Abstract: A broad class of lyotropic liquid crystals of a non-surfactant nature, the so-called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), are alignable in bulk. LCLCs can be aligned in bulk as a uniform liquid crystalline monodomain within a closed cell. The method for bulk alignment of LCLCs is based on a unidirectional treatment of the aligning substrate such as a polymer layer. The feature of controlling the alignment of LCLCs enables one to create practical devices from them. For example, bulk alignment of LCLCs allows one to use them in detection and amplification of ligands.

Abstract: In an illumination optical system comprising a light source unit, an integrator unit for homogenizing a luminous flux from the light source unit, and a light valve for modulating light from the integrator unit according to predetermined image information and outputting thus modulated light; effective luminous flux quantity adjusting means adapted to adjust a light quantity caused by an effective luminous flux on the light valve is disposed within or near the integrator unit.

Abstract: The optical system comprises three reflection liquid crystal panels, polarization spliters PBS-R, PBS-G PBS-B which polarize components of an incident light to be reflected by the respective reflection liquid crystal panels, color separation and composition elements. The polarization splitters further separate the polarization converted output light in either an outputting direction or a non-outputting direction corresponding to the polarization, and the color separation and composition elements are arranged as separate elements in terms of optical path and in such a manner that these elements are disposed adjacent to each other in terms of space.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including first and second substrates on a front side and rear side of the device, respectively, which are bonded to each other on their peripheries by a sealant with a prescribed gap therebetween, the first and second substrates including electrode patterns formed thereon. A liquid crystal material is doped with dichroic dyes injected into the gap to constitute a liquid crystal layer. A first color filter film with a prescribed color is provided at an area where the electrode pattern is not provided on the first substrate on the front side. A second color filter film with the same color as the prescribed color at at least an area where the electrode pattern is provided on the second substrate on the rear side.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device including: a pair of light transmissive substrates; a transparent electrode layer and an alignment film which are provided on one surface of each of the light transmissive substrates, the surface facing the other one of the light transmissive substrates; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of light transmissive substrates, wherein: the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules; the liquid crystal molecules on a surface on each of the alignment films are pre-tilted in the same direction and by the same angle as those on a surface of the other one of the alignment films; and the liquid crystal layer has a homogeneous orientation; a pair of polarizers provided on respective sides of the liquid crystal display device; and at least one inclined phase plate including an index ellipsoid having three principal refractive indices na, nb and nc, wherein

Abstract: The invention eliminates light leakage in liquid crystal panel caused by burrs, i.e., protrusions, on a light waveguide plate causing misalignment when the light waveguide plate is seated in the main frame of a LCD module. The invention includes a a first frame located on the liquid crystal panel, and a second frame assembled with the first frame interposing the liquid crystal panel and the back light. The second frame has a recessed portion formed at a location corresponding to the protrusions of the light waveguide plate, wherein a distance from the fixed side wall of the light waveguide plate to the protrusions is sufficiently short so that dimensional variations between the protruding portion of the light waveguide plate and the recessed portion of the second frame are insignificant.

Abstract: An electrode substrate for a reflection type liquid crystal display device, which includes a substrate, and a light scattering film formed on the substrate and including a transparent matrix resin and scattering particles made of a resin. The light scattering film is formed from a coating liquid containing the transparent matrix resin and a resin for forming the scattering particles, which has a different refractive index from that of the matrix resin, both mixed in a solvent. The scattering particles are dispersed in the transparent matrix resin as a result of a phase separation due to the low compatibility between these resins as the solvent is evaporated from the coating liquid. The size and dispersed state of the scattering particles are at least two-dimensionally randomized as viewed from the front of the light scattering film.

Abstract: An image display area is defined in a main surface of a first substrate, and a terminal area is defined outside the display area. A plurality of first bus lines are arranged on the display area of the main surface of the first substrate. A first insulating layer covers the first bus lines on the main surface of the first substrate. The first bus lines correspond to external terminals on the terminal area of the first substrate, respectively. The external terminals are connected electrically with the corresponding first bus lines, respectively, through first contact holes that pass through the first insulating layer to the upper surface of the first bus lines. The external terminals are covered with a protective insulating layer in such a manner that their ends near the border of the first substrate remain uncovered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display panel including: a display layer for performing display; a flexible substrate for holding or carrying the display layer; a transparent electrode formed on the flexible substrate; and a metal film formed on the flexible substrate, electrically connected to the transparent electrode and made of a material different from that of the transparent electrode. Also disclosed is a method of producing a display panel including the steps of: forming a transparent electrode of a predetermined form on a flexible substrate; forming a metal film of a predetermined form on the flexible substrate so that the metal film is electrically connected to the transparent electrode, the metal film being made of a material different from that of the transparent electrode; and holding or carrying a display layer with the flexible substrate carrying the transparent electrode and the metal film, the display layer being provided for performing display.

Abstract: In a projection type color liquid crystal display apparatus, a polarization conversion section receives a luminous flux from a light source to convert the luminous flux into a unified luminous flux having a single linearly-polarized direction. A color separation section receives the unified luminous flux to selectively reflect a plurality of color components of the unified luminous flux individually at different angles. Convex lenses of a microlens array converge the reflected color components into different pixels of a liquid crystal element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reflective plate having lightweight functioning as a substrate and a reflective LCD using the same.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus provides an improved light utilization efficiency and improved collimation. The illumination apparatus has a light guide, a collimating unit provided at least on one side of the light guide for collimating rays incident on the light guide, and a light source disposed in the vicinity of the collimating unit and surrounded by a reflector. Preferably, in order for the light guide to be able to emit collimated light uniformly from its emission surface, the light guide has inclined reflecting irregularities or stepwise reflecting plates which are provided directly or via an air gap on a back surface opposite to the emission surface thereof, wherein the inclined reflecting plates are specular-finished at least on the inclined portions.

Abstract: A multi-domain vertical alignment liquid crystal display device includes upper and lower substrates having upper and lower alignment layers, a pixel electrode on the lower substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the upper and lower alignment layers. The upper alignment layer is alignment-treated to define a specified alignment direction. The pixel electrode is arranged to define a desired pattern of slits or floating electrodes. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy (&Dgr;∈).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel with a narrow frame, fabricated by eliminating the space required for applying conductive paste. Sealing adhesive containing conductive particles is applied along a rim between the two substrates and constituting a liquid crystal panel. A common electrode on the second substrate and a electrode connecting terminal on the first substrate are electrically connected through the conductive particles in the sealing adhesive. An insulation film made of an organic material is provided at an area of the sealing adhesive for covering conductors at least at a portion where conductors on the first substrate and facing common electrode on the second substrate overlap. This configuration enables to eliminate the use of conductive paste conventionally required for connecting the facing common electrode and facing electrode connecting terminal.

Abstract: A small-size liquid crystal capable of exhibiting good color balance and light utilization efficiency is formed of a layer of liquid crystal, two-dimensionally arranged pixel electrodes disposed so as to apply voltages to the liquid crystal and, together with the liquid crystal, form two-dimensionally arranged pixels each corresponding to one pixel electrode and designed to emit light of one of a plurality of colors, and an array of microlenses disposed to illuminate each pixel with a condensed light spot of illumination light of one of the plurality of colors. In the device, pixels of at least one of the plurality of colors are set to have a pixel size different from those of pixels of the other color(s).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a reflector of a reflective LCD capable of improving a viewing angle characteristic while simplifying a forming process, the method comprising the steps of: applying a photoresist film on an insulating substrate; dispersing a plurality of spacers over a surface of the photoresist film; curing the photoresist film; rubbing the spacers-dispersed and cured photoresist film, thereby removing the spacers; and performing a vapor deposition of a metal film having a high reflectivity on the photoresist film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, and a manufacturing method thereof, having an existing box-like counter electrode connected to the source/drain electrode through a first contact hole in the gate insulating film and so is used as the pixel electrode, and the existing slit-shaped counter electrode is connected to the non-transparent metallic common bus line through a second contact hole in the gate insulating film and so becomes the counter electrode while maintaining the existing process layer structure as it is, so that even if a short circuit occurs between the gate bus line and the pixel electrode in the same layer due to the particle, degradation is limited to only one pixel, which results in enhancing of the process yield.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, auxiliary lines are formed under pixel electrodes so as to be parallel to signal or scanning lines. The auxiliary lines are connected to the signal or scanning lines at one point for each pixel. This permits a voltage to be applied to a signal or scanning line if a disconnection defect occurs in the signal or scanning line. The auxiliary line is connected to the signal or scanning line at opposite sides of the defect to form a circuit around the defect. Moreover, if a leakage defect occurs at a crossing point between the scanning line and the signal line, the signal or scanning line may be cut off at both sides of the scanning or signal line, and the auxiliary line forms a circuit that avoids the line leak. Thus, a voltage may be applied to the signal or scanning line by the auxiliary line.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, support columns are formed on the outside of a seal area in an edge area of opposing substrates, thus reducing substrate deformation and preventing the occurrence of air bubbles inside the liquid crystal layer, undesirable coloring of the display area, and color irregularity. Support columns 9 formed using a conductive ink are provided on the outside of seal material 6 used for sealing liquid crystal layer 5 contained between top substrate 1 and bottom substrate 2. The support columns 9 prevent the warping of substrates 1 and 2 caused by the shrinkage of mold material 8 during hardening, reducing the changes in the liquid crystal layer thickness. Support columns 9 are print-formed simultaneously with the conductive connection area of the liquid crystal panel, and are hardened simultaneously with the seal material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided having a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a conduction portion of a plurality of external wirings. An external portion is in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes and comprises a conduction layer having a predetermined thickness, the conduction layer being arranged in a predetermined pattern on the external portion and between the external wirings and the external portion.