Liquid crystal panel substrate, liquid crystal panel, and electronic equipment and projection type display device both using the same

• US 7,339,567 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yasukawa, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): PIZIALI, JEFFREY J
• Application Number:
  US11/480,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 345/87, 345/90, 345/92, 345/98, 345/100, 345/102, 349/44, 349/113, 349/137, 349/138
• US Class Current: 345/90
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133345 Insulating layers G02F1/1335, G02F1/1337, G02F1/135, G02F1/136 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133502 Antiglare, refractive index matching layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133512 Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix G02F1/136209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133553 Reflecting elements associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133605
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/134363 for applying an electric field parallel to the substrate, i.e. in-plane switching [IPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136209 Light shielding layers, e.g. black matrix, incorporated in the active matrix substrate, e.g. structurally associated with the switching element
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136227 Through-hole connection of the pixel electrode to the active element through an insulation layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/136277 formed on a semiconductor substrate, e.g. of silicon
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/12 the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

The present invention is a liquid crystal panel substrate that comprises: pixel units each having a pixel electrode, to be used as a reflective electrode and arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate, and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to the pixel electrode; wherein between the pixel electrode and a conductive layer forming a terminal electrode of the switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode. A light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding the portion in which the contact hole is formed, and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer. Harmful effects due to light leaking through a space between the pixel electrodes can thereby be prevented.

Claims

1. A substrate having a pixel electrode, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including a pixel electrode useable as a reflective electrode and a switching element electrically connected to the pixel electrode, the pixel units being arranged in a matrix pattern on the substrate, the switching element having a terminal electrode forming a conductive layer, a contact hole provided between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer that electrically connects the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode;

a light-shielding layer having an opening surrounding a portion in which the contact hole is formed and having no opening in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the light-shielding layer being formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer;

an interlayer insulating layer being formed below the pixel electrodes and above the light-shielding layer, and in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes of the plurality of pixel units; and

a groove formed in a surface of the light-shielding layer in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the groove having no flat surface on bottom and having a substantially V-shaped surface relative to an upper surface of the light-shielding layer, the V-shaped surface for reflecting obliquely the light vertically incident which enters a space between the pixel electrodes.

2. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein an anti-reflection film is provide between the pixel electrode and the light-shielding layer.

3. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 2, wherein the anti-reflection film has substantially the same planar shape as that of the pixel electrode and is provided below the pixel electrode.

4. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 2, wherein the anti-reflection film comprises titanium nitride.

5. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 4, wherein the film thickness of the titanium nitride is 500 to 1000 angstroms.

6. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 1, the anti-reflection film having substantially the same shape as that of the pixel electrode, and being provided below the pixel electrode.

7. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 6, wherein the anti-reflection film comprises titanium nitride.

8. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 7, wherein the film thickness of the titanium nitride is 500 to 1000 angstroms.

9. The substrate having a pixel electrode as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact hole is provided at a substantially central position of a plane of the pixel electrode.

10. A substrate having a pixel electrode, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including a pixel electrode useable as a reflective electrode and a switching element electrically connected to the pixel electrode, the pixel units being arranged in a matrix pattern on the substrate, the switching element having a terminal electrode forming a conductive layer, a connecting wiring provided between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer that electrically connects the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode;

a light-shielding layer having an opening surrounding a portion in which the connecting wiring is formed and having no opening in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the light-shielding layer being formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer; and

an interlayer insulating layer being formed below the pixel electrodes and above the light-shielding layer, and in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes of the plurality of pixel units; and

a groove defined by a pair of sloping surfaces being formed in a surface of the light-shielding layer in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the groove having no flat surface on bottom and the pair of sloping surfaces of the groove being opposed to each other, the groove for reflecting obliquely the light vertically incident which enters a space between the pixel electrodes.

11. A substrate having a pixel electrode, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including a pixel electrode useable as a reflective electrode and a switching element electrically connected to the pixel electrode, the pixel units being arranged in a matrix pattern on the substrate, the switching element having a terminal electrode forming a conductive layer, a connecting wiring provided between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer that electrically connects the pixel electrode and the terminal electrode;

a light-shielding layer having an opening surrounding a portion in which the connecting wiring is formed and having no opening in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the light-shielding layer being formed between the pixel electrode and the conductive layer;

an interlayer insulating layer being formed below the pixel electrodes and above the light-shielding layer, and in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes of the plurality of pixel units; and

a groove being formed in a surface of the light-shielding layer in regions between adjacent pixel electrodes, the groove having no flat surface on bottom and having a substantially V-shaped surface relative to an upper surface of the light-shielding layer, the V-shaped surface for reflecting obliquely the light vertically incident which enters a space between the pixel electrodes.