Liquid crystal display having a pixel area divided into multiple domains
View Patent ↗A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate having a plurality of pixel areas. At least one pair of first and second protrusions is formed at each pixel area. A pixel electrode is formed at each pixel area. The pixel electrode has an opening pattern exposing the first protrusion while covering the second protrusion. A second substrate faces the first substrate. A common electrode is formed at the second substrate. Alternatively, the opening pattern and the protrusions may be formed in parallel.
1. A liquid crystal display, comprising:
a first substrate;
a gate line assembly formed on the first substrate, the gate line assembly comprising a gate line and a gate electrode;
a gate insulating layer covering the gate line assembly;
a semiconductor pattern formed on the gate insulating layer over the gate electrode;
a data line assembly formed on the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor pattern, the data line assembly comprising a source electrode, a drain electrode and a data line, the data line crossing the gate line;
a protective layer covering the gate insulating layer, the semiconductor pattern, the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode over the gate line and the gate electrode except a portion of the drain electrode;
a protrusion formed at the first substrate, the protrusion comprising an under-layer formed with the same material as the gate insulating layer, and an over-layer formed with the same material as the protective layer;
a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode and covering the protrusion;
a second substrate facing the first substrate; and
a common electrode formed at the second substrate.
2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is an organic layer.
3. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , further comprising an opening, the protrusion and the opening dividing a pixel area into a plurality of domains.
4. The liquid crystal display of claim 3 , wherein the protrusion has a portion substantially parallel to a portion of the opening.
5. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , wherein the gate insulating layer has the same shape as the protective pattern except a portion under the drain electrode.
6. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , further comprising color filters formed at the second substrate corresponding to pixel areas of the first substrate, the color filters positioned between the common electrode and the second substrate; and a light interception layer interposed between neighboring color filters.
7. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , further comprising a negative dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal sandwiched between the first and second substrates.
8. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , further comprising vertical alignment films formed on the pixel electrode and the common electrode to vertically align liquid crystal molecules.
9. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , wherein the common electrode is formed with indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide.
10. The liquid crystal display of claim 9 , wherein the pixel electrode is formed with indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide.
11. The liquid crystal display of claim 2 , further comprising an ohmic contact layer disposed between the semiconductor pattern and the source and drain electrodes.
12. The liquid crystal display of claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is absent at a portion of a pixel area defined by neighboring gate and data lines.