Liquid crystal display with polymeric support

Abstract

A display medium layer is sandwiched between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate. In the display medium layer, resin walls are respectively formed in regions other than those where a plurality of segmented electrodes are formed, and liquid crystal portions are respectively formed in regions between the respective resin walls, corresponding to those where the segmented electrodes are formed. Disclination lines are formed on the interfaces between the resin walls and the liquid crystal regions. In a liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal regions are radially oriented and at least one liquid crystal domain is formed in each liquid crystal region.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A liquid crystal display device comprising: 
       two substrates at least one of the substrates being transparent; and  
       a display medium layer formed between the two substrates made of a liquid crystal filled in a plurality of liquid crystal regions defined by supporting walls made of a polymeric material, each liquid crystal region corresponding to one of a plurality of pixels,  
       wherein each of the liquid crystal regions includes at least one liquid crystal domain and molecules of the liquid crystal filled in the plurality of liquid crystal domains are axisymmetrically oriented in an imaginary plane parallel to the substrates, and  
       wherein the liquid crystal has a viscosity μ of 50 mPa.s or less at 20° C. and a dielectric constant anisotropy Δε of three or more.  
     
     
       2. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of liquid crystal regions consists of one liquid crystal domain. 
     
     
       3. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of liquid crystal domains are positioned in each of the liquid crystal regions, liquid crystal molecules in each domain are axisymmetrically oriented, and the supporting polymeric walls are outside of each domain. 
     
     
       4. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a thin film made of a material selected from the group consisting of an organic material and an inorganic material is provided on surfaces of the two substrates. 
     
     
       5. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the two substrates are sandwiched between polarizing plates. 
     
     
       6. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a product Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 300 nm to 650 nm. 
     
     
       7. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules is in the range of 45° to 150°. 
     
     
       8. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal achieves a highest level of transmittance in a first state when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal such that when a voltage V 10  of 2 volts or less at 25° C. in a TN cell is applied to the liquid crystal, the light transmittance of the liquid crystal changes from the first initial state to a second state when the liquid crystal has a transmittance of 10% of the first state. 
     
     
       9. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a product Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 1000 nm to 1400 nm, and a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules in a cell is in the range of 45° to 150°. 
     
     
       10. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a product Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 550 nm to 800 nm, and a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules in a cell is in the range of 240° to 300°. 
     
     
       11. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal domains is vertical to the substrates. 
     
     
       12. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein disclination lines are formed at the periphery of the liquid crystal domains under application of a voltage. 
     
     
       13. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal domains are axisymmetrically oriented so that they are parallel with the substrates, a center axis of an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned in a vertical direction to the substrates, and the polymer material in the supporting walls is symmetrically oriented with respect to the center axis, and disclination lines are eliminated in the liquid crystal domains under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       14. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal regions are axisymmetrically oriented so that they are parallel with the substrates, a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned in a vertical direction to the substrates, the polymer material in the supporting walls is oriented in one direction, and wherein disclination lines are eliminated in the liquid crystal domains under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       15. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer present between the substrates and the liquid crystal domains has a pretilt angle axisymmetric with respect to a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, and disclination lines are not formed in the liquid crystal domains under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       16. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a black mask is provide on one of the substrates so as to correspond to a center portion of the domains. 
     
     
       17. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a center axis about which the molecules of the liquid crystal are axisymmetrically oriented is positioned substantially at a center of the at least one liquid crystal domain. 
     
     
       18. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein a twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the at least one liquid crystal domain is about 90°. 
     
     
       19. A liquid crystal display device comprising: 
       two substrates at least one of the substrates being transparent; and  
       a display medium layer formed between the two substrates made of a liquid crystal filled in a plurality of liquid crystal regions defined by supporting walls made of a polymeric material, each liquid crystal region corresponding to one of a plurality of pixels,  
       wherein each of the liquid crystal regions includes at least one liquid crystal domain and molecules of the liquid crystal filled in the plurality of liquid crystal domains are axisymmetrically oriented in an imaginary plane parallel to the substrates, and  
       wherein disclination lines are formed at the periphery of the liquid crystal domains under application of a voltage.  
     
     
       20. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of liquid crystal regions consists of one liquid crystal domain. 
     
     
       21. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a plurality of liquid crystal domains are positioned in each of the liquid crystal regions, liquid crystal molecules in each domain are axisymmetrically oriented, and the supporting polymeric walls are outside of each domain. 
     
     
       22. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a thin film made of a material selected from the group consisting of an organic material and an inorganic material is provided on surfaces of the two substrates. 
     
     
       23. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein the two substrates are sandwiched between polarizing plates. 
     
     
       24. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a product Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 300 nm to 650 nm. 
     
     
       25. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules is in the range of 45° to 150°. 
     
     
       26. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein the liquid crystal has a viscosity μ of 50 mPa.s or less at 20° C. and a dielectric constant anisotropy Δε of three or more. 
     
     
       27. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein the liquid crystal achieves a highest level of transmittance in a first state when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal such that when a voltage V 10  of 2 volts or less at 25° C. in a TN cell is applied to the liquid crystal, the light transmittance of the liquid crystal changes from the first initial state to a second state where the liquid crystal has a transmittance of 10% of the first state. 
     
     
       28. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a product Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 1000 nm to 1400 nm, and a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules in a cell is in the range of 45° to 150°. 
     
     
       29. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a produce Δn·d of anisotropy of refractive index Δn of the liquid crystal and a cell gap d between the two substrates is in the range of 550 nm to 800 nm, and a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules in a cell is in the range of 240° to 300°. 
     
     
       30. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal domains is vertical to the substrates. 
     
     
       31. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal domains are axisymmetrically oriented so that they are parallel with the substrates, a center axis of an orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned in a vertical direction to the substrates, the polymer material in the supporting walls is symmetrically oriented with respect to the center axis, and disclination lines are eliminated in the liquid crystal domains under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       32. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein liquid crystal molecules nit eh  in the liquid crystal regions are axisymmetrically oriented so that they are parallel with the substrates, a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is aligned in a vertical direction to the substrates, the polymer material in the supporting walls is oriented in one direction, and wherein disclination lines are eliminated in the liquid crystal domains under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       33. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal regions are axisymmetrically oriented so they are parallel with the substrates, a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal regions is aligned in a vertical direction to the substrates, the polymer material in the supporting walls is oriented in one direction, and wherein disclination lines are not formed in the liquid crystal regions under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       34. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein the polymer present between the substrates and the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal regions has a pretilt angle axisymmetric with respect to a center axis of orientation of the liquid crystal regions, and disclination lines are not formed in the liquid crystal regions under the application of a voltage. 
     
     
       35. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a black mask is provided on one of the substrates so as to correspond to a center portion of domains in which the liquid crystal molecules are radially oriented. 
     
     
       36. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a center axis about which the molecules of the liquid crystal are axisymmetrically oriented is positioned substantially at a center of the at least one liquid crystal domain. 
     
     
       37. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein a twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules in the at least one liquid crystal domains is about 90°. 
     
     
       38. A liquid crystal display device comprising: 
       
         liquid crystal molecules sandwiched between a pair of substrates electrically controlled per pixel region,  
       
       
         wherein the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to said pixel region are positioned in one liquid crystal domain, and  
       
       
         wherein the liquid crystal molecules in each domain are axisymmetrically oriented in an imaginary plane substantially parallel with a surface of one of said pair of substrates. 
       
     
     
       39. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 38 , wherein the domain is prescribed by a polymeric material. 
     
     
       40. A liquid crystal display device comprising: 
       
         liquid crystal molecules sandwiched between a pair of substrates electrically controlled per pixel region,  
       
       
         wherein the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to said pixel region are positioned in a plurality of liquid crystal domains,  
       
       
         wherein the liquid crystal molecules in each domain are axisymmetrically oriented in an imaginary plane substantially parallel with a surface of one of said pair of substrates. 
       
     
     
       41. A liquid crystal display device according to  claim 40 , wherein the plurality of domains are prescribed by a polymeric material.