Liquid crystal device and electronic device

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal device and an electronic apparatus with which it is possible to effectively sweep ionic impurities out of a pixel region that directly contributes to display.SOLUTION: In a liquid crystal device 110, a first pixel region E1 is provided in the pixel region E of a first substrate 10, and a second pixel region E2 is provided between the first pixel region E1 and a seal material 40. The first pixel region E1 has a first pixel electrode 151 to which is applied an image signal the potential of which, as referenced to a first center potential Vce1, alternately switches between positive and negative polarities. The second pixel region E2 has a second pixel electrode 152 to which is applied a first drive signal the potential of which, as referenced to a second center potential Vce2 with a potential difference set between the first center potential Vce1 and itself, alternately switches between positive and negative polarities. Therefore, ionic impurities can be efficiently swept out from the first pixel region E1 to the second pixel region E2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquid crystal device used in electronic devices such as projection-type display devices has a first substrate and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate via a sealant, and a liquid crystal layer such as a liquid crystal layer is disposed inside the sealant. In such a liquid crystal device, if ionic impurities in the liquid crystal layer are unevenly distributed in the pixel region, the light modulation characteristics will deteriorate in the region where the ionic impurities are unevenly distributed. Therefore, a technology has been proposed in which an electrode is provided in the peripheral region between the pixel region of the first substrate and the sealant, and a fixed potential is applied to the electrode to sweep the ionic impurities from the pixel region toward the electrode (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-180428 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, a pixel region includes a display region where display pixels that directly contribute to display are arranged, and a dummy pixel region that is located between the display region and the sealant, so that the electrodes in the peripheral region and the display region are separated in the technology described in Patent Document 1. This poses a problem in that ionic impurities cannot be efficiently swept out of the pixel region that directly contributes to display. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of a liquid crystal device according to the present invention comprises a first substrate having a pixel region, a second substrate having a common electrode to which a common potential is applied, a sealing material provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space surrounded by the sealing material, wherein the pixel region includes a first pixel region having a first pixel electrode to which an image signal is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a first central potential, and a second pixel region having a second pixel electrode between the first pixel region and the sealing material, the second pixel electrode having a first driving potential to which a first driving potential is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a second central potential having a potential difference set with respect to the first central potential.

[0006] One aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention includes a first liquid crystal device to which light in a first wavelength range is incident, a second liquid crystal device to which light in a second wavelength range longer than the first wavelength range is incident, a third liquid crystal device to which light in a third wavelength range longer than the second wavelength range is incident, and a synthesis optical system that synthesizes the light in the first wavelength range emitted from the first liquid crystal device, the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the second liquid crystal device, and the light in the third wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device, wherein the first liquid crystal device includes a first substrate having a pixel region, a second substrate having a common electrode to which a common potential is applied, and the The liquid crystal display device is characterized in that it comprises a sealing material provided between a first substrate and the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space surrounded by the sealing material, and the pixel region includes a first pixel region having a first pixel electrode to which an image signal is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a first central potential, and a second pixel region having a second pixel electrode between the first pixel region and the sealing material and to which a first driving potential is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a second central potential having a potential difference set with respect to the first central potential.

[0007] Another aspect of the electronic device according to the present invention includes a first liquid crystal device to which light in a first wavelength range is incident, a second liquid crystal device to which light in a second wavelength range longer than the first wavelength range is incident, a third liquid crystal device to which light in a third wavelength range longer than the second wavelength range is incident, and a synthesis optical system that synthesizes the light in the first wavelength range emitted from the first liquid crystal device, the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the second liquid crystal device, and the light in the third wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device, wherein the first liquid crystal device and the second liquid crystal device are disposed on a first substrate having a pixel region and a second substrate having a common electrode to which a common potential is applied. the pixel region includes a first pixel region having a first pixel electrode to which an image signal is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a first central potential, and a second pixel region having a second pixel electrode between the first pixel region and the sealing material and to which a first driving potential is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarity when referenced to a second central potential having a potential difference set with respect to the first central potential. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a planar configuration of a liquid crystal device of a display device according to a first embodiment of the invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic cross section of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line HH'. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the electrical configuration of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic structure of the pixel illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating each region of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic cross section of the liquid crystal device shown in FIG. 5 taken along the line A1-A1'. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram of image signals and the like applied to a first pixel electrode shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the electrode shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 9]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a liquid crystal device according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a liquid crystal device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an organosilane compound layer shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the organosilane compound layer shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the first alignment film and the second alignment film shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a projection type display device using a liquid crystal device to which the present invention is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the drawings are appropriately enlarged or reduced so that the parts to be described can be recognized. In the following description, when describing a film formed on the first substrate 10, the upper layer means the side opposite to the substrate body 10w of the first substrate 10, and the lower layer means the side of the substrate body 10w. In the following description, when describing a film formed on the second substrate 20, the upper layer means the side opposite to the substrate body 20w of the second substrate 20, and the lower layer means the side of the substrate body 20w. In addition, a plan view means a state seen from a normal direction to the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. In the following description, an active matrix type liquid crystal device 110 having a thin film transistor (TFT30) as a pixel switching element will be mainly described as an example of a transistor. Such a liquid crystal device 110 can be suitably used as a light valve of a projection type display device to be described later.

[0010] 1. First embodiment 1-1. Overall configuration of the liquid crystal device 110 Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the planar configuration of a liquid crystal device 110 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view that typically shows the HH' cross section of the liquid crystal device 110 shown in Fig. 1.

[0011] The liquid crystal device 110 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is mounted on a direct-view or projection display device together with optical elements and the like. The liquid crystal device 110 has a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20 facing the first substrate 10, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are bonded together via a frame-shaped sealant 40 provided between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. A liquid crystal layer 50 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, inside the sealant 40. The first substrate 10 has a substrate body 10w made of a light-transmitting substrate such as a quartz substrate or a glass substrate, and the substrate body 10w to the first alignment film 18 correspond to the first substrate 10. The second substrate 20 has a substrate body 20w made of a light-transmitting substrate such as a quartz substrate or a glass substrate, and the substrate body 20w to the second alignment film 28 correspond to the second substrate 20.

[0012] The first substrate 10 is larger than the second substrate 20, and the sealant 40 is disposed along the outer edge of the second substrate 20. The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of a liquid crystal material having positive or negative dielectric anisotropy. The sealant 40 is made of an adhesive such as a thermosetting or ultraviolet-curing epoxy resin, and includes a spacer (not shown) for maintaining a constant distance between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20.

[0013] Within the region surrounded by the sealant 40, a pixel region E is provided in which a plurality of pixels P are arranged in a matrix, and the second substrate 20 is provided with a parting portion 21 extending to overlap a peripheral region F between the sealant 40 and the pixel region E in a planar view, and in a planar view, the parting portion 21 surrounds the periphery of the pixel region E. The parting portion 21 is formed of a light-shielding layer made of a metal or a metal oxide. The light-shielding layer may be formed as a black matrix that overlaps the boundary portion between adjacent pixels P on the second substrate 20 in a planar view.

[0014] On the side of one surface 10s of the first substrate 10 facing the second substrate 20, a plurality of terminals 104 are arranged along one side outside the sealing material 40, and a data line driving circuit 101 is provided between the terminals 104 and the pixel region E. On the side of one surface 10s of the first substrate 10, outside the pixel region E, a scanning line driving circuit 102 is provided along each of two sides adjacent to the side on which the terminals 104 are arranged, and an inspection circuit 103 and wiring 105 are provided along the side opposite to the side on which the terminals 104 are arranged. A plurality of wirings connected to the data line driving circuit 101 and the scanning line driving circuit 102 are each connected to a plurality of terminals 104. In the following description, the direction in which the terminals 104 are arranged is defined as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction.

[0015] On one surface 10s of the first substrate 10, pixel electrodes 15 arranged for each of the pixels P and a first alignment film 18 covering the pixel electrodes 15 are provided. Although not shown, pixel switching elements, wiring, and the like, which will be described later, are also provided on one surface 10s of the first substrate 10. The pixel electrodes 15 are made of a translucent conductive film such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0016] On the side of one surface 20s of the second substrate 20 facing the first substrate 10, a parting portion 21, a planarizing film 22 covering the parting portion 21, a common electrode 23 covering the planarizing film 22, and a second alignment film 28 covering the common electrode 23 are provided. The parting portion 21 overlaps the scanning line driving circuit 102 and the inspection circuit 103 in a planar view. Therefore, by blocking light that is about to enter the scanning line driving circuit 102 from the second substrate 20 side, malfunction due to light is prevented. In addition, the parting portion 21 prevents unnecessary stray light from entering the pixel region E, suppressing a decrease in the contrast of the displayed image. The planarizing film 22 is made of an inorganic material such as silicon oxide. The common electrode 23 is made of ITO or the like, and is electrically connected to the terminal 104 via a vertical conductive portion 106 provided between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 and a wiring provided on the first substrate 10.

[0017] The first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 are selected based on the optical design of the liquid crystal device 110. The first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 are made of an inorganic alignment film containing an inorganic material such as SiOx (silicon oxide) formed by a vapor phase growth method such as deposition. In this case, the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 align liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric anisotropy approximately vertically. The first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 may be made of an organic alignment film such as polyimide having a rubbed surface. In this case, the organic alignment film aligns liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy approximately horizontally.

[0018] The liquid crystal device 110 configured in this manner is a transmissive type. Therefore, depending on the optical design of the polarizing elements arranged on each of the light entrance side and exit side of the liquid crystal device 110, the liquid crystal device is configured as a normally white mode in which the transmittance of the pixel P is maximum in the absence of applied voltage, or as a normally black mode in which the transmittance of the pixel P is minimum in the absence of applied voltage. In the following explanation, an example in which the optical design of the normally black mode is applied will be mainly explained by using inorganic alignment films as the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 and using a liquid crystal material having negative dielectric anisotropy for the liquid crystal layer 50.

[0019] 1-2. Electrical Configuration of the Liquid Crystal Device 110 FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing an electrical configuration of the liquid crystal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device 110 has a plurality of scanning lines 3a extending in the X-axis direction and a plurality of data lines 6a extending in the Y-axis direction at least in the pixel region E, and the scanning lines 3a and the data lines 6a are insulated from each other on the first substrate 10. The first substrate 10 has a capacitance line 3b extending along the data line 6a. In addition, pixels P are provided corresponding to each intersection of the plurality of scanning lines 3a and the plurality of data lines 6a. Each of the plurality of pixels P includes a pixel electrode 15, a TFT 30, and a storage capacitance 16. The scanning line 3a is electrically connected to the gate of the TFT 30, and the data line 6a is electrically connected to the source of the TFT 30. The pixel electrode 15 is electrically connected to the drain of the TFT 30.

[0020] The data lines 6a are connected to a data line driving circuit 101 shown in Fig. 1, and supply image signals D1, D2, ..., Dn supplied from the data line driving circuit 101 to each pixel P. The scanning lines 3a are connected to a scanning line driving circuit 102 shown in Fig. 1, and supply scanning signals SC1, SC2, ..., SCm supplied from the scanning line driving circuit 102 to each pixel P in sequence. The image signals D1 to Dn supplied from the data line driving circuit 101 to the data lines 6a may be supplied line-sequentially in this order, or may be supplied to adjacent data lines 6a in groups. The scanning line driving circuit 102 supplies the scanning signals SC1 to SCm to the scanning lines 3a line-sequentially at a predetermined timing.

[0021] In the liquid crystal device 110, during a period in which the TFT 30, which is a switching element, is turned on by input of the scanning signals SC1 to SCm, the image signals D1 to Dn supplied from the data line 6a are written to the pixel electrodes 15 at a predetermined timing. The image signals D1 to Dn of a predetermined level written to the liquid crystal layer 50 via the pixel electrodes 15 are held for a certain period between the pixel electrodes 15 and the common electrode 23 disposed opposite to each other via the liquid crystal layer 50. The frequency of the image signals D1 to Dn is, for example, 60 Hz. In this embodiment, in order to prevent the image signals D1 to Dn held between the pixel electrodes 15 and the liquid crystal layer 50 from leaking, a storage capacitance 16 is connected in parallel to the liquid crystal capacitance formed between the pixel electrodes 15 and the common electrode 23. The storage capacitance 16 is provided between the drain of the TFT 30 and the capacitance line 3b.

[0022] 1 is connected to the data lines 6a, and is used to check for operational defects of the liquid crystal device 110 by detecting the image signals D1 to Dn during the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal device 110. Note that, although the data line driving circuit 101, the scanning line driving circuit 102, and the inspection circuit 103 are shown in Fig. 1 as peripheral circuits formed outside the pixel region E, a sampling circuit that samples the image signals and supplies them to the data lines 6a, a precharge circuit that supplies a precharge signal of a predetermined voltage level to the data lines 6a prior to the image signals D1 to Dn, and the like may also be provided as peripheral circuits.

[0023] 1-3. Pixel P configuration Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the pixel P shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, in the first substrate 10, a scanning line 3a is formed on one surface 10s of a substrate body 10w. The scanning line 3a is made of a light-shielding layer such as aluminum, titanium, chromium, tungsten, tantalum, or molybdenum.

[0024] A first insulating film 11a made of silicon oxide or the like is formed on the scanning line 3a, and a semiconductor layer 30a is formed on the first insulating film 11a. The semiconductor layer 30a is made of a polycrystalline silicon film. The semiconductor layer 30a is covered with a second insulating film 11b made of silicon oxide or the like, and a gate electrode 30g electrically connected to the scanning line 3a is formed on the second insulating film 11b.

[0025] A third insulating film 11c made of silicon oxide or the like is formed on the gate electrode 30g, and contact holes CNT1 and CNT2 are formed in the second insulating film 11b and the third insulating film 11c, leading to the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer 30a. A data line 6a and a first relay electrode 6b are formed on the third insulating film 11c, the data line 6a being connected to the semiconductor layer 30a via the contact holes CNT1 and CNT2. In this manner, the TFT 30 is constructed. In this embodiment, the TFT 30 has an LDD (Lightly Doped Drain) structure.

[0026] A first interlayer insulating film 12a made of silicon oxide or the like is formed on the upper layer side of the data line 6a and the first relay electrode 6b. The surface of the first interlayer insulating film 12a is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) or the like. A contact hole CNT3 leading to the first relay electrode 6b is formed in the first interlayer insulating film 12a, and a wiring 7a and a second relay electrode 7b electrically connected to the first relay electrode 6b via the contact hole CNT3 are formed on the upper layer of the first interlayer insulating film 12a. The wiring 7a is formed so as to overlap the semiconductor layer 30a of the TFT 30 and the data line 6a in a planar view, and functions as a shield layer to which a fixed potential is applied.

[0027] A second interlayer insulating film 13a made of silicon oxide or the like is formed on the upper layer side of the wiring 7a and the second relay electrode 7b. The surface of the second interlayer insulating film 13a is planarized by CMP or the like. A contact hole CNT4 is formed in the second interlayer insulating film 13a, leading to the second relay electrode 7b.

[0028] A first capacitance electrode 16a and a third relay electrode 16d are formed on the upper layer of the second interlayer insulating film 13a by a light-shielding metal or the like. The first capacitance electrode 16a is a capacitance line 3b formed to span a plurality of pixels P, and a fixed potential is supplied to the first capacitance electrode 16a. An insulating film 13b is formed on the upper layer of the first capacitance electrode 16a and the third relay electrode 16d so as to cover the outer edge of the first capacitance electrode 16a and the outer edge of the third relay electrode 16d. A dielectric layer 16b is formed on the upper layer side of the first capacitance electrode 16a and the insulating film 13b. The dielectric layer 16b is made of a silicon nitride film, hafnium oxide, alumina, tantalum oxide, or the like. A second capacitance electrode 16c made of titanium nitride or the like is formed on the upper layer of the dielectric layer 16b, and the first capacitance electrode 16a, the dielectric layer 16b, and the second capacitance electrode 16c constitute a storage capacitance 16. The second capacitance electrode 16c is electrically connected to the third relay electrode 16d via the removed portion of the dielectric layer 16b and the insulating film 13b.

[0029] A fourth interlayer insulating film 14a made of silicon oxide or the like is formed on the upper layer side of the second capacitance electrode 16c, and the surface of the fourth interlayer insulating film 14a is planarized by CMP or the like. A contact hole CNT5 reaching the second capacitance electrode 16c is formed in the fourth interlayer insulating film 14a. A pixel electrode 15 made of a translucent conductive film such as ITO is formed on the upper layer of the fourth interlayer insulating film 14a, and the pixel electrode 15 is electrically connected to the second capacitance electrode 16c through the contact hole CNT5.

[0030] 1-4. Configuration of Liquid Crystal Layer 50, etc. The first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 are inorganic alignment films, and are composed of an aggregate of columns 18a, 28a that are grown into pillar shapes by obliquely evaporating inorganic materials such as silicon oxide. Therefore, in the liquid crystal layer 50, the liquid crystal molecules LC are substantially vertically aligned (VA) with a pretilt angle θp of 3° to 5° with respect to the normal direction to the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. When a drive signal is applied between the pixel electrode 15 and the common electrode 23, the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules LC changes depending on the direction of the electric field generated between the pixel electrode 15 and the common electrode 23.

[0031] In FIG. 1, the oblique deposition direction when forming the first alignment film 18 on the first substrate 10 is, for example, the direction indicated by the arrow C1, which is a direction that forms an angle θa with the Y-axis direction. The oblique deposition direction when forming the second alignment film 28 on the second substrate 20 is, for example, the direction indicated by the solid arrow C2, which is a direction that forms an angle θb with the Y-axis direction. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules LC is determined by this deposition direction. The angles θa and θb are, for example, 45 degrees. The direction of oblique deposition when forming the first alignment film 18 on the first substrate 10 is opposite to the direction of oblique deposition when forming the second alignment film 28 on the second substrate 20.

[0032] 1-5. Explanation of pixel area E etc. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing each region of the liquid crystal device 110 shown in Fig. 1, and is an explanatory diagram of the region where the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 overlap. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram that typically shows the A1-A1' cross section of the liquid crystal device 110 shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in the pixel region E of the liquid crystal device 110, a plurality of pixels P are arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and each of the plurality of pixels P has a pixel electrode 15 electrically connected to the TFT 30. The pixels P and the pixel electrodes 15 have the same planar shape, size, arrangement pitch, etc.

[0033] The pixel region E includes a first pixel region E1 as a display region that directly contributes to displaying an image, and a second pixel region E2 that surrounds the first pixel region E1 between the first pixel region E1 and the seal material 40, and the second pixel region E2 is a dummy pixel region that does not directly contribute to displaying an image. Therefore, the pixels P include a plurality of first pixels P1 arranged in the first pixel region E1 and a plurality of second pixels P2 arranged in the second pixel region E2. The pixel electrodes 15 include a plurality of first pixel electrodes 151 that constitute the first pixel P1 in the first pixel region E1, and a plurality of second pixel electrodes 152 that constitute the second pixel P2 in the second pixel region E2. The first pixel electrode 151 may be referred to as an effective pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode 152 may be referred to as a dummy pixel electrode. However, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are supplied with different signals, but have the same structure.

[0034] 5, two second pixels P2 are arranged in the second pixel region E2 with the first pixel region E1 sandwiched between them in the X-axis direction, and two second pixels P2 are arranged in the second pixel region E2 with the first pixel region E1 sandwiched between them in the Y-axis direction. However, the number of second pixels P2 arranged in the second pixel region E2 is not limited to this, and there may be an embodiment in which at least one second pixel P2, or three or more second pixels P2 are arranged with the first pixel region E1 sandwiched between them in each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0035] In this embodiment, regardless of the display state of the first pixel P1, a first driving potential described later is applied to the second pixel electrode 152. Therefore, the parting portion 21 is formed in a region that overlaps with the peripheral region F and the second pixel region E2 in a planar view, so that the second pixel P2 is not visible.

[0036] 1-6. Polarity inversion driving in the first pixel electrode 151 FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the image signal D and the like applied to the first pixel electrode 151 shown in FIG. 1. In each row (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 7, the image signal D, the first driving potential Vd, and the second driving potential Vt are shown, and the top row (a) shows the potential difference between the potentials. In the following explanation, the image signals D1 to Dn will be simply described as the image signal D. In addition, in the image signal D, the potential changes over time according to the gradation at the first pixel P1, but for convenience, FIG. 7 shows a case where the image signal D is fixed to a potential that displays white in each frame period tn, tn+1, ....

[0037] When a DC potential is applied to the liquid crystal layer 50 described with reference to Fig. 4 etc., the liquid crystal layer 50 deteriorates, and defects such as burn-in may occur in the displayed image. In order to prevent such defects from occurring, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the potential of the image signal D applied to the first pixel electrode 151 alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the first central potential Vce1 as the reference potential, with the first central potential Vce1 as the center. The first central potential Vce1 corresponds to the average value of the potential when the first pixel P1 has the same gradation during the period when the image signal D is positive and the period when it is negative.

[0038] Here, the first central potential Vce1 is the common potential Vcom applied to the common electrode 23, or a potential close to the common potential Vcom. For example, in order to prevent a decrease in image quality when the polarity of the image signals D1 to Dn is inverted due to a voltage drop or the like caused by the TFT 30, which is a switching element, the first central potential Vce1 may be set to a potential shifted from the common potential Vcom. However, in the present embodiment, a case where the first central potential Vce1 is set to the common potential Vcom is illustrated.

[0039] 1-7.Measures against ionic impurities As described with reference to Fig. 4, when an image signal is supplied to the pixel electrode 15 to drive the liquid crystal layer 50, the liquid crystal molecules LC vibrate as shown by arrow B, and a flow of the liquid crystal molecules LC occurs in the oblique deposition direction shown by arrows C1 and C2 in Fig. 1. Therefore, if ionic impurities are contained in the liquid crystal layer 50 due to contamination during liquid crystal injection or elution from the sealant 40, the ionic impurities will move along the flow of the liquid crystal molecules LC toward the corners Ea and Eb of the pixel region E and tend to be concentrated in the corners Ea and Eb.

[0040] Therefore, a first driving potential Vd is applied to the second pixel electrode 152. The first driving potential Vd has a potential that alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the second central potential Vce2, which has a first potential difference ΔV1 set between the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2. Here, the image signal D and the first driving potential Vd have the same maximum amplitude, period, and polarity. For example, the image signal D and the first driving potential Vd have a maximum amplitude of 10V and a period of 16.7 msec.

[0041] According to this configuration, when the liquid crystal device 110 is driven, the ionic impurities that have infiltrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 of the pixel region E are swept out to the second pixel region E2 by the horizontal electric field between the first pixel electrode 151 and the second pixel electrode 152 and the vertical electric field between the second pixel electrode 152 and the common electrode 23. In this embodiment, for example, when focusing on the infiltration of ionic impurities from the seal material 40 or the like into the liquid crystal layer 50, since there are generally more anionic impurities than cationic impurities, the focus is on measures against anions having negative polarity. For this reason, the second central potential Vce2 is set to a potential higher than the first central potential Vce1. Therefore, the anionic impurities that have infiltrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 can be swept out to the second pixel region E2.

[0042] In addition, since the first pixel electrode 151 and the second pixel electrode 152 are close to each other, anionic impurities that have invaded the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 can be efficiently swept out to the second pixel region E2 in a short time. Therefore, the anionic impurities that have invaded the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 can be reduced, and uneven distribution of the anionic impurities in the first pixel region E1 can be suppressed. Therefore, deterioration of image quality caused by uneven distribution of the anionic impurities can be suppressed.

[0043] Here, the first potential difference ΔV1 is preferably equal to or greater than 0.2 V and less than 3 V. If the first potential difference ΔV1 is less than 0.2 V, the force of the second pixel electrode 152 to attract ionic impurities tends to decrease. In contrast, if the first potential difference ΔV1 exceeds 3 V, air bubbles may be generated in the liquid crystal layer 50.

[0044] 5 and 6, in this embodiment, an electrode 130 is provided in a peripheral region F between the sealant 40 and the pixel region E on the first substrate 10, and the electrode 130 faces the common electrode 23 via the liquid crystal layer 50. The electrode 130 is provided at least between a corner of the pixel region E where ionic impurities are likely to be unevenly distributed and a corner of the sealant 40. In this embodiment, the electrode 130 is provided at least between two corners Ea, Eb in a diagonal direction of the pixel region E and two corners 40a, 40b in the diagonal direction of the sealant 40, corresponding to the oblique deposition directions indicated by the arrows C1 and C2 in FIG. 1.

[0045] A direct current second driving potential Vt shown in Fig. 7 is applied to the electrode 130. In this embodiment, the polarity of the second driving potential Vt when the first central potential Vce1 is used as a reference is equal to the polarity of the second central potential Vce2 when the first central potential Vce1 is used as a reference. In addition, a second potential difference ΔV2 which is a potential difference between the first central potential Vce1 and the second driving potential Vt is larger than a first potential difference ΔV1 which is a potential difference between the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2. In this embodiment, a third potential difference ΔV3 which is a potential difference between the second driving potential Vt and the second central potential Vce2 is larger than the first potential difference ΔV1.

[0046] Therefore, when the liquid crystal device 110 is driven, the ionic impurities that have penetrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 are swept from the first pixel region E1 to the second pixel region E2 by the second pixel electrode 152, and then swept into the peripheral region F by the horizontal electric field between the second pixel electrode 152 and the electrode 130 and the vertical electric field between the electrode 130 and the common electrode 23. This makes it possible to reduce the anionic impurities that have penetrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1, thereby making it possible to suppress uneven distribution of the anionic impurities in the first pixel region E1. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration in image quality caused by uneven distribution of the anionic impurities.

[0047] Here, the third potential difference ΔV3 between the second driving potential Vt and the second central potential Vce2 is preferably equal to or greater than 1 V and less than 3 V. If the third potential difference ΔV3 is less than 1 V, the force of the electrode 130 to attract ionic impurities tends to decrease. In contrast, if the third potential difference ΔV3 exceeds 3 V, air bubbles may be generated in the liquid crystal layer 50.

[0048] 1-8. Alternative embodiments of the electrode 130 Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the electrode 130 shown in Fig. 5. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the electrode 130 is provided between each of the two diagonal corners Ea, Eb of the pixel region E and the two diagonal corners 40a, 40b of the sealing material 40, but the electrode 130 may extend from the two corners Ea, Eb along the pixel region E. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the electrode 130 may extend in a frame shape so as to surround the entire periphery of the pixel region E.

[0049] 2. Second embodiment FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a liquid crystal device 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows an image signal D applied to a first pixel electrode 151 and the like. Each row (a), (b), (c), and (d) of FIG. 9 shows the second driving potential Vt, a comparison between the image signal D and the first driving potential Vd, the image signal D, and the first driving potential Vd. The basic configuration of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and only the second driving potential Vt is different. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to common parts, and their description will be omitted. In addition, the potential of the image signal D changes over time according to the gradation at the multiple first pixels P1, but in FIG. 9, as in FIG. 7, for convenience, the case where the image signal D is fixed to a potential for white display in each frame period is shown.

[0050] 9, in this embodiment as well, the image signal D applied to the first pixel electrode 151 alternates between positive and negative potentials with respect to the first central potential Vce1. The first central potential Vce1 corresponds to the average potential of the first pixel P1 at the same gradation level during the period when the image signal D is positive and the period when the image signal D is negative. The first central potential Vce1 is the common potential Vcom applied to the common electrode 23 or a potential close to the common potential Vcom, and in this embodiment, the first central potential Vce1 is the same potential as the common potential Vcom.

[0051] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the second pixel electrode 152 is applied with a first driving potential Vd whose potential alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the second central potential Vce2, which has a first potential difference ΔV1 set between it and the first central potential Vce1. Here, the image signal D and the first driving potential Vd have the same maximum amplitude, period, and polarity. For example, the image signal D and the first driving potential Vd have a maximum amplitude of 10V and a period of 16.7 msec. Therefore, when the liquid crystal device 110 is driven, ionic impurities that have penetrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 of the first pixel region E1 of the pixel region E are swept out to the second pixel region E2 by the horizontal electric field between the first pixel electrode 151 and the second pixel electrode 152 and the vertical electric field between the second pixel electrode 152 and the common electrode 23.

[0052] In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the second central potential Vce2 is set higher than the second central potential Vce2 from the viewpoint of placing emphasis on measures against anions having negative polarity among ionic impurities. Therefore, anionic impurities that have infiltrated into the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 can be swept out to the second pixel region E2.

[0053] In addition, since the first pixel electrode 151 and the second pixel electrode 152 are close to each other, anionic impurities that have invaded the liquid crystal layer 50 in the first pixel region E1 can be efficiently swept out to the second pixel region E2 in a short time. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first potential difference ΔV1 is preferably 0.2 V or more and less than 3 V.

[0054] 5 and 6, in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, an electrode 130 is provided in the peripheral region F between the seal material 40 and the pixel region E on the first substrate 10, and the electrode 130 faces the common electrode 23 via the liquid crystal layer 50. In the first embodiment, a DC potential is applied to the electrode 130, but in the present embodiment, an AC second driving potential Vt shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the electrode 130. The second driving potential Vt alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the first central potential Vce1. The polarity inversion period of the second driving potential Vt is, for example, 120 sec., which is longer than the polarity inversion period of the image signal D.

[0055] The second driving potential Vt has a maximum potential difference ΔV6 with the first central potential Vce1 during a period in which the polarity of the second central potential Vce2 when the first central potential Vce1 is used as a reference is equal to that of the first central potential Vce1, which is greater than the first potential difference ΔV1 between the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2. Also, the second driving potential Vt has a maximum potential difference ΔV7 with the second central potential Vce2 during a period in which the polarity of the second driving potential Vt with the first central potential Vce1 as a reference is equal to that of the second central potential Vce2 when the first central potential Vce1 is used as a reference is greater than the first potential difference ΔV1 between the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2.

[0056] In the liquid crystal device 110 configured in this manner, as shown in FIG. 6, during display driving of the liquid crystal device 110, in a positive polarity period ta in which the potential of the electrode 130 is higher than the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2, the anionic impurities swept out to the second pixel region E2 by the second pixel electrode 152 are attracted to the electrode 130.

[0057] Next, in a negative polarity period tb in which the potential of the electrode 130 becomes lower than the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2, the anionic impurities attracted to the electrode 130 are released from the electrode 130. At that time, the cationic impurities that have entered the liquid crystal layer 50 in the pixel region E are attracted to the electrode 130, and are swept out from the pixel region E to the peripheral region F.

[0058] Next, in a positive polarity period ta in which the potential of the electrode 130 becomes higher than the first central potential Vce1 and the second central potential Vce2, the anionic impurities are attracted to the electrode 130. During this period, the cationic impurities attracted to the electrode 130 are released from the electrode 130.

[0059] Thereafter, negative polarity periods tb and positive polarity periods ta are alternately repeated. Therefore, in the positive polarity periods ta, anionic impurities are attracted to the electrode 130, and the anionic impurities are swept from the pixel region E to the peripheral region F. In addition, in the negative polarity periods tb, cationic impurities are attracted to the electrode 130, and the cationic impurities are swept from the pixel region E to the peripheral region F. Therefore, the anionic impurities can be efficiently attracted from the pixel region E to the peripheral region F.

[0060] Also, the second driving potential Vt is applied to the electrode 130. Therefore, the potential of the electrode 130 is not fixed to a positive polarity, so that anionic impurities do not continue to be adsorbed to the electrode 130. Also, the potential of the electrode 130 is not fixed to a negative polarity, so that cationic impurities do not continue to be adsorbed to the electrode 130. Therefore, an ion layer caused by the adsorption of anionic impurities or an ion layer caused by the adsorption of cationic impurities is not easily formed on the surface of the electrode 130, so that the potential applied to the electrode 130 is not easily blocked by the ion layer. Therefore, a sufficient amount of ionic impurities can be retained near the electrode 130. Therefore, the anionic impurities and the like are not easily concentrated in the corners Ea and Eb of the pixel region E, so that defects such as display unevenness and burn-in due to current flow are not easily caused.

[0061] Here, it is preferable that the maximum potential difference between the second driving potential Vt and the second central potential Vce2 is equal to or greater than 1 V and less than 3 V. If the maximum potential difference is less than 1 V, the force of the electrode 130 to attract ionic impurities tends to decrease. On the other hand, if the maximum potential difference exceeds 3 V, air bubbles may be generated in the liquid crystal layer 50.

[0062] In this embodiment, the length of the positive polarity period ta in which the second driving potential Vt is positive and the length of the negative polarity period tb in which the second driving potential Vt is negative are equal, but the length of the positive polarity period ta and the length of the negative polarity period tb may be made different depending on the polarity of the ionic impurities. For example, when the ionic impurities to be addressed are anions having negative polarity, the length of the positive polarity period ta is made longer than the length of the negative polarity period tb.

[0063] 3. Third embodiment In the first and second embodiments, the emphasis is on measures against anionic impurities, but when the emphasis is on measures against cationic impurities, the polarities of the second central potential Vce2 and the second driving potential Vt are inverted, for example, by making the second central potential Vce2 lower than the first central potential Vce1. Also, in the second embodiment, the length of the negative polarity period tb may be made longer than the length of the positive polarity period ta.

[0064] 4. Fourth embodiment 4-1. Composition of the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 FIG. 10 shows the structure of the present invention. 4 11 is an explanatory diagram of the organosilane compound layers 19 and 29 shown in FIG.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, in the liquid crystal device 110 of this embodiment, in the SiOx constituting the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28, there are dangling bonds of Si atoms and dimer structures (Si-Si bonds) in which Si atoms are bonded to each other, and such dangling bonds of Si atoms are likely to be terminated by silanol groups (-Si-OH) due to reactions with moisture in the atmosphere or moisture in the liquid crystal layer 50. Here, silanol groups are highly reactive. In particular, in the projection type display device 100 described later, strong light from a light source is irradiated, so that photochemical reactions are likely to occur between the silanol groups of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 and the liquid crystal material. Therefore, in this embodiment, on the surfaces of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28, organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 such as organopolysiloxane are bonded to hydroxyl group (-OH) parts by a silane coupling agent such as organic siloxane.

[0066] More specifically, the silane coupling agent generates silanols (Si-OH) by hydrolysis, and then the silanols gradually condense with each other to generate siloxane bonds (Si-O-Si), forming the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29. The silane coupling agent also reacts with the inorganic oxide surface by a similar mechanism to generate strong covalent bonds with the inorganic oxide surface. For this reason, contact between the silanol groups of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 and the liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal layer 50 is suppressed. Therefore, photochemical reactions are unlikely to occur between the silanol groups of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 and the liquid crystal material. Here, the thickness of the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 is extremely thin compared to the height of the columns 18a and 28a constituting the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28. For example, the height of the columns 18a, 28a constituting the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 is usually several tens of nm, whereas the thickness of the organosilane compound layers 19, 29 is usually several nm. Therefore, the organosilane compound layers 19, 29 are unlikely to affect the alignment regulating force of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28.

[0067] Examples of the silane coupling agent include n-hexyltrimethoxysilane, n-hexyltriethoxysilane, cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane, n-octyltriethoxysilane, and n-decyltrimethoxysilane. In this embodiment, n-decyltrimethoxysilane is used as the silane coupling agent, and n-decyltrimethoxysilane has an n-decyl group as a hydrophobic functional group. The silane coupling agent may also have a fluorine atom.

[0068] Among these silane coupling agents, for example, when a trimethoxysilane-based silane compound is used, the trimethoxysilane-based silane compounds are not bonded to each other, but are individually bonded to 30% or more of the silanol groups present per unit area on the surface. Here, the molecular size of the trimethoxysilane-based silane compound bonded to the silanol groups is larger than the interval between the silanol groups present on the surfaces of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28. Therefore, even if the silane compound is not bonded to almost all of the silanol groups present on the surfaces of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28, the terminal group of the silane compound bonded to the silanol groups generates steric hindrance between the silanol groups not bonded to the silane compound and the liquid crystal molecules. In this case, the terminal group R mainly contributes to the generation of steric hindrance, and the silane compound bonded to the silanol groups can suppress the bonding between the silanol groups not bonded to the silane compound and the liquid crystal molecules by photochemical reaction during the operation of the liquid crystal device 110, thereby improving light resistance.

[0069] In addition, since the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 are hydrophobic, the contact angle with water is large. Therefore, the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 have low ion adsorption. Therefore, the organic silane compound layers 19 and 29 can suppress the adsorption of ionic impurities to the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28. Therefore, the electrode 130 easily attracts ionic impurities contained in the liquid crystal layer 50 in the pixel region E. In addition, since the first alignment film 18 covering the electrode 130 has low ion adsorption due to the organic silane compound layer 19, it is difficult for the ionic impurities attracted to the electrode 130 to be adsorbed to the first alignment film 18 to form an ion layer. Therefore, it is difficult for the potential applied to the electrode 130 to be blocked by the ion layer, so the electrode 130 easily attracts ionic impurities contained in the liquid crystal layer 50 in the pixel region E.

[0070] 4-2. Other embodiments of the organosilane compound layer 29 Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of another aspect of the organosilane compound layer 29 shown in Fig. 9. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the region of the second alignment film 28 facing the electrode 130 is covered with the organosilane compound layer 29, but in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, the organosilane compound layer 29 is not formed in the region of the second alignment film 28 facing the electrode 130. Therefore, the region of the second alignment film 28 facing the electrode 130 is an exposed portion 28c from the organosilane compound layer 29, and the exposed portion 28c is highly hydrophilic and easily adsorbs ionic impurities.

[0071] Therefore, even if anionic impurities are released from the electrode 130 when the potential on the electrode 130 becomes a positive polarity period, the anionic impurities are adsorbed to the exposed portion 28c, and therefore, even if a concentration gradient of the anionic impurities exists, the anionic impurities are unlikely to diffuse into the pixel region E. Also, even if cationic impurities are released from the electrode 130 when the potential on the electrode 130 becomes a negative polarity period, the cationic impurities are adsorbed to the exposed portion 28c, and therefore, even if a concentration gradient of the cationic impurities exists, the cationic impurities are unlikely to diffuse into the pixel region E.

[0072] The exposed portion 28c can be formed by forming an organosilane compound layer 29 on the entire surface of the second alignment film 28, and then removing the organosilane compound layer 29 by irradiating it with an excimer laser or the like.

[0073] 5. Fifth embodiment 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another aspect of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 shown in FIG. 2. In the first and second embodiments, the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 are entirely formed of obliquely evaporated films. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 each include a first inorganic film 181, 281 in which the major axis direction of columns 181a, 281a is perpendicular to the substrate surface, and a second inorganic film 182, 282 covering the first inorganic film 181, 281, and the major axis direction of columns 182a, 282a of the second inorganic films 182, 282 are also inclined obliquely with respect to the substrate surface in the directions indicated by the arrows C1, C2 in FIG. 1.

[0074] Here, the first inorganic films 181, 281 are vertically deposited films deposited from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The second inorganic films 182, 282 are obliquely deposited films deposited from a direction inclined at an angle to the substrate surface. The second inorganic films 182, 282 are columnar crystals of silicon oxide. In this embodiment, the second inorganic films 182, 282 are thinner than the first inorganic films 181, 281.

[0075] In the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28 configured as above, the first inorganic films 181, 281 are vertically evaporated films, and therefore are less susceptible to the surface condition of the pixel electrode 15. Therefore, defects are less likely to occur in the first inorganic films 181, 281. Therefore, the surface roughness of the second inorganic films 182, 282 constituting the surfaces of the first alignment film 18 and the second alignment film 28, respectively, is small, and liquid crystal molecules can be properly aligned.

[0076] 6. Other embodiments The liquid crystal device 110 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a VA mode liquid crystal device. For example, the present invention may be applied to a liquid crystal device 110 that is a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode or an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode liquid crystal device. The present invention is also not limited to a transmissive liquid crystal device 110, and may be applied to a reflective liquid crystal device.

[0077] 7. Example of installation on a projection type display device 100 An electronic device using the liquid crystal device 110 according to the above-described embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram of a projection-type display device 100 using the liquid crystal device 110 to which the present invention is applied. Optical elements such as polarizing plates are omitted from Fig. 13. The projection-type display device 100 shown in Fig. 13 is an example of an electronic device using the liquid crystal device 110.

[0078] 14, light valves 120 each including a liquid crystal device 110 according to the above embodiment are provided corresponding to the colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Thus, the display device 100 has a first liquid crystal device 110B onto which light in a first wavelength range is incident, a second liquid crystal device 110G onto which light in a second wavelength range having a longer wavelength than the first wavelength range is incident, and a third liquid crystal device 110R onto which light in a third wavelength range having a longer wavelength than the second wavelength range is incident.

[0079] The display device 100 is provided with a lamp unit 2102 having a white light source such as a halogen lamp as a light source. The projection light emitted from the lamp unit 2102 is separated into three primary colors, R, G, and B, by three mirrors 2106 and two dichroic mirrors 2108 arranged inside. The separated projection light is guided to the light valves 120R, 120G, and 120B corresponding to each primary color, respectively, and modulated. Since the light of B has a longer optical path compared to the other colors R and G, in order to prevent its loss, it is guided via a relay lens system 2121 having an entrance lens 2122, a relay lens 2123, and an exit lens 2124.

[0080] The light modulated by the light valves 120R, 120G, and 120B enters a combining optical system 2112 consisting of a dichroic prism from three directions. In the combining optical system 2112, the R and B light are reflected at 90 degrees, and the G light is transmitted. Therefore, after the images of the primary colors are combined in the combining optical system 2112, a color image is projected by the projection optical system 2114 onto a projection target member such as a screen 2120.

[0081] In the projection type display device 100 configured in this manner, for example, the first liquid crystal device 110B, the second liquid crystal device 110G, and the third liquid crystal device 110R are liquid crystal devices 110 according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth embodiment.

[0082] Furthermore, in a projection type display device 100, the first liquid crystal device 110B, into which light with the shortest wavelength is incident, may be a liquid crystal device 110 according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth embodiment, and the second liquid crystal device 110G and the third liquid crystal device 110R may be liquid crystal devices not provided with electrodes according to the present invention.

[0083] In addition, in the projection type display device 100, the first liquid crystal device 110B and the second liquid crystal device 110G, into which light of a relatively short wavelength is incident, may be formed using the liquid crystal device 110 according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth embodiment, and the third liquid crystal device 110R may be formed using a liquid crystal device to which the present invention is not applied.

[0084] In addition, in a projection type display device 100, the liquid crystal device 110 according to the fourth or fifth embodiment may be used for the first liquid crystal device 110B, into which light with the shortest wavelength is incident, and the liquid crystal device 110 according to the first or second embodiment may be used for the second liquid crystal device 110G and the third liquid crystal device 110R.

[0085] Furthermore, in a projection type display device 100, the liquid crystal device 110 according to the fourth or fifth embodiment may be used for the first liquid crystal device 110B and the second liquid crystal device 110G, into which light of a relatively short wavelength is incident, and the liquid crystal device 110 according to the first or second embodiment may be used for the third liquid crystal device 110R.

[0086] 8. Other Electronic Devices 14, the projection type display device 100 may be configured to use an LED light source or the like that emits light of each color as the light source section, and supply each of the color lights emitted from the LED light source to a separate liquid crystal device. A liquid crystal device 110 to which the present invention is applied may be used in the projection type display device 100 that uses a laser light source as the light source section.

[0087] Moreover, electronic devices equipped with the liquid crystal device 110 to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the projection type display device 100 of the above embodiment. For example, the liquid crystal device 110 to which the present invention is applied may be used in electronic devices such as a projection type HUD (head-up display) or a direct viewing type HMD (head-mounted display), a personal computer, a digital still camera, and a liquid crystal television. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 3a...scanning line, 6a...data line, 10...first substrate, 10w, 20w...substrate body, 282a...column, 19, 29...organosilane compound layer, 20...second substrate, 21...partition portion, 23...common electrode, 28...second alignment film, 28c...exposed portion, 30...TFT, 30a...semiconductor layer, 30g...gate electrode, 40...sealing material, 50...liquid crystal layer, 100...display device, 110...liquid crystal device, 110B...first liquid crystal device, 110G...second liquid crystal device, 110R...third liquid crystal device, 120, 120B, 120G, 120R...light valve, 130...electrode, 151...first pixel electrode, 152...second pixel electrode, 181, 281...first inorganic film, 182, 282...second inorganic film, 2102...lamp unit, 2112...combining optical system, 211 4...projection optical system, 2120...screen, D, D1, D2, D1-Dn...image signal, E...pixel area, F...peripheral area, E1...first pixel area, E2...second pixel area, P...pixel, P1...first pixel, P2...second pixel, ΔV1...first potential difference, ΔV2...second potential difference, ΔV3...third potential difference, ΔV6, ΔV7...maximum potential difference, SC1, SC2, SCm, SC1-SCm...scanning signal, Ea, Eb, 40a, 40b...corner, LC...liquid crystal molecule, Vd...first driving potential, Vt...second driving potential, ta...positive polarity period, tb...negative polarity period, tn, tn+1...frame period, Vce1...first center potential, Vce2...second center potential, Vcom...common potential

Claims

1. a first substrate having a pixel region; a second substrate having a common electrode to which a common potential is applied; A sealant provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space surrounded by the sealing material; Equipped with In the pixel region, a potential with respect to a first central potential is alternately positive and negative. a first pixel region having a first pixel electrode to which a switching image signal is applied; A second central potential having a potential difference set between the first central potential and the second central potential between the region and the sealing material. A first driving potential is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the reference potential. a second pixel region having a second pixel electrode, The first substrate has a second direct current between the sealing material and the second pixel region in a plan view. an electrode to which a driving potential is applied; The polarity of the second driving potential when the first central potential is used as a reference is The polarity of the second central potential is equal to that of the reference potential, The potential difference between the second driving potential and the first central potential is A liquid crystal device characterized in that the potential difference is greater than the potential difference between the liquid crystal layer and ...

2. 2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, The image signal and the first driving potential are equal in amplitude and period. Device.

3. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, The potential difference between the second central potential and the first central potential is 0.2 V or more. A liquid crystal device.

4. 4. The liquid crystal device according to claim 3, The potential difference between the second central potential and the first central potential is less than 3 V. Liquid crystal device.

5. 5. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the second central potential is higher than the first central potential.

6. 2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, The potential difference between the second driving potential and the second central potential is A liquid crystal device characterized in that the potential difference is greater than the potential difference between the liquid crystal layer and ...

7. A first substrate having a pixel area; a second substrate having a common electrode to which a common potential is applied; A sealant provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed in a space surrounded by the sealing material; Equipped with In the pixel region, a potential with respect to a first central potential is alternately positive and negative. a first pixel region having a first pixel electrode to which a switching image signal is applied; A second central potential having a potential difference set between the first central potential and the second central potential between the region and the sealing material. A first driving potential is applied, the potential of which alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the reference potential. a second pixel region having a second pixel electrode, The first substrate has an electrode between the sealing material and the second pixel region in a plan view. 、 The electrodes have a potential that alternates between positive and negative polarities with respect to the first central potential. A switching AC second drive potential is applied; The polarity of the second driving potential when the first central potential is used as a reference is In a period in which the polarity of the second central potential is equal to that of the first driving potential, a maximum potential difference with respect to a central potential is greater than a potential difference between the first central potential and the second central potential, A polarity inversion period of the second driving potential is longer than a polarity inversion period of the image signal. A liquid crystal device.

8. 8. The liquid crystal device according to claim 7, The polarity of the second driving potential when the first central potential is used as a reference is In a period in which the polarity of the second central potential is equal to that of the second driving potential, a maximum potential difference between the first central potential and the second central potential is greater than a potential difference between the first central potential and the second central potential A liquid crystal device characterized by:

9. 9. The liquid crystal device according to claim 7, The maximum potential difference between the second driving potential and the second central potential is 1 V or more and less than 3 V. A liquid crystal device comprising:

10. 10. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, Any one of the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the common electrode is The surface is covered with an inorganic alignment film that has been treated with silane coupling. A liquid crystal device.

11. 11. The liquid crystal device according to claim 10, The inorganic alignment film includes a first inorganic film having columns perpendicular to a substrate surface, and a columnar alignment film covering the first inorganic film. and a second inorganic film inclined obliquely to the substrate surface.

12. a first liquid crystal device to which light in a first wavelength range is incident; a second liquid crystal device to which light in a second wavelength range longer than the first wavelength range is incident; a third liquid crystal device to which light in a third wavelength range, the third wavelength range being longer than the second wavelength range, is incident; The light in the first wavelength range emitted from the first liquid crystal device and the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the second liquid crystal device the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device and the light in the third wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device are combined. and a synthesis optical system for synthesizing the image, The liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is used as the first liquid crystal device. An electronic device characterized by:

13. a first liquid crystal device to which light in a first wavelength range is incident; a second liquid crystal device to which light in a second wavelength range longer than the first wavelength range is incident; a third liquid crystal device to which light in a third wavelength range, the third wavelength range being longer than the second wavelength range, is incident; The light in the first wavelength range emitted from the first liquid crystal device and the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the second liquid crystal device the light in the second wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device and the light in the third wavelength range emitted from the third liquid crystal device are combined. and a synthesis optical system for synthesizing the image, The first liquid crystal device and the second liquid crystal device each have a structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An electronic device using the liquid crystal device according to claim 1.

Images