Abstract: An approach for constructing active matrix liquid crystal light valves having very high aperture ratio is described. This is achieved by a burying the pixel addressing elements beneath a planarized array of nearly contiguous pixel electrodes and minimizing the footprint of opaque structures in the light valve. Undesirable field-induced disclinations and deformations of the liquid crystal are minimized by shielding the addressing structures with the pixel electrodes. Embodiments are provided which utilize the approach to improve transmittance, image quality, yield, design flexibility and functionality of the display.

Abstract: An active matrix array for liquid crystal displays which provides for a large aperture ratio. A layer of single crystal silicon is disposed over a glass substrate and etched and doped to form multiple source and drain regions for an array of thin film transistors (TFTs). Multiple gate buses are laid across the source and drain regions to form the TFTs. The drain regions each electrically contact a transparent electrode used in switching an individual pixel in a liquid crystal display. The TFTs formed do not encroach significantly into the pixel aperture and the conduction lines are constructed at minimal photolithographical requirements.