US4720173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Display having an orientation treatment between 0° and 15° to the spacer wall
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-02-27
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2005-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical modulation device comprises a pair of base plates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of structural members each having side walls are arranged in the form of stripes on one of the pair of base plates. A monoaxial treatment is applied to at least one of the pair of base plates in a direction parallel with or perpendicular to the extension direction of the abovementioned plurality of structural members.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinjiro Okada
- 👤 Junichiro Kanbe
- 👤 Kazuharu Katagiri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133345; G02F1/1337; G02F1/1339; G02F1/13394; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An optical modulating device comprising a pair of base plates comprising a first base plate and a second base plate disposed in parallel with each other, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of base plates; a plurality of spacer members being arranged in the form of stripes on the face of said first base plate contacting the liquid crystal, a monoaxial orientation treatment being applied to the face of the second base plate contacting the liquid crystal in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension direction of the plurality of spacer members on the first base plate, wherein 0°≦θ<15%, said chiral smectic liquid crystal being disposed in a layer thin enough to unwind the spiral structure of the chiral smectic liquid crystal and forming monodomain formed through a cholesteric phase during a temperature decreasing stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An optical modulating device comprising a pair of base plates comprising a first base plate and a second base plate disposed in parallel with each other, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal sandwiched between the pair of base plates; a plurality of spacer members being arranged in the form of stripes on the face of said first base plate contacting the liquid crystal, a monoaxial orientation treatment being applied to the face of the second base plate contacting the liquid crystal in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension direction of the plurality of spacer members on the first base plate, wherein 0°≦θ<15%, said chiral smectic liquid crystal being disposed in a layer thin enough to unwind the spiral structure of the chiral smectic liquid crystal and forming monodomain formed through a cholesteric phase during a temperature decreasing stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 28, wherein said monoaxial orientation treatment is rubbing treatment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spacer members having side walls have a width within the range of 0.5μ to 50μ:
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spacer members having side walls have a width within the range of 1μ to 20μ.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spacer members having side walls are arranged at a pitch of 10μ to 2 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of spacer members having side walls are arranged at a pitch of 50μ to 700μ.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein a monoaxial orientation treatment is also applied to the face of said first base plate contacting the liquid crystal in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension direction of said spacer members wherein 0°≦θ<15°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein the face of said second base plate on the side contacting the liquid crystal is covered with an insulating film and a rubbing treatment is applied to the face of the insulating film contacting the liquid crystal in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension directon of said plurality of spacer members wherein 0°≦θ<15°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 8, wherein said insulating film is formed of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconia, magnesium fluoride, cerium oxide, cerium fluoride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 8, wherein said insulating film is formed of at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyester-imide, polyparaxylylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyamide, polystyrene, cellulosic resin, melamine resin, urea resin and acrylic resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 8, wherein said insulating film has a thickness within the range of 50 Å to 5μ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 8, wherein said insulating film has a thickness within the range of 500 Å to 5000 Å.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, whrein a first insulating film is provided between said plurality of spacer members and rubbed in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension direction of the spacer members, and a second insulating film is formed on the face of said second base plate on the side contacting the liquid crystal and is rubbed in a direction forming an angle θ with the extension direction of said plurality of spacer members on the first base plate wherein 0°≦θ<15°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 13, wherein said first and second insulating films are formed of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconia, magnesium fluoride, cerium oxide, cerium fluoride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and boron nitride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 13, wherein said first and second insulating films are formed of at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyester-imide, polyparaxylylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyamide, polystyrene, cellulosic resin, melamine resin, urea resin and acrylic resin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 13, wherein said first and second insulating films have a thickness within the range of 50 Å to 5μ.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 13, wherein said first and second insulating films have a thickness within the range of 500 Å to 5000 Å.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal having a chiral smectic phase is in C phase, H phase, I phase, J phase, K phase, G phase or F phase.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second base plates are disposed with a gap of 1μ to 3μ therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second base plates are disposed with a gap of 2μ or less therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical modulation device according to claim 1, wherein said chiral smectic liquid crystal forms a monodomain formed through smectic A phase and cholesteric phase during a temperature decreasing stage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-18 | 1991-07-20 | 1992-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-07-20 | 1996-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-18 | 1999-07-20 | 2000-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |