LIQUID CRYSTAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND METHOD TO FABRICATE SAME
A structure includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second substrate having a second surface facing the first surface; liquid crystal material disposed between the first and second surfaces; a first upstanding electrode disposed over the first surface and extending into the liquid crystal material towards the second surface; and a first planar electrode disposed upon the first surface and electrically connected with the first upstanding electrode. The first planar electrode at least partially surrounds the first upstanding electrode. A combination of the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode forms at least a portion of a pixel of a liquid crystal display. Various methods to fabricate the structure are also disclosed.
1 . A structure comprising:
a first substrate having a first surface and a second substrate having a second surface facing the first surface;
liquid crystal material disposed between the first and second surfaces;
a first upstanding electrode disposed over the first surface and extending into the liquid crystal material towards the second surface; and
a first planar electrode disposed upon the first surface and electrically connected with the first upstanding electrode, the first planar electrode at least partially surrounding the first upstanding electrode, where a combination of the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode forms at least a portion of a pixel of a liquid crystal display.
2 . The structure as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a second upstanding electrode disposed over the second surface and extending into the liquid crystal material towards the first surface; and
a second planar electrode disposed upon the second surface and electrically connected with the second upstanding electrode, the second planar electrode at least partially surrounding the second upstanding electrode, where a combination of the second upstanding electrode and the second planar electrode, and the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode, forms at least a portion of the same pixel of the liquid crystal display.
3 . The structure as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a second upstanding electrode disposed over the first surface and extending into the liquid crystal material towards the second surface; and
a second planar electrode disposed upon the first surface and electrically connected with the second upstanding electrode, the second planar electrode at least partially surrounding the second upstanding electrode, where a combination of the second upstanding electrode and the second planar electrode, and the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode, forms at least a portion of the same pixel of the liquid crystal display.
4 . The structure of claim 1 , where at least one sidewall of the first upstanding electrode is disposed at other than 90° to the first surface.
5 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode is comprised of a non-electrically conducting core that is coated with an electrically conductive material.
6 . The structure of claim 5 , where the first planar electrode is formed of the electrically conductive material and is continuous with the electrically conductive material that coats the core.
7 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode has a three dimensional shape configured to form a multi-domain liquid crystal display electrode.
8 . The structure of claim 2 , where the first upstanding electrode is electrically biased to a first potential and where the second upstanding electrode is electrically biased to a common potential.
9 . The structure of claim 3 , where the first upstanding electrode is electrically biased to a first potential and where the second upstanding electrode is electrically biased to a common potential.
10 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode comprises at least in part a substantially linear three dimensional shape and where the first planar electrode comprises at least in part a substantially linear shape that intersects the first upstanding electrode.
11 . The structure of claim 1 , where the pixel of a liquid crystal display further comprises at least one auxiliary electrode disposed on the first surface.
12 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode are biased to a first potential, and further comprising a second planar electrode biased to a common potential, the second electrode being disposed beneath the first surface and separated from the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode by a layer of dielectric material.
13 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode are biased to a first potential, and further comprising a second planar electrode biased to a common potential, the second electrode being disposed over the second surface and separated from the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode by the liquid crystal material.
14 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode are biased to a first potential, and further comprising a second planar electrode biased to a variable potential, the second electrode being disposed over the second surface and separated from the first upstanding electrode and the first planar electrode by the liquid crystal material.
15 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode is comprised throughout of an electrically conductive material.
16 . The structure of claim 1 , where the first upstanding electrode has a ratio of height to width of greater than 10.