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

• US 7,932,974 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• 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): NGO, HUYEN LE
• Application Number:
  US12/003,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 349/44, 349/137, 349/138, 349110-114, 345/82
• US Class Current: 349/113
• 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 comprising:

a plurality of pixel units, each pixel unit including a reflective electrode and a switching element electrically connected to the reflective electrode;

a light-shielding layer formed between the reflective electrodes and the switching elements;

an insulating interlayer formed between the reflecting electrodes and the light shielding layer, the insulating interlayer including a silicon nitride film located at least between adjacent reflecting electrodes, and a slope being formed in an upper surface of the insulating interlayer between adjacent reflecting electrodes; and

an anti-reflection film formed between the reflecting electrodes and the insulating interlayer.

2. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, the insulating interlayer having a double layer structure, the silicon nitride film forming an upper layer of the double layer structure.

3. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, the insulating interlayer having a double layer structure, the silicon nitride film forming a lower layer of the double layer structure.

4. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, the anti-reflection film comprising titanium nitride.

5. A liquid crystal panel comprising:

a substrate as set forth in claim 1;

a light-incident-side substrate positioned opposing said substrate with a space therebetween; and

a liquid crystal encapsulated in said space.

6. Electronic equipment comprising the liquid crystal panel as set forth in claim 5 as a display portion.

7. A projection type display device comprising:

a light source;

the liquid crystal panel as set forth in claim 5 for reflecting and modulating light emerging from said light source; and

projection optical means for collecting and projecting light modulated by said liquid crystal panel.