LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL AND FABRICATING METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A liquid crystal panel and a method of fabricating the same are described. For the liquid crystal panel, an optical alignment treatment is performed to irradiate a polarized ultraviolet light to an optical alignment layer in advance. Thus, when a polymerizing step is performed, tilting directions of the liquid crystal molecules can be made uniform, thereby solving the problem of reducing an optical transmittance existing in the conventional technology.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal panel, comprising: a first substrate, a first transparent conductive film disposed on the first substrate; a first optical alignment layer disposed on the first transparent conductive film; a liquid crystal composition layer disposed on the first optical alignment layer and comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; and a plurality of polymer networks formed by polymerizing a plurality of reactive monomers, wherein the liquid crystal molecules and the polymer networks are two separated phases; a second optical alignment layer disposed on the liquid crystal composition layer; a second transparent conductive layer disposed on the second optical alignment layer; and a second substrate disposed on the second transparent conductive layer; wherein the first substrate is a thin film transistor array substrate; and wherein the second substrate is a color filter substrate.

2. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of negative type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is vertical optical alignment material irradiated by a polarized ultraviolet light.

3. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of positive type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is parallel optical alignment material irradiated by a polarized ultraviolet light.

4. A liquid crystal panel, comprising: a first substrate, a first transparent conductive film disposed on the first substrate; a first optical alignment layer disposed on the first transparent conductive film; a liquid crystal composition layer disposed on the first optical alignment layer and comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; and a plurality of polymer networks formed by polymerizing a plurality of reactive monomers, wherein the liquid crystal molecules and the polymer networks are two separated phases; a second optical alignment layer disposed on the liquid crystal composition layer; a second transparent conductive layer disposed on the second optical alignment layer; and a second substrate disposed on the second transparent conductive layer.

5. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4, wherein the first substrate is a thin film transistor array substrate.

6. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4, wherein the second substrate is a color filter substrate.

7. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of negative type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is vertical optical alignment material irradiated by a polarized ultraviolet light.

8. The liquid crystal panel according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of positive type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is parallel optical alignment material irradiated by a polarized ultraviolet light.

9. A method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel, comprising steps of: providing a first substrate and a second substrate; forming a first transparent conductive film on the first substrate, and forming a second transparent conductive film on the second substrate; forming a first optical alignment layer on the first transparent conductive film, and forming a second optical alignment layer on the second transparent conductive film; performing an optical alignment step by providing a first polarized ultraviolet light to the first optical alignment layer, wherein a first pre-tilt angle of the first polarized ultraviolet light with respect to a vertical direction of the first optical alignment layer is between 0 and 90 degrees; and by providing a second polarized ultraviolet light to the second optical alignment layer, wherein a second pre-tilt angle of the second polarized ultraviolet light with respect to a vertical direction of the second optical alignment layer is between 0 and 90 degrees; providing a mixture layer sandwiched between the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer, wherein the mixture layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and a plurality of reactive monomers; and performing a polymerizing step by providing an ultraviolet light to the mixture layer so as to form a liquid crystal composition layer, wherein the liquid crystal composition layer comprises: the liquid crystal molecules; and a plurality of polymer networks formed by polymerizing the reactive monomers, wherein the liquid crystal molecules and the polymer networks are two separated phases.

10. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 9, wherein in performing the polymerizing step, a main reactive wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 313 nm or 365 nm, and a reactive temperature of the polymerizing step is ranged from 30° C. to 60° C.

11. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 9, wherein in performing the optical alignment step, the method further comprises steps of: providing a first optical mask between the first polarized ultraviolet light and the first optical alignment layer; and providing a second optical mask between the second polarized ultraviolet light and the second optical alignment layer.

12. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 11, wherein a slit width of the first optical mask is greater than 0 μm and smaller than or identical to 50 μm; and a slit width of the second optical mask is greater than 0 μm and smaller than or identical to 50 μm.

13. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 11, wherein a main reactive wavelength of the first polarized ultraviolet light is ranged from 250 nm to 370 nm; and a main reactive wavelength of the second polarized ultraviolet light is ranged from 250 nm to 370 nm.

14. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 9, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of negative type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is vertical optical alignment material.

15. The method of fabricating a liquid crystal panel according to claim 9, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are a plurality of positive type liquid crystal molecules, and each of the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer is parallel optical alignment material.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal panel of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 2A to 2D are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of each of the fabricating processes of a liquid crystal panel of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a fabricating method of a liquid crystal panel of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following description of the embodiments with reference to the appended drawings is used for illustrating specific embodiments which may be used for carrying out the present invention. Furthermore, the directional terms described by the present invention, such as upper, lower, top, bottom, front, back, left, right, inner, outer, side, around, center, horizontal, lateral, vertical, longitudinal, axial, radial, uppermost or lowermost, etc., are only directions by referring to the accompanying drawings. Thus, the used directional terms are used to describe and understand the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0028] Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a liquid crystal panel 10 of an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid crystal panel 10 comprises a first substrate 11, a second transparent conductive film 12, a first optical alignment layer 13, a liquid crystal composition layer 14, a second optical alignment layer 15, a second transparent conductive layer 16, and a second substrate 17. In one embodiment, the first substrate 11 is a thin film transistor array substrate.

[0029] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the first transparent conductive film 12 is disposed on the first substrate 11. In one embodiment, the first transparent conductive film 12 is deposited on the first substrate 11 in an entire surface type. In a further embodiment, the first transparent conductive film 12 is formed from indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0030] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the first optical alignment layer 13 is disposed on the first transparent conductive film. In one embodiment, the first optical alignment layer 13 is deposited on the first transparent conductive film 12. In another embodiment, the first optical alignment layer 13 can be vertical optical alignment material or parallel optical alignment material irradiated (inclinedly) by a polarized ultraviolet light.

[0031] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the liquid crystal composition layer 14 is disposed on the first optical alignment layer. The liquid crystal composition layer 14 comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules 141 and a plurality of polymer networks 143 formed by polymerizing a plurality of reactive monomers 142, wherein the liquid crystal molecules and the polymer networks are two separated phases. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal molecules 141 can be a plurality of positive type liquid crystal molecules or a plurality of negative type liquid crystal molecules.

[0032] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the second optical alignment layer 15 is disposed on the liquid crystal composition layer 14. In one embodiment, the second optical alignment layer 15 can be vertical optical alignment material or parallel optical alignment material irradiated (inclinedly) by a polarized ultraviolet light. In a specific embodiment, materials of the liquid crystal molecules 141, the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 have pairing relations. For example, if the liquid crystal molecules 141 are the negative type liquid crystal molecules, then each of the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 is vertical optical alignment material irradiated (inclinedly) by a polarized ultraviolet light; and if the liquid crystal molecules 141 are the positive type liquid crystal molecules, then each of the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 is parallel optical alignment material irradiated (inclinedly) by a polarized ultraviolet light.

[0033] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the second transparent conductive layer 16 is disposed on the second optical alignment layer 15. In one embodiment, the second transparent conductive film 16 is formed from indium tin oxide.

[0034] In the liquid crystal panel 10, the second substrate 17 is disposed on the second transparent conductive layer 16. In one embodiment, the second substrate 17 is a color filter substrate.

[0035] In one embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 10 is fabricated by a Nano-Phase-Separated Liquid Crystals technology, so as to have a good liquid crystal responding speed, and color images can be outputted by a field sequential display mode. Therefore, a color filter is not required to be fabricated additionally.

[0036] Please refer to FIGS. 2A to 2D. FIGS. 2A to 2D are cross-sectional schematic diagrams of each of the fabricating processes of a liquid crystal panel 10 of an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 2A first. A first substrate 11 and a second substrate 17 are provided. Then, a first transparent conductive film 12 is formed on the first substrate 11, and a second transparent conductive film 16 is formed on the second substrate 17. In one embodiment, each of the first transparent conductive film 12 and second transparent conductive film 16 is formed from indium tin oxide. In another embodiment, the first transparent conductive film 12 is deposited on the first substrate 11, and the second transparent conductive film 16 is deposited on the second substrate 17. Next, a first optical alignment layer 13 is formed on the first transparent conductive film 12, and a second optical alignment layer 15 is formed on the second transparent conductive film 16. In one embodiment, the first optical alignment layer 13 is deposited on the first transparent conductive film 12, and the second optical alignment layer 15 is deposited on the second transparent conductive film 16.

[0037] Please refer to FIG. 2B. an optical alignment step is performed by providing a first polarized ultraviolet light 131 to the first optical alignment layer 13, wherein a first pre-tilt angle A1 of the first polarized ultraviolet light 131 with respect to a vertical direction 132 of the first optical alignment layer 13 is between 0 and 90 degrees; and by providing a second polarized ultraviolet light 151 to the second optical alignment layer 15, wherein a second pre-tilt angle A2 of the second polarized ultraviolet light 151 with respect to a vertical direction 152 of the second optical alignment layer 15 is between 0 and 90 degrees. The first pre-tilt angle A1 and second pre-tilt angle A2 are respectively, for example, 0.5 degrees, 1 degrees, 3 degrees, 5 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, 12 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, 89 degrees, 89.5 degrees, and so on. In one embodiment, in performing the optical alignment step, the method further comprises steps of: providing a first optical mask 133 between the first polarized ultraviolet light 131 and the first optical alignment layer 13; and providing a second optical mask 153 between the second polarized ultraviolet light 151 and the second optical alignment layer 15. The first optical mask 133 and the second optical mask 153 are mainly designed to divide pixels (not shown) of the liquid crystal panel 10 into a plurality of domains (not shown). In one embodiment, a slit width of the first optical mask is greater than 0 μm and smaller than or identical to 50 μm; and a slit width of the second optical mask is greater than 0 μm and smaller than or identical to 50 μm. In another embodiment, a main reactive wavelength of the first polarized ultraviolet light 131 is ranged from 250 nm to 370 nm; and a main reactive wavelength of the second polarized ultraviolet light 151 is ranged from 250 nm to 370 nm.

[0038] Please refer to FIG. 2C. A mixture layer 18 is provided and sandwiched between the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15, wherein the mixture layer 18 comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules 141 and a plurality of reactive monomers 142. In one embodiment, materials of the liquid crystal molecules 141, the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 have pairing relations. For example, if the liquid crystal molecules 141 are the negative type liquid crystal molecules, then each of the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 is vertical optical alignment material; and if the liquid crystal molecules 141 are the positive type liquid crystal molecules, then each of the first optical alignment layer 13 and the second optical alignment layer 15 is parallel optical alignment material.

[0039] Please refer to FIG. 2D. A polymerizing step is performed by providing an ultraviolet light 144 to the mixture layer 18 so as to form a liquid crystal composition layer 14, wherein the liquid crystal composition layer 14 comprises the liquid crystal molecules 141; and a plurality of polymer networks 143 formed by polymerizing the reactive monomers 142, wherein the liquid crystal molecules 141 and the polymer networks 143 are two separated phases. In one embodiment, a main reactive wavelength of the ultraviolet light is 313 nm or 365 nm, and a reactive temperature of the polymerizing step is ranged from 30° C. to 60° C.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a fabricating method 30 of a liquid crystal panel of an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a method 30 of fabricating a liquid crystal panel, comprising steps of: providing a first substrate and a second substrate (step 31); forming a first transparent conductive film on the first substrate, and forming a second transparent conductive film on the second substrate (step 32); forming a first optical alignment layer on the first transparent conductive film, and forming a second optical alignment layer on the second transparent conductive film (step 33); performing an optical alignment step by providing a first polarized ultraviolet light to the first optical alignment layer, wherein a first pre-tilt angle of the first polarized ultraviolet light with respect to a vertical direction of the first optical alignment layer is between 0 and 90 degrees; and by providing a second polarized ultraviolet light to the second optical alignment layer, wherein a second pre-tilt angle of the second polarized ultraviolet light with respect to a vertical direction of the second optical alignment layer is between 0 and 90 degrees (step 34); providing a mixture layer sandwiched between the first optical alignment layer and the second optical alignment layer, wherein the mixture layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and a plurality of reactive monomers (step 35); and performing a polymerizing step by providing an ultraviolet light to the mixture layer so as to form a liquid crystal composition layer, wherein the liquid crystal composition layer comprises: the liquid crystal molecules; and a plurality of polymer networks formed by polymerizing the reactive monomers, wherein the liquid crystal molecules and the polymer networks are two separated phases (step 36).

[0041] It is noted that, a liquid crystal panel and a fabricating method thereof of the present invention are to perform an optical alignment to a first optical alignment layer and a second optical alignment layer. Because the optical alignment is performed in advance to a vertical or parallel optical alignment material of the first optical alignment layer and second optical alignment layer such that the material molecules thereof have a pre-tilt angle (0-90 degrees), therefore when a polymerizing step is performed, the liquid crystal molecules are promoted to have a tendency of the same tilt, and the consistency of the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules are improved after polymerizing, thereby solving the problem of reduced optical transmittance existing in the conventional technology.

[0042] The present invention has been described in relative embodiments described above. However, the above embodiments are merely examples of performing the present invention. It must be noted that the implementation of the disclosed embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. On the contrary, modifications and equal settings included in the spirit and scope of the claims are all included in the scope of the present invention.