IP Library Granted Patent US 7,121,669
Granted Patent B2
US 7,121,669 · App. 10/832,294 · Granted Oct 17, 2006

Color-filter array and manufacturing method therefor, display device, and projection display device

Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,121,669
App. No.
10/832,294
Granted
Oct 17, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a fine dichroic color-filter array. In particular, dichroic filter layers for B, R, and G, respectively, are patterned facing the corresponding blue pixel-electrodes, red pixel-electrodes, and green pixel-electrodes. The filter layers can be stacked on top of one another while being separated by transmissive interlayers.

Claims (23)

1. A color-filter array, comprising:

dichroic filter layers which are layered and are separated by transmissive interlayers, the filter layers transmitting light beams of different colors, further, the dichroic filter layers are each separated into layer segments, the layer segments of the different filter layers being arranged such that the segments appear as if they are adjacent to one another in plan view; each dichroic filter layer being formed of a dielectric multilayer film.

2. The color-filter array according to claim 1 , at least one edge of each layer segment of one dichroic filter layer overlapping with at least one edge of adjacent segments of other filter layers.

3. A method for manufacturing a color-filter array, comprising:

forming a dichroic filter layer on a substrate by stacking a plurality of dielectric sub-layers each having a different refractive index from other sub-layers, the filter layer transmitting a light beam of a specific color while reflecting light beams of other colors;

patterning the dichroic filter layer to form layer segments having a predetermined pattern; and

forming a transmissive interlayer on the substrate so as to cover the dichroic filter layer,

the forming dichroic filter layer, patterning dichroic filter layer, and forming transmissive interlayer steps being repeated in that order to stack the dichroic filter layers on the substrate, the filter layers transmitting light beams of different colors, the patterned layer segments of the different filter layers being arranged such that the segments appear as if they are adjacent to one another in plan view.

4. The method for manufacturing a color-filter array according to claim 3 , each interlayer formation step including a sub-step for planarizing the surface of the interlayer.

5. The method for manufacturing a color-filter array according to claim 3 , edges of each layer segment of one of the dichroic filter layers overlapping with edges of adjacent segments of the other filter layers.

6. A display device, comprising:

a light source;

a light modulator which modulates a light beam emitted from the light source; and

the color-filter array according to claim 1 , which is disposed between the light source and the light modulator or adjacent to the light-emitting side of the light modulator.

7. The display device according to claim 6 , further comprising dichroic filter layers which include a red filter layer that transmits red beams, a green filter layer that transmits green beams, and a blue filter layer that transmits blue beams,

wherein, among the three filter layers, the green filter layer is disposed farthest from the light source.

8. A projection display device, comprising:

a light source;

a light modulator which modulates a light beam emitted from the light source;

a projection device that projects the light beam modulated by the light modulator; and

the color-filter array according to claim 1 , which is disposed between the light source and the light modulator or between the light modulator and the projection device.

9. The projection display device according to claim 8 , further comprising, dichroic filter layers which include a red filter layer that transmits red beams, a green filter layer that transmits green beams, and a blue filter layer that transmits blue beams,

wherein, among the three filter layers, the green filter layer is disposed the farthest from the light source.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2018
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: 138 EAST LCD ADVANCEMENTS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046551/0423 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2004
From: IISAKA, HIDEHITO
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015022/0229 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2003-172151 · Jun 17, 2003 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040257541A1 · Dec 23, 2004