Polarizing liquid crystal alignment layers and display

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016109754-A1
Application number	US-201314889556-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 8, 2013
Priority date	May 8, 2013
Publication date	Apr 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Display devices including one or more alignment layers with elongated polarizing agents are disclosed. The alignment layers may be configured to align liquid crystal molecules and polarize light applied to the alignment layers. Methods of making and using the display device are also disclosed, as well as methods of making the alignment layer.

First claim

1 . A display device comprising:
a first alignment layer, the first alignment layer comprising elongated polarizing agents aligned within a resin, the polarizing agents each comprising a metal portion at a first end of the polarizing agents and an elongated portion extending from the metal portion; a second alignment layer; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

2 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the first alignment layer is configured to polarize light that is transmitted through the first alignment layer in a first direction.

3 . The display device of claim 2 , wherein the second alignment layer is configured to polarize light that is transmitted through the second alignment layer in a second direction.

4 . The display device of claim 3 , wherein the first direction is different than the second direction.

5 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the resin in the first alignment layer is at least one of a polyimide, a polyamide, or an epoxy.

6 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the resin in the first alignment layer comprises a polyimide that is obtained by polymerizing monomers including dianhydride and an aromatic diamine.

7 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion comprises at least one of a metal whisker, a metal oxide whisker, an azobenzene polymer, and a carbon nanotube.

8 . (canceled)

9 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the metal portion is magnetized.

10 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the second alignment layer comprises elongated polarizing agents aligned within a resin.

11 . The display device of claim 10 , wherein the polarizing agents in the first alignment layer are aligned in a different direction relative to the polarizing agents in the second alignment layer.

12 . The display device of claim 1 , further comprising a first transparent conducting layer, wherein the first alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the first transparent conducting layer.

13 . The display device of claim 12 , wherein the first transparent conductive layer comprises ZnO, ZnTiO, SnO 2 , or In 2 O 3 electrodes.

14 . The display device of claim 12 , further comprising a color filtering layer, wherein the first transparent conducting layer is disposed between the color filtering layer and the first alignment layer.

15 . The display device of claim 14 , further comprising a first transparent protective layer, wherein the color filtering layer is disposed between the first transparent protective layer and the transparent conducting layer.

16 . The display device of claim 1 , further comprising a second transparent conducting layer, wherein the second alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second transparent conducting layer.

17 . The display device of claim 16 , wherein the second transparent conducting layer comprises ZnO, ZnTiO, SnO 2 , or In 2 O 3 electrodes.

18 . The display device of claim 16 , further comprising an active matrix layer, wherein the second transparent conducting layer is disposed the between the active matrix layer and the second alignment layer.

19 . The display device of claim 18 , further comprising a second transparent protective layer, wherein the active matrix layer is disposed between the second transparent protective layer and the second transparent conducting layer.

20 . The display device of claim 1 , further comprising a light source, wherein the second alignment layer is disposed between the light source and the liquid crystal layer.

21 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the display device does not include a polarizing layer that is separate from the first alignment layer or the second alignment layer.

22 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . A composite comprising:
a transparent conducting layer; and an alignment layer formed on one side of the transparent conducting layer, the alignment layer comprising one or more elongated polarizing agents aligned within a resin, the polarizing agents each comprising a metal portion at a first end of the polarizing agents and an elongated portion attached to the metal portion.

34 . The composite of claim 33 , wherein the alignment layer is configured to polarize light that is transmitted through the alignment layer.

35 . The composite of claim 33 , wherein the elongated portion comprises at least one of a metal whisker, a metal oxide whisker, and a carbon nanotube.

36 . The composite of claim 33 , wherein the metal portion is magnetized.

37 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion extending from the metal portion does not comprise a metal.

38 . The display device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion comprises a nanowire.

Assignees

• Empire Technology Dev Llc

Inventors

• Seike Aya

Classifications

• G02F2202/36

  Micro- or nanomaterials · CPC title

• G02F1/1337

  Surface-induced orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, e.g. by alignment layers · CPC title

• G02F1/13439

  characterised by their electrical, optical, physical properties; materials therefor; method of making · CPC title

• G02F1/133711

  by organic films, e.g. polymeric films · CPC title

• G02F1/133514

  Colour filters · CPC title