Active-matrix substrate

An active-matrix substrate, comprising:

• an upper region having a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix:
• a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode and wherein the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie respective thin film transistors;
• a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the thin film transistors;
• a black mask formed at a boundary between adjacent pixel electrodes;
• and said black mask
• comprising a bus line formed at the lower region.

An active-matrix substrate, comprising:

• an upper region having a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix:
• a lower region having a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode;
• a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region;
• a plurality of color filters, each of which is associated with a corresponding pixel electrode;
• and
• said color filters being comprised of the planarization layer.

An active-matrix liquid crystal display device, comprising:

• first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other;
• said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with and underlies each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region and to provide a flat planar surface on which the flat planar pixel electrodes overlie the respective thin film transistors;
• a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates;
• and
• a distance between said adjacent pixel electrodes being larger than a thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

An active-matrix liquid crystal display device comprising:

• first and second substrates arranged in parallel to each other;
• said first substrate comprising an upper region which has a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix, a lower region which has a plurality of thin film transistors, each of which is associated with each pixel electrode, and a planarization layer arranged between the upper and lower regions to planarize a surface of the lower region;
• a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates;
• a separating means for separating adjacent pixel electrodes from each other;
• said separating means comprising a groove surrounding the pixel electrode;
• and
• said groove being formed at the planarization layer.

A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate;
• planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by applying a liquid transparent resin and then hardening the resin to form a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors;
• and
• forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors.

A method of manufacturing an active-matrix substrate, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first region which has a plurality of thin film transistors formed on a substrate;
• planarizing an uneven surface of the first region by a planarization layer to provide a flat planar surface overlying the thin film transistors;
• forming a second region which has a plurality of flat planar pixel electrodes on the flat planar surface of the planarization layer overlying the respective thin film transistors;
• in a contacting step, electrically contacting the pixel electrode with the corresponding thin film transistor through a contact hole;
• after applying a photolithography and etching the planarization layer comprised of a photosensitive resin to form the contact hole.