US 2002/0163612 A1 · Maskless method and system for creating a dual-domain pattern on a diamond-like carbon alignment layer

Abstract

A self-alignment process for the precise alignment in a deposited diamond-like carbon (DLC), which results in a wider viewing angle for the display being manufactured. The process involves ion bombardment, which is swept across the liquid crystal panel in a two-pass process. In one embodiment, both ion sweeps are aligned at a 45-degree angle with respect to the bottom edge of the panel. The first pass is accomplished without any electrical bias on the panel. During the first pass the impinging ions may be at an angle with respect to a point on a plane defined by the surface of the panel that is less than 90 degrees. The second ion sweep is accomplished with the impinging ions at a second angle, greater than 90 degrees up to 180 degrees with respect to the point on the plane defined by the surface.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A process for aligning an alignment layer comprising the steps of:

depositing an alignment layer onto a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a matrix of row, column addressable capacitor plates;
exposing the alignment layer to a beam, wherein the beam is positioned to subtending a first angle with respect to a point in a plane defined by a top surface of the alignment layer that is less than 90 degrees;
applying alternately positive and negative voltages to the capacitor plates such that alternate rows or columns of capacitor plates are charged respectively to a positive and negative potential;
and
exposing the alignment layer to an ion beam, wherein the ion beam is positioned subtending a second angle.

2 more elements

A self-aligning process for creating a multi-domain pattern on an alignment layer for a liquid crystal display (LCD) formed from a plurality of LCD molecules, the process comprising the steps of:

disposing an aligning layer on an LCD panel having one or more edges and a top surface and wherein the LCD panel pre-disposed matrix of capacitor plates each with a row and column circuitry for electrically addressing each of the capacitor plates individually;
exposing the LCD panel to a beam so that the beam is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to one of the edges of the panel, and that the angle of the ion beam source forms an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to a point on a plane defined by the surface of the panel, whereby at least some of the LCD molecules are set to a predetermined first pre-tilt angle;
biasing the LCD capacitor plates so as to form a pattern of alternate rows and columns of capacitor plates with positive and negative charges;
and
exposing the LCD panel to the ion beam so that the ion beam is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the one of the edges of the panel, and that the angle of the ion beam source forms an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the point on the plane defined by the surface of the panel, whereby the capacitor plates with a negative charge have at least some of the LCD molecules changed to a second pre-tilt angle if the ion beam is of a positive charge.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Maskless method and system for creating a dual-domain pattern on a diamond-like carbon alignment layer

Life of this patent

Maskless method and system for creating a dual-domain pattern on a diamond-like carbon alignment layer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15