virtual line 11a or the second virtual line 11b. The closer the ratio is, the smaller the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 is. Here, the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 means the aspect ratio of the projection of the nanorod 7 onto the main surface of the polarizing layer 5.

  For example, when the nanorod 7 having an aspect ratio of 3 is used, the nanorod 7 positioned at the approximate center between the adjacent first virtual line 11a and the second virtual line 11b is long as shown in FIG. Since the axial direction is oriented substantially parallel to the main surface of the polarizing layer 5, the apparent aspect ratio is about 3. However, the nanorod 7 positioned in the region overlapping the first imaginary line 11a or the region overlapping the second imaginary line 11b rises in the major axis direction with respect to the main surface of the polarizing layer 5, and thus has an apparent aspect. The ratio takes a value sufficiently smaller than 3.

  FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of locations corresponding to a pair of adjacent first virtual lines 11a and second virtual lines 11b. Therefore, in the entire region of the polarizing element 1, a configuration is adopted in which the alignment state of the nanorods 7 shown in FIG. 5B is repeated in a predetermined direction. That is, when viewed from the normal direction of the main surface of the polarizing layer 5, the major axis direction of the plurality of nanorods 7 is aligned along a predetermined direction in the dielectric material 6 in the polarizing layer 5. Regions having a relatively small apparent aspect ratio and regions having a relatively large aspect ratio are alternately arranged along the predetermined direction.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the polarizing element 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a template substrate 12 in which the first electrodes 3 and the second electrodes 4 are alternately arranged is manufactured (step S1 in FIG. 2).
The configuration of the template substrate 12 will be described.
The first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 are formed on one surface of the substrate 13. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first electrode 3 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) electrode fingers 3a and an electrode lead portion formed integrally with the electrode fingers 3a. 3b. The plurality of electrode fingers 3 a are arranged in parallel to each other and extend in a direction parallel to one side of the substrate 13. Similar to the first electrode 3, the second electrode 4 has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) electrode fingers 4a and an electrode lead portion 4b formed integrally with the electrode fingers 4a. ing. The plurality of electrode fingers 4 a are arranged in parallel to each other and extend in a direction parallel to one side of the substrate 13. That is, each electrode finger 3a of the first electrode 3 and each electrode finger 4a of the second electrode 4 extend in parallel to each other.

  The first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 are formed in a comb shape when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the substrate 13. The first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 are arranged so that their comb teeth mesh with each other, and are not electrically connected to each other. The distance between the electrode finger 3a of the first electrode 3 and the electrode finger 4a of the second electrode 4 is, for example, about 1 μm. The first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 may be made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (hereinafter abbreviated as ITO) or a metal material. May be. The material of the substrate 13 is not particularly limited.

  When the template substrate 12 is manufactured, when ITO is used as the material of the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, an ITO film is first formed on one surface of the substrate 13 by, for example, sputtering. Next, the ITO film is patterned in a comb shape by a known photolithography method and etching method to form a first electrode 3 having a plurality of electrode fingers 3a and a second electrode 4 having a plurality of electrode fingers 4a. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a polysilazane SOG solution 8 in which a plurality of nanorods 7 are dispersed in polysilazane SOG (Spin On Glass) as a dielectric material 6 is applied to one surface of a glass substrate 2. (Step S2 in FIG. 2). Polysilazane SOG is a dielectric material 6 that is liquid at the time of application and transforms into silicon oxide when baked in a later step. At this point, the plurality of nanorods 7 are in random directions in the polysilazane SOG solution 8.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the template substrate 12 is placed with the surface on which the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 are formed facing the polysilazane SOG solution 8, and the polysilazane SOG solution. 8 on the surface. Next, a voltage is applied between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, and the plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented by the generated electric field (step S3 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the high frequency power supply 10 is connected to the electrode lead portion 3b (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) of the first electrode 3, and the electrode lead portion 4b of the second electrode 4 (FIG. 4A). ), See (B)). As a result, an electric field is generated between the electrode finger 3 a of the first electrode 3 and the electrode finger 4 a of the second electrode 4. At this time, electric lines of force are generated so as to connect the electrode finger 3a of the first electrode 3 and the electrode finger 4a of the second electrode 4 in a curved shape. The nanorod 7 has a needle shape, and each nanorod 7 is polarized. Therefore, each nanorod 7 is oriented so that the major axis direction is along the lines of electric force.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the template substrate 12 is peeled from the polysilazane SOG solution 8 (step S4 in FIG. 2).
Next, the polysilazane SOG solution 8 in which the plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented is baked at a temperature of 400 ° C. or higher using, for example, an oven (step S5 in FIG. 2). As a result, the organic solvent in the polysilazane SOG solution 8 is removed, and the polysilazane reacts with moisture and oxygen in the atmosphere to solidify and change into silicon oxide. At this time, the plurality of nanorods 7 are fixed in a state of being aligned along the lines of electric force, and the polarizing layer 5 shown in FIG. 1 is formed.
Through the above steps, the polarizing element 1 of the present embodiment is completed.

The voltage application and the firing of the polysilazane SOG solution 8 may be performed separately, or may be performed simultaneously. When the voltage application and the polysilazane SOG solution 8 are fired at the same time, the plurality of nanorods 7 are easily fixed in a state of being aligned along the lines of electric force, and desired polarization characteristics are easily realized. In that case, it is necessary to use a template substrate 12 having high heat resistance. After the baking is finished, the template substrate 12 may be peeled from the polarizing layer 5. In order to prevent the reaction between the components of the polysilazane SOG solution 8 and the electrode material, an interlayer insulating film such as SiO ₂ may be formed on the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4.

  After placing the template substrate 12 on the polysilazane SOG solution 8 and before applying a voltage between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, from the normal direction of the main surface of the polarizing layer 5. As shown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of nanorods 7 are oriented in a random direction. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, as shown in FIG. The nanorods 7 are oriented along a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the electrode fingers 3 a of the first electrode 3 and the electrode fingers 4 a of the second electrode 4. In addition, since the apparent major axis dimension of the nanorod 7 varies depending on the position of the nanorod 7, the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 varies depending on the position of the nanorod 7.

  Nanorods used in this type of polarizing element have a specific absorption wavelength depending on the apparent aspect ratio. Therefore, in the case of a polarizing element having one kind of acicular particles, a desired polarization characteristic can be obtained at a specific wavelength, but the desired polarization characteristic may not be obtained for light deviated from the specific wavelength. .

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the aspect ratio of the silver nanorods and the absorption cross section. The horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates the wavelength [nm] of light, and the vertical axis in FIG. 6 indicates the absorption cross section [a.u.]. In FIG. 6, three graphs of a solid line, a broken line, and a one-dot chain line are shown, and these three graphs correspond to three types of nanorods having different aspect ratios. As shown in FIG. 6, the absorption peak wavelength of light changes as the aspect ratio of the nanorod changes.

  In the polarizing element 1 of the present embodiment, the apparent aspect ratio of the nanorod 7 periodically changes depending on the position on the surface of the glass substrate 2. Therefore, even if only one type of nanorod 7 is included in the polarizing layer 5, it becomes equivalent to the presence of nanorods with various aspect ratios in the light absorption axis direction, and is high over a wide band. Light absorption occurs. As a result, a polarizing element that exhibits excellent polarization characteristics can be realized.

  The polarizing element 1 of the present embodiment can be manufactured using a polysilazane SOG solution 8 in which one type of nanorod 7 is dispersed in a polysilazane SOG that will be a base material of the polarizing layer 5 later. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the polarizing element 1 can be simplified. Moreover, since all the constituent materials of the polarizing element 1 are inorganic materials, a polarizing element having excellent heat resistance can be realized.

  In the method for manufacturing the polarizing element 1 according to the present embodiment, the template substrate 12 including the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 can be reused. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform processing such as forming an electrode on the glass substrate 2 side. Therefore, the polarizing element 1 having a high transmittance can be manufactured at a low cost. Further, since the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 of the template substrate 12 are formed in a comb shape, voltage is applied to the electrode lead portions 3b and 4b of the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4, respectively. By applying, an electric field can be generated over a wide range. As a result, the polarizing element 1 having more uniform polarization characteristics over the entire surface of the polarizing layer 5 can be realized.

[Liquid Crystal Device]
Hereinafter, a liquid crystal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, an example of an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a thin film transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as TFT) as a pixel switching element will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side of the counter substrate together with each component, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid crystal display device 31 of this embodiment includes a TFT array substrate 32 and a counter substrate 33 bonded together by a sealing material 34, and a liquid crystal layer in a region partitioned by the sealing material 34. A liquid crystal panel 36 in which 35 is enclosed is provided. The liquid crystal layer 35 is made of a liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy. A light shielding film (peripheral parting) 37 made of a light shielding material is formed in a region inside the region where the sealing material 34 is formed.

  In the peripheral circuit area outside the sealing material 34, a data line driving circuit 38 and an external circuit mounting terminal 39 are formed along one side of the TFT array substrate 32, and scanning lines are formed along two sides adjacent to the one side. A drive circuit 40 is formed. On the remaining side of the TFT array substrate 32, a plurality of wirings 41 are provided for connecting between the scanning line driving circuits 40 provided on both sides of the display area. In addition, an inter-substrate conductive material 42 for providing electrical continuity between the TFT array substrate 32 and the counter substrate 33 is disposed at a corner portion of the counter substrate 43.

  A color filter 43 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 33 on the liquid crystal layer 35 side. The color filter 43 has a red color material layer, a green color material layer, and a blue color material layer corresponding to each of the plurality of subpixels arranged in a matrix. Polarizers 44 and 45 are disposed on the light incident side and the light emission side of the liquid crystal panel 36, respectively. These polarizing plates 44 and 45 are the polarizing elements of the said embodiment.

  According to this embodiment, by providing the polarizing element of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device that can display brightly and with high contrast.

[Electronics]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mobile phone including the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the cellular phone 1300 (electronic device) includes a display unit 1301 including the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment, together with a plurality of operation buttons 1302, an earpiece 1303 and a mouthpiece 1304.

  According to this embodiment, by providing the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment as the display unit 1301, an electronic apparatus including a liquid crystal display unit with excellent display quality can be realized.

  Specific examples of the electronic apparatus of the present invention include a projector, an electronic book, a personal computer, a digital still camera, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, car navigation, as well as the above mobile phone. Examples include an apparatus, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and an electronic device equipped with a touch panel.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the transparent conductive material is used as the material for the first electrode and the second electrode, but the transparent conductive material is not necessarily used as the material for the first electrode and the second electrode. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the metal was used as a material of a nanorod, it may replace with this and may use a semiconductor material. In addition, the shape, arrangement, constituent material, manufacturing process, etc. of each part of the polarizing element or template substrate can be appropriately changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a glass substrate is used as a base material and the base material has optical transparency has been given. However, depending on the use of the polarizing element, the base material does not necessarily have optical transparency. Good. For example, when used in a reflective liquid crystal device, a light reflective substrate can be used. Moreover, although the example which provided the polarizing layer in the one surface of the board | substrate in which nothing else was provided was shown in the said embodiment, for example, other components were provided like the above-mentioned TFT array substrate or a counter substrate. A polarizing layer according to the present invention may be further provided on one surface of the substrate. In addition, the polarizing element of the present invention does not necessarily include a substrate. For example, the polarizing element may be composed of only the polarizing layer by peeling the base material from the polarizing layer of the polarizing element of the above embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Polarizing element, 2 ... Glass substrate (base material), 3 ... 1st electrode, 4 ... 2nd electrode, 5 ... Polarizing layer, 6 ... Dielectric material, 7 ... Nanorod (acicular particle), 8 ... Polysilazane SOG solution, 11a ... first imaginary line, 11b ... second imaginary line, 12 ... template substrate, 31 ... liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal device), 36 ... liquid crystal panel, 44, 45 ... polarizing plate (polarizing element) 1300: Mobile phone (electronic device).

Claims (14)

Comprising a polarizing layer in which a plurality of needle-like particles are dispersed in a light-transmitting dielectric material;
The plurality of acicular particles, when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer, the major axis direction of the acicular particles in the dielectric material is aligned along a predetermined direction,
A region having a relatively small apparent aspect ratio and a region having a relatively large apparent aspect ratio of the plurality of acicular particles as viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer are arranged along the predetermined direction. A polarizing element. Comprising a polarizing layer in which a plurality of needle-like particles are dispersed in a light-transmitting dielectric material;
The plurality of acicular particles, when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the polarizing layer, the major axis direction is oriented along a predetermined direction in the dielectric material,
In a cross section perpendicular to one surface of the polarizing layer and parallel to the predetermined direction, the plurality of acicular particles extend in a direction parallel to one surface of the polarizing layer and perpendicular to the predetermined direction. A polarizing element characterized by being oriented so that a major axis direction of the needle-like particles is along a virtual curve connecting the virtual line and the second virtual line in a curved line.   The polarizing element according to claim 2, wherein the virtual curve is a line of electric force generated when a voltage is applied between the first virtual line and the second virtual line.   The plurality of needle-like particles are composed of a single metal or a composite metal in which a surface of a first metal is covered with a second metal. The polarizing element as described.   The polarizing element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a base material provided with the polarizing layer.   The polarizing element according to claim 5, wherein a thermal expansion coefficient of the dielectric material is substantially equal to a thermal expansion coefficient of the base material.   The polarizing element according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the substrate is made of quartz or sapphire. Applying a solution in which a plurality of needle-shaped particles are dispersed in a liquid dielectric material on one surface of the substrate;
Disposing on the surface of the solution a first electrode and a second electrode extending in a direction substantially parallel to each other;
Applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, and orienting the plurality of acicular particles by the generated electric field;
Firing the dielectric material in which the plurality of acicular particles are oriented;
A method for manufacturing a polarizing element, comprising:   The method for manufacturing a polarizing element according to claim 8, wherein the dielectric material is fired simultaneously with the application of the voltage.   In the step of disposing the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the solution, a template substrate including the first electrode and the second electrode is disposed on the surface of the solution. The manufacturing method of the polarizing element of Claim 8 or 9.   11. The polarizing element according to claim 10, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed in a comb shape when viewed from the normal direction of one surface of the template substrate. Method.   12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of peeling the first electrode and the second electrode from the surface of the dielectric material after the step of orienting the plurality of needle-like particles. A method for producing a polarizing element according to claim 1. A liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, and a polarizing element disposed on at least one surface side of the liquid crystal panel,
The liquid crystal device, wherein the polarizing element is the polarizing element according to claim 1.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 13.

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