Optical path converting element and display device including the same

An optical path converting element, comprising:

• a first layer including at least one first-layer electrode;
• a second layer including at least one second-layer electrode;
• and
• a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer,
• wherein the liquid crystal layer has a first region and a second region,
• wherein liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer has a first state, a second state, or a third state in accordance with a voltage applied to the first-layer and second-layer electrodes,
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer is vertically aligned in the first state,
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer is horizontally aligned in the second state, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer being spirally aligned in a first direction in the second state,
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer is horizontally aligned in the third state, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer being spirally aligned in a second direction different from the first direction in the third state,
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer has chirality,
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer forms a first optical path converting unit which has the first state or the second state in the first region, and
• wherein the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer forms a second optical path converting unit which has the first state or the third state in the second region.

An optical path converting element, comprising:

• a first layer including a first electrode and a second electrode;
• a second layer including a third electrode;
• and
• a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first layer and the second layer,
• wherein liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer forms a first optical path converting unit or a second optical path converting unit by applying voltages to the first through third electrodes of the first and second layers,
• wherein the first optical path converting unit is formed by applying a first voltage to the first electrode and a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the second electrode,
• wherein the second optical path converting unit is formed by applying the second voltage to the first electrode and the first voltage to the second electrode.