Abstract: A high aperture active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) includes pixel electrodes in respective pixels which overlap adjacent address lines. The color filters are formed on the active substrate in a manner such that the filters also overlap the address lines and function as an insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and address lines in the areas of overlap. Accordingly, line-pixel capacitances are reduced and the resulting AMLCD is easier to manufacture. The total number of process step in manufacturing is reduced, and plate-to-plate (active to passive plate) alignment is much easier and less important.

Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) array structure, and corresponding method of making same are provided. Each OLED pixel includes a first electrode on a substrate, a second electrode on a substrate, and an organic emission layer disposed between the first and second electrodes so as to emit visible light when a suitable potential is applied thereto by the electrodes. In accordance with certain embodiments of this invention, a step covering or coverage layer is provided over step or edge areas of the first electrode in order to reduce the structures susceptibility to breakdown at pixel edges thereby improving yields.

Abstract: This invention is related to a radiation imager (e.g. X-ray imager) including a thin film transistor (TFT) array, and method of making same. A photo-imageable insulating material having a low dielectric constant is provided in areas of overlap between electrodes and underlying TFTs, diodes, and/or address lines in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the imager. The photo-imageable insulating layer acts as a negative resist in certain embodiments, so that vias are formed therein by exposing portions of the insulating layer with UV light which are to remain on the substrate, removing non-exposed areas of the insulating layer so as to form the vias or apertures in the insulating layer. In order to prevent non-uniformities from inadvertently being imaged into the photo-imageable insulating layer, an ultraviolet (UV) blocking/absorbing layer is provided.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders located on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders may also be provided on opposite sides of the LC layer. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in different embodiments herein, the display exhibits improved contrast and/or reduced inversion, often in the same viewing areas.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a patternable diffusing layer therein positioned between the display's substrates. The diffusing (or diffuser) layer includes a host material having a plurality of particles (e.g. substantially transparent spherical balls or spacers) provided therein in order to perform a diffusion function. The refractive index n.sub.p of the particles is different (i.e. .DELTA.n) from the refractive index n.sub.h of the host material by at least about 0.05, and .DELTA.n is preferably from about 0.05-0.15. In certain embodiments, photoimageable color filters, with diffusing particles embedded therein, function as discrete diffusing members across the passive substrate. In other embodiments, a substantially continuous diffusing layer with a transparent host, including spherical balls embedded therein, may be provided across the passive substrate between the substrate and the color filters.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display having an increased pixel aperture ratio is disclosed along with a method of making same. An array of a-Si TFTs is deposited on a transparent substrate. Subsequently, an organic insulating layer (e.g. Benzocyclobutene) and a corresponding array of pixel electrodes are deposited over the TFT array so that the pixel electrodes overlap the display address lines thereby increasing the display's pixel aperture ratio. The low dielectric constant .di-elect cons. (e.g. about 2.7) and relatively high thickness (e.g. greater than about 1.5 .mu.m) of the insulating layer reduce the pixel electrode-address line parasitic capacitance C.sub.PL in the overlap areas thereby reducing cross-talk (or capacitive coupling) in the display. In sum, an increased pixel aperture ratio is achieved without sacrificing display performance.

Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal display includes multiple liquid crystal alignment domains per pixel. In certain embodiments, only a single mechanical buffing step is required per substrate to provide the multiple domains per pixel. A continuous base underlying mechanically buffed alignment layer is provided, and a reactive alignment layer is provided thereon. The reactive alignment layer is doped so as to cause twist of molecules therein. The reactive layer may be photo-polymerizable and patterned so as to form an array of alignment portions and expose/uncover a corresponding array of areas of the underlying buffed alignment layer. Thus, liquid crystal molecules contacting the patterned reactive alignment portions are aligned in one direction while liquid crystal molecules contacting the exposed mechanically buffed polyimide layer are aligned in another direction. Multiple domains are thus provided, with only a single mechanical buffing step being necessary.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a patternable diffusing layer therein positioned between the display's substrates. The diffusing (or diffuser) layer includes a host material having a plurality of particles (e.g. substantially transparent spherical balls or spacers) provided therein in order to perform a diffusion function. The refractive index n.sub.p of the particles is different (i.e. .DELTA.n) from the refractive index n.sub.h of the host material by at least about 0.05, and .DELTA.n is preferably from about 0.05-0.15. In certain embodiments, photoimageable color filters, with diffusing particles embedded therein, function as discrete diffusing members across the passive substrate. In other embodiments, a substantially continuous diffusing layer with a transparent host, including spherical balls embedded therein, may be provided across the passive substrate between the substrate and the color filters.

Abstract: A backlit transmissive liquid crystal display including non-linear resistive thin film diodes (TFDs). Select address lines on the active substrate provide both conventional address line functionality, as well as acting as one of the electrodes for each thin film diode. Two such diodes are provided in each pixel in certain embodiments. Still further, black matrix material is provided between the aforesaid address line material and the substrate so as to form rows of stacks on the active substrate. The thin film diode semi-insulating material, the address line material, and the black matrix material are patterned together in a single step to form elongated rows (or columns) on the active substrate. In such a manner, the display has reduced ambient light reflections, and reduce photosensitivity.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display having an increased pixel aperture ratio is disclosed along with a method of making same. An array of a-Si TFTs is deposited on a transparent substrate. Subsequently, an organic insulating layer (e.g. Benzocyclobutene) and a corresponding array of pixel electrodes are deposited over the TFT array so that the pixel electrodes overlap the display address lines thereby increasing the display's pixel aperture ratio. The low dielectric constant .epsilon. (e.g. about 2.7) and relatively high thickness (e.g. greater than about 1.5 .mu.m) of the insulating layer reduce the pixel electrode-address line parasitic capacitance C.sub.PL in the overlap areas thereby reducing cross-talk (or capacitive coupling) in the display. In sum, an increased pixel aperture ratio is achieved without sacrificing display performance.

Abstract: A TFT structure includes a variably doped contact layer system in order to reduce leakage current characteristics and increase mobility of the TFT. Such TFTs may be utilized in, for example, X-ray imagers or liquid crystal displays. In certain embodiments, the contact layer system is lightly doped adjacent a semiconductor or channel layer, and is more heavily doped adjacent the source/drain electrodes. The variation in doping density of the contact layer system may be performed in a step-like manner, gradually, continuously, or in any other suitable manner. In certain embodiments, the contact layer system may include a single layer which is deposited over an intrinsic semiconductor layer, with the amount of dopant gas being used during the deposition process being adjusted through the deposition of the single layer so as to cause the doping density to vary (increase or decrease) throughout the thickness of the system/layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display in which a negatively birefringent layer is used as both an orientation film and as a retarder in the display. An improved method of making such a display is also disclosed. In preferred embodiments, each of the orientation layers has a retardation value of from about -80 to -200 nm.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders (#2 and #6) located on one side of the liquid crystal layer (#10), each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders (#4 and #7) are provided on the same side of the liquid crystal layer as the tilted retarders. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in the different embodiments, the display exhibits improved contrast and reduced inversion.

Abstract: An LCD heater includes a substantially transparent conductive heater layer (e.g. ITO) deposited on a transparent sheet. Attached to the conductive layer are a pair of tin coated bus bars, each of which is adhered to the conductive layer via a Z-axis conductive adhesive that reduces thermal stresses induced on solder connections between the bus bars and wires soldered thereto.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and method of making same is disclosed, the TFT having a source and drain electrode where at least one of the source and drain includes first and second conductive layers offset from one another by a distance .DELTA.L so that the resulting TFT channel length L.sub.T is equal to L.sub.T =L.sub.1,2 -.DELTA.L where L.sub.1,2 is either a channel length defined in the first conductive layer or a channel length defined in the second conductive layer. The TFT manufacturing process includes the steps of: a) providing a conductive gate layer and patterning same to form a gate electrode; b) depositing a substantially transparent conductive layer (e.g. ITO) and patterning same to form a pixel electrode; c) depositing and patterning a semiconductor layer (e.g.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by n.sub.x >n.sub.y >n.sub.z in certain embodiments where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A multi-colored pixel for a twisted nematic liquid crystal display including red, green, and blue subpixels, wherein each subpixel includes a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizers, opposing electrodes, and a color personalized retardation film which compensates for the different wavelength of each color. The personalized retardation films of the different color subpixels results in elimination of the multi-gap approach and substantially eliminates the problem of different color leakages at different viewing angles, including normal. Also, one polymer based element, preferably a polyimide, functions as both a color filter and a retardation film in certain embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by n.sub.x >n.sub.y >n.sub.z in certain embodiments where the "z" direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the "x" and "y" directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: This invention is related to an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) having a high pixel aperture ratio. The display has an increased pixel aperture ratio because the pixel electrodes are formed over the insulating layer so as to overlap portions of the array address lines. Both the manufacturability and capacitive cross-talk of the TFT-based device are improved due to the use of a photo-imageable insulating layer between the pixel electrodes and the address lines.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a tilted retarder. The tilted retarder has an optical axis which is aligned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to normal. Thus, because the optical axis of the liquid crystal layer is aligned at an angle to one side of normal and the optical axis of the tilted retarder(s) is at an angle to the other side of normal, the retardation effects substantially cancel one another out. Tilted retarder(s) may be used in combination with negatively birefringent retarders according to certain embodiments of this invention in twisted nematic normally white displays.