Abstract: A display device comprises a gate metal and a data metal formed in an array region and in a periphery region outside of the array region of the display device. A planarizing layer is formed over the array region and the periphery region. Vias are patterned into the planarizing layer in the array region and the periphery region to expose portions of at least one of the gate metal and the data metal. A transparent conductor is deposited in the array region and the periphery region. A metal layer is locally deposited over the transparent conductor in selected areas of the periphery region. The metal layer and the transparent conductor are patterned to form an additional wiring level and/or to form connections between the gate metal and the data metal in the periphery region and to form transparent pixel electrodes in the array region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of alignment between sheet materials, a method of alignment, a substrate assembling method, and an aligning apparatus, which are capable of easily and surely performing highly accurate alignment and suppressing a reduction in material yield. After alignment performed based on a band-like light as a reference, alignment is performed based on a joint of a condenser lens portion of a lenticular lens as a reference. More specifically, the deviation of a liquid crystal display cell in a rotational direction is corrected by using a light emitted from a light source and condensed to be band-like at the lenticular lens as a reference. Subsequently, by changing a depth of focus of a microscope, measurement is performed for positions of a black matrix of the liquid crystal display cell and the joint of the condenser lens portion of the lenticular lens.

Abstract: A display device and method for fabricating a liquid crystal cell are disclosed. A liquid crystal cell includes a first substrate, and a second substrate attached to the first substrate. The first substrate has a same thickness as the second substrate. The first substrate is lapped at a first rate while concurrently lapping the second substrate at a second rate, which is different from the first rate. The first substrate and the second substrate are thinned to different thicknesses. The thinner of the first and second substrates is provided on a viewer side of a collimate and post diffuse type liquid crystal cell to reduce depixelization.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of chambers. A first chamber includes an anode therein. The first chamber has an opening for delivering an electrolytic solution containing metal ions onto a surface to be electroplated. The surface to be electroplated is preferably a cathode. A second chamber is formed adjacent to the first chamber and has a second opening in proximity of the first opening for removing electrolytic solution containing metal ions from the surface to be electroplated. The plurality of chambers are adapted for movement in a first direction along the surface to be electroplated.

Abstract: A display device and method for fabrication are disclosed. A gate metal and a data metal are formed in an array region and in a periphery region outside of the array region of the display device. A planarizing layer is formed over the array region and the periphery region, and vias are patterned into the planarizing layer in the array region and the periphery region to expose portions of at least one of the gate metal and the data metal. A transparent conductor is deposited in the array region and the periphery region. A metal layer is locally deposited over the transparent conductor in selected areas of the periphery region. Then, using a same lithographic pattern, the metal layer and the transparent conductor are patterned to form an additional wiring level and/or to form connections between the gate metal and the data metal in the periphery region and to form transparent pixel electrodes in the array region.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an interconnect structure for providing electrical communication between an interconnect and a contact in a semiconductor device which includes a contact formed of aluminum or aluminum-copper, an aluminum-copper alloy film which is capable of substantially preventing the contact from being etched by an etchant and which covers substantially the contact, and an interconnect line formed of aluminum or aluminum-copper which at least partially covers the aluminum-copper film sufficient to provide electrical communication between the interconnect line and the contact. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating such interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method for opening resist in raised areas of a semiconductor device, in accordance with the present invention, includes forming a conductive layer over a channel insulator layer to form a raised portion which includes a height above a substantially planar surrounding area. The channel insulator layer is aligned to a gate electrode. A photoresist layer is formed over the raised portion and the surrounding area and the photoresist is patterned by employing a gray scale light mask to reduce exposure light on the photoresist on the conductive layer over the raised portion such that after developing the photoresist, the photoresist is removed over a top surface of the raised portion but remains in the surrounding area. The conductive layer is etched in accordance with the photoresist to form source and drain electrodes which are self aligned to the channel insulator layer.

Abstract: Reflective spatial light modulator array is described incorporating liquid crystal devices, mirrors, a semiconductor substrate, electrical circuits, and a reflector/absorber layer for blocking light. The invention overcomes the problem of shielding light from semiconductor devices, high optical throughput and contrast, pixel storage capacitance to hold the voltage across the liquid crystal device and precise control of the liquid crystal device thickness without spacers obscuring the mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of alignment between sheet materials, a method of alignment, a substrate assembling method, and an aligning apparatus, which are capable of easily and surely performing highly accurate alignment and suppressing a reduction in material yield.

Abstract: A method for opening resist in raised areas of a semiconductor device. In one aspect, a conductive layer is formed over a channel insulator layer to form a raised portion including a height above a substantially planar surrounding area, the channel insulator layer being aligned to a gate electrode. A photoresist layer is formed over the raised portion and the surrounding area, and patterned by employing a gray scale light mask to reduce exposure light on the photoresist over the raised portion. Then, the photoresist is etched to thin it such that a gap is formed in the photoresist down to the conductive layer over the raised portion, but the photoresist remains everywhere else, and the conductive layer is etched in accordance with the photoresist to form source and drain electrodes which are self aligned to the channel insulator layer.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an interconnect structure for providing electrical communication between an interconnect and a contact in a semiconductor device which includes a contact formed of aluminum or aluminum-copper, an aluminum-copper alloy film which is capable of substantially preventing the contact from being etched by an etchant and which covers substantially the contact, and an interconnect line formed of aluminum or aluminum-copper which at least partially covers the aluminum-copper film sufficient to provide electrical communication between the interconnect line and the contact. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating such interconnect structure.

Abstract: A method for aligning a lenticular sheet, in accordance with the present invention, includes applying curable adhesive to a surface and placing a lenticular sheet over the curable adhesive on the surface. The adhesive is cured at a first end portion of the lenticular sheet such that the first end portion is aligned with a first reference position. A temperature of the lenticular sheet is adjusted to align a second end portion of the lenticular sheet with a second reference position. Remaining portions of adhesive are cured to secure the lenticular sheet.

Abstract: A method for achieving, and a structure containing, a thin film refractory metal with a generally symmetric microstructual morphology. Incorporation of between 1 and 5% by atomic fraction nitrogen into the refractory metal selected from the group of Ti, V, Cr, Nb, Mo, Ta, W and alloys thereof results in the desired structural morphology and electrical resistance. Multi-layer structures can be built up of alternate layers of refractory metal with and without nitrogen to achieve a desired product. Alternate layers can vary in thickness and nitrogen content.

Abstract: A storage device for display cells, in accordance with the present invention, includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer having a first side and a second side, the sides being opposite each other. The first conductive layer is spaced apart from the first side of the second conductive layer. A third conductive layer is spaced apart from the second side of the second conductive layer and is formed from a portion of a transparent layer used for constructing pixels of the display cells. The first and third conductive layers are electrically isolated from the second conductive layer. An interconnect is included for electrically coupling the first and third conductive layers such that the first and third conductive layers are included in a first electrode of the storage device and the second conductive layer includes a second electrode of the storage device. A method for fabrication of the storage device is also included.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a position detecting function with a high sensitivity and a high resolution. The position detecting function comprises a position detecting electrically conductive film on a polarizer or a color filter glass substrate of the liquid crystal display device. The present invention also can suppress the undesired generation of an air gap between the polarizer and color filter glass substrate by using a polarizer that is smaller in size relative to the position detecting electrically conductive film.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a liquid crystal display device with a signal layer integrated onto a substrate. Circuitry derives touch position based upon response to signals applied to the signal layer. At least one resistor is integrated onto the substrate. The resistor is coupled between the signal layer and the circuitry. The resistor is formed in conjunction with the signal layer. Preferably, the resistor is part of a resistor network for linearizing resistance of the signal layer in a vertical direction and horizontal direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing tool and method for enhancing the speed with which display panels can be filled with the requisite liquid crystal is described. In essence, the panel walls are expanded by compression of opposite edges to provide a wider channel for the liquid to flow resulting in a substantial increase in the mass transfer of the liquid crystal per unit time thereby enhancing the panel throughput rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for touch input functionality in a liquid crystal display having a plurality of cells each comprising a first substrate having a common electrode integrated thereon, a second substrate having a pixel electrode integrated thereon, and liquid crystal material disposed between the common electrode and pixel electrode. A first conductive layer (signal layer) and second conductive layer (guard plane layer) are integrated onto the first substrate and disposed between the first substrate and the common electrode. Contact position of a touch input device with the first substrate is determined by applying a first signal to the signal layer. A second signal is applied to the guard plane layer to thereby lower capacitive coupling between the signal layer and the common electrode. The second signal may be generated by scaling amplitude and/or phase shifting the first signal. Response to the first signal is measured to determine contact position of the touch input device.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and method for an integrated circuit chip for resisting electromigration is described incorporating patterned interconnect layers of Al or Al--Cu and interlayer contact regions or studs of Al.sub.2 Cu between patterned interconnect layers. The invention overcomes the problem of electromigration at high current density in the interconnect structure by providing a continuous path for Cu and/or Al atoms to move in the interconnect structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for touch input functionality in a liquid crystal display having a plurality of cells each comprising a first substrate having a common electrode integrated thereon, a second substrate having a pixel electrode integrated thereon, and liquid crystal material disposed between the common electrode and pixel electrode. A first conductive layer (signal layer) and second conductive layer (guard plane layer) are integrated onto the first substrate and disposed between the first substrate and the common electrode. Contact position of a touch input device with the first substrate is determined by applying a first signal to the signal layer. A second signal is applied to the guard plane layer to thereby lower capacitive coupling between the signal layer and the common electrode. Response to the first signal is measured to determine contact position of the touch input device.