Liquid crystal panel

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal panel capable of more surely forming a potential gradient.SOLUTION: An optical device 1 includes: a first high resistant film 321 relatively positioned inside; a plurality of second high resistant films 322 relatively positioned outside; first electrodes 331a and 332a and second electrodes 331b and 332b used as electrodes; and first and second transmission parts 361 and 362 having two different potentials. The first and second resistant films 321 and 322 consist of a conductor having an electric resistance higher than those of the electrodes; each of the plurality of second high resistant films 322 surrounds the outside of the first high resistant film 321; the first transmission part 361 has a plurality of first parts 3613 laminated with the first electrodes 332a provided in the plurality of second high resistant films 322; and the second transmission part 362 has a plurality of second parts 3623 laminated with the first electrode 331a provided in the first high resistant film 321 and the first electrode 332a provided in the plurality of second high resistant films 322.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal panel. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid crystal panel capable of controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules so as to produce an optical effect like that of a lens is known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-167026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To make a liquid crystal panel function as a lens, it is necessary to create a potential gradient by applying different potentials to the inner and outer peripheries of a circular or annular electrode provided in the light-transmitting region of the liquid crystal panel. Here, the circumferential length increases toward the outer periphery. Therefore, when a potential is applied from a single point on the outer periphery of the electrode, the potential is less transmitted to positions farther from the single point, making it difficult to apply a sufficient potential to the entire outer periphery. This sometimes makes it difficult to create a good potential gradient due to the potential difference between the inner and outer peripheries.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a liquid crystal panel that can more reliably form a potential gradient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid crystal panel according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes two substrates and liquid crystal sandwiched between the two substrates, wherein a first substrate, which is one of the two substrates, includes a first potential gradient generating portion located relatively inside a light-transmitting area, a second potential gradient generating portion located relatively outside the light-transmitting area, first electrodes provided on the inner peripheries of the first potential gradient generating portion and the second potential gradient generating portion, second electrodes provided on the outer peripheries of the first potential gradient generating portion and the second potential gradient generating portion, a first transmission portion to which one of two different potentials is applied, a second transmission portion to which the other of the two different potentials is applied, and a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the the first potential gradient forming portion and the second potential gradient forming portion are made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode, the second potential gradient forming portion has a plurality of partition portions arranged so as to surround the outside of the first potential gradient forming portion, the first transmission portion has a plurality of first portions stacked with the first electrodes provided in the plurality of partition portions, and the second transmission portion has a plurality of second portions stacked with the first potential gradient forming portion and the second electrodes provided in the plurality of partition portions, [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic structure within the light-transmitting region. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a virtual cross-sectional view in which the vicinity of the center of the light-transmitting region is defined as one end side and the outer peripheral end side of the light-transmitting region is defined as the other end side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance from the optical center of the first, second, and third regions and the refractive index difference of light generated by the liquid crystal in the state shown in Figure 3 in the first, second, and third regions. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shape of the high-resistance film layer and the electrode layer described with reference to FIG. 3 in plan view. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the contacts in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer in a plan view, which have been described with reference to FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of contacts in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer in a plan view in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of contacts in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer in a plan view in the third embodiment, as well as a third electrode provided in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the connection between the third electrode 332c and the second high-resistance film 322 and the connection between the third electrode 333c and the third high-resistance film 323. As shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XIVII of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XIVIII of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX-XX in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion FC1 in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. [Figure 23]FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV of FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of a portion FC2 in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a modification of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with reference to the previous drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) 1 is a schematic diagram showing an optical device 1 according to an embodiment. The optical device 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 100 and a flexible substrate 101. The liquid crystal panel 100 is a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal 40 (see FIG. 3) is sealed. The flexible substrate 101 has a plurality of wires that connect the liquid crystal panel 100 to an external control device.

[0010] In the description of the embodiments, the first direction Dx refers to a direction along the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 100. Furthermore, the second direction Dy refers to a direction along the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 and perpendicular to the first direction Dx. Furthermore, the third direction Dz refers to a direction perpendicular to the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel 100 includes a light-transmitting area AA and a peripheral area FA. The light-transmitting area AA is, for example, an area within a circular edge when viewed from a planar perspective. The peripheral area FA is an area surrounding the outside of the light-transmitting area AA when viewed from a planar perspective. The planar perspective is a perspective when the plate surface of the liquid crystal panel 100 is viewed from the front. The light-transmitting area AA is an area that is controlled to transmit light traveling from one side of the liquid crystal panel 100 to the other side when the optical device 1 is in operation. The peripheral area FA is configured not to transmit light.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic structure within the light-transmitting region AA. The light-transmitting region AA has multiple concentric regions formed around the center of the light-transmitting region AA. While FIG. 2 shows an example in which three concentric regions, a first region A1, a second region A2, and a third region A3, are provided, this is merely an example. The number of concentric regions may be two, four, or more. The multiple concentric regions include the first region A1, which is a circular region located at the center, and one or more annular regions (e.g., the second region A2, the third region A3, etc.) surrounding the circular region on the radial outside of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "radial direction" simply refers to the radial direction of the circle of the light-transmitting region AA. Furthermore, the term "concentric region" simply refers to either the circular region or the annular region.

[0013] 3 is a virtual cross-sectional view in which the vicinity of the center CE of the light-transmitting region AA is defined as one end and the outer peripheral edge of the light-transmitting region AA is defined as the other end. The virtual cross-sectional view is intended to show the relative arrangement between one end and the other end of the arrangement of components for realizing the electrical characteristics of the liquid crystal panel 100. As an example of the virtual cross-section, the III-III cross-section is conveniently set in FIG. 2, and the III-III cross-section is used as the virtual cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. In reality, due to the positional relationship with the first portion 3613, the second portion 3623, etc. (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, the cross-section identical to the cross-section shown in FIG. 3 may not necessarily be obtained.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal panel 100 has a first substrate 37 and a second substrate 43 that face each other in the third direction Dz with the liquid crystal 40 sandwiched therebetween. The first substrate 37 and the second substrate 43 are light-transmitting substrates such as glass substrates. On the liquid crystal 40 side of the second substrate 43, an alignment film 41 and a common electrode 42 are laminated in this order from the liquid crystal 40 side toward the second substrate 43 side. The alignment film 41 is an insulating layer on the surface facing the liquid crystal 40, and grooves that determine the initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 are formed therein. The common electrode 42 is an electrode that covers the entire light-transmitting region AA.

[0015] On the liquid crystal 40 side of the first substrate 37, an alignment film 31, a high resistance film layer 32, an electrode layer 33, and a transmission layer 36 are laminated in this order from the liquid crystal 40 toward the first substrate 37. The alignment film 31 is an insulating layer on the surface facing the liquid crystal 40, on which grooves that determine the initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 are formed. The high resistance film layer 32 exhibits a relatively high electrical resistance compared to the common electrode 42 and the electrode layer 33, but is a film-like layer (high resistance film) that functions as a conductor. Specifically, the high resistance film layer 32 is made of ITO / SiO2. Specific examples of the electrical resistance value of the high resistance film layer 32 include 10 6 Ohm-meter (Ω / m 2 ) or more to 10 8 Ω / m 2 The electrical resistance values ​​determined within the following ranges are included.

[0016] The high-resistance film layer 32 is individually provided in the multiple concentric regions described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the high-resistance film layer 32 includes a first high-resistance film 321 provided in the first region A1, a second high-resistance film 322 provided in the second region A2, and a third high-resistance film 323 provided in the third region A3. The first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 share a common center CE as the center of the arc of their outer peripheries. That is, the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 are multiple concentric regions that share the same center of the circle of their outer peripheries. As shown in FIG. 2, the first high-resistance film 321 has a substantially circular shape in a plan view. The second high-resistance film 322 has an annular shape surrounding the first high-resistance film 321. The third high-resistance film 323 has an annular shape surrounding the second high-resistance film 322.

[0017] Among the multiple concentric regions, a gap is provided between adjacent concentric regions in the radial direction. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a gap D1 between the first region A1 and the second region A2 and a gap D2 between the second region A2 and the third region A3 are illustrated. The number of such gaps is the number of concentric regions minus 1. Note that such gaps apply to the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33, but not to other components.

[0018] In the embodiment, the more outer the concentric regions are, the smaller the radial width of the concentric regions is. In accordance with the radial width of such concentric regions, the radial width of the high resistance film layer 32 provided in the more outer concentric regions is also smaller.

[0019] The electrode layer 33 is a film-like layer that functions as a conductor. Specifically, the electrode layer 33 and the common electrode 42 are formed of a thin, light-transmitting conductive film such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), but may also be formed of a non-light-transmitting material with extremely high conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[0020] 3 and 5 described later, the electrode layer 33 includes a first electrode 331a, a second electrode 331b, a first electrode 332a, a second electrode 332b, a first electrode 333a, and a second electrode 333b. The first electrode 331a is provided so as to overlap with the center CE (see FIG. 5) of the first high-resistance film 321. The shape of the first electrode 331a in a plan view is, for example, circular, but may also be dot-like or polygonal.

[0021] The second electrode 331b is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the first high-resistance film 321 within a range overlapping with the first high-resistance film 321. The first electrode 332a is provided along the inner peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322 within a range overlapping with the second high-resistance film 322. The second electrode 332b is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322 within a range overlapping with the second high-resistance film 322. The first electrode 333a is provided along the inner peripheral edge of the third high-resistance film 323 within a range overlapping with the third high-resistance film 323. The second electrode 333b is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the third high-resistance film 323 within a range overlapping with the third high-resistance film 323. As will be described in detail later, as illustrated in FIG. 5, second electrode 331b, first electrode 332a, second electrode 332b, first electrode 333a and second electrode 333b have, for example, an arc shape when viewed from a plan view.

[0022] 3 and 5, the first electrode 331a and the second electrode 331b are spaced apart in the radial direction. The first electrode 332a and the second electrode 332b are spaced apart in the radial direction. The first electrode 333a and the second electrode 333b are spaced apart in the radial direction.

[0023] The high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 are connected via a contact formed at a position where the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 overlap. FIG. 3 illustrates a contact 380 that connects the third high-resistance film 323 and the second electrode 333b. The contact 380 is formed in the connection portion layer 38. The connection portion layer 38 is a part of the high-resistance film layer 32, that is, the part of the high-resistance film layer 32 on the electrode layer 33 side.

[0024] In the embodiment, of the contacts formed at the position where the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 overlap, only the contact connecting the first high-resistance film 321 and the first electrode 331a is point-shaped, and the other contacts are ring-shaped all around.

[0025] The transmission layer 36 is a conductive layer that overlaps, in plan view, a portion of the electrode layer 33. The transmission layer 36 is made of a material with extremely high conductivity, such as copper or aluminum.

[0026] The transmission layer 36 includes a first transmission portion 361 and a second transmission portion 362. The first transmission portion 361 overlaps with a portion of the electrode layer 33 that is provided on the inner periphery of the plurality of concentric regions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first transmission portion 361 overlaps with the first electrode 331a, the first electrode 332a, and the first electrode 333a. The second transmission portion 362 overlaps with a portion of the electrode layer 33 that is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of concentric regions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second transmission portion 362 overlaps with the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, and the second electrode 333b. Although not shown, the first transmission portion 361 and the second transmission portion 362 are connected at the other end to feeding points of different potentials.

[0027] The electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 are connected via a contact formed at a position where the electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 overlap. FIG. 3 illustrates a contact 35 connecting the second electrode 333b and the second transmission section 362. The contact 35 is formed on the connection portion layer 39. The connection portion layer 39 is a part of the electrode layer 33, that is, the part of the electrode layer 33 on the transmission portion layer 36 side. An insulating layer 390 is provided in an area of ​​the connection portion layer 39 where no contact such as the contact 35 is provided. An insulating layer 385 is provided in an area of ​​the electrode layer 33 where no electrode such as the first electrode 331a, the second electrode 331b, the first electrode 332a, the second electrode 332b, the first electrode 333a, or the second electrode 333b is provided, and in an area of ​​the connection portion layer 38 where no contact such as the contact 380 is provided. The insulating layers 385 and 390 are formed of, for example, a SiO (silicon oxide)-based light-transmitting material or a SiN (silicon nitride)-based light-transmitting material.

[0028] Among the connection combinations of the components included in the electrode layer 33 and the components included in the transmission layer 36, the combinations other than the second electrode 333b and the second transmission section 362 are also connected via contacts. Specifically, the first transmission section 361 is connected to the first electrode 331a, the first electrode 332a, and the first electrode 333a. The second transmission section 362 is connected to the second electrode 331b, the second electrode 332b, and the second electrode 333b.

[0029] Even if the electrode layer 33 and the transmission layer 36 overlap in plan view, if no contact is provided at the overlapping position, there will be no connection at the overlapping position.

[0030] Due to the layered structure and connection relationship described with reference to Fig. 3, a potential difference occurs between the inside and outside in the radial direction of the high-resistance film layer 32. Specifically, the potential difference between the potential applied to the first transmission portion 361 and the potential applied to the second transmission portion 362 generates a potential gradient between the inside and outside in the radial direction of the high-resistance film layer 32. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 becomes an orientation corresponding to the respective potential gradients in the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3, as shown in Fig. 3. More specifically, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is realized by the relationship between the potential gradient and the constant potential applied to the common electrode 42.

[0031] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the distance from the optical center of the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 and the difference in refractive index of light generated by the liquid crystal 40 in the state shown in FIG. 3 in the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3. The refractive index difference here refers to the magnitude of change in the traveling direction of light incident along the third direction Dz from the first substrate 37 of the liquid crystal panel 100. The greater the degree of change in the crossing angle with the third direction Dz in the direction radially inward toward the focus before the traveling direction passes through to the second substrate 43 of the liquid crystal panel 100, the greater the refractive index difference is considered to be.

[0032] As shown in graphs G1 and G2 in Figure 4, in each of the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3, the refractive index difference decreases as the radial distance decreases, and increases as the radial distance increases. In the specific example, the refractive index difference increases from the inside to the outside in the radial direction within one concentric region, but when moving from one concentric region to a different concentric region, the refractive index difference is controlled so that it is reset to zero at the innermost periphery of the different concentric region. The refractive index difference in the embodiment is closer to that shown in graph G2.

[0033] By controlling the potential difference between the potentials applied to the first transmission section 361 and the second transmission section 362 so as to establish the refractive index difference described with reference to FIG. 4, each concentric region of the liquid crystal panel 100 exhibits a lens-like optical effect, directing light entering from below along the third direction Dz toward a focal point as the region approaches the outermost radial position. This optical effect can be compared to the optical effect of a lens having a flat bottom and a convex top. In FIG. 3, dashed lines L1, L2, and L3 are shown to schematically illustrate this optical effect. The dashed line L1 indicates the optical effect produced by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the first region A1. The dashed line L2 indicates the optical effect produced by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the second region A2. The dashed line L3 indicates the optical effect produced by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal 40 in the third region A3. The optical effect of the multiple concentric regions as shown by the dashed lines L1, L2, and L3 is substantially the same as the optical effect produced by a Fresnel lens. That is, the liquid crystal panel 100 including the multiple concentric regions operates to produce the same optical effect as a Fresnel lens.

[0034] Here, the first high-resistance film 321 provided in the first region A1 corresponds to a first potential gradient forming portion located relatively inside the light-transmitting region AA. Also, the third high-resistance film 323 provided in the third region A3 corresponds to a second potential gradient forming portion located relatively outside the light-transmitting region AA. Note that the second high-resistance film 322 provided in the second region A2 can be said to be a second potential gradient forming portion located relatively outside the light-transmitting region AA with respect to the first high-resistance film 321. Also, the second high-resistance film 322 can be said to be a first potential gradient forming portion located relatively inside the light-transmitting region AA with respect to the third high-resistance film 323.

[0035] In the following, from FIG. 6 onwards, a description will be given of the configuration included in the range from the high-resistance film layer 32 to the transmission layer 36, among the laminated structure in the cross section described with reference to FIG. 3. In cross-sectional views such as FIG. 8 described later, the configuration on the liquid crystal 40 side of the high-resistance film layer 32 is omitted, but in reality, the liquid crystal 40, the alignment film 41, the common electrode 42, and the second substrate 43 are laminated, similar to the configuration described with reference to FIG. 3. Furthermore, in plan views such as FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the hierarchical relationship between some components is ignored in order to clearly show the positional relationship in the laminated structure from a planar perspective, but the actual laminate order is as described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0036] 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shapes, in plan view, of the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 described with reference to FIG. 3. As described above, the first high-resistance film 321 has a circular shape in plan view. The second high-resistance film 322 has an annular shape surrounding the first high-resistance film 321. The third high-resistance film 323 has an annular shape surrounding the second high-resistance film 322.

[0037] More specifically, the second high-resistance film 322 is a set of high-resistance films obtained by dividing a ring surrounding the outer periphery of the first high-resistance film 321 in a plan view into a plurality of parts by a plurality of gaps GA. The third high-resistance film 323 is a set of high-resistance films obtained by dividing a ring surrounding the outer periphery of the second high-resistance film 322 in a plan view into a plurality of parts by a plurality of gaps GA.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 5, eight gaps GA divide the second high-resistance films 322 and the third high-resistance films 323 into approximately eight equal parts. Each of the eight second high-resistance films 322 is arc-shaped. The eight second high-resistance films 322 are lined up in the circumferential direction centered on the center CE in a plan view and overlap with the second region A2. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "circumferential direction" refers to the circumferential direction centered on the center CE in a plan view. Each of the eight third high-resistance films 323 is arc-shaped. The eight third high-resistance films 323 are lined up in the circumferential direction and overlap with the third region A3.

[0039] The first electrodes 332a and second electrodes 332b provided on the second high-resistance film 322 also have arc shapes formed by dividing a circle centered on the center CE into eight sections by eight gaps GA. Each of the eight first electrodes 332a overlaps a different second high-resistance film 322 along the inner circumferential edge of the second high-resistance film 322. Each of the eight second electrodes 332b overlaps a different second high-resistance film 322 along the outer circumferential edge of the second high-resistance film 322.

[0040] The first electrodes 333a and second electrodes 333b provided on the third high-resistance film 323 also have an arc shape formed by dividing a circle centered on the center CE into eight sections by eight gaps GA. Each of the eight first electrodes 333a overlaps with a different third high-resistance film 323 along the inner circumferential edge of the third high-resistance film 323. Each of the eight second electrodes 333b overlaps with a different third high-resistance film 323 along the outer circumferential edge of the third high-resistance film 323.

[0041] Furthermore, the second electrode 331b provided on the first high-resistance film 321 also has an arc-like shape, with eight gaps GA dividing a circle centered on the center CE into eight sections. Each of the eight second electrodes 331b overlaps the first high-resistance film 321 at a different position along the outer circumferential edge of the first high-resistance film 321. The gap GA dividing the second electrode 331b in the circumferential direction has one radial end aligned with the inner circumferential edge of the second electrode 331b and the other end aligned with the outer circumferential edge of the second electrode 331b. The gap GA divides not only the second electrode 331b but also the outer circumferential edge of the first high-resistance film 321 at one end. However, having one radial end of the gap GA aligned with the inner circumferential edge of the second electrode 331b is equivalent to having one radial end of the gap GA not extend to the center CE. In other words, the first high-resistance film 321 is not divided.

[0042] The above statement "The first high-resistance film 321 has an approximately circular shape when viewed from a planar perspective" indicates that the first high-resistance film 321 has a shape in which part of its outer edge is hollowed out by a plurality of gaps GA, and that it is circular excluding the hollows caused by the gaps GA.

[0043] The gaps GA are formed so that the angle formed between adjacent gaps GA in the circumferential direction is a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is an angle obtained by dividing 360° with the center CE as the center by the number of gaps GA. When the number of gaps GA is 8 as shown in FIG. 5, the predetermined angle is 45°.

[0044] Each of the multiple gaps GA approximately overlaps a radius centered on the center CE, but the center line of the gap GA along the radial direction does not necessarily overlap the radius line centered on the center CE. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each of the eight gaps GA is slightly offset in the counterclockwise direction (CCW) from the radius line centered on the center CE. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each of the eight gaps GA overlaps the radius line centered on the center CE at the position of its side line on the clockwise direction (CW). The specific positions of the multiple gaps GA as viewed from a plan view are merely examples and are not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate.

[0045] Hereinafter, in order to distinguish each divided region of the concentric circular regions divided by multiple gaps GA, the expressions "partial regions OE1, OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8" shown in Figure 5 may be used. The partial regions OE1, OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8 are arranged counterclockwise (CCW) along the circumferential direction, starting from partial region OE1. Partial region OE1 is adjacent to partial region OE8 in the circumferential direction on the clockwise (CW) side, with one gap GA between them.

[0046] Each of the partial regions OE1, OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8 includes one second high-resistance film 322, one third high-resistance film 323, one first electrode 332a, one third electrode 333a, and one second electrode 331b, one third electrode 332b, and one third electrode 333b. Each of the partial regions OE1, OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8 includes one eighth of the first high-resistance film 321 and one eighth of the first electrode 331a.

[0047] 5, the outer periphery of each of the first high-resistance film 321, the second high-resistance film 322, and the third high-resistance film 323 forms an arc. The second high-resistance films 322 are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the outside of the first high-resistance film 321. The third high-resistance films 323 are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the outside of the first high-resistance film 321 and the second high-resistance films 322.

[0048] The inner periphery of each of the second high-resistance films 322 and the third high-resistance films 323 forms an arc. The first electrode 332a and the second electrode 332b are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged on the plurality of second high-resistance films 322. The first electrode 333a and the second electrode 333b are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged on the plurality of third high-resistance films 323.

[0049] The plurality of second electrodes 331b provided on the first high-resistance film 321 are arranged in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the first high-resistance film 321.

[0050] Next, an example of the arrangement of the contacts 35 in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer 36 in a plan view, which have been described with reference to Fig. 3, will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the description with reference to Fig. 6, the relationship between the contacts 35, the transmission layer 36, and the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 described with reference to Fig. 5 will also be described.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the contacts 35 in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer 36 in a plan view, which were described with reference to FIG. 3. First, the components included in the transmission layer 36 will be described. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the transmission layer 36 includes a first transmission section 361 and a second transmission section 362. Of these, FIG. 6 shows a first base section 3611, a first peripheral section 3612, and a first portion 3613 as components corresponding to the first transmission section 361. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a second base section 3621, a second peripheral section 3622, and a second portion 3623 as components corresponding to the second transmission section 362.

[0052] The first base portion 3611 extends along the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 can be understood as the gap GA in which the first base portion 3611 is provided. The first base portion 3611 shown in FIG. 6 overlaps the counterclockwise CCW end of the "second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323 provided in the partial region OE8" in a plan view. One end of the first base portion 3611 is located radially outward of the second electrode 333b. The other end of the first base portion 3611 is located at a position overlapping with the first electrode 331a. The "potential applied to the first transmission portion 361" described with reference to FIG. 4 is applied from one end of the first base portion 3611.

[0053] The first peripheral edge portion 3612 is provided radially outward of the third high-resistance film 323 and extends to surround the light-transmitting area AA (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Configurations that "extend to surround the light-transmitting area AA", such as the first peripheral edge portion 3612 and the second peripheral edge portion 3622 and third peripheral edge portion 3632 (see FIG. 15) described below, are provided in the peripheral area FA (see FIG. 1).

[0054] The shape of the first peripheral edge portion 3612 in a plan view illustrated in FIG. 6 and other figures is a circular arc extending in the circumferential direction, but is not limited thereto and may be a polygonal shape. One end of the first peripheral edge portion 3612 is continuous with the first base portion 3611. The other end of the first peripheral edge portion 3612 is located on the counterclockwise CCW side of the partial region OE1. Therefore, when the first peripheral edge portion 3612 illustrated in FIG. 6 is considered to be configured to extend from the first base portion 3611, the first peripheral edge portion 3612 can be considered to be a conductive layer extending in the clockwise CW direction from the counterclockwise CCW side end of the partial region OE8 to the counterclockwise CCW side end of the partial region OE1, surrounding the light-transmitting region AA on the outer periphery of the light-transmitting region AA.

[0055] The first portion 3613 extends along a gap GA among the plurality of gaps GA that does not have a first base portion 3611. Fig. 6 shows seven first portions 3613 provided along each of seven gaps GA among the eight gaps GA described with reference to Fig. 5, excluding the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8.

[0056] In each of the partial regions OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8 (see FIG. 5), the first portion 3613 overlaps with the counterclockwise CCW end of the second high-resistance film 322 and the counterclockwise CCW end of the third high-resistance film 323. In other words, the first portion 3613 is on the clockwise CW side of the gap GA along which the first portion 3613 runs.

[0057] The first portion 3613 is continuous with the first peripheral edge portion 3612 at one end. That is, the first portion 3613 is connected to the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The other end of the first portion 3613 is located so as to overlap with the first electrode 332a. Therefore, when the first portion 3613 shown in FIG. 6 is considered to be configured to extend from the first peripheral edge portion 3612, the first portion 3613 can be considered to be a conductive layer that extends into the light-transmitting region AA to the first electrode 332a at a position so as to overlap with the counterclockwise CCW-side ends of the "second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323 that do not overlap with the first base portion 3611."

[0058] The second base portion 3621 extends along the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 can be understood as the gap GA in which the second base portion 3621 is provided. The second base portion 3621 shown in FIG. 6 overlaps the clockwise CW end of the "second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323 provided in the partial region OE1" in a plan view. One end of the second base portion 3621 is located radially outward of the second electrode 333b. The other end of the second base portion 3621 is located at a position overlapping with the second electrode 331b. The "potential applied to the second transmission portion 362" described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 is applied from one end of the second base portion 3621.

[0059] The second peripheral edge portion 3622 is provided radially outward of the third high-resistance film 323 and extends to surround the light-transmitting area AA (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The shape of the second peripheral edge portion 3622 as viewed from a plane, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and other figures, is an arc shape along the circumferential direction, but is not limited to this and may be a polygonal shape. One end of the second peripheral edge portion 3622 is continuous with the first base portion 3621. The other end of the second peripheral edge portion 3622 is located on the clockwise CW side of the partial area OE8. Therefore, if the second peripheral portion 3622 shown in Figure 6 is considered to be configured to extend from the second base portion 3621, the second peripheral portion 3622 can be considered to be a conductive layer extending in the counterclockwise direction CCW from the clockwise CW end of the partial region OE1 to the clockwise CW end of the partial region OE8, surrounding the transparent region AA on the outer periphery of the transparent region AA.

[0060] The second portion 3623 extends along a gap GA among the plurality of gaps GA that does not include a second base portion 3621. Fig. 6 shows seven second portions 3623 provided along each of seven gaps GA among the eight gaps GA described with reference to Fig. 5, excluding the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8.

[0061] In each of the partial regions OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, OE7, and OE8 (see FIG. 5), the second portion 3623 overlaps with the clockwise CW end of the second high-resistance film 322 and the clockwise CW end of the third high-resistance film 323. In other words, the second portion 3623 is located on the counterclockwise CCW side of the gap GA along which the second portion 3623 extends.

[0062] One end of the second portion 3623 is located radially outward from the second electrode 333b and radially inward from the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The other end of the second portion 3623 is located at a position overlapping the second electrode 331b.

[0063] The first peripheral edge portion 3612 and one end of the first portion 3613 are connected via the connecting portion 401, the contact 402, and the contact 403. That is, the first portion 3613 is connected to the first peripheral edge portion 3612.

[0064] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, connecting portion 401 is laminated on second peripheral edge portion 3622 with insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of both ends of connecting portion 401 extends to a position overlapping with first peripheral edge portion 3612, and the other of both ends extends to a position overlapping with one end of first portion 3613. Contact 402 is a contact that connects connecting portion 401 and first peripheral edge portion 3612. Contact 403 is a contact that connects connecting portion 401 and one end of first portion 3613.

[0065] The connection portion 401 is in the same layer as the electrode layer 33 and has the same configuration as the electrode layer 33. The contacts 402 and 403 are in the same layer as the contacts 35 and have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33. This allows the connection portion 401, the contacts 402, and the contacts 403 to be formed simultaneously with the process of forming the electrode layer 33 and the contacts 35. Note that in the explanation with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, one of the seven connection portions 401, the contacts 402, and the contacts 403 is illustrated as an example, but the other six have the same structure. Note that the connection portion 401, the contacts 402, and the contacts 403 may be provided as a dedicated laminated structure independent of the electrode layer 33 and the contacts 35.

[0066] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 illustrates a contact 380 that connects the second high-resistance film 322 to the first electrode 332a and the second electrode 332b.

[0067] 3 and 4, the first transmission section 361 and the second transmission section 362 have different potentials. Therefore, the configuration corresponding to the first transmission section 361 and the configuration corresponding to the second transmission section 362 are arranged so as not to come into contact with each other.

[0068] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 9, first base portion 3611 and second base portion 3621 are separated by gap GA and are not physically continuous. The connection between first peripheral portion 3612 and one end of first portion 3613 via connecting portion 401, contact 402, and contact 403, which has been described with reference to Fig. 7, is also a configuration for separating the configuration corresponding to first transmission portion 361 from the configuration corresponding to second transmission portion 362.

[0069] Above, we have described the configuration included in the transmission layer 36 among the configurations shown in Fig. 6. Next, we will describe the configuration corresponding to the contacts 35 described with reference to Fig. 3 among the configurations shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, contacts 352a, 353a, 351b, 352b, 353b, 351d, 352d, 353d, 351e, 352e, and 353e are shown as the configuration corresponding to the contacts 35.

[0070] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 10, the contact 352a is a contact that connects the first portion 3613 and the first electrode 332a. To achieve such a connection, the contact 352a is located at a position that overlaps the first portion 3613 and the first electrode 332a in a plan view.

[0071] 10, the contact 353a is a contact that connects the first portion 3613 and the first electrode 333a. To achieve such a connection, the contact 353a is located at a position that overlaps the first portion 3613 and the first electrode 333a in a plan view.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 11, contact 352b is a contact that connects second portion 3623 and second electrode 332b. To achieve this connection, contact 352b is positioned to overlap second portion 3623 and second electrode 332b in a plan view. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, contact 353b is a contact that connects second portion 3623 and second electrode 333b. To achieve this connection, contact 353b is positioned to overlap second portion 3623 and second electrode 333b in a plan view.

[0073] The contacts 352a, 353a, 352b, and 353b described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 are one of seven, but the other six have the same structure.

[0074] 11, the contact 351b is a contact that connects the second portion 3623 and the second electrode 331b. To achieve such a connection, the contact 351b is located at a position that overlaps the second portion 3623 and the second electrode 331b in a plan view.

[0075] The connection between second portion 3623 and second electrode 331b by contact 351b is similar to the connection between second portion 3623 and second electrode 332b by contact 352b. The connection structures by other contacts (contacts 351d, 352d, 353d, 351e, 352e, 353e) whose cross sections are not shown are also similar except for the connection configurations.

[0076] The contact 351d is a contact that connects the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 331a. To achieve this connection, the contact 351d is located at a position that overlaps the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 331a in a plan view.

[0077] The contact 352d is a contact that connects the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 332a. To achieve this connection, the contact 352d is located at a position that overlaps the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 332a in a plan view.

[0078] The contact 353d is a contact that connects the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 333a. To achieve this connection, the contact 353d is located at a position that overlaps the first base portion 3611 and the first electrode 333a in a plan view.

[0079] The contact 351e is a contact that connects the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 331b. To achieve this connection, the contact 351e is located at a position that overlaps the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 331b in a plan view.

[0080] The contact 352e is a contact that connects the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 332b. To achieve this connection, the contact 352e is located at a position that overlaps the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 332b in a plan view.

[0081] The contact 353e is a contact that connects the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 333b. To achieve this connection, the contact 353e is located at a position that overlaps the second base portion 3621 and the second electrode 333b in a plan view.

[0082] 5 and 6, partial regions OE2, OE3, OE4, OE5, OE6, and OE7 are each provided with a first portion 3613, a second portion 3623, and contacts 352a, 353a, 351b, 352b, and 353b. Partial region OE1 is provided with a first portion 3613, a second base portion 3621, and contacts 352a, 353a, 351e, 352e, and 353e. Partial region OE8 is provided with a first base portion 3611, a second portion 3623, and contacts 352d, 353d, 351b, 352b, and 353b.

[0083] Here, the first base 3611 and the first portion 3613 are laminated on one of the two edges connecting the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323, which correspond to the partitioning portion. Also, the second base 3621 and the second portion 3623 are laminated on the other of the two edges connecting the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323, which correspond to the partitioning portion.

[0084] Here, the first high-resistance film 321 is the first potential gradient generating portion, and the multiple (e.g., eight) second high-resistance films 322 described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are the second potential gradient generating portions. Each second high-resistance film 322 functions as a multiple of partitions arranged around the outside of the first potential gradient generating portion. That is, one second high-resistance film 322 is one partition. The first electrode 331a corresponds to the first electrode provided on the inner periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion. The second electrode 331b corresponds to the second electrode provided on the inner periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion. The first electrode 332a corresponds to the first electrode provided on the inner periphery of the second potential gradient generating portion. The second electrode 332b corresponds to the second electrode provided on the inner periphery of the second potential gradient generating portion. The contacts 352a, 351d, and 352d correspond to first contacts connecting these first electrodes to the first transmission portion 361. The contacts 351b, 352b, 351e, and 352e correspond to second contacts that connect these second electrodes to the second transmission section 362. The multiple (e.g., eight) first base portions 3611 correspond to multiple first portions that are laminated with the first electrodes provided on the first high-resistance film 321 and the multiple second high-resistance films 322. The multiple (e.g., eight) second base portions 3621 correspond to multiple second portions that are laminated with the second electrodes provided on the first high-resistance film 321 and the multiple second high-resistance films 322.

[0085] In the above explanation, the first high-resistance film 321 is the first potential gradient forming portion, and the multiple (e.g., eight) second high-resistance films 322 described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 are the second potential gradient forming portions. However, even if the second high-resistance film 322 is considered to be the first potential gradient forming portion, and the multiple (e.g., eight) third high-resistance films 323 described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 are considered to be the second potential gradient forming portions, a configuration corresponding to the first electrode, second electrode, first contact, and second contact can be similarly found.

[0086] If the resistance ratio is the effective value of the difference in electrical resistance between the inner and outer peripheries of the circular or annular high-resistance film layer 32 in one concentric region, the resistance ratio is affected not only by the electrical resistance (first resistance) between the inner and outer peripheries of the high-resistance film layer 32, which is caused by the radial width of the high-resistance film layer 32, but also by the electrical resistance (second resistance) of the electrode layer 33, which depends on the circumferential length of the concentric region in which the high-resistance film layer 32 is provided. Specifically, the resistance ratio corresponds to the value obtained by dividing the first resistance by the second resistance. The resistance ratio must exceed 100, and is preferably approximately 1000. To achieve such a resistance ratio, it is generally desirable for the first resistance to be larger and the second resistance to be smaller. However, since the radial width of the high-resistance film layer 32 becomes smaller as the concentric region is located further out, it becomes more difficult to ensure the first resistance in the concentric region located further out. Therefore, in the embodiment, the high-resistance film layer 32 outside the first region A1 is divided into a plurality of partitions (e.g., second high-resistance film 322), and a first electrode (e.g., first electrode 332a), a second electrode (e.g., second electrode 332b), a first portion (first portion 3613), and a second portion (second portion 3623) are individually provided, thereby making the second resistance of each partition smaller than the second resistance of the high-resistance film layer 22 when it is continuous in a ring shape. This ensures the resistance ratio of the high-resistance film layer 32 outside the first region A1 in the embodiment. Therefore, a potential gradient that causes the optical device 1 to function as a liquid crystal lens can be more reliably formed.

[0087] If the resistance ratio significantly exceeds 1000, the voltage gradient will be dulled, making it difficult to produce the refractive index difference described with reference to Figure 4, so it is desirable that the resistance ratio be around 1000.

[0088] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the optical device 1 includes two substrates (the first substrate 37 and the second substrate 43) and a liquid crystal (the liquid crystal 40) sandwiched between the two substrates. The first substrate (first substrate 37), which is one of the two substrates, includes a first potential gradient forming portion (for example, a first high-resistance film 321) located relatively inside the light-transmitting region (light-transmitting region AA), a second potential gradient forming portion (for example, a plurality of second high-resistance films 322) located relatively outside the light-transmitting region, a first electrode (for example, a first electrode 331a) provided on the inner periphery of the first potential gradient forming portion and a first electrode (for example, a first electrode 332a) provided on the inner periphery of the second potential gradient forming portion, a second electrode (for example, a second electrode 331b) provided on the outer periphery of the first potential gradient forming portion and a second electrode (for example, a second electrode 332b) provided on the outer periphery of the second potential gradient forming portion, a first transmission portion (first transmission portion 361) to which one of two different potentials is applied, and a second transmission portion (first transmission portion 362) to which the other of the two different potentials is applied. The device comprises a transmission section (second transmission section 362), a first contact (e.g., contact 351d) connecting the first transmission section to a first electrode (e.g., first electrode 331a) provided on the inner periphery of the first potential gradient forming section, a first contact (e.g., contacts 352a, 351d) connecting the first transmission section to a first electrode (e.g., first electrode 332a) provided on the inner periphery of the second potential gradient forming section, a second contact (e.g., contacts 351b, 351e) connecting the second transmission section to a second electrode (e.g., second electrode 331b) provided on the outer periphery of the first potential gradient forming section, and a second contact (e.g., contacts 352b, 352e) connecting the second transmission section to a second electrode (e.g., second electrode 332b) provided on the outer periphery of the second potential gradient forming section. The first potential gradient generating portion and the second potential gradient generating portion are made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode. The second potential gradient generating portion has a plurality of partition portions (e.g., second high-resistance film 322) arranged so as to surround the outside of the first potential gradient generating portion. The first transmission portion has a plurality of first portions (first portion 3613) connected to first electrodes (e.g., first electrode 332a) provided in the plurality of partition portions, respectively.The second transmission section has a plurality of second portions (second portions 3623) connected to the first potential gradient generating section and the second electrodes provided in the plurality of partition sections, respectively. This allows a potential to be applied from a plurality of locations via the plurality of first portions and the plurality of second portions to the second potential gradient generating section, which is located relatively closer to the outer periphery and therefore has a relatively longer total extension length of the first electrode (e.g., first electrode 332a) and the second electrode (e.g., second electrode 332b) than the first potential gradient generating section. Therefore, a potential gradient can be more reliably formed in the second potential gradient generating section compared to when a single-point power supply is provided to the entire second potential gradient generating section.

[0089] Furthermore, since the first transmission section (first transmission section 361) has a first peripheral section (first peripheral section 3612) provided in the peripheral section (peripheral section FA) of the light-transmitting section (light-transmitting section AA), and the first section (first section 3613) is connected to the first peripheral section, and the second transmission section (second transmission section 362) has a second peripheral section (second peripheral section 3622) provided in the peripheral section, and the second section (second section 3623) is connected to the second peripheral section, the first section and the second section can be provided more easily.

[0090] Furthermore, the outer peripheries of the first potential gradient forming portion (e.g., the first high-resistance film 321) and the partitioning portion (e.g., the second high-resistance film 322) form an arc, and a plurality of the partitioning portions are arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the outside of the first potential gradient forming portion, so that the outer periphery of the second potential gradient forming portion (a plurality of second high-resistance films 322) can be made circular as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to provide the second potential gradient forming portion that is more closely matched to the circular transparent region (transparent region AA).

[0091] Furthermore, the inner peripheral edge of the partitioning portion (e.g., the second high-resistance film 322) forms an arc, the first electrodes (e.g., the first electrode 332a) provided in the second potential gradient forming portion (e.g., the plurality of second high-resistance films 322) are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged in the plurality of partitioning portions, and the second electrodes (e.g., the second electrode 332b) provided in the second potential gradient forming portion are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged in the plurality of partitioning portions, so that the second potential gradient forming portion (the plurality of second high-resistance films 322) can be made ring-shaped as a whole. Therefore, the second potential gradient forming portion can be provided to better match the circular light-transmitting region (light-transmitting region AA).

[0092] Furthermore, since the first part (first part 3613) overlaps with one of the two edges connecting the outer peripheral edge and inner peripheral edge of the partition part (e.g., the second high-resistance film 322), and the second part (second part 3623) overlaps with the other of the two edges, the first part and the second part can be made into a linear structure, and a mechanism for transmitting electric potential can be constructed with a simpler structure.

[0093] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion (e.g., first high-resistance film 321) describes an arc, the second electrodes (e.g., multiple second electrodes 331b) provided in the first potential gradient generating portion are multiple electrodes arranged in a ring shape along the outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion, and the number of second portions (second portion 3623) and the number of second contacts connecting the second portions to the multiple electrodes (e.g., the total number of contacts 351b and 351e) correspond to the number of the multiple electrodes, thereby making it possible to more stabilize the potential of the entire outer periphery side of the one potential gradient generating portion, which has a longer periphery length than the inner periphery side of the one potential gradient generating portion. Therefore, the potential gradient can be more reliably formed.

[0094] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment, which is partially different from the first embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the contacts 35 in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer 36 in a plan view in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the first transmission section 361 includes a first base section 3611, a first peripheral edge section 3612, and a first section 3613 similar to those in the first embodiment, and further includes a first extending end section 3614. In the second embodiment, the second transmission section 362 includes a second base section 3621, a second peripheral edge section 3622, and a second section 3623 similar to those in the first embodiment, and further includes a second extending end section 3624.

[0096] The first extending end portion 3614 is an arc-shaped conductive layer that extends further in the clockwise direction CW from the other end of the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The first peripheral edge portion 3612 and the first extending end portion 3614 are concentric. The first extending end portion 3614 can also be considered to be a part of the first peripheral edge portion 3612 that is extended compared to the first embodiment. The extending end of the first extending end portion 3614 is located as close as possible to the second base portion 3621, but is spaced apart from the second base portion 3621 to an extent that electrical interaction between the first transmission portion 361 and the second transmission portion 362 does not occur.

[0097] The first extending end portion 3614 is connected to the first base portion 3611 or the base of the first peripheral edge portion 3612 on the first base portion 3611 side via the connecting portion 411 , the contact 412 and the contact 413 .

[0098] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 13, the connecting portion 421 is laminated on the first base portion 3611 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of both ends of the connecting portion 421 extends to a position overlapping with the second extending end portion 3624, and the other of both ends extends to a position overlapping with at least the second base portion 3621. The contact 423 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 421 to the second extending end portion 3624. The contact 422 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 421 to the second base portion 3621 or the second peripheral edge portion 3622.

[0099] The second extending end portion 3624 is an arc-shaped conductive layer that extends further in the counterclockwise direction CCW from the other end of the second peripheral edge portion 3622. The second peripheral edge portion 3622 and the second extending end portion 3624 are concentric. The second extending end portion 3624 can also be considered to be a part of the second peripheral edge portion 3622 that is extended compared to the first embodiment. The extending end of the second extending end portion 3624 is located as close as possible to the first base portion 3611, but is spaced apart from the first base portion 3611 to an extent that it does not cause electrical interaction with the first transmission portion 361.

[0100] The second extending end portion 3624 is connected to the second base portion 3621 or the base of the second peripheral edge portion 3622 on the second base portion 3621 side via the connecting portion 421 , the contact 422 and the contact 423 .

[0101] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 14, the connecting portion 411 is laminated on the second base portion 3621 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of the two ends of the connecting portion 411 extends to a position overlapping with the first extending end portion 3614, and the other extends to a position overlapping with at least the first base portion 3611. The contact 412 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 411 to the first extending end portion 3614. The contact 413 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 411 to the first base portion 3611 or the first peripheral edge portion 3612.

[0102] In the second embodiment, the connection portions 411 and 421 are, for example, in the same layer as the electrode layer 33 and have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33. The contacts 412, 413, 422, and 423 are, for example, in the same layer as the contact 35 and have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33.

[0103] Except for the points noted above, the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the connecting portion 411, the contacts 412, and the contacts 413 function as a first connecting portion that straddles the second base portion 3621 of the second transmission portion 362 and connects a first extending end portion 3614, which is an extending end of the first peripheral edge portion 3612, to a base of the first base portion 3611 or the first peripheral edge portion 3612 on the first base portion 3611 side. In addition, the connecting portion 421, the contacts 422, and the contacts 423 function as a second connecting portion that straddles the first base portion 3611 of the first transmission portion 361 and connects a second extending end portion 3624, which is an extending end of the second peripheral edge portion 3622, to a base of the second base portion 3621 or the second peripheral edge portion 3622 on the second base portion 3621 side.

[0104] According to the second embodiment, the first transmission portion (first transmission portion 361) has a first base portion (first base portion 3611) extending into the peripheral region (peripheral region FA) and the light-transmitting region (light-transmitting region AA), the second transmission portion (second transmission portion 362) has a second base portion (second base portion 3621) extending into the peripheral region and the light-transmitting region, the first peripheral portion (first peripheral portion 3612) extends from the first base portion, the second peripheral portion (second peripheral portion 3622) extends from the second base portion, and the extending end (first extending end portion 3623) of the first peripheral portion extends across the second base portion. By providing a first connection portion (connection portion 411, contact 412, and contact 413) that connects the extending end (second extending end portion 3624) of the second peripheral portion across the first base to the base of the second base or the base of the second peripheral portion on the side of the second base, the electric potential of the entire first peripheral portion and the entire second peripheral portion can be made more stable. That is, it is possible to more stabilize the potentials of the first portion (first portion 3613) extending from the first peripheral edge portion, the first electrode (e.g., first electrodes 331a, 332a) to which a potential is transmitted from the first portion, the second portion (second portion 3623) extending from the second peripheral edge portion, the second electrode (e.g., second electrodes 331b, 332b) to which a potential is transmitted from the second portion, and the first potential gradient forming portion (e.g., first high-resistance film 321) and the second potential gradient forming portion (e.g., second high-resistance film 322) in which a potential gradient is generated according to the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably form a potential gradient.

[0105] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment, which is partially different from the first and second embodiments, will be described with reference to Fig. 15 to Fig. 25. In the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0106] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the contacts 35 in a plan view and the shape of the transmission layer 36 in a plan view in the third embodiment, as well as third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c provided in the third embodiment.

[0107] In the third embodiment, the electrode layer 33 further includes third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c in addition to the first electrodes 331a, 332a, and 333a and the second electrodes 331b, 332b, and 333b similar to those in the first and second embodiments. Hereinafter, the phrase "additionally provided" means that a further component is provided in addition to the components similar to those in the first and second embodiments.

[0108] The third electrode 331c is an annular electrode located radially between the first electrode 331a and the second electrode 331b. The third electrode 332c is an annular electrode located radially between the first electrode 332a and the second electrode 332b. The third electrode 333c is an annular electrode located radially between the first electrode 333a and the second electrode 333b.

[0109] As described above, the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 are connected via contacts formed at positions where the high-resistance film layer 32 and the electrode layer 33 overlap. Therefore, the third electrode 331c is connected to the first high-resistance film 321 via a contact similar to the contact 380. The third electrode 332c is connected to the second high-resistance film 322 via a contact similar to the contact 380. The third electrode 333c is connected to the third high-resistance film 323 via a contact similar to the contact 380.

[0110] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the connection between the third electrode 332c and the second high-resistance film 322 and the connection between the third electrode 333c and the third high-resistance film 323. As shown in Fig. 16, in the third embodiment, contacts 380 are formed on the electrode layer 33 side of the second high-resistance film 322 and the third high-resistance film 323, connecting a component additionally provided in the third embodiment as a component included in the electrode layer 33 to the high-resistance film layer 32. Note that although the relationship between the third electrode 331c and the first high-resistance film 321 is not shown in Fig. 16, the relationship is similar to the relationship between the third electrode 332c and the second high-resistance film 322.

[0111] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XIVII of FIG. 15. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XIVIII of FIG. 15. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 15. Note that the third electrode 331c and the first high-resistance film 321, the third electrode 332c and the second high-resistance film 322, and the third electrode 333c and the third high-resistance film 323 only need to be connected at least at one point, and do not need to be connected over the entire circumferential direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the third electrode 332c and the second high-resistance film 322 may not be connected. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, there may be portions where the components included in the high-resistance film layer 32 are not connected to the components added to the electrode layer 33 in embodiment 3, such as the third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c.

[0112] The specific radial positions of the third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c correspond to the potential to be applied to the liquid crystal 40 (see FIG. 3) by providing the third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c. For example, to generate a potential that aligns the liquid crystal 40 to exhibit the refractive index difference of the reference BL shown in FIG. 4, the third electrode 331c is provided at position P1, the third electrode 332c is provided at position P2, and the third electrode 333c is provided at position P3. This is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting. The positions of the third electrodes, such as the third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c, may be any position between the inner and outer peripheries of the high-resistance film layer 32 provided in each of the multiple concentric regions, such as the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 described with reference to FIG. 2. The key point is that a correspondence relationship between the potential of the third electrodes and the arrangement of the third electrodes is established so as to achieve the intended refractive index difference. The potential of the third electrode is applied from one end side of a third base portion 3631, which will be described later.

[0113] In the third embodiment, a third base portion 3631, a third peripheral portion 3632, and a third portion 3633 are additionally provided as components included in the transmission layer 36. Here, the third base portion 3631, the third peripheral portion 3632, and the third portion 3633 are collectively referred to as a third transmission portion.

[0114] The third base 3631 extends along the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8 can be understood as the gap GA in which the third base 3631 is provided. The third base 3631 shown in FIG. 15 is located between the first base 3611 and the second base 3621 in a plan view. One end of the third base 3631 is located radially outward from the second electrode 333b. The other end of the third base 3631 is located so as to overlap with the third electrode 331c.

[0115] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in Figure 15. As shown in Figures 15 and 20, the first base portion 3611, the third base portion 3631, and the second base portion 3621 are separated from each other and are not physically continuous. The configuration within portion FC1, which will be described later, is a configuration for separating the first base portion 3611, the third base portion 3631, and the second base portion 3621.

[0116] The third peripheral edge portion 3632 is provided radially outward of the third high-resistance film 323 and extends to surround the light-transmitting area AA (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The shape of the third peripheral edge portion 3632 in a plan view, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and other figures, is an arc extending along the circumferential direction, but is not limited thereto and may be a polygonal shape. Both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632 face each other across the first base portion 3611, the third base portion 3631, and the second base portion 3621. In other words, both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632 are positioned at a distance from the first base portion 3611 and the second base portion 3621 such that electrical interaction between the third peripheral edge portion 3632 and the first transmission portion 361 and the second transmission portion 362 is not generated. Furthermore, one of both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632 is positioned as close as possible to the first base portion 3611, and the other is positioned as close as possible to the second base portion 3621. As described above, the third peripheral portion 3632 has both ends located, and can be considered to be a conductive layer extending from near the end of the partial region OE8 on the counterclockwise CCW side to near the end of the partial region OE1 on the clockwise CW side, surrounding the transparent region AA on the outer periphery of the transparent region AA.

[0117] The third portion 3633 extends along a gap GA among the plurality of gaps GA that does not have a third base portion 3631. Fig. 15 shows seven third portions 3633 provided along each of seven gaps GA among the eight gaps GA described with reference to Fig. 5, excluding the gap GA between the partial region OE1 and the partial region OE8.

[0118] One third portion 3633 along one gap GA is located between the first portion 3613 and the second portion 3623 along the gap GA. One end of the third portion 3633 is located, for example, radially outward from the second electrode 333b and radially inward from the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The other end of the third portion 3633 is located so as to overlap with the third electrode 331c. One end of the third portion 3633 and the third peripheral edge portion 3632 are electrically connected. The connection relationship between the one end of the third portion 3633 and the third peripheral edge portion 3632 will be described later with reference to FIG. 25.

[0119] In addition, in FIG. 15, contacts 351c, 352c, 353c, 351f, 352f, and 353f are additionally provided as components corresponding to the contact 35.

[0120] The contact 351c is a contact that connects the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 331c. To achieve this connection, the contact 351c is located at a position that overlaps the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 331c in a plan view.

[0121] The contact 352c is a contact that connects the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 332c. To achieve this connection, the contact 352c is located at a position that overlaps the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 332c in a plan view.

[0122] The contact 353c is a contact that connects the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 333c. To achieve this connection, the contact 353c is located at a position that overlaps the third portion 3633 and the third electrode 333c in a plan view.

[0123] The contact 351f is a contact that connects the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 331c. To achieve this connection, the contact 351f is located at a position that overlaps the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 331c in a plan view.

[0124] The contact 352f is a contact that connects the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 332c. To achieve this connection, the contact 352f is located at a position that overlaps the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 332c in a plan view.

[0125] The contact 353f is a contact that connects the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 333c. To achieve this connection, the contact 353f is located at a position that overlaps the third base portion 3631 and the third electrode 333c in a plan view.

[0126] 5 and 15, among the multiple gaps GA, one third portion 3633 and one each of contacts 351c, 352c, and 353c are additionally provided in each of the other gaps GA except for the gap GA between partial region OE1 and partial region OE8. Furthermore, a third base 3631 and contacts 351f, 352f, and 353f are additionally provided in the gap GA between partial region OE1 and partial region OE8.

[0127] Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion FC1 in Fig. 15. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in Fig. 21. In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, a connecting portion 421, a contact 422, and a contact 423 are provided. However, the connecting portion 421 of the third embodiment is stacked not only on the first base portion 3611 but also on the third base portion 3631 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. In other words, the connecting portion 421 of the third embodiment is provided so as to straddle the first base portion 3611 and the third base portion 3631.

[0128] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 21. In the third embodiment, both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 431, the contact 432, and the contact 433.

[0129] The connecting portion 431 is laminated on the first base portion 3611 and the second base portion 3621 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of both ends of the connecting portion 431 extends to a position overlapping one of both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632. The other of both ends of the connecting portion 431 extends to a position overlapping the other of both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632. The contact 432 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 431 to one of both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632. The contact 433 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 431 to the other of both ends of the third peripheral edge portion 3632.

[0130] Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 21. In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, a connecting portion 411, a contact 412, and a contact 413 are provided. However, the connecting portion 411 of the third embodiment is stacked not only on the second base portion 3621 but also on the third base portion 3631 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. In other words, the connecting portion 411 of the third embodiment is provided so as to straddle the second base portion 3621 and the third base portion 3631.

[0131] The configuration in which the contacts 352a, 353a, 351b, 352b, and 353b overlap each other in a plan view is common to the first, second, and third embodiments. That is, in terms of the electrical connection relationship between the configuration corresponding to the first transmission section 361 and the configuration corresponding to the second transmission section 362, the third embodiment is common to the first and second embodiments. In other words, as long as the electrical connection relationship is similar to that described above, the inside-outside relationship between the first peripheral edge portion 3612 and the second peripheral edge portion 3622, the relationship between the position of the first portion 3613 and the position of the second portion 3623, the specific arrangement of the contacts 352a, 353a, 351b, 352b, and 353b, and the like may be changed as appropriate.

[0132] 25 is an enlarged view of portion FC2 in FIG. 15. One end of the third portion 3633 and the third peripheral edge portion 3632 are connected via a connecting portion 441, a contact 442, and a contact 443. The connecting portion 441 is stacked on the second peripheral edge portion 3622 with an insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of both ends of the connecting portion 441 extends to a position where it overlaps with one end of the third portion 3633. The other of both ends of the connecting portion 441 extends to a position where it overlaps with the third peripheral edge portion 3632. The contact 442 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 441 and the third peripheral edge portion 3632. The contact 443 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 441 and the third portion 3633.

[0133] 15, the second peripheral edge portion 3622 and the second portion 3623 are continuous. Therefore, unlike the first and second embodiments, this embodiment does not include the connecting portion 401, the contacts 402, and the contacts 403 described with reference to FIG. 7. Instead, in this embodiment, the first peripheral edge portion 3612 and the first portion 3613 are connected via the connecting portion 451, the contacts 452, and the contacts 453.

[0134] The connecting portion 451 is laminated on the second peripheral edge portion 3622 and the third peripheral edge portion 3632 with the insulating layer 390 sandwiched therebetween. One of both ends of the connecting portion 451 extends to a position where it overlaps with one end of the first portion 3613. The other of both ends of the connecting portion 451 extends to a position where it overlaps with the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The contact 452 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 451 and the first peripheral edge portion 3612. The contact 453 is a contact that connects the connecting portion 451 and the first portion 3613.

[0135] In the third embodiment, the connection portions 431, 441, and 451 are, for example, in the same layer as the electrode layer 33 and have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33. The contacts 432, 433, 442, 443, 452, and 453 are, for example, in the same layer as the contact 35 and have the same configuration as the electrode layer 33.

[0136] As described above, except for the points noted above, embodiment 3 is the same as embodiment 2. In the example shown in Fig. 15, there are eight contacts 351c, 352c, and 353c, but this is not essential. What is important is that the resistance ratio of the first high-resistance film 321 is ensured, and it is sufficient to provide the number of contacts necessary to stabilize the potentials of the third electrodes 331c, 332c, and 333c, with the resistance ratio between the first resistance and the second resistance being within the range of the above-mentioned condition (for example, about 1000).

[0137] According to the third embodiment, a third electrode (for example, the third electrode 331c) is provided between the first electrode (for example, the first electrode 331a) and the second electrode (for example, the second electrode 331b) in the first potential gradient forming portion (for example, the first high-resistance film 321), and a third electrode (for example, the third electrode 331d) is provided between the first electrode (for example, the first electrode 331a) and the second electrode (for example, the second electrode 331b) in the second potential gradient forming portion (for example, the second high-resistance film 322). By providing a third transmission section (third transmission section) to which a potential between the potential of the first transmission section (first transmission section 361) and the potential of the second transmission section (second transmission section 362) is applied, and a third contact (e.g., contact 351c, contact 352c) connecting the third electrode and the third transmission section, a potential gradient can be generated by three potentials: the potential of the first transmission section, the potential of the second transmission section, and the potential of the third transmission section. Therefore, the potential gradient can be formed more reliably.

[0138] Furthermore, since the third electrodes (for example, the third electrodes 332c and 333c) are annular, the potential of the annular electrodes can be more easily made uniform over the entire annulus.

[0139] (Variation) Modifications that are partially different from the above-described embodiments will be described below with reference to Fig. 26 to Fig. 28. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a modification of embodiment 1. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing a modification of embodiment 2. Fig. 28 is a diagram showing a modification of embodiment 3.

[0140] In the modified examples of each embodiment shown in FIGS. 26, 27, and 28, the multiple second electrodes 331b are replaced with one second electrode 331E. Specifically, the second electrode 331b has a shape in which a single circular ring is divided into multiple arcs by multiple gaps GA. In the example shown in FIG. 5, there are eight gaps GA, and the number of second electrodes 331b is also eight. In contrast, the second electrode 331E is not divided by the gaps GA, but is a continuous annular electrode in the circumferential direction along the outer periphery of the first high-resistance film 321, overlapping with the outer periphery of the first high-resistance film 321. Note that the outer periphery of the first high-resistance film 321 in the modified examples of each embodiment is circular, without being hollowed out by the gaps GA.

[0141] Furthermore, in the modified examples of each embodiment, the multiple first electrodes 332a are replaced with a single first electrode 332D. Specifically, like the second electrode 331b, the first electrode 332a described above has a shape in which a single ring is divided into multiple arcs by multiple gaps GA. In contrast, the first electrode 332D is not divided by the gaps GA, but is a continuous annular electrode in the circumferential direction that follows the inner circumferential edge of the second high-resistance film 322 and overlaps with the inner circumferential side of the second high-resistance film 322.

[0142] In addition, in the modified examples of each embodiment, the multiple second electrodes 332b are replaced with a single second electrode 332E. The second electrode 332E is not divided by the gap GA, but is a continuous annular electrode that extends along the outer circumferential edge of the second high-resistance film 322 and overlaps with the outer circumferential side of the second high-resistance film 322. In addition, in the modified examples of each embodiment, the multiple first electrodes 333a are replaced with a single first electrode 333D. The first electrode 333D is not divided by the gap GA, but is a continuous annular electrode that extends along the inner circumferential edge of the third high-resistance film 323 and overlaps with the inner circumferential side of the third high-resistance film 323. In addition, in the modified examples of each embodiment, the multiple second electrodes 333b are replaced with a single second electrode 333E. The second electrode 333E is not divided by the gap GA, but is a continuous annular electrode along the outer periphery of the third high-resistance film 323 in the circumferential direction, overlapping with the outer periphery of the third high-resistance film 323. The characteristics regarding the presence or absence of division before and after the replacement are similar to those described above as the relationship between the first electrode 332a and the first electrode 332D.

[0143] As described above, except for the points noted above, the modified example of embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 26 is the same as the previously described embodiment 1. Also, the modified example of embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 27 is the same as the previously described embodiment 2. Also, the modified example of embodiment 3 shown in Fig. 28 is the same as the previously described embodiment 3.

[0144] It is not necessary for all of the first electrodes (first electrodes 332a, 333a) and second electrodes (second electrodes 331b, 332b, 333b) to be annular. For example, some of the first electrodes 332a, 333a and second electrodes 331b, 332b, 333b may be replaced with an annular configuration as described with reference to Figures 26 to 28, and the remaining electrodes may remain as multiple arc-shaped electrodes as described with reference to Figures 1 to 25.

[0145] 26 to 28, eight contacts are provided on each of the first electrodes 332D, 333D and the second electrodes 331E, 332E, 333E, but this is not essential. The key is that the resistance ratio of the first high-resistance film 321 is ensured, and there are enough contacts to satisfy the resistance ratio between the first resistance and the second resistance within the aforementioned range (e.g., approximately 1000). If the resistance ratio can be satisfied with just one contact, one contact is sufficient. If more contacts are preferable, the number of contacts may be increased as appropriate. The number of partitions is not limited to eight. The key is that the resistance ratio of the high-resistance film layer 32 provided in each concentric region is ensured, and there is enough contacts to satisfy the resistance ratio between the first resistance and the second resistance within the aforementioned range.

[0146] According to the modified example, at least one of the first electrodes (e.g., first electrodes 332D, 333D) and the second electrodes (e.g., second electrodes 331E, 332E, 333E) is annular, which makes it easier to make the potential of the annular electrode uniform over the entire ring.

[0147] Although the second potential gradient forming portion (e.g., the second high-resistance film 322, the third high-resistance film 323) has an arc-like shape, the shape is not limited thereto. The second potential gradient forming portion may be, for example, a high-resistance film that is trapezoidal in plan view and arranged in the circumferential direction so as to surround the outer periphery of the first potential gradient forming portion (e.g., the first high-resistance film 321). In such a trapezoidal high-resistance film, the shorter side of the trapezoid is located on the inner periphery, and the longer side of the trapezoid is located on the outer periphery. Furthermore, the first electrode (e.g., the first electrodes 332a, 333a) and the second electrode (e.g., the second electrodes 332b, 333b) provided on the trapezoidal high-resistance film may be linear along two parallel sides of the trapezoid.

[0148] Furthermore, the liquid crystal panel 10 of the embodiment is an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) liquid crystal panel. Therefore, the direction of the initial alignment determined by the alignment film 41 and the direction of the initial alignment determined by the alignment film 31 are parallel in a plan view, forming an anti-parallel relationship. However, the specific aspects of the liquid crystal panel 10, such as the characteristics of the alignment films 31 and 41 mentioned here, are merely examples and do not limit the form of the liquid crystal panel according to the present disclosure. The specific form of the liquid crystal panel can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

[0149] Furthermore, other effects and advantages brought about by the aspects described in this embodiment that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately thought of by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 100 LCD panels 321 1st high resistance film 322 2nd high resistance film 323 Third high resistance film 331a,332a,333a,332D,333D 1st electrode 331b,332b,333b,331E,332E,333E 2nd electrode 331c,332c,333c 3rd electrode 351b, 351c, 351d, 351e, 351f, 352a, 352b, 352c, 352d, 352e, 352f, 353a, 353b, 353c, 353d, 353e, 353f Contact 361 First Transmission Section 362 Second Transmission Section 3611 1st base 3612 First peripheral part 3613 Part 1 3614 First extension end 3621 2nd base 3622 Second Periphery 3623 Part 2 3624 Second extension end

Claims

1. Two substrates, a liquid crystal sandwiched between the two substrates; The first substrate, which is one of the two substrates, a first potential gradient generating portion located relatively inside the light-transmitting region; a second potential gradient generating portion located relatively outside the light-transmitting region; a first electrode provided on an inner circumferential side of the first potential gradient generating portion and the second potential gradient generating portion; second electrodes provided on the outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion and the second potential gradient generating portion, respectively; a first transmission section to which one of two different potentials is applied; a second transmission section to which the other of the two different potentials is applied; a first contact connecting the first electrode and the first transmission portion; a second contact connecting the second electrode and the second transmission section, the first potential gradient forming portion and the second potential gradient forming portion are made of a conductor having a higher electrical resistance than the first electrode and the second electrode, the second potential gradient generating portion has a plurality of partition portions arranged so as to surround the outside of the first potential gradient generating portion, the first transmission section has a plurality of first portions stacked on the first electrodes provided in the plurality of partition sections, respectively; the second transmission section has a plurality of second portions stacked with the first potential gradient forming section and the second electrodes respectively provided in the plurality of partition sections; LCD panel.

2. the first transmission section has a first peripheral section provided in a peripheral region of the light-transmitting region, the first portion is connected to the first peripheral edge portion; the second transmission section has a second peripheral section provided in the peripheral region, The second portion is connected to the second peripheral edge portion. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

3. the first transmission section has a first base section extending into the peripheral region and the light-transmitting region, the second transmission section has a second base section extending into the peripheral region and the light-transmitting region, the first peripheral portion extends from the first base portion; the second peripheral portion extends from the second base portion; a first connection portion that straddles the second base portion and connects an extending end of the first peripheral edge portion to the first base portion or a base of the first peripheral edge portion on the first base portion side; a second connection portion that straddles the first base portion and connects an extending end of the second peripheral edge portion to the second base portion or a base of the second peripheral edge portion on the second base portion side; Equipped with The liquid crystal panel according to claim 2 .

4. the outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion and the partition portion forms an arc, the plurality of partitions are arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the outside of the first potential gradient generating portion; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

5. The inner periphery of the partition forms an arc, the first electrodes provided in the second potential gradient generating section are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged in the plurality of partition sections, the second electrodes provided in the second potential gradient generating section are arc-shaped electrodes individually arranged in the plurality of partition sections; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4 .

6. the first portion is laminated on one of two edges connecting the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the partition portion, the second portion is laminated with the other of the two edges; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 5 .

7. the outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion forms an arc, the second electrodes provided in the first potential gradient generating portion are a plurality of electrodes arranged in a ring shape along an outer periphery of the first potential gradient generating portion, the number of the second portions and the number of the second contacts connecting the second portions and the plurality of electrodes correspond to the number of the plurality of electrodes; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

8. a third electrode provided between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first potential gradient generating section and the second potential gradient generating section; a third transmission section to which a potential between the two different potentials is applied; a third contact connecting the third electrode and the third transmission section; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

9. the third electrode is annular; The liquid crystal panel according to claim 8 .

10. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is annular. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 .

Images