JP2008083366A - Liquid crystal lens and method for manufacturing the same, and electronic equipment using liquid crystal lens - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal lens, wherein a gap of the liquid crystal lens is not changed and the focal length is not changed even when the temperature environment where the liquid crystal lens is placed changes. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal lens having a liquid crystal layer held between two transparent substrates functions as a focus variable lens, and the lens is characterized in that: a group of a plurality of annular pattern electrodes is formed on the surface in the liquid crystal layer side of one of the transparent substrates, the electrode group modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer by connecting a driving power supply and applying a modulation voltage; a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed in gaps of the plurality of annular pattern electrodes; and a UV-curable resin is applied to the top ends of the fixed spacers and the two transparent substrates are laminated and adhered to be fixed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal lens, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus using the liquid crystal lens.

  As a liquid crystal lens according to the prior art, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The liquid crystal lens described in the patent document is a liquid crystal lens for an optical pickup used for an optical disk, and the liquid crystal lens structure is shown in FIGS.

  According to Patent Document 1, FIG. 13 is a plan view of the transparent electrode pattern viewed from the direction opposite to the laser incident angle of the liquid crystal lens. First, a circular transparent electrode 3 is provided on the first substrate 1, a space 4 is provided in the periphery thereof, a ring-shaped transparent electrode 5 is provided in the periphery thereof, and a first extraction electrode 6 with a terminal is provided. And a second circular electrode 8, a third lead electrode 11, a conductive adhesive 9 for conducting electrical continuity with the second substrate 2, and a conductive adhesive thereon. An alignment film (not shown) from which only a portion of the material is removed is provided, a gap material 13 is provided thereon, a first seal 12 is provided thereon, and a third circle is formed on the second substrate 2. A transparent electrode 10 is provided, a second extraction electrode 7 connected to the transparent electrode 10 is provided, an alignment film (not shown) is further provided thereon, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal is provided.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view of the transparent electrode pattern viewed from the direction opposite to the laser incident angle of the liquid crystal lens. First, a circular transparent electrode 3 is provided on the first substrate 1, a space 4 is provided in the periphery thereof, a ring-shaped transparent electrode 5 is provided in the periphery thereof, and a first extraction electrode 6 with a terminal is provided. And a second circular transparent electrode 8, a third lead electrode 11, a conductive adhesive 9 for conducting the second substrate 2 thereon, and a conductive material thereon. An alignment film (not shown) from which only the adhesive portion is removed is provided, a gap material 14 at a fixed position formed by a photolithography method is provided thereon, a first seal 12 is provided thereon, and a second substrate is further provided. 2 is provided with a third circular transparent electrode 10, a second extraction electrode 7 connected to the third circular transparent electrode 10, an alignment film (not shown) provided thereon, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal.

  The liquid crystal lens is provided with a circular transparent electrode in the center of the first substrate, further provided with a ring-shaped transparent electrode on the outer side thereof, provided with an extraction electrode from the ring-shaped transparent electrode to the external terminal, sprayed with a gap material, A circular transparent electrode that is slightly larger than the ring-shaped transparent electrode is provided on the second substrate, and an alignment film treatment is applied to the pair of substrates, and then a twisted nematic liquid crystal is injected and driven, so that the lens is installed in advance. It becomes possible to vary the beam spot diameter of the laser light passing through the beam.

  Furthermore, since the number of gap materials in the liquid crystal driving unit can be controlled and reduced by using the photolithographic gap material 14 as the gap material 13, the gap material contour portion generated when the incident laser light is irradiated onto the gap material. No light diffraction or scattering. For this reason, the amount of transmitted laser light increases and the detected light intensity increases, so that an efficient liquid crystal lens becomes possible.

  Further, since the antireflection film is applied on the incident side and the light outgoing side, the reflectance of the laser beam is reduced and the intensity is increased, so that the detected light intensity is increased, and thus an efficient liquid crystal lens can be realized. .

  Further, by using an optically isotropic plastic material for the first substrate and the second substrate, it is possible to reduce the weight of the component itself and to reduce the size and weight of the product to be incorporated.

  By making the cell gap d × (Δn of liquid crystal) / (wavelength of laser light to be used) by the above manufacturing method, the beam spot diameter can be changed efficiently.

  Further, in the above manufacturing method, by providing the second seal pattern, the injection process can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

JP 2000-214424 A (FIGS. 1 and 2)

FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining the problems of the prior art, and is a graph showing a state in which the liquid crystal, the sealing material, and the glass substrate change depending on the temperature centering on 25 ° C. Since the thermal expansion coefficients of the members constituting the liquid crystal lens are different, a problem occurs in the liquid crystal lens when the temperature environment changes.
The gap between the two substrates uses a spacer (eg, spherical plastic or silica beads) or a photolithographic spacer. Although the thickness of the liquid crystal is determined by the cell gap of the liquid crystal lens, the volume of the liquid crystal changes depending on the temperature. Therefore, when the temperature rises, the volume of the liquid crystal increases, the cell gap widens, and the focal length of the liquid crystal lens changes. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the liquid crystal is expanded and the central portion of the liquid crystal lens is expanded. Although the spacer is not shown in the figure, the spacer is not fixed to both substrates only by determining the gap, so that the swelling cannot be prevented. The narrower gap could be stopped by a spacer, but the wider gap could not be stopped.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal lens in which the gap of the liquid crystal lens does not change and the focal length does not change even if the temperature environment where the liquid crystal lens is placed changes.

  In a liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and the plurality of columnar lenses are formed. A liquid crystal lens in which a counter substrate facing the tip of the fixed spacer is bonded and fixed.

  In a liquid crystal lens functioning as a variable focus lens having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two transparent substrates, a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to one surface of the transparent substrate on the liquid crystal layer side. In this way, a phase modulation electrode group for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer is formed, and the plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed between the phase modulation electrode groups.

  The phase modulation electrode group is a liquid crystal lens formed by a plurality of annular patterns.

  A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, and a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the first transparent substrate. In a liquid crystal lens in which a plurality of ring-shaped patterns for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer are formed, and a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed between the plurality of ring-shaped patterns, the surface of the first transparent substrate is formed. A plurality of wiring electrodes are formed, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the surface of the first transparent substrate so as to cover the wiring electrodes, and a plurality of ring-shaped patterns corresponding to the plurality of wiring electrodes are formed thereon. Forming and electrically connecting the corresponding wiring electrodes and the ring-shaped patterns through contact holes provided in an interlayer insulating film, and fixing a plurality of columnar shapes to one or both of the two transparent substrates The A pacer is formed, and a liquid crystal lens is formed by bonding and fixing a counter substrate facing the tips of the plurality of columnar fixed spacers.

  A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, and a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the first transparent substrate. In the liquid crystal lens in which a plurality of ring-shaped patterns for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer are formed, a plurality of wiring electrodes are formed on the surface of the first transparent substrate, and the first transparent so as to cover the wiring electrodes. A first interlayer insulating film is formed on the surface of the conductive substrate, and a plurality of ring-shaped patterns corresponding to the plurality of wiring electrodes are formed on the first interlayer insulating film, and a second portion is not formed on the portion where the ring-shaped pattern is not formed. The interlayer insulating film is formed thicker than the ring-shaped pattern, the ring-shaped band pattern is formed on the second interlayer insulating film, and the corresponding wiring electrode and the ring-shaped pattern are provided on each interlayer insulating film. Contact A plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and a counter substrate facing the tips of the plurality of columnar fixed spacers is provided. The liquid crystal lens is bonded and fixed.

  The plurality of columnar fixed spacers are liquid crystal lenses formed on the annular pattern and the second interlayer insulating film.

  The plurality of columnar fixed spacers are liquid crystal lenses formed radially from the center of the liquid crystal lens.

  A liquid crystal lens in which the adhesive is rubbery after being cured.

A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens with a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two transparent substrates, wherein a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and the plurality of columnar lenses are formed. The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal lens in which the opposite substrate facing the tip of the fixed spacer is bonded and fixed,
at least,
Forming a ring-shaped pattern on the first transparent substrate;
Applying a photosensitive resin to the surface of the first transparent substrate so as to cover the annular pattern;
Forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacer formation patterns by developing the photosensitive resin; and
Forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers;
Applying a UV curable resin to a plurality of columnar fixed spacers;
Forming a sealing material on the outer periphery of the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate;
Forming a counter electrode on the second transparent substrate;
Attaching the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;
The liquid crystal lens manufacturing method includes a step of irradiating ultraviolet rays to cure the ultraviolet curable resin.

  A liquid crystal lens manufacturing method includes a step of forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers on a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate.

  A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal lens comprising a step of forming the plurality of columnar fixed spacers by printing.

  The step of applying an ultraviolet curable resin to the solid spacer includes a step of forming a thin film of an ultraviolet curable resin on a substrate, and a printing plate having a convex portion is pressed against the thin film to form an ultraviolet curable resin on the convex portion. And a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal lens comprising a step of transferring an ultraviolet curable resin transferred to a convex portion to the tips of a plurality of columnar fixed spacers.

  The application in the step of applying an ultraviolet curable resin to the plurality of columnar fixed spacers is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens by an inkjet method.

  It is set as the electronic device by which the liquid-crystal lens as described in any one of Claim 1 to 8 is mounted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the two transparent substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer are bonded and fixed via the plurality of columnar fixing spacers, even if the liquid crystal layer expands, the two transparent substrates are sandwiched. The gap does not change, and the focal length of the liquid crystal lens does not change.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed between the phase modulation electrode groups, the characteristics of the liquid crystal lens are not hindered by the plurality of columnar fixed spacers. If a fixed spacer is formed on the electrode, when the fixed spacer is rubbed or an alignment film is formed by an inorganic vapor deposition film, it becomes a shadow, and an area having an alignment different from that of other portions is formed around the fixed spacer. If a voltage is applied to the above portions, the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal affect the size of the fixed spacer, which is not good. Therefore, if a fixed spacer is provided in a portion where no voltage is applied between the phase modulation electrode and the phase modulation electrode, the influence of the fixed spacer may be small.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal lens that is point-symmetric and capable of changing the refractive index can be produced. When the phase modulation electrode is square, corners are generated and the shape is distorted. When combined with a solid lens, a point-symmetric structure is good. When the wiring is thin, if there is a corner, the etching rate changes, and the lateral etching amount changes between the side portion and the corner portion, causing distortion in the lens. In the case of a square or polygon, since the corner and side are different, the solid spacer is placed on the side, so a slight change occurs in the corner, the fixed spacer, and the side without the fixed spacer. By doing so, the influence of the corner portion is eliminated, and distortion can be reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the wiring electrode and the ring-shaped pattern are formed in separate layers with the insulating film interposed therebetween, and are connected through the contact hole, so that the degree of freedom of wiring is increased and the design is facilitated. The fixed spacer is formed in a portion where the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is small, and is further formed in a portion which is not an edge portion having a step. The height of the fixed spacer can be reduced and reduced.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the steps of the adjacent ring-shaped patterns are provided, it is not necessary to provide a gap between the adjacent ring-shaped patterns, and the number of the ring-shaped patterns can be increased. Therefore, the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal lens can be improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the fixed spacer is provided on the annular pattern close to the second transparent substrate or on the second interlayer insulating film, the height of the fixed spacer can be reduced and reduced.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of linear distortion by providing the fixed spacers so as to spread from the center to the outer periphery and preventing the fixed spacers from being aligned in a straight line from the center to the outer periphery. In the case of a lens, if distortion continues for a long distance, it becomes easy to visually recognize, but this can be prevented.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the gap can be slightly changed due to the expansion of the liquid crystal, the stress generated in the transparent substrate can be relaxed, and a highly reliable liquid crystal lens can be obtained.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture a liquid crystal lens in which the gap between the two transparent substrates does not change even when the liquid crystal layer expands, and the focal length of the liquid crystal lens does not change.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the height of the fixed spacer is as high as 20 μm, and if the area of the column is small, it falls down or the area becomes very small by side etching (or development) processing. By creating a fixed spacer at the same position on the transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and providing a fixing material at a position where they are in contact with each other, the fixed spacer can be formed even when the liquid crystal layer is thick.

  The invention of claim 11 is effective for inexpensively manufacturing a liquid crystal lens which requires relatively little positional accuracy and has a large area and a small gap.

  According to the invention of claim 12, since the ultraviolet curable resin can be accurately applied, adhesive fixing without variation is possible, and a liquid crystal lens with stable quality can be manufactured.

  The invention of claim 13 is effective for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens in which the tip area of the fixed spacer is large.

  In the electronic apparatus equipped with the liquid crystal lens of the present invention, the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal lens do not change even when the temperature environment changes.

  In a liquid crystal lens functioning as a variable focus lens having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two transparent substrates, a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to one surface of the transparent substrate on the liquid crystal layer side. Forming a plurality of ring-shaped pattern electrode groups for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer, forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers between the plurality of ring-shaped pattern electrode groups, and A liquid crystal lens in which an ultraviolet curable resin is applied and two transparent substrates are bonded and fixed together is obtained.

  1A and 1B show a first embodiment of a liquid crystal lens according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A is a top view and FIG. 1B is an AA cross-sectional view shown in the top view. The liquid crystal lens 20 includes a first transparent substrate 21, a second transparent substrate 22, a sealing material 29 that bonds and fixes both substrates, a liquid crystal 30 that is injected and sandwiched between both substrates, and a sealing that seals the liquid crystal 30. It is composed of a material 32.

  A first transparent substrate (hereinafter referred to as a first glass substrate) 21 is formed with a plurality of ring-shaped patterns (hereinafter referred to as ring electrodes) 23A to 23E in the lens region with a predetermined gap 31 provided between adjacent ring electrodes. Has been. Ring electrodes 23A to 23E and wiring electrodes (hereinafter simply referred to as external extraction electrodes) 24A to 24E having connection pads with the outside outside the lens region and connected to the ring electrodes 23A to 23E are also formed. Further, a wiring electrode (hereinafter simply referred to as an external extraction electrode) 26 connected to the counter electrode 25 formed on the entire surface of the second transparent substrate (hereinafter referred to as a second glass substrate) 22 is formed. In addition, a plurality of columnar fixed spacers 27 that determine gaps when the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 are attached are formed. In the present embodiment, the gaps 31 between the ring electrodes and the outermost ring electrode 23E are formed radially from the center. A fixing material 28 is applied to the tip of the columnar fixed spacer 27, and the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 are fixed when the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 are attached with a sealing material 29 applied along the outer periphery of the second glass substrate 22. The material 28 adheres and fixes the tip of the fixing spacer 27 and the second glass substrate. An injection port for the liquid crystal 30 is formed in a part of the sealing material 29, and the liquid crystal 30 is injected and then sealed with the sealing material 32. In general, the larger the number of ring electrodes, the better the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal lens. Since the driving method of the liquid crystal lens and the means for forming each electrode are known techniques, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal lens will be described. 2 to 10 are cross-sectional views for explaining the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal lens.
FIG. 2 is a process in which a photosensitive resin is applied to the surface of the first glass substrate so as to cover the ring electrode and exposed using a photomask.
FIG. 3 shows a step of forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers by developing the photosensitive resin.
FIG. 4 shows a step of forming an ultraviolet curable resin thin film on a substrate, and a step of pressing a printing plate having a convex portion against the thin film to transfer the ultraviolet curable resin to the convex portion.
FIG. 5 shows the ultraviolet curable resin transferred to the convex portion of the substrate.
FIG. 6 shows a process in which the ultraviolet curable resin transferred to the convex portion of the substrate is transferred by being pressed against the tips of a plurality of columnar fixed spacers.
FIG. 7 shows a state after the transfer.
FIG. 8 shows a step of forming a sealing material on the outer periphery of the first glass substrate (or the second glass substrate);
FIG. 9 is a process of attaching the first glass substrate and the second glass and irradiating ultraviolet rays to cure the ultraviolet curable resin.
FIG. 10 is a completed liquid crystal lens.

  In FIG. 2, a photosensitive resin (for example, acrylic resin) 27 </ b> B serving as a fixed spacer 27 is spin-coated on the surface of the first glass substrate 21 on which the ring electrode group 23 is formed so as to cover the ring electrode group 23. Since the thickness of the photosensitive resin 27 </ b> B is the height of the columnar fixed spacer 27, the thickness of the photosensitive resin 27 </ b> B depends on the required gap amount (Δnd) between the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 (for example, 15 to 20 μm). Spin coating conditions are set so that they can be formed. A photomask having a light shielding film 51 formed on the glass substrate 50 is disposed above the first glass substrate 21 on which the spin coating has been completed, and the photosensitive resin 27B is exposed by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

  In FIG. 3, the exposed photosensitive resin 27B is developed. For example, the columnar fixed spacer 27 can be formed as shown in FIG. The diameter of the columnar fixed spacer 27 is determined as necessary (for example, 5 μm), but is not limited to a conical shape and may be a polygonal pyramid. In this embodiment, since the fixed spacer 27 is formed in the gap 31 of the ring electrode, the diameter is adjusted to the gap 31. The fixing spacers 27 are arranged in a radially distributed manner, but the sealing material 29 is on the outer peripheral portion of the second glass substrate 22 and is firmly bonded and fixed. Therefore, when the liquid crystal 30 expands, the central portion of the second glass substrate 22 ( It is important to arrange the lens portion so that the central portion of the lens portion is not deformed.

  4 and 5 show a process for transferring and applying the ultraviolet curable resin 28 as the fixing material 28 to the tip 27A of the fixed spacer 27. FIG. An ultraviolet curable resin 28 is formed on the surface of the substrate 40 into a film having a uniform thickness by spin coating. The film thickness is formed by setting a necessary thickness. The printing plate 41 is formed with a convex portion 41A that matches the arrangement pattern of the fixed spacers 27, and is pressed against the film of the ultraviolet curable resin 28. When the printing plate 41 is separated from the substrate 40, the ultraviolet curable resin 28 is transferred to the convex portion 41A.

  6 and 7 show a step of aligning and pressing the tip 27A of the fixed spacer 27 and the convex portion 41A of the printing plate 41, and the ultraviolet curable resin 28 transferred to the convex portion 41A is transferred to the tip 27A. . In this embodiment, the ultraviolet curable resin 28 is transferred using the printing plate 41 on which the convex portion 41A is formed. However, when the fixing spacer 27 is high (long) and transfer is possible with a flat plate, the convex portion 41A is Not necessary.

  FIG. 8 shows a process of forming a sealing material 29 for bonding and fixing the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 by, for example, a dispensing method. As described above, the sealing material 29 is also a frame for sealing the liquid crystal 30. In this embodiment, the sealing material 29 is formed on the first glass substrate 21, but it may be formed on the second glass substrate 22. When the second glass substrate 22 is formed, the sealing material 29 can be formed by screen printing because the surface is flat.

  FIG. 9 is a process in which the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 are aligned and overlapped, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the second glass substrate 22 side. If the sealing material 29 is also made of an ultraviolet curable resin, it can be cured simultaneously. The ultraviolet curable resin 28 as the fixing material 28 adheres and fixes the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 through the fixing spacer 27.

  FIG. 10 shows the liquid crystal lens 20 completed by injecting the liquid crystal 30 between the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 and sealing the injection port with a sealing material 32.

  In this embodiment, the fixed spacer is formed by the photolithographic method. However, the printing method and the ink jet method are effective for inexpensively manufacturing a liquid crystal lens that does not require relatively high positional accuracy and has a large area and a small gap (for example, 10 μm or less). It is.

  FIG. 11 is a top view (a) showing a second embodiment of the liquid crystal lens according to the present invention and a cross-sectional view BB of the top view (a). The difference from the first embodiment is the connection structure between the ring electrode and the external extraction electrode, and an interlayer insulating film is formed between the ring electrode and the external extraction electrode so that the layers for forming the ring electrode and the external extraction electrode are shifted. Is a point. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  External extraction electrodes 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> E are formed on the first glass substrate 21. An interlayer insulating film 36A is formed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal lens portion so as to cover the external extraction electrode group. In the interlayer insulating film 36A, corresponding contact holes for electrically connecting the external extraction electrodes 34A to 34E and the ring electrodes 33A to 33E are formed. In FIG. 11B, the contact hole 35 connects the external extraction electrode 34B and the ring electrode 33B. Ring electrodes 33A to 33E are formed on interlayer insulating film 36A. Unlike the first embodiment, it is a complete ring shape. The plurality of fixed spacers 27 are radially formed in the inter-ring electrode gap 31 as in the first embodiment, except that they are formed on the interlayer insulating film 36A. Preferably, it is formed in a place that does not cover the external extraction electrode. According to this embodiment, since the ring electrode is a complete ring shape, the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal lens can be improved.

  FIG. 12 is a top view (a) showing a third embodiment of the liquid crystal lens according to the present invention and a sectional view (b) taken along the line C-C of the top view (a). The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the layers of adjacent ring electrodes are different and there is no planar gap between adjacent ring electrodes. For this purpose, a second interlayer insulating film is provided. The same components as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

External extraction electrodes 37 </ b> A to 37 </ b> E are formed on the first glass substrate 21. A first interlayer insulating film 36A is formed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal lens portion so as to cover the external extraction electrode group. In this embodiment, first layer ring electrodes 38A, 38C, and 38E are formed on the first interlayer insulating film 36A, and the second interlayer insulating film is formed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal lens portion other than the portions where the ring electrodes 38A, 38C, and 38E are formed. 36B is thicker than the electrodes 38A, 38C, and 38E. Second layer ring electrodes 38B and 38D are formed on the second interlayer insulating film 36B as shown in the drawing. Corresponding contact holes for electrically connecting the external extraction electrodes 37A, 37C, 37E and the ring electrodes 38A, 38C, 38E are formed in the first interlayer insulating film 36A. Corresponding contact holes for electrically connecting the external extraction electrodes 37B, 37D and the ring electrodes 38B38D are formed in the film 36A and the second interlayer insulating film 36B.
In FIG. 12B, the contact hole 39 connects the external extraction electrode 37B and the ring electrode 38B. Since the adjacent ring electrodes are formed without providing a planar gap, the number of ring electrodes can be increased, and the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal lens can be improved. In this embodiment, the fixed spacer 27 is formed on each ring electrode and on the outer periphery of the ring electrode. Needless to say, it is better not to form the fixed spacer 27 in a portion where there is a step such as the boundary between the first layer ring electrode and the second layer ring electrode.

  The above embodiment is an example of manufacturing one liquid crystal lens. However, when manufacturing a large amount of liquid crystal lenses, each of the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate is a large mother substrate, and a plurality of liquid crystal lens regions are formed. It is good to divide and finally divide into individual liquid crystal lenses. Since many fixed spacers are formed in a large area, the gap between the substrates tends to be uniform, and the fixing material is applied to the tip of the fixing spacer, so that the fixing material absorbs the variation in the height of the fixing spacer, so it is more stable. A gap between substrates can be formed. Further, although the embodiment in which the fixed spacer is formed on one substrate has been described, it may be formed separately on both substrates.

  The present invention is an example applied to a liquid crystal lens. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a liquid crystal display device in which both normal substrates are glass substrates, and a plastic substrate. Further, the invention is particularly effective for a liquid crystal display device exposed to a high temperature, such as a reflective liquid crystal display device used in a projector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is 1st Example of the liquid crystal lens by this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is AA sectional drawing shown to a top view Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens Sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing process of a liquid crystal lens The top view (a) which shows 2nd Example of the liquid crystal lens by this invention, and BB sectional drawing (b) of top view (a) The top view (a) which shows 3rd Example of the liquid crystal lens by this invention, and CC sectional drawing (b) of top view (a) Plan view of transparent electrode pattern seen from opposite direction of laser incident angle of liquid crystal lens Plan view of transparent electrode pattern seen from opposite direction of laser incident angle of liquid crystal lens A graph for explaining problems of the prior art, showing a state in which the liquid crystal, the sealing material, and the glass substrate change depending on the temperature around 25 ° C Sectional drawing which shows the state which the liquid crystal expanded and the center part of the liquid crystal lens expanded

Explanation of symbols

11 first substrate 12 second substrate 13 circular transparent electrode 14 space 15 ring-shaped transparent electrode 16 first extraction electrode 17 second extraction electrode 18 second circular electrode 19 conductive adhesive 10 third transparent electrode 11 Third extraction electrode 12 First seal 13 Gap material 14 Photolithographic gap material 20 Liquid crystal lens 21 First transparent substrate (first glass substrate)
22 Second transparent substrate (second glass substrate)
23A to 23E Ring electrodes 24A to 24E External extraction electrode 25 Counter electrode 26 Wiring electrode (external extraction electrode)
27 fixed spacer 27A fixed spacer tip 27B photosensitive resin 28 fixing material (ultraviolet curable adhesive)
29 Sealing material 30 Liquid crystal 31 Gap between ring electrodes 32 Sealing materials 33A to 33E Ring electrode
34A-34E Wiring electrode (external lead electrode)
35 Contact hole 36A Interlayer insulating film (first interlayer insulating film)
36B Second interlayer insulating films 37A to 37E Wiring electrode (external lead electrode)
38A to 38E Ring electrode 39 Contact hole 40 Substrate 41 Printing plate 41A Convex part 50 Glass substrate 51 Light-shielding film

Claims (14)

  In a liquid crystal lens functioning as a variable focus lens having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two transparent substrates, a plurality of columnar fixing spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and the plurality of columnar fixings are formed. A liquid crystal lens, wherein a counter substrate facing a tip of a spacer is bonded and fixed.   In a liquid crystal lens functioning as a variable focus lens having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two transparent substrates, a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to one surface of the transparent substrate on the liquid crystal layer side. The liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, wherein a phase modulation electrode group for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer is formed, and the plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed between the phase modulation electrode groups.   The liquid crystal lens according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulation electrode group is formed of a plurality of annular patterns.   A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, and a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the first transparent substrate. In a liquid crystal lens in which a plurality of ring-shaped patterns for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer are formed, and a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed between the plurality of ring-shaped patterns, the surface of the first transparent substrate is formed. A plurality of wiring electrodes are formed, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the surface of the first transparent substrate so as to cover the wiring electrodes, and a plurality of ring-shaped patterns corresponding to the plurality of wiring electrodes are formed thereon. Forming and electrically connecting the corresponding wiring electrodes and the ring-shaped patterns through contact holes provided in an interlayer insulating film, and fixing a plurality of columnar shapes to one or both of the two transparent substrates The A liquid crystal lens, wherein a pacer is formed and a counter substrate facing the tips of the plurality of columnar fixing spacers is bonded and fixed.   A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, and a modulation voltage is applied by connecting a driving power source to the surface on the liquid crystal layer side of the first transparent substrate. In the liquid crystal lens in which a plurality of ring-shaped patterns for modulating the phase of the liquid crystal layer are formed, a plurality of wiring electrodes are formed on the surface of the first transparent substrate, and the first transparent so as to cover the wiring electrodes. A first interlayer insulating film is formed on the surface of the conductive substrate, and a plurality of ring-shaped patterns corresponding to the plurality of wiring electrodes are formed on the first interlayer insulating film, and a second portion is not formed on the portion where the ring-shaped pattern is not formed. The interlayer insulating film is formed thicker than the ring-shaped pattern, the ring-shaped band pattern is formed on the second interlayer insulating film, and the corresponding wiring electrode and the ring-shaped pattern are provided on each interlayer insulating film. Contact A plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and a counter substrate facing the tips of the plurality of columnar fixed spacers is provided. A liquid crystal lens characterized by being bonded and fixed.   6. The liquid crystal lens according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on the annular pattern and the second interlayer insulating film.   The liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed radially from the center of the liquid crystal lens.   The liquid crystal lens according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adhesive is in a rubbery state even after being cured. A liquid crystal lens that functions as a variable focus lens that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates. A plurality of columnar fixed spacers are formed on one or both of the two transparent substrates, and the plurality of columnar lenses are formed. The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal lens in which the opposite substrate facing the tip of the fixed spacer is bonded and fixed,
at least,
Forming a ring-shaped pattern on the first transparent substrate;
Applying a photosensitive resin to the surface of the first transparent substrate so as to cover the annular pattern;
Forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacer formation patterns by developing the photosensitive resin; and
Forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers;
Applying a UV curable resin to a plurality of columnar fixed spacers;
Forming a sealing material on the outer periphery of the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate;
Forming a counter electrode on the second transparent substrate;
Attaching the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate;
A method for producing a liquid crystal lens, comprising a step of curing an ultraviolet curable resin by irradiating ultraviolet rays.   10. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens according to claim 9, further comprising a step of forming a plurality of columnar fixed spacers on the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.   The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens according to claim 9, further comprising a step of forming the plurality of columnar fixed spacers by printing.   The step of applying an ultraviolet curable resin to the solid spacer includes a step of forming a thin film of an ultraviolet curable resin on a substrate, and a printing plate having a convex portion is pressed against the thin film to form an ultraviolet curable resin on the convex portion. The method for producing a liquid crystal lens according to claim 9, further comprising: a step of transferring the UV curable resin transferred to the convex portion to the tips of a plurality of columnar fixed spacers. .   11. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal lens according to claim 9, wherein the application in the step of applying an ultraviolet curable resin to the plurality of columnar fixed spacers is performed by an inkjet method.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal lens according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images