Active matrix display device with asymmetrical reflection, and insulating layer with a corrugated surface and a flat portion

1. An active matrix display device comprising:

a pair of substrates;

an optical modulation layer lying between the substrates;

a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on one of the substrates;

switching elements for driving the respective pixel electrodes, provided in the vicinity of the pixel electrodes;

one of a reflective and transflective reflecting layer formed on at least one substrate more distant from a viewer side than the other of the substrates, the reflecting layer forming the pixel electrodes; and

an insulating layer containing a corrugated surface on which the reflecting layer is disposed and a flat portion on which the switching elements are disposed,

wherein the reflecting layer has asymmetrical reflection properties.

2. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the reflecting layer has a corrugated surface whose shape from a light-entering direction to a light-receiving direction has asymmetrical curvatures with respect to a normal to the substrate.

3. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , wherein a curve of a cross section of the reflecting layer comprises two curves having different curvatures from each other.

4. An active matrix display device according to claim 3 , wherein a maximum tilt angle of the curvatures is 30°.

5. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a color filter provided on the other substrate, the switching elements provided on the substrate.

6. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a color filter, the switching elements and the color filter provided on the substrate more distant from the viewer side.

7. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating layer covering the switching elements and the pixel electrodes, and an alignment layer covering the insulating layer.

8. An active matrix display device according to claim 7 , wherein the insulating layer covering the pixel electrodes has opposing corrugated surfaces.

9. An active matrix display device according to claim 7 , wherein a surface of the insulating layer covering the pixel electrodes is substantially planar in an area of the pixel electrodes.

10. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , wherein the switching elements are MIM switching elements.

11. An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflecting layer contacts an upper or lower surface and edge of an upper layer of the switching elements.