Display device having an electrode partially covering a picture element

Abstract

An optical switch, e.g. a display cell based on layer displacement or layer break up having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids e.g. oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate and in the second state the other fluid at least partly adjoins the first support plate. Part of an otherwise homogeneous electrode is removed to realize oil motion control.

1 . An optical switch comprising:
 at least one first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other within a space between a first support plate, a second support plate, and a wall, the second fluid being electroconductive or polar; and   a first electrode arranged on the first support plate or second support plate,   wherein the optical switch has a total area corresponding to a surface area of the first support plate or second support plate that is bound by and enclosed within the wall, and the first electrode only partially covers the total area of the optical switch, and   wherein the optical switch is configured to switch between a state in which a continuous film of the first fluid covers the first support plate and a state in which a film of the first fluid adjoins the wall.   
     
     
         2 . An optical switch according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode at least leaves clear a part of the total area of the optical switch along an edge of the optical switch, the edge of the optical switch being an outer edge of the surface area of the first support plate or second support plate that is bound by and enclosed within the wall. 
     
     
         3 . An optical switch according to  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode at least leaves clear a part along one of the corners of a substantially rectangular optical switch. 
     
     
         4 . An optical switch according to  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode at least leaves clear a part of the total area of the optical switch along the edge of the optical switch comprising 5% of the total area of the optical switch. 
     
     
         5 . An optical switch according to  claim 2 , wherein the first electrode at most leaves clear a part of the total area of the optical switch along the edge of the optical switch comprising 50% of the total area of the optical switch. 
     
     
         6 . An optical switch according to  claim 5 , wherein the first electrode at most leaves clear a part of the total area of the optical switch along the edge of the optical switch comprising 10% of the total area of the optical switch. 
     
     
         7 . An optical switch according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one second electrode located in the remaining area of the optical switch, the remaining area of the optical switch being that part of the total area of the optical switch that is not covered by the first electrode. 
     
     
         8 . An optical switch according to  claim 7 , further comprising a driving unit to apply voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         9 . An optical switch according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power source to provide power to the optical switch. 
     
     
         10 . An optical switch according to  claim 9 , wherein the power source is a voltage source. 
     
     
         11 . A display device comprising picture elements, a picture element comprising an optical switch according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A display device according to  claim 11 , further comprising switching devices located at a part of the optical switch left clear by the first electrode. 
     
     
         13 . A display device according to  claim 12 , wherein the part of the optical switch left clear by the first electrode is covered by a black mask. 
     
     
         14 . A display device comprising picture elements, a picture element comprising an optical switch according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         15 . A display device according to  claim 14 , further comprising switching devices located at a part of the optical switch left clear by the first electrode. 
     
     
         16 . A display device according to  claim 15 , wherein the part of the optical switch left clear by the first electrode is covered by a black mask.