Abstract: A polarization direction measuring apparatus includes: a first polarizing plate having an unknown polarization direction about a reference axis; a sample whose polarization direction is to be measured; a rotatable sample holder on which the sample is mounted in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the sample holder rotates the sample along a reference axis in the azimuth direction; a light source that generates light passing though the first polarizing plate and the sample; and a light detector detecting light generated by the light source that passes though the first polarizing plate and the sample.

Abstract: A sample for measuring an alignment axis for a liquid crystal display, a method of manufacturing the sample, and a method of measuring an alignment axis are disclosed. The sample includes a first substrate, a first alignment layer positioned on the first substrate, and a second alignment layer. The second alignment layer is positioned on the first alignment layer, and has an anisotropy more than an anisotropy of the first alignment layer.

Abstract: Provided is a light illuminating unit for emitting partially polarized light having an anisotropic illuminance distribution onto a polarizing device. The light illuminating unit includes: a light generator to emit light having an anisotropic illuminance distribution; and a polarizing device to receive light from the light generator.

Abstract: A system for forming an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device includes a rubbing apparatus to perform a rubbing process on the alignment layer on a substrate, a pre-treatment apparatus to thermally treat the substrate, and a light irradiation apparatus to irradiate light onto the substrate. The rubbing apparatus, the pre-treatment apparatus and the light irradiation apparatus are constructed in an in-line type.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for driving a liquid crystal display device for enhancing a picture quality. More specifically, in the method and apparatus, source data are modulated based on registered data previously provided. The modulated data derived from the source data are applied to a liquid crystal panel at the initial period of one frame interval. A black voltage as black data is supplied to the liquid crystal panel at least for a portion of the rest of the frame. The black voltage as the black data enables a black picture to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus of driving a liquid crystal display device improving a picture quality. In the method and apparatus, modulated data bands including at least two modulated data centering a gray scale being approximate to a gray scale value of source data are derived. An approximation is carried out in two directions perpendicular to each other within the modulated data bands to derive unregistered modulated data positioned between the modulated data, thereby modulating the source data.

Abstract: A method of driving a liquid crystal display in which frames having data values indicate the gray scale for liquid crystal in a display panel including the steps of determining a modulating data value for a first temperature interval within a temperature range, storing the modulating data as look-up table, sensing a temperature of a display panel, and modulating the input signal to the liquid crystal display based upon the sensed temperature.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for driving a liquid crystal display device preventing a deterioration of picture quality. More specifically, in the method and apparatus, a difference between modulated data and normal input data is calculated, and the normal input data are modulated by using the difference data calculated.

Abstract: Provided are an LCD capable of improving an image quality and an aperture ratio by uniform alignment of liquid crystal, and a method for fabricating the LCD. A first ion beam is irradiated onto an alignment layer formed on a substrate in a first direction, and a second ion beam is irradiated onto the alignment layer in a second direction that is symmetrical or asymmetrical to the first direction with respect to a line perpendicular to the substrate. Accordingly, the entire surface of the alignment layer can be uniformly aligned. Consequently, light leakage can be prevented and thus an image quality can be enhanced. Also, a black matrix margin can be reduced and an aperture ratio can be enhanced.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device is provided that prevents light leakages and improves contrast ratio. The in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrate, gate and data lines that perpendicularly cross each other on the first substrate to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor at a crossing of the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode and a common electrode alternately formed in the pixel region and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an alignment layer on an entire surface of the substrate, wherein, at least one of the gate line, the data line, the pixel electrode, and the common electrode has a stepped portion with a step difference of about 0.1 ?m or greater, the alignment layer is primarily aligned, and at least a portion of the primarily-aligned alignment layer around the stepped portion is secondarily aligned, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an LCD is provided. According to the method, an alignment film is printed and hardened on a first substrate and a second substrate. Subsequently, the alignment film is subject to a primary alignment process and a subsequent secondary alignment process. The primary alignment process includes a rubbing process and the secondary alignment process includes irradiating light on the entire surface of the rubbed alignment film. Finally, retarder LC materials are coated and hardened on the light-irradiated alignment film to form a first compensation film and a second compensation film.

Abstract: An IPS (in-plane switching mode) liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof, in which post treatment lowering the pre-tilt angle is performed on a rubbed alignment layer on a substrate using a non-rubbing method such as UV or ion-beam irradiation, and by which a viewing angle characteristic is enhanced. The present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a gate line and a data line crossing with each other on the first substrate to define a pixel area, a thin film transistor at a crossing of the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode and a common electrode alternately arranged in the pixel area a predetermined interval from each other, an alignment layer over the pixel and common electrodes having a pre-tilt angle equal to or smaller than about 1°, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Provided is an alignment method including: forming an alignment film on a substrate; irradiating an ion beam onto the alignment film using a bar-type ion gun; and cleaning a surface of the substrate having the alignment film. The irradiating of an ion beam satisfies the following equation: 1.6×10?4?(Lg×I×T)/Ls?1.6×10?2, where I is an ion beam current (A) measured outside an ion beam outlet and irradiated from the bar-type ion gun, Lg is a length (cm) of the ion beam outlet with respect to a moving direction of the substrate, Ls is a length (cm) of the substrate in the moving direction of the substrate, and T is a process time (sec) for processing one substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is disclosed, in which a hole or groove is formed at the same direction as the axis of polarization of first and second polarizers for improving the luminance, and an electric field inducing window or a dielectric protrusion is formed corresponding to the center of the hole or groove to stabilize the texture of liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display (LCD) device to improve picture quality by preventing defective rubbing, is disclosed. The method which includes preparing first and second substrates, forming a thin film transistor on the first substrate, forming a first orientation layer on the first substrate including the thin film transistor, performing rubbing and orientation direction alignment processes on the first orientation layer to provide a uniform alignment direction, and forming a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: An ion beam irradiation device includes a vacuum chamber and a stage on which at least two substrates may be mounted such that each substrate has an inclination angle to a horizontal plane of the vacuum chamber. The stage moves in one direction. An ion gun provided in the vacuum chamber produces ion beams that irradiate the substrates. In a single pass through the vacuum chamber, the alignment layers disposed on multiple substrates may be aligned. The substrates can be aligned such that the ion beam irradiates multiple substrates simultaneously and/or such that the ion beam irradiates the multiple substrates sequentially.