Abstract: An optical modulation device includes a first panel that includes a plurality of lower-panel electrodes, a second panel facing the first panel and that includes at least one upper-panel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first panel and the second panel. A method of driving the optical modulation device includes applying a voltage to the upper-panel electrode; forming a forward phase slope by applying a first driving signal to at least one lower-panel electrode corresponding to a first region; forming a backward phase slope by applying a second driving signal different from the first driving signal to at least one lower-panel electrode corresponding to a second region; and forming a flat phase slope by applying a third driving signal different from the first and second driving signals to at least one lower-panel electrode corresponding to a third region between the first and second regions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens unit is provided as follows. Lower plate electrodes are positioned on a first substrate. The lower plate electrodes are extended in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction crossing the first direction. An upper plate electrode is positioned on the lower plate electrodes. A second substrate is positioned on the upper plate electrode. A liquid crystal layer is positioned between the lower plate electrodes and the upper electrode. A first voltage is applied to at least two outermost lower plate electrodes and then, a second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied to at least two second outermost lower plate electrodes.

Abstract: An optical modulation device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, includes first and second plates facing each other, the first and second plates including a plurality of regions, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second plates, the liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules aligned in a vertical alignment (VA) mode. The first plate includes a non-conductive layer including stepped structures repeatedly arranged in a first direction, a first electrode formed to partially cover the non-conductive layer, and first and second aligners disposed in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first and second aligners are aligned in opposite directions with respect to each other. The second plate includes a second electrode.

Abstract: An optical modulation device includes a first plate, a second plate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first plate includes an active area and a peripheral area positioned around the active area. The liquid crystal layer is positioned between the first plate and the second plate and includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first plate includes a first electrode, first and second voltage transmitting lines, and a first aligner. The second plate includes a second electrode and a second aligner. The first and second voltage transmitting lines are positioned at the peripheral area and extend in a direction crossing a direction in which the first electrode extends. The first electrode is electrically connected to the first voltage transmitting line in the peripheral area. The first electrode includes a portion overlapping the second voltage transmitting line.

Abstract: An optical modulation device includes: a first plate and a second plate that face each other and that include a plurality of unit regions; and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first plate and the second plate that includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the first plate includes a plurality of lower electrodes, the second plate includes at least one upper electrode, a pretilt angle P1 of a long axis of the liquid crystal molecules with respect to a surface of the first plate or the second plate when no electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer and an abnormal inclination angle P2 of the liquid crystal molecules with respect to a surface of the first plate or the second plate in an abnormal region of the liquid crystal molecules satisfy (90-P1)/(90-P2)=K, where K is larger than about 0.2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device including a display panel configured to display an image and a phase retardation plate disposed on the display panel. An optical modulation device is disposed on the phase retardation plate. The optical modulation device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate. The first and second substrates include a plurality of unit regions. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first substrate includes a plurality of lower electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode. and the first substrate includes a first aligner. The second substrate includes an upper electrode and a second aligner. An alignment direction of the first aligner and an alignment direction of the second aligner are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: Provided are an optical modulation device and a driving method thereof. The optical modulation device includes an active area and a peripheral area disposed around the active area. A plurality of lower electrodes is disposed in the active area. The plurality of lower electrodes extends in a first direction. The plurality of lower electrodes includes a first lower electrode and a second lower electrode. A driver is configured to apply a driving signal to the first lower electrode and the second lower electrode. The driver includes a first channel connected with an upper end of the first lower electrode, a second channel connected with a lower end of the first lower electrode, a third channel connected with an upper end of the second lower electrode, and a fourth channel connected with a lower end of the second lower electrode.

Abstract: A method for driving an optical modulation device is provided. The optical modulation device includes first and second portions. Each of the first and second portions includes a first plate, a second plate opposite to the first plate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second plates. The method includes forming a forward phase gradient in the first portion by applying a first driving signal to first and second electrodes in the first plate of the first portion and a third electrode in the second plate of the first portion. The method further includes forming a reverse phase gradient in the second portion by applying a second driving signal differing from the first driving signal to fourth and fifth electrodes in the first plate of the second portion and a sixth electrode in the second plate of the second portion.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens unit includes: a plurality of first electrodes positioned on a first substrate, each extending in a first direction in which the first electrodes are tilted by ? degrees, and each spaced apart from each other in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a second electrode positioned on the plurality of first electrodes that has a plate shape; a second substrate positioned on the second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode.

Abstract: A new 2D/3D switchable display apparatus matches a polarization direction of light output from a 2D image display panel with a rubbing direction of a lower alignment layer of a liquid crystal lens, and tilts a rubbing direction of an upper alignment layer of the liquid crystal lens and a direction of a polarization axis of a polarizer at a predetermined angle, thereby reducing a loss of light passing through the liquid crystal lens, making it possible to improve luminance of images, improve the quality of 3D images in the horizontal direction, prevent or reduce color separation and moire phenomena, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An optical modulation device or an optical device including the same includes: a first plate and a second plate facing the first plate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first plate and the second plate and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the first plate includes a plurality of first electrodes and a first aligner, the second plate includes at least one second electrode and a second aligner, and an alignment direction of the first aligner is substantially parallel to an alignment direction of the second aligner and wherein portions of the first plate, the second plate, and the liquid crystal layer between the first and second plates are individual units.

Abstract: A new 2D/3D switchable display apparatus matches a polarization direction of light output from a 2D image display panel with a rubbing direction of a lower alignment layer of a liquid crystal lens, and tilts a rubbing direction of an upper alignment layer of the liquid crystal lens and a direction of a polarization axis of a polarizer at a predetermined angle, thereby reducing a loss of light passing through the liquid crystal lens, making it possible to improve luminance of images, improve the quality of 3D images in the horizontal direction, prevent or reduce color separation and moire phenomena, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a lens common electrode disposed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer disposed on the lens common electrode, the first alignment layer including a first alignment direction. The second substrate includes a second base substrate opposite to the first base substrate, a plurality of lens electrodes that extend in a lens axis and is parallel with each other, and a second alignment layer disposed on the plurality of lens electrodes, the second alignment layer including a second alignment direction substantially perpendicular to the first alignment direction. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second alignment layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate which faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and a lens polarizer which is disposed on the outside of the second substrate. The lens polarizer includes a first polarization region having a first polarization direction and a second polarization region having a second polarization direction which is different from the first polarization direction.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (“3D”) image display device includes a display panel, and a liquid crystal lens part disposed on the display panel and which selectively provides a two-dimensional (“2D”) image and a 3D stereoscopic image, where the liquid crystal lens part includes: a lower substrate including a plurality of linear electrodes which are disposed in different layers; an upper substrate including a plate electrode; and a lens liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, where the linear electrodes in the different layers are alternately arranged in a unit zone of the liquid crystal lens part, and where two adjacent linear electrodes of the linear electrodes are spaced apart from each other when viewed from a top view.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a lens common electrode disposed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer disposed on the lens common electrode, the first alignment layer including a first alignment direction. The second substrate includes a second base substrate opposite to the first base substrate, a plurality of lens electrodes that extend in a lens axis and is parallel with each other, and a second alignment layer disposed on the plurality of lens electrodes, the second alignment layer including a second alignment direction substantially perpendicular to the first alignment direction. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second alignment layers.