JPH03233427A - Ferroelectric liquid crystal element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To uniformize the display state in the non-picture element parts positioned between 1st electrode parts by having light control means between the adjacent 1st electrode parts and controlling light transmittability. CONSTITUTION:Transparent resin layers 57b having the thickness larger than the thickness of transparent electrodes 55b are provided on the non-electrode parts 67. The distance between an oriented film 61a positioned on the non- electrode parts 67 and an oriented film 61b is, therefore, shorter than the distance between the oriented film 61a existing between the transparent electrodes 55a and the transparent electrodes 55b and the oriented film 61b. The difference in the intensity of the polarity between the oriented films 61a and 61b is thereby produced on the non-electrode parts 67. The arranging state of liquid crystal molecules 63 is arrayed on the non-electrode parts 67 in such a manner. The display state of the non-picture elements is uniformized in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The invention relates to a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, and particularly relates to the structure of a picture element portion and a non-picture element portion. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a ferroelectric liquid crystal element.

[Prior Art] FIG. 23 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. A transparent electrode 3a is provided on the main surface of the transparent substrate 2a.
are placed at intervals. Transparent electrodes 3b are arranged at intervals on the main surface of transparent substrate 2b.

The transparent substrate 2a and the transparent substrate 2b are arranged facing each other so as to form a space. The transparent electrode 3a and the transparent electrode 3b intersect with each other. Transparent electrode 3a and transparent electrode 3
The area where b intersects with the pixel area becomes a picture element part. The other parts become non-picture element parts. A display pattern is formed by combining the picture element parts. A ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed in a space formed by transparent substrate 2a and transparent substrate 2b. Note that the ferroelectric liquid crystal does not appear in FIG. 23.

The conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 23 taken in the direction of arrow XXIV. 25th
The figure is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 24 taken in the direction of arrow XXV.

As shown in FIG. 24, the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 has a structure in which liquid crystal molecules 6 are sandwiched between a transparent substrate 2a on which a transparent electrode 3a is formed and a transparent substrate 2b on which a transparent electrode 3b is formed. ing. 7a indicates that the left end portion of the liquid crystal molecule 6 protrudes toward the front from the plane of the paper. 7b indicates that the right end portion of the liquid crystal molecule 6 protrudes toward the front from the plane of the paper. 8
indicates the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules 6. The tip of the arrow indicates the positive pole, and the opposite tip of the arrow indicates the negative pole.

9 is a line indicating a boundary between a layer of liquid crystal molecules 6 and a layer of liquid crystal molecules 6 . Hereinafter, 9 will be referred to as a boundary surface.

An insulating film 4a is formed on the transparent electrode 3a. An orientation H5a is formed on the insulating film 4a. An insulating film 4b is formed on the transparent electrode 3b. Insulating film 4
An alignment film 5b is formed on b. In addition, the 23rd
In the figure, insulating films 4a, 4b-, alignment films 5a, 5
b does not appear.

By rubbing the surfaces of the alignment films 5a and 5b,
The liquid crystal molecules 6 are arranged in a certain direction.

Generally, when the transparent substrate 2a and the transparent substrate 2b are bonded together, rubbing is performed so that the rubbing directions are parallel or antiparallel.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a state in which the transparent substrate 2a on which the alignment film is formed is being rubbed.

A rubbing cloth 11 is attached around the rubbing roller 12. The rubbing roller 12 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the transparent substrate 2a is sent out so as to come into contact with the rubbing cloth 11. The liquid crystal molecules 6 are oriented so that the boundary surface 9 is substantially perpendicular to the rubbing direction. By rubbing,
It is thought that the difference occurs in the strength of polarity of the alignment film. Rubbing is similarly performed on the transparent substrate 2b on which the alignment film is formed.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal elements have the characteristics of bistability, memory performance, and high-speed response. Explain bistability.

As shown in FIG. 25, liquid crystal molecules 6 of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element
is stable even when its long axis is tilted by θ from the normal 10 of the boundary surface 9, and is stable even when it is tilted by −0. That is, the liquid crystal molecules 6 are in a bistable state.

The mechanism by which the liquid crystal molecules 6 become bistable will be explained using FIGS. 24, 25, 27, and 28. FIG. 27 shows that compared to the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 shown in FIG.
Only the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 6 is different. Figure 28 shows the second
7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrow XX■. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, if the polarity of the alignment film 5a and the polarity of the alignment film 5b are different, for example, if the polarity of the alignment film 5a is negative and the polarity of the alignment film 5b is positive, the liquid crystal molecules 6
is as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.

This is because the liquid crystal molecules 6 have spontaneous polarization 8. As shown in FIG. 28, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules 6 is the normal 1.
It is stable at a position tilted by θ from 0.

A positive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3a, and a negative voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3b. Then, among the liquid crystal molecules 6, the transparent electrode 3
The direction of the spontaneous polarization 8 located between the transparent electrode 3a and the transparent electrode 3b is reversed, as shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 25, the long sleeve of the liquid crystal molecules 6 on the transparent electrode 3b is tilted by 10 degrees from the normal line 10. However, if the voltage is turned off, the state returns to that shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. This is because the alignment film 5a has negative polarity and the alignment film 5a has negative polarity.
This is because b has positive polarity. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules 6 are not stable when their long axes are tilted by one θ from the normal line 10. Therefore, it is not called a bistable state.

The positive and negative polarities of the alignment film 5a and the polarity of the alignment film 5b are made the same, and the polarities are made to have approximately the same strength. Then, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, after applying a positive voltage to the transparent electrode 3a and applying a negative voltage to the transparent electrode 3b, even if the voltage is turned off, as shown in FIGS. It stabilizes in the state shown in .

In this case, even if the positive and negative polarities of the alignment film 5a and the polarity of the alignment film 5b are the same, if there is a difference in the polarity strength, the liquid crystal molecules 6 will have a strong polarity after the voltage is turned off. I am influenced by the person. Next, a negative voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3a shown in FIG. 24, and a positive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3b. Then, the liquid crystal molecules 6 are in the state shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. Even when the voltage is turned off, the liquid crystal molecules 6 remain as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28.
It remains in the state shown in the figure.

Therefore, by making the polarity of the alignment film 5a and the polarity of the alignment film 5b the same and making the polarity strengths about the same, a bistable state of the liquid crystal molecules 6 can be realized.

Further, since the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 6 does not change even when the voltage is turned off, the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 has memory properties. Furthermore, since the liquid crystal molecules 6 have a positive charge and a negative charge called spontaneous polarization, the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules 6 changes immediately when a voltage is applied. Therefore, the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 has high-speed response.

Next, the operation of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 will be explained using FIGS. 24, 25, 27, and 28.

As shown in FIG. 24, when a positive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3a and a negative voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3b, liquid crystal molecules 6
are arranged as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

Next, from the state shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the transparent electrode 3
A negative voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3b, and a positive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 3b. Then, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, only the liquid crystal molecules 6 arranged between the transparent electrodes 3a and 3b change their arrangement state. The liquid crystal molecules 6 arranged on the non-electrode portion 18 are not affected by the electric field and do not change their arrangement state.

A polarizer that transmits light only in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 25 is mounted on the transparent substrate 2a shown in FIG.
A polarizer that transmits light only in the direction shown by arrow E in FIG. 25 is attached below b. When light is applied from above, in FIG. 24, the region where the transparent electrodes 3a and 3b intersect three-dimensionally is in a dark state, and the region where the non-electrode portion 18 is located is in a bright state. This will be explained using FIG. 25. D
Since the angle of the light polarized in the direction and the liquid crystal molecules 6 between the transparent electrodes 3a and 3b is the same, the light passes through the liquid crystal molecules 6 as is. Since light polarized in the D direction cannot pass through a polarizer that transmits light only in the E direction, the region where the transparent electrode 3a and the transparent electrode 3b intersect three-dimensionally is in a dark state. On the other hand, D
The angles between the light polarized in the direction and the liquid crystal molecules 6 located on the non-electrode portion 18 are different. Therefore, when the light passes through the liquid crystal molecules 6, it is polarized into an elliptical shape. Since a part of the elliptically polarized light passes through the polarizer that transmits light only in the direction E, the non-electrode portion 18 is in a bright state.

A method of driving the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 1 will be explained. FIG. 29 is a partial plan view showing a picture element part and a non-picture element part of a ferroelectric liquid crystal element. The electrodes 19a and 19b correspond to the transparent electrode 3a shown in FIG.

The electrodes 21a and 21b correspond to the transparent electrode 3b shown in FIG. Electrodes 19a, 19b, 21a%
21b intersect with each other, the picture element parts 23a and 23
b, 23c, and 23d. The other area is a non-picture element portion 25.

A pulse shown at 27a in FIG. 30 is sent to electrode 19a.

A pulse shown at 27b in FIG. 30 is sent to electrode 19b.

A pulse shown at 27C in FIG. 30 is sent to the electrode 21a. Then, as shown in FIG. 30, in the picture element part 23a,
The voltage of the pulse 27a minus the voltage of the pulse 27c, that is, the voltage of the pulse 27d is applied. The pulse at 27d exceeds the threshold 29. Therefore, the arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules arranged within the picture element portion 2Ba changes.

On the other hand, the voltage of the pulse 27b is -27 in the picture element part 23b.
The voltage of the pulse c, that is, the voltage of the pulse 27e is applied. The pulse 27e does not exceed the threshold 29.

Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules within the picture element portion 2Bb remain as they are.

As shown in FIG. 30, the pulse 27d applied to the picture element portion 23a does not always exceed the threshold voltage. A driving method such as this is called a multiplex driving method.

Conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal devices have the following two drawbacks. The first drawback will be explained using FIGS. 31, 32, and 33. FIG. 31 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 32 is a diagram of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element shown in FIG. 31 cut along the arrows XXX-XX. FIG. 33 is a partial plan view of the display surface of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element shown in FIG. 31. The reference numbers in FIGS. 31 and 32 are the same as those in FIGS. 24 and 25.

As shown in FIG. 31, the distance between the alignment film 5a and the alignment film 5b located on the non-electrode portion 18 is the same as the distance between the alignment film 5a and the alignment film 5b located between the transparent electrode 3a and the transparent electrode 3b. longer than the distance between. This means that the transparent electrode 3 is in the non-electrode portion 18.
This is because a and 3b are not formed. therefore,
The difference in polarity strength between the alignment films 5a and 5b located on the non-electrode portion 18 is due to the difference in the polarity strength of the alignment film 5a15 located between the transparent electrodes 3a and 3b.
It becomes even smaller than the difference in polarity strength of b. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, when the liquid crystal is sealed, the liquid crystal molecules 6 located on the non-electrode portion 18 are
There is a possibility that there is a mixture of those tilted by θ and those tilted by 10.

When using a ferroelectric liquid crystal element in a state like
As shown in FIG. 3, in the non-picture element part 31 which is a non-electrode part, there is a part 35a that transmits light and a part 3 that does not transmit light.
5b will be mixed. Portion 35a that transmits light
Since the non-picture element portion 31 and the portion 35b that do not transmit light coexist, the display state of the non-picture element portion 31 becomes non-uniform. Note that 33 is a picture element section.

The second drawback of conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal elements is shown in Figure 34.
This will be explained using FIGS. 35 and 36. Figure 34,
The reference numbers in FIG. 35 and the reference numbers in FIG. 29 are the same.

Referring to FIG. 34, the liquid crystal molecules in picture element portions 23a and 23c are arranged in the same state as liquid crystal molecules 6 on non-electrode portion 18 shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal molecules in the picture element parts 23b and 2Bd are arranged in the same state as the liquid crystal molecules 6 on the electrode part 3b shown in FIG. Even if the voltage applied to the picture element parts 23a, 23b, 123c, and 23d does not exceed the threshold value, a region 37 in which the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules is reversed occurs after a certain period of time, as shown in FIG. 35. This is the picture element part 23a, 23
This is probably because the pulse 27c shown in FIG. 30 is always applied to pins b, 23c, and 23d.

The reversal of the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules spreads in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. Explain why.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer in the picture element section 2Ba. As shown in FIG. 36, innumerable dogleg-shaped liquid crystal layers 39 are arranged in the picture element section 2Ba. The liquid crystal layers 39 are arranged in the same direction. Since the reversal of spontaneous polarization begins from the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 39 near the side indicated by B, the reversal of spontaneous polarization spreads from B to C. The direction from B to C is the same as the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG.

A ferroelectric liquid crystal element that stabilizes the display state of the pixel area is
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-179915. The ferroelectric liquid crystal element disclosed in JP-A-1-179915 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 37, 38, 39, and 40.

As shown in FIG. 37, a plurality of electrodes 43 are arranged at intervals on the main surface of substrate 41. As shown in FIG. A molybdenum film 45 is formed on one side edge of the electrode 43. In order to manufacture a ferroelectric liquid crystal device with a substrate 4 such as
Prepare two pieces of 1.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are plan views of a substrate used for manufacturing a ferroelectric liquid crystal device. As shown in FIG. 39, electrodes 43a are arranged at intervals on the main surface of substrate 41a. A molybdenum film 45a is formed on one side edge of the electrode 43a. As shown in FIG. 40, electrodes 43b are arranged at intervals on the main surface of substrate 41b. The direction in which the electrode 43b extends and the direction in which the electrode 43a shown in FIG. 39 extends are orthogonal. A molybdenum film 45 is formed on one side edge of the electrode 43b.
b is formed. On the substrate 41a shown in FIG. 39,
The substrates 41b shown in FIG. 40 are arranged to face each other.

The end of the substrate 41b shown by G faces the end of the board 41a shown by D, and the end of the board 41b shown by F faces the end of the board 41a.
It is arranged so as to face the end indicated by E of. FIG. 38 is a plan view of the picture element portion of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.

The area indicated by B in FIG. 36 is on the right side of the picture element 47, and the area indicated by C in FIG. 36 is on the left side of the picture element portion 47. Therefore, the dogleg-shaped concave portions of the three liquid crystal layers shown in FIG. 36 face the molybdenum film 45b.

It has been found that when the picture element part 47 is structured as shown, the liquid crystal molecules in the picture element part 47 do not invert as long as the voltage applied to the picture element part 47 does not exceed the threshold value. This means that a molybdenum film 45b is provided on the region B side where liquid crystal molecules are likely to be inverted.
This seems to be because there is.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the ferroelectric liquid crystal element disclosed in JP-A-1-179915, the first drawback, non-uniformity of display in non-picture element areas, cannot be corrected.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 37, since the distance between the electrodes 43 is narrow, the molybdenum film 45 may come into contact with the adjacent electrode 43, causing a short circuit between the electrodes 43.

The invention was made to solve these conventional problems. The object of the invention is to provide a ferroelectric material having at least one of the following structures: a structure that can stabilize a pixel area, or a structure that can make the display state of a non-pixel area uniform. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal element.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention provides a ferroelectric product in which a ferroelectric product is sealed between first and second substrates that are arranged to face each other so as to form a space. It relates to liquid crystal elements.

In the first aspect of the invention, a second electrode section, a plurality of first electrode sections, and light control means are provided.

The second electrode portion is arranged on the second substrate surface facing the first substrate side. The first electrode portions are arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The light control means is provided between adjacent first electrode parts. The light control means controls the transparency of light.

In a second aspect of the invention, a second electrode part, a plurality of first electrode parts, a first filler made of an electrically insulating material, a first alignment film, and a second alignment film are provided. It is equipped.

The second electrode portion is formed on the surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate. The second alignment film is formed on the second electrode section. The first electrode portions are arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. 1st
The filling material is arranged between adjacent first electrode parts.

The thickness of the first filler is greater than the thickness of the first electrode portion. The first alignment film is formed on the first electrode portion and the first filler. a first filler located on a first filler;
The distance between the alignment film and the second alignment film is shorter than the distance between the first alignment film and the second alignment film located on the first electrode part.

In the third aspect of the invention, a second electrode section, a plurality of first electrode sections, and an inversion prevention member are provided.

The first electrode portion is arranged on the second substrate surface facing the first substrate side. The first electrode portions are arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The reversal prevention member prevents undesired reversal of the spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules. The inversion prevention member is provided on the main surface of the first or second electrode section and on the outer edge of the region where the first electrode section and the second electrode section overlap. The reversal prevention member is provided on the outer edge on the side where reversal of spontaneous polarization is more likely to occur.

[Operations and Effects] In the first aspect of the invention, a light control means is provided between adjacent first electrode parts. Since the light control means controls the transmittance of light, the display state can be made uniform in the non-picture element portion located between the first electrode portions.

In the second aspect of the invention, a first filler made of an electrically insulating material is disposed between adjacent first electrode parts. The thickness of the first filler is greater than the thickness of the first electrode portion. Therefore, the distance between the first alignment film formed on the first filler and the second alignment film formed on the second electrode part is The distance is shorter than the distance between the first alignment film and the second alignment film formed on the second electrode section. Therefore, even if the difference in polarity strength between the first alignment film and the second alignment film is small, the difference between the first alignment film and the second alignment film on the first filling material, which is a non-pixel area, is 2
The difference in polarity strength from the alignment film increases. Therefore, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules located in the non-picture element area can be made uniform, so that the display state can be made uniform in the non-picture element area.

In the third aspect of the invention, a reversal prevention member is provided. The reversal prevention member prevents undesired reversal of the spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules. The inversion prevention member is provided on the main surface of the first or second electrode section and on the outer edge of the region where the first electrode section and the second electrode section overlap. The reversal prevention member is provided on the outer edge on the side where reversal of spontaneous polarization is more likely to occur. It has been found through experiments that if a reversal prevention member is provided at a position such as that shown in FIG. Therefore, in the third aspect of the invention, the display state of the picture element portion can be stabilized.

[Example] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a first example of a ferroelectric liquid crystal element according to the invention of . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 51 shown in FIG. 1, taken in the direction of the arrow {circle around (2)}. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 51 shown in FIG. 2 cut away from the direction of the arrow (-).

As shown in FIG. 1, the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 51 includes transparent substrates 53a, 53b and a transparent resin layer 57a157b. The transparent substrate 53a and the transparent substrate 53b are arranged to face each other. Transparent substrates 53a and 53b are made of glass. A plurality of transparent electrodes 55a are arranged at intervals on the main surface of the transparent substrate 53a. Furthermore, a plurality of transparent electrodes 55b are arranged at intervals on the main surface of the transparent substrate 53b. Transparent electrode 55a15
5b is made from Nesagaras. The transparent electrode 55a and the transparent electrode 55b intersect with each other.

A transparent resin layer 57a is arranged between the transparent electrodes 55a. A transparent resin layer 57b is arranged between the transparent electrodes 55b. The transparent resin layer 57a157b is made of acrylic transparent resin. In the first embodiment, the transparent resin layer 5
As 7a and 57b, RFC manufactured by Block Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
-7 is used. A ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed in the gap formed between the transparent substrate 53a and the transparent substrate 53b.

A ferroelectric liquid crystal is not shown in FIG.

The type of ferroelectric liquid crystal is chiral smectic C.

A first embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. A transparent electrode 55a is formed on the transparent substrate 53a. Transparent electrode 55
An insulating film 59a is formed on a. Insulating film 59a
is made of SiO2. An alignment film 61a is formed on the insulating film 59a. The alignment film 61a is made of nylon 6.

A plurality of transparent electrodes 55b are arranged at intervals on the transparent substrate 53b. A transparent resin layer 57b is formed on the non-electrode portion 67 between the transparent electrodes 55b.

The thickness of the transparent resin layer 57b is greater than the thickness of the transparent electrode 55b.

On the transparent electrode 55b, there is an insulating film 59 of 5 in2.
b is formed. On the insulating film 59b, nylon 6
An alignment film 61b consisting of the following is formed.

There are liquid crystal molecules 63 between the alignment film 61a and the alignment film 61b.
are arranged in layers. 73 is a line indicating the boundary between layers. Hereinafter, it is called the boundary surface. 65b indicates that the right end portion of the liquid crystal molecule 63 protrudes toward the front from the paper surface. 65a
indicates that the left end of the liquid crystal molecule 63 protrudes from the page.

66 indicates spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules 63. The positive electrode is in the direction of the arrow, and the negative electrode is in the opposite direction to the arrow.

As shown in FIG. 3, the long sleeve of the liquid crystal molecule 63 located on the transparent electrode 55b is at a position inclined by θ from the wide line 71 of the boundary surface 73. Further, the liquid crystal molecules 63 on the non-electrode portion 67 have their long axes tilted by one θ from the normal line 71.

In order to bring the liquid crystal molecules 63 into a bistable state, an alignment film 61a is applied.
, 61b was reduced in the following manner. In the transparent substrate 53a on which the alignment film 61a is formed, after the rubbing roller is brought into contact with the transparent substrate 53a, the rubbing roller is further moved by 0.7 mm to the transparent substrate 53a.
I pressed it against the surface and rubbed it. For the transparent substrate 53b on which the alignment film 61b was formed, this was done to a thickness of 1 mm. When the alignment films 61a and 61b were subjected to rubbing as described above, the difference in polarity strength between the alignment films 61a and 61b became the smallest.

Next, a method for manufacturing a first embodiment of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4F.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, a photocurable transparent resin was applied using a spin coater onto a transparent substrate 53 on which transparent electrodes 55 were arranged at intervals to form a transparent resin layer 57. The thickness of the transparent electrode 55 is 200OA. The thickness of the transparent resin layer 57 located on the transparent electrode 55 is 20
It is 0OA.

The thickness of the transparent resin layer 57 located on the non-electrode portion 67 is 4
It is 000A. Then, the transparent resin layer 57 was pre-baked.

The conditions for pre-firing are a temperature of 90° C. and a time of 30 minutes.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, a photomask 69 was placed on the transparent resin layer 57, and the transparent resin layer 57 was exposed to light using a high-pressure mercury lamp. The photomask 69 has a structure in which the transparent resin layer 57 located on the transparent electrode 55 is not exposed to light. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the non-electrode portion 6
Only the transparent resin layer 57 located on the transparent resin layer 7 is photocured.

Next, the transparent substrate 53 was ultrasonically cleaned in a butyl cellosolve acetate solution, and the transparent resin layer located on the transparent electrode 55 was peeled off, as shown in FIG. 4D. Then, the transparent resin layer 57 on the non-electrode portion 67 was subjected to main firing. The conditions were that the temperature was 180°C and the time was 30 minutes.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4E, using a spin coater, 5i0
Five two-layer films were formed. Then, the 5i02 film 59 was fired.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4F, on five 5i02 films,
A nylon 6 film 61 was formed using a spin coater.

Then, the nylon 6 film 61 was fired.

Two transparent substrates prepared as described above were rubbed. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is C5-10 manufactured by Chisso Corporation.
In the case of No. 14, the liquid crystal layer can be uniformly aligned by anti-parallel rubbing. Further, when the ferroelectric liquid crystal is C5-1013 manufactured by Chisso Corporation, the liquid crystal layer can be uniformly aligned by parallel rubbing.

Two rubbed transparent substrates are placed facing each other,
A ferroelectric liquid crystal element 51 was obtained by filling a ferroelectric liquid crystal in a space formed between transparent substrates. The cell thickness of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element 51 is 2.0 μm. The cell thickness is the distance from the transparent substrate 53a to the transparent substrate 53b, as shown by J in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the first embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention of
A transparent resin layer 57b is provided which is thicker than the transparent resin layer 57b. Therefore, the alignment film 61 located on the non-electrode portion 67
The distance between a and the alignment film 61b is the distance between the alignment film 61a and the alignment film 61b between the transparent electrode 55a and the transparent electrode 55b.
It will be shorter than the distance between. Therefore, on the non-electrode portion 67, it is possible to make a difference in polarity strength between the alignment films 61a and 61b. Therefore, as shown in Figure 3,
On the non-electrode portion 67, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 63 can be made uniform. The same holds true for the liquid crystal molecules located on the non-electrode portion 68 shown in FIG. Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element according to the invention, the display state of the non-picture element portion can be made uniform.

Note that it is preferable that the height of the step between the transparent resin layer and the transparent electrode is 1710 or more times the cell thickness. This is because when the height of the step is low, the difference in polarity strength between the alignment films located on the non-electrode portion becomes small.

According to the first embodiment, by providing a transparent resin layer on the non-electrode portion, the alignment film located on the non-electrode portion is made higher than the alignment film located on the electrode portion. however,
The invention is not limited to this, and other insulators may be used instead of the transparent resin layer.

According to the first embodiment, an insulating film is provided, but if the cell thickness is so thick that there is no possibility of short-circuiting between electrodes, the insulating film may not be provided.

Furthermore, if the electrode section provided on one substrate consists of one electrode layer, a transparent resin layer may be provided between the electrode sections on the substrate on which multiple electrodes are provided. Just do it.

Next, a second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a transparent substrate 83a and a transparent substrate 83b are arranged facing each other so as to form a space.

On the transparent substrate 83b, a plurality of transparent electrodes 85b are arranged.
They are placed at intervals. The thickness of the transparent electrode 85b is 300 to 5000A. An insulating film 87b is formed on the transparent substrate 83b so as to cover the transparent electrode 85b. The insulating film 87b is SiO2. Insulating film 8
7b is formed by snow climbing. Insulating film 87b
The thickness is 300~500OA.

A black mask 89b is formed on one side of the insulating film 87b located between the transparent electrodes 85b. A part of the black mask 89b is on the main surface of the transparent electrode 85b,
It also extends to the outer edge of the transparent electrode 85b. bra·
The part of the mask 89b between the transparent electrodes 85b serves as a light control means. The light control means with block the light. Furthermore, a portion of the black mask 89b above the transparent electrode 85b functions as an inversion prevention member.

Color Mosaic manufactured by Fuji Hunt Electronics Technology Co., Ltd. was used as the black mask 89b. The black mask 89b was formed as follows.

First, a color mosaic was formed on the entire surface of the insulating film 87b using a spin coater. The thickness of the color mosaic is 8500A.

Color mosaics are photosensitive. The color mosaic in the shaded area in FIG. 7 was irradiated with light using a high-pressure mercury lamp. After light irradiation, the color mosaic is developed,
Removed unnecessary parts. After thoroughly washing the transparent substrate 83b with water, the color mosaic was fired to form a black mask 89b. The firing conditions were a temperature of 900°C;
The time is 20 minutes.

An alignment film 91b is formed on the insulating film 87b so as to cover the black mask 89b. The alignment film 91b is
It is polyimide amide. PSI-XSO14 manufactured by Chisso Corporation was used as the alignment film 91b. The alignment film 91b was formed using a spin coater. The thickness of the alignment film 91b is 50OA. On the main surface of the alignment film 91b,
Has been rubbed.

On the transparent substrate 83a, there is a transparent electrode 85a1 and an insulating film 87.
A1 black mask 89a1 alignment film 91a are formed in this order. Transparent substrate 83a1 Transparent electrode 85a1 Insulating film 8
The materials and film thicknesses of the 7a1 black mask 89a and the alignment film 91a are those of the transparent substrate 83b and the transparent electrode 85b, respectively.
1 insulating film 87b, black mask 89b1 alignment film 91b
are the same as those of The main surface of the alignment film 91a is also rubbed. The direction of rubbing with the alignment film 9
This is the same direction as the rubbing direction applied to the main surface of 1b.

A ferroelectric liquid crystal 95 is sealed between the alignment film 91a and the alignment film 91b. The type of ferroelectric liquid crystal 95 is chiral smectic C. As ferroelectric liquid crystal 95,
ZLI-4237-000 manufactured by Merck & Co., Ltd. was used. A seal member 97 is provided around the outer periphery of the space formed by the transparent substrate 83a and the transparent substrate 83b. Seal member 9
An injection hole is provided in a part of 7. However, no injection hole appears in FIG. Ferroelectric liquid crystal 95 is injected into the cell through the injection hole. Vacuum injection was used as the injection method. The injection hole was plugged with resin. The resin is an acrylic UV-curable resin. 99 in FIG. 5 is a part of the resin.

A polarizing plate 82a is provided on the transparent substrate 83a.

The polarizing plate 82a transmits light only in the direction indicated by D in FIG. 25. A polarizing plate 82b is located below the transparent substrate 83b. The polarizing plate 82b allows only light in the direction shown by E in FIG. 25 to pass through.

The thickness of the liquid crystal layer (indicated by K) between the black mask 89b on the transparent electrode 85b and the black mask 89a on the transparent electrode 85a is 1. It is 0 μm. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer between the portion of the transparent electrode 85b without the black mask 89b and the portion of the transparent electrode 85a without the black mask 89a is 1.8 μm.

A method of arranging the black masks 89a and 89b will be explained using FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, on the main surface of the transparent substrate 83b,
A plurality of transparent electrodes 85b are arranged at intervals. A black mask 89b is arranged between the transparent electrodes 85b. A portion of the black mask 89b extends over the left edge of the transparent electrode 85b. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of transparent electrodes 8 are provided on the main surface of the transparent substrate 83a.
5a are arranged at intervals. Transparent electrode 85a
The direction in which the transparent electrode 85b extends and the direction in which the transparent electrode 85b shown in FIG. 7 extends are perpendicular to each other. A black mask 89a is arranged between the transparent electrodes 85a. A portion of the black mask 89a extends to both sides of the transparent electrode 85a. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the transparent substrate 83a shown in FIG. 8 is stacked on the transparent substrate 83b shown in FIG. 7.

Picture elements having the structures shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 were prepared, and the effects of the second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention were investigated. FIG. 13 shows a picture element portion of a second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention of . The picture element parts shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are also
This is a picture element portion of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention of .

The picture element section 113 shown in FIG. 10 will be explained.

The picture element portion 113 is an area where the electrode 109a and the electrode 109b intersect in a three-dimensional manner. There are black masks 110a, 110b on both sides of the electrode 109a. Electrode 109b
There are black masks 111a1111b on both sides of.

The picture element section 121 in FIG. 11 will be explained. The picture element part 121 is
This is a region where the electrode 117a and the electrode 117b intersect three-dimensionally. A black mask 11 is provided on both sides of the electrode 117b.
There are 9a and 119b. A portion of the black mask 119b extends above the electrode 117b. This is indicated by 122. A black mask 120 is provided on both sides of the electrode 117a.
There are a and 120b. A portion of the black mask 120a extends above the electrode 117a. This is represented by 1248. A part of the black mask 120b includes the electrode 117
It extends to the top of a. This is represented by 124b.

The picture element section 129 shown in FIG. 12 will be explained.

The picture element portion 129 is an area where the electrode 125a and the electrode 125b intersect in a three-dimensional manner. There are black masks 126a and 126b on both sides of the electrode 125b. A portion of the black mask 126a extends above the electrode 125b. This is indicated by 128.

On both sides of the electrode 125a, black masks 127a, 1
There is 27b.

The picture element section 137 shown in FIG. 13 will be explained. Picture element part 137
is a region where the electrode 133a and the electrode 133b intersect three-dimensionally. There are black masks 134a and 134b on both sides of the electrode 133a.

A portion of the black mask 134a extends above the electrode 133a. This is represented by 138a.

A portion of the black mask 134b extends above the electrode 133a. This is represented by 138b.

On both sides of the electrode 133b, black masks 135a, 1
There is 35b. A portion of the black mask 135a extends above the electrode 133b. This is represented by 136.

The picture element portions shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 are all rubbed in the direction indicated by L. Therefore, the area indicated by B in FIG. 36 is located on the left side of the picture element portion. Further, the area indicated by C in FIG. 36 is located on the right side of the picture element portion.

A voltage for reversing the spontaneous polarization of liquid crystal molecules was applied to the picture element portions shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 to reverse the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules. Then, by continuing to apply a voltage that does not reverse the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules for a certain period of time, it was investigated whether the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules would be reversed again. The voltage applied to the picture element part is
It is as shown in FIG. The voltage is the voltage applied to the picture element portion during multiplex driving. 101
is a switching pulse. switching pulse 10
1 exceeds the threshold 104. switching pulse 1
01, the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules is reversed. Vrp of the switching pulse 101 is 20v. The pulse width 105 of the switching pulse 101 is 200 μsec.
It is c. 103 is a bias pulse. The VPP of the bias pulse is 5v. bias pulse 103
The pulse width 107 is 200 μsec.

After applying the bias pulse 103 for 15 seconds, the pixel area was photographed. The results are shown in FIGS. 10 to 13.

In the picture element part 113 shown in FIG. 10, there is a region 115a in which the spontaneous polarization is inverted and a region 115 in which the spontaneous polarization is not inverted.
There is b. A region 115a in which spontaneous polarization is inverted spreads from B to C.

On the other hand, in the picture element portion 137 of the second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention shown in FIG. 13, there is only a region 139b in which the spontaneous polarization is not reversed. This is probably because there is a black mask indicated by 136 in the direction of B, which is the side where spontaneous polarization is more likely to be reversed.

In the picture element part 121 shown in FIG. 11, there is a region 123a in which the spontaneous polarization is inverted and a region 123 in which the spontaneous polarization is not inverted.
There is b. This is on the B side where spontaneous polarization is more likely to be reversed.
This seems to be because there is no black mask extending above the electrode 117b.

In the picture element part 129 shown in FIG. 12, there is a region 131a in which the spontaneous polarization is inverted and a region 131 in which the spontaneous polarization is not inverted.
There is b. Black mask 127a does not extend above electrode 125a. The black mask 127b is the electrode 1
It does not extend above 25a. Therefore, the reversal of spontaneous polarization spreads from the direction indicated by M and the direction indicated by N. Therefore, the black masks 138a, 138b shown in FIG.
It can be seen that this also contributes to the prevention of spontaneous polarization reversal.

The same experiment was performed by changing the ratio of bias pulse to switching pulse. A photograph of the pixel area was image-processed using a computer, and the inside of the pixel area was divided into regions where the spontaneous polarization was reversed and regions where the spontaneous polarization was not reversed. The percentage of the area of the region in which spontaneous polarization was not inverted with respect to the area of the pixel portion was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 (b) shows the voltage of the bias pulse. (2) is the voltage of the switching pulse. ■ is always constant.

As can be seen from Table 1, the picture element portion 137 of the second embodiment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention is
It can be seen that even when the values of and become close, the area of the region where the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules is not reversed is large.

It has been confirmed that when the thickness of the black mask 89b located on the transparent electrode 85b indicated by P in FIG. 5 is 0.2 μm or more, the effect of preventing reversal of the spontaneous polarization of liquid crystal molecules is remarkable.

It has been found that the length of the black mask 89b located on the electrode section 85b indicated by Q in FIG. 5 does not affect the effect of preventing reversal of the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules. Note that the value of Q in the second example is 2 μm.

The thickness of the liquid crystal layer between the electrode parts is 1°8μm.
The thickness of the liquid crystal layer between the non-electrode part and the non-electrode part is 0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 10.8 μm, and 1.6 μm, respectively.
A ferroelectric liquid crystal device with a diameter of μm was fabricated. In a ferroelectric liquid crystal element in which the thickness of the liquid crystal layer between the non-electrode parts was 0.5 μm or less, many disclinations occurred. The molecular orientation of the disclination part is complex and different from the surrounding orientation. Therefore, for example, when a picture element area displays black, light leaks from the disclination area and is observed as a bright spot. Since there are no liquid crystal molecules, light cannot be controlled in this area. Therefore, in a ferroelectric liquid crystal element in which many disclinations occur, the display quality is significantly degraded.

A black mask may be formed on the four sides defining the outer shape of the picture element portion. This is shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16.
This will be explained using figures.

As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of transparent electrodes 149a are arranged at intervals on the main surface of transparent substrate 147a. No black mask is formed on the main surface of transparent substrate 147a.

As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of transparent electrodes 149b are arranged at intervals on the main surface of transparent substrate 147b. A transparent electrode 1 is provided on the main surface of the transparent substrate 147b.
A black mask 151 is formed to cover 49b. A region indicated by 153 on the transparent electrode 149b is not covered with the black mask 151. FIG. 16 shows a superposition of the transparent substrate 147a shown in FIG. 14 and the transparent substrate 147b shown in FIG. 15. Transparent electrode 149
The area where a and the transparent electrode 149b intersect is the picture element portion 15
It is 0. 10 to 13 in the picture element section 150.
The same experiment as the picture element part shown in the figure was conducted. The results are shown in FIG. 20 and Table 2.

As shown in FIG. 20, within the picture element portion 150, there is only a region 152 in which the spontaneous polarization is not reversed.

As can be seen from Table 2, even if the values of Vb and V are close to each other, there are wide regions where the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules is not reversed.

Note that 4 defines the outer shape of the picture element section 150 shown in FIG.
There is a black mask 151 on one side. Therefore, no matter where the region indicated by B in FIG. 36 is located in the picture element section 150, reversal of the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules can be prevented.

The following method is available as a method for forming a black mask on the four sides defining the outer shape of a picture element portion. This will be explained using FIGS. 17 to 19.

As shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of transparent electrodes 143a are arranged at intervals on the main surface of transparent substrate 141a. A black mask 14 is placed between the transparent electrodes 143a.
5a is formed. A black mask 145a extends to the side edge of the transparent electrode 143a. As shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of transparent electrodes 143b are arranged at intervals on the main surface of transparent substrate 141b. A black mask 145b is formed between the transparent electrodes 143b. A black mask 145b extends to the side edge of the transparent electrode 143b. FIG. 17 shows a superposition of the transparent substrate 141a shown in FIG. 18 and the transparent substrate 141b shown in FIG. 19. Black mask first
If formed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 19, the transparent substrate 14
When the transparent substrate 1a and the transparent substrate 141b are overlapped, even if there is some misalignment, the picture element portion 142 is reliably formed.

On the other hand, when a black mask is formed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the picture element section 150 is not formed unless the transparent electrode 149a is located on the electrode section 153 not covered by the black mask. Since the area of the electrode portion 153 not covered by the black mask is small, if the black mask is formed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it will be difficult to manufacture a ferroelectric liquid crystal element.

Any material that can be used as a black mask may be used as long as it has light blocking properties. Other examples of black masks used in the invention include those made by mixing polymers such as gelatin, polyimide, acrylic, and methacrylate with dyes, pigments, carbon powder, and the like. Further, metals, inorganic oxides, etc. may be used. However, when metal is used as the material of the black mask, an insulating film 87b must be provided between the black mask 89b and the transparent electrode 85b, as shown in FIG. Otherwise, a short circuit will occur between the transparent electrodes 85b and 85b. Other examples of methods for forming a black mask include a method in which a lift-off method or a method is used in which a black mask is selectively deposited on a portion where a black mask is desired to be formed.

Examples of methods for aligning liquid crystal molecules include a method of rubbing an organic alignment film made of polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, etc., a method of diagonally depositing 5i02, and a method of using an LB film.

Further examples of the ferroelectric liquid crystal device according to the invention include the following. Figure 21 is one of them.

As shown in FIG. 21, electrodes 155a are arranged at intervals. Further, the electrodes 155b are arranged at intervals. The area where the electrode 155a and the electrode 155b intersect three-dimensionally becomes a picture element portion 158. A black mask 157 is formed between the electrodes 155a. electrode 155
A black mask 156 is formed between the portions b. Since the color of the black masks 157 and 156 is black, as shown in FIG.
Even without increasing the thickness of 7b, the display of non-picture element parts can be made uniform.

Another example will be explained using FIG. 22. Transparent electrode 1
55a are arranged at intervals.

A black mask 159 is placed on the side edge of the transparent electrode 155a.
a is formed. Electrodes 155b are arranged at intervals. A black mask 159b is formed on the side edge of the electrode 155b.

The area where the electrode 155a and the electrode 155b intersect three-dimensionally becomes a picture element portion 160. According to the example, although the display state of the non-picture element portion cannot be made uniform, the display state of the picture element portion 160 can be stabilized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken from the direction of the arrow {circle around (2)}. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken from the direction of the arrow ■. FIGS. 4A to 4F are cross-sectional views showing the method for forming the transparent resin layer provided in the first embodiment in order of steps. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of one and the other substrates provided in the second embodiment in a superposed state. FIG. 7 is a plan view of one of the substrates provided in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the other substrate provided in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram of pulses applied to the picture element portion. 10 to 13 are plan views of the picture element section. FIG. 14 is a plan view of one of the substrates provided in the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the other substrate provided in the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the first modified example of the second embodiment in which one and the other substrates are superimposed. FIG. 17 is a plan view of a state in which one and the other substrates provided in a second modification of the second embodiment are superimposed. FIG. 18 is a plan view of one of the substrates provided in the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the other substrate provided in the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a plan view of the picture element portion of the first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a partial plan view of one and the other substrates provided in the third modification of the second embodiment in a superposed state. FIG. 22 is a partial plan view of one and the other substrates provided in the fourth modification of the second embodiment in a state where they are superimposed. FIG. 23 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. Fig. 24 shows that Fig. 23 is indicated by the arrow X in the first state.
It is a sectional view cut from the XIV direction. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 24 taken from the direction of arrow XXV. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a state in which the substrate is being rubbed. Fig. 27 shows that Fig. 23 is indicated by the arrow X in the second state.
It is a sectional view cut from the XIV direction. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 27 taken from the direction of arrow XX■. FIG. 29 is a partial plan view showing a picture element part and a non-picture element part of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 30 is a waveform diagram of pulses applied to the picture element portion. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element in which the display state of non-picture element areas is non-uniform. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 31 taken from the direction of arrow xxxn. FIG. 33 is a plan view of a non-picture element portion in which the display state is non-uniform. FIGS. 34 and 35 are partial plan views showing a picture element part and a non-picture element part of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer within the picture element section 23a. FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a substrate included in another example of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 38 is a plan view of a picture element section of another example of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 39 is a plan view of one substrate included in another example of a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. FIG. 40 is a plan view of the other substrate provided in another example of the conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal element. In the figure, 51 is a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, 53a153b
is a transparent substrate, 55a, 55b are transparent electrodes, 57a, 57
b is a transparent resin layer, 61a and 61b are alignment films, 63 is a liquid crystal molecule, 81 is a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, 83a and 83b are transparent substrates, 85a and 85b are transparent electrodes, 89a and 89b are black masks, 91a, 91b is an alignment film, 95 is a ferroelectric liquid crystal, 147a, 147b are transparent substrates, 149a,
149b is a transparent electrode, 151 is a black mask, 141
a, 141b are transparent substrates, 143a, 143b are transparent electrodes, 145a, 145b are black masks, 155a,
155b is a transparent electrode, 156.157.159a, 15
9b indicates a black mask.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) The first
and a ferroelectric liquid crystal element in which ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed between second substrates, and a second electrode portion disposed on the surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate side. a plurality of first electrode portions arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate; and a light source provided between adjacent first electrode portions. A ferroelectric liquid crystal element, comprising: a light control means for controlling the transparency of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element; (2) The first
and a second substrate, a second electrode portion formed on the surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate side, and a second alignment film formed on the second electrode portion. , a plurality of first electrode parts arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, and a plurality of first electrode parts arranged so as to be located between adjacent first electrode parts. , a first filler made of an electrically insulating material and formed to have a thickness greater than the thickness of the first electrode portion; and a first filler on the first electrode portion and the first filler. The distance between the part located on the first filler and the second alignment film is the distance between the part located on the first electrode part and the second alignment film. A ferroelectric liquid crystal element, comprising: a first alignment film whose distance is shorter than a distance between the first and second alignment films; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal sealed between the first and second alignment films. (3) The first
and a ferroelectric liquid crystal element in which ferroelectric liquid crystal is sealed between second substrates, and a second electrode portion disposed on the surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate side. a plurality of first electrode parts arranged at intervals on the surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate; and a plurality of first electrode parts arranged at intervals on the main surface of the first or second electrode part. and a reversal prevention member that prevents undesired reversal of spontaneous polarization of the ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules, the member being provided on the outer edge of the region where the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion overlap; A ferroelectric liquid crystal element, wherein the reversal prevention member is provided on a side of the outer edge where reversal of the spontaneous polarization is more likely to occur.