LCD panel with index-matching passivation layers

• US 8,558,978 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Cheng, Gu, Mingxia, Chang, Shih Chang, Zhong, John Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lauren
• Application Number:
  US12/371,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20100208158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 349138-139, 349/141
• US Class Current: 349/138
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133502 Antiglare, refractive index matching layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1362 Active matrix addressed cells G02F1/134336, G02F1/134363 take precedence

Abstract

A liquid crystal display (LCD) having one or more index-matching layers is provided. In one embodiment, an index-matching passivation layer is provided between two additional layers of the LCD. The index-matching passivation layer may include a refractive index greater than a first layer of the two additional layers and less than a second layer of the two additional layers. Various additional devices and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

one or more input structures;

a storage structure encoding one or more executable routines;

a processor capable of receiving inputs from the one or more input structures and of executing the one or more executable routines when loaded in a memory; and

a liquid crystal display (LCD) capable of displaying an output of the processor, wherein the LCD includes;

a first passivation layer disposed in contact with a second passivation layer, wherein the first passivation layer includes a refractive index less than that of the second passivation layer;

a plurality of electrodes formed on a common surface of the first passivation layer; and

a liquid crystal layer disposed over the plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are spaced apart along the common surface such that portions of the liquid crystal layer are disposed between the electrodes and the first passivation layer, wherein the first passivation layer includes a plurality of regions having different refractive indices, wherein the plurality of regions includes a first region in contact with an electrode of the plurality of electrodes and a second region in contact with the liquid crystal layer, wherein the first region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index between those of the second passivation layer and the electrode, while the second region of the first passivation level has a refractive index between those of the second passivation layer and the liquid crystal layer.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.9.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.74.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.5.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electrode has a refractive index of approximately 1.8.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 2.0.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the LCD comprises a fringe field switching LCD panel.

8. A liquid crystal display, comprising:

a first passivation layer disposed in contact with a second passivation layer, wherein the first passivation layer includes a refractive index less than that of the second passivation layer;

a plurality of electrodes formed on a common surface of the first passivation layer; and

a liquid crystal layer disposed over the plurality of electrodes, wherein the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes are spaced apart along the common surface such that portions of the liquid crystal layer are disposed between the electrodes and the first passivation layer, wherein the first passivation layer includes a plurality of regions having different refractive indices, wherein the plurality of regions includes a first region in contact with an electrode of the plurality of electrodes and a second region in contact with the liquid crystal layer, wherein the first region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index between those of the second passivation layer and the electrode, while the second region of the first passivation level has a refractive index between those of the second passivation layer and the liquid crystal layer.

9. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the first region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.9.

10. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the second region of the first passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.74.

11. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal layer has a refractive index of approximately 1.5.

12. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the electrode has a refractive index of approximately 1.8.

13. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the second passivation layer has a refractive index of approximately 2.0.

14. The liquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal display comprises a fringe field switching liquid crystal display panel.