Diffusing reflector and manufacture of the same and reflection type display apparatus
View Patent ↗A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a predetermined gap, an electro-optical layer located within the gap, a diffusing reflection layer having a plurality of adjacent polygonal columns, and electrodes formed on at least one of the first substrate and second substrate for application of voltage to the electro-optical layer. The polygonal columns comprise upper end sloping surfaces having a maximum inclination angle of less than 12°.
1. A display apparatus comprising:
a first substrate;
a second substrate separated from said first substrate by a predetermined gap;
an electro-optical layer located within said gap;
a diffusing reflection layer positioned on said first substrate and comprising a plurality of adjacent polygonal columns; and
electrodes formed on both said first substrate and said second substrate for application of voltage to said electro-optical layer,
wherein,
the polygonal columns comprise upper end sloping surfaces comprising a maximum inclination angle of less than 12° with respect to said first substrate,
the polygonal columns are separated by a continuous and substantially uniform gap created by a selected photolithography process, thereby forming a rectilinear honeycomb-like pattern, and
said electro-optical layer is in contact with only said electrodes.
2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said maximum inclination angle is approximately 10°.
3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gap is approximately equal to a minimum resolution of the selected photolithography process.
4. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a resin layer between the polygonal columns.
5. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said sloping surfaces are reflow generated sloping surfaces arising from a reflow heat treatment.
6. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a metal film covering the polygonal columns.
7. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a polarization plate above the first substrate and wherein the electro-optical layer is a (¼)-wavelength liquid crystal layer.
8. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a (¼)-wavelength plate above the electro-optical layer, and wherein the electro-optical layer is a positive dielectric anisotropy twisted alignment nematic liquid crystal layer that also functions as a (¼)-wavelength plate upon application of the voltage.