JP5587592B2 - Semiconductor device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device using an oxide semiconductor and a manufacturing method thereof.

As represented by a liquid crystal display device, a thin film transistor formed on a flat plate such as a glass substrate is made of amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. A thin film transistor using amorphous silicon can cope with an increase in the area of a glass substrate although the field effect mobility is low. On the other hand, a thin film transistor using crystalline silicon has a high field effect mobility, but crystal such as laser annealing. Therefore, it has a characteristic that it is not necessarily adapted to increase the area of the glass substrate.

In contrast, a technique in which a thin film transistor is manufactured using an oxide semiconductor and applied to an electronic device or an optical device has attracted attention. For example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Non-Patent Documents describe a technique in which a thin film transistor is manufactured using zinc oxide or an In—Ga—Zn—O-based oxide semiconductor as an oxide semiconductor layer and used for a switching element of a display device. It is disclosed in Document 1.

JP 2007-123861 A JP 2007-096055 A

Y. Park et al. IDW'07, p. 1775-p. 1778

However, in a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer, as a passivation layer of the oxide semiconductor layer, a silicon nitride layer formed using a plasma CVD method using any one of silane, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen, or the like as a source gas, Alternatively, when a silicon oxide layer is used, there is a problem in that reliability of electric characteristics of the thin film transistor is reduced.

Thus, it is an object to provide a thin film transistor that can improve the reliability of electric characteristics of the thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof. Another object is to provide a display device capable of improving image quality and a manufacturing method thereof.

A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode, a wiring partly overlapping the gate electrode, an organic insulating layer, and an oxide semiconductor layer provided between the wiring and the organic insulating layer overlapping the gate electrode and in contact with the organic insulating layer. is there.

A gate electrode; a gate insulating layer formed over the gate electrode; a wiring formed over the gate insulating layer; an oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with the gate electrode and formed over the gate insulating layer and the wiring; The thin film transistor includes an organic insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer.

Note that the oxide semiconductor layer is a thin film represented by InMO ₃ (ZnO) _m (m> 0), and M is Ga (gallium), Fe (iron), Ni (nickel), Mn (manganese), And one metal element or a plurality of metal elements selected from Co (cobalt). For example, M may be Ga, and may contain the above metal elements other than Ga, such as Ga and Ni or Ga and Fe. In addition to the metal element included as M, the oxide semiconductor layer may include Fe, Ni, other transition metal elements, or an oxide of the transition metal as an impurity element. Here, the thin film with M = gallium (Ga) is also referred to as an In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer.

The crystal structure of the In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer can be formed by sputtering and then heated at 200 to 500 ° C., typically 300 to 400 ° C. for 10 to 100 minutes. An amorphous structure is observed by XRD (X-ray diffraction) measurement. Further, by using an In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer, a thin film transistor having an electrical property with an on / off ratio of 10 ⁹ or more and a mobility of 10 cm ² / Vs or more at a gate voltage of ± 20 V is manufactured. be able to.

In addition, it is useful to use a thin film transistor having such electrical characteristics for a driver circuit. For example, the gate line driver circuit includes a shift register circuit that sequentially transfers gate signals and a buffer circuit, and the source line driver circuit includes a shift register that sequentially transfers gate signals, a buffer circuit, and an image to a pixel. It consists of an analog switch that switches on / off of signal transfer. Compared with a thin film transistor using amorphous silicon, a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor layer having high mobility can drive a shift register circuit at high speed.

In the case where at least part of a driver circuit for driving the pixel portion is formed using a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor, the driver circuit is formed using an n-channel thin film transistor and the circuit shown in FIG. Form. In the driver circuit, a good contact can be obtained and contact resistance can be reduced by directly connecting the gate electrode and the source wiring or the drain wiring. In the driving circuit, when the gate electrode and the source wiring or the drain wiring are connected through another conductive layer, for example, a transparent conductive layer, the number of contact holes increases, the occupied area increases due to the increase in the number of contact holes, or There is a possibility that the contact resistance and the wiring resistance increase, and further the process becomes complicated.

In addition, since the thin film transistor is easily broken by static electricity or the like, it is preferable to provide a protective circuit for protecting the driver circuit over the same substrate for the gate line or the source line. The protection circuit is preferably formed using a non-linear element using an oxide semiconductor.

In addition to a liquid crystal display device, a display device including a driver circuit includes a light-emitting display device using a light-emitting element and a display device also called electronic paper using an electrophoretic display element.

A light-emitting display device using a light-emitting element includes a plurality of thin film transistors in a pixel portion, and a portion in which a gate electrode of a thin film transistor in the pixel portion is directly connected to a source wiring or a drain wiring of another thin film transistor. Yes. In addition, a driver circuit of a light-emitting display device using a light-emitting element has a portion where a gate electrode of a thin film transistor and a source wiring or a drain wiring of the thin film transistor are directly connected.

Further, it is preferable to remove dust or the like on the surface of the gate insulating layer by plasma treatment, specifically, reverse sputtering before forming the oxide semiconductor layer. In addition, it is preferable to remove dust on the surface by performing plasma treatment, specifically, reverse sputtering, on the surface of the gate insulating layer and the gate electrode surface exposed on the bottom surface of the contact hole before forming the wiring.

The ordinal numbers attached as the first and second are used for convenience, and do not indicate the order of steps or the order of lamination. In addition, a specific name is not shown as a matter for specifying the invention in this specification.

In a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor, a thin film transistor with high electrical characteristics can be manufactured by forming an organic insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor. In addition, a display device with improved image quality can be manufactured.

4A and 4B are a cross-sectional view, an equivalent circuit diagram, and a top view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. 4A and 4B are an equivalent circuit diagram and a top view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a process of a display device. 10A and 10B are a cross-sectional view and a top view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. It is sectional drawing of electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the block diagram of a display apparatus. It is a figure explaining the structure of a signal line drive circuit. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the signal line driving circuit. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the signal line driving circuit. It is a figure explaining the structure of a shift register. It is a figure explaining the connection structure of the flip-flop shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a pixel equivalent circuit of a display device. FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a display device. 4A and 4B are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating one embodiment of a display device. It is a figure explaining the example of the usage pattern of electronic paper. It is an external view explaining an example of an electronic book. It is an external view explaining the example of a television apparatus and a digital photo frame. It is an external view explaining the example of a gaming machine. It is an external view explaining an example of a mobile phone. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a display device. 4A and 4B are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating one embodiment of a display device. It is a figure explaining the reuse cycle of the oxide semiconductor contained in etching waste liquid. It is a figure explaining the process of reusing the oxide semiconductor contained in etching waste liquid.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the following description. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various changes can be made in form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention. Therefore, the disclosed invention is not construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments and examples below. Note that in describing the structure of the disclosed invention with reference to the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Here, a description will be given below based on an example in which an inverter circuit is configured using two n-channel thin film transistors.

A cross-sectional structure of the inverter circuit of the driver circuit is illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 1A, a first gate electrode 401 and a second gate electrode 402 are formed over a substrate 400. A gate insulating layer 403 is formed on the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 402. In addition, a first wiring 409 to a third wiring 411 are formed over the gate insulating layer 403. A first oxide semiconductor layer 405 that is in contact with the first wiring 409 and the second wiring 410 is formed on the gate insulating layer 403 so as to overlap with the first gate electrode 401, and overlaps with the second gate electrode 402. The second oxide semiconductor layer 407 in contact with the second wiring 410 and the third wiring 411 is formed at the position. In addition, an organic insulating layer 452 in contact with the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 is formed. A composition is applied over the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407, the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411, and the gate insulating layer 403, and then fired, whereby the first oxide semiconductor layer is formed. Since the organic insulating layer 452 in contact with the layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 can be formed, a thin film transistor with high reliability in electrical characteristics can be manufactured.

As the substrate 400, a light-transmitting substrate is preferably used, and examples of the light-transmitting substrate include barium borosilicate glass and aluminoborosilicate glass typified by Corning 7059 glass and 1737 glass. A glass substrate can be used.

The material of the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 402 is an element selected from aluminum, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, or an element selected from the above, or the elements described above, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, and chromium. , Neodymium, an alloy containing scandium, or the like, or a single layer or a stacked structure using a nitride of the above element.

For example, the two-layer structure of the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 402 includes a structure in which a molybdenum layer is stacked on an aluminum layer, a structure in which a molybdenum layer is stacked on a copper layer, or a structure on a copper layer It is preferable to have a stacked structure in which a titanium nitride layer or a tantalum nitride layer is stacked, or a structure in which a titanium nitride layer and a molybdenum layer are stacked. The three-layer structure is preferably a structure in which a tungsten layer or a tungsten nitride layer, an alloy of aluminum and silicon or an alloy of aluminum and titanium, and a titanium nitride layer or a titanium layer are stacked.

The gate insulating layer 403 can be formed using a single layer or a stacked layer of a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, or a silicon nitride oxide layer. In the case where the gate insulating layer 403 has a stacked structure, a silicon nitride layer or a silicon nitride oxide layer is formed over the substrate 400 and a silicon oxide layer or a silicon oxynitride layer can be formed thereover.

In addition, a first wiring 409, a second wiring 410, and a third wiring 411 are provided over the gate insulating layer 403 that covers the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 402. The second wiring 410 includes a gate insulating layer. It is directly connected to the second gate electrode 402 through a contact hole 404 formed in 403.

Note that the surface of the gate insulating layer 403 is preferably subjected to plasma treatment before the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 or the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 is formed. For example, before the oxide semiconductor layer is formed by a sputtering method, reverse sputtering in which an argon gas is introduced to generate plasma is performed to remove dust attached to the surface of the gate insulating layer 403 and the bottom surface of the contact hole 404 It is preferable to do. Inverse sputtering is a method of modifying the surface by forming a plasma on a substrate by applying a voltage using an RF power source on the substrate side in an argon atmosphere without applying a voltage to the target side. Note that nitrogen, helium, or the like may be used instead of the argon atmosphere. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which oxygen, hydrogen, N ₂ O, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which Cl ₂ , CF _4, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used.

Here, an enlarged view of the first thin film transistor 430 is shown in FIG. When reverse sputtering is performed, the exposed portion of the gate insulating layer 403 is etched away by about 2 to 10 nm, preferably about 2 to 10 nm. Therefore, as shown in FIG. A recess 471 is formed in the gate insulating layer 403.

The first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 form a layer represented by InMO ₃ (ZnO) _m (m> 0). Note that M represents one metal element or a plurality of metal elements selected from Ga, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Co. For example, M may be Ga, and may contain the above metal elements other than Ga, such as Ga and Ni or Ga and Fe. In addition to the metal element contained as M, some of the above oxide semiconductors contain Fe, Ni, other transition metal elements, or oxides of the transition metal as impurity elements. In this specification, this thin film is also referred to as an In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer. The concentration of mobile ions in the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407, typically sodium, is 5 × 10 ¹⁸ / cm ³ or less, and further 1 × 10 ¹⁸ / cm ³ or less. It is preferable that the electrical characteristics of the thin film transistor can be prevented from changing.

Examples of the material of the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 include an element selected from aluminum, chromium, tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, and tungsten, an alloy containing the above-described elements as a main component, or an alloy combining the above-described elements. There is. The first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 may have a single-layer structure of an aluminum layer containing silicon or a single-layer structure of a titanium layer. The first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 may have a two-layer structure, and a titanium layer may be stacked over the aluminum layer.

In the case where heat treatment at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C. is performed in a later step, it is preferable that the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 have heat resistance enough to withstand the heat treatment. Since aluminum alone has problems such as poor heat resistance and easy corrosion, it is formed in combination with a heat resistant conductive material. As a heat-resistant conductive material combined with aluminum, an element selected from titanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, neodymium, scandium, an alloy containing the above elements as a main component, an alloy combining a plurality of the above elements, or It is formed of the nitride of the element described above.

The first thin film transistor 430 includes a first gate electrode 401 and a first oxide semiconductor layer 405 that overlaps the first gate electrode 401 with the gate insulating layer 403 interposed therebetween. The first wiring 409 is a power supply line having a ground potential. (Ground power line). The power supply line having the ground potential may be a power supply line (negative power supply line) to which a negative voltage VDL is applied.

The second thin film transistor 431 includes a second gate electrode 402 and a second oxide semiconductor layer 407 that overlaps with the second gate electrode 402 with the gate insulating layer 403 interposed therebetween. The third wiring 411 has a positive voltage. A power supply line (positive power supply line) to which VDD is applied.

In addition, the second wiring 410 electrically connected to both the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 is connected to the second thin film transistor 431 through a contact hole 404 formed in the gate insulating layer 403. Directly connected to the second gate electrode 402. By directly connecting the second wiring 410 and the second gate electrode 402, good contact can be obtained and contact resistance can be reduced. Compared to the case where the second gate electrode 402 and the second wiring 410 are connected via another conductive layer, for example, a transparent conductive layer, the number of contact holes is reduced, and the occupied area is reduced by reducing the number of contact holes. be able to.

The organic insulating layer 452 can be formed without damaging the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 by applying and baking the composition. Organic materials that can be used as the organic insulating layer 452 include epoxy resin, polyimide, acrylic resin, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, silicone resin, polyester, siloxane polymer, fluorine-containing polymer, and low dielectric constant material (low-k material). PSG (phosphorus glass), BPSG (phosphorus boron glass), and the like.

The organic insulating layer 452 may have a function of preferentially transmitting light in an arbitrary wavelength range in the visible light wavelength range. An organic insulating layer that preferentially transmits light in the red wavelength range, light in the blue wavelength range, and light in the green wavelength range may be combined to function as a color filter. However, the combination of the colored layers is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the organic insulating layer 452 formed by a coating method is formed in contact with the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407, so that reliability of electric characteristics of the thin film transistor is improved. be able to.

A top view of the inverter circuit of the driver circuit is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1C, a cross section taken along the chain line Z1-Z2 corresponds to FIG.

Note that in the display device, a driver circuit for driving the pixel portion is formed using an inverter circuit, a capacitor, a resistor, and the like. When an inverter circuit is formed by combining two n-channel thin film transistors, an enhancement type transistor and a depletion type transistor are combined (hereinafter referred to as an EDMOS circuit), or an enhancement type thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as an enhancement type thin film transistor). EEMOS circuit). Note that when the threshold voltage of the n-channel thin film transistor is positive, it is defined as an enhancement type transistor, and when the threshold voltage of the n-channel thin film transistor is zero or negative, it is defined as a depletion type transistor. This definition shall be followed throughout the document.

The pixel portion and the driver circuit are formed over the same substrate, and in the pixel portion, on / off of voltage application to the pixel electrode is switched using enhancement type transistors arranged in a matrix. The enhancement-type transistor disposed in this pixel portion uses an oxide semiconductor layer, and its electrical characteristics have an on / off ratio of 10 ⁹ or more at a gate voltage of ± 20 V. Therefore, there is little leakage current and low power consumption. Power drive can be realized.

An equivalent circuit of the EDMOS circuit is shown in FIG. 1A and 1C corresponds to FIG. 1B. The first thin film transistor 430 is an enhancement type n-channel transistor, and the second thin film transistor 431 is a depletion type n-channel type. This is an example of a transistor.

As a method for manufacturing an enhancement type n-channel transistor and a depletion type n-channel transistor over the same substrate, for example, the first oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 407 are formed of different materials or differently. Fabricate using conditions. In addition, threshold values are controlled by providing gate electrodes above and below the oxide semiconductor layer so that a voltage is applied to the gate electrode so that one TFT is normally on, and the other TFT is normally off. Thus, an EDMOS circuit may be configured.

In the thin film transistor described in this embodiment, an organic insulating layer is formed over an oxide semiconductor layer; thus, reliability of electric characteristics of the thin film transistor can be improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Although Embodiment 1 shows an example of an EDMOS circuit, FIG. 2A shows an equivalent circuit of an EEMOS circuit in this embodiment. A top view of the EEMOS is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a manufacturing process of the EEMOS circuit shown in FIG. In the equivalent circuit of FIG. 2A, both are enhancement type n-channel transistors.

By using the EEMOS circuit in FIG. 2A which can be manufactured using an enhancement type n-channel transistor for a driver circuit, an enhancement type n-channel transistor is manufactured in the driver circuit as well as the transistor used for the pixel portion. Therefore, it can be said that the manufacturing process does not increase and is preferable.

A cross section taken along the chain line Y1-Y2 in FIG. 2B corresponds to FIG.

A first conductive layer is formed over the substrate 440 by a sputtering method. Next, the first conductive layer is selectively etched using the resist mask formed by a photolithography process using the first photomask, so that the first gate electrode 441 and the second gate electrode 442 are formed. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed.

Next, a gate insulating layer 443 that covers the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 442 is formed by a plasma CVD method or a sputtering method. The gate insulating layer 443 can be formed using the materials listed in Embodiment 1 by a CVD method, a sputtering ring method, or the like. As the gate insulating layer 443, a silicon oxide layer can be formed by a CVD method using an organosilane gas. Examples of the organic silane gas include ethyl silicate (TEOS: chemical formula Si (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₄ ), tetramethylsilane (TMS: chemical formula Si (CH ₃ ) ₄ ), tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TMCTS), and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. It is possible to use a silicon-containing compound such as (OMCTS), hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), triethoxysilane (SiH (OC ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ ), trisdimethylaminosilane (SiH (N (CH ₃ ) ₂ ) ₃ ). it can.

Next, the gate insulating layer 443 is selectively etched using a resist mask formed by a photolithography process using a second photomask, so that a contact hole 444 reaching the second gate electrode 442 is formed. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed. A cross-sectional view of the steps so far corresponds to FIG.

Next, a second conductive layer is formed over the gate insulating layer 443 by a sputtering method. Next, the second conductive layer is selectively etched using a resist mask formed by a photolithography process using a third photomask to form a first wiring 449, a second wiring 450, and a third wiring 451. To do. The third wiring 451 is in direct contact with the second gate electrode 442 through the contact hole 444. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed.

Note that before the second conductive layer is formed by a sputtering method, reverse sputtering is performed to generate plasma by introducing argon gas, and dust attached to the surface of the gate insulating layer 443 and the bottom surface of the contact hole 444 is removed. It is preferable to remove. Note that nitrogen, helium, or the like may be used instead of the argon atmosphere. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which oxygen, hydrogen, N ₂ O, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which Cl ₂ , CF _4, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used.

Next, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed by a sputtering method.

As the sputtering method, there are an RF sputtering method using a high-frequency power source as a sputtering power source and a DC sputtering method, and a pulse DC sputtering method for applying a bias in a pulsed manner. The RF sputtering method is mainly used when an insulating layer is formed, and the DC sputtering method is mainly used when a metal layer is formed.

There is also a multi-source sputtering apparatus in which a plurality of targets of different materials can be installed. The multi-source sputtering apparatus can be formed by stacking different material layers in the same chamber or by simultaneously discharging a plurality of types of materials in the same chamber.

In addition, there is a sputtering apparatus using a magnetron sputtering method having a magnet mechanism inside a chamber, and a sputtering apparatus using an ECR sputtering method using plasma generated using microwaves without using glow discharge.

As a forming method, there are a reactive sputtering method in which a target material and a sputtering gas component are chemically reacted during film formation to form a compound thin film thereof, and a bias sputtering method in which a voltage is applied to the substrate during film formation. .

In the sputtering of this specification, the above-described sputtering apparatus and sputtering method can be used as appropriate.

Note that before the oxide semiconductor layer is formed by a sputtering method, reverse sputtering in which an argon gas is introduced to generate plasma is performed, so that the surface of the gate insulating layer 443, the first wiring 449, the second wiring 450, and the third wiring are formed. It is preferable to remove dust attached to the wiring 451. Note that nitrogen, helium, or the like may be used instead of the argon atmosphere. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which oxygen, hydrogen, N ₂ O, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used. Alternatively, an atmosphere in which Cl ₂ , CF _4, or the like is added to an argon atmosphere may be used. By the reverse sputtering, end portions of the first wiring 449, the second wiring 450, and the third wiring 451 are curved, so that the coverage of the oxide semiconductor layer can be increased.

Next, the oxide semiconductor layer is selectively etched using a resist mask formed by a photolithography process using a fourth photomask, so that oxide semiconductor layers 445 and 447 are formed. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed. When the etching is completed, the first thin film transistor 460 and the second thin film transistor 461 are completed. A cross-sectional view of the steps so far corresponds to FIG.

Next, heat treatment is performed at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C. in an air atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere. By this heat treatment, rearrangement at the atomic level of the In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer is performed. Since heat treatment releases strain that hinders carrier movement, heat treatment here (including optical annealing) is important. Note that the timing of performing this heat treatment is not limited and may be any time after the oxide semiconductor layers 445 and 447 are formed.

Next, a composition that is a material for the organic insulating layer is applied, and heat treatment is performed at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C. in an air atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere, so that the organic insulating layer 452 is formed. For the organic insulating layer 452, the material described in Embodiment 1 can be used as appropriate. 3C illustrates a mode in which the organic insulating layer 452 is formed using a non-photosensitive resin, the end portion of the organic insulating layer 452 is square in the cross section of the region where the contact hole is formed. However, when the organic insulating layer 452 is formed using a photosensitive resin, as shown in FIG. 37, the end portion of the organic insulating layer 452 is curved in the cross section of the region where the contact hole is formed. As a result, the coverage of connection wirings 453 and pixel electrodes formed later is improved.

Further, instead of applying the composition, dip, spray coating, ink jet method, printing method, doctor knife, roll coater, curtain coater, knife coater or the like can be used depending on the material.

Note that the first oxide semiconductor layer 445 and the second oxide semiconductor layer 447 are not heated during the heat treatment of the composition that is a material of the organic insulating layer without performing the heat treatment after the oxide semiconductor layers 445 and 447 are formed. It may also serve as a process.

The organic insulating layer 452 is formed with a thickness of 200 nm to 5 μm, preferably 300 nm to 1 μm.

Next, a contact hole is formed by selectively etching the organic insulating layer 452 using a resist mask formed by a photolithography process using a fifth photomask. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed. Note that in the case where the organic insulating layer 452 is formed of a photosensitive resin, a resist is not applied on the organic insulating layer 452, and the organic insulating layer is exposed and developed using a fifth photomask, and contacted with the organic insulating layer 452. Holes can be formed.

Next, a third conductive layer is formed. Next, the third conductive layer is selectively etched using a resist mask formed by a photolithography process using a sixth photomask, so that connection wirings 453 that are electrically connected to the second wirings 450 are formed. A cross-sectional view of the steps so far corresponds to FIG.

Note that when the resist mask is removed by wet etching, heat treatment at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C. may be performed in an air atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere.

In a light-emitting display device using a light-emitting element, a pixel portion includes a plurality of thin film transistors, and in the pixel portion, a gate electrode of one thin film transistor and a source wiring or a drain wiring of another transistor are directly connected. Has a contact hole. This contact hole can be formed using the same mask when the contact hole is formed in the gate insulating layer using the second photomask.

In a liquid crystal display device or electronic paper, when a contact hole reaching a gate wiring is formed in a terminal portion for connecting to an external terminal such as an FPC, a contact hole is formed in the gate insulating layer using a second photomask. When forming, the same mask can be used.

By forming the organic insulating layer in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer through the above steps, a thin film transistor with high electrical characteristics can be manufactured.

(Embodiment 3)
In this embodiment, a manufacturing process of a thin film transistor and a terminal portion of a pixel portion that can be formed over the same substrate as the driver circuit described in Embodiment Mode 1 or 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. .

In FIG. 4A, the substrate 400 described in Embodiment 1 can be used as appropriate for the substrate 100.

Next, after a conductive layer is formed over the entire surface of the substrate 100, unnecessary portions are removed by etching using a resist mask formed by performing a first photolithography step, and wirings and electrodes (a gate wiring including the gate electrode 101) are removed. The capacitor wiring 108 and the first terminal 121) are formed. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed.

The conductive layer is formed by a sputtering method, a CVD method, an evaporation method, a printing method, a droplet discharge method, or the like. Further, the thickness of the conductive layer is set to 50 to 300 nm. At this time, etching is performed so that at least an end portion of the gate electrode 101 is tapered. Note that a top view at this stage corresponds to FIG. An oxide semiconductor layer, a source electrode layer, a drain electrode layer, a pixel electrode, and a contact hole that are formed later are indicated by broken lines. Here, a tungsten layer with a thickness of 150 nm is formed as the conductive layer by a sputtering method.

The gate wiring including the gate electrode 101, the capacitor wiring 108, and the first terminal 121 of the terminal portion are formed using the materials of the first gate electrode 401 and the second gate electrode 402 described in Embodiment 1 as appropriate.

Next, a gate insulating layer 102 is formed over the entire surface of the gate electrode 101. The gate insulating layer 102 is formed using the material of the gate insulating layer 403 described in Embodiment 1 as appropriate, using a PCVD method, a sputtering method, or the like, and has a thickness of 50 to 250 nm.

Next, a second photolithography step is performed, a resist mask is formed, unnecessary portions are removed by etching, and contact holes reaching the wirings and electrodes of the same material as the gate electrode are formed. This contact hole is provided for direct connection to a conductive layer to be formed later. For example, a contact hole is formed when a thin film transistor in direct contact with a gate electrode and a source electrode or a drain electrode or a terminal electrically connected to a gate wiring in a terminal portion is formed in a driver circuit portion. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed.

Next, a conductive layer is formed by a sputtering method or a vacuum evaporation method. As a material for the conductive layer, the material for the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 described in Embodiment 1 can be used as appropriate.

Next, a third photolithography step is performed to form a resist mask, unnecessary portions are removed by etching using the resist mask, and the source electrode 105a, the drain electrode 105b, the connection electrode 120, and the second terminal 122 are removed. Form. As an etching method at this time, wet etching or dry etching is used.

Here, ammonia overwater (hydrogen peroxide: ammonia: water = 5: 2: 2) is used as an etchant for the titanium layer, and a solution of phosphoric acid, acetic acid and nitric acid is used for etching the aluminum layer containing neodymium. Each is etched. By this wet etching, the conductive layer in which the titanium layer, the aluminum-neodymium layer, and the titanium layer are sequentially stacked is etched to form the source electrode 105a, the drain electrode 105b, the connection electrode 120, and the second terminal 122 (FIG. 4 ( B)). A top view at this stage corresponds to FIG. Oxide semiconductor layers, pixel electrodes, contact holes, and the like that are formed later are indicated by broken lines.

In the terminal portion, the connection electrode 120 is directly connected to the first terminal 121 in the terminal portion through a contact hole formed in the gate insulating layer 102. Although not shown here, the source or drain wiring of the thin film transistor of the driver circuit and the gate electrode are directly connected through the same process as described above.

Next, after removing the resist mask, plasma treatment is performed. A cross-sectional view at this stage is illustrated in FIG. Here, reverse sputtering in which argon gas is introduced and plasma is generated by an RF power source is performed, and plasma treatment is performed on the exposed gate insulating layer 102. By the plasma treatment, the end portions of the source electrode 105a, the drain electrode 105b, the connection electrode 120, and the second terminal 122 are bent.

Next, after the plasma treatment, an oxide semiconductor layer is formed without being exposed to the air. After the plasma treatment, forming the oxide semiconductor layer without exposure to the air is useful in that dust and moisture are not attached to the interface between the gate insulating layer and the oxide semiconductor layer.

Here, the distance between the substrate and the target is set using an oxide semiconductor target (In ₂ O ₃ : Ga ₂ O ₃ : ZnO = 1: 1: 1) containing In, Ga, and Zn having a diameter of 8 inches. Is formed at 170 mm, a pressure of 0.4 Pa, a direct current (DC) power supply of 0.5 kW, and an argon or oxygen atmosphere. Note that a pulse direct current (DC) power source is preferable because dust can be reduced and the film thickness can be uniform. The thickness of the oxide semiconductor layer is 5 nm to 200 nm. In this embodiment, the thickness of the oxide semiconductor layer is 100 nm.

The oxide semiconductor layer may be formed using the same chamber as the chamber in which reverse sputtering is performed previously. Further, as long as it can be formed without being exposed to the atmosphere, it may be formed in a chamber different from the chamber in which reverse sputtering is performed previously.

Next, a fourth photolithography step is performed to form a resist mask, and unnecessary portions are removed by etching using the resist mask, so that the oxide semiconductor layer 103 is formed. Here, the oxide semiconductor layer 103 is formed by removing unnecessary portions by wet etching using ITO07N (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) as an etchant. Note that the etching here is not limited to wet etching, and dry etching may be used. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed.

Next, it is preferable to perform heat treatment at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C., typically 300 ° C. to 500 ° C. For example, it is placed in a furnace and heat treatment is performed at 350 ° C. for 1 hour in a nitrogen atmosphere or an air atmosphere. By this heat treatment, rearrangement at the atomic level of the In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer is performed. The heat treatment (including optical annealing) is important because distortion that hinders carrier movement is released by this heat treatment. Through the above process, the thin film transistor 170 using the oxide semiconductor layer 103 as a channel formation region can be manufactured. A cross-sectional view at this stage is illustrated in FIG. Note that a top view at this stage corresponds to FIG. Pixel electrodes, contact holes, and the like that are formed later are indicated by broken lines. A cross-sectional view in FIG. 5A corresponds to FIG. 3B in the manufacturing process of the driver circuit described in Embodiment 2. Note that the timing of performing the heat treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is after the formation of the oxide semiconductor layer, and may be performed after the formation of the organic insulating layer to be performed later.

Next, an organic insulating layer 107 that covers the oxide semiconductor layer 103 is formed. The organic insulating layer 107 can be formed using any of the materials listed for the organic insulating layer 452 described in Embodiment 1 as appropriate. In addition, oxygen radical treatment is preferably performed on the surface of the oxide semiconductor layer 103 before the organic insulating layer 107 is formed. As the oxygen radical treatment on the surface of the oxide semiconductor layer 103, plasma treatment or reverse sputtering may be performed. By performing oxygen radical treatment on the surface of the oxide semiconductor layer 103, the threshold voltage of the thin film transistor 170 can be positive, and a so-called normally-off switching element can be realized. It is desirable for the display device that the channel is formed with a positive threshold voltage as close as possible to 0 V as the gate voltage of the thin film transistor. Note that if the threshold voltage value of the thin film transistor is negative, a so-called normally-on state in which a current flows between the source electrode and the drain electrode even when the gate voltage is 0 V is likely to occur.

Next, a fifth photolithography step is performed to form a resist mask, and the organic insulating layer 107 is etched using the resist mask to form a contact hole 125 reaching the drain electrode 105b. Further, a contact hole 127 reaching the second terminal 122 is also formed by etching here. Further, by this etching, an opening 124 for forming the dielectric in the capacitor portion as the gate insulating layer 102 is also formed. Further, a contact hole 126 reaching the connection electrode 120 is also formed. Thereafter, the resist mask is removed. A cross-sectional view at this stage is illustrated in FIG.

Next, a transparent conductive layer is formed on the organic insulating layer 107. As a material for the transparent conductive layer, indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), indium tin oxide alloy (In ₂ O ₃ —SnO ₂ , abbreviated as ITO) or the like is formed by a sputtering method, a vacuum evaporation method, or the like. . Etching treatment of such a material is performed with a hydrochloric acid based solution. However, in particular, since etching of ITO is likely to generate a residue, an indium oxide-zinc oxide alloy (In ₂ O ₃ —ZnO) may be used to improve etching processability.

Next, a sixth photolithography step is performed to form a resist mask, and unnecessary portions are removed by etching using the resist mask, so that the pixel electrode 110 is formed.

In the sixth photolithography process, a storage capacitor is formed by the capacitor wiring 108 and the pixel electrode 110 using the gate insulating layer 102 in the capacitor portion as a dielectric.

Further, in the sixth photolithography process, the connection electrodes 120 and the second terminals 122 are covered with a resist mask, and the transparent conductive layers 128 and 129 formed in the terminal portions are left. The transparent conductive layers 128 and 129 serve as electrodes or wirings used for connection with the FPC. The transparent conductive layer 128 formed on the connection electrode 120 directly connected to the first terminal 121 serves as a connection terminal electrode that functions as an input terminal of the gate wiring. The transparent conductive layer 129 formed over the second terminal 122 serves as a connection terminal electrode that functions as an input terminal of the source wiring.

Next, the resist mask is removed. A cross-sectional view at this stage is illustrated in FIG. Note that a top view at this stage corresponds to FIG. A cross-sectional view in FIG. 5C corresponds to FIG. 3C in the manufacturing process of the driver circuit described in Embodiment 2. Note that when the resist mask is removed by wet etching, heat treatment at 200 ° C. to 600 ° C. may be performed in an air atmosphere or a nitrogen atmosphere.

10A1 and 10A2 are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the gate wiring terminal portion at this stage, respectively. FIG. 10A1 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line C1-C2 in FIG. In FIG. 10A1, a transparent conductive layer 155 formed over the organic insulating layer 107 is a connection terminal electrode that functions as an input terminal. In FIG. 10A1, in the gate wiring terminal portion, a first terminal 151 formed of the same material as the gate wiring and a connection electrode 153 formed of the same material as the source wiring are interposed through the gate insulating layer 102. They overlap and are in direct contact with each other. Further, the connection electrode 153 and the transparent conductive layer 155 are in direct contact with each other in a contact hole provided in the organic insulating layer 107.

10B1 and 10B2 are a top view and a cross-sectional view of the source wiring terminal portion, respectively. FIG. 10B1 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line D1-D2 in FIG. In FIG. 10B1, the transparent conductive layer 155 formed over the organic insulating layer 107 is a connection terminal electrode that functions as an input terminal. In FIG. 10B1, in the source wiring terminal portion, an electrode 156 formed of the same material as the gate wiring is provided below the second terminal 150 electrically connected to the source wiring with the gate insulating layer 102 interposed therebetween. Overlap. The electrode 156 formed of the same material as the gate wiring is not electrically connected to the second terminal 150. If the electrode 156 is set to a potential different from that of the second terminal 150, for example, floating, GND, 0V, or the like. In addition, a capacitance for noise countermeasures or a capacitance for static electricity countermeasures can be formed. The second terminal 150 is directly connected to the transparent conductive layer 155 in a contact hole provided in the organic insulating layer 107.

A plurality of gate wirings, source wirings, and capacitor wirings are provided depending on the pixel density. In the terminal portion, a plurality of first terminals having the same potential as the gate wiring, second terminals having the same potential as the source wiring, third terminals having the same potential as the capacitor wiring, and the like are arranged. Any number of terminals may be provided, and the practitioner may determine the number appropriately.

In this manner, the pixel portion and the storage capacitor having the bottom-gate thin film transistor 170 can be completed using six photomasks through six photolithography steps. Then, by arranging these in a matrix corresponding to each pixel to form a pixel portion, one substrate for manufacturing an active matrix display device can be obtained. In this specification, such a substrate is referred to as an active matrix substrate for convenience.

In the case of manufacturing an active matrix liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is provided between an active matrix substrate and a counter substrate provided with a counter electrode, and the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate are fixed. Note that a common electrode electrically connected to the counter electrode provided on the counter substrate is provided over the active matrix substrate, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to the common electrode is provided in the terminal portion. The fourth terminal is a terminal for setting the common electrode to a fixed potential such as GND or 0V.

Further, this embodiment mode is not limited to the pixel configuration in FIG. 9, and an example of a top view different from that in FIG. 9 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the capacitor wiring is not provided, and the storage capacitor is formed by overlapping the pixel electrode 110 and the gate wiring of the adjacent pixel through a gate insulating layer. In this case, the capacitor wiring and the capacitor wiring are connected to each other. Three terminals can be omitted. Further, since a capacitor can be formed without providing a recess in the display region, flatness is improved and uneven alignment of liquid crystal can be reduced. In FIG. 11, the same portions as those in FIG. 9 will be described using the same reference numerals.

In an active matrix liquid crystal display device, a display pattern is formed on a screen of a liquid crystal display device by driving pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix. Specifically, by applying a voltage between the selected pixel electrode and the counter electrode corresponding to the pixel electrode, optical modulation of the liquid crystal layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode is performed. The observer recognizes transmission and non-transmission of light by optical modulation as a display pattern.

In moving image display of a liquid crystal display device, there is a problem that an afterimage is generated or a moving image is blurred because the response of the liquid crystal molecules themselves is slow. In order to improve the moving image characteristics of a liquid crystal display device, there is a so-called black insertion driving technique in which black display is performed every other frame.

There is also a so-called double speed drive technique that improves the moving image characteristics by setting the vertical synchronization frequency to 1.5 times the normal frequency, preferably 2 times or more.

In addition, in order to improve the moving image characteristics of the liquid crystal display device, a surface light source is configured using a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) light sources or a plurality of EL light sources as a backlight, and each light source constituting the surface light source is independent. There is also a driving technique that performs intermittent lighting driving within one frame period. As the surface light source, three or more kinds of LEDs may be used, or white light emitting LEDs may be used. Since a plurality of LEDs can be controlled independently, the light emission timings of the LEDs can be synchronized with the optical modulation switching timing of the liquid crystal layer. Since this driving technique can partially turn off the LED, an effect of reducing power consumption can be achieved particularly in the case of video display in which the ratio of the black display area occupying one screen is large.

By combining these driving techniques, the display characteristics such as the moving picture characteristics of the liquid crystal display device can be improved as compared with the related art.

In the n-channel transistor obtained in this embodiment, an oxide semiconductor layer, typically an In—Ga—Zn—O-based non-single-crystal layer is used for a channel formation region. Since the organic resin layer is in contact with each other, it has favorable electrical characteristics and can be combined with these driving techniques.

In the case of manufacturing a light-emitting display device, one electrode (also referred to as a cathode) of an organic light-emitting element is set to a low power supply potential, for example, GND, 0 V, and the like. , A fourth terminal for setting to 0V or the like is provided. In the case of manufacturing a light-emitting display device, a power supply line is provided in addition to a source wiring and a gate wiring. Accordingly, the terminal portion is provided with a fifth terminal that is electrically connected to the power supply line.

By forming the gate line driver circuit or the source line driver circuit with a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor, manufacturing cost is reduced. A display device can be provided in which the number of contact holes is reduced by directly connecting a gate electrode of a thin film transistor used for a driver circuit to a source wiring or a drain wiring, and the area occupied by the driver circuit can be reduced.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, a display device with improved image quality can be provided at low cost.

This embodiment mode can be freely combined with Embodiment Mode 1 or Embodiment Mode 2.

(Embodiment 4)
In this embodiment, a mode in which reverse sputtering is not performed before the oxide semiconductor layer is formed in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be described. Although this embodiment mode is described using Embodiment Mode 3, it can be applied to Embodiment Modes 1 and 2 as appropriate.

4A and 4B in Embodiment Mode 3, the source electrode 105a, the drain electrode 105b, the connection electrode 120, and the second terminal 122 are formed. Next, the oxide semiconductor layer 103 is formed without performing reverse sputtering. After that, through the steps shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, an active matrix substrate as shown in FIG. 29 can be manufactured.

In the active matrix substrate shown in FIG. 29, the ends of the source electrode 105a, the drain electrode 105b, the connection electrode 120, and the second terminal 122 are not curved and are angular.

In this embodiment mode, the number of steps for manufacturing an active matrix substrate can be reduced, so that cost can be reduced.

(Embodiment 5)
In this embodiment, structures applicable to Embodiments 1 and 2 are described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment mode, the wiring 410 of the first thin film transistor 430 and the gate electrode 402 of the second thin film transistor 431 are connected by a connection wiring 454. The connection wiring 454 connects the wiring 410 of the first thin film transistor 430 and the gate electrode 402 of the second thin film transistor 431 through a contact hole formed in the organic insulating layer 452. Therefore, the connection wiring 454 can be formed at the same time as the pixel electrode 110 formed in the pixel portion described in Embodiment Mode 3 and Embodiment Mode 4. In addition, since a photolithography process for forming a contact hole in the gate insulating layer 403 is not necessary, the photolithography process can be reduced once. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of steps for manufacturing the active matrix substrate, so that the cost can be reduced.

(Embodiment 6)
Here, an example of a display device including a thin film transistor having a second oxide semiconductor layer (hereinafter referred to as an n ⁺ layer) between a source wiring (or a drain wiring) and an oxide semiconductor layer is illustrated in FIG. Shown in Note that in FIG. 31, the same portions as those in FIG. 1A are described using the same reference numerals.

A first thin film transistor 480 illustrated in FIG. 31 is a thin film transistor used for a driver circuit, and includes an n ⁺ layer 406a, an oxide semiconductor layer 407, and a second wiring 410 between the oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the first wiring 409. In this example, an n ⁺ layer 406b is provided therebetween. The first thin film transistor 480 includes a first gate electrode 401 below the oxide semiconductor layer 405.

The second thin film transistor 481 is a thin film transistor used for the pixel portion, and an n ⁺ layer 408a is provided between the oxide semiconductor layer 407 and the second wiring 410, and the oxide semiconductor layer 407, the third wiring 411, and the like. In this example, n ⁺ layers 408b are respectively provided between the two layers.

The n ⁺ layer is an oxide semiconductor layer having a lower resistance than the oxide semiconductor layer 405 and the oxide semiconductor layer 407, and functions as a source region or a drain region.

The n ⁺ layers 406a, 406b, 408a, and 408b use a target of In ₂ O ₃ : Ga ₂ O ₃ : ZnO = 1: 1: 1. The formation conditions are a pressure of 0.4 Pa and a power of 500 W. The film formation temperature is set to room temperature, and an argon gas flow rate of 40 sccm is introduced to perform sputtering. In—Ga— containing crystal grains having a size of 1 nm to 10 nm immediately after film formation, despite the intentional use of a target of In ₂ O ₃ : Ga ₂ O ₃ : ZnO = 1: 1: 1. A Zn—O-based non-single crystal layer may be formed. The target component ratio, film forming pressure (0.1 Pa to 2.0 Pa), power (250 W to 3000 W: 8 inches φ), temperature (room temperature to 100 ° C.), reactive sputtering formation conditions, and the like are appropriately adjusted. Thus, it can be said that the presence or absence of crystal grains, the density of crystal grains, and the diameter size can be adjusted in the range of 1 nm to 10 nm. The thicknesses of the n ⁺ layers 406a, 406b, 407a, and 407b are 5 nm to 20 nm. Of course, when crystal grains are included in the layer, the size of the included crystal grains does not exceed the thickness. In this embodiment, the thickness of the n ⁺ layers 406a, 406b, 407a, and 407b is 5 nm.

Since the display device in this embodiment includes an n ⁺ layer between a wiring and an oxide semiconductor layer, the display device can be thermally stabilized as compared with Embodiment 1.

In addition, the first wiring 409, the second wiring 410, and the third wiring 411 and the oxide semiconductor layer serving as an n ⁺ layer are stacked by a sputtering method without being exposed to the air, whereby the first wiring 409 is manufactured during the manufacturing process. The third wiring 411 is exposed and dust can be prevented from attaching.

Note that here, the n ⁺ layers 406a, 406b, 408a, and 408b are provided between the first wiring 409, the second wiring 410, and the third wiring 411 and the oxide semiconductor layers 405 and 407; The layer 403 may be provided between the first wiring 409, the second wiring 410, and the third wiring 411. Further, between the gate insulating layer 403, the first wiring 409, the second wiring 410, and the third wiring 411, the first wiring 409, the second wiring 410, the third wiring 411, and the oxide semiconductor layer An n ⁺ layer may be provided between both 405 and 407.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 7)
In this embodiment, the shape of an organic insulating layer applicable to Embodiment 2 is described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 32, an organic insulating layer 161 is formed over the gate insulating layer 102, the first wiring 105a, the second wiring 105b, and the oxide semiconductor layer 103 of the thin film transistor 170 manufactured in Embodiment 2, and the organic insulating layer is formed. The layer 161 is characterized in that it does not cover part of the second wiring 105b. The pixel electrode 163 is formed over the second wiring 105b and the gate insulating layer 102.

Further, the transparent conductive layer 165 formed in the terminal portion is formed over the connection electrode 120 and the gate insulating layer 102. The transparent conductive layer 164 formed in the terminal portion is formed on the second terminal 122 and the gate insulating layer 102.

Through the above, a display device with improved image quality can be manufactured.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 8)
In this embodiment, a structure of a counter substrate of a liquid crystal display device which is an example of a display device is described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the pixel portion of the liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 34 is a top view of the pixel portion. A cross-sectional view taken along line AB of FIG. 34 corresponds to FIG.

A thin film transistor 170 is formed over the substrate 100. In addition, the organic insulating layer 107 is formed over the thin film transistor 170. In the contact hole of the organic insulating layer 107, the pixel electrode 110 connected to the wiring of the thin film transistor 170 is formed. An alignment film 171 is formed on the pixel electrode 110 and the organic insulating layer 107.

A light shielding layer 173 that covers the thin film transistor 170 is formed over the counter substrate 172. A colored layer 174 that covers the light shielding layer 173 and the counter substrate 172 is formed. An auxiliary electrode 176 is formed on the coloring layer 174. A counter electrode 175 that covers the light shielding layer 173, the colored layer 174, and the auxiliary electrode 176 is formed. An alignment film 177 is formed on the counter electrode 175.

Although not shown, the substrate 100 and the counter substrate 172 are fixed with a sealing material. Further, liquid crystal 178 is filled inside the substrate 100, the counter substrate 172, and the sealant.

The counter electrode 175 is formed using the material for the pixel electrode 110 described in Embodiment 2 as appropriate.

The colored layer 174 is formed by appropriately using an insulating layer that preferentially transmits light in the red wavelength range, light in the blue wavelength range, and light in the green wavelength range. The colored layer 174 functions as a color filter.

The auxiliary electrode 176 is an auxiliary electrode provided for the purpose of reducing the resistance value of the counter electrode 175. For this reason, the auxiliary electrode 176 may be formed using a material having high contact with the counter electrode 175 and having a lower resistivity than the counter electrode 175. Typically, it can be formed using a simple substance such as aluminum, titanium, copper, tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum. Alternatively, an alloy of the above metal and scandium, niobium, copper, or silicon can be used.

In this embodiment mode, the auxiliary electrode 176 is formed in contact with the counter electrode 175. For this reason, since the resistance value of the counter electrode 175 can be reduced, the thickness of the counter electrode 175 can be reduced. In addition, a common line for applying a potential to the counter electrode 175 is not formed in the entire periphery of the substrate 100, and the common electrode, the auxiliary electrode 176, and the conductive particles may be connected to each other at the common terminal portion. The frame of the device can be narrowed.

(Embodiment 9)
In this embodiment, one mode of electronic paper is shown.

FIG. 12 illustrates active matrix electronic paper as an example of a display device. The thin film transistor 581 used for the display device can be manufactured in a manner similar to that of the thin film transistor 170 described in Embodiments 3 and 4, and has an electric characteristic of including an oxide semiconductor layer over a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. It is a high thin film transistor.

The electronic paper illustrated in FIG. 12 is an example of a display device using a twisting ball display system. In the twist ball display system, spherical particles that are painted in white and black are used for the display element, and are arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode that are electrodes, and a potential difference is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode. In this method, display is performed by controlling the orientation of the spherical particles.

The thin film transistor 581 over the first substrate 580 is a bottom-gate thin film transistor, and is in contact with and electrically connected to the first electrode 587 through openings formed in the insulating layers 583, 584, and 585 by a source electrode or a drain electrode. ing. Between the first electrode 587 formed on the first substrate 580 and the second electrode 588 formed on the second substrate 596, a black region 590a and a white region 590b, a black region 590a and a white electrode Spherical particles 589 are provided having cavities 594 that fill the area 590b with liquid. The periphery of the spherical particles 589 is filled with a filler 595 such as a resin (see FIG. 12). In the present embodiment, the first electrode 587 corresponds to a pixel electrode, and the second electrode 588 corresponds to a common electrode.

Further, instead of the twisting ball, an electrophoretic element can be used. The electrophoretic element includes a transparent liquid and microcapsules having a diameter of about 10 μm to 200 μm in which positively charged white fine particles and negatively charged black fine particles are enclosed. The microcapsule provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, when an electric field is applied by the first electrode and the second electrode, the white fine particles and the black fine particles move in opposite directions, and white or black Can be displayed. A display element using this principle is an electrophoretic display element, and is generally called electronic paper. Since the electrophoretic display element has higher reflectance than the liquid crystal display element, an auxiliary light is unnecessary, power consumption is small, and the display portion can be recognized even in a dim place. Further, even when power is not supplied to the display portion, an image once displayed can be held; therefore, a semiconductor device with a display function from a radio wave source (simply a display device or a semiconductor having a display device) Even when the device is also moved away, the displayed image can be stored.

Through the above steps, electronic paper with improved image quality can be manufactured.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the driver circuit or the pixel portion described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 8.

(Embodiment 10)
In this embodiment, an example in which at least part of a driver circuit and a thin film transistor provided in a pixel portion are formed over the same substrate in the display device will be described below.

A thin film transistor provided in the pixel portion is formed in accordance with Embodiment Mode 3. In addition, since the thin film transistor 170 described in Embodiment 3 is an n-channel TFT, a part of the driver circuit that can be formed using the n-channel TFT is formed over the same substrate as the thin film transistor in the pixel portion. .

An example of a block diagram of an active matrix liquid crystal display device is shown in FIG. A display device illustrated in FIG. 13A includes a pixel portion 5301 having a plurality of pixels each provided with a display element over a substrate 5300, a scan line driver circuit 5302 for selecting each pixel, and a video signal to the selected pixel. And a signal line driver circuit 5303 for controlling input.

The pixel portion 5301 is connected to the signal line driver circuit 5303 by a plurality of signal lines S1 to Sm (not shown) arranged extending from the signal line driver circuit 5303 in the column direction. A plurality of scanning lines G1 to Gn (not shown) arranged in the direction are connected to the scanning line driving circuit 5302 and arranged in a matrix corresponding to the signal lines S1 to Sm and the scanning lines G1 to Gn. A plurality of pixels (not shown). Each pixel is connected to a signal line Sj (any one of the signal lines S1 to Sm) and a scanning line Gi (any one of the scanning lines G1 to Gn).

A thin film transistor 170 described in Embodiment 3 is an n-channel TFT, and a signal line driver circuit including the n-channel TFT is described with reference to FIGS.

The signal line driver circuit illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a driver IC 5601, switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M, a first wiring 5611, a second wiring 5612, a third wiring 5613, and wirings 5621-1 to 5621 -M. Each of the switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M includes a first thin film transistor 5603 a, a second thin film transistor 5603 b, and a third thin film transistor 5603 c.

The driver IC 5601 is connected to the first wiring 5611, the second wiring 5612, the third wiring 5613, and the wirings 5621-1 to 5621-M. Each of the switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M includes wirings 5621-1 to 5621 -M corresponding to the first wiring 5611, the second wiring 5612, the third wiring 5613, and the switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M, respectively. Connected to. Each of the wirings 5621-1 to 5621 -M is connected to three signal lines through the first thin film transistor 5603 a, the second thin film transistor 5603 b, and the third thin film transistor 5603 c. For example, the wiring 5621-J (any one of the wirings 5621-1 to 5621-M) in the J column includes the first thin film transistor 5603a, the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c included in the switch group 5602-J. To the signal line Sj-1, the signal line Sj, and the signal line Sj + 1.

Note that signals are input to the first wiring 5611, the second wiring 5612, and the third wiring 5613, respectively.

Note that the driver IC 5601 is preferably formed over a single crystal substrate. Further, the switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M are preferably formed over the same substrate as the pixel portion. Therefore, the driver IC 5601 and the switch groups 5602-1 to 5602 -M are preferably connected via an FPC or the like.

Next, operation of the signal line driver circuit illustrated in FIG. 14 is described with reference to a timing chart of FIG. Note that the timing chart of FIG. 15 is a timing chart when the i-th scanning line Gi is selected. Further, the selection period of the i-th scanning line Gi is divided into a first sub-selection period T1, a second sub-selection period T2, and a third sub-selection period T3. Further, the signal line driver circuit in FIG. 14 operates in the same manner as in FIG. 15 even when a scan line in another row is selected.

Note that in the timing chart in FIG. 15, the wiring 5621-J in the J-th column is connected to the signal line Sj-1, the signal line Sj, and the signal line Sj + 1 through the first thin film transistor 5603a, the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c. It shows the case of connection.

Note that the timing chart in FIG. 15 illustrates the timing at which the i-th scanning line Gi is selected, the on / off timing 5703a of the first thin film transistor 5603a, the on / off timing 5703b of the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c. The ON / OFF timing 5703c and the signal 5721-J input to the wiring 5621-J in the J-th column are shown.

Note that different video signals are input to the wirings 5621-1 to 5621-M in the first sub-selection period T1, the second sub-selection period T2, and the third sub-selection period T3. For example, a video signal input to the wiring 5621-J in the first sub selection period T1 is input to the signal line Sj-1, and a video signal input to the wiring 5621-J in the second sub selection period T2 is the signal line Sj. And the video signal input to the wiring 5621-J in the third sub-selection period T3 is input to the signal line Sj + 1. Further, in the first sub-selection period T1, the second sub-selection period T2, and the third sub-selection period T3, video signals input to the wiring 5621-J are respectively represented as Data-j-1, Data-j, and Data-j + 1. To do.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the first sub-selection period T1, the first thin film transistor 5603a is turned on, and the second thin film transistor 5603b and the third thin film transistor 5603c are turned off. At this time, Data-j-1 input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj-1 through the first thin film transistor 5603a. In the second sub-selection period T2, the second thin film transistor 5603b is turned on, and the first thin film transistor 5603a and the third thin film transistor 5603c are turned off. At this time, Data-j input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj through the second thin film transistor 5603b. In the third sub-selection period T3, the third thin film transistor 5603c is turned on, and the first thin film transistor 5603a and the second thin film transistor 5603b are turned off. At this time, Data-j + 1 input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj + 1 through the third thin film transistor 5603c.

From the above, the signal line driver circuit in FIG. 14 can input a video signal from one wiring 5621_J to three signal lines during one gate selection period by dividing one gate selection period into three. it can. Therefore, the signal line driver circuit in FIG. 14 can reduce the number of connections between the substrate on which the driver IC 5601 is formed and the substrate on which the pixel portion is formed to about 1/3 of the number of signal lines. When the number of connections is about 約, the signal line driver circuit in FIG. 14 can improve reliability, yield, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 14, if one gate selection period is divided into a plurality of sub-selection periods, and a video signal can be input from a certain wiring to each of a plurality of signal lines in each of the plurality of sub-selection periods, The arrangement and number of thin film transistors and the driving method are not limited.

For example, when video signals are input from one wiring to each of three or more signal lines in each of three or more sub-selection periods, a thin film transistor and a wiring for controlling the thin film transistor may be added. However, if one gate selection period is divided into four or more sub selection periods, one sub selection period is shortened. Therefore, it is desirable that one gate selection period is divided into two or three sub selection periods.

As another example, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 16, one selection period may be divided into a precharge period Tp, a first sub selection period T1, a second sub selection period T2, and a third sub selection period T3. Good. Further, the timing chart of FIG. 16 shows the timing at which the i-th scanning line Gi is selected, the on / off timing 5803a of the first thin film transistor 5603a, the on / off timing 5803b of the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c. The ON / OFF timing 5803c and the signal 5821-J input to the wiring 5621-J in the J-th column are shown. As shown in FIG. 16, the first thin film transistor 5603a, the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c are turned on in the precharge period Tp. At this time, the precharge voltage Vp input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj-1, the signal line Sj, and the signal line Sj + 1 through the first thin film transistor 5603a, the second thin film transistor 5603b, and the third thin film transistor 5603c, respectively. The In the first sub-selection period T1, the first thin film transistor 5603a is turned on, and the second thin film transistor 5603b and the third thin film transistor 5603c are turned off. At this time, Data-j-1 input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj-1 through the first thin film transistor 5603a. In the second sub-selection period T2, the second thin film transistor 5603b is turned on, and the first thin film transistor 5603a and the third thin film transistor 5603c are turned off. At this time, Data-j input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj through the second thin film transistor 5603b. In the third sub-selection period T3, the third thin film transistor 5603c is turned on, and the first thin film transistor 5603a and the second thin film transistor 5603b are turned off. At this time, Data-j + 1 input to the wiring 5621-J is input to the signal line Sj + 1 through the third thin film transistor 5603c.

From the above, the signal line driver circuit in FIG. 14 to which the timing chart in FIG. 16 is applied can precharge the signal line by providing the precharge period before the sub selection period. Writing can be performed at high speed. Note that in FIG. 16, components similar to those in FIG. 15 are denoted by common reference numerals, and detailed description of the same portions or portions having similar functions is omitted.

A structure of the scan line driver circuit will be described. The scan line driver circuit includes a shift register and a buffer. In some cases, a level shifter may be provided. In the scan line driver circuit, when a clock signal (CLK) and a start pulse signal (SP) are input to the shift register, a selection signal is generated. The generated selection signal is buffered and amplified in the buffer and supplied to the corresponding scanning line. A gate electrode of a transistor of a pixel for one line is connected to the scanning line. Since the transistors of pixels for one line must be turned on all at once, a buffer that can flow a large current is used.

One mode of a shift register used for part of the scan line driver circuit is described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 17 shows a circuit configuration of the shift register. The shift register illustrated in FIG. 17 includes a plurality of flip-flops, flip-flops 5701-1 to 5701-n. In addition, the first clock signal, the second clock signal, the start pulse signal, and the reset signal are input to operate.

Connection relations of the shift register in FIG. 17 are described. In the shift register in FIG. 17, the i-th flip-flop 5701-i (any one of the flip-flops 5701-1 to 5701-n) has the first wiring 5501 shown in FIG. -1, the second wiring 5502 shown in FIG. 18 is connected to the seventh wiring 5717-i + 1, the third wiring 5503 shown in FIG. 18 is connected to the seventh wiring 5717-i, and is shown in FIG. The sixth wiring 5506 is connected to the fifth wiring 5715.

The fourth wiring 5504 shown in FIG. 18 is connected to the second wiring 5712 in the odd-numbered flip-flops, and is connected to the third wiring 5713 in the even-numbered flip-flops. The fifth wiring shown in FIG. 5505 is connected to the fourth wiring 5714.

However, the first wiring 5501 of the first-stage flip-flop 5701-1 shown in FIG. 18 is connected to the first wiring 5711, and the second wiring 5502 of the n-th flip-flop 5701-n shown in FIG. It is connected to the wiring 5716.

Note that the first wiring 5711, the second wiring 5712, the third wiring 5713, and the sixth wiring 5716 may be referred to as a first signal line, a second signal line, a third signal line, and a fourth signal line, respectively. Further, the fourth wiring 5714 and the fifth wiring 5715 may be referred to as a first power supply line and a second power supply line, respectively.

Next, FIG. 18 shows details of the flip-flop shown in FIG. The flip-flop illustrated in FIG. 18 includes a first thin film transistor 5571, a second thin film transistor 5572, a third thin film transistor 5573, a fourth thin film transistor 5574, a fifth thin film transistor 5575, a sixth thin film transistor 5576, a seventh thin film transistor 5577, and an eighth thin film transistor 5578. Note that the first thin film transistor 5571, the second thin film transistor 5572, the third thin film transistor 5573, the fourth thin film transistor 5574, the fifth thin film transistor 5575, the sixth thin film transistor 5576, the seventh thin film transistor 5577, and the eighth thin film transistor 5578 are n-channel transistors. It is assumed that the gate-source voltage (Vgs) becomes conductive when the gate-source voltage (Vgs) exceeds the threshold voltage (Vth).

In FIG. 18, the gate electrode of the third thin film transistor 5573 is electrically connected to the power supply line. A circuit in which the third thin film transistor 5573 and the fourth thin film transistor 5574 are connected (a circuit surrounded by a chain line 5500 in FIG. 18) corresponds to the circuit configuration illustrated in FIG. Here, an example in which all thin film transistors are enhancement type n-channel transistors is shown; however, the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the third thin film transistor 5573 drives a driving circuit even if a depletion type n-channel transistor is used. You can also.

Next, a connection structure of the flip-flop illustrated in FIG. 18 is described below.

A first electrode (one of a source electrode and a drain electrode) of the first thin film transistor 5571 is connected to the fourth wiring 5504, and a second electrode (the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode) of the first thin film transistor 5571 is connected to the third wiring 5503. Is done.

A first electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572 is connected to the sixth wiring 5506, and a second electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572 is connected to the third wiring 5503.

The first electrode of the third thin film transistor 5573 is connected to the fifth wiring 5505, the second electrode of the third thin film transistor 5573 is connected to the gate electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572, and the gate electrode of the third thin film transistor 5573 is connected to the fifth wiring 5505. Connected.

The first electrode of the fourth thin film transistor 5574 is connected to the sixth wiring 5506, the second electrode of the fourth thin film transistor 5574 is connected to the gate electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572, and the gate electrode of the fourth thin film transistor 5574 is connected to the first thin film transistor 5571. Connected to the gate electrode.

The first electrode of the fifth thin film transistor 5575 is connected to the fifth wiring 5505, the second electrode of the fifth thin film transistor 5575 is connected to the gate electrode of the first thin film transistor 5571, and the gate electrode of the fifth thin film transistor 5575 is connected to the first wiring 5501. Connected.

The first electrode of the sixth thin film transistor 5576 is connected to the sixth wiring 5506, the second electrode of the sixth thin film transistor 5576 is connected to the gate electrode of the first thin film transistor 5571, and the gate electrode of the sixth thin film transistor 5576 is connected to the second thin film transistor 5572. Connected to the gate electrode.

The first electrode of the seventh thin film transistor 5577 is connected to the sixth wiring 5506, the second electrode of the seventh thin film transistor 5577 is connected to the gate electrode of the first thin film transistor 5571, and the gate electrode of the seventh thin film transistor 5577 is connected to the second wiring 5502. Connected. The first electrode of the eighth thin film transistor 5578 is connected to the sixth wiring 5506, the second electrode of the eighth thin film transistor 5578 is connected to the gate electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572, and the gate electrode of the eighth thin film transistor 5578 is connected to the first wiring 5501. Connected.

Note that a connection position of the gate electrode of the first thin film transistor 5571, the gate electrode of the fourth thin film transistor 5574, the second electrode of the fifth thin film transistor 5575, the second electrode of the sixth thin film transistor 5576, and the second electrode of the seventh thin film transistor 5577 is a node 5543. And Further, a connection position of the gate electrode of the second thin film transistor 5572, the second electrode of the third thin film transistor 5573, the second electrode of the fourth thin film transistor 5574, the gate electrode of the sixth thin film transistor 5576, and the second electrode of the eighth thin film transistor 5578 is a node 5544. And

Note that the first wiring 5501, the second wiring 5502, the third wiring 5503, and the fourth wiring 5504 may be referred to as a first signal line, a second signal line, a third signal line, and a fourth signal line, respectively. Further, the fifth wiring 5505 may be called a first power supply line, and the sixth wiring 5506 may be called a second power supply line.

In addition, the signal line driver circuit and the scan line driver circuit can be manufactured using only the n-channel TFT described in Embodiment Mode 3. Since the n-channel TFT described in Embodiment 3 has high field effect mobility of the transistor, the driving frequency of the driver circuit can be increased. For example, the scan line driver circuit using n-channel TFTs described in Embodiment Mode 3 can be operated at high speed, so that it is possible to increase the frame frequency or to insert a black screen. I can do it.

Further, a higher frame frequency can be realized by increasing the channel width of the transistor of the scan line driver circuit or disposing a plurality of scan line driver circuits. When a plurality of scanning line driving circuits are arranged, a scanning line driving circuit for driving even-numbered scanning lines is arranged on one side, and a scanning line driving circuit for driving odd-numbered scanning lines is arranged on the opposite side. By arranging them in this manner, it is possible to increase the frame frequency. In addition, when a plurality of scanning line driving circuits outputs signals to the same scanning line, it is advantageous for increasing the size of the display device.

In the case of manufacturing an active matrix light-emitting display device, it is preferable to dispose a plurality of scan line driver circuits in order to dispose a plurality of thin film transistors in at least one pixel. An example of a block diagram of an active matrix light-emitting display device is illustrated in FIG.

A light-emitting display device illustrated in FIG. 13B includes a pixel portion 5401 having a plurality of pixels each provided with a display element over a substrate 5400, a first scan line driver circuit 5402 and a second scan line driver circuit 5404 for selecting each pixel. And a signal line driver circuit 5403 for controlling input of a video signal to the selected pixel.

In the case where a video signal input to the pixel of the light-emitting display device illustrated in FIG. 13B is in a digital format, the pixel is turned on or off by switching on and off of the transistor. Therefore, gradation display can be performed using the area gradation method or the time gradation method. The area gradation method is a driving method in which gradation display is performed by dividing one pixel into a plurality of subpixels and independently driving each subpixel based on a video signal. The time gray scale method is a driving method for performing gray scale display by controlling a period during which a pixel emits light.

Since a light emitting element has a higher response speed than a liquid crystal element or the like, it is more suitable for a time gray scale method than a liquid crystal element. Specifically, when displaying by the time gray scale method, one frame period is divided into a plurality of subframe periods. Then, in accordance with the video signal, the light emitting element of the pixel is turned on or off in each subframe period. By dividing into a plurality of subframe periods, the total length of a period during which a pixel actually emits light during one frame period can be controlled by a video signal, and gradation can be displayed.

Note that in the light-emitting display device illustrated in FIG. 13B, when two switching TFTs are provided in one pixel, a signal input to the first scanning line which is a gate wiring of one switching TFT is the first. In this example, the second scanning line driving circuit 5404 generates a signal generated by the scanning line driving circuit 5402 and input to the second scanning line which is the gate wiring of the other switching TFT. Both a signal input to one scanning line and a signal input to the second scanning line may be generated by one scanning line driving circuit. In addition, for example, a plurality of scanning lines used for controlling the operation of the switching element may be provided in each pixel depending on the number of switching TFTs included in one pixel. In this case, all signals input to the plurality of scanning lines may be generated by one scanning line driving circuit, or may be generated by each of the plurality of scanning line driving circuits.

In the light-emitting display device, part of a driver circuit that can include n-channel TFTs among driver circuits can be formed over the same substrate as the thin film transistor in the pixel portion. In addition, the signal line driver circuit and the scan line driver circuit can be manufactured using only the n-channel TFT described in Embodiment Mode 3.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a signal input terminal, a scan line, a signal line, a protection circuit including a nonlinear element, and a pixel portion included in a display device. A scanning line 323 and a signal line 324 are arranged so as to intersect with each other over the substrate 320 having an insulating surface, so that a pixel portion 327 is formed. Note that the pixel portion 327 corresponds to the pixel portion 5301 and the pixel portion 5401 shown in FIG.

The pixel portion 327 includes a plurality of pixels 328 arranged in a matrix. The pixel 328 includes a pixel TFT 329 connected to the scanning line 323 and the signal line 324, a storage capacitor portion 330, and a pixel electrode 331.

In the pixel configuration shown here, in the storage capacitor portion 330, one electrode and the pixel TFT 329 are connected, and the other electrode and the capacitor line 332 are connected. The pixel electrode 331 constitutes one electrode for driving a display element (a liquid crystal element, a light emitting element, a contrast medium (electronic ink), or the like). The other electrode of these display elements is connected to the common terminal 333.

The protection circuit is provided between the pixel portion 327 and the signal line input terminal 322. Further, it is disposed between the scan line driver circuit and the pixel portion 327. In this embodiment mode, a plurality of protection circuits are provided so that a surge voltage is applied to the scanning line 323, the signal line 324, and the capacitor bus line 337 due to static electricity or the like, and the pixel TFT 329 and the like are not destroyed. . For this reason, the protection circuit is configured to release charges to the common wiring when a surge voltage is applied.

In this embodiment, the protection circuit 334 is provided on the scanning line 323 side, the protection circuit 335 is provided on the signal line 324 side, and the protection circuit 336 is provided on the capacitor bus line 337. However, the position of the protection circuit is not limited to this. In the case where the scan line driver circuit is not mounted using a semiconductor device such as an IC, the protection circuit 334 is not necessarily provided on the scan line 323 side.

The TFT described in any of Embodiments 1 to 7 can be used for each of these circuits.

Here, the structure of the common terminal 333 is described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view of the common contact terminal and corresponds to D1-D2 in the top view in FIG. 38B.

The common potential line 491 is provided over the gate insulating layer 403 and is formed using the same material and through the same steps as the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 illustrated in FIG.

Further, the common potential line 491 is covered with an organic insulating layer 452, and the organic insulating layer 452 has a plurality of openings at positions overlapping with the common potential line 491. This opening is formed in the same process as a contact hole connecting any one of the first wiring 409 to the third wiring 411 and the pixel electrode 110.

The common electrode 492 is provided over the organic insulating layer 452 and is manufactured using the same material and through the same process as the connection wiring 453 and the pixel electrode of the pixel portion.

Note that the common electrode 492 is an electrode that is in contact with conductive particles contained in the sealant, and is electrically connected to the counter electrode of the second substrate.

The driving circuit described above is not limited to a liquid crystal display device or a light-emitting display device, and may be used for electronic paper that drives electronic ink using an element that is electrically connected to a switching element. Electronic paper is also called an electrophoretic display device (electrophoretic display), and has the same readability as paper, low power consumption compared to other display devices, and the advantage that it can be made thin and light. ing.

Through the above, a display device with improved image quality can be manufactured.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 11)
A thin film transistor is manufactured using the oxide semiconductor layer, and the display device can be manufactured using the thin film transistor in a pixel portion and further in a driver circuit. Further, part or all of the driver circuit of the inverter circuit described in Embodiment 1 or 2 can be formed over the same substrate as the pixel portion to form a system-on-panel.

The display device includes a display element. As the display element, a liquid crystal element (also referred to as a liquid crystal display element) or a light-emitting element (also referred to as a light-emitting display element) can be used. The light-emitting element includes, in its category, an element whose luminance is controlled by current or voltage, and specifically includes inorganic EL (Electro Luminescence), organic EL, and the like. In addition, a display medium whose contrast is changed by an electric effect, such as electronic ink, can be used.

The display device includes a panel in which the display element is sealed, and a module in which an IC including a controller is mounted on the panel. Further, in the process of manufacturing the display device, the element substrate which corresponds to one embodiment before the display element is completed is provided with a means for supplying current to the display element in each of the plurality of pixels. Specifically, the element substrate may be in a state in which only the pixel electrode of the display element is formed, or after the formation of the conductive layer to be the pixel electrode and before the pixel electrode is formed by etching. It can be in any state, and all forms apply.

Note that a display device in this specification means an image display device, a display device, or a light source (including a lighting device). Also, a connector, for example, a module with a FPC (Flexible printed circuit) or TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) tape or TCP (Tape Carrier Package), a module with a printed wiring board at the end of a TAB tape or TCP, or a display It is assumed that the display device includes all modules in which an IC (integrated circuit) is directly mounted on the element by a COG (Chip On Glass) method.

In this embodiment, the appearance and a cross section of a liquid crystal display panel are described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 illustrates thin film transistors 4010 and 4011 having high electrical characteristics and a liquid crystal element 4013 each including an oxide semiconductor layer over a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode formed over a first substrate 4001, and a second substrate 4006. FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view taken along line MN in FIGS. 19A1 and 19A2.

A sealant 4005 is provided so as to surround the pixel portion 4002 provided over the first substrate 4001 and the scan line driver circuit 4004. A second substrate 4006 is provided over the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004. Therefore, the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004 are sealed together with the liquid crystal layer 4008 by the first substrate 4001, the sealant 4005, and the second substrate 4006. In addition, a signal line driver circuit 4003 formed using a single crystal semiconductor layer or a polycrystalline semiconductor layer is mounted over a separately prepared substrate in a region different from the region surrounded by the sealant 4005 over the first substrate 4001. ing.

Note that a connection method of a driver circuit which is separately formed is not particularly limited, and a COG method, a wire bonding method, a TAB method, or the like can be used. FIG. 19A1 illustrates an example in which the signal line driver circuit 4003 is mounted by a COG method, and FIG. 19A2 illustrates an example in which the signal line driver circuit 4003 is mounted by a TAB method.

In addition, the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver circuit 4004 provided over the first substrate 4001 include a plurality of thin film transistors. In FIG. 19B, the thin film transistor 4010 included in the pixel portion 4002 and the scan line driver are provided. A thin film transistor 4011 included in the circuit 4004 is illustrated. An organic insulating layer 4021 is provided over the thin film transistors 4010 and 4011.

The thin film transistors 4010 and 4011 correspond to thin film transistors with high electrical characteristics including an oxide semiconductor layer over a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and the thin film transistor 170 described in Embodiment 3 can be used. In this embodiment mode, the thin film transistors 4010 and 4011 are n-channel thin film transistors.

In addition, the pixel electrode 4030 included in the liquid crystal element 4013 is electrically connected to the thin film transistor 4010. A counter electrode 4031 of the liquid crystal element 4013 is formed over the second substrate 4006. A portion where the pixel electrode 4030, the counter electrode 4031, and the liquid crystal layer 4008 overlap corresponds to the liquid crystal element 4013. Note that the pixel electrode 4030 and the counter electrode 4031 are each provided with insulating layers 4032 and 4033 each functioning as an alignment film, and the liquid crystal layer 4008 is interposed between the insulating layers 4032 and 4033.

Note that as the first substrate 4001 and the second substrate 4006, glass, metal (typically stainless steel), ceramics, or plastic can be used. As the plastic, an FRP (Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastics) plate, a PVF (polyvinyl fluoride) film, a polyester film, or an acrylic resin film can be used. A sheet having a structure in which an aluminum foil is sandwiched between PVF films or polyester films can also be used.

The columnar spacer 4035 can be obtained by selectively etching the insulating layer. It is provided to control the distance (cell gap) between the pixel electrode 4030 and the counter electrode 4031. A spherical spacer may be used. The counter electrode 4031 is electrically connected to a common potential line provided over the same substrate as the thin film transistor 4010. Using the common connection portion, the counter electrode 4031 and the common potential line can be electrically connected to each other through conductive particles arranged between the pair of substrates. Note that the conductive particles are included in the sealant 4005.

Alternatively, a liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase for which an alignment film is unnecessary may be used. The blue phase is one of the liquid crystal phases. When the temperature of the cholesteric liquid crystal is increased, the blue phase appears immediately before the transition from the cholesteric phase to the isotropic phase. Since the blue phase appears only in a narrow temperature range, a liquid crystal composition mixed with 5% by weight or more of a chiral agent is used for the liquid crystal layer 4008 in order to improve the temperature range. A liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase and a chiral agent has a response speed as short as 10 μs to 100 μs and is optically isotropic, so that alignment treatment is unnecessary and viewing angle dependency is small.

Note that although this embodiment is an example of a transmissive liquid crystal display device, this embodiment can be applied to a reflective liquid crystal display device or a transflective liquid crystal display device.

In the liquid crystal display device of this embodiment, a polarizing plate is provided on the outer side (viewing side) of the substrate, a colored layer is provided on the inner side, and an electrode used for the display element. The polarizing plate may be provided on the inner side of the substrate. Good. In addition, the stacked structure of the polarizing plate and the colored layer is not limited to this embodiment mode, and may be set as appropriate depending on the material and manufacturing process conditions of the polarizing plate and the colored layer. Further, a light shielding layer functioning as a black matrix may be provided.

In this embodiment mode, the thin film transistor 170 obtained in the above embodiment mode is covered with the organic insulating layer 4021 in order to reduce surface unevenness of the thin film transistor and improve the reliability of the thin film transistor.

In addition, an organic insulating layer 4021 having flatness is formed. As the organic insulating layer 4021, the material described for the organic insulating layer 452 described in Embodiment 1 can be used as appropriate.

The pixel electrode 4030 and the counter electrode 4031 include indium oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium oxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide, and indium zinc. A light-transmitting conductive material such as an oxide or indium tin oxide to which silicon oxide is added can be used.

The pixel electrode 4030 and the counter electrode 4031 can be formed using a conductive composition containing a conductive high molecule (also referred to as a conductive polymer). The pixel electrode formed using the conductive composition preferably has a sheet resistance of 10,000 Ω / □ or less and a light transmittance of 70% or more at a wavelength of 550 nm. Moreover, it is preferable that the resistivity of the conductive polymer contained in the conductive composition is 0.1 Ω · cm or less.

As the conductive polymer, a so-called π-electron conjugated conductive polymer can be used. For example, polyaniline or a derivative thereof, polypyrrole or a derivative thereof, polythiophene or a derivative thereof, or a copolymer of two or more kinds thereof can be given.

In addition, a variety of signals and potentials are supplied to the signal line driver circuit 4003 which is formed separately, the scan line driver circuit 4004, or the pixel portion 4002 from an FPC 4018.

In this embodiment, the connection terminal electrode 4015 is formed using the same conductive layer as the pixel electrode 4030 included in the liquid crystal element 4013, and the terminal electrode 4016 is formed using the same conductive layer as the source and drain electrodes of the thin film transistors 4010 and 4011. ing.

The connection terminal electrode 4015 is electrically connected to a terminal included in the FPC 4018 through an anisotropic conductive layer 4019.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example in which the signal line driver circuit 4003 is separately formed and mounted on the first substrate 4001; however, this embodiment is not limited to this structure. The scan line driver circuit may be separately formed and mounted, or only part of the signal line driver circuit or only part of the scan line driver circuit may be separately formed and mounted.

FIG. 20 shows an example in which a liquid crystal display module is formed as a display device using a TFT substrate 2600 manufactured by applying the above embodiment mode.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a liquid crystal display module. A TFT substrate 2600 and a counter substrate 2601 are fixed to each other with a sealant 2602, and a pixel portion 2603 including a TFT and the like, a display element 2604 including a liquid crystal layer, and a coloring layer 2605 are provided therebetween. A display area is formed. The colored layer 2605 is necessary for color display. In the case of the RGB method, a colored layer corresponding to each color of red, green, and blue is provided corresponding to each pixel. A polarizing plate 2606, a polarizing plate 2607, and a diffusion plate 2613 are provided outside the TFT substrate 2600 and the counter substrate 2601. The light source is composed of a cold cathode tube 2610 and a reflector 2611. The circuit board 2612 is connected to the wiring circuit portion 2608 of the TFT substrate 2600 by a flexible wiring board 2609, and an external circuit such as a control circuit or a power circuit is incorporated. Yes. Moreover, you may laminate | stack in the state which had the phase difference plate between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystal display modules include TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode, MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) mode, PVA (Pattern Attached Pattern) (Axial Symmetrical Aligned Micro-cell) mode, OCB (Optical Compensated Birefringence) mode, FLC (Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal) mode, AFLC (Antiferroelectric liquid crystal) It is possible to use a crystal.

Through the above steps, a liquid crystal display panel with improved image quality can be manufactured.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 12)
In this embodiment, one mode of a light-emitting display device is shown as a display device. As a display element included in the display device, a light-emitting element utilizing electroluminescence is used here. A light-emitting element using electroluminescence is distinguished depending on whether the light-emitting material is an organic compound or an inorganic compound. Generally, the former is called an organic EL element and the latter is called an inorganic EL element.

In the organic EL element, by applying a voltage to the light emitting element, electrons and holes are respectively injected from the pair of electrodes into the layer containing the light emitting organic compound, and a current flows. Then, these carriers (electrons and holes) recombine, whereby the light-emitting organic compound forms an excited state, and emits light when the excited state returns to the ground state. Due to such a mechanism, such a light-emitting element is referred to as a current-excitation light-emitting element.

Inorganic EL elements are classified into a dispersion-type inorganic EL element and a thin-film inorganic EL element depending on the element structure. The dispersion-type inorganic EL element has a light-emitting layer in which particles of a light-emitting material are dispersed in a binder, and the light emission mechanism is donor-acceptor recombination light emission using a donor level and an acceptor level. The thin-film inorganic EL element has a structure in which a light emitting layer is sandwiched between dielectric layers and further sandwiched between electrodes, and the light emission mechanism is localized light emission utilizing inner-shell electron transition of metal ions. Note that description is made here using an organic EL element as a light-emitting element.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel configuration to which digital time grayscale driving can be applied as an example of a light-emitting display device among display devices.

A structure and operation of a pixel to which digital time gray scale driving can be applied will be described. Here, a mode in which two n-channel transistors using an oxide semiconductor layer for a channel formation region is used for one pixel is shown.

The pixel 6400 includes a switching transistor 6401, a driving transistor 6402, a light-emitting element 6404, and a capacitor 6403. The switching transistor 6401 has a gate connected to the scanning line 6406, a first electrode (one of the source electrode and the drain electrode) connected to the signal line 6405, and a second electrode (the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode) connected to the driving transistor. It is directly connected to the 6402 gate.

Note that the contact hole for connecting the second electrode directly to the gate of the driving transistor 6402 is the same as that of the pixel electrode as shown in Embodiment Mode 2 or etching into the gate insulating layer shown in Embodiment Mode 2. Therefore, the number of photomasks in the manufacturing process does not increase. The driving transistor 6402 has a gate connected to the power supply line 6407 through the capacitor 6403, a first electrode (one of a source electrode and a drain electrode) connected to the power supply line 6407, and a second electrode (a source electrode and a drain electrode). Is connected to the first electrode (pixel electrode) of the light emitting element 6404. The second electrode of the light emitting element 6404 corresponds to the common electrode 6408. The common electrode 6408 is electrically connected to a common potential line formed over the same substrate.

Note that a low power supply potential is set for the second electrode (the common electrode 6408) of the light-emitting element 6404. Note that the low power supply potential is a potential that satisfies the low power supply potential <the high power supply potential with reference to the high power supply potential set on the power supply line 6407. For example, GND, 0 V, or the like is set as the low power supply potential. May be. The potential difference between the high power supply potential and the low power supply potential is applied to the light emitting element 6404 and a current is caused to flow through the light emitting element 6404 so that the light emitting element 6404 emits light. Each potential is set to be equal to or higher than the forward threshold voltage.

Note that the capacitor 6403 can be omitted by using the gate capacitor of the driving transistor 6402 instead. As for the gate capacitance of the driving transistor 6402, a capacitance may be formed between the channel region and the gate electrode.

Here, in the case of the voltage input voltage driving method, a video signal is input to the gate of the driving transistor 6402 so that the driving transistor 6402 is sufficiently turned on or off. That is, the driving transistor 6402 is operated in a linear region. Since the driving transistor 6402 operates in a linear region, a voltage higher than the voltage of the power supply line 6407 is applied to the gate of the driving transistor 6402. Note that a voltage higher than the sum of the power supply line voltage and Vth of the driving transistor 6402 is applied to the signal line 6405.

In addition, when analog grayscale driving is performed instead of digital time grayscale driving, the same pixel configuration as that in FIG. 21 can be used by changing signal input.

In the case of performing analog gradation driving, a voltage higher than the sum of the forward voltage of the light-emitting element 6404 and the Vth of the driving transistor 6402 is applied to the gate of the driving transistor 6402. The forward voltage of the light-emitting element 6404 refers to a voltage for obtaining desired luminance, and is at least larger than the forward threshold voltage. Note that when a video signal that causes the driving transistor 6402 to operate in a saturation region is input, a current can flow through the light-emitting element 6404. In order to operate the driving transistor 6402 in the saturation region, the potential of the power supply line 6407 is set higher than the gate potential of the driving transistor 6402. By making the video signal analog, current corresponding to the video signal can be supplied to the light-emitting element 6404 to perform analog gradation driving.

Note that the pixel structure illustrated in FIG. 21 is not limited thereto. For example, a switch, a resistor, a capacitor, a transistor, a logic circuit, or the like may be newly added to the pixel illustrated in FIG.

Next, the structure of the light-emitting element is described with reference to FIG. Here, the cross-sectional structure of the pixel will be described by taking the enhancement TFT as an example. TFTs 7001, 7011, and 7021 that are driving TFTs used in the display device in FIG. 22 can be manufactured in the same manner as the thin film transistors described in Embodiments 3 and 4, and are formed over the gate insulating layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. A highly reliable thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer.

The light emitting element only needs to have at least an anode or a cathode transparent in order to extract emitted light. Then, a thin film transistor and a light emitting element are formed on the substrate, and a top emission that extracts light from a surface opposite to the substrate, a bottom emission that extracts light from a surface on the substrate, and a surface opposite to the substrate and the substrate are provided. There is a light-emitting element having a dual emission structure in which light emission is extracted from the pixel, and the pixel configuration can be applied to a light-emitting element having any emission structure.

A light-emitting element having a top emission structure will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view of a pixel in the case where the TFT 7001 which is a driving TFT is n-type and light emitted from the light-emitting element 7002 passes to the anode 7005 side. In FIG. 22A, a cathode 7003 of a light-emitting element 7002 and a TFT 7001 which is a driving TFT are electrically connected, and an EL layer 7004 and an anode 7005 are stacked in this order over the cathode 7003. Various materials can be used for the cathode 7003 as long as it has a low work function and reflects light. For example, Ca, Al, MgAg, AlLi, etc. are desirable. The EL layer 7004 may be a single layer or a plurality of layers stacked. In the case of a plurality of layers, an electron injection layer, an electron transport layer, a light emitting layer, a hole transport layer, and a hole injection layer are stacked in this order on the cathode 7003. Note that it is not necessary to provide all of these layers. The anode 7005 is formed using a light-transmitting conductive material such as indium oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium oxide containing titanium oxide, or titanium oxide. A light-transmitting conductive conductive layer such as indium tin oxide, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, or indium tin oxide to which silicon oxide is added may be used.

A region where the EL layer 7004 is sandwiched between the cathode 7003 and the anode 7005 corresponds to the light-emitting element 7002. In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 22A, light emitted from the light-emitting element 7002 is emitted to the anode 7005 side as shown by an arrow.

Next, a light-emitting element having a bottom emission structure will be described with reference to FIG. A cross-sectional view of a pixel in the case where the driving TFT 7011 is n-type and light emitted from the light-emitting element 7012 is emitted to the cathode 7013 side is shown. In FIG. 22B, a cathode 7013 of a light-emitting element 7012 is formed over a light-transmitting conductive layer 7017 electrically connected to the driving TFT 7011. An EL layer 7014 and an anode 7015 are formed over the cathode 7013. Are sequentially stacked. Note that in the case where the anode 7015 has a light-transmitting property, a shielding layer 7016 for reflecting or shielding light may be formed so as to cover the anode. As in the case of FIG. 22A, a variety of materials can be used for the cathode 7013 as long as it is a conductive material having a low work function. However, the thickness is set so as to transmit light (preferably, about 5 nm to 30 nm). For example, an aluminum layer having a thickness of 20 nm can be used as the cathode 7013. Further, as in FIG. 22A, the EL layer 7014 may be formed of a single layer or a stack of a plurality of layers. The anode 7015 is not required to transmit light, but can be formed using a light-transmitting conductive material as in the case of FIG. The shielding layer 7016 can be formed using, for example, a metal that reflects light, but is not limited to a metal layer. For example, a resin layer to which a black pigment is added can be used.

A region where the EL layer 7014 is sandwiched between the cathode 7013 and the anode 7015 corresponds to the light-emitting element 7012. In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 22B, light emitted from the light-emitting element 7012 is emitted to the cathode 7013 side as shown by an arrow.

Next, a light-emitting element having a dual emission structure will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 22C, a cathode 7023 of a light-emitting element 7022 is formed over a light-transmitting conductive layer 7027 electrically connected to the driving TFT 7021. An EL layer 7024 and an anode 7025 are formed over the cathode 7023. Are sequentially stacked. As in the case of FIG. 22A, a variety of materials can be used for the cathode 7023 as long as they are conductive materials having a low work function. However, the thickness is set so as to transmit light. For example, an aluminum layer having a thickness of 20 nm can be used as the cathode 7023. In addition, as in FIG. 22A, the EL layer 7024 may be formed of a single layer or a stack of a plurality of layers. The anode 7025 can be formed using a light-transmitting conductive material as in FIG. 22A.

A portion where the cathode 7023, the EL layer 7024, and the anode 7025 overlap corresponds to the light-emitting element 7022. In the case of the pixel shown in FIG. 22C, light emitted from the light-emitting element 7022 is emitted to both the anode 7025 side and the cathode 7023 side as indicated by arrows.

Note that although an organic EL element is described here as a light-emitting element, an inorganic EL element can also be provided as a light-emitting element.

Note that in this embodiment mode, an example in which a thin film transistor (driving TFT) that controls driving of a light emitting element is electrically connected to the light emitting element is shown, but current control is performed between the driving TFT and the light emitting element. A configuration in which TFTs are connected may be used.

Note that the display device described in this embodiment is not limited to the structure illustrated in FIG. 22 and can be modified in various ways based on the technical idea in this specification.

Next, the appearance and one embodiment of a cross section of a light-emitting display panel (also referred to as a light-emitting panel) which is one embodiment of the display device are described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 23 illustrates a gate insulating layer, a thin film transistor having high electrical characteristics including a source electrode and a drain electrode formed over the gate insulating layer, an oxide semiconductor layer formed over the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a light-emitting element. FIG. 23B is a top view of a panel in which the first substrate and the second substrate are sealed with a sealant provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. FIG. ) Corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line HI.

A sealant 4505 is provided so as to surround the pixel portion 4502, the signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b, and the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b provided over the first substrate 4501. A second substrate 4506 is provided over the pixel portion 4502, the signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b, and the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b. Therefore, the pixel portion 4502, the signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b, and the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b are sealed together with the filler 4507 by the first substrate 4501, the sealant 4505, and the second substrate 4506. Thus, it is preferable to package (enclose) with a protective film (bonded film, ultraviolet curable resin film, etc.) or a cover material that has high air tightness and little degassing so as not to be exposed to the outside air.

In addition, the pixel portion 4502, the signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b, and the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b provided over the first substrate 4501 each include a plurality of thin film transistors. In FIG. A thin film transistor 4510 included in 4502 and a thin film transistor 4509 included in the signal line driver circuit 4503a are illustrated.

Thin film transistors 4509 and 4510 correspond to thin film transistors with high electrical characteristics including an oxide semiconductor layer over a gate insulating layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and the thin film transistors 170 described in Embodiments 3 and 4 are applied. Can do. In this embodiment mode, the thin film transistors 4509 and 4510 are n-channel thin film transistors.

A first electrode 4517 that is a pixel electrode included in the light-emitting element 4511 is electrically connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the thin film transistor 4510. Note that the structure of the light-emitting element 4511 is a stacked structure of the first electrode 4517, the EL layer 4512, and the second electrode 4513; however, the structure is not limited to the structure described in this embodiment. The structure of the light-emitting element 4511 can be changed as appropriate depending on the direction of light extracted from the light-emitting element 4511 or the like.

A partition 4520 is formed using an organic resin layer, an inorganic insulating layer, or an organic polysiloxane layer. In particular, it is preferable to use a photosensitive material and form an opening on the first electrode 4517 so that the side wall of the opening is an inclined surface formed with a continuous curvature.

The EL layer 4512 may be formed of a single layer or a stack of a plurality of layers.

A protective layer may be formed over the second electrode 4513 and the partition 4520 so that oxygen, hydrogen, moisture, carbon dioxide, or the like does not enter the light-emitting element 4511. As the protective layer, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon nitride oxide layer, a DLC layer, or the like can be formed.

In addition, a variety of signals and potentials are supplied to the signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b, the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b, or the pixel portion 4502 from FPCs 4518a and 4518b.

In this embodiment, the connection terminal electrode 4515 is formed from the same conductive layer as the first electrode 4517 included in the light-emitting element 4511, and the terminal electrode 4516 is formed from the same conductive layer as the source and drain electrodes included in the thin film transistors 4509 and 4510. Is formed.

The connection terminal electrode 4515 is electrically connected to a terminal included in the FPC 4518a through an anisotropic conductive layer 4519.

The second substrate must be translucent to the substrate located in the direction in which light is extracted from the light emitting element 4511. In that case, the second substrate 4506 is formed using a light-transmitting material such as a glass plate, a plastic plate, a polyester film, or an acrylic film.

As the filler 4507, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, or the like can be used. As the ultraviolet curable resin and the thermosetting resin, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), acrylic, polyimide, epoxy resin, silicone resin, PVB (polyvinyl butyral), or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) can be used. In this embodiment, nitrogen is used as a filler.

Further, if necessary, an optical film such as a polarizing plate, a circularly polarizing plate (including an elliptical polarizing plate), a retardation plate (λ / 4 plate, λ / 2 plate), a color filter, or the like is provided on the emission surface of the light emitting element. You may provide suitably. Further, an antireflection layer may be provided on the polarizing plate or the circularly polarizing plate. For example, anti-glare treatment can be performed that diffuses reflected light due to surface irregularities and reduces reflection.

The signal line driver circuits 4503a and 4503b and the scan line driver circuits 4504a and 4504b may be mounted using a driver circuit formed using a single crystal semiconductor layer or a polycrystalline semiconductor layer over a separately prepared substrate. Further, only the signal line driver circuit or part thereof, or only the scan line driver circuit or only part thereof may be separately formed and mounted, and this embodiment mode is not limited to the structure in FIG.

Through the above steps, a light-emitting display device (display panel) with improved image quality can be manufactured.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 13)
Electronic paper can be used for electronic devices in various fields as long as they display information. For example, the electronic paper can be applied to an electronic book (electronic book), a poster, an advertisement in a vehicle such as a train, and a display on various cards such as a credit card. Examples of electronic devices are illustrated in FIGS.

FIG. 24A illustrates a poster 2631 made of electronic paper. When the advertisement medium is a printed matter of paper, the advertisement is exchanged manually, but the display of the advertisement can be changed in a short time by using the electronic paper to which the above embodiment is applied. In addition, a stable image can be obtained without losing the display. Note that the poster may be configured to transmit and receive information wirelessly.

FIG. 24B illustrates an advertisement 2632 in a vehicle such as a train. When the advertising medium is a printed paper, the advertisement is exchanged manually, but if the electronic paper to which the above embodiment is applied is used, the advertisement display can be changed in a short time without much labor. it can. In addition, a stable image can be obtained without distorting the display. The in-vehicle advertisement may be configured to transmit and receive information wirelessly.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of an e-book reader 2700. For example, the electronic book 2700 includes two housings, a housing 2701 and a housing 2703. The housing 2701 and the housing 2703 are integrated with a shaft portion 2711 and can be opened / closed using the shaft portion 2711 as an axis. With such a configuration, an operation like a paper book can be performed.

A display portion 2705 and a display portion 2707 are incorporated in the housing 2701 and the housing 2703, respectively. The display unit 2705 and the display unit 2707 may be configured to display a continuous screen or may be configured to display different screens. By adopting a configuration in which different screens are displayed, for example, a sentence can be displayed on the right display unit (display unit 2705 in FIG. 25) and an image can be displayed on the left display unit (display unit 2707 in FIG. 25). .

FIG. 25 illustrates an example in which the housing 2701 is provided with an operation unit and the like. For example, the housing 2701 is provided with a power supply 2721, operation keys 2723, a speaker 2725, and the like. Pages can be turned with the operation keys 2723. Note that a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like may be provided on the same surface as the display portion of the housing. In addition, an external connection terminal (such as an earphone terminal, a USB terminal, or a terminal that can be connected to various cables such as an AC adapter and a USB cable), a recording medium insertion unit, and the like may be provided on the back and side surfaces of the housing. . Further, the e-book reader 2700 may have a structure having a function as an electronic dictionary.

Further, the e-book reader 2700 may have a configuration capable of transmitting and receiving information wirelessly. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which desired book data or the like is purchased and downloaded from an electronic book server wirelessly.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 14)
The display device described in the above embodiment can be applied to a variety of electronic devices (including game machines). Examples of the electronic device include a television device (also referred to as a television or a television receiver), a monitor for a computer, a digital camera, a digital video camera, a digital photo frame, a mobile phone (also referred to as a mobile phone or a mobile phone device). ), Large game machines such as portable game machines, portable information terminals, sound reproduction apparatuses, and pachinko machines.

FIG. 26A illustrates an example of a television device 9600. In the television device 9600, a display portion 9603 is incorporated in a housing 9601. Images can be displayed on the display portion 9603. Here, a structure in which the housing 9601 is supported by a stand 9605 is illustrated.

The television device 9600 can be operated with an operation switch provided in the housing 9601 or a separate remote controller 9610. Channels and volume can be operated with operation keys 9609 provided in the remote controller 9610, and an image displayed on the display portion 9603 can be operated. The remote controller 9610 may be provided with a display portion 9607 for displaying information output from the remote controller 9610.

Note that the television set 9600 is provided with a receiver, a modem, and the like. General TV broadcasts can be received by a receiver, and connected to a wired or wireless communication network via a modem, so that it can be unidirectional (sender to receiver) or bidirectional (sender and receiver). It is also possible to perform information communication between each other or between recipients).

FIG. 26B illustrates an example of a digital photo frame 9700. For example, a digital photo frame 9700 has a display portion 9703 incorporated in a housing 9701. The display portion 9703 can display various images. For example, by displaying image data captured by a digital camera or the like, the display portion 9703 can function in the same manner as a normal photo frame.

Note that the digital photo frame 9700 includes an operation portion, an external connection terminal (a terminal that can be connected to various types of cables such as a USB terminal and a USB cable), a recording medium insertion portion, and the like. These configurations may be incorporated on the same surface as the display portion, but it is preferable to provide them on the side surface or the back surface because the design is improved. For example, a memory storing image data captured by a digital camera can be inserted into the recording medium insertion portion of the digital photo frame to capture the image data, and the captured image data can be displayed on the display portion 9703.

Further, the digital photo frame 9700 may be configured to transmit and receive information wirelessly. A configuration may be employed in which desired image data is captured and displayed wirelessly.

FIG. 27A illustrates a portable game machine including two housings, a housing 9881 and a housing 9891, which are connected with a hinge 9893 so that the portable game machine can be opened or folded. A display portion 9882 is incorporated in the housing 9881, and a display portion 9883 is incorporated in the housing 9891. In addition, the portable game machine shown in FIG. 27A includes a speaker portion 9884, a recording medium insertion portion 9886, an LED lamp 9890, input means (operation keys 9885, a connection terminal 9887, a sensor 9888 (force, displacement, position). , Speed, acceleration, angular velocity, rotation speed, distance, light, liquid, magnetism, temperature, chemical, voice, time, hardness, electric field, current, voltage, power, radiation, flow rate, humidity, gradient, vibration, smell or infrared A microphone 9889) and the like. Needless to say, the structure of the portable game machine is not limited to the above, and any structure including the display device according to any of the above embodiments may be used, and any other accessory facilities may be provided as appropriate. The portable game machine shown in FIG. 27A reads out a program or data recorded in a recording medium and displays the program or data on a display unit, or performs wireless communication with another portable game machine to share information. It has a function. Note that the function of the portable game machine illustrated in FIG. 27A is not limited to this, and the portable game machine can have a variety of functions.

FIG. 27B illustrates an example of a slot machine 9900 which is a large-sized game machine. In the slot machine 9900, a display portion 9903 is incorporated in a housing 9901. In addition, the slot machine 9900 includes operation means such as a start lever and a stop switch, a coin slot, a speaker, and the like. Needless to say, the configuration of the slot machine 9900 is not limited to that described above, and may be any configuration as long as it includes at least the display device according to any of the above embodiments.

FIG. 28A illustrates an example of a mobile phone 1000. A cellular phone 1000 includes a display portion 1002 incorporated in a housing 1001, operation buttons 1003, an external connection port 1004, a speaker 1005, a microphone 1006, and the like.

Information can be input to the cellular phone 1000 illustrated in FIG. 28A by touching the display portion 1002 with a finger or the like. In addition, operations such as making a call or typing an e-mail can be performed by touching the display portion 1002 with a finger or the like.

There are mainly three screen modes of the display portion 1002. The first mode is a display mode mainly for displaying images. The first is a display mode mainly for displaying images, and the second is an input mode mainly for inputting information such as characters. The third is a display + input mode in which the display mode and the input mode are mixed.

For example, when making a phone call or creating an e-mail, the display unit 1002 may be set to a character input mode mainly for inputting characters and an operation for inputting characters displayed on the screen may be performed. In this case, it is preferable to display a keyboard or number buttons on most of the screen of the display portion 1002.

Further, by providing a detection device having a sensor for detecting the inclination, such as a gyroscope or an acceleration sensor, in the mobile phone 1000, the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the mobile phone 1000 is determined, and the screen display of the display unit 1002 Can be switched automatically.

Further, the screen mode is switched by touching the display portion 1002 or operating the operation button 1003 of the housing 1001. Further, switching can be performed depending on the type of image displayed on the display portion 1002. For example, if the image signal to be displayed on the display unit is moving image data, the mode is switched to the display mode, and if it is text data, the mode is switched to the input mode.

Further, in the input mode, when a signal detected by the optical sensor of the display unit 1002 is detected and there is no input by a touch operation on the display unit 1002, the screen mode is switched from the input mode to the display mode. You may control.

The display portion 1002 can also function as an image sensor. For example, personal authentication can be performed by touching the display unit 1002 with a palm or a finger to capture an image of a palm print, fingerprint, or the like. In addition, if a backlight that emits near-infrared light or a sensing light source that emits near-infrared light is used for the display portion, finger veins, palm veins, and the like can be imaged.

FIG. 28B is also an example of a mobile phone. A mobile phone in FIG. 28B includes a housing 9411, a display device 9410 including a display portion 9412 and operation buttons 9413, a housing 9401, a scan button 9402, an external input terminal 9403, a microphone 9404, a speaker 9405, and And a communication device 9400 including a light emitting portion 9406 that emits light when an incoming call is received. A display device 9410 having a display function can be attached to and detached from the communication device 9400 having a telephone function in two directions indicated by arrows. Therefore, the short axes of the display device 9410 and the communication device 9400 can be attached, or the long axes of the display device 9410 and the communication device 9400 can be attached. When only the display function is required, the display device 9410 can be detached from the communication device 9400 and the display device 9410 can be used alone. The communication device 9400 and the display device 9410 can exchange images or input information by wireless communication or wired communication, and each have a rechargeable battery.

This embodiment can be implemented in appropriate combination with the structures described in the other embodiments.

(Embodiment 15)
In this embodiment, in the case of manufacturing a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor layer, a method for reusing and recycling an oxide semiconductor from etching waste liquid generated when patterning an oxide semiconductor film is described. To do.

39 and 40 show the reuse cycle.

First, in Step 1 (7101) in FIG. 39, an oxide semiconductor film is formed by a sputtering method or a laser pulse vapor deposition method. 40A and 40B show specific examples at the time of film formation. In FIG. 40A, a gate electrode 7202 and a gate insulating film 7203 are formed over a substrate 7201, and a target 7204 is sputtered with a sputtering gas. The target 7204 used at this time is an oxide semiconductor target containing In, Ga, and Zn. As the composition ratio, for example, a target of In: Ga: Zn = 1: 1: 0.5 can be used. As a result, the oxide semiconductor film 7205 can be formed over the gate insulating film 7203 by a sputtering method (FIG. 40B).

Next, in Step 2 (7102) of FIG. 39, the oxide semiconductor film is patterned. As shown in FIG. 40C, an unnecessary portion of the oxide semiconductor film 7205 is removed by a wet etching method using a resist mask 7206 formed using a photomask. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7D, an oxide semiconductor film 7207 having a desired shape can be obtained.

Next, in step 3 (7103) in FIG. 39, the etching waste liquid 7208 generated in step 2 (7102) is collected (FIG. 40E). Note that when the etching waste liquid is collected, the etching waste liquid may be neutralized. This is because, in view of good workability, it is preferable to treat the neutralized etching waste liquid because it is safer.

Next, in Step 4 (7104) of FIG. 39, a solidification process for removing moisture from the etching waste liquid is performed to obtain a solid material 7209 (FIG. 40F). In order to remove moisture, the etching waste liquid may be heated. In addition, after obtaining the solid material 7209, the composition ratio is adjusted by adding a deficient component after performing a composition analysis or the like so that the composition ratio of the target to be regenerated in a later step becomes a desired composition ratio. Do.

Next, in step 5 (7105) of FIG. 39, the solid object 7209 is put into a die having a desired shape, and is pressed and fired to obtain a sintered body 7210. Further, the target 7212 is formed by attaching the sintered body 7210 to the backing plate 7211 with an adhesive (FIG. 40G). However, the firing temperature is preferably 700 ° C. or higher. The film thickness is preferably 5 nm or more and 10 nm or less. Note that since the composition ratio of In, Ga, and Zn is adjusted in Step 3 (7103) in FIG. 39, the target 7212 having a desired composition ratio can be obtained.

Note that the obtained target 7212 can be used for film formation in Step 1 (7101) in FIG.

As described above, an oxide semiconductor can be regenerated and reused from an etching waste liquid in the case of manufacturing a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor layer.

Note that indium and gallium contained in an oxide semiconductor are known to be rare metals, and therefore, resource saving is achieved by using the reuse method described in this embodiment. In addition, the cost of a product formed using an oxide semiconductor can be reduced.

Claims (6)

A first gate electrode;
A second gate electrode;
A first insulating layer on the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode;
A first wiring on the first insulating layer,
A second wiring on the first insulating layer,
A third wiring on the first insulating layer,
A first oxide semiconductor layer provided on the first insulating layer and having a region overlapping with the first gate electrode;
A second oxide semiconductor layer provided on the first insulating layer and having a region overlapping with the second gate electrode;
An organic insulating layer on the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer;
A first part;
Have,
Before SL first wiring is electrically connected to the first oxide semiconductor layer,
The second wiring is electrically connected to the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer;
The third wiring is electrically connected to the second oxide semiconductor layer;
The third wiring is electrically connected to the front Stories second gate electrode,
The first portion includes a first conductive layer, the first insulating layer on the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer on the first insulating layer, and the second conductive layer. The organic insulating layer on the layer, and a third conductive layer on the organic insulating layer,
The first conductive layer, the first gate electrode, and the second gate electrode are formed through a process of processing the same conductive film,
The second conductive layer, the first wiring, the second wiring, and the third wiring are formed through a process of processing the same conductive film,
The third conductive layer is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit;
The third conductive layer is electrically connected to the second conductive layer through a contact hole provided in the organic insulating layer,
The semiconductor device , wherein the first conductive layer is floating . In claim 1 ,
It said at least one first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer is a semiconductor device characterized by having a crystal region. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the third conductive layer is a transparent conductive layer. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
At least one of the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer has a mobile ion concentration of 5 × 10 5. ¹⁸ / Cm ³ A semiconductor device, wherein: In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
At least one of the first oxide semiconductor layer and the second oxide semiconductor layer has a sodium concentration of 5 × 10 5. ¹⁸ / Cm ³ A semiconductor device, wherein: In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
The organic insulating layer has a region functioning as a color filter.

Images