TW201311780A - Method for manufacturing patterned phase retardation film - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a patterned phase retardation film, and more particularly, to a method which involves printing different types of aligning agents such that the aligning agents can be crossed with each other so as to have a predetermined gap therebetween, so as to thereby manufacture a patterned phase retardation film using only a single alignment process. The present invention also relates to a patterned phase retardation film manufactured by the method. The method for manufacturing the patterned phase retardation film according to the present invention may enable the formation of different types of aligning agents, having different aligning properties, on a substrate by means of a printing technique, such that the aligning agents can be crossed with each other so as to have a predetermined gap therebetween. Thus, a pattern having significantly improved linearity as compared to those patterns produced through processes using an existing mask can be obtained to enable the manufacture of an elaborate phase retardation film. Furthermore, a patterned phase retardation film can be manufactured using just a single process for forming aligning properties, thus reducing the number of manufacturing processes to half that of conventional techniques, and providing excellent effects in terms of the simplification of processes and the resulting reduction in costs.

Description

Method for manufacturing patterned phase retardation film

The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a patterned phase retardation film, and more particularly to a method of preparing a phase retardation film capable of preparing a phase retardation film by a single alignment process, and a patterned phase retardation film.

With the development of the information society, the requirements for display devices have gradually increased in various forms, and various flat display devices have been developed and utilized. Among them, the liquid crystal display device is a flat display device which is widely used and has various uses. In order to enable liquid crystal display devices to be used as image display devices in various fields, many related technologies have been developed, and at present, they are characterized by light weight, thinness, low power consumption, and a high degree of quality image. For the purpose, technology development is underway. According to the arrangement state and driving mode of the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal display device can be classified into a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display device, a vertically aligned (VA) liquid crystal display device, and a plane switching type (In Plane Switching, IPS) liquid crystal display device, and optically compensated bend (OCB) liquid crystal display device. These liquid crystal display devices are affected by the alignment film or the properties of the liquid crystal itself. The liquid crystal is initially formed in a predetermined arrangement. When an electric field is applied, the liquid crystal alignment changes. Thus, since the liquid crystal has optical anisotropy, the polarization state of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal follows the liquid crystal. The arrangement state changes, and it is displayed as a difference in the amount of light transmission by using a polarizing plate, thereby displaying an image.

Super twisted nematic liquid crystal display device using birefringence In (STN-LCD), since the liquid crystal cell itself has birefringence, a phase delay (distortion of light) is generated by light passing through the liquid crystal cell. For this reason, the phase retardation film in the STN panel is simultaneously used as a color compensation film. Initially, the phase retardation film was developed as an optical color compensation film for an interference color (staining) unique to an STN called a blue mode or a yellow mode caused by ellipsometry. Although a thin film transistor liquid crystal display device (TFT-LCD) does not require a phase film as a color compensation film, recently, in order to enlarge the viewing angle or improve the definition, various phase retardation films must be laminated, and thus it is necessary to develop a plurality of functions. Phase retardation film. Moreover, with the development of 3D stereoscopic image reproduction technology, a technique of using a patterned phase retardation film to make the polarization directions of the left-eye image and the right-eye image different has been developed. Phase retardation film preparation techniques include extension techniques and alignment techniques. When considering all the technical issues of polarization, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, and scattering, alignment techniques are required.

The alignment of the initial arrangement of the liquid crystals is mainly determined by rubbing the alignment film in a specific direction by using a rubbing method. However, the rubbing method is a mechanical method, and it is difficult to precisely adjust the initial alignment state of the liquid crystal, and it is difficult to make the liquid crystals have mutually different tilt angles in the respective fine regions. Therefore, in order for the alignment film of the substrate to display different directions in each of the minute unit regions, it is generally necessary to perform two alignment processes, and the process is usually performed using a photomask.

A technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2650205, which firstly applies a rubbing process in one side direction, coats the photomask in a patterned form, and rubs in a direction opposite to the first rubbing direction, thereby enabling An opening portion in a direction opposite to the first alignment portion is formed on the coated photomask. Thus, after the first rubbing, a resist is applied on the upper alignment film layer, and the light is irradiated in a pattern to develop a pattern-exposed resist, and the upper layer side alignment layer is coated with the resist. The developing solution is etched, and the lower layer side alignment layer is exposed. Although the alignment film in a direction different from the first rubbing can be formed by the second rubbing, the manufacturing process is complicated, and since the developer containing the chemical component is used, There is a problem that it is possible to lower the alignment property of the liquid crystal, and it is difficult to be intimately adhered during the process of sticking the mask in a patterned form.

In addition, in Japanese Patent No. 3,596,727, it is disclosed that in the patterned first region and the second region, the first region is first coated with a photomask, and after the second region is exposed, the first rubbing is performed to remove the light. The cover was then provided with a birefringent layer and subjected to a second rub to prepare a patterned phase retardation film. However, the process steps are complicated, and when the reticle is patterned, the boundary between the regions of different alignments may be unclear.

Each additional one-time alignment process will slow down the process, which is the main reason for the decline in production efficiency, which will lead to an increase in product prices.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has been made to prepare a patterned phase retardation film by printing different kinds of alignment agents and interlacing them at regular intervals, and then through a single alignment process, and the boundary of the pattern is excellent in linearity. Therefore, a delicate pattern can be formed, and the process can be simplified to complete the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of preparing a patterned phase retardation film by a single alignment process, and a patterned phase retardation film.

The present invention provides a method of fabricating a patterned phase retardation film, and a patterned phase retardation film prepared by the method. The preparation method comprises the steps of: (a) forming different kinds of alignment agents on the substrate and interlacing them at intervals; (b) performing alignment of the alignment agent on the substrate on which the alignment agent is formed; and (c) Applying and hardening a photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition on the substrate on which the alignment agent has been aligned.

A method for fabricating a patterned phase retardation film according to the present invention, which uses a printing technique to form two kinds of alignment agents having different alignment properties on a substrate, and interlaces them at intervals, thereby, in contrast to the process of using the photomask Compared with the pattern obtained by the present invention, the linearity of the pattern is remarkably improved, so that a delicate phase retardation film can be prepared, and the patterned phase retardation film can be prepared only by a single alignment formation process, and the process time is reduced as compared with the prior art. Half, so its process simplification and cost reduction are outstanding.

[Simple description of the map]

Fig. 1 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared in Example 1 observed with a polarizing microscope.

2 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared in Example 2 observed by a polarizing microscope.

Fig. 3 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared by Comparative Example 1 observed with a polarizing microscope.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the present specification are relevant to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The solver has the same meaning. The nomenclature used in the present specification and the experimental methods described below are methods generally used in the art.

When the pattern of the phase retardation film is formed by the present invention, the patterned phase retardation film is prepared through a single alignment formation process using two different kinds of alignment agents without using a photomask. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method of preparing a patterned phase retardation film, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming different kinds of alignment agents on a substrate and interlacing them at intervals (b) performing alignment of the alignment agent on the substrate on which the alignment agent is formed; and (c) coating and curing a photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition on the substrate on which the alignment agent is aligned.

To prepare a phase retardation film of the desired pattern spacing, the pattern spacing required for the phase retardation film should be considered to form different types of alignment agents that are staggered at a certain pitch. The present invention is characterized in that the distance between the mutually different kinds of alignment agents may be from 40 μm to 1000 μm, which is maneuverable according to the pattern interval required for the prepared patterned phase retardation film. When the patterned phase retardation film of the present invention is mounted on a liquid crystal display panel, the pattern interval of the phase retardation film needs to be adjusted to match the image display line of the liquid crystal display panel. As a specific example of the patterned phase retardation film for realizing a stereoscopic image, in the present invention, for example, different types of alignment agents which are staggered at regular intervals are formed, and the interval is preferably 180 μm to 220 μm. The different kinds of alignment agents which are staggered at a certain interval mean that the two kinds of alignment agents prepared in the examples of the present invention are alternately arranged in a row and formed at a certain interval.

Techniques for printing different types of alignment agents can utilize inkjet, micro-gravure, offset, and screen printing. Inkjet printing is a method of ejecting ink or ejecting ink and then ejecting it; microgravure printing is a kind of gravure printing method, which can display subtle shades, and belongs to a printing method suitable for photo printing; lithographic printing is not directly on the board. The printed matter is printed, but is first printed on the rubber cloth as the intermediate carrier, and then printed on the paper; the screen printing is a type of manual printing that does not use a large-scale machine, which means that the material is pasted on the screen. Printing is done one by one, and screen printing is also called woodblock printing. Further, a printing method in which a technique capable of printing is selected according to a pattern interval on a transparent substrate and which can impart the same effect can be used. According to the present invention, by using such a printing method, different types of alignment agents are finely printed at regular intervals, whereby a patterned phase retardation film having excellent linearity and fine pattern of a boundary point can be prepared.

When the different types of alignment agents printed on the substrate at regular intervals are oriented, the direction of the alignment of each of the alignment agents is different, so that an alignment agent having a uniform interdigitation and a different orientation can be formed. This is due to the fact that different types of alignment agents produce processes in different directions through the alignment of the same direction. Therefore, in order to form an alignment with a certain interval and mutual orthogonality, preferably, among the different kinds of alignment agents, one of the alignment agents has an alignment parallel to the orientation of the alignment formation, and the other alignment agent has an orientation perpendicular to the alignment. Forming the orientation of the orientation.

Different types of alignment agents are used depending on the alignment formation process. If To use an rubbing process to create an alignment, a matching anti-aligning agent should be used. The rubbing process creates a aligning process by physically rubbing the substrate toward one side. Since it uses a rubbing cloth such as cloth or nylon to directly contact the substrate to impart alignment, it may cause problems such as static electricity, dust, etc. through alignment, but other non-contact methods such as optical alignment Compared with the way of ion beam, it shows a faster process speed. The present invention is characterized in that, when a rubbing process is used for performing the alignment forming process, the mutually different alignment agents may respectively form an alignment agent in an direction parallel to the rubbing direction, and a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction. An aligning alignment agent is formed on the surface.

In the present invention, an alignment agent which forms an alignment in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction may be selected from a polyimide, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyamic acid, and a polydecylamine. a group composed of (polyamide) and polyoxyethylene; an alignment agent which forms an alignment in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction may be selected from polystyrene represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, and Chemical Formula 2 Poly-(4,4'-(9,9-fluorenyl)diphenylene cyclobutanyltetracarboximide), Hereinafter referred to as CBDA-FDA PI), poly{p-phenylene 3,6-bis[4-(n-butoxy)phenoxy]benzenetetracarboxylic acid diimide] (poly) {p-phenylene 3,6-bis[4-(n-butoxy)phenyloxy]pyromellitimide}, C4-PMDA-PDA PI), poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobicyclobutyltetracarboxylic quinone imine) of formula 4 (poly(2,7-(9,9'-) Spirobifluorene cyclobutyltetracarboximide), SBF-CBDA PI), and poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobifluorene 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropene)) a group of amines (poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobifluorene 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalimide), SBF-6FDA), however, the invention is not limited thereto, as long as it is in friction with It is within the scope of the present invention to form an aligning alignment agent in the direction perpendicular to the direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, when the friction alignment is performed by using CBDA-FDA PI, it is confirmed that it is formed in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction. Orientation.

[Chemical Formula 3]

In the present invention, the alignment of the step (b) can be achieved by, in addition to the above-described rubbing process, by illuminating the light that is polarized in one direction to produce an aligning optical alignment process. The process is a non-contact process capable of producing alignment only through a light irradiation process, and is generally classified into photo-dimerization, photo-isomerization, and photolysis (photolysis). Photo-decomposition) reaction. In particular, the principle of the photocleavage reaction is to cleave the polymer chain of the alignment film by using a short-wavelength polarized light of 300 nm or less to form an alignment force. That is, when light that is polarized toward one side is irradiated onto the photo-aligning agent, the molecular structure of the photo-aligning agent is deformed to produce a certain alignment property. For the light for photoalignment, ultraviolet rays polarized at 10 mW/cm ² to 200 mW/cm ² can be used. However, the minimum light intensity used to produce the optical alignment can vary depending on the molecular structure of the photoalignment agent and the photoinitiator. In other words, the molecular structure of the photo-aligning agent can be deformed or the minimum light energy of the activatable agent can be referred to as the minimum light intensity for generating the optical alignment.

When an alignment process is achieved through light alignment, a matching optical alignment agent should be used. In the present invention, the mutually different alignment agents may respectively form an alignment agent in an orientation parallel to the polarization direction of the irradiated light, and form an alignment in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the irradiated light. An aligning agent. The above-mentioned alignment agent which forms an alignment in a direction parallel to the polarization direction of the irradiated light may be selected from polyimide, polyamic acid, polynorbornene, and phenyl. Phenylmaleimide copolymer, polyazobenzene, polyethyleneimide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polystyrene, poly Polyphenylenephthalamide, polyester, polymethyl methacrylate, and poly-(4,4'-(9,9-fluorenyl) diphenylene Butane-alkyltetracarboxylic quinone imine (Group of poly-(4,4'-(9,9-fluorenyl)diphenylene cyclobutanyltetracarboximide), CBDA-FDA PI). The above-mentioned alignment agent which forms an alignment in a direction perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the irradiated light may be selected from the group consisting of a chloromethylated polyimide (CMPI) represented by the following Chemical Formula 6 and a polymerization represented by Chemical Formula 7. A group consisting of polyvinylcinnamate (PVCi). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any alignment agent that forms an alignment perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the irradiated light is within the scope of the present invention.

Chloromethylated polyimine (CMPI) is a chloromethyl group substituted on the existing polyimide (PI), which has the advantage of being superior to the existing polyimine. Since the boiling point of the solvent is high, when the film is cured, there is an advantage that the process can be easily made, and if the polarized UV is irradiated, the molecules transmit the light to undergo anisotropic decomposition, and the anisotropic structure formed by the transmission is made. The liquid crystal completes the alignment. Instead of Compared to his photo-alignment agent, polyimine (PI) generally has the advantage of high thermal stability. Dissolve 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylether (4,4'-Diaminodiphenylether) After N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is polymerized, chemical imidization is carried out using pyridine and Acetic anhydride, followed by chloromethyl methyl ether. , CMME) and tin(IV) chloride and obtain chloromethylated polyimine (CMPI) via chloromethylation.

Although polyvinyl cinnamate (PVCi), which is a photo-alignment material, is widely considered to be a material that aligns in a direction perpendicular to the direction of polarization of light when irradiated with polarized light, the optical alignment mechanism still exists. Controversy, the controversial points are, for example, the cis/trans isomerization caused by light irradiation and the alignment of the bezene group in the dimer. Despite the foregoing controversy, a number of in common with respect to the optical alignment mechanism is that the alignment is due to the interaction between the anisotropy of the alignment film structure and the liquid crystal. The polyvinyl cinnamate (PVCi) is obtained by dissolving a cinnamate group on polyvinyl alcohol by etherification.

The substrate usable in the present invention is preferably a substrate having an optical transparency of 85% or more, and the material thereof is optionally selected from polyether sulfone (PES), polyimide (PI), and cycloolefin polymer. (cyclo olefin polymer, COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), and glass group. The materials defined herein are materials that are generally used in the art and are readily adaptable to those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the foregoing are not fixed conditions.

If the alignment agent to be printed on the substrate is to be patterned, the phase retardation film can be completed by applying a photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition and performing a curing process. A photocurable liquid crystal monomer (RM) is applied onto a patterned alignment substrate, and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to be cured to form a photocurable liquid crystal monomer layer, and the photocurable liquid crystal monomer layer is allowed to function. The effect of the phase delay of the polarized light. The patterned phase retardation film provided by the present invention has a phase retardation direction and a size which are changed according to the patterned portion, and whose phase retardation direction/size is alternated at regular intervals.

In the present invention, the photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition is a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, and particularly, may have a functional group of a propenyl group, a vinyl ether group or an epoxide, and in order to increase crosslinking of the polymer. a composition mixture of the photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition may be a mixture of two or more polymerizable functional groups, for example, a polymerizable liquid crystal group compound having a single reactive pair of a bireactive compound and/or a nonpolar polar compound, and You can also change the arrangement by changing the composition ratio.

The phase delay can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the photo-curable liquid crystal cell layer. When the phase delay is λ/4, the linearly polarized light can be converted into circularly polarized light. This λ represents the wavelength symbol of the light of the delayed phase. Photohardenability The phase retardation of the liquid crystal monomer is achieved in the molecular structure by the refractive indices of the major axis and the minor axis, and the difference is preferably 0.7 to 3. Further, since it is necessary to coat the substrate, a certain amount should be mixed and used in an organic solvent. The ratio is preferably from 5% to 50%, and it is obvious that the aforementioned ratio is only a ratio which is easy to apply, and is not a fixed value.

In the present invention, the photocurable liquid crystal monomer layer can be subjected to spin coating, comma, gravure, dip coating, slot die coating, and stencil printing. Silk screen), inkjet printing, etc. are carried out by a conventional coating process. For spin coating, a thickness of 0.5 μm to 5 μm is applied by rotating at 400 rpm to 1000 rpm for 20 seconds to 25 seconds and rotating at 2500 rpm to 3500 rpm for 70 seconds to 80 seconds. After the coating, after drying at 60 ° C for 1 minute, the curing process was carried out by irradiating ultraviolet rays of 20 mW/cm ² for 1 minute, and the pre-extraction conditions were changed depending on the characteristics of the photocurable liquid crystal monomer material.

In the present invention, the direction in which the alignment is patterned with a certain interval is perpendicular to each other, and the patterned phase retardation film is prepared when the liquid crystal cell layer is coated and hardened on the substrate to have a λ/4 phase retardation effect. The linearly polarized light can be converted into a left circular polarized light and a right circular polarized light. The phase retardation film thus obtained is mounted on a flat-panel display that separates the left-eye image and the right-eye image, and the polarized glasses separated by the left circular polarized light and the right circular polarized light are used to realize a 3D stereoscopic image.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these embodiments are only The invention is illustrated by way of example and not of limitation.

[Example 1] Preparation of patterned phase retardation film by a single rubbing process

In this embodiment, two kinds of rubbing alignment agents having different alignment directions are printed, and a patterned phase retardation film is prepared through a single rubbing process.

A PI film of 5 cm x 5 cm in size was prepared, and tape printing was performed at 200 μm intervals using an inkjet printing apparatus (Inkjet Printer, available from Dimatix co. Ltd.) to make polyimide. The width ratio of the two alignment agents to CBDA-FDA PI is 1:1. Γ-butyrolactone (GBL), N-Methl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) and 2-butoxyethanol (BC) at 7:2: The ratio of 1 is mixed into a solution, and if the mass ratio of the total is considered to be 100, the polyimine is dissolved in the above solution at a mass ratio of 2%, and the CBDA-FDA-PI is 2% by mass. It is used in comparison with γ-butyrolactone (GBL).

In order to sufficiently sterilize the solvent, after drying at 200 ° C for 15 minutes, a rubbing process was performed in a diagonal direction on the applied stripe-shaped alignment agent. That is, the PI film was subjected to a rubbing process in a 45° mechanical direction, which was at a depth of 1 mm, a roll rotation speed of 600 rpm, and a step of 20 mm/sec (stage). ) Under the condition of moving speed.

After coating the top surface of the alignment agent that has been subjected to the rubbing process with a liquid crystal monomer (Model RMS-013C, available from Merck Co. Ltd.), it is dried at 60 ° C for 1 minute to sufficiently solvate the solvent and use the wavelength. The 365 nm ultraviolet light was subjected to a 1 minute exposure process at an intensity of 20 mW/cm ^{2 to} fix the photocurable liquid crystal monomer to the alignment agent.

The phase retardation film thus prepared was subjected to measurement of birefringence by a birefringence measuring apparatus (Model REMS-100, available from Sesim Co. Ltd.), and the linear characteristics of the width and the boundary point were confirmed by a polarizing microscope. The experiment was repeated five times. Table 1 below shows the results of the measurement, and Figure 1 shows the photograph observed by a polarizing microscope.

Fig. 1 shows an alignment agent printed in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction, and an alignment agent which is aligned in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction, and the alignment agents are staggered at regular intervals and used only A patterned phase retardation film produced by a single rubbing alignment process.

The pattern width in Table 1 represents the average value of the pattern widths of the phase retardation films produced by the single rubbing alignment process. When the boundary line between the patterns is regarded as a straight line, the boundary point indicates the degree of deviation from the aforementioned straight line, The μm unit is expressed, and the birefringence value indicates the phase of the incident light for 550 nm. Delay value. The pattern width value shows the extent to which 5 experiments exceeded the reference value of 200 μm and whether there was a uniform average and standard deviation value. The cut-off point and birefringence value show the average of 5 experiments.

[Embodiment 2] Preparation of patterned phase retardation film by single photo-alignment process

In this embodiment, two kinds of photoalignment agents having different alignment directions are printed at regular intervals, and a patterned phase retardation film is prepared through a single photo-alignment process.

A PI film of 5 cm x 5 cm in size was prepared, and tape printing was performed at 200 μm intervals using an inkjet printing apparatus (Inkjet Printer, supplied by Dimatix co. Ltd.) to make poly-(4, 4' -(9,9-fluorenyl)diphenylene cyclobutanyltertracarboximide (hereinafter referred to as CBDA-FDA PI) and The width ratio of the two kinds of alignment agents of Chloromethylated Polyimide (CMPI) is 1:1. The CBDA-FDA-PI is dissolved in γ-butyrolactone at a mass ratio of 2% (GBL). It was used, and CMPI was dissolved in cyclohexanone at a mass ratio of 2% for use.

In order to sufficiently calcine the solvent, after drying at 200 ° C for 15 minutes, the applied stripe alignment agent was irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 254 nm in a diagonal direction at 30 mW/cm. The intensity of ² is exposed for 5 minutes.

The photocurable liquid crystal monomer (RM) (Model RMS-013C, available from Merck co. Ltd.) was coated on the top surface of the alignment agent formed by the exposure to form an alignment, and then dried at 60 ° C for 1 minute to obtain a solvent ( The solvent is sufficiently volatilized and exposed to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 365 nm at a strength of 20 mW/cm ² for 1 minute to fix the photocurable liquid crystal monomer (RM) to the alignment agent.

The phase retardation film thus prepared was subjected to measurement of birefringence using a birefringence measuring apparatus (Model REMS-100, available from Sesim co. Ltd.), and the linear characteristics of the width and the boundary point were confirmed by a polarizing microscope. The experiment was repeated five times. Table 2 below shows the results of the measurement, and Figure 2 shows the photographs observed with a polarizing microscope.

Fig. 2 shows an alignment agent printed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the irradiation, and an alignment agent which is aligned in a direction parallel to the direction of polarization of the irradiation, and the alignment agents are interlaced at regular intervals. And using only a single photo-alignment process to produce a patterned phase retardation film.

The pattern width in Table 2 represents the average value of the pattern widths of the phase retardation films produced by the single-time optical alignment process. When the boundary line between the patterns is regarded as a straight line, the boundary point indicates the degree of deviation from the aforementioned straight line, The μm unit represents, and the birefringence value represents the phase delay value for incident light at 550 nm. The pattern width value shows the extent to which 5 experiments exceeded the reference value of 200 μm and whether there was a uniform average and standard deviation value. The cut-off point and birefringence value show the average of 5 experiments.

[Comparative Example 1] Preparation of patterned phase retardation film using prior art techniques

This comparative example uses a prior art technique to prepare a patterned phase retardation film and compare it to a patterned phase retardation film prepared in accordance with the preparation method of the present invention.

A PI film having a size of 5 cm x 5 cm was prepared, and an alignment agent showing an alignment characteristic parallel to the rubbing direction, that is, a polyimide used in Example 1, was applied to the top surface for the applied alignment. The film was subjected to the first rubbing with a depth of 1 mm, a roll rotation speed of 600 rpm, and a step movement speed of 20 mm/sec, and the opening was 200 μm wide, and the non-opening portion was opened. A rubbing reticle having a width of 150 μm and exhibiting a thickness of 50 μm in a stripe pattern was placed thereon, and then a second rub was performed in a direction perpendicular to the first rubbing direction. The reason why the mask having a different opening width than the non-opening portion is used is that the second rubbing does not exert an effect on the front side of the non-opening portion due to the thickness of the mask when the second rub is performed after the mask is placed. Therefore, the width of the opening of the mask is made wider than the width of the non-opening.

After the liquid crystal monomer (Model RMS-013C, available from Merck co. Ltd.) was coated on the top surface of the rubbing alignment agent, it was dried at 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow the solvent to be sufficiently volatilized, and the wavelength was used. The 365 nm ultraviolet light was subjected to a 1 minute exposure process at an intensity of 20 mW/cm ^{2 to} fix the photocurable liquid crystal monomer (RM) to the alignment agent.

The pattern width, the boundary point, and the birefringence value of the patterned phase retardation film prepared by the above procedure are shown in Table 3, and the experiment was repeated five times. Fig. 3 shows the results observed with a polarizing microscope (Model BX51, available from Olympus Co. Ltd.).

The pattern width in Table 3 represents the average value of the pattern widths of the phase retardation films obtained by the two rubbing alignment processes. When the boundary line between the patterns is regarded as a straight line, the boundary point is a degree of deviation from the aforementioned straight line, The μm unit indicates that the birefringence value represents the phase retardation value for incident light at 550 nm. The pattern width value shows the extent to which 5 experiments exceeded the reference value of 200 μm and whether there was a uniform average and standard deviation value. Demarcation point and The birefringence value shows the average of 5 experiments.

As shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3, the patterned phase retardation film produced by the preparation method of the present invention can form a pattern width very stably as compared with the prior art, and the boundary value is significantly lower than that of the prior art, The linearity of the demarcation point is significantly improved.

More specifically, for the pattern width based on 200 μm, although the average values of the examples and the comparative examples all showed no significant exceeds 200 μm, the standard deviation of the pattern width of Example 1 was found to be 14.9, in Example 2, it was 6.2, and Comparative Example 1 exceeded 40. Therefore, it was found that the pattern width of the patterned phase retardation film obtained by the production method of the present invention can be formed very uniformly. Further, from the viewpoint of the degree of deviation of the boundary point from the linearity, the examples were all lower than 15 μm, and the comparative examples exceeded 40 μm, so that the linearity of the boundary point of the phase retardation film of the present invention was remarkably improved as compared with the prior art. Since the pattern width and the demarcation point are affected by the printing technology used in the selected location, it can be confirmed that the process using the delicate printing technology will achieve good results.

The specific details of the present invention have been described in detail above, and the specific technology is only a preferred embodiment for those skilled in the art, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the true scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Fig. 1 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared in Example 1 observed with a polarizing microscope.

2 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared in Example 2 observed by a polarizing microscope.

Fig. 3 shows an image of the patterned phase retardation film prepared by Comparative Example 1 observed with a polarizing microscope.

Claims (17)

A method for fabricating a patterned phase retardation film, comprising the steps of: (a) forming different kinds of alignment agents on a substrate and interlacing them at intervals; (b) forming the alignment And aligning the alignment agent on the substrate; and (c) coating and curing a photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition on the substrate on which the alignment agent is aligned. The method of producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the different kinds of interlaced alignment agents are oriented in different directions after the step (b) is performed. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the different kinds of interlaced alignment agents are mutually orthogonally oriented after the step (b) is performed. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the alignment of the alignment agent in the step (b) is performed by rubbing the substrate in one direction. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 4, wherein the different types of alignment agents are respectively an alignment agent formed in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction, and a rubbing direction An aligning alignment agent is formed in the vertical direction. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 5, wherein the alignment is formed in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction The alignment agent is selected from the group consisting of polyimide, poly vinyl alcohol, polyamic acid, polyamide, and polyoxyethylene. . The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 5, wherein the alignment agent is formed in a direction perpendicular to the rubbing direction and is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene (polystyrene) and poly-(4). 4'-(9,9-fluorenyl)diphenylene cyclobutanyltetracarboximide), CBDA-FDA PI) Poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobifluorene cyclobutyltetracarboximide), SBF-CBDA PI), and Poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobifluorene 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropene) bisphthalamide) (poly(2,7-(9,9'-spirobifluorene 4) , 4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalimide), SBF-6FDA). The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the alignment of the alignment agent in the step (b) is performed by irradiating light that is polarized toward one side. The method of producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 8, wherein the light is ultraviolet light polarized at 10 mW/cm ² to 100 mW/cm ² . The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 8, wherein the different types of alignment agents are respectively An alignment agent is formed in a direction in which the direction of polarization of the irradiated light is parallel, and an alignment agent is formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the irradiated light. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 10, wherein the alignment agent is formed in a direction parallel to a direction of polarization of the irradiated light, and is selected from the group consisting of polyimide. , polyamic acid, polynorbornene, phenylmaleimide copolymer, polyazobenzene, polyethyleneimide, poly Polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyphenylenephthalamide, polyester, polymethyl methacrylate And poly-(4,4'-(9,9-fluorenyl)diphenylene cyclobutanyltetracarboximide) , CBDA-FDA PI) group. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 10, wherein the alignment agent is chloromethylated polyimine in an orientation perpendicular to a direction of polarization of the irradiated light. (Chloromethylated polyimide, CMPI) or polyvinylcinnamate. Patterned phase retardation film as described in claim 1 The manufacturing method, wherein the different kinds of alignment agents are alternately formed on the substrate at intervals of 40 μm to 1000 μm. The method for manufacturing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the material of the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polyether sulfone (PES), polyethylenimine (PI), and cycloolefin. Cycloolefin polymer (COP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), and glass Group of. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition is a liquid crystal compound having a functional group of a propenyl group, a vinyl ether group or an epoxide. The method for producing a patterned phase retardation film according to claim 1, wherein the photocurable liquid crystal monomer composition coating layer of the step (c) is such that the phase retardation film obtained has λ. /4 phase delay. A patterned phase retardation film produced by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.