Liquid crystal display device

A liquid crystal display device comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a second substrate;
• a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• and
• a plurality of picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer,
• wherein the first substrate comprises, on the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, at least one first protrusion with an inclined side,
• a portion of the liquid crystal layer included in each of the plurality of picture element regions is in a substantially vertical orientation state under application of no voltage, and includes at least a part of a first liquid crystal domain placed in a radially-inclined orientation state about the at least one first protrusion under voltage application, for producing a display by changing an orientation state of the liciuid crystal layer in accordance with an applied voltage;
• wherein the at least one first protrusion is formed within each of the plurality of picture element regions;
• and
• wherein the first electrode includes at least one opening, and the at least one first protrusion is formed within the at least one first opening.

A liquid crystal display device comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a second substrate;
• a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• and
• a plurality of picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer,
• wherein the first substrate comprises, on the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, at least one first protrusion with an inclined side,
• a portion of the liquid crystal layer included in each of the plurality of picture element regions is in a substantially vertical orientation state under application of no voltage, and includes at least a part of a first liquid crystal domain placed in a radially-inclined orientation state about the at least one first protrusion under voltage application, for producing a display by changing an orientation state of the liquid crystal layer in accordance with an applied voltage;
• wherein the at least one first protrusion is formed within each of the plurality of picture element regions;
• wherein the second substrate has, on the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, at least one second protrusion with an inclined side face correspondingly to each of the plurality ofpictureelement regions;
• the portion of the liquid crystal layer included in each of the plurality of picture element regions includes, under voltage application, at least a part of a second liquid crystal domain placed in a radially-inclined orientation state about the at least one second protrusion;
• inclination directions of liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal domain are continuous with inclination directions of liquid crystal molecules in the second liquid crystal domain;
• and
• wherein the second electrode has at least one second opening, and
• the at least one second protrusion is formed within the at least one second opening.

A liquid crystal display device comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a second substrate;
• a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• and
• a plurality of picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on a surface of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer,
• wherein the first substrate has, on the surface thereof facing the liquid crystal layer, at least one first protrusion with an inclined side face correspondingly to each of the plurality of picture element regions,
• a portion of the liquid crystal layer included in each of the plurality of picture element regions is in a substantially vertical orientation state under application of no voltage, and includes at least a part of a first liquid crystal domain placed in a radially-inclined orientation state about the at least one first protrusion under voltage application, for producing a display by changing an orientation state of the liquid crystal layer in accordance with an applied voltage,
• wherein each of the plurality of picture element regions has a plurality of portions having different thicknesses of the liquid crystal layer,
• at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate has level differences between the plurality of portions,
• the level differences are covered with the first electrode or the second electrode, and
• wherein at least some of the at least one first protrusion is surrounded with the level differences.