Homeotropic alignment type liquid crystal display device

Abstract

A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having one surface on which a first electrode is provided, a second substrate which is provided with a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first and second substrates. Negative dielectric anisotropy homeotropic aligning films are formed on mutually faced surfaces of the first and second electrodes, respectively. A pair of polarizing plates are arranged on a side of the other surface opposite to the one surface of each substrate. A pair of optical compensation layers are arranged respectively between the other surfaces of the substrates and the polarizing plates, and give a retardation having a value which is substantially ¼ of a wavelength λ of transmitted visible light to the transmitted visible light.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a first substrate having one surface on which a first electrode is provided; 
 a second substrate which is arranged to face the first substrate, and is provided with a second electrode which forms a pixel region in accordance with a region facing the first electrode on one surface facing the first substrate; 
 homeotropic aligning films formed on mutually faced surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; 
 a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first and second substrates and has a negative dielectric anisotropy 
 a pair of polarizing plates each arranged on a side of the other surface opposite to the one surface of each of the first and second substrates; and 
 a pair of optical compensation layers which are arranged respectively between the other surfaces of the first and second substrates and the pair of polarizing plates, and give a retardation having a value which is substantially ¼ of a wavelength X of transmitted visible light to the transmitted visible light. 
 
     
     
       2. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of optical compensation layers has a first optical compensation plate set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and an in-plane retardation in a plane parallel to one surface of the substrates has a value which is ¼ of a wavelength λ of visible light, where Nx is a refractive index in a first axial direction parallel to the other surface of each of the first and second substrate, Ny is a refractive index in a second axial direction which is parallel to the other surfaces of the substrates and vertical to the first axial direction, and Nz is a refractive index in a third direction vertical to the other surfaces of the substrates. 
     
     
       3. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the optical compensation layers has a first optical compensation plate set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz, a value of an in-plane retardation R represented as (Nx−Ny)d falls within a range of 120 nm to 160 nm and a value of a retardation Rz in a Z direction represented as {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz} falls within a range of 50 to 300 nm, where Nx is a refractive index in a first axial direction parallel to the other surfaces of the substrates, Ny is a refractive index in a second axial direction parallel to the other surfaces of the substrates and vertical to the first axial directionand, Nz is a refractive index in a third axial direction vertical to main surfaces of the substrates, and d is a thickness of each of the optical compensation layers. 
     
     
       4. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first optical compensation plates are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to the other surfaces of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and
 the polarizing plates are so arranged that their optical axes become perpendicular to each other and an polarization axes of one polarizing plate crosses the in-plane phase delaying axis or in-plane phase advancing axis of the optical compensation plate adjacent thereto. 
 
     
     
       5. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 2 , further comprising retardation plates which are arranged respectively between the first optical compensation plates and the polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny≈Nz and a retardation R in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates has a value falling within a range of 240 to 300 nm. 
     
     
       6. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 5 , wherein the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other,
 the first optical compensation plates are arranged so that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and the first optical compensation plates are arranged in such directions as to cross the optical axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto in a range of 5° to 25° or 65° to 85°, and 
 the retardation plates are arranged so that their phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their phase advancing axes along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and the retardation plates are arranged in such directions as to cross the in-plane phase delaying axes or in-plane phase advancing axes of the first optical compensation plates adjacent thereto in a range of 50° to 70°. 
 
     
     
       7. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 6 , further comprising: a reflection film provided on a part of one of the first electrode and the second electrode; a transmission display region which is provided in each pixel region and controls light transmitted through the substrates facing each other; and a reflection display region which is provided in each pixel region and controls light reflected by the reflection film. 
     
     
       8. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a pair of second optical compensation plates which are respective arranged between the polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and a value of a retardation Rz in a Z direction represented as {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz} falls within a range of 50 to 300 nm. 
     
     
       9. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 8 , wherein the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other,
 the second optical compensation plates are arranged respectively between the retardation plates and the polarizing plates, and arranged in such a manner that in-plane phase delaying axes or in-plane phase advancing axes of the second optical compensation plates become parallel to or perpendicular to each other and become parallel to or perpendicular to the optical axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto, 
 the first optical compensation plates are arranged so that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and the first optical compensation plates are arranged in such directions as to cross the optical axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto in a range of 5° to 25° or 65° to 85°, and 
 the retardation plates are arranged so that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and the retardation plates are arranged in such directions as to cross the in-plane phase delaying axes or the in-plane phase advancing axes of the first optical compensation plates adjacent thereto in a range of 50° to 70°. 
 
     
     
       10. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pair of second optical compensation plates which are arranged between the polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and a value of a retardation Rz in a Z direction represented as {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz} falls within a range of 50 to 300 nm. 
     
     
       11. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 10 , wherein the polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other,
 the first optical compensation plates are arranged to face directions by which their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other and cross the optical axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto, and 
 the second optical compensation plates are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become parallel to or perpendicular to each other and become parallel to or perpendicular to the optical axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto. 
 
     
     
       12. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a first optical compensation plate which is arranged between the other surface of the first substrate and one of the pair of polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and its retardation in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates has a value which is ¼ of a wavelength λ of visible light; and a retardation plate which is arranged between the other surface of the second substrate and the other one of the pair of polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny≈Nz and its in-plane retardation R in a plane parallel to the main surfaces of the substrates has a value falling within a range of 120 to 160 nm. 
     
     
       13. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 12 , wherein the first optical compensation plate and the retardation plate are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and
 the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other, and are arranged to face directions by which the optical axes of the respective polarizing plates cross the in-plane phase delaying axes or the in-plane phase advancing axes of the first optical compensation plate and the retardation plate adjacent thereto at 35° to 55°. 
 
     
     
       14. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 12 , further comprising a pair of second optical compensation plates which are arranged between the pair of polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and a value of a retardation Rz in a Z direction represented as {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz} falls within a range of 50 to 300 nm. 
     
     
       15. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 14 , wherein the second optical compensation plates are arranged respectively between the first optical compensation plate and one polarizing plate and between the retardation plate and the other polarizing plate to become parallel to or perpendicular to the optical axes of the respective polarizing plates adjacent thereto,
 the first optical compensation plate and the retardation plate are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum or their in-plane phase advancing axes in directions along which the refractive index is minimum in a plane parallel to the main surfaces of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and 
 the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other, and are arranged to face directions by which polarization axes of the respective polarizing plates cross the in-plane phase delaying axes or the in-plane phase advancing axes of the first optical compensation plate and the retardation plate at 35° to 55°. 
 
     
     
       16. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for aligning a liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer in such a manner that directors face a plurality of directions by application of the electric field. 
     
     
       17. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a first substrate having a transparent first electrode provided on one surface side; 
 a second substrate which is arranged to face the one surface of the first substrate, and is provided with a transparent second electrode which forms a plurality of pixel region, where transmission type display is performed, in accordance with a region facing the first electrode on one surface facing the first substrate; 
 homeotropic aligning films formed on mutually faced surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; 
 a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the substrates and has a negative dielectric anisotropy; 
 a pair of polarizing plates which are arranged on a side of the other surface opposite to the one surface of each of the first and second substrates; 
 two first optical compensation plates which are respective arranged between the substrates and the polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and a retardation having a value which is ¼ of a wavelength λ is given to transmitted light, where Nx is a refractive index in a first axial direction parallel to one surface of each of the substrates, Ny is a refractive index in a second axial direction parallel to one surface of each of the substrates and vertical to the first axial direction, and Nz is a refractive index in a third axial direction vertical to one surface of each of the substrates; and 
 two second optical compensation plates which are arranged respectively between the first optical compensation plates and the polarizing plates and arranged in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz and directions of their in-plane phase delaying axes along which a refractive index is maximum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to or parallel to transmission axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto. 
 
     
     
       18. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 17 , wherein the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other, and
 the first optical compensation plates are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane retardations in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates have a value which is ¼ of a wavelength λ of visible light and directions of their in-plane phase delaying axes along which a refractive index is maximum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates form substantially 45° with the transmission axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto. 
 
     
     
       19. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 one substrate having a transparent first electrode provided on one surface side; 
 a reflection film which is provided on a surface facing said one substrate and faces a part of the first electrode; 
 the other substrate which is arranged in a region including the reflection film and in which a second electrode is provided on a side of one surface thereof, the second electrode forming, in accordance with a region facing the first electrode, a pixel region constituting a reflection display region corresponding to the reflection film and a transmission display region other than the reflection; 
 homeotropic aligning films formed on mutually faced surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; 
 a liquid crystal layer which gives a retardation (retardation) which is substantially half of a wavelength of light transmitted through the transmission display region of the pixel region to the light, is interposed between the substrates in such a manner that a layer thickness corresponding to the reflection region of the pixel region has a layer thickness which is substantially half of a layer thickness corresponding to the transmission display region, and has a negative dielectric anisotropy; 
 a pair of polarizing plates each arranged on a side of the other surface opposite to the one surface of each of the first and second substrates; 
 two first optical compensation plates which are arranged respectively between the substrates and the pair of polarizing plates and set in such a manner that values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny>Nz, where Nx is a refractive index in a first axial direction parallel to one surface of each of the substrates, Ny is a refractive index in a second axial direction parallel to one surface of each of the substrates and vertical to the first axial direction, and Nz is a refractive index in a third axial direction vertical to main planes of the substrates; and 
 two retardation plates which are arranged respectively between the first optical compensation plates and the polarizing plates, and arranged in such a manner that respective in-plane phase delaying axes of the first optical compensation plates adjacent thereto and retardation plates along which a refractive index shows a maximum value in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates face a direction of substantially 45°, values of Nx, Ny and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny≈Nz and a value obtained by combining respective in-plane retardations of the mutually adjacent optical compensation plate and retardation plates has a value of an in-plane retardation which is substantially ¼ of a wavelength of transmitted light. 
 
     
     
       20. The liquid crystal display device according to  claim 19 , wherein the pair of polarizing plates have optical axes perpendicular to each other,
 the first optical compensation plates are arranged so that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other, and the first optical compensation plates are arranged in such directions as to cross transmission axes of the polarizing plates adjacent thereto in a range of 5° to 25° or 65° to 85°, and 
 the retardation plates are arranged in such a manner that their in-plane phase delaying axes in directions along which a refractive index is maximum in a plane parallel to one surface of each of the substrates become perpendicular to each other. 
 
     
     
       21. A liquid crystal display device comprising:
 a first substrate having a first surface on which a first electrode is provided;   a second substrate which is arranged to face the first substrate, and which is provided with a second electrode on a first surface thereof that faces the first substrate, wherein a pixel region is formed in which the second electrode faces the first electrode;   homeotropic aligning films respectively formed on surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode that face each other;   a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first and second substrates and has a negative dielectric anisotropy   a first polarizing plate arranged on a side of a second surface of the first substrate that is opposite from the first surface of the first substrate;   a second polarizing plate arranged on a side of a second surface of the second substrate that is opposite from the first surface of the second substrate;   a first optical compensation layer which is arranged between the first substrate and the first polarizing plate; and   a second optical compensation layer which is arranged between the second substrate and the second polarizing plate;   wherein each of the first and second optical compensation layers comprises a biaxial retardation plate set so that values of Nx, Ny, and Nz have a relationship of Nx>Ny and (Nx−Nz)/(Nx−Ny)>1, where Nx is a refractive index in a first axial direction parallel to the first surface of each of the substrates, Ny is a refractive index in a second axial direction parallel to the first surface of each of the substrates and perpendicular to the first axial direction, and Nz is a refractive index in a third axial direction perpendicular to the first surface of each of the substrates;   wherein one of the first and second polarizing plates is adapted to have light having a visible light band incident thereto; and   wherein each of each of the first and second optical compensation layers has an in-plane retardation R in a plane parallel to the first surface of each of the substrates, the in-plane retardation R having a value which is substantially ¼ of an intermediate wavelength of the visible light band.   
     
     
       22. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the in-plane retardation R is represented as (Nx−Ny)d, and each of the first and second optical compensation layers is set such that a value of the in-plane retardation R falls within a range of 120 nm to 160 nm and such that a value of a retardation Rz in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of each of the substrates that is represented as {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz} falls within a range of 50 to 300 nm, where d is a thickness of each of the first and second optical compensation layers. 
     
     
       23. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 22, wherein the in-plane retardation R of each of the first and second optical compensation layer is set to 140 nm. 
     
     
       24. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 22, wherein the first and second optical compensation layers are arranged such that their in-plane phase delaying axes, which are in directions along which a refractive index is maximum in a plane parallel to the second surfaces of the substrates, are perpendicular to each other; and
 wherein the first and second polarizing plates are arranged such that their transmission axes are perpendicular to each other, and such that the transmission axis of one of the first and second polarizing plates crosses the in-plane phase delaying axis of the optical compensation layer adjacent thereto at an angle in a range of 35° to 55°.   
     
     
       25. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 24, wherein the transmission axis of said one of the first and second polarizing plates crosses the in-plane phase delaying axis of the optical compensation layer adjacent thereto at an angle of 45°. 
     
     
       26. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein the retardations of the first and second optical compensation layers in the plane parallel to the first surface of each of the substrates has a value of ¼ wavelength λ of the light having the light visible band. 
     
     
       27. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 22, wherein each of the first and second optical compensation layers comprises a laminate construction including a first retardation plate in which the in-plane retardation R is set in a range of 120 nm and 160 nm, and a second retardation plate in which the retardation Rz is set in a range of 50 nm and 300 nm. 
     
     
       28. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 22, wherein the values of the in-plane retardations R of the first and second optical compensation layers are equal to each other, and the values of the retardations Rz the first and second optical compensation layers are equal to each other. 
     
     
       29. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, wherein each of the first and second optical compensation layers comprises a norbornene-based resin. 
     
     
       30. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 21, further comprising means for aligning a liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer such that directors face a plurality of directions when an electric field is applied between the first and second electrodes.