JPH09329790A - Liquid crystal element and image display device and image formation device provided with the liquid crystal element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the variation of cell thickness due to the movement of liquid crystal and the accompanying yellowing phenomenon by forming a peripheral area on the outside of an effective optical modulation area and setting the pretilting angle of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral area larger than that of the effective optical modulation area. SOLUTION: A pair of upper and lower substrates 11a, 11b are oppositely arranged and stuck to each other by a sealing material 17. An effective optical modulation area, a 1st peripheral area and a 2nd peripheral area are formed as areas surrounded by both the substrates 11a, 11b and the sealing material 17. The 2nd peripheral area is formed on a part or all of the outside of the 1st peripheral area. Since the liquid crystal of the 2nd peripheral area is orientated at random without requiring an optically uniaxial property, orientation processing is not applied to a part corresponding to the 2nd peripheral area of the substrates 11a, 11b. The pretilting angle of liquid crystal molecules in the 1st peripheral area is larger than that of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display element used for a television receiver, a viewfinder of a video camera, a monitor for a computer terminal, or a liquid crystal element which can be used for a light valve used for a liquid crystal printer or a projector. In particular, it relates to a liquid crystal device using a liquid crystal exhibiting a chiral smectic phase such as a ferroelectric liquid crystal or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a liquid crystal display element that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, a passive matrix drive type liquid crystal display element using a TN liquid crystal is known. However, this device has limitations in terms of crosstalk and contrast,
A liquid crystal display element of a passive matrix driving method using a TN liquid crystal is not suitable for a display element having a high number of wirings, for example, a liquid crystal television panel.

As a solution to the fundamental problem of such a conventional TN liquid crystal, as described in the specification of US Pat. No. 4,367,924 issued to Clark and Lagavar, there are two types. Ferroelectric liquid crystal elements having stability are known. In this ferroelectric liquid crystal element, a chiral smectic liquid crystal that exhibits a smectic phase such as a chiral smectic C phase (SmC ^* ) or H phase (SmH ^* ) in a used state is used. In this ferroelectric liquid crystal device, the chiral smectic liquid crystal has a bistable state composed of two stable states, and it is difficult to take an intermediate molecular position.

By constructing a liquid crystal element utilizing such switching of liquid crystal molecules between bistable states,
Many essential improvements have been made to many problems of the liquid crystal element using the conventional TN liquid crystal.

As will be described later, this liquid crystal element is
Liquid crystal molecules may move in the surface direction of the substrate under the applied voltage. Due to such movement, the cell thickness of the liquid crystal element (distance between the substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal material) varies, and a phenomenon called "yellowing" appears in which the display portion appears partially colored yellow. Such a phenomenon causes deterioration of optical characteristics and decreases reliability not only in display but also in all elements which perform optical modulation.

On the other hand, a technique for roughening the inner surface of the substrate to prevent liquid crystal movement is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,381,25.
No. 6 specification.

However, even the technique of roughening the inside of the substrate described above is not sufficient to prevent the movement of liquid crystal molecules. Since roughening is a technique of the idea of dynamically stopping the movement of liquid crystal molecules, there was a point to be improved in terms of versatility.

For example, that is that some liquid crystals are more likely to have a good alignment state without roughening.

Although there is no problem with a normal pattern used for editing characters, when a certain special graphic pattern is displayed, the liquid crystal moves and gathers in the effective surface, and the cell thickness (distance between substrates) is increased. However, the yellowing phenomenon described above may occur.

Further, major problems in the performance of the liquid crystal element include deterioration of the liquid crystal due to mixing of impurities inside the liquid crystal cell and remaining of bubbles. Especially,
A vacuum injection method is widely known and widely used as a method for injecting a liquid crystal material into a cell when manufacturing a liquid crystal element.In this method, water and impurities remaining in the cell before injecting the liquid crystal are injected into the cell. At times, after being pushed by the inner wall of the cell on the side opposite to the liquid crystal injection port, it is mixed again in the liquid crystal as the atmospheric environment changes. Further, in this method, an operation of returning from a vacuum state to atmospheric pressure is performed, but at this time, bubbles remain in the liquid crystal inside the cell and are mixed in the liquid crystal. In this way, the liquid crystal is deteriorated, and the display characteristics of the liquid crystal element are significantly deteriorated.

As one of the measures against the above problems, for example, a method of providing a liquid crystal cell with a filling portion of liquid crystal to be discarded such as bubbles, cutting and removing the portion after the liquid crystal is injected, and sealing it is proposed. It has been done (Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-9)
885).

However, in the above method, when the liquid crystal filling portion for disposal is provided on the side facing the liquid crystal inlet and is finally cut off and sealed, the sealing portion (including the liquid crystal inlet) is provided on at least two sides of the cell. Therefore, there is a problem in that reliability such as moisture resistance of the obtained liquid crystal element is impaired.

The mixing of impurities in the liquid crystal cell is an important problem in a liquid crystal device using a liquid crystal exhibiting a chiral smectic phase, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

More specifically, when the two substrates that have been subjected to the alignment treatment are bonded together and the chiral smectic liquid crystal is injected from a part of the substrates (the liquid crystal injection port), the state of the liquid crystal cell is observed, and it is always uniform over the entire surface. It has been clarified that a proper orientation is not obtained. In particular, the phase transition temperature (Sm of the liquid crystal near the cell edge on the opposite side of the liquid crystal injection port)
C ^* ← → SmA, SmA ← → Ch, Ch ← → Iso. )
There is a phenomenon in which is lower than in the center of the cell.
According to the research conducted by the present inventors, some impurities existing on the alignment film before the liquid crystal injection are collected and aggregated at the tip of the injection wave front of the liquid crystal as the liquid crystal is injected, and finally, the liquid crystal injection port. It is considered that the liquid crystal is disordered in the orientation state of the liquid crystal by being pushed to the vicinity of the cell end on the opposite side, and the physical properties of the liquid crystal such as the phase transition temperature are changed.

As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to drive the abnormal liquid crystal having such changed physical properties to the peripheral area other than the effective optical modulation area. However, due to the movement of the liquid crystal described above, the abnormal liquid crystal having the changed physical properties existing in the peripheral area moves to the effective optical modulation area. Then, due to the difference in the threshold voltage during driving between the normal liquid crystal and the abnormal liquid crystal, there is a problem that uniform optical modulation cannot be performed over the entire cell.

Here, the effective optical modulation area is, in the case of a display element, an area which includes a large number of pixels and which controls the transmittance of the pixels by applying a drive signal to perform display, and is called a non-display element. , Is a region for performing optical modulation according to a drive signal.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce or eliminate fluctuations in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement and accompanying yellowing phenomenon as much as possible in a liquid crystal element.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce impurities, bubbles or the like mixed into the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation area of the liquid crystal element, and to provide a uniform and stable alignment state and optical modulation over the entire effective optical modulation area. It is to provide a liquid crystal element exhibiting characteristics.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device using a chiral smectic liquid crystal which can be moved by applying a voltage, and which realizes the above-mentioned excellent performance.

[0020]

Therefore, the present invention is a liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, and the liquid crystal can be moved along the surface of the substrate by applying a voltage. A liquid crystal, the region sandwiching the liquid crystal is composed of an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and a second peripheral region,
The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is
The second peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the second peripheral region is formed at least partly or entirely outside the first peripheral region. The liquid crystal element is characterized in that the alignment state is a random alignment having no uniaxiality.

Further, the present invention is a liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, the liquid crystal being a liquid crystal capable of moving along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, A region sandwiching the liquid crystal, an effective optical modulation region, and a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region,
A second peripheral region, the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the second peripheral region is The liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is formed on at least a part or all of the outside of the first peripheral region and has a layered structure. The liquid crystal element is characterized in that the angle formed by the boundary surface between the peripheral area of the second peripheral area and the boundary surface of the second peripheral area is in the range of 70 ° to 110 °.

Further, the present invention is a liquid crystal element having a liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode and having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region located outside the effective optical modulation region, at least one of which is provided. Uniaxial alignment treatment is applied to the interface of the substrate with the liquid crystal, and the peripheral region has a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with other regions, and the longitudinal direction of the region is at least The liquid crystal element is characterized by forming an angle with the direction of the uniaxial alignment treatment on one of the substrates.

Further, the present invention is a liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, the liquid crystal being a liquid crystal capable of moving along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, The region sandwiching the liquid crystal is composed of an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and in the effective optical modulation region, at least one of the substrates has a uniaxial alignment treatment on the interface with the liquid crystal. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the peripheral region is partitioned by the sealing material so as to communicate with other regions. And a liquid crystal element having a region.

Further, the present invention is a liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, the liquid crystal being a liquid crystal capable of moving along the surface of the substrate by applying a voltage, The area sandwiching the liquid crystal is composed of an effective optical modulation area, a first peripheral area outside the effective optical modulation area, and a second peripheral area, and at least one substrate in the effective optical modulation area. Uniaxial alignment treatment is applied to the interface with the liquid crystal, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region. The region is formed on at least a part or all of the outside of the first peripheral region, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is a random alignment having no uniaxiality. Or said second peripheral region, a liquid crystal element, characterized in that it comprises a region defined by the sealing member so as to communicate with the other regions.

Further, the present invention is a liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, the liquid crystal being a liquid crystal capable of moving along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, A region sandwiching the liquid crystal, an effective optical modulation region, and a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region,
A second peripheral region, and in the effective optical modulation region, a uniaxial alignment treatment is applied to the interface of at least one of the substrates with the liquid crystal, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region. Is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, the second peripheral region is formed on at least a part or all of the outside of the first peripheral region, and in the second peripheral region. The liquid crystal has a layered structure, and an angle formed by the normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and the boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is 70 ° to 70 °. A liquid crystal element having an area in a range of 110 ° and having a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with other regions in the first peripheral region and / or the second peripheral region. .

In addition, the present invention is an image display apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the above-mentioned liquid crystal element.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a liquid crystal element according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is its AA line.
It is a line sectional view. As shown in FIG. 2, this liquid crystal element
A pair of upper substrate 11a and lower substrate 11b are arranged facing each other,
It is formed by pasting together with a sealing material 17.
A liquid crystal 15 is sandwiched between the substrates 11a and 11b. The liquid crystal element has an effective optical modulation area (corresponding to a display area in the display element), a first peripheral area and a second peripheral area (areas surrounded by the substrates 11a and 11b and the sealing material 17). In each case, the display element has a non-display area).

Each of the substrates 11a and 11b is provided with electrodes 12a and 12b having a predetermined pattern.

At least one of the electrodes 12a and 12b is preferably formed of a transparent conductor. As such a transparent conductor material, indium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), etc. are preferably used. If necessary, a transparent conductor may be provided with a metal having a lower resistance. The thickness of the transparent conductor is
It is preferably set to 40 to 200 nm.

In the present embodiment, in order to make the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region have a random alignment having no uniaxiality, a film having an alignment regulating force ( No alignment film is provided and no alignment treatment is applied. However, in consideration of other characteristics, an organic film or an inorganic film having no alignment regulating force may be provided in a region including the second peripheral regions of the upper and lower substrates. Further, the alignment regulating force may be lost after the alignment film is once provided in the second peripheral region.
On the other hand, alignment films 14a and 14b are provided in the first peripheral region of the upper and lower substrates and the portions corresponding to the effective optical modulation region. In the portion corresponding to the effective optical modulation area, in order to align the chiral smectic liquid crystal horizontally or substantially horizontally with an appropriate pretilt angle with respect to the substrate, a direction based on a specific condition (for example, a direction shown in FIG. 1). ) Is subjected to uniaxial orientation treatment such as rubbing treatment. Also,
The portion of the alignment film corresponding to the first peripheral region is for vertically or substantially vertically aligning the chiral smectic liquid crystal.

As such an alignment film, polyimide, polypyrrole, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide imide, polyester imide, polyparaxylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal,
An organic film such as polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, polyaniline, cellulose resin, acrylic resin, melamine resin, or an inorganic film such as an oblique vapor deposition film of SiO can be appropriately selected.

The thickness of the alignment film is preferably set to 5 to 100 nm. In the oblique vapor deposition method, the uniaxial orientation treatment direction can be set by controlling the vapor deposition direction and the vapor deposition angle.

Here, it is preferable that the uniaxial orientation processing direction in the effective optical modulation region is not perpendicular or parallel to each side of the substrate. In the following embodiments and examples, the direction of the uniaxial alignment process (rubbing process) forms an angle of 60 ° with respect to the liquid crystal injection direction (long side direction of the substrate) unless otherwise specified.

By setting the uniaxial orientation treatment direction to be not vertical or parallel to the substrate, it is possible to widen the vertical and horizontal viewing angles when the liquid crystal device of the present invention is used as a display.

In this embodiment, the chiral smectic liquid crystal 15 is sandwiched between the substrates in the effective optical modulation area, the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area.

Further, for example, a thickness of 20 to 300 n is provided between the alignment films 14a and 14b and the transparent electrodes 12a and 12b.
m insulating films (SiO ₂ film, TiO ₂ film, Ta ₂ O ₅ film, etc.) 13a and 13b may be arranged.

In order to increase the pretilt angle in the vicinity of the substrate interface, the insulating film may have an average grain size of 1 to 1 if necessary.
Fine particles of about 40 nm may be dispersed for roughening treatment.

The distance between the substrates is the chiral smectic liquid crystal 1.
The upper and lower substrates 11a and 11b are held by a plurality of silica beads 16 having an average particle size of about 1.5 μm dispersed in the upper part 5 and adhered by the sealing material (adhesive) 17 as described above. A plurality of bead-shaped adhesives may be dispersed in the chiral smectic liquid crystal 15.

Further, the surface of the alignment film may have irregularities,
For that purpose, the surface is roughened by providing a film having irregularities such as an insulating film in which fine particles are dispersed inside the effective optical modulation region. The roughening insulating film can be formed by dispersing and applying fine particles in a solution of a component having a ratio of Ti to Si of 1: 1 and then baking. As for the degree of roughening treatment, a desired roughened surface can be obtained by appropriately designing the dispersion density of fine particles, the average particle diameter, the thickness of the layer provided thereon, and the like.

The average particle size of the fine particles forming the above rough surface is preferably 1 to 40 nm. Further, the film thickness of the insulating film holding the fine particles is preferably 20 to 300 nm.

The liquid crystal element of the present invention may be of any light modulation type, but preferably the light transmittance of each pixel is 2
It is preferably used for an optical modulation type such as an optical shutter and an optical valve that can be controlled to a multi-value or multi-value. Further, the pixel addressing method may be either a multiplex method using a matrix electrode or an optical addressing method using a photoconductive film.

A plurality of drawings showing the liquid crystal element according to the present invention show the directions of rubbing treatment, but these are merely examples, and the rubbing treatment can be performed in any direction.

According to the research conducted by the present inventors, the above-mentioned increase in cell thickness is caused by the movement of the liquid crystal molecules themselves in a specific direction within the liquid crystal cell by driving, so that the pressure is increased particularly at the cell edge. It turned out to be caused by The cause of the force that liquid crystal molecules move in the liquid crystal cell is unknown,
It is presumed that this is probably an electrodynamic effect caused by fluctuations in the dipole moment of liquid crystal molecules due to an alternating electric field due to the driving pulse.

Although the mechanism of liquid crystal molecule movement has not been clarified, the presumed mechanism will be described below with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 4 to 7.

According to the experiments conducted by the present inventors, FIG.
As shown in, the direction of movement 22 of the liquid crystal molecules seems to be substantially determined by the rubbing direction 20 and the average molecular axis directions 21 and 21 'in the bistable state of the chiral smectic liquid crystal molecules. Since the moving direction of the liquid crystal molecules depends on the rubbing direction as described above, it is presumed that the phenomenon depends on the pretilt state of the liquid crystal molecules at the substrate interface. Here, for example, when an appropriate AC electric field that does not switch the liquid crystal is applied in a state where the average molecular axis direction is 21, the liquid crystal molecules move in the direction of arrow 22. However, here, the case where a liquid crystal material having a negative spontaneous polarization direction is used is described. Further, this liquid crystal movement phenomenon depends on the alignment state of the liquid crystal as described later.

In the actual liquid crystal cell, if the liquid crystal molecule position is in the state shown by the arrow 21 in the entire cell as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal moves from right to left on the drawing sheet. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cell thickness of the region 23 becomes thicker with time, and coloring occurs. When the position of the liquid crystal molecule is in the state shown by the arrow 21 ', the moving direction under the AC electric field is opposite, but in any case, the liquid crystal is in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction 20, that is, in the layer of smectic liquid crystal Movement occurs. Furthermore, in addition to the layer direction of the smectic liquid crystal, the cell thickness was also increased in the layer normal direction.

According to the experiments conducted by the present inventors, when the display cell as shown in FIG. 4 is continuously driven while displaying a black and white stripe pattern, black is displayed and the average molecular axis is 1
The liquid crystal molecules in the area set to the above state move in the a direction, and as a result, the cell thickness in the area A at the cell end increases as compared with other areas. On the contrary, the liquid crystal molecules in the area where white is displayed and the average molecular axis is in the state of 2 move in the b direction, and as a result, the cell thickness in the B area increases as compared with the other areas. Due to such an increase in cell thickness, a yellowing phenomenon occurs. Here, as described above, an abnormal liquid crystal whose physical properties have changed due to impurities is present at the cell end opposite to the injection port. This abnormal liquid crystal moves from the peripheral area to the effective optical modulation area at the C portion. As a result, in the effective optical modulation area near the C portion, the threshold voltage at the time of driving decreases and a difference from the normal portion occurs, so that uniform information display cannot be performed in the entire cell.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the first peripheral region is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the display region, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is set to the pretilt of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region. By making it larger than the corner,
It was found that the liquid crystal molecules that moved in the a direction during black display moved to the first peripheral region, and the liquid crystal molecules that gathered in the first peripheral region could further move in the c and d directions. Also,
Conversely, liquid crystal molecules can move in the e direction from the first peripheral area to the effective optical modulation area.

Further, even during white display, when the liquid crystal molecules move in the b direction, the liquid crystal molecules gathered in the first peripheral region can move further in the c and d directions, and conversely in the e direction. It is possible to move.

Normally, movement of liquid crystal molecules between liquid crystal layers is very unlikely to occur. That is, in the effective optical modulation region in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned horizontally or almost horizontally with respect to the substrate, the movement of the liquid crystal molecules in the horizontal direction with respect to the substrate is restricted by the layer structure. On the other hand, in the first peripheral region where the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules is large and is close to the vertical alignment, since the layer structure is formed in the direction horizontal to the substrate, the layer structure is horizontal in the liquid crystal layer, that is, the substrate. It is possible to move liquid crystal molecules in any direction. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules can move as shown in FIG.

By the movement of the liquid crystal molecules horizontal to the substrate in the first peripheral region as described above, the pressure distribution in the liquid crystal cell can be relaxed, and the increase in the cell thickness at the panel end can be suppressed. Therefore, yellowing can be prevented accordingly.

However, as described with reference to FIG. 4, there remains a problem that uniform optical modulation or information display cannot be performed on the entire panel due to the movement of the abnormal liquid crystal having the changed physical properties in the C portion to the effective display area. It had been.

On the other hand, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port, and the second peripheral region is provided. The alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region is defined as random alignment having no uniaxiality. Then, the impurities existing at the tip of the traveling wave front of the liquid crystal at the time of injection are finally driven to the second peripheral region.
In the second peripheral region, the liquid crystal molecules are in a random alignment state without uniaxiality, and a clear layer structure over a wide range is not formed, so the liquid crystal molecules can move relatively isotropically. Is. However, when the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are compared with respect to the ease of movement of liquid crystal molecules in the direction horizontal to the substrate, the first layer structure that is horizontal to the substrate is formed. Liquid crystal molecules are much more likely to move in the peripheral region of. Therefore, the abnormal liquid crystal with the changed physical properties is fixed to the second peripheral region. As a result, the threshold voltage drop does not occur in the vicinity of the C portion as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the increase of the cell thickness at the cell edge is suppressed, and the effective optical modulation or information display is uniform over the entire cell. It becomes possible to do.

In the above embodiment, the second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port.
As shown in, the second peripheral region may be provided on the entire outer side of the first peripheral region.

Further, in the present invention, the effects are further improved by making the following improvements as necessary.

At least one of the substrates used in the present invention preferably has a roughened inner surface. In particular, when the movement of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is suppressed to some extent by the roughening, the injection of the liquid crystal from the first peripheral region and the escape of the liquid crystal to the first peripheral region are optimized. This is because. Such a rough surface may be irregular or regular, and it is preferable that irregularities having a large period have irregular heights smaller than the irregularities. The surface having the unevenness is desirable.

There are two effective design concepts of the pretilt angle in the effective optical modulation area of the present invention. One is to perform the alignment treatment so that the pretilt angle is in the range of 10 ° or more and 25 ° or less. The other is to set the pretilt angle to 5 ° or less.

In the former case, in the chevron structure in which the smectic layer bends in the cell, it is easy to selectively take the C1 orientation described later. The high-pretilt chevron structure is advantageous in that the orientation state is less likely to be disturbed even if the substrate is roughened. In the latter case, it is easy to have a bookshelf structure in which the smectic layer does not bend in the cell.
The low pretilt bookshelf structure has a relatively low movement speed of liquid crystal molecules even if it is not roughened,
It is easy to balance the movement speed of liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region.
Further, the alignment state is more excellent from the optical viewpoint.

When the bookshelf structure is adopted,
In order to obtain a better alignment state, it is preferable to make the alignment states of the upper and lower substrates different (perform asymmetric alignment treatment). For example, one substrate is provided with a polyimide polymer alignment film and then rubbed, and the other substrate is provided with a film made of a silane coupling material.

It is more preferable that the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area each have a width larger than the width of one pixel. Further, it is preferable that the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are shielded by a light shielding member so that optical modulation is not substantially performed (image is not displayed).

Further, in the first peripheral region of the present invention, similarly to the effective optical modulation region, an electrode may be provided to selectively apply an electric field to promote the movement of liquid crystal molecules.
It is preferable to use the same drive signal as the scanning signal and / or the information signal for scanning and selecting the pixel. Furthermore, it is desirable to disperse spacer beads and adhesive beads during cell assembly to suppress liquid crystal movement within the effective optical modulation region.

Next, the structure of the smectic liquid crystal used in the present invention will be described.

The chevron structure of the smectic liquid crystal has a C
This can be explained by two types of orientation models, 1 and C2. In FIG. 8, 31 is a smectic layer, 32 is a C1-oriented region, and 33 is a C2-oriented region. Smectic liquid crystals generally have a layered structure, but the layered structure shrinks when transitioning from the SmA phase to the SmC phase or SmC ^* phase, so that the layer bends in the center of the alignment control films 14a and 14b on the upper and lower substrates as shown in FIG. Takes a structure (chevron structure). As shown in FIG. 8, there may be two bending directions, C1 and C2, but as is well known, liquid crystal molecules at the substrate interface form an angle (pretilt) with the substrate by rubbing.
In that direction, the liquid crystal molecules hang their heads toward the rubbing direction A (the tip becomes floating). Due to this pretilt, elastic energies are not equivalent in the C1 orientation and the C2 orientation, and a transition occurs at a certain temperature. In addition, mechanical strain may cause dislocation. When the layered structure of FIG. 8 is viewed in a plan view, the boundary 34 at the time of shifting from the C1 orientation to the C2 orientation in the rubbing direction A is a zigzag lightning pattern called a lightning defect, and the boundary 35 at the time of shifting from C2 to C1. Has a wide gentle curve and is called a hairpin defect.

The chiral smectic liquid crystal is provided with a pair of substrates which are subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment in substantially the same direction as each other for aligning the chiral smectic liquid crystal, such as rubbing. α, tilt angle (cone angle 1/2) Θ, SmC
^{* If the} layer inclination angle is δ and the relation expressed by the equation 1 is satisfied, the C1 orientation state is selectively generated. As shown in FIG. 9A, there are four states in this C1 orientation state.

Θ <α + δ ... [Equation 1]

Of the four C1 orientation states, two stable states (bistable states) form a uniform state. Here, if the apparent tilt angle when no electric field is applied is θ _a , of the four states in the C1 orientation state, the state showing the relationship of the equation 2 is called the uniform state. Θ> θ _a > Θ / 2 ... [Equation 2]

In the uniform state, it is considered that the director is hardly twisted between the upper and lower substrates in view of its optical properties. FIG. 9A is a schematic view showing the arrangement of directors at respective positions between the substrates in each state of C1 orientation. In the figure, 51 to 54 show the state in which the director is projected on the bottom surface of the cone in each state and viewed from the bottom surface direction, and 51 and 52 are splay state, 53 and 54 are considered to be uniform state. And 51 and 52, 53 and 5 respectively.
Switching between four. As can be seen from the figure, liquid crystal molecules at the substrate interface do not switch in the spray state, whereas liquid crystal molecules at the substrate interface switch in the uniform state. Therefore, a higher contrast is obtained in the uniform state than in the splay state.

FIG. 9B shows the C2 orientation, in which liquid crystal molecules at the interface do not switch, and there are two states 55 and 56 due to internal switching. The uniform states 53 and 54 of the C1 orientation produce _a larger tilt angle θ _a than the conventionally used bistable state of the C2 orientation, and a large brightness and high contrast can be obtained.

In the present invention, the CI uniform oriented high pretilt chevron structure having the pretilt angle or the low pretilt bookshelf structure is desirable.

Here, an outline of the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention will be described. Note that the following is just an example.

First, a transparent substrate such as glass is prepared, and then a transparent conductive film is formed by a vapor deposition method such as a CVD method, a sputtering method or an ion plating method, and this is patterned on the stripe. After that, an insulating film is formed by the above-described evaporation method. Then, a solution in which fine particles are dispersed is printed, and calcination and curing are performed to form a rough surface. The orientation control film is formed by spinner coating a solution such as polyamic acid and baking it. A rubbing process is performed on this film. Beads as spacers are dispersed on one of the substrates thus obtained, a sealing material around the substrate is provided, and another substrate is bonded. After that, a liquid crystal material is injected from the injection port and gradually cooled to transition to a chiral smectic phase.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The liquid crystal element according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, except that the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region and the surface state of the substrate corresponding to the second peripheral region. Is different. In the liquid crystal element according to this embodiment, the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is in a uniaxially aligned state and has a layered structure. In addition, an alignment film is provided on the substrate corresponding to the second peripheral region, and uniaxial alignment processing is performed. A schematic plan view showing an example of the liquid crystal element according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Hereinafter, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the liquid crystal element according to this embodiment, the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region forms a layered structure in a specific direction. Here, the layer structure in the specific direction means a layer structure in which the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region does not move or is hard to move from the first peripheral region to the effective optical modulation region. is there. Specifically, the angle between the boundary between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region and the layer normal of the second peripheral region is 70 ° to 110 °, preferably 80 ° to 100 °,
More preferably, it is set in the range of 85 ° to 95 °. As the angle approaches 90 °, the movement of the liquid crystal from the second peripheral area to the first peripheral area decreases, and the movement of the abnormal liquid crystal with changed physical properties to the effective optical modulation area can be reduced. .

In order to make the layer structure of the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region as described above, the direction of the uniaxial alignment treatment applied to the second peripheral region may be specified. Specifically, the angle between the boundary between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region and the rubbing treatment is 70 ° to 110 °, preferably 80 ° to 1
00 °, more preferably 85 ° to 95 °.

Similar to the effective optical modulation area, the liquid crystal layer structure of the second peripheral area is preferably a high pretilt chevron structure of C1 uniform orientation or a low pretilt bookshelf structure.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port, and the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules in the second peripheral region is set. It has a specific layer direction, preferably uniform orientation.
Then, the impurities existing at the tip of the traveling wave front of the liquid crystal at the time of injection are finally driven to the second peripheral region. In the second peripheral region, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules has a specific layer direction,
The uniform alignment state is preferable, and the movement of the liquid crystal between the first peripheral region and the first peripheral region is unlikely to occur.

Therefore, the abnormal liquid crystal having the changed physical properties is fixed in the second peripheral region. As a result, the threshold voltage drop in the vicinity of the C portion as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 does not occur,
It is possible to suppress an increase in cell thickness at the cell edge and perform uniform effective optical modulation or information display in the entire effective optical modulation region.

In the above embodiment, the second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port.
As shown in, the second peripheral region may be provided on the entire outer side of the first peripheral region.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing a liquid crystal element according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the liquid crystal element, a pair of substrates 11a and 11b are arranged so as to face each other and are bonded by a sealing material 17 to sandwich the liquid crystal 15, and an effective optical modulation area (is provided between the substrates 11a, 11b and the sealing material 17). The display element has a display area) and a peripheral area (corresponding to a non-display area in the display element) around the periphery thereof. Electrodes 12a and 12b having a predetermined pattern are formed on each of the substrates 11a and 11b.

Alignment films 14a and 14b are provided in the peripheral area of the upper and lower substrates and the area corresponding to the effective optical modulation area. At least one of the alignment films 14a and 14b is based on a specific condition so that the chiral smectic liquid crystal is aligned in a horizontal direction or a substantially horizontal direction with an appropriate pretilt angle with respect to the substrate in a portion corresponding to the effective optical modulation region. Uniaxial orientation treatment such as rubbing is performed in the direction (for example, the direction shown in FIG. 12).

In the liquid crystal element of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a sealing material 18 is separately provided in the peripheral region on two sides adjacent to the side where the liquid crystal inlet is installed, and the sealing material 18 is used. A region 19 is provided for filling the partitioned contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like. The region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18 has, for example, an opening on the opposite side of the position of the liquid crystal injection port, and communicates with the rest of the peripheral region and the effective optical modulation region. Further, the longitudinal direction of the region partitioned by the sealing material 18 is
It can be set so as to form an appropriate angle with respect to the direction of the uniaxial alignment treatment performed on at least one of the alignment films shown in FIG. 13 as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

Here, the position of the sealing material 18 is not limited to the two sides adjacent to the side where the liquid crystal injection port is set, but may be on the opposite side of the liquid crystal injection port depending on various factors such as liquid crystal injection conditions. It may be provided. It is preferable that the region containing the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like is not recognized by light shielding or the like.

Here, as the sealing material 18, the same material as the sealing material 17 provided on the outer periphery of the liquid crystal injection region, for example, epoxy resin is preferably used.

The width of the sealing material 18 is preferably set narrower than the width of the sealing material 17. For example, when the width of the sealing material 17 is 1 mm, the width of the sealing material 18 is 0.4 to
It is set to 0.5 mm.

According to this structure, the contaminated injected liquid crystal is filled in the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18 at the time of injecting the liquid crystal, and the contaminated liquid crystal is mixed in the effective optical modulation region even while the device is being driven. Can be prevented.

In the liquid crystal element according to this embodiment described above, the materials mentioned in the first embodiment can be used as the materials for the electrodes, the alignment film and the like.

In this embodiment, it is preferable that the peripheral region is in the vertical alignment state. As a result, an increase in the cell thickness at the panel end can be suppressed, and yellowing can be prevented.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

The liquid crystal element according to this embodiment has a structure in which the sealing material 18 described in the third embodiment is applied to the liquid crystal element according to the first embodiment described above.

A description will be given below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line AA. As shown in FIG. 15, this liquid crystal element
A pair of upper and lower substrates 11a and 11b arranged in parallel
And electrodes 12a and 12b arranged on the respective substrates.

In this embodiment, in order to make the second peripheral region have a random alignment having no uniaxiality, a film having an alignment regulating force (alignment film) is formed in the portions corresponding to the second peripheral region of the upper and lower substrates. ) Is not provided and no orientation treatment is applied. However, in consideration of other characteristics, an organic film or an inorganic film having no alignment regulating force may be provided in a region including the second peripheral regions of the upper and lower substrates. Further, the alignment regulating force may be lost after the alignment film is once provided in the second peripheral region. on the other hand,
Alignment films 14a and 14b are provided in the first peripheral region of the upper and lower substrates and the portion corresponding to the effective optical modulation region.
Of these, a portion corresponding to the effective optical modulation region is subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment such as rubbing in order to align the chiral smectic liquid crystal horizontally or almost horizontally.

The sealing material 18 is provided in the first peripheral area and / or the second peripheral area. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the sealing material 18 is provided in the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the liquid crystal injection port. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, along the two sides adjacent to the side having the injection port. The seal material 18 may be provided, or the seal material may be provided in the second peripheral region. Not limited to the above example, the sealing material 17 may be provided so that the area partitioned by the sealing material 18 is outside the effective optical modulation area and the partitioned area communicates with other areas.

In the case of a color liquid crystal element, a dummy color filter may be provided outside the effective optical modulation area, but the sealing material 18 may be provided so as to cover the dummy color filter as shown in FIG. 17 (A). Well, also Fig. 17
As shown in (B), it may be provided outside the dummy color filter. It is more preferable to make it as shown in FIG. 17B in that the cell thickness can be made more uniform throughout. As shown in FIG. 17, the color liquid crystal cell is preferably provided with a flattening film so as to cover the color filters and the dummy color filters in the effective optical modulation area.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the second peripheral region is uniaxial. Random orientation that does not have. Further, the first peripheral region and / or the second peripheral region is provided with a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with other regions. Then, the impurities existing at the tip of the traveling wave front of the liquid crystal at the time of injection are finally driven to the second peripheral region and / or the region partitioned by the sealing material.

In the second peripheral region, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is in a random alignment state without uniaxiality, and a clear layered structure over a wide range is not formed. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules are relatively isotropic. It is possible to move. However, when the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are compared with respect to the ease of movement of liquid crystal molecules in the direction horizontal to the substrate, the first layer structure that is horizontal to the substrate is formed. The peripheral area of
Liquid crystal molecules are much easier to move. Therefore, the abnormal liquid crystal with the changed physical properties is fixed to the second peripheral region. Also,
By providing a region partitioned by the sealant so as to communicate with another region in the first peripheral region and / or the second peripheral region, the liquid crystal between the partitioned region and the other region Movement is further restricted.

As a result, C as described in FIGS. 4 and 5 is obtained.
It is possible to suppress the increase in the cell thickness at the end portion of the cell thickness and to perform uniform effective optical modulation or information display on the entire cell without causing the threshold voltage drop near the portion.

In the above embodiment, the second peripheral region is provided outside the first peripheral region on the side opposite to the injection port.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second peripheral region may be provided on three sides other than the injection port outside the first peripheral region, or may be provided on all the outside sides of the first peripheral region.

As a modification of the fourth embodiment, the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region may be liquid crystal having a layered structure in a specific direction. Here, the layer structure in a specific direction is the layer structure as shown in the second embodiment described above.

In the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to use only the area 19 divided by the sealing material as the second peripheral area. Here, the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is in a random alignment state or a horizontal alignment state. Thereby, it is possible to suppress only the movement of the liquid crystal in the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material. When the liquid crystal in the region 19 is horizontally aligned, the liquid crystal preferably forms a layered structure in a specific direction.

The layer structure in a specific direction referred to here is a layer in a direction in which the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region (region 19) does not move or is hard to move from the first peripheral region to the effective optical modulation region. It is a structure. Specifically, the angle between the opening of the sealing material (corresponding to the boundary line between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region) and the layer normal in the second peripheral region is 70 ° to 110 °, Preferably 80 ° -100
The angle is more preferably 85 ° to 95 °.

The liquid crystal element of the present invention can form various image-related devices.

An image display device using the liquid crystal element of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a control system of the image display device. Reference numeral 200 denotes a display means, which is a combination of the above-mentioned liquid crystal element and a polarizing plate, and has a back light source if necessary. Reference numeral 201 is a scanning line driving circuit including a decoder and a switch, 202 is an information line driving circuit including a latch circuit, a shift register, a switch, and the like, 2
Reference numeral 03 is a reference voltage generation circuit for generating a large number of reference voltages supplied to both drive circuits 201 and 202, 204 is a control circuit including a CPU and a RAM for holding image information, and 210 is an image sensor for image input or an application program. Is an image signal source, such as a computer on which is executed.

Next, an image forming apparatus using the liquid crystal element of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a control system of the image display device. Reference numeral 210 is for forming an electrostatic image on the photoconductor 213 such as amorphous silicon containing carbon, and includes the above-mentioned liquid crystal element as a light valve and a light source 215.
It is an exposure means comprising. Reference numeral 211 is a developing means for developing the electrostatic image on the photoconductor 213 into a toner image, and 212 is a cleaning means for removing the residual toner on the photoconductor 213. The developed toner image on the photoconductor is recorded on the recording medium 214.
Is transferred to

[0112]

EXAMPLES Specific examples will be shown below.

(Example 1) 300 mm × 320 mm,
ITO as a transparent electrode on a 1.1 mm thick glass substrate
(Indium Tin Oxide) was formed into a film with a thickness of about 150 nm by a sputtering method, and a striped electrode was formed by a photolithography method. A Ta ₂ O ₅ film was formed thereon as an insulating film for preventing short circuit by a sputtering method to a thickness of about 90 nm.

Next, LQ1800 (trade name: manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) as an alignment film is printed on the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area as shown in FIG. 1 by a flexographic printing method, and then at about 270 ° C. A polyimide film of about 200 Å was formed by baking and imidizing for about 30 minutes on a hot plate.

Thereafter, the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region other than the effective optical modulation region are masked by adhering a thin stainless plate to the polyimide films of the upper and lower substrates,
The rubbing treatment was performed with a nylon rubbing cloth each having a raised pile.

Then, silica beads having a particle size of about 1.5 μm were dispersed on one substrate, and an epoxy resin adhesive was formed on the other substrate in a shape as shown in FIG. 1 by a flexographic printing method. Were laminated so that the rubbing directions were almost parallel to each other. At this time, the rubbing directions may cross each other vertically.

The size of the liquid crystal cell produced in this manner is a diagonal size of 15 inches. As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the adhesive is open as an injection port for injecting liquid crystal. Chiral smectic liquid crystal is injected through this injection port.

The liquid crystal is injected by introducing the cell into an injection tank capable of heating and pressurizing, and evacuating the inside of the cell to evacuate the inside of the cell to apply a liquid crystal to the injection port. Shut up. After that, the temperature in the injection tank was raised to lower the viscosity of the liquid crystal, and the inside of the tank was pressurized to fill the entire inside of the cell with the liquid crystal. After the liquid crystal injection was completed, the liquid crystal phase was gradually cooled until it became the SmC ^* phase, and then the injection port was covered with an epoxy adhesive. The injected chiral smectic liquid crystal is a pyrimidine-based liquid crystal composition exhibiting the following phase transitions.

-8.5 ° C. 67 ° C. 88 ° C. 94 ° C. Cryst. → SmC ^* → SmA → Ch → Iso.

Next, a liquid crystal cell for measuring the pretilt angle of each of the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area of the cell was prepared by the above method. However, the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing directions of the upper and lower substrates were anti-parallel. And
The pretilt angle was measured by the following method.

[Measurement Method of Pretilt Angle] The pretilt angle is measured by the crystal rotation method (Jpa.J.
Appl. Phys. Vol. 19 (1980) No.
10 Short Notes 2013). Further, as a liquid crystal for measuring the pretilt angle, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (CS-1014 manufactured by Chisso Corporation) mixed with 20% by weight of a compound represented by the following structural formula was injected as a standard liquid crystal for measurement.

[0122]

[Outside 1]

The standard liquid crystal composition is 1
SmA phase was exhibited at 0 to 55 ° C.

The measurement procedure is as follows. The liquid crystal cell is rotated in a plane perpendicular to the upper and lower substrates and including the alignment treatment axis (rubbing axis), and helium having a polarization plane forming an angle of 45 ° is used.
The neon laser light was irradiated from the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the transmitted light intensity was measured with a photodiode through a polarizing plate having a transmission axis parallel to the incident polarization plane on the opposite side. Then, the pretilt angle α was obtained by a simulation of fitting a theoretical curve, Formulas 3 and 4, to the spectrum of the transmitted light intensity generated by the interference.

[0125]

[Outside 2]

The pretilt angle measured by the above method was 20.5 ° in the effective optical modulation region and almost 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the cell not for pretilt angle measurement (the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing axes of the upper and lower substrates are substantially parallel) was observed by a polarization microscope, and the effective optical modulation region was observed. In the uniform alignment, the first peripheral region was in the dark vertical alignment under the crossed Nicols polarizing plate. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the second peripheral region had a random orientation (focal conic) having no uniaxiality.

Next, as an evaluation of the movement phenomenon of liquid crystal molecules,
As shown in FIG. 4, the average molecular axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the optically stable state of 1 and the optically stable state of 2 in striped areas perpendicular to the rubbing direction, and the pulse width is 25 μm.
s, voltage amplitude 40 V, 1/2 duty square wave about 2
By applying the voltage for 0 hours, and then measuring the cell thickness at each of A and B positions, the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated. As a result, no change in cell thickness was observed at each of the positions A and B as compared with before voltage application. Further, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of C in the vicinity of the peripheral region 2 was compared with that before the electric field was applied, no difference was found.

Comparative Example 1 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. However, the alignment film was formed in the effective optical modulation region, the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region. At this time, the alignment states of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region were both vertical alignment states.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 1, no difference was observed compared to before voltage application. However, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the C portion near the second peripheral region was compared with that before the electric field was applied, it was reduced by about 10%.

(Comparative Example 2) A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. However, the alignment film is formed in the effective optical modulation area, the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area, and the same alignment treatment (rubbing treatment) as that in the effective optical modulation area is also applied to the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area. ) Was given. After injecting the liquid crystal, the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, and it was 22.5 ° in the effective optical modulation region, and 22.2 ° in both the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 1, the cell thickness was 35% in the A portion and 39% in the B portion as compared with before application of the electric field. Was increasing. Further, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the portion C near the peripheral region 2 was compared with that before the electric field was applied, it was reduced by about 13%.

Example 2 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the second peripheral region was provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the first peripheral region. The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 1 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region.
The first peripheral region had a vertical alignment with no bright state, and the second peripheral region had a random alignment without uniaxiality. Further, when the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1,
22.5 ° in effective optical modulation area, approx. 9 in first peripheral area
0 °.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 1, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. further,
When the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the portion C near the second peripheral region was compared with that before the electric field was applied, no difference was found.

Example 3 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. However, the alignment film was formed in the effective optical modulation region, the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region. afterwards,
After rubbing only the effective optical modulation area in the same manner as in Example 1, a light-shielding mask made of a metal plate is provided in the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area with a gap of about 50 μm. The alignment regulating force was lost by irradiating with ozone and selectively decomposing most or all of the alignment film in the second peripheral region. Irradiation of this ultraviolet ray and ozone is performed from an 800W low-pressure mercury lamp.
It was performed by passing the glass substrate at a position separated by mm at a speed of 10 cm / min.

In this way, the alignment film in the second peripheral region is decomposed and removed to eliminate the alignment regulating force, and then bonded and liquid crystal is injected in the same manner as in Example 1 to form a liquid crystal cell. did. The alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules at this time was uniform uniform alignment in the effective optical modulation region, vertical alignment without bright state in the first peripheral region, and random alignment without uniaxiality in the second peripheral region. When the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 21.3 ° in the effective optical modulation region and about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated by the same method as in Example 1, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with that before voltage application. further,
When the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the portion C in the vicinity of the second peripheral region was compared with that before voltage application, no difference was found.

(Example 4) 300 mm × 320 mm,
ITO as a transparent electrode on a 1.1 mm thick glass substrate
(Indium Tin Oxide) was formed into a film with a thickness of about 150 nm by a sputtering method, and a striped electrode was formed by a photolithography method. A Ta ₂ O ₅ film was formed thereon as an insulating film for preventing short circuit by a sputtering method to a thickness of about 90 nm.

Next, LQ1800 (trade name: manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) as an alignment film is printed on the effective optical modulation area, the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area as shown in FIG. 1 by a flexo printing method, Then, it was baked on a hot plate at about 270 ° C. for about 30 minutes and imidized to form a polyimide film of about 200 Å.

After that, the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region other than the effective optical modulation region are masked by closely adhering a thin stainless steel plate to the polyimide films of the upper and lower substrates,
The rubbing treatment was performed with a nylon rubbing cloth each having a raised pile.

Further, a stainless steel thin plate is adhered to the effective optical modulation region and the first peripheral region to mask them, and the polyimide films in the second peripheral regions of the upper and lower substrates are respectively rubbed with nylon having raised piles. It was rubbed with a cloth. At that time, the rubbing treatment was performed in a direction orthogonal to the boundary line between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region.

Then, silica beads having a particle size of about 1.5 μm are dispersed on one substrate, and an epoxy resin adhesive is formed on the other substrate in a shape as shown in FIG. 1 by a flexographic printing method. Were laminated so that the rubbing directions were almost parallel to each other. At this time, the rubbing directions may cross each other vertically.

The size of the liquid crystal cell manufactured in this manner is a diagonal size of 15 inches. As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the adhesive is open as an injection port for injecting liquid crystal. Chiral smectic liquid crystal is injected through this injection port.

The liquid crystal is injected by introducing the cell into an injection tank capable of heating and pressurizing, and then vacuuming the inside of the cell to make the inside of the cell a vacuum, and then applying liquid crystal to the injection port to open the injection port. Shut up. After that, the temperature in the injection tank was raised to lower the viscosity of the liquid crystal, and the inside of the tank was pressurized to fill the entire inside of the cell with the liquid crystal. After the liquid crystal injection was completed, the liquid crystal phase was gradually cooled until it became the SmC ^* phase, and then the injection port was covered with an epoxy adhesive. The injected chiral smectic liquid crystal is a pyrimidine-based liquid crystal composition exhibiting the following phase transitions.

-8.5 ° C 67 ° C 88 ° C 94 ° C Cryst. → SmC ^* → SmA → Ch → Iso.

Next, a liquid crystal cell for measuring the pretilt angle of each of the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area of the cell was prepared by the above method. However, the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing directions of the upper and lower substrates were anti-parallel. Then, when the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 19.0 in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region.
And about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the cell not for pretilt angle measurement (the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing axes of the upper and lower substrates are substantially parallel) was observed by a polarization microscope, and the effective optical modulation region was found. And the second peripheral region had a uniform alignment, and the first peripheral region had a vertical alignment in a dark state under a crossed Nicols polarizing plate.

Next, as an evaluation of the movement phenomenon of liquid crystal molecules,
As shown in FIG. 4, the average molecular axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the optically stable state of 1 and the optically stable state of 2 in striped areas perpendicular to the rubbing direction, and the pulse width is 25 μm.
s, voltage amplitude 40 V, 1/2 duty square wave about 2
By applying the voltage for 0 hours, and then measuring the cell thickness at each of A and B positions, the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated. As a result, no change in cell thickness was observed at each of the positions A and B as compared with before voltage application. In addition, the effective optical modulation area near the peripheral area 2 (see FIG.
No difference was observed when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in (C part of) was compared with that before the electric field was applied.

Example 5 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the second peripheral region was provided on the entire outside of the first peripheral region. The rubbing process was performed according to the following procedure. First, as in Example 4, masking the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region,
The rubbing process was applied only to the effective optical modulation area. Then, the effective optical modulation region, the first peripheral region, the injection port side of the second peripheral region (rectangular region having one side of the boundary line A of FIG. 10) and the opposite side (the boundary line B of FIG. 10). A mask was provided on a rectangle having one side, and a rubbing process was performed in a direction orthogonal to the boundary lines C and D. Finally, the effective optical modulation area,
A mask was provided in the already-rubbed region of the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region, and the rubbing process was performed in the direction orthogonal to the boundary lines A and B.

In this way, a liquid crystal cell in which the direction of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region was parallel to the boundary line where the respective layers contact each other was prepared.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 4 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region, and the first peripheral region was observed. In the region, there was a vertical alignment with no bright state.

When the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 19.5 ° in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region, and about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 4, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with that before voltage application. Furthermore, the second peripheral region (see FIG.
The threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the effective optical modulation area (portion C in FIG. 3) near the boundary line B) was compared with that before the electric field was applied, and no difference was observed.

Example 6 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 5. However, in the second peripheral region, the rubbing treatment was not performed on the injection port side (portion in contact with the boundary line A in FIG. 10).

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 4 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, a uniform uniform film was obtained in the rubbing-processed portion of the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region. In orientation,
In the non-rubbed portions of the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region, there was vertical alignment with no bright state. Further, when the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 19.3 ° in the rubbing-processed portion of the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region, and the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region. About 90 ° in the unrubbed part of
Met.

Next, when the increase due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 4, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. Furthermore, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the effective optical modulation area (portion C in FIG. 3) near the second peripheral area was compared with that before the electric field was applied, no difference was found.

Example 7 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 5. However, the rubbing process was performed in the same direction as the effective optical modulation region on the injection port side (portion in contact with the boundary line A in FIG. 10) of the second peripheral region. The angle formed by the rubbing direction and the boundary line A was about 40 °.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 4 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, uniform uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region. In the peripheral region of, there was no vertical alignment. Further, when the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 18.3 ° in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region, and about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 4, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. further,
When the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the effective optical modulation area (portion C in FIG. 3) near the second peripheral area was compared with that before application of the electric field, no difference was observed.

(Comparative Example 3) A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 5. However, the second peripheral region was rubbed in a direction parallel to each boundary line.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 4 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, uniform uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region. In the peripheral region of, there was no vertical alignment. When the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 19.0 ° in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region, and about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 4, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. further,
The threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the effective optical modulation area (portion C in FIG. 3) near the second peripheral area was reduced by about 15% as compared with that before application of the electric field.

Subsequently, a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal elements used in Examples 8 to 12 will be described.

A liquid crystal element was produced according to the structure shown in FIGS. That is, the glass substrate 11a having a thickness of 1.1 mm,
11b was prepared, and the ITO transparent electrodes 12a and 12b were formed by the sputtering method. The transparent electrodes 12a and 12b had a film thickness of 1500Å, and a large number of stripe-shaped ones having a width of 170 μm were provided at intervals of 30 μm. A Ta ₂ O ₅ film is formed by a sputtering method so as to have a thickness of 900 Å, and then a coating type insulating layer (TiSi =
1: 1 manufactured by Tokyo Ohka Co., Ltd.) was applied and baked at 300 ° C. The film thickness is 1200Å. Furthermore, Ti · Si =
Fine particles of silica having an average particle size of 400 Å were dispersed in advance in a solution of 6.0% by weight of an insulating film having a ratio of 1: 1 and printing of the solution was performed with a color spreader having a roughness of 5 μm. Was performed using. After that, calcination is performed at 100 ° C. for about 10 minutes, UV irradiation is further performed, and further at 300 ° C. for about 1 minute.
A heat baking process was performed for an hour. The thickness of this insulating film is 20
0 °.

Thus, a film having irregularities on the surface of the alignment film was obtained. From the SEM photograph and AFM (atomic force microscope) measurement, the width of the irregularities on the surface of the alignment film is 5 to 17 nm, and the density is about 1
It was found that the number was 08 / mm ² , and the height difference was 10 to 25 nm.

On the other hand, the alignment control films 14a and 14b are formed by polyamic acid (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd .; LQ180).
A solution prepared by diluting 2) with NMP / nBC = 1/1 solution to 1.5 Wt% was applied with a spinner under the application conditions of 2000 rpm and 20 sec, and then baked at 270 ° C. for 1 hour. This film thickness was 200Å.

A rubbing process is applied to the orientation control films 14a and 14b. 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams for explaining the rubbing process, and the rubbing roller 20 has a structure in which a rubbing cloth 22 such as a nylon cloth is attached to a cylindrical roller 21. This rubbing roller 20
While rotating in the direction of C, the glass substrate 11a (11
b) the alignment control films 14a and 14b on the upper surface are brought into contact with each other with a predetermined pressure, and the glass substrate 11a (11b) (or a rubbing roller) is moved in the direction of arrow B to move the alignment control films 14a and 14b.
An alignment regulating force is applied by slidingly contacting a and 14b. The orientation regulating force is determined by the contacting force when the rubbing roller 20 is brought into contact with the glass substrate 11a (11b), and normally the rubbing cloth 22 is moved by moving the rubbing roller 20 up and down (changing the pushing amount ε). It is controlled by the contact amount between the alignment control films 14a and 14b. Push-in amount ε is 0.35 mm, roller rotation number is 1000 rm
p, and the roller feed speed was performed twice under a rubbing condition of 30 mm / sec so that the pretilt angle was 20 °.

The glass substrate 11 manufactured in this way
a and 11b are sprinkled on one glass substrate 11a (11b) with bead spacers 16 (silica beads, alumina beads, etc.) having an average particle diameter of about 0.8 to 1.2 μm, and the other glass substrate 11a and 11b is epoxy. Seal adhesives 17 and 18 which are resin adhesives were formed by a screen printing method.
A region for filling the liquid crystal containing impurities or bubbles was formed at the same time. The printing position of the seal material 18 was set variously. Both glass substrates 11a and 11b were bonded together to form a cell. The glass substrate 11 is used for bonding.
The rubbing process performed on a and 11b was performed so that the rubbing directions were substantially parallel. Then, a pyrimidine-based ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibiting the following phase transition temperature and physical property values was heated to an isotropic phase under reduced pressure and injected by capillarity, and then slowly cooled to produce a liquid crystal device. When the angle formed by the uniaxial orientation treatment direction of one substrate 11a and the uniaxial orientation treatment direction of the other substrate 11b is θ _C , θ _C satisfies the relation of 0 ° <θ _C <20 °. You may

-8.3 ° C. 67.3 ° C. 91.7 ° C. 100.1 ° C. Cryst → SmC * → SmA → Ch → Iso Tilt angle θ = 15.1 ° (at 30 ° C.) Layer inclination angle δ = 10 0.2 ° (at 30 ° C.) Spontaneous polarization Ps = 5.5 (nc / cm ² ) (at 30
A liquid crystal element was produced according to the above conditions and various evaluations were performed.

The following description (drawings) of Examples 8 to 12 is as follows:
The same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 12 and 13 indicate the same members as those in these figures.

Example 8 In this example, the sealing material 18 shown in FIG. 21 (A) is not formed, and the sealing material 18 shown in FIG. 21 (B) is formed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal injection port. The durability of the liquid crystal alignment state (display durability) was evaluated for the cells in which the rubbing directions were set to the two directions of (a) and (b) ((1) to (4)). The direction of the sealing material 18 (rubbing direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18 (upward direction in the drawing)) is 0 °. The endurance condition is 30 ° C., V, using the drive waveform of FIG.
Continuing to write a black pattern on the entire surface at op = 20V, the presence or absence of alignment abnormality was evaluated in the display state after 1 month. The results are shown below. In FIG. 31, I is the information signal waveform, S1, S
2 and S3 represent scanning signal waveforms. Although one information signal electrode and three scanning signal electrodes are shown here, in reality, there are 1280 information signal electrodes and 1024 scanning signal electrodes.

An information signal (black) is always applied to these information signal electrodes, and scanning signals are sequentially applied to the scanning signal electrodes. Thereby, 1280 × 102
Black display is always performed on the 4th pixel.

[0173]

[Table 1]

22 to 25 show the difference in the alignment state immediately after the liquid crystal injection and one month after the liquid crystal injection under the respective conditions (1) to (4), in particular, the existence state of the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities. )
(B) is shown.

From the above results, there is a condition that impurities can be prevented from being mixed into the display region due to the relationship between the major axis direction of the region 19 for filling the liquid crystal containing impurities, which is partitioned by the sealing material 18, and the uniaxial alignment treatment direction. I knew it was.

When the cells were stored for a long time without driving, no abnormal alignment was observed in all the cells even after 1 month.

(Embodiment 9) In order to clarify the relationship with the layer structure by using the same cell as the liquid crystal shown in FIG. 24 (90 ° in the rubbing direction of FIG. 21B) of the embodiment 8, The same cell was stored at 101 ° C. (Iso) for 1 month and gradually cooled to obtain the SmC ^* phase, and the same evaluation was performed.

[0178]

[Table 2]

The alignment states immediately after the liquid crystal injection and after one month in the evaluation are shown in FIGS. 26 (A) and 26 (B), respectively.

From this result, it can be seen that the mixing of impurities in the display region occurs in the state without the layer structure.

Therefore, the present invention is more effective for liquid crystals such as smectic liquid crystals having a layered structure.

Example 10 In the cell shown in FIG. 21B of Example 8, the relationship between the rubbing direction and the forming position (direction) of the sealing material 18 was examined in detail. The same experiment as in Example 8 was carried out except that the rubbing direction was different. The results are shown below.

[0183]

[Table 3]

From this experiment, it can be said that an angle of 50 ° to 130 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the region 19 filled with the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities, which is partitioned by the sealing material 18, is an effective range. Further, the same effect can be expected at an angle of 230 ° to 310 °.

(Embodiment 11) In order to find out the condition for surely isolating the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like into the region 19 partitioned by the seal material 18, the position where the seal material is formed and the wave front at the time of liquid crystal injection. The relationship was evaluated.

Regarding the wavefront at the time of liquid crystal injection, a concave surface and a convex surface were set with respect to the side where the liquid crystal injection port was installed. The sealing material is formed on the opposite side of the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed as shown in FIG. 21B in Example 8 (shown in FIG. 27) and the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed. The case (shown in FIG. 28) provided on the two sides adjacent to is set. The rubbing direction on at least one of the substrates was 90 ° with the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18 in all cases. In each setting, the existence state of contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like after the liquid crystal was injected was observed. The result is shown in FIG.
And FIG. 28.

The unevenness of the wave front at the time of injection was controlled by the pressure at the time of injection. The wave front at the time of injection was made concave by injecting under atmospheric pressure, and the wave front at the time of injection was made convex by injecting under the pressure of atmospheric pressure + 2 kg / cm ² .

According to the results shown in these figures, when the liquid crystal injection wave front is concave, the region 19 for filling the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like, which is partitioned by the sealing material, has the liquid crystal injection port. It is preferably provided on the opposite side of the installed side, and when the liquid crystal injection wavefront is a convex surface, the region is preferably provided on the side adjacent to the side on which the liquid crystal injection port is installed, more preferably on the two sides. Be recognized.

Further, in order to efficiently fill the peripheral region with the contaminated liquid crystal irrespective of the shape of the injected wave front of the liquid crystal, it is also preferable to dispose the sealing material 18 in the structure as shown in FIG. 29, for example.

In the structure shown in FIG. 28, the first embodiment is used.
Similar to 0, the rubbing direction, the formation position (direction) of the sealing material 18, that is, the positional relationship in the longitudinal direction of the region 19 for filling the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like, and the occurrence of abnormal liquid crystal alignment As a result of evaluation of the relationship with
The same evaluation result as 0 was obtained.

(Embodiment 12) The liquid crystal injection wave front is set to be convex with respect to the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed, and the region 19 is filled with the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities, which is partitioned by the sealing material 18. The opening was examined, that is, the position communicating with other regions.

A sealing material 18 as shown in FIG.
Cell provided on two sides adjacent to the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed and having openings at both ends, and a sealing material 18 adjacent to the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed, as shown in FIG. 2 which is provided on two sides and has an opening only at the end on the side where the liquid crystal injection port is installed, and FIG.
In the cell having the setting shown in FIG. 8B, the presence state of contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities and the like after the liquid crystal injection was observed as in Example 11.

As a result, in the cells shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B, as compared with the cell having the setting shown in FIG. 28B,
In the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18, very large bubbles were generated at the time of injecting the liquid crystal, and in some cases, the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities could not be sufficiently filled in the region 19. From such a result, in the present invention, it is more preferable that the opening of the region for filling with the contaminated liquid crystal containing impurities, which is partitioned by the sealing material, is provided as far as possible from the liquid crystal injection port. I know there is.

(Example 13) 300 mm × 320 mm,
ITO as a transparent electrode on a 1.1 mm thick glass substrate
(Indium Tin Oxide) was formed into a film with a thickness of about 150 nm by a sputtering method, and a striped electrode was formed by a photolithography method. A Ta ₂ O ₅ film was formed thereon as an insulating film for preventing short circuit by a sputtering method to a thickness of about 90 nm.

Then, LQ1800 (trade name: as an alignment film) is formed in the effective optical modulation area and the peripheral area as shown in FIG.
Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) was printed by a flexographic printing method, and then baked and imidized on a hot plate at about 270 ° C. for about 30 minutes to form a polyimide film of about 200 Å.

After that, a stainless steel thin plate is adhered to the peripheral region other than the effective optical modulation region to mask it,
The polyimide films on the upper and lower substrates were rubbed with a nylon rubbing cloth each having a raised pile.

Then, silica beads having a particle diameter of about 1.5 μm were dispersed on one substrate, and an epoxy resin adhesive (sealing material) was formed on the other substrate in a shape as shown in FIG. 12 by a flexographic printing method. The upper and lower substrates were laminated so that the rubbing directions were substantially parallel to each other. At this time, the rubbing directions may cross each other vertically. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a region partitioned by the seal material exists in the peripheral region.

The size of the liquid crystal cell thus manufactured is a diagonal size of 15 inches. Note that, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the adhesive is open as an injection port for injecting liquid crystal. Chiral smectic liquid crystal is injected through this injection port.

The liquid crystal is injected by introducing the cell into an injection tank capable of heating and pressurizing, and evacuating the inside of the cell to evacuate the inside of the cell to apply a liquid crystal to the injection port. Shut up. After that, the temperature in the injection tank was raised to lower the viscosity of the liquid crystal, and the inside of the tank was pressurized to fill the entire inside of the cell with the liquid crystal. After the liquid crystal injection was completed, the liquid crystal phase was gradually cooled until it became the SmC ^* phase, and then the injection port was covered with an epoxy adhesive. The injected chiral smectic liquid crystal is a pyrimidine-based liquid crystal composition exhibiting the following phase transitions.

-8.5 ° C. 67 ° C. 88 ° C. 94 ° C. Cryst → SmC ^* → SmA → Ch → Iso.

Next, a liquid crystal cell for measuring the pretilt angle of each of the effective optical modulation area and the peripheral area of the cell was prepared by the above method. However, the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing directions of the upper and lower substrates were anti-parallel.

The pretilt angle measured by the same method as in Example 1 was 20.5 ° in the effective optical modulation region and almost 90 ° in the peripheral region.

Next, when the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the cell not for pretilt angle measurement (the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing axes of the upper and lower substrates are substantially parallel) was observed by a polarization microscope, the effective optical modulation region was observed. In the uniform alignment, the peripheral region was in the dark vertical alignment under the crossed Nicols polarizing plate.

Next, as an evaluation of the movement phenomenon of liquid crystal molecules,
As shown in FIG. 4, the average molecular axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the optically stable state of 1 and the optically stable state of 2 in striped areas perpendicular to the rubbing direction, and the pulse width is 25 μm.
s, voltage amplitude 40 V, 1/2 duty square wave about 2
By applying the voltage for 0 hours, and then measuring the cell thickness at each of A and B positions, the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated. As a result, no change in cell thickness was observed at each of the positions A and B as compared with before voltage application. Further, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of C in the vicinity of the peripheral region was compared with that before the electric field was applied, no difference was found.

Example 14 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same direction as in Example 13. However, as shown in FIG. 24, the region partitioned by the sealing material was provided along the side opposite to the liquid crystal injection port.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 13 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, vertical alignment with uniform uniform alignment in the effective optical modulation region and no bright state in the peripheral region was observed. Met. When the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 21.3 ° in the effective optical modulation region and about 90 ° in the peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 13, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. Furthermore, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the portion C near the peripheral region was compared with that before the electric field was applied, no difference was found.

(Example 15) 300 mm × 320 mm,
ITO as a transparent electrode on a 1.1 mm thick glass substrate
(Indium Tin Oxide) was formed into a film with a thickness of about 150 nm by a sputtering method, and a striped electrode was formed by a photolithography method. A Ta ₂ O ₅ film was formed thereon as an insulating film for preventing short circuit by a sputtering method to a thickness of about 90 nm.

Then, LQ1800 (trade name: manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) as an alignment film is printed on the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area as shown in FIG. 1 by a flexographic printing method, and then at about 270 ° C. A polyimide film of about 200 Å was formed by baking and imidizing for about 30 minutes on a hot plate.

After that, the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region other than the effective optical modulation region are masked by closely adhering a thin stainless steel plate to the polyimide films of the upper and lower substrates,
The rubbing treatment was performed with a nylon rubbing cloth each having a raised pile.

Then, silica beads having a particle size of about 1.5 μm are dispersed on one substrate, and an epoxy resin adhesive (sealing material) is formed on the other substrate in a shape as shown in FIG. 14 by a flexographic printing method. The upper and lower substrates were laminated so that the rubbing directions were substantially parallel to each other. At this time, the rubbing directions may cross each other vertically. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, there is a region partitioned by the sealing material in the first peripheral region.

The size of the liquid crystal cell thus manufactured is a diagonal size of 15 inches. Note that, as shown in FIG. 14, a part of the adhesive is open as an injection port for injecting liquid crystal. Chiral smectic liquid crystal is injected through this injection port.

The liquid crystal is injected by introducing the cell into an injection tank capable of heating and pressurizing, and evacuating the inside of the cell to evacuate the inside of the cell to apply a liquid crystal to the injection port. Shut up. After that, the temperature in the injection tank was raised to lower the viscosity of the liquid crystal, and the inside of the tank was pressurized to fill the entire inside of the cell with the liquid crystal. After the liquid crystal injection was completed, the liquid crystal phase was gradually cooled until it became the SmC ^* phase, and then the injection port was covered with an epoxy adhesive. The injected chiral smectic liquid crystal is a pyrimidine-based liquid crystal composition exhibiting the following phase transitions.

-8.5 ° C. 67 ° C. 88 ° C. 94 ° C. Cryst → SmC ^* → SmA → Ch → Iso.

Next, a liquid crystal cell for measuring the pretilt angle of each of the effective optical modulation area and the first peripheral area of the cell was prepared by the above method. However, the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing directions of the upper and lower substrates were anti-parallel.

The pretilt angle measured by the same method as in Example 1 was 21.0 ° in the effective optical modulation region and almost 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules in the cell not for pretilt angle measurement (the substrates were bonded so that the rubbing axes of the upper and lower substrates are substantially parallel) was observed with a polarization microscope, the effective optical modulation region was observed. In the uniform alignment, the first peripheral region was in the dark vertical alignment under the crossed Nicols polarizing plate. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the second peripheral region had a random orientation (focal conic) having no uniaxiality.

Next, as an evaluation of the movement phenomenon of liquid crystal molecules,
As shown in FIG. 3, the average molecular axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the optically stable state of a and the optically stable state of b in stripe areas perpendicular to the rubbing direction, and the pulse width is 25 μm.
s, voltage amplitude 40 V, 1/2 duty square wave about 2
By applying the voltage for 0 hours, and then measuring the cell thickness at each of A and B positions, the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated. As a result, no change in cell thickness was observed at each of the positions A and B as compared with before voltage application. Further, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of C in the vicinity of the second peripheral region was compared with that before application of the electric field, no difference was observed.

Further, when the presence or absence of alignment abnormality after one month was evaluated by the same method as in Example 8, no alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation region, which was considered to be caused by impurities, was not found.

(Example 16) A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same direction as in Example 15. However, as shown in FIG. 16, the second peripheral region was provided on the outer three sides of the first peripheral region. Further, the region partitioned by the sealing material is provided along the side orthogonal to the liquid crystal injection port, and the liquid crystal is injected into the partitioned region from the side opposite to the liquid crystal injection port.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 15 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, a uniform uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and a bright state was observed in the first peripheral region. No vertical orientation,
The second peripheral region had a random orientation without uniaxiality. When the pretilt angle was measured by the same method as in Example 1, it was 22.6 ° in the effective optical modulation region and about 90 ° in the first peripheral region.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 15, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. Furthermore, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the portion C near the second peripheral region was compared with that before the electric field was applied,
No difference was seen.

When the presence or absence of alignment abnormality after one month was evaluated by the same method as in Example 8, no alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation region, which is considered to be due to impurities, was found.

Example 17 A liquid crystal cell as shown in FIG. 16 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 16. However, the alignment film was also provided on the portions corresponding to the second peripheral regions of both substrates. Further, the same rubbing treatment as that provided in the portion corresponding to the effective optical modulation area was applied to the portion corresponding to the second peripheral area of the alignment film. At that time, the rubbing treatment was performed in a direction parallel to the side of the cell where the liquid crystal inlet was provided.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 15 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, it was found that uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and the second peripheral region in the first peripheral region. In the region, there was a vertical alignment with no bright state.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to the liquid crystal movement phenomenon was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 15, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. further,
When the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of the second peripheral region (portion C in FIG. 3) was compared with that before application of the electric field, no difference was found.

Further, when the presence or absence of alignment abnormality after one month was evaluated by the same method as in Example 18, no alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation region, which was considered to be due to impurities, was found.

Example 18 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 13. However, no alignment film was provided in the region 19 of the two substrates, which was partitioned by the sealing material 18. In the following examples, the region 19 is a portion corresponding to a rectangle having one side of the sealing material 18 existing in the peripheral region in FIG.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 13 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, uniform uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region, and uniaxial random alignment was not observed in the region 19. In the peripheral areas other than the area 19, the vertical alignment was obtained without a bright state.

Next, when the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated under the same conditions as in Example 13, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with before application of the electric field. Furthermore, when the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of the peripheral region (portion C in FIG. 3) was compared with that before application of the electric field, no difference was observed.

When the presence or absence of alignment abnormality after one month was evaluated by the same method as in Example 8, no alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation region, which is considered to be due to impurities, was found.

Example 19 A liquid crystal cell was prepared in the same manner as in Example 13. However, the region 19 divided by the sealing material 18 of both substrates was rubbed in the same direction as in Example 17.

The same chiral smectic liquid crystal as in Example 13 was injected into this liquid crystal cell, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules was observed. As a result, the uniform uniform alignment was observed in the effective optical modulation region and region 19, and in the peripheral region other than region 19. It was a vertical alignment with no bright state.

Next, under the same conditions as in Example 13, the increase in cell thickness due to liquid crystal movement was evaluated. As a result, no change in cell thickness was observed as compared with that before voltage application. further,
When the threshold voltage for switching from white to black in the vicinity of the peripheral region (portion C in FIG. 3) was compared with that before application of the electric field, no difference was observed.

When the presence or absence of alignment abnormality after one month was evaluated by the same method as in Example 8, no alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation region, which was considered to be due to impurities, was found.

(Embodiment 20) In the cell shown in FIG. 12 of Embodiment 13, the relationship between the width of the region 19 partitioned by the sealing material 18 in the peripheral region and the presence / absence of orientation abnormality after one month was examined. . P, p'in FIG. 12 (region 1 of the peripheral region)
The sum of (width other than 9) and q, q '(width of area 19) is p +
With q = p '+ q' = 10 mm, p = p 'and q = q', the alignment abnormality in the effective optical modulation area after 1 month was examined by the same method as in Example 8. The results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0237]

[Table 4]

From this result, it is clear that the width of the region 19 is preferably smaller than the width of the peripheral region other than the region 19.

[0239]

As described above, according to the present invention, the peripheral region (first peripheral region) is provided outside the effective optical modulation region, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the region is set to the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region. By making it larger than the pretilt angle of the molecule, it is possible to prevent the pressure distribution from occurring inside the liquid crystal cell due to the movement of the liquid crystal by driving, and to prevent the cell thickness from increasing at the end of the liquid crystal cell and the coloring of the cell. You can
In addition, a region partitioned by a sealing material is provided in the peripheral region so as to communicate with other regions. And / or by further providing the second peripheral region having a specific alignment state, it is possible to reduce the movement of the abnormal liquid crystal having a changed physical property to the effective optical modulation region.

That is, according to the present invention, even if a liquid crystal material or a driving method, which has conventionally caused a variation in cell thickness, is adopted, yellowing is less likely to occur, and a variation in cell thickness occurs in the prior art. Even if such a pattern is displayed, yellowing is less likely to occur. In addition, by reducing the movement of abnormal liquid crystal with changed physical properties to the effective optical modulation area, it is possible to eliminate the unevenness of the threshold voltage, and to provide a liquid crystal element that is capable of uniform optical modulation or information display and has excellent durability. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an AA cross section of the liquid crystal element shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a portion where a cell thickness increases due to a liquid crystal movement phenomenon.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a cell thickness increasing portion and a threshold voltage decreasing portion due to a liquid crystal movement phenomenon.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a portion where a threshold voltage is lowered due to a liquid crystal movement phenomenon in a liquid crystal cell provided with a first peripheral region.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal movement phenomenon in an example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a plan view schematically showing the relationship between the average molecular axis direction of liquid crystal moving molecules and the moving direction. FIG. 6B is a schematic plan view showing an increase in cell thickness due to a liquid crystal movement phenomenon.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a chevron structure and zigzag defects of smectic liquid crystals.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a director for explaining C1 and C2 orientations, a uniform state, and a spray state.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal element shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a BB ′ cross section of the liquid crystal element shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an AA cross section of the liquid crystal element shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the position of a sealing material in the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a control system of an image display device using a liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a control system of an image forming apparatus using a liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing an example of a rubbing device used in a manufacturing process of a liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a liquid crystal element (cell) used in Example 8 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the outline of a structure.

FIG. 22 is a liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 8 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the evaluation result of.

FIG. 23 is a liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 8 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the evaluation result of.

FIG. 24 is a liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 8 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the evaluation result of.

FIG. 25 is a liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 8 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the evaluation result of.

FIG. 26 is a liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 9 of the present invention.
The top view which shows the evaluation result of.

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the evaluation result of the liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the evaluation results of the liquid crystal element (cell) in Example 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a plan view showing the outline of the configuration of a liquid crystal element (cell) used in Example 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing drive waveforms used in Examples 8 to 12 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11a, 11b Upper and lower substrates 12a, 12b Transparent electrodes 13a, 13b Insulating film 14a, 14b Alignment control film 15 Chiral smectic liquid crystal 16 Spacer 17 Sealing material 18 Sealing material 19 Area partitioned by sealing material 18 Rubbing direction 21, 21 'Liquid crystal Average molecular axis direction of molecule 22 Liquid crystal molecule moving direction 23 Liquid crystal cell edge 31 Smectic layer 32 C1 alignment region 33 C2 alignment region 34 Lightning defect 35 Hairpin defect 51, 52 C1 splay alignment C-director 53, 54 C1 uniform alignment C-Director 56 C-Director C-Director

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 8-86614 (32) Priority date Hei 8 (1996) April 9 (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Kenji Onuma 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takaa Wada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Seiji Miura Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tsuneki Nuka, 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Masamichi Saito Ota-ku, Tokyo Shimomaruko 3-30-2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Fumiyoshi Sato 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (101)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, wherein the liquid crystal is a liquid crystal that can move along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal is sandwiched. The region is composed of an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and a second peripheral region, and the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is
The second peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the second peripheral region is formed on at least a part or all of the outside of the first peripheral region. A liquid crystal element characterized in that the alignment state is a random alignment having no uniaxiality. 2. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area, and the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area correspond to a non-display area. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 4. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 5. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 6. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more.
The liquid crystal element according to the above. 7. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 5 ° or less. 8. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened. 9. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment. 10. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are shielded by a light shielding member. 11. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 1. 12. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 1. 13. A liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, wherein the liquid crystal is a liquid crystal that can move along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal is sandwiched. The region is composed of an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and a second peripheral region, and the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is
The second peripheral region is formed at least partially or entirely outside the first peripheral region, and the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region. It has a layered structure, and an angle formed by a normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and a boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is 7
A liquid crystal element, which is in the range of 0 ° to 110 °. 14. The angle formed by the normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and the boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is in the range of 80 ° to 100 °. 14. The liquid crystal element according to claim 13, wherein the liquid crystal element is present. 15. The angle formed by the normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and the boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is in the range of 85 ° to 95 °. 14. The liquid crystal element according to claim 13, wherein the liquid crystal element is present. 16. The liquid crystal element according to claim 13, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area, and the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area correspond to a non-display area. 17. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 18. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 19. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 20. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more. 21. The pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 5 ° or less.
3. The liquid crystal device according to item 3. 22. The inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened.
The liquid crystal element according to the above. 23. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment. 24. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein the alignment state of the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is uniform alignment. 25. The liquid crystal element according to claim 13, wherein the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are shielded by a light shielding member. 26. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 13. 27. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 13. 28. A liquid crystal element having a liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode and having an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region located outside the effective optical modulation region, wherein the liquid crystal of at least one substrate. Uniaxial orientation treatment is applied to the interface with and the peripheral region has a region partitioned by a sealant so as to communicate with other regions, and the longitudinal direction of the region is in the at least one substrate. A liquid crystal device, characterized in that it forms an angle with the direction of uniaxial alignment treatment. 29. The angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the region partitioned by the sealing material and the direction of the uniaxial orientation treatment is:
29. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, which is in the range of 50 [deg.] To 130 [deg.]. 30. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the liquid crystal device is composed of a plurality of sides, and a total of two regions partitioned by the sealing material are provided on each side that is not adjacent to each other. Liquid crystal element. 31. The liquid crystal element is composed of a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and a region partitioned by the sealing material is adjacent to a side having the liquid crystal injection port.
30. The liquid crystal element according to claim 28, which is provided on a side. 32. The liquid crystal element is composed of a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and has a region partitioned by the sealing material on a side opposite to the side having the liquid crystal injection port. 30. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28. 33. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area, and the peripheral area corresponds to a non-display area. 34. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the uniaxial alignment treatment is a rubbing treatment. 35. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 36. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 37. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 38. The liquid crystal device according to claim 28, wherein the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more. 39. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation area is 5 ° or less.
8. The liquid crystal element according to 8 or 29. 40. The inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened.
Or the liquid crystal device according to 29. 41. The alignment state of the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment.
8. The liquid crystal element according to 8 or 29. 42. The liquid crystal element according to claim 28, wherein the peripheral region is shielded by a light shielding member. 43. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 28. 44. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 28. 45. A liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, wherein the liquid crystal is a liquid crystal that can move along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal is sandwiched. The region is composed of an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and in the effective optical modulation region, the interface with the liquid crystal of at least one substrate is subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the peripheral region has a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with other regions. A liquid crystal element characterized by the above. 46. The angle defined by the longitudinal direction of the region defined by the sealing material and the direction of the uniaxial alignment treatment is in the range of 50 ° to 130 °. Liquid crystal element. 47. The area of a cross section perpendicular to the seal material in a region partitioned by the seal material is 0.5 times or less than the area of a cross section perpendicular to the seal material of the peripheral region. 46. The liquid crystal device according to 46. 48. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the liquid crystal device is constituted by a plurality of sides, and the regions partitioned by the sealing material have a total of two in each of the sides which are not adjacent to each other. Liquid crystal element. 49. The liquid crystal element is composed of a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and a region partitioned by the sealing material is adjacent to a side having the liquid crystal injection port.
47. The liquid crystal element according to claim 45 or 46, which is provided on a side. 50. The liquid crystal element is configured by a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and has a region partitioned by the sealing material on a side opposite to the side having the liquid crystal injection port. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45 or 46. 51. The liquid crystal element according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area and the peripheral area corresponds to a non-display area. 52. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45, wherein the uniaxial alignment treatment is a rubbing treatment. 53. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 54. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 55. The liquid crystal element according to claim 45, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 56. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45, wherein the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more. 57. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation area is 5 ° or less.
5. The liquid crystal device according to 5 or 46. 58. The inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened.
Or the liquid crystal element according to 46. 59. The alignment state of the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment.
5. The liquid crystal device according to 5 or 46. 60. The liquid crystal device according to claim 45, wherein the peripheral area is shielded by a light shielding member. 61. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 45 or 46. 62. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 45. 63. A liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, wherein the liquid crystal is a liquid crystal that can move along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal is sandwiched. The region is composed of an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and a second peripheral region, and the interface with the liquid crystal of at least one substrate in the effective optical modulation region. Is subjected to uniaxial alignment treatment, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is
The second peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region, and the second peripheral region is formed on at least a part or all of the outside of the first peripheral region. The orientation state is a random orientation having no uniaxiality, and the first peripheral region and / or the second peripheral region has a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with another region. Characteristic liquid crystal element. 64. The angle defined by the longitudinal direction of the region defined by the sealing material and the direction of the uniaxial alignment treatment is in the range of 50 ° to 130 °. Liquid crystal element. 65. An area partitioned by the sealing material is provided at least in the first peripheral area, and a part of the first peripheral area of the area partitioned by the sealing material is the sealing material. 65. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein an area of a vertical cross section is 0.5 times or less of an area of a cross section of the first peripheral region perpendicular to the sealing material. 66. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63 or 64, characterized in that the liquid crystal device is constituted by a plurality of sides, and the regions partitioned by the sealing material have a total of two in each of the sides which are not adjacent to each other. Liquid crystal element. 67. The liquid crystal element is constituted by a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and a region partitioned by the sealing material is adjacent to a side having the liquid crystal injection port. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63 or 64. 68. The liquid crystal element is configured by a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and has a region partitioned by the sealing material on a side opposite to the side having the liquid crystal injection port. 65. The liquid crystal element according to claim 63 or 64. 69. The liquid crystal according to claim 63, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area, and the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area correspond to a non-display area. element. 70. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein the uniaxial alignment treatment is a rubbing treatment. 71. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 72. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 73. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 74. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more. 75. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 5 ° or less.
3. The liquid crystal device according to 3 or 64. 76. The inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened.
Or the liquid crystal element according to 64. 77. The liquid crystal alignment state of the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment.
3. The liquid crystal device according to 3 or 64. 78. The liquid crystal device according to claim 63, wherein the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are shielded by a light shielding member. 79. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 63. 80. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 63. 81. A liquid crystal element in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates each having an electrode, wherein the liquid crystal is a liquid crystal that can move along the surface of the substrate when a voltage is applied, and the liquid crystal is sandwiched. The region is composed of an effective optical modulation region, a first peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, and a second peripheral region, and in the effective optical modulation region, the liquid crystal of at least one substrate The interface is uniaxially oriented, and the pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the first peripheral region is
The second peripheral region is formed at least partially or entirely outside the first peripheral region, and the liquid crystal in the second peripheral region is larger than the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region. It has a layered structure, and an angle formed by a normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and a boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is 7
It is in the range of 0 ° to 110 °, and has, in the first peripheral region and / or the second peripheral region, a region partitioned by a sealing material so as to communicate with another region. Liquid crystal element. 82. The angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the region partitioned by the sealing material and the direction of the uniaxial orientation treatment is
The liquid crystal device according to claim 81, wherein the liquid crystal device is in the range of 50 ° to 130 °. 83. An area partitioned by the sealing material is provided at least in the first peripheral area, and a part of the first peripheral area in the area partitioned by the sealing material is the sealing material. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82, wherein an area of a vertical cross section is 0.5 times or less of an area of a cross section of the first peripheral region perpendicular to the sealing material. 84. The angle formed by the normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and the boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is in the range of 80 ° to 100 °. 83. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82, wherein 85. The angle formed by the normal line of the liquid crystal layer in the second peripheral region and the boundary surface between the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region is in the range of 85 ° to 95 °. 83. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82, wherein 86. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82, wherein the liquid crystal element is composed of a plurality of sides, and the regions partitioned by the sealing material have a total of two areas, one on each side that is not adjacent to each other. Liquid crystal element. 87. The liquid crystal element is composed of a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and a region partitioned by the sealing material is adjacent to a side having the liquid crystal injection port.
The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82, which is provided on a side. 88. The liquid crystal element is constituted by a plurality of sides, has a liquid crystal injection port on one side, and has a region partitioned by the sealing material on a side opposite to the side having the liquid crystal injection port. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82. 89. The liquid crystal according to claim 81 or 82, wherein the effective optical modulation area corresponds to a display area, and the first peripheral area and the second peripheral area correspond to a non-display area. element. 90. The liquid crystal device according to claim 81, wherein the uniaxial alignment process is a rubbing process. 91. The liquid crystal device according to claim 81, wherein the liquid crystal is a chiral smectic liquid crystal. 92. The liquid crystal device according to claim 81, wherein the liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal. 93. The liquid crystal device according to claim 81, wherein the liquid crystal is an antiferroelectric liquid crystal. 94. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81, wherein the pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 10 ° or more. 95. The pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region is 5 ° or less.
1. The liquid crystal device according to 1 or 82. 96. The inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates is roughened.
Or the liquid crystal element according to item 82. 97. The alignment state of the liquid crystal in the effective optical modulation region is uniform alignment.
1. The liquid crystal device according to 1 or 82. 98. The liquid crystal alignment state of the second peripheral region is uniform alignment.
Or the liquid crystal element according to item 82. 99. The liquid crystal element according to claim 81, wherein the first peripheral region and the second peripheral region are shielded by a light shielding member. 100. An image display device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 81 or 82. 101. An image forming apparatus provided with the liquid crystal element according to claim 81.