Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal device

Abstract

This liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and an electrode layer. An insulating layer is formed on the electrode layer of at least one substrate, from among the first substrate and the second substrate, provided with the electrode layer. The direction of the transmission axis of a first polarizing plate provided on the first substrate side and the direction of the transmission axis of a second polarizing plate provided on the second substrate side are perpendicular or parallel to each other. Light emitted from the light source passes through the second polarizing plate, the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the first substrate, in this order, provided on the second substrate side. While the electrode layer is applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transmittance of the light emitted from the first polarizing plate is modulated to an impulse type between a low transmittance and a high transmittance.

Description

Liquid Crystal Panel and Liquid Crystal Device

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2024 - 164197 filed on September 20, 2024, and Japanese Application No. 2025 - 076897 filed on May 2, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal device.

[0003] Display elements are used as devices for displaying information in various applications such as televisions, personal computers, and smartphones, and are essential devices for information and communication technologies and entertainment. On the other hand, currently, liquid crystal display elements and organic EL display elements, which are the mainstream of display elements, use a hold - type display that maintains a constant luminance between frames (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, in current liquid crystal display elements, to switch from a bright state to a dark state or from a dark state to a bright state, operations such as switching from a voltage - applied state to a non - voltage - applied state are required, and excluding problems such as a decrease in voltage retention due to impurities, the luminance does not change when a constant voltage is applied.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2007 - 193085

[0005] By the way, in sports videos and game videos that require high - speed display, video display quality degradation called video blurring is an issue. Also, in augmented reality and virtual reality, which are expected to rapidly spread in the future, visual fatigue and motion sickness caused by the hold - type display during the use of augmented reality and virtual reality are also cited as issues to be solved.

[0006] Currently, liquid crystal display elements and organic EL display elements are the mainstream display elements. In contrast to cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which were previously the mainstream display elements, cathode ray tubes emit light at the moment electrons collide with phosphors and then dim immediately, using an impulse-type emission method. Therefore, cathode ray tubes do not suffer from the degradation of video display quality known as motion blur. Even with liquid crystal display elements, although the response speed of the liquid crystal has been increased, motion blur will not be essentially eliminated as long as it is a hold-type display. On the other hand, motion blur has been improved in liquid crystal display elements by using pseudo-impulse-type display. Pseudo-impulse-type display divides one frame and either turns off the backlight for a certain period of time within one frame or inserts a black image. Motion blur has also been improved by interpolating frames in a video that is displayed at a predetermined number of frames to increase the number of frames (i.e., frame interpolation).

[0007] However, while both methods have been shown to reduce motion blur, they require an increase in the number of display frames. For example, a display that normally operates at 60Hz (i.e., 60 frames per second) would need to be driven at 120Hz. This presents challenges such as increased complexity in driving the LCD panel and / or backlight, and increased power consumption.

[0008] If it were possible to configure a liquid crystal display element in a way that allows for the impulse-type control of the light transmittance emitted from the element using a simple configuration, the various problems mentioned above would be solved. However, such a liquid crystal display element has not yet been realized.

[0009] Therefore, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal device that can control the transmittance of emitted light in an impulse manner with a simple configuration.

[0010] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate with a gap between them; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and oriented in a direction parallel to the first and second substrates; and an electrode layer provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate for inducing a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal layer by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, wherein an insulating layer is formed on the electrode layer of at least one of the first and second substrates on which the electrode layer is provided; the direction of the transmission axis of a first polarizing plate provided on the first substrate side and the direction of the transmission axis of a second polarizing plate provided on the second substrate side are perpendicular or parallel; light emitted from a light source is transmitted in the order of the second polarizing plate, the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the first substrate; and while the electrode layer is applying the electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transmittance of the light emitted from the first polarizing plate is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance.

[0011] A second aspect of this disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to the first aspect, wherein the electric field is an alternating current electric field.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to the second aspect, wherein impulse-type modulation of the transmittance occurs once or multiple times when the AC electric field is in a positive state and when the AC electric field is in a negative state.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the intensity of light emitted from the first polarizing plate is controlled by the intensity and / or frequency of the electric field.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the electrode layer is a plurality of electrode wires arranged on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the direction of the electric field with respect to the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to the fifth aspect, wherein the orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer when the electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the plurality of electrode lines, perpendicular to the plurality of electrode lines, or inclined with respect to the plurality of electrode lines.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the electrode layer is an electrode disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer by the electrode in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0017] The eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer is made of a liquid crystal that includes a ferroelectric phase in its phase series.

[0018] The ninth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer is made of a liquid crystal that includes a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase series.

[0019] A tenth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer consists of a liquid crystal whose phase series includes a nematic phase and a ferroelectric phase.

[0020] An eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the insulating layer consists of one or more layers.

[0021] A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the insulating layer includes an alignment film, and the alignment film is a film in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

[0022] A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is positive or negative.

[0023] A fourteenth aspect of this disclosure is a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein light is emitted from a light source in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance is modulated from the low transmittance to the high transmittance.

[0024] A fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate with a gap between them; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and oriented perpendicular to the first and second substrates; and an electrode layer provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate for inducing a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal layer by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, wherein an insulating layer is formed on the electrode layer of at least one of the first and second substrates on which the electrode layer is provided; the direction of the transmission axis of a first polarizing plate provided on the first substrate side and the direction of the transmission axis of a second polarizing plate provided on the second substrate side are perpendicular or parallel; light emitted from a light source is transmitted in the order of the second polarizing plate, the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the first substrate; and while the electrode layer is applying the electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transmittance of the light emitted from the first polarizing plate is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance.

[0025] A sixteenth aspect of this disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the electric field is an alternating current electric field.

[0026] A 17th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to the 16th aspect, wherein impulse-type modulation of the transmittance occurs once or multiple times when the AC electric field is in a positive state and when the AC electric field is in a negative state.

[0027] A 18th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 17th aspects, wherein the intensity of light emitted from the first polarizing plate is controlled by the intensity and / or frequency of the electric field.

[0028] A 19th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 18th aspects, wherein the electrode layer is a plurality of electrode wires arranged on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the direction of the electric field with respect to the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0029] A 20th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 18th aspects, wherein the electrode layer is an electrode disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer by the electrode in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0030] A 21st aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 20th aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer is made of a liquid crystal that includes a ferroelectric phase in its phase series.

[0031] A 22nd aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 20th aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer is made of a liquid crystal that includes a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase series.

[0032] A 23rd aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 20th aspects, wherein the liquid crystal layer is made of a liquid crystal whose phase series includes a nematic phase and a ferroelectric phase.

[0033] A 24th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the 15th to 23rd aspects, wherein the insulating layer consists of one or more layers.

[0034] A 25th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal panel according to any one of the 15th to 24th aspects, wherein the insulating layer includes an alignment film, and the alignment film is a film in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

[0035] The 26th aspect of this disclosure is a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the 15th to 25th aspects, wherein the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is positive or negative.

[0036] The 27th aspect of this disclosure is a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the 15th to 26th aspects, wherein light is emitted from a light source in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance is modulated from the low transmittance to the high transmittance.

[0037] A 28th aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid crystal apparatus comprising a liquid crystal panel relating to any one of the first to 27th aspects, and the light source.

[0038] One embodiment of the present disclosure allows for the impulse-type control of the transmittance of emitted light with a simple configuration.

[0039] The purposes, other purposes, features, and benefits of this disclosure will become clearer from the detailed description below, with reference to the attached drawings. Those drawings are:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a liquid crystal device; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an electrode group for one pixel formed on a second substrate; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration in which an electric field generated by applying a positive voltage to the pixel electrode is applied to the liquid crystal layer; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration in which an electric field generated by applying a negative voltage to the pixel electrode is applied to the liquid crystal layer; and Figure 5 shows an example of the relationship between the alternating electric field generated by the electrode layer and the transmittance of light emitted from the first polarizing plate. This chart shows that Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the third modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the fourth modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the fifth modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the sixth modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the seventh modified form of the liquid crystal device, Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the eighth modified form of the liquid crystal device, and Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the ninth modified form of the liquid crystal device. Figure 15 is a graph showing the change in light transmittance emitted from an IPS liquid crystal panel when a rectangular wave AC voltage with a frequency of 1 Hz and a peak value of ±30 V is applied to the IPS liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase. Figure 16 is a graph showing the change in light transmittance emitted from an IPS liquid crystal panel when a rectangular wave AC voltage with a frequency of 5 Hz and a peak value of ±30 V is applied to the IPS liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase. Figure 17 is a graph showing the change in light transmittance emitted from an IPS liquid crystal panel when a rectangular wave AC voltage with a frequency of 10 Hz and a peak value of ±30 V is applied to the IPS liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase. Figure 18 is a graph showing the change in light transmittance emitted from an IPS-type liquid crystal panel when a square wave AC voltage is applied to the IPS-type liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase, with a frequency of 20 Hz and a peak value of ±30 V. Figure 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel and the transmittance of each pulse of light emitted impulsively from the liquid crystal panel. Figure 20 is a graph showing the change in light transmittance emitted from an IPS-type liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase.Figure 21 is a graph showing an example of impulse-type transmittance modulation when the polarity of the AC electric field changes from positive to negative or negative to positive when a 10V and 20Hz rectangular wave is applied to a vertically oriented IPS type liquid crystal panel. Figure 22 shows an example of impulse-type transmittance modulation when the polarity of the AC electric field changes from positive to negative or negative to positive when a 10V and 20Hz rectangular wave is applied to an ECB type liquid crystal panel at a temperature exhibiting the ferroelectric nematic phase. Figure 22 shows an example of a cross-sectional view and a vertical cross-sectional view of the IPS type liquid crystal panel. The diagrams show a schematic structure. Figure 23 is a graph illustrating an example of impulse-type transmittance modulation when a 10V and 20Hz square wave is applied to an IPS panel (RM734) at a temperature exhibiting the nematic phase, causing the polarity of the AC electric field to change from positive to negative or negative to positive. Figure 24 is a graph illustrating an example of impulse-type transmittance modulation when a 10V and 20Hz square wave is applied to an IPS panel (DIO) at a temperature exhibiting the nematic phase, causing the polarity of the AC electric field to change from positive to negative or negative to positive.

[0041] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal device according to this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] First, let's explain the terminology used in the following explanation.

[0043] VR stands for "Virtual Reality". AR stands for "Augmented Reality". LCD stands for "Liquid Crystal Display". IPS stands for "In-Plane Switching". FFS stands for "Fringe Field Switching". ITO stands for "Indium Tin Oxide". DSC stands for "Differential Scanning Calorimetry". NI stands for "Nematic-Isotropic Transition Point". L / S stands for "Line and Space".

[0044] In this specification, "orthogonal" refers to orthogonality including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete orthogonality. Also, in this specification, "vertical" refers to verticality including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete verticality. Also, in this specification, "parallel" refers to parallelism including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete parallelism. Also, in this specification, "identical" refers to identity including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete identity. Also, in this specification, "transmissive" refers to transmission including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete transmission. Also, in this specification, "blocking" refers to blocking including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete blocking. Also, in the specification, "uniform" refers to uniformity including errors generally acceptable in the technical field to which the technology of the present disclosure belongs, in addition to complete uniformity.

[0045] In this specification, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B". That is, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Also, in this specification, when expressing three or more matters connected by "and / or", the same concept as "A and / or B" is applied.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the liquid crystal device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device 10 includes a liquid crystal panel 12 and a backlight unit 14. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal device 10 is an example of the "liquid crystal device" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 12 is an example of the "liquid crystal panel" according to the present disclosure.

[0047] The backlight unit 14 supplies uniform light L to the liquid crystal panel 12. The backlight unit 14 may include, in addition to the light source 14A, a light guide plate (not shown), a diffusion film (not shown), a reflector (not shown), a prism sheet (not shown), and the like. The light source 14A emits the light L. The light guide plate is used to spread the light L emitted from the light source 14A uniformly over the entire liquid crystal panel 12. The diffusion film is used to make the light L even more uniform. The reflector is used to prevent the light L from escaping outside and to efficiently reflect the light L toward the liquid crystal panel 12 side. The prism sheet is used to adjust the angle of the light L in order to efficiently make the light L enter the liquid crystal panel 12. In the present embodiment, the light source 14A is an example of the "light source" according to the present disclosure, and the light L is an example of the "light" according to the present disclosure.

[0048] The liquid crystal panel 12 includes a first substrate 16, a second substrate 18, a first polarizing plate 20, a second polarizing plate 22, an electrode layer 26, a first alignment film 28, a second alignment film 29, and a liquid crystal layer 30.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the first substrate 16 is an example of the "first substrate" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the second substrate 18 is an example of the "second substrate" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the first polarizing plate 20 is an example of the "first polarizing plate" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the second polarizing plate 22 is an example of the "second polarizing plate" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the electrode layer 26 is an example of the "electrode layer" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the second alignment film 29 is an example of the "insulating layer" and the "alignment film" according to the present disclosure. Also, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 30 is an example of the "liquid crystal layer" according to the present disclosure.

[0050] The first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 are positioned opposite each other with a predetermined distance between them, and the front surface of the first substrate 16, the back surface of the first substrate 16, the front surface of the second substrate 18, and the back surface of the second substrate 18 are in a parallel positional relationship. The first substrate 16 is positioned further away from the backlight unit 14 than the second substrate 18. The front surface of the first substrate 16, the back surface of the first substrate 16, the front surface of the second substrate 18, and the back surface of the second substrate 18 are arranged in the order of the front surface of the second substrate 18, the back surface of the second substrate 18, the back surface of the first substrate 16, and the front surface of the first substrate 16, from the side closer to the backlight unit 14 to the side further away. Each of the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 is a substrate obtained by forming a conductive thin film on a glass substrate 32 as needed. For example, the conductive thin film is formed by depositing indium tin oxide (ITO) onto the glass substrate 32.

[0051] The first polarizing plate 20 is provided on the first substrate 16 side, and the second polarizing plate 22 is provided on the second substrate 18 side. The first polarizing plate 20 is provided on the surface of the first substrate 16. That is, on the first substrate 16, the first polarizing plate 20 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the backlight unit 14 is located. In contrast, the second polarizing plate 22 is provided on the surface of the second substrate 18. That is, on the second substrate 18, the second polarizing plate 22 is provided on the side facing the backlight unit 14.

[0052] The transmission axis direction of the first polarizing plate 20 and the transmission axis direction of the second polarizing plate 22 are orthogonal to each other. The transmission axis direction of the first polarizing plate 20 is set in the X direction, which is parallel to the second substrate 18. In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the second substrate 18 refers to the direction parallel to the front and back surfaces of the second substrate 18. The transmission axis direction of the second polarizing plate 22 is set in the Y direction, which is parallel to the second substrate 18. In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the second substrate 18 refers to the direction parallel to the front and back surfaces of the second substrate 18. The X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other within the plane parallel to the second substrate 18 (i.e., the plane parallel to the front or back surface of the second substrate 18). In this embodiment, in addition to the X and Y directions, a Z direction is also defined for the liquid crystal device 10. The Z direction is orthogonal to both the X and Y directions.

[0053] The electrode layer 26 is provided on the second substrate 18. On the second substrate 18, the electrode layer 26 is positioned on the side opposite to the side where the second polarizing plate 22 is located. The electrode layer 26 is formed by arranging a plurality of electrode wires 34 side by side along the back surface of the second substrate 18. In this embodiment, the plurality of electrode wires 34 is an example of the "plural of electrode wires" according to the disclosure.

[0054] The long axis direction of each electrode wire 34 is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 20 degrees) with respect to the Y direction in a plane parallel to the back surface of the second substrate 18 (i.e., in the XY plane). Each electrode wire 34 is used as either a pixel electrode 26A or a common electrode 26B. The electrode wires 34 used as pixel electrodes 26A and the electrode wires 34 used as common electrodes 26B are arranged alternately at equal intervals along the X direction in a plane parallel to the back surface of the second substrate 18 (i.e., in the XY plane).

[0055] The first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29 are both films for aligning the liquid crystal and layers for electrical insulation. Furthermore, both the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29 are strong anchoring alignment films.

[0056] The first alignment film 28 is provided on the back surface of the first substrate 16. That is, on the first substrate 16, the first alignment film 28 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the first polarizing plate 20 is located. The first alignment film 28 is formed on the back surface of the first substrate 16 with a uniform film thickness.

[0057] The second alignment film 29 is provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18. That is, on the second substrate 18, the second alignment film 29 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the second polarizing plate 22 is located. In the Z direction, the second alignment film 29 is positioned between the plurality of electrode lines 34 and the liquid crystal layer 30, and between the second substrate 18 and the liquid crystal layer 30, and is in contact with the liquid crystal layer 30. The second alignment film 29 covers the back surface of the second substrate 18 and the plurality of electrode lines 34 with a uniform film thickness. The second alignment film 29 electrically insulates each electrode line 34 from the liquid crystal layer 30, and electrically insulates the second substrate 18 from the liquid crystal layer 30. With this configuration, the second alignment film 29 prevents charge from flowing from each electrode line 34 to the liquid crystal layer 30, and supports the proper alignment of the liquid crystal layer 30.

[0058] The liquid crystal layer 30 is provided between the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29. The liquid crystal layer 30 is a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer (i.e., a liquid crystal layer consisting of liquid crystals that include a ferroelectric phase in their phase series). The ferroelectric phase includes all phases that exhibit ferroelectricity, such as the ferroelectric nematic phase or the ferroelectric smectic phase. Here, an example of the orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer 30 when no electric field is applied to it is a direction parallel to the multiple electrode lines 34 in the XY plane, a direction perpendicular to the multiple electrode lines 34 in the XY plane, or a direction inclined with respect to the multiple electrode lines 34 in the XY plane. The direction parallel to the multiple electrode lines 34 in the XY plane is adopted when the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive. The direction perpendicular to the multiple electrode lines 34 in the XY plane is adopted when the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is negative. Furthermore, the direction in which the multiple electrode lines 34 are inclined in the XY plane can be adopted regardless of whether the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive or negative.

[0059] An example of a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer is a liquid crystal layer made of a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal (i.e., a liquid crystal whose phase series includes a ferroelectric nematic phase). An example of a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal is 3F-C4, shown below. The molecular weight of 3F-C4 is 499, and the magnitude of the dipole moment of 3F-C4 is 11.23D.

[0060]

[0061] The liquid crystal layer 30 is formed by filling a large number of liquid crystal molecules Lp (here, 3F-C4 as an example) between a first alignment film 28 and a second alignment film 29. Since both the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29 are strongly anchoring alignment films, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp on the first alignment film 28 side and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp on the second alignment film 29 side are strongly constrained. In this embodiment, the default orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is the Y direction.

[0062] The liquid crystal layer 30 is broadly divided into a first liquid crystal layer 30A located near the center of the electrode line 34 and a second liquid crystal layer 30B located on the back surface of the second substrate 18 where the electrode line 34 does not exist (in other words, a location other than near the center of the electrode line 34). The potential of the common electrode 26B is the reference potential (for example, the ground potential), and when the potential of the pixel electrode 26A is 0V, no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30. In this state of no electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 30, the combination of the first liquid crystal layer 30A and the first polarizer 20 and the second polarizer 22 blocks the light L from the backlight unit 14, and the combination of the second liquid crystal layer 30B and the first polarizer 20 and the second polarizer 22 also blocks the light L from the backlight unit 14.

[0063] Light L from the backlight unit 14 passes through the second polarizing plate 22, the second substrate 18, the electrode wires 34, and the second alignment film 29 in that order. Here, in the state where no electric field is applied, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp contained in the first liquid crystal layer 30A is in the Y direction, which coincides with the direction of the transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 22. Therefore, the light L incident on the first liquid crystal layer 30A from the second polarizing plate 22, the second substrate 18, the electrode wires 34, and the second alignment film 29 maintains its polarization state even after being incident on the first liquid crystal layer 30A, and is blocked by the first polarizing plate 20 whose transmission axis is in the X direction. Similarly, in the state where no electric field is applied, the light L incident on the second liquid crystal layer 30B also maintains its polarization state even after being incident on the second liquid crystal layer 30B, and is blocked by the first polarizing plate 20 whose transmission axis is in the X direction. Therefore, when no electric field is applied, the light L from the backlight unit 14 is not emitted from the liquid crystal display 10.

[0064] Figure 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration in plan view of an electrode group 35 for one pixel formed on the second substrate 18. The electrode group 35 is formed by arranging a pair of electrodes, a first comb electrode 38 and a second comb electrode 40, opposite each other in the XY plane. The first comb electrode 38 has a comb portion 38A. The comb portion 38A consists of a plurality of electrode lines 34. Each electrode line 34 of the comb portion 38A extends linearly in the XY plane along a direction intersecting the X and Y directions (for example, a direction inclined at 20 degrees with respect to the Y direction). The second comb electrode 40 has a comb portion 40A. Similar to the comb portion 38A, the comb portion 40A also consists of a plurality of electrode lines 34. Each electrode line 34 of the comb portion 40A extends linearly in the XY plane along a direction intersecting the X and Y directions (for example, a direction inclined at 20 degrees with respect to the Y direction). The direction of extension of each electrode wire 34 in the comb-tooth portion 40A is antiparallel to the direction of extension of each electrode wire 34 in the comb-tooth portion 38A.

[0065] As an example, as shown in Figure 2, the orientation processing direction Y1 of the first orientation film 28 (see Figure 1) (i.e., the direction in which the orientation processing is applied to the first orientation film 28) and the orientation processing direction Y2 of the second orientation film 29 (see Figure 1) (i.e., the direction in which the orientation processing is applied to the second orientation film 29) are antiparallel. Examples of orientation processing methods include the rubbing method, oblique deposition method, photo-alignment method, ion beam irradiation method, or electric field alignment method. In the example shown in Figure 2, the orientation processing direction Y1 is in the +Y direction, while the orientation processing direction Y2 is in the -Y direction, and the orientation processing directions Y1 and Y2 intersect with the long axis directions of the electrode wires 34 of the comb teeth 28A and 40A.

[0066] In the XY plane, the length of the comb teeth 38A in the X direction and the length of the comb teeth 40A in the X direction are both constant. Furthermore, the comb teeth 40A and the comb teeth 38A are arranged with a constant gap (for example, 10 μm) between them. That is, the comb teeth 38A and the comb teeth 40A are arranged alternately at a constant gap along the X direction in the XY plane.

[0067] The comb-tooth sections 38A and 40A consist of multiple electrode lines 34 for one pixel. Each electrode line 34 of the comb-tooth section 38A is a pixel electrode 26A, and each electrode line 34 of the comb-tooth section 40A is a common electrode 26B.

[0068] The second comb electrode 40 is connected to a reference potential. Therefore, the potential of the common electrode 26B is set to the reference potential. In this embodiment, the ground potential is used as the reference potential. However, the ground potential is merely one example, and the reference potential may be a biased constant potential.

[0069] An AC power supply 42 is connected to the first comb-tooth electrode 38. The AC power supply 42 applies an AC voltage to the first comb-tooth electrode 38 according to the given instructions. When the AC voltage is applied to the first comb-tooth electrode 38, the potential of the comb teeth 38A changes periodically between a positive potential of +V and a negative potential of -V. An example of the waveform of the AC voltage is a square wave. However, the waveform of the AC voltage is not limited to a square wave; it may also be a sine wave, a triangular wave, or a sawtooth wave.

[0070] As a result, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 as an example, an AC electric field E is generated between the pixel electrode 26A and the common electrode 26B adjacent to the pixel electrode 26A, along a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, a direction inclined at 20 degrees with respect to the X direction). In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, for illustrative purposes, the electric field lines (in other words, electric field lines) indicating the AC electric field E are drawn as arc-shaped lines. However, in reality, for example, the distance between the pixel electrode 26A and the common electrode 26B in the X direction is about a few μm, so the AC electric field E is generated in a direction parallel to the front and back surfaces of the second substrate 18 (i.e., the surfaces through which light L enters and exits). In this embodiment, the concept of parallel also includes the concept of approximately parallel.

[0071] The dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp contained in the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive. Therefore, for example, when an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal molecules Lp contained in the second liquid crystal layer 30B, their orientation direction changes to align with the direction of the alternating electric field E as a response to the alternating electric field E.

[0072] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, when the potential of the pixel electrode 26A is +V, the alternating electric field E spreads in an arc shape from the pixel electrode 26A toward the common electrode 26B. In this case, the alternating electric field E acts on the second liquid crystal layer 30B as a force that induces an orientation change of liquid crystal molecules Lp (hereinafter referred to as the "orientation change inducing force") along a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, a direction tilted at 20 degrees with respect to the X direction). When the alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal molecules Lp, the liquid crystal molecules Lp near the first alignment film 28 and the liquid crystal molecules Lp near the second alignment film 29 are strongly bound to the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29, and therefore do not undergo an orientation change in the direction of the alternating electric field E. On the other hand, liquid crystal molecules Lp located at positions away from the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29 are less bound by the first alignment film 28 and the second alignment film 29, and therefore undergo an orientation change in the direction of the alternating electric field E due to the orientation change inducing force caused by the alternating electric field E. Therefore, when an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal molecules Lp, among the many liquid crystal molecules Lp contained in the second liquid crystal layer 30B, those liquid crystal molecules Lp closer to the center of the second liquid crystal layer 30B in the Z direction undergo a transformation to a twisted orientation state in which the orientation direction changes significantly within the XY plane.

[0073] As an example, as shown in Figure 4, when the potential of the pixel electrode 26A is -V, the alternating electric field E spreads in an arc shape from the common electrode 26B toward the pixel electrode 26A. In this case as well, following the same principle as in the example shown in Figure 3, among the many liquid crystal molecules Lp contained in the second liquid crystal layer 30B, the liquid crystal molecules Lp closer to the center of the second liquid crystal layer 30B in the Z direction undergo a transition to a twisted orientation state in which the orientation direction changes significantly within the XY plane.

[0074] Thus, in the electric field applied state, where a positive or negative AC electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30, an orientation change-inducing force acts on the second liquid crystal layer 30B in a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, a direction tilted 20 degrees with respect to the X direction). In other words, at the moment the AC electric field E is applied, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes from the default orientation direction (for example, the Y direction) to a direction intersecting the default orientation direction in the XY plane (for example, a direction tilted 20 degrees with respect to the X direction). At this time, the change in the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes the polarization state of the light L. As a result, of the light L that has passed through the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B, the light L with a polarization direction (for example, the X direction) that coincides with the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizer plate 20 (for example, the X direction) passes through the first polarizer plate 20. Since the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20 is in the X direction, the light L transmitted from the backlight unit 14 through the second polarizing plate 22, the second substrate 18, the electrode wires 34, and the second alignment film 29 in that order is emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 via the second liquid crystal layer 30B.

[0075] As described above, immediately after the AC electric field E is applied, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes from the default orientation direction (for example, the Y direction) to a direction intersecting the default orientation direction in the XY plane (for example, a direction tilted 20 degrees with respect to the X direction), and this change in the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes the polarization state of the light L. On the other hand, even while the AC electric field E is being applied, there is almost no force acting on the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the first liquid crystal layer 30A to induce orientation change in a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (in other words, a direction tilted 20 degrees with respect to the X direction), so the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the first liquid crystal layer 30A does not change, and the polarization state of the light L does not change. Since the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20 is in the X direction, the light L transmitted from the backlight unit 14 through the second polarizing plate 22, the second substrate 18, the electrode wire 34, the second alignment film 29, and the first liquid crystal layer 30A in that order is not emitted from the first polarizing plate 20.

[0076] In the liquid crystal apparatus 10, immediately after a positive or negative alternating electric field E is applied, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes to the orientation direction from which light L is emitted from the first polarizing plate 20. During the process of maintaining the polarity of the alternating electric field E, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes to the orientation direction from which light L is not emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 (i.e., the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp returns to the default orientation direction). While the polarity of the alternating electric field E is maintained, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B maintains the orientation direction from which light L is not emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 (i.e., the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp maintains the default orientation direction).

[0077] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal device 10, the intensity of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is controlled by changing the intensity of the AC electric field E or by changing the frequency of the AC electric field E. In addition, in the liquid crystal device 10, it is also possible to make it so that light L is emitted from the light source 14A in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is modulated from low transmittance (for example, about 0%) to high transmittance (for example, about 45%), which is higher than low transmittance.

[0078] Next, the operation and effects of the liquid crystal apparatus 10 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 shows an example of the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 while an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30 by the electrode layer 26.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5, in the liquid crystal apparatus 10, while an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30 by the electrode layer 26, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is impulsively modulated between low transmittance (e.g., about 0%) and high transmittance (e.g., about 45%).

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 5, since the alternating electric field E is a rectangular wave alternating electric field, while the alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30 by the electrode layer 26, the process is broadly divided into a first process (hereinafter simply referred to as the "first process") in which the polarity of the alternating electric field E changes from one of positive and negative to the other, and a second process (hereinafter simply referred to as the "second process") in which the polarity of the alternating electric field E is kept either positive or negative, and the first process and the second process are repeated alternately.

[0081] First, the first process will be explained. Immediately after the polarity of the AC electric field E switches from positive or negative to the other, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes to the orientation direction from which light L is emitted from the first polarizing plate 20. When the polarity of the AC electric field E changes from positive to negative (for example, when the AC electric field E changes from a positive peak value to a negative peak value), the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance. Similarly, when the polarity of the AC electric field E changes from negative to positive (for example, when the AC electric field E changes from a negative peak value to a positive peak value), the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is also impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance. In this embodiment, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 on the second liquid crystal layer 30B is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance.

[0082] Here, impulse-type modulation refers to instantaneous modulation of the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizer 20 in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance, or instantaneous modulation of the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizer 20 in the order of high transmittance, low transmittance, and high transmittance. Instantaneous modulation means modulation that responds immediately to a change in the polarity of the AC electric field E (for example, a change from one of the peak values ​​on the positive side and the negative side of the AC electric field E to the other).

[0083] For example, instantaneous modulation in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance, as well as instantaneous modulation in the order of high transmittance, low transmittance, and high transmittance, are each completed within approximately 30 ms. For example, in instantaneous modulation in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance, the change from low transmittance to high transmittance takes approximately 1 ms, and the change from high transmittance to low transmittance takes approximately 20 ms. On the other hand, in instantaneous modulation in the order of high transmittance, low transmittance, and high transmittance, the change from high transmittance to low transmittance takes approximately 1 ms, and the change from low transmittance to high transmittance takes approximately 20 ms.

[0084] Next, the second process will be explained. In the second process, the polarity of the alternating electric field E is maintained as either positive or negative. While the polarity of the alternating electric field E is maintained as either positive or negative, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B changes to an orientation direction from which light L is not emitted from the first polarizer 20 (i.e., the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp returns to the default orientation direction). Also, while the polarity of the alternating electric field E is maintained, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the second liquid crystal layer 30B maintains an orientation direction from which light L is not emitted from the second polarizer 20 (i.e., the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp maintains the default orientation direction). Therefore, the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizer 20 on the second liquid crystal layer 30B is maintained at a low transmittance until the polarity of the alternating electric field E changes again from positive to negative or from negative to positive (i.e., until the transition from the second process to a new first process).

[0085] Thus, in the liquid crystal apparatus 10, when the polarity of the AC electric field E changes from positive to negative or from negative to positive, an impulse-type modulation of the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 occurs once. That is, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 exhibits an impulse-type modulation in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance in response to the change from the negative peak value to the positive peak value of the AC electric field E, and also exhibits an impulse-type modulation in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance in response to the change from the positive peak value to the negative peak value of the AC electric field E. Furthermore, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is controlled by changing the intensity and / or frequency of the AC electric field E applied to the liquid crystal layer 30.

[0086] Therefore, according to the liquid crystal device 10 of this embodiment, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 can be controlled in an impulse type with a simple configuration, compared to the case where conventional hold-type modulation or pseudo-impulse-type modulation is performed. As a result, for example, compared to the case where conventional hold-type modulation or pseudo-impulse-type modulation is performed, it is possible to reduce the degradation of video display quality called video blur, such as sports videos and game videos that require high-speed display, and to reduce visual discomfort (e.g., visual fatigue and motion sickness) that occurs when using AR or VR, without complicating the driving of the liquid crystal panel and / or backlight unit 14 or increasing power consumption.

[0087] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment, the modulation of the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from low transmittance to high transmittance occurs twice during one cycle of the AC electric field E. Therefore, with the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment, compared to cases where the light L is modulated in a hold-type or pseudo-impulse-type manner, it is possible to increase the frequency of modulating the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance, or in the order of high transmittance, low transmittance, and high transmittance, per unit time, using a simple method. In other words, motion blur can be improved more simply and with fewer frames compared to improving motion blur by pseudo-impulse-type display and frame interpolation.

[0088] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment, the light source 14A can be configured to emit light L in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is modulated from low transmittance to high transmittance. Therefore, the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment can suppress the power consumption of the liquid crystal device 10 compared to the case where light L is always emitted from the light source 14A.

[0089] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, a layer made of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal layer 30. The liquid crystal layer 30 made of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal has superior orientation stability compared to a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer made of known ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal. In addition, even if the liquid crystal panel 12 is subjected to an impact that does not damage the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, the liquid crystal molecules Lp can quickly repair the orientation disorder in response to the external impact. This makes it possible to realize a liquid crystal panel 12 with high impact resistance.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the liquid crystal device 10 of this embodiment, impulse-type transmittance modulation can be achieved by a simple method that follows the design structure of conventionally known LCDs and only changes the liquid crystal material. This has the advantage of realizing an LCD with excellent motion response without requiring significant changes to conventional LCD design, materials, manufacturing processes, and manufacturing equipment (i.e., without requiring new capital investment). It should be noted that the phenomenon of exhibiting impulse-type transmittance modulation while an electric field is applied in an LCD, without using pseudo-impulse emission or frame interpolation technology, is a phenomenon that has been confirmed for the first time in the world.

[0091] Furthermore, it is possible to realize an LCD with excellent video response without significantly changing conventional LCD design, materials, manufacturing processes, and manufacturing equipment, and without making new capital investments. For this reason, LCD manufacturers are more likely to adopt the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment, and there is a high possibility that the liquid crystal device 10 will be launched and widely adopted. In addition, the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment makes it possible to improve the video display quality of LCDs. Specifically, the liquid crystal device 10 can improve video blur not only in general displays but also in sports and gaming displays that require high-speed video response. In this way, the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment can contribute to improving the display quality of a wide range of displays. In addition, the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment, through impulse-type transmittance modulation, can also contribute to solving visual fatigue and motion sickness when using AR or VR, which are expected to spread rapidly in the future. Furthermore, by combining the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment with backlight dimming technology, it also leads to a reduction in the power consumption of the display, CO2 ２ This is expected to contribute to addressing the global warming problem by reducing emissions. Furthermore, the liquid crystal device 10 according to this embodiment can be expanded not only as a display element but also to applications where impulse-type transmittance modulation is effective.

[0092] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20 is perpendicular to the default orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer 30. However, this is merely one example, and the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20 may be parallel to the default orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer 30.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the direction of the transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 22 is perpendicular to the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20, but this is merely one example. The direction of the transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 22 may be parallel to the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 20.

[0094] If the direction of the transmission axis of the second polarizer 22 is perpendicular to the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizer 20, a normally black mode is achieved (i.e., in the state without an applied electric field, the liquid crystal molecules Lp are oriented so that light L is not emitted from the first polarizer 20, thus resulting in a mode of operation that is dimly lit in the state without an applied electric field). On the other hand, if the direction of the transmission axis of the second polarizer 22 is parallel to the direction of the transmission axis of the first polarizer 20, a normally white mode is achieved (i.e., in the state without an applied electric field, the liquid crystal molecules Lp are oriented so that light L is emitted from the first polarizer 20, thus resulting in a mode of operation that is brightly lit in the state without an applied electric field).

[0095] In the above embodiment, 3F-C4 was used as an example, but this is merely one example. For example, this disclosure can be applied to any liquid crystal in which the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance (for example, a liquid crystal with large polarization, i.e., a ferroelectric liquid crystal or ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal with a different structure from 3F-C4).

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the orientation processing direction Y1 of the first orientation film 28 and the orientation processing direction Y2 of the second orientation film 29 are antiparallel, but this is merely one example. The orientation processing direction Y1 of the first orientation film 28 and the orientation processing direction Y2 of the second orientation film 29 may be parallel.

[0097] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which impulse-type modulation of the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizer 20 occurs once in both the positive state of the AC electric field E and the negative state of the AC electric field E. However, this is merely one example. By changing various conditions, impulse-type modulation of the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizer 20 may occur multiple times in both the positive state of the AC electric field E and the negative state of the AC electric field E.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the case where the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is positive has been described, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp may be negative. When the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is negative, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained by applying the AC electric field E to the liquid crystal layer 30 in a different application direction than when the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is positive. An example of the application direction of the AC electric field E to the liquid crystal layer 30 when the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is negative is a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. Furthermore, an example of the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp when the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is negative is a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, as well as a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 included in the comb teeth 38A and 40A, or a direction slightly inclined from the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 included in the comb teeth 38A and 40A.

[0099] In the above embodiment, a liquid crystal apparatus 10 in which an electrode layer 26 is provided on a second substrate 18 was illustrated, but this is merely one example. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the present disclosure can also be established by using a liquid crystal apparatus 100 instead of a liquid crystal apparatus 10. The liquid crystal apparatus 100 differs from the liquid crystal apparatus 10 in that it has a liquid crystal panel 102 instead of a liquid crystal panel 12. The liquid crystal panel 102 differs from the liquid crystal panel 12 in that it has a first alignment layer 104 instead of a first alignment layer 28, a second alignment layer 106 instead of a second alignment layer 29, and an electrode layer 108 instead of an electrode layer 26.

[0100] The second alignment film 106 is provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18 in the same manner as the first alignment film 28 described above is provided on the first substrate 16. The electrode layer 26 does not exist on the second substrate 18. The first alignment film 104 and electrode layer 108 are provided on the back surface of the first substrate 16 in the same manner as the electrode layer 26 and second alignment film 29 described above are provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18. The electrode layer 108 includes a plurality of electrode lines 110 corresponding to the plurality of electrode lines 34 described above. The plurality of electrode lines 110 are realized by a pair of comb electrodes corresponding to the first comb electrode 38 and the second comb electrode 40 described above. The electrode layer 108 also includes a pixel electrode 108A corresponding to the pixel electrode 26A described above and a common electrode 108B corresponding to the common electrode 26B described above. The liquid crystal device 100 configured in this way can obtain the same effects as the liquid crystal device 10 described above.

[0101] In the example shown in Figure 6, a configuration is shown in which the liquid crystal molecules Lp are oriented parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, but this is merely one example. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the liquid crystal molecules Lp may be oriented perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. In this case, the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive. In this embodiment, oriented perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 means, in other words, oriented along the normal direction of the back surface of the first substrate 16 (i.e., the Z direction) and the normal direction of the front surface of the second substrate 18 (i.e., the Z direction).

[0102] Similarly, in the examples shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the liquid crystal molecules Lp are oriented parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, but this is merely one example. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the liquid crystal molecules Lp may be oriented perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. In this case as well, the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive.

[0103] In the example shown in Figure 6, a liquid crystal device 100 is illustrated, but this disclosure can also be established by using a liquid crystal device 200 instead of the liquid crystal device 100, for example, as shown in Figure 9. In the example shown in Figure 9, the liquid crystal device 200 differs from the liquid crystal device 100 in that it has a liquid crystal panel 202 instead of a liquid crystal panel 102. In the example shown in Figure 6, the liquid crystal panel 102 has a second alignment film 106 provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18, whereas the liquid crystal panel 202 differs from the liquid crystal panel 102 in that, similar to the above embodiment, the first alignment film 29 and the electrode layer 26 are provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18. The electrode layer 26 and the electrode lines 110 are in a positional relationship that is perpendicular or intersecting to each other.

[0104] In the liquid crystal apparatus 200, an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30 by the electrode layer 26 on the second substrate 18 in the manner described in the above embodiment, or by the electrode layer 108 on the first substrate 16 in the same manner as in the example shown in Figure 6. Even with a liquid crystal apparatus 200 configured in this way, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0105] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which an alternating electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal molecules Lp along a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, the X direction), but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the alternating electric field E may be applied to the liquid crystal molecules Lp along a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, the Z direction). The concept of perpendicular includes the concept of approximately perpendicular. The example shown in Figure 10 shows a liquid crystal apparatus 300. The liquid crystal apparatus 300 differs from the liquid crystal apparatus 10 described in the above embodiment in that it has a liquid crystal panel 302 instead of a liquid crystal panel 12. The liquid crystal panel 302 differs from the liquid crystal panel 12 in that it has a common electrode 304, a first alignment film 306 instead of a first alignment film 28, a plurality of pixel electrodes 308 instead of an electrode layer 26, a second alignment film 310 instead of a second alignment film 29, and a liquid crystal layer 312 instead of a liquid crystal layer 30.

[0106] The common electrode 304 is provided on the back surface of the first substrate 16 and is positioned on the side opposite to the side where the first polarizing plate 20 is located. The common electrode 304 is a plate-shaped electrode and is provided so as to cover at least the entire display area on the back surface of the first substrate 16 (i.e., the side facing the backlight unit 14). The common electrode 304 is connected to a reference potential (for example, ground potential or a biased constant potential). The common electrode 304 is provided with a first alignment film 306. On the back surface of the second substrate 18 (i.e., the side opposite to the side where the second polarizing plate 22 is provided), a plurality of pixel electrodes 308 are provided in a matrix. In addition, a second alignment film 310 is provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18 so as to cover the plurality of pixel electrodes 308.

[0107] A liquid crystal layer 312 is provided between the first alignment film 306 and the second alignment film 310. The dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 312 is positive. The liquid crystal layer 312 is filled with a large number of liquid crystal molecules Lp. By default, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, the X direction in the XY plane).

[0108] The orientation processing direction of the first orientation film 306 and the orientation processing direction of the second orientation film 310 are either parallel or antiparallel. For example, when the orientation processing direction of the first orientation film 306 and the orientation processing direction of the second orientation film 310 are parallel, an example of the orientation processing direction of the first orientation film 306 and the orientation processing direction of the second orientation film 310 is the X direction. Also, when the orientation processing direction of the first orientation film 306 and the orientation processing direction of the second orientation film 310 are antiparallel, an example of the orientation processing direction of the first orientation film 306 is one of the +X direction and the -X direction, and an example of the orientation processing direction of the second orientation film 310 is the other of the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0109] An alternating current voltage is applied to a designated pixel electrode 308 among the multiple pixel electrodes 308 (for example, a pixel electrode 308 designated according to a given instruction). The application of the alternating current voltage to the pixel electrode 308 generates an alternating current electric field E between the pixel electrode 308 and the common electrode 304 in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. When the polarity of the pixel electrode 308 is reversed, the direction of the alternating current electric field E is reversed. After the polarity of the alternating current electric field E applied to the liquid crystal layer 312 is reversed, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance while the reversed alternating current electric field E is applied. Even with this configuration, the same effects as the liquid crystal device 10 described in the above embodiment can be obtained. Note that even if the common electrode 304 is provided on the second substrate 18 and the multiple pixel electrodes 308 are provided on the first substrate 16, the same effects as the liquid crystal device 10 described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0110] In the example shown in Figure 10, the liquid crystal layer 312 is oriented in a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, that is, the default orientation direction of the numerous liquid crystal molecules Lp (e.g., all liquid crystal molecules Lp) filled in the liquid crystal layer 312 is a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (e.g., the X direction in the XY plane). However, this is merely one example. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the liquid crystal layer 312 may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (e.g., the Z direction). That is, the default orientation direction of the numerous liquid crystal molecules Lp (e.g., all liquid crystal molecules Lp) filled in the liquid crystal layer 312 may be a direction perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (e.g., the Z direction). In this case, the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 312 is negative. In this case as well, the same effects as the liquid crystal apparatus 10 described in the above embodiment can be obtained. In this example as well, even if the common electrode 304 is provided on the second substrate 18 and the multiple pixel electrodes 308 are provided on the first substrate 16, the same effects as those of the liquid crystal device 10 described in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0111] In the above embodiments (i.e., the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4), a liquid crystal device 10 having an IPS structure was illustrated, but this is merely one example. For example, this disclosure also applies to a liquid crystal device 400 having a Shot Range Lurch Control IPS (SLC-IPS) structure, and also applies to a liquid crystal device 400 having an FFS structure as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

[0112] As an example, as shown in Figure 12, the liquid crystal device 400 differs from the liquid crystal device 10 described in the above embodiment in that it has a liquid crystal panel 402 instead of a liquid crystal panel 12. The liquid crystal panel 402 differs from the liquid crystal panel 12 in that it has a common electrode 404 instead of a common electrode 26B, and it has an insulating film 406. Furthermore, in the liquid crystal panel 12, the pixel electrodes 26A and the common electrode 26B are arranged alternately along the X direction, whereas in the liquid crystal panel 402, only a plurality of pixel electrodes 26A are arranged at regular intervals along the X direction.

[0113] The common electrode 404 is provided on the back surface of the second substrate 18 and is positioned on the side opposite to the side where the second polarizing plate 22 is located. The common electrode 404 is a plate-shaped electrode and is provided so as to cover at least the entire display area on the back surface of the second substrate 18 (i.e., the side facing the liquid crystal layer 30). The common electrode 404 is connected to a reference potential (for example, ground potential or a biased constant potential). An insulating film 406 is provided on the common electrode 404. On the common electrode 404, the insulating film 406 is positioned on the side opposite to the side where the second substrate 18 is located. When the common electrode 404 is viewed from above (i.e., when the common electrode 404 is viewed from the Z-direction), the shape of the insulating film 406 is the same as the shape of the common electrode 404 when the common electrode 404 is viewed from above. The size of the insulating film 406 is the same as or larger than the size of the common electrode 404 when the common electrode 404 is viewed from above.

[0114] In the example shown in Figure 12, the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive. Furthermore, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, and is parallel to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 of the comb-tooth electrodes 38 and 40 (see also Figure 2), or slightly inclined from the direction parallel to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 of the comb-tooth electrodes 38 and 40 (see also Figure 2). Note that although the example shown in Figure 12 illustrates the case where the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 is positive, this is merely one example, and the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer 30 may also be negative. In this case, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18, and is perpendicular to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 of the comb-tooth electrodes 38 and 40, or slightly inclined from the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction of the electrode wires 34 of the comb-tooth electrodes 38 and 40.

[0115] When an AC voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 26A in the same manner as in the above embodiment, an AC electric field E is generated between the pixel electrode 26A and the common electrode 404. The AC electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal layer 30 in a direction parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18 (for example, the X direction). Even with this configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, even if the configuration of the first substrate 16 and the configuration of the second substrate 18 are reversed, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0116] As an example, as shown in Figure 13, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp may be different from the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp shown in Figure 12. The example shown in Figure 13 differs from the example shown in Figure 12 in that the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules Lp is perpendicular to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. In addition, the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules Lp in the example shown in Figure 13 is positive, and the direction in which the AC electric field E is applied to the liquid crystal device 30 is parallel to the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 18. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, even if the configuration of the first substrate 16 and the configuration of the second substrate 18 are reversed, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0117] In the above embodiment, a second orientation film 29, which is a single-layer insulating film, was given as an example of an insulating layer according to the present disclosure, but this is merely one example. Multiple layers of insulating films may be used instead of the second orientation film 29. Furthermore, the insulating film only needs to be formed to cover the electrodes, and does not necessarily need to be present across the entire substrate or between the electrodes.

[0118] Furthermore, as an example, as shown in Figure 14, a plurality of second orientation films 29 may be formed on the electrode layer 26 as a lower insulating film 36 and an upper insulating film 39. In the example shown in Figure 14, the plurality of second orientation films 29 as a lower insulating film 36 and an upper insulating film 39 are examples of the "insulating layer" and "multiple layers" according to this disclosure.

[0119] The lower insulating film 36 physically protects the electrode layer 26 by covering it. The upper insulating film 39 is formed on the lower insulating film 36 and acts as an alignment film.

[0120] In the example shown in Figure 14, a lower insulating film 36 and an upper insulating film 39 are shown, but this is merely one example. Alternatively, only the upper insulating film 39 of the lower insulating film 36 and upper insulating film 39 may be formed on the electrode layer 26. An FFS structure in which the lower insulating film 36 is formed on a common electrode, a pixel electrode is formed on the lower insulating film 36, and the upper insulating film 39 is further formed on top of that is also included in the above examples.

[0121] Furthermore, the liquid crystal device 10 may be equipped with an electrically insulating color filter. For example, the color filter is provided on the first substrate 16 or the second substrate 18. In addition, there may be other electrically insulating layers besides the color filter. The color filter is an example of an "insulating layer" according to this disclosure. In any case, the alignment film is in a position that contacts the liquid crystal molecules Lp.

[0122] This method of creating multiple insulating layers can also be applied to the examples shown in Figures 6 to 13.

[0123] In the above embodiment, examples of forms in which the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is modulated in an impulse-type manner include a first embodiment in which the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is modulated in the order of low transmittance, high transmittance, and low transmittance, and a second embodiment in which the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is modulated in the order of high transmittance, low transmittance, and high transmittance. In the first embodiment, the time required for the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from low transmittance to high transmittance (for example, about 20 ms) is longer than the time required for the transmittance of light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from low transmittance to high transmittance (for example, about 1 ms). However, it is preferable that the time it takes for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from high transmittance to low transmittance is the same as the time it takes for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the polarizing plate 20 to change from low transmittance to high transmittance.

[0124] To achieve this, for example, the embodiment shown in Figure 9 can be used. This can be achieved by using in combination an electrode layer used to change the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from low transmittance to high transmittance (hereinafter referred to as the "first electrode layer") and an electrode layer used to change the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from high transmittance to low transmittance (hereinafter referred to as the "second electrode layer"). An example of the first electrode layer is a comb-tooth electrode. An example of the second electrode layer is a comb-tooth electrode positioned perpendicular to or intersecting the comb-tooth electrode used as the first electrode layer.

[0125] In this case, one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is provided on the first substrate 16 side, and the other of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is provided on the second substrate 18 side. When changing the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from high transmittance to low transmittance, an electric field (for example, an AC electric field E) is generated from the first electrode layer, and when changing the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from low transmittance to high transmittance, an electric field (for example, an AC electric field E) is generated from the second electrode layer.

[0126] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the time required for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from low transmittance to high transmittance (for example, about 20 ms) is longer than the time required for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from high transmittance to low transmittance (for example, about 1 ms). However, it is preferable that the time required for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 to change from low transmittance to high transmittance be the same as the time required for the transmittance of the light L emitted from the polarizing plate 20 to change from high transmittance to low transmittance.

[0127] To achieve this, for example, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can be used in combination, similar to the first embodiment. In this case, when changing the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from high transmittance to low transmittance, an electric field (e.g., an AC electric field E) is generated from the first electrode layer, and when changing the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from high transmittance to low transmittance, an electric field (e.g., an AC electric field E) is generated from the second electrode layer.

[0128] Here, an example is given in which a first electrode layer is provided on the first substrate 16 and a second electrode layer is provided on the second substrate 18, but this is merely one example. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer may be provided on the first substrate 16 or the second substrate 18 with an insulating film in between, and an electric field may be generated from the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in a similar manner.

[0129] Furthermore, by using dimming of the backlight unit 14 in combination, the time required to change the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from high transmittance to low transmittance and the time required to change the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 from low transmittance to high transmittance can be shortened to the same time (for example, about 1 ms), and power consumption can also be reduced.

[0130] Furthermore, in the liquid crystal apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the transmittance of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20 is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance, so that the emitted light intensity per unit time (i.e., the intensity of the light L emitted from the first polarizing plate 20) is controlled by the strength and / or frequency of the AC electric field E. This is because the emitted light intensity per unit time is expressed as the product of the incident light intensity (the intensity of the light L incident on the liquid crystal panel 12), twice the integral value of the transmittance per emission, and the frequency, so the emitted light intensity per unit time changes with the strength and / or frequency of the AC electric field E.

[0131] [Example 1] A demonstration experiment was conducted using a liquid crystal panel having the configuration described in the above embodiment, and the experimental results are shown below.

[0132] DSC measurements were performed on 3F-C4, which is filled into the liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal panel having the configuration described in the above embodiment. The results confirmed that the ferroelectric nematic phase appears in the range of approximately 40°C to approximately 210°C.

[0133] The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal layer filled with 3F-C4, a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal having a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase series, as well as an electrode substrate having 160 nm thick comb-tooth electrodes (L / S = 10 / 10 μm) made of ITO, and a counter substrate having a photospacer with a height of 3 μm. First, an alignment film made of polyimide (thickness: approximately 170 nm) was formed on the comb-tooth electrodes of the electrode substrate and on the photospacer of the counter substrate, respectively, and antiparallel rubbing was performed at a 20° angle to the comb-tooth electrodes. Next, the electrode substrate and the counter substrate were bonded together using a thermosetting sealant to create an empty cell.

[0134] An empty cell was placed on a hot stage, and the empty cell was heated to 180°C, the temperature at which the ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal 3F-C4 exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase. The 3F-C4 was then filled into the voids of the empty cell using a capillary method to complete the IPS-type liquid crystal panel. Furthermore, observation with a polarized light microscope after placing the liquid crystal cell on the hot stage confirmed that 3F-C4 exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase in the temperature range of approximately 40°C to 210°C.

[0135] After filling with liquid crystal, the liquid crystal panel was placed on a hot stage, and its temperature was raised to a temperature above the NI point (210°C), and then lowered to 130°C, where 3F-C4 exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase. The hot stage with the liquid crystal panel was placed on a polarizing microscope, and green light was incident on the liquid crystal panel at 130°C. While applying a voltage to the liquid crystal panel, the intensity of the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel was measured at intervals of 10,000 times / second using a high-speed camera attached to the polarizing microscope. At this time, the transmission axis of the polarizer was aligned with the rubbing direction of the liquid crystal panel, and the transmission axis of the analyzer was positioned perpendicular to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

[0136] At 130°C, 3F-C4 exhibited a uniform homogeneous orientation in a direction parallel to the rubbing direction. In this state, a rectangular wave with varying frequency and voltage was applied to the liquid crystal cell, and the intensity of the light emitted from the liquid crystal cell was measured. As a result, as shown in Figures 15 to 18, it was confirmed that after changing the polarity of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell, and then maintaining the voltage, the transmittance of the light emitted from the liquid crystal cell was modulated in an impulse-type manner in the order of low, high, and low. In other words, it was confirmed that applying a rectangular wave voltage to the liquid crystal cell resulted in an impulse-type emitted light characteristic immediately after polarity reversal. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the impulse-type transmittance modulation was triggered twice as many times as the frequency.

[0137] The rise time response time was approximately 1 ms, which is shorter than that of a typical LCD panel using nematic liquid crystal. The fall time response time was approximately 20 ms.

[0138] Furthermore, it was confirmed that when the voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel is changed, the transmittance in each impulse-type transmittance modulation also changes, as shown in Figure 19.

[0139] [Example 2] In this second example, a demonstration experiment was conducted to confirm the behavior of a vertically aligned IPS liquid crystal panel (see Figure 8), and the experimental results are shown below.

[0140] In the demonstration experiment according to this second embodiment, an electrode substrate (lower substrate) with ITO comb-tooth electrodes with L / S = 10 / 10 μm formed on glass was used, and vertical alignment films (for example, AL60101 (manufactured by JSR)) were formed on both surfaces of a counter substrate (upper substrate) made of glass. The upper and lower substrates were bonded together via a thermosetting resin, and a void cell was formed by heating under pressure. Subsequently, with the void cell heated to 180°C, where 3F-C4, a liquid crystal having a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase series, exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase, 3F-C4 was vacuum-injected into the void of the void cell to fabricate a vertically aligned IPS type liquid crystal panel. The cell thickness is approximately 3 μm.

[0141] The fabricated liquid crystal panel was placed on a hot stage, and its temperature was raised to above the NI point (210°C). Then, the temperature was lowered to 130°C, the temperature at which 3F-C4 exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase. The hot stage with the liquid crystal panel was placed on a polarizing microscope, and green light was incident on the panel at 130°C. While applying a voltage to the panel, the intensity of the emitted light from the panel was measured at intervals of 10,000 times / second using a high-speed camera attached to the polarizing microscope. At this time, the polarizer and analyzer of the polarizing microscope were in a crossed nicol configuration. 3F-C4 showed a generally uniform homeotropic orientation at 130°C. In this state, as shown in Figure 20, when a 10V and 20Hz square wave was applied to the liquid crystal panel, it was confirmed that impulse-type transmittance modulation clearly appeared when the polarity of the AC electric field E changed from positive to negative, or from negative to positive.

[0142] [Example 3] In this Example 3, a demonstration experiment was conducted to confirm the behavior of an Electrically Controlled Birefringence (ECB) type liquid crystal panel (see Figure 10), and the experimental results are shown below.

[0143] In the demonstration experiment according to this third embodiment, horizontal alignment films (for example, SE-6414 (manufactured by Nissan Chemical)) were formed on both the upper and lower substrates, each having an ITO solid electrode formed on glass, and a rubbing process was performed. The rubbing direction was parallel to the vertical edge of the substrate, and an anti-parallel rubbing process was performed in which the rubbing direction was reversed by 180° between the upper and lower substrates. The upper and lower substrates were bonded together via a thermosetting resin and heated under pressure to form empty cells. Subsequently, the empty cells were heated to 180°C, at which point 3F-C4, a liquid crystal having a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase series, exhibits the ferroelectric nematic phase. 3F-C4 was then vacuum-injected into the voids of the empty cells to fabricate an ECB type liquid crystal panel. The cell thickness was approximately 3 μm.

[0144] The fabricated liquid crystal panel was placed on a hot stage, and its temperature was raised to above the NI point (210°C). Then, the temperature was lowered to 130°C, where 3F-C4 exhibits a ferroelectric nematic phase. The hot stage with the liquid crystal panel was placed on a polarizing microscope, and green light was incident on the panel at 130°C. While applying a voltage to the panel, the intensity of the emitted light from the panel was measured at 10,000 times / second intervals using a high-speed camera attached to the polarizing microscope. The polarizer and analyzer of the polarizing microscope were arranged in a cross-nicol configuration, and the transmission axis of the polarizer was positioned at 45° to the rubbing direction so that the ECB type liquid crystal panel would be normally white. 3F-C4 showed a generally uniform orientation in the rubbing direction at 130°C. In this state, as shown in Figure 21, when a 10V and 20Hz square wave was applied to the liquid crystal panel, it was confirmed that impulse-type transmittance modulation clearly appeared when the polarity of the AC electric field E changed from positive to negative, or from negative to positive.

[0145] In the demonstration experiment according to this third embodiment, since the ECB type liquid crystal panel was a normally white type, the impulse-type transmittance change when voltage was applied showed a behavior of changing from bright to dark, and then returning to bright again. It was observed that the transmittance after impulse-type transmittance modulation was momentarily higher than the transmittance before voltage application. This is due to the fact that the dielectric anisotropy of the 3F-4C used is unknown and the optical design of the ECB type liquid crystal panel is not optimized.

[0146] [Example 4] In this Example 4, we used an IPS liquid crystal panel into which RM734 (hereinafter simply referred to as "RM734"), a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal having a nematic phase and a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase sequence, was injected, and an IPS liquid crystal panel into which DIO (hereinafter simply referred to as "DIO"), a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal having a nematic phase and a ferroelectric nematic phase in its phase sequence, was injected. We conducted a demonstration experiment to confirm the behavior of these IPS liquid crystal panels in the nematic phase, and the experimental results are shown below.

[0147] In the demonstration experiment according to this embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 22, a horizontal alignment film (for example, SE-6414 (manufactured by Nissan Chemical)) was formed on the surface of an electrode substrate (lower substrate) on which ITO comb-tooth electrodes with L / S = 10 / 10 μm were formed on glass, and on the surface of a counter substrate (upper substrate) made of glass, and a rubbing process was performed. The rubbing process was performed in a direction at an angle of 20° to the ITO comb-tooth electrodes, and an anti-parallel rubbing process was performed in which the rubbing direction between the upper and lower substrates was reversed by 180°. The upper and lower substrates were bonded together via a thermosetting resin and heated under pressure to form an empty cell. Subsequently, with the empty cell heated to 150°C, where both RM734 exhibit the nematic phase, RM734 was vacuum-injected into the void of the empty cell to fabricate an IPS type liquid crystal panel (RM734). Furthermore, an IPS-type liquid crystal panel (DIO) was fabricated by vacuum-injecting DIO into the voids of empty cells while the empty cells were heated to 150°C, where both DIO and DIO exhibited the nematic phase. Each cell had a thickness of approximately 3 μm.

[0148] The fabricated IPS-type liquid crystal panel (RM734) was placed on a hot stage, and the temperature of the liquid crystal panel was raised to a temperature above the NI point (190°C), and then lowered to 140°C, the temperature at which the RM734 exhibits the nematic phase. The hot stage with the liquid crystal panel was placed on a polarizing microscope, and green light was incident on the liquid crystal panel at 140°C. While applying a voltage to the liquid crystal panel, the intensity of the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel was measured at intervals of 10,000 times / second using a high-speed camera attached to the polarizing microscope. At this time, the polarizer and analyzer of the polarizing microscope were arranged in a crossed nicol configuration, and the transmission axis of the polarizer was aligned with the rubbing direction.

[0149] Furthermore, the fabricated IPS-type liquid crystal panel (DIO) was placed on a hot stage, and the temperature of the liquid crystal panel was raised to a temperature above the NI point (190°C), and then lowered to 100°C, the temperature at which the DIO exhibits the nematic phase. The hot stage with the liquid crystal panel was placed on a polarizing microscope, and green light was incident on the liquid crystal panel at 100°C. While applying a voltage to the liquid crystal panel, the intensity of the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel was measured at intervals of 10,000 times / second using a high-speed camera attached to the polarizing microscope. At this time, the polarizer and analyzer of the polarizing microscope were arranged in a crossed nicol configuration, and the transmission axis of the polarizer was aligned with the rubbing direction.

[0150] The IPS liquid crystal panel (RM734) and the IPS liquid crystal panel (DIO) both exhibited a generally uniform orientation in the rubbing direction at 140°C and 100°C, respectively. In this state, when a 10V and 20Hz square wave was applied to the IPS liquid crystal panel (RM734) as shown in Figure 23, and a 5V and 20Hz square wave was applied to the IPS liquid crystal panel (DIO) as shown in Figure 24, it was confirmed that impulse-type transmittance modulation clearly appeared when the polarity of the AC electric field E changed from positive to negative, or from negative to positive.

[0151] Impulse-type transmittance modulation in the nematic phase has not been realized to date. Impulse-type transmittance modulation, in which transmittance changes from dark to bright and from bright to dark while an ON signal is applied, can be said to be a novel behavior that differs from impulse-type luminance modulation of self-luminescent elements (i.e., impulse-type luminance modulation in which dark to bright is realized by an ON signal and bright to dark is realized by an OFF signal).

[0152] The descriptions and illustrations presented above are detailed explanations of the parts related to this disclosure and are merely examples of this disclosure. For example, the above explanation of the structure, function, operation, and effect is an example of the structure, function, operation, and effect of the parts related to this disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that you may delete unnecessary parts, add new elements, or replace parts of the descriptions and illustrations presented above, as long as you do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure. Furthermore, in order to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to this disclosure, explanations of common technical knowledge, etc., that do not require special explanation to enable the implementation of this disclosure have been omitted from the descriptions and illustrations presented above.

[0153] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually noted to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate with a gap between them; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and oriented in a direction parallel to the first and second substrates; an electrode layer provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate for inducing a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal layer by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; an insulating layer formed on the electrode layer of at least one of the first and second substrates on which the electrode layer is provided; the direction of the transmission axis of a first polarizing plate provided on the first substrate side and the direction of the transmission axis of a second polarizing plate provided on the second substrate side are perpendicular or parallel; light emitted from a light source is transmitted in the order of the second polarizing plate, the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the first substrate; and while the electrode layer is applying the electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transmittance of the light emitted from the first polarizing plate is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance.

2. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein the electric field is an alternating current electric field.

3. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 2, wherein the impulse-type modulation of the transmittance occurs once or multiple times when the AC electric field is in a positive state and when the AC electric field is in a negative state.

4. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intensity of light emitted from the first polarizing plate is controlled by the intensity and / or frequency of the electric field.

5. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrode layer is a plurality of electrode wires arranged on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the direction of the electric field with respect to the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the first substrate and the second substrate.

6. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 5, wherein when the electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the plurality of electrode lines, perpendicular to the plurality of electrode lines, or inclined with respect to the plurality of electrode lines.

7. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrode layer is an electrode disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate by the electrode.

8. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1 of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the insulating layer consists of one or more layers.

9. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insulating layer includes an alignment film, and the alignment film is a film in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

10. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is positive or negative.

11. A liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein light is emitted from a light source in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance is modulated from the low transmittance to the high transmittance.

12. A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate with a gap between them; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and oriented perpendicular to the first and second substrates; and an electrode layer provided on the first substrate and / or the second substrate for inducing a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal layer by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, wherein an insulating layer is formed on the electrode layer of at least one of the first and second substrates on which the electrode layer is provided; the direction of the transmission axis of a first polarizing plate provided on the first substrate side and the direction of the transmission axis of a second polarizing plate provided on the second substrate side are perpendicular or parallel; light emitted from a light source is transmitted in the order of the second polarizing plate, the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer, and the first substrate; and while the electrode layer is applying the electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the transmittance of the light emitted from the first polarizing plate is impulsively modulated between low transmittance and high transmittance.

13. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 12, wherein the electric field is an alternating current electric field.

14. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 13, wherein the impulse-type modulation of the transmittance occurs once or multiple times when the AC electric field is in a positive state and when the AC electric field is in a negative state.

15. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the intensity of light emitted from the first polarizing plate is controlled by the intensity and / or frequency of the electric field.

16. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the electrode layer is a plurality of electrode wires arranged on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the direction of the electric field with respect to the liquid crystal layer is parallel to the first substrate and the second substrate.

17. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the electrode layer is an electrode disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate by the electrode.

18. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the insulating layer comprises one or more layers.

19. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the insulating layer includes an alignment film, and the alignment film is a film in contact with the liquid crystal layer.

20. The liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is positive or negative.

21. A liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein light is emitted from a light source in accordance with the timing at which the transmittance is modulated from the low transmittance to the high transmittance.

22. A liquid crystal apparatus comprising a liquid crystal panel according to any one of claims 1 to 21, and the light source.

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