LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL SUBSTRATE, LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL, AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND PROJECTION TYPE DISPLAY DEVICE BOTH USING THE SAME

• US 20010043175A1
• Filed: 07/01/1998
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: YASUKAWA, MASAHIRO
• Granted Patent: US 6,831,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/87
• 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 liquid crystal panel substrate comprising:

pixel units each comprising a pixel electrode to be used as a reflective electrode and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to said pixel electrode, said pixel units being arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate;

wherein between said pixel electrode and a conductive layer composing a terminal electrode of said switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting said pixel electrode and said terminal electrode; and

a light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding a portion in which said contact hole is formed and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between said pixel electrode and said conductive layer.

2. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein an antireflection film is provided between said pixel electrode and said light-shielding layer.

3. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said antireflection film has substantially the same shape as that of said pixel electrode and is provided below said pixel electrode.

4. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 2

or

3

, wherein said anti-reflection film comprises titanium nitride.

5. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 4

, wherein the film thickness of said titanium nitride is 500 to 1000 angstroms.

6. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in one of

claims 1

to

4

, wherein in regions between said plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, a groove at least having a slope is formed on the surface of an underlying insulating layer of said pixel electrode or on the surface of said light-shielding layer under said underlying insulating layer.

7. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 6

, wherein said antireflection film has substantially the same shape as that of said pixel electrode and is provided below said pixel electrode.

8. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 7

, wherein said antireflection film comprises titanium nitride.

9. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 8

, wherein the film thickness of said titanium nitride is 500 to 1000 angstroms.

10. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in one of

claims 1

to

9

, wherein said contact hole is provided at a substantially central position of the plane of said pixel electrode.

16. A liquid crystal panel comprising:

a liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in one of

claims 1

to

15

;

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

a liquid crystal encapsulated in said space.

17. An electronic equipment comprising a liquid crystal panel as set forth in

claim 16

as a display portion.

18. A projection type display device comprising:

a light source;

a liquid crystal panel as set forth in

claim 16

reflecting and modulating the light emerging from said light source; and

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

11. A liquid crystal panel substrate comprising:

pixel units each comprising a pixel electrode to be used as a reflective electrode and a switching element controlling a voltage applied to said pixel electrode, said pixel units being arranged in a matrix pattern on a substrate;

wherein a pixel region composed of a plurality of said pixel units and a peripheral circuit positioned at a peripheral region of said pixel region are formed on the same substrate; and

a light-shielding layer composed of the same layer as said reflective electrode of said pixel region is formed above said peripheral circuit.

12. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein said light-shielding layer is arranged at a peripheral region surrounding the entire periphery of said pixel region including a region in which said peripheral circuit is not arranged.

13. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein in said pixel region, a second light-shielding layer is provided between said pixel electrode and said switching element, and said second light-shielding layer is provided in a region between said first light-shielding layer formed above said peripheral circuit, and said pixel electrodes that are outermost in said pixel region.

14. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 11

, wherein between said pixel electrode and a conductive layer composing a terminal electrode of said switching element, a contact hole is provided for connecting said pixel electrode and said terminal electrode;

a second light-shielding layer, having an opening surrounding a portion in which said contact hole is formed in said pixel region and having no opening in regions between a plurality of adjacent pixel electrodes, is formed between said pixel electrode and said conductive layer; and

in said peripheral circuit, said second light-shielding layer is also provided below said first light-shielding layer and is used as a connecting line portion in said peripheral circuit.

15. The liquid crystal panel substrate as set forth in

claim 14

, wherein said second light-shielding layer has a light-shielding portion extended or separated from said connecting line portion.