Display devices having micro-reflectors

1. A process for manufacturing a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors, which process comprises:

a) forming an array of micro-structures by embossing;

b) coating the surface between openings of the micro-structures with a strippable masking layer;

c) depositing a metal layer over the surface between the openings of the micro-structures and the surface of the micro-structures; and

d) removing the strippable masking layer and the metal layer deposited thereon, leaving the metal layer only on the surface of the micro-structures.

2. A process for manufacturing a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors, which process comprises:

a) forming an array of micro-structures by embossing;

b) depositing a metal layer on the surface between openings of the micro-structures and the surface of the micro-structures;

c) laminating a film coated with an adhesive layer over the surface between the openings of the micro-structures; and

d) delaminating the film to remove the metal layer on the surface between the openings of the micro-structures, leaving the metal layer only on the surface of the micro-structures.

3. A process for manufacturing a display device comprising micro-reflectors, which process comprises:

a) forming an array of micro-reflectors comprising a metal surface;

b) coating the interface surface of the micro-reflectors with a transparent conductive or partially conductive layer; and

c) forming display cells on the transparent conductive or partially conductive layer by photolithography, with the micro-reflectors as a photomask.

4. The process of claim 3 , wherein step (c) is performed with a positively working photoresist.

5. The process of claim 3 , wherein said transparent conductive layer is formed from ITO, IZO, a organic polymer, carbon nano-tube, or PEDOT.

6. The process of claim 3 , wherein the transparent partially conductive layer is formed from a polar oligomeric or polymeric material having at least one group selected from the group consisting of nitro, hydroxyl, carboxyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, and sulfonate.

7. The process of claim 3 , wherein the display cells are formed by steps comprising:

a) overcoating the transparent conductive or partially conductive layer with a layer of a photosensitive material;

b) exposing the layer of the photosensitive material to a radiation source through the array of micro-reflectors which acts as a photomask; and

c) removing the exposed photosensitive material.

8. The process of claim 3 , further comprising filling the display cells with a display fluid and sealing the filled display cells with a polymeric sealing layer.

9. The process of claim 3 , wherein said micro-reflectors are formed by embossing, followed by depositing a metal layer over the surface of said micro-reflectors.

10. The process of claim 3 , wherein said micro-reflectors are built in a metal mesh.

11. A process for manufacturing a display device comprising micro-reflectors, which process comprises:

a) forming an array of micro-reflectors comprising a metal surface;

b) coating the interface surface of the micro-reflectors with a transparent conductive or partially conductive layer; and

c) laminating the array of micro-reflectors to a separately formed display cell structure.

12. The process of claim 11 , wherein said transparent conductive layer is formed from ITO, IZO, a organic polymer, carbon nano-tube, or PEDOT.

13. The process of claim 11 , wherein the transparent partially conductive layer is formed from a polar oligomeric or polymeric material having at least one group selected from the group consisting of nitro, hydroxyl, carboxyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, and sulfonate.

14. A process for manufacturing a display device comprising micro-reflectors, which process comprises:

a) forming an array of micro-reflectors comprising a metal surface;

b) coating the interface surface of the micro-reflectors with a transparent conductive or partially conductive layer; and

c) forming display cells on the transparent conductive or partially conductive layer by microembossing.

15. The process of claim 14 , wherein said transparent conductive layer is formed from ITO, IZO, a organic polymer, carbon nano-tube, or PEDOT.

16. The process of claim 14 , wherein the transparent partially conductive layer is formed from a polar oligomeric or polymeric material having at least one group selected from the group consisting of nitro, hydroxyl, carboxyl, alkoxy, halo, cyano, and sulfonate.

17. The process of claim 14 , further comprising filling the display cells with a display fluid and sealing the filled display cells with a polymeric sealing layer.

18. A display device comprising a plurality of display cells filled with a display fluid, color filters and a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors on a viewing surface of the display device.

19. A color display device comprising:

(a) a plurality of display cells each of said display cells is sandwiched between a first layer comprising a common electrode and a second layer comprising a center electrode and at least one in-plane electrode; and

(b) a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors on a viewing surface of the display device.

20. The color display device of claim 19 , wherein the display cell is filled with an electrophoretic fluid comprising charged pigment particles dispersed in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.

21. The color display device of claim 20 , wherein each display cell is capable of displaying color of the charged pigment particles, color of the dielectric solvent or solvent mixture or a background color.