JP2013011827A - Polarizing element, liquid crystal device, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A polarizing element that exhibits excellent characteristics with respect to light having different wavelength ranges is provided.
SOLUTION: A plurality of polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B and light absorbing materials 41R, 41G, and 41B that are included in the plurality of polarizing portions and absorb light in a predetermined wavelength range, the light absorbing material comprising: The wavelength range to be absorbed is set for each of the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a polarizing element, a liquid crystal device, and an electronic apparatus.

  As one of polarizing elements, polarizing glass is known. Since the polarizing glass can be composed only of an inorganic material, the deterioration with respect to light is remarkably small as compared with a polarizing plate containing an organic material. Accordingly, the polarizing glass has attracted attention as an optical device effective for a liquid crystal projector whose brightness has been increasing in recent years.

As a general polarizing glass, those described in Patent Document 1 below are known. The manufacturing method of the polarizing glass is as follows.
(1) A glass product having a desired shape is prepared from a composition containing at least one halide and silver selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide.
(2) The glass product is above the strain point for a period sufficient to produce AgCl, AgBr, or AgI crystals in the glass product, but not higher than about 50 ° C. from the glass softening point. Heat to produce a crystal-containing product.
(3) This crystal-containing product is stretched under stress at a temperature above the annealing point but below the temperature at which the glass exhibits a viscosity of about 108 poise so that the crystal is stretched to an aspect ratio of at least 5: 1. .
(4) Exposing the product to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature higher than about 250 ° C. but not higher than about 25 ° C. from the annealing point of the glass for a period sufficient to develop a chemically reduced surface layer on the product. To do. Here, at least a part of the elongated silver halide grains is reduced to elemental silver.

JP 56-169140 A JP 2004-256915 A

  In the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, halides are uniformly deposited in the glass product, but only the halide on the surface layer of the glass product can be reduced in the reduction step. Therefore, the halide remains in the central portion in the thickness direction of the glass product. As a result, the transmittance of the polarizing element is lowered, and when this polarizing element is applied to a liquid crystal display device or the like, there is a possibility that sufficient brightness cannot be obtained.

  Further, many conventional liquid crystal display devices for full-color display include a color filter composed of a plurality of types of color material layers, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B). In general, the polarization characteristics of a polarizing element have wavelength dependency, and when one polarizing element is used, the polarization characteristics for red light, green light, and blue light are different. Therefore, it has been usual to use a polarizing element having an average polarization characteristic for red light, green light, and blue light. Conversely, the polarization characteristics of the polarizing element were not optimized for each of red light, green light, and blue light. As a result, there is a problem that sufficient brightness, contrast, and color reproducibility cannot be obtained as a liquid crystal display device.

  Note that Patent Document 2 only describes that nanoparticles having an absorption wavelength peak in the visible range are applied to the coating material, and does not suggest application to a polarizing element.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a polarizing element that exhibits excellent polarization characteristics with respect to a plurality of color lights. It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal device with excellent display quality by using such a polarizing element. Moreover, it aims at providing the electronic device provided with this kind of liquid crystal device.

  The polarizing element according to the present invention includes a plurality of polarizing portions, and the first polarizing portion of the plurality of polarizing portions includes a first light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The second polarizing unit of the plurality of polarizing units includes a second light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength region different from the second wavelength region, and the second wavelength region is the first wavelength region. It is characterized by being different from the wavelength range.

  According to this configuration, the first polarization unit has the first light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, and the second polarization unit is different from the second wavelength range. Since it has the 2nd light absorption material which absorbs the light of a wavelength range, it can carry out polarization with respect to each color light of a mutually different wavelength range by selecting the 1st wavelength range and the 2nd wavelength range appropriately. The characteristics can be enhanced. As a result, display quality can be improved when the polarizing element of the present invention is used in a liquid crystal device.

In the polarizing element, the first polarizing portion and the second polarizing portion are arranged adjacent to each other.
According to this configuration, for example, when applied to a configuration in which two adjacent regions, such as subpixels of a liquid crystal device, transmit colored light in different wavelength regions, the polarization characteristics can be further improved.

The polarizing element further includes a base material that supports the plurality of polarizing parts, and a plurality of polarizing part groups including the first polarizing part and the second polarizing part are arranged in a matrix on the surface of the base material. ing.
According to this configuration, for example, when applied to a configuration in which pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix like a liquid crystal device, the polarization characteristics can be further improved.

In the polarizing element, the polarizing unit group includes two first polarizing units.
According to this configuration, since the polarization unit group includes the two first polarization units, for example, in the case of applying to a configuration in which pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in a matrix like a liquid crystal device, polarization characteristics are improved. Can be increased.

In the polarizing element described above, the first polarizing section includes a first base material and a plurality of first needle-like shapes dispersed in the first base material so that the major axis direction is oriented substantially in one direction. The second polarizing part has metal needles, and the second polarizing member is dispersed in the second base material and the second base material so that the major axis direction is oriented substantially in one direction. It has metal particles.
According to this configuration, the plurality of first acicular metal particles in which the first polarizing portion is dispersed in the first base material and the first base material so that the major axis direction is substantially aligned in one direction. And the second polarizing portion has a second base material and a plurality of second acicular metal particles dispersed in the second base material so that the major axis direction is oriented substantially in one direction. Therefore, a polarizing element with high polarization characteristics can be obtained.

In the polarizing element, the specifications of the plurality of first acicular particles are set corresponding to the first wavelength range, and the specifications of the plurality of second acicular particles are the second It is set corresponding to the wavelength range.
According to this configuration, the specifications of the plurality of first acicular particles are set corresponding to the first wavelength range, and the specifications of the plurality of second acicular particles correspond to the second wavelength range. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the specifications of the plurality of first acicular particles and the specifications of the plurality of second acicular particles, the light can be polarized with respect to each color light having a different wavelength range. The characteristics can be enhanced. As a result, display quality can be improved when the polarizing element of the present invention is used in a liquid crystal device.

In the polarizing element, the specification is at least one of a material, a distribution density, a diameter, and a dimension in a major axis direction.
According to this configuration, the specifications are at least one of the material, the distribution density, the diameter, and the dimension in the major axis direction. Therefore, at least one of the material, the distribution density, the diameter, and the dimension in the major axis direction is selected. By selecting appropriately, it is possible to enhance the polarization characteristics for each color light in different wavelength ranges. As a result, display quality can be improved when the polarizing element of the present invention is used in a liquid crystal device.

Said polarizing element WHEREIN: A 3rd polarizing part among the said several polarizing parts has a 3rd light absorption material which absorbs the light of a wavelength range different from a 3rd wavelength range, The said 1st wavelength range is Corresponding to red light, the second wavelength range corresponds to green light, and the third wavelength range corresponds to blue light.
According to this configuration, for example, when used in a liquid crystal device including a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel, a suitable polarizing element can be realized.

A liquid crystal device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates and a color filter is provided, and a polarizing element disposed on at least one surface side of the liquid crystal panel. The polarizing element described above is used.
Since the liquid crystal device of the present invention includes the polarizing element of the present invention, a liquid crystal device excellent in display quality can be realized.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal device according to the present invention.
Since the electronic device according to the present invention includes the liquid crystal device according to the present invention, an electronic device having a liquid crystal display unit with excellent display quality can be realized.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the polarizing element which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the structure of a part of polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a part of polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. Process drawing which shows the manufacture process of the polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. Process drawing which shows the manufacture process of the polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. Process drawing which shows the manufacture process of the polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. Process drawing which shows the manufacture process of the polarizing element which concerns on this embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the liquid crystal device which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partial configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the other structure of the polarizing element which concerns on this invention.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a polarizing element 20 according to this embodiment. In the following drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of the size may be varied depending on the component.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the polarizing element 20 is supported by a glass substrate 10 as a base material. Polarizing element 20 The polarizing element 20 is used, for example, by being attached to a display surface of a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of pixels including a plurality of sub-pixels.

  The specific material of the glass substrate 10 is not particularly limited, and any known glass substrate may be used. Note that the substrate is not particularly limited to a glass substrate as long as it has a light-transmitting property, and a quartz substrate, a quartz substrate, a sapphire substrate, a resin substrate, or the like may be used. When heat resistance is required for the polarizing element 20, it is desirable to use an inorganic substrate.

  The polarizing element 20 is provided on one surface 10 a of the glass substrate 10. The polarizing element 20 has a characteristic of transmitting polarized light in a specific polarization state and absorbing polarized light in another polarization state.

  The polarizing element 20 includes a plurality of polarizing units. The plurality of polarization units include a plurality of polarization units 21R, a plurality of polarization units 21G, and a plurality of polarization units 21B. As shown in FIG. 1, one polarizing section group 21 is formed by one polarizing section 21R, one polarizing section 21G, and one polarizing section 21B. Therefore, the plurality of polarization unit groups 21 are arranged in a matrix in the polarization element 20. In each polarization unit group 21, a plurality of polarization units 21R, 21G, and 21B arranged in a direction parallel to the one surface 10a of the glass substrate 10 are formed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of one polarization unit group 21 in the polarization element 20.
As shown in FIG. 2, the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B have a rectangular shape and are formed in a longitudinal direction in one direction. The short direction of the polarizing portion 21R is defined as the X-axis direction, and the long direction is defined as the Y-axis direction.

  The polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B are arranged in a line at an equal pitch. That is, the polarization units 21R, 21G, and 21B are arranged adjacent to each other in the short direction. The polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B have the same shape and the same dimensions, respectively. As the arrangement and dimensions of the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B, for example, the dimensions may correspond to the arrangement and dimensions of the sub-pixels of the liquid crystal panel to which the polarizing element 20 is attached.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration along the section AA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B include gold (Au), silver (Ag) in a translucent base material 50 mainly made of an inorganic substance, for example, a base material 50 made of silicon oxide. ) And the like, and a light absorbing material 41 that absorbs light in a predetermined wavelength range is dispersed.

  The light absorbing material 41 includes a red color material 41R included in the polarization portion 21R, a green color material 41G included in the polarization portion 21G, and a blue color material 41B included in the polarization portion 21B. For the red color material 41R, the green color material 41G, and the blue color material 41B, for example, a dye or a pigment can be used. Further, the red color material 41R, the green color material 41G, and the blue color material 41B are not limited to one material, and may be a combination of a plurality of materials.

  Examples of the dye include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, condensed polycyclic aromatic carbonyl dyes, indigoid dyes, carbonium dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, methine, and polymethine dyes.

  Examples of the pigment include C.I. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48: 1, 48: 2, 48: 3, 48: 4, 49: 1, 49: 2, 50: 1, 52: 1, 53: 1, 57, 57: 1, 57: 2, 58: 2, 58: 4, 60: 1, 63: 1, 63: 2, 64: 1, 81, 81: 1, 83, 88, 90: 1, 97, 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 108: 1, 112, 113, 114, 122, 123, 144, 146, 149, 150, 151, 166, 168, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 185, 187, 188, 190, 193 194,202,206,207,208,209,215,216,220,224,226,242,243,245,254,255,264,265; C. I. Pigment Green 7, 36, 15, 17, 18, 19, 26, 50, 58; I. Pigment blue 1,15,15: 1,15: 2,15: 3,15: 4,15: 6, 17: 1,18,60,27,28,29,35,36,60,80; I. Pigment Yellow 1, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 31, 34, 35, 35: 1, 37, 37: 1, 42, 43, 53, 55, 60, 61, 65, 71, 73, 74, 81, 83, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 100, 101, 104, 106, 108, 109, 110, 113, 114, 116, 117, 119, 120, 126, 127, 128, 129, 138, 139, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 166, 168, 175, 180, 184, 185; I. Pigment violet 1, 3, 14, 16, 19, 23, 29, 32, 36, 38, 50; C.I. I. Pigment Orange 1, 5, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 20: 1, 24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 43, 46, 49, 51, 61, 63, 64, 71, 73, 104; C. I. Pigment brown 7, 11, 23, 25, 33; I. And CI pigment blacks 1 and 7 and derivatives thereof.

  Further, as the red color material 41R, the green color material 41G, and the blue color material 41B, for example, metal nanoparticles can be used. Examples of the metal nanoparticles include gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, gold core / silver shell composite nanoparticles, and gold core / copper shell composite nanoparticles.

  As the coloring material, one or two or more selected from these can be used in combination, but when high heat resistance is required, metal nanoparticles may be used.

  The red color material 41R absorbs light in a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, for example, 650 nm (red wavelength range). For this reason, the polarization component in the red wavelength region is emitted from the polarization unit 21R. The green color material 41G absorbs light in a wavelength range different from the second wavelength range, for example, 530 nm (green wavelength range). For this reason, the polarization component in the green wavelength region is emitted from the polarization unit 21G. The blue color material 41B absorbs light in a wavelength range different from the third wavelength range, for example, 410 nm (blue wavelength range). For this reason, the polarization component in the blue wavelength region is emitted from the polarization unit 21B. As described above, the wavelength range absorbed by the light absorbing material 41 is set for each of the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B.

  A partition wall 22 is formed in the polarization unit group 21. The partition wall 22 is formed so as to partition the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B. As a material of the partition wall 22, for example, an inorganic material or an organic material can be used as appropriate.

  Each nanorod 40 has a dimension in which the minor axis direction is, for example, about several nanometers to several tens of nanometers, and the major axis direction is, for example, several tens of nanometers to about 100 nm. The nanorod 40 has different absorption characteristics for a polarization component whose vibration direction matches the minor axis direction of the nanorod 40 and absorption characteristics for a polarization component whose vibration direction matches the major axis direction of the nanorod 40. In the present embodiment, as will be described below, specifications including at least one of the material, distribution density, diameter, and major axis dimension of the nanorod 40 are set for each of the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B. .

  In this embodiment, as the nanorod 40, a gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R, a gold nanorod 40G, and a silver nanorod 40B are used. The gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R is composed of a composite metal in which the surface of a needle crystal made of gold (first metal) is coated with silver (second metal). On the other hand, the silver nanorods 40B are made of silver alone, and the gold nanorods 40G are made of gold alone.

  In the case of the present embodiment, a gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R is arranged inside the polarizing portion 21R. A gold nanorod 40G is disposed inside the polarizing portion 21G. Silver nanorods 40B are arranged inside the polarizing portion 21B. The three types of nanorods 40 are oriented in substantially the same direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the main surface (xy plane) of the glass substrate 10 and parallel to the x-axis.

  These three types of nanorods 40 have different absorption peak wavelengths. The gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R has an absorption peak wavelength in the first wavelength region or in the vicinity of the first wavelength region, for example, 650 nm (red wavelength region) with respect to the polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the major axis direction. Have. The gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R mainly absorbs the polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the long axis direction and transmits the polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the short axis direction for light in the red wavelength region. To express. In the present embodiment, since the gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R is included in the polarization portion 21R including the red color material 41R, the light component in the red wavelength region can be polarized with high accuracy. ing.

  The gold nanorod 40G has an absorption peak wavelength in the second wavelength region or in the vicinity of the second wavelength region, for example, 530 nm (green wavelength region) with respect to the polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the minor axis direction. . The gold nanorod 40G mainly absorbs a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the minor axis direction and transmits a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the major axis direction with respect to light in the green wavelength region. In the present embodiment, since the gold nanorod 40G is included in the polarizing portion 21G including the green color material 41G, the light component in the green wavelength region can be polarized with high accuracy.

  The silver nanorod 40B has an absorption peak wavelength in the third wavelength region or in the vicinity of the third wavelength region, for example, 410 nm (blue wavelength region) with respect to the polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the minor axis direction. . The silver nanorod 40B mainly absorbs a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the minor axis direction and transmits a polarization component whose vibration direction coincides with the major axis direction with respect to light in the blue wavelength region. In this embodiment, since the silver nanorod 40B is included in the polarization part 21B including the blue color material 41B, the light component in the blue wavelength region can be polarized with high accuracy.

  As an example of the size of each nanorod 40, the gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R has a major axis direction dimension of, for example, 24 nm, a minor axis direction dimension of, for example, 12 nm, and an aspect ratio of 2. The gold nanorod 40G has a major axis dimension of, for example, 15 nm, a minor axis dimension of, for example, 5 nm, and an aspect ratio of 3. The silver nanorod 40B has a major axis dimension of, for example, 40 nm, a minor axis dimension of, for example, 5 nm, and an aspect ratio of 8. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the dimension in the major axis direction to the dimension in the minor axis direction of the nanorod 40.

  As described above, the silver nanorods 40B, the gold nanorods 40G, and the gold core / silver shell nanorods 40R have different vibration directions of the polarization component that indicates the absorption peak wavelength. Therefore, when the silver nanorods 40B and the gold nanorods 40G and the gold core / silver shell nanorods 40R are oriented in the same direction in the polarizing element 20, the polarization component that transmits the polarizing element 20 in blue light, green light, and red light The vibration direction is different.

  However, when this polarizing element 20 is applied to a liquid crystal device, if the polarizing element 20 according to the present embodiment is used on the light incident side and the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel, it transmits blue light, green light and red light. Even if the polarization components to be changed are different, only the polarization state in the liquid crystal panel is different, so that it is acceptable for display.

  Thus, the polarizing portion 21R includes the red color material 41R corresponding to the wavelength of light incident on the polarizing portion 21R, and the specifications of the gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R are light incident on the polarizing portion 21R. It is selected corresponding to the wavelength of.

  The polarizing portion 21G includes a green color material 41G corresponding to the wavelength of light incident on the polarizing portion 21G, and the specifications of the gold nanorod 40G are selected corresponding to the wavelength of light incident on the polarizing portion 21G. ing.

  The polarization unit 21B includes a blue color material 41B corresponding to the wavelength of light incident on the polarization unit 21B, and the specifications of the silver nanorod 40B are selected corresponding to the wavelength of light incident on the polarization unit 21B. ing.

  Here, in a state where the red color material 41R is not included in the polarizing portion 21R, the polarizing component that the polarizing portion 21R should block the transmittance of the polarizing component that the polarizing portion 21R transmits with respect to light in a predetermined wavelength range. A value obtained by dividing by the transmittance is defined as the extinction ratio of the polarization unit 21R with respect to light of a predetermined wavelength. The extinction ratio of the polarizing part 21G and the extinction ratio of the polarizing part 21B are defined similarly.

  In the polarizing element 20 according to the present invention, in the red wavelength region, the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21R is larger than the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21G and the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21B. Further, in the green wavelength region, the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21G is larger than the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21R and the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21B. Further, in the blue wavelength region, the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21B is larger than the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21R and the extinction ratio of the polarizing unit 21G.

  In addition, the transmittance of the polarization component that is not absorbed by the gold core / silver shell nanorod 4R in the predetermined wavelength region is regarded as the transmittance of the polarization component that is transmitted by the gold core / silver shell nanorod 4R in the light of the predetermined wavelength region. Can do. Similarly, the transmittance of the polarization component that is not absorbed by the gold nanorod 4G in the predetermined wavelength region can be regarded as the transmittance of the polarization component that the gold nanorod 4G transmits in the light of the predetermined wavelength region. In addition, the transmittance of the polarization component that is not absorbed by the silver nanorod 4B in the predetermined wavelength region can be regarded as the transmittance of the polarization component that the silver nanorod 4B transmits in the light of the predetermined wavelength region.

  Therefore, even when colored light having different wavelength ranges is incident on each of the polarization units 21R, 21G, and 21B, the polarization characteristics of each polarization unit 21R, polarization unit 21G, and polarization unit 21B are higher than those of conventional polarization elements. Has also been raised.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, a method of the polarizing element 20 of the present embodiment will be described.
4-7 is a figure which shows the manufacturing process of the polarizing element 20 of the said structure.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, partition walls 22 are formed on the glass substrate 10. The partition wall 22 is formed so as to divide a region where the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B are formed. The partition wall 22 can be formed by patterning, for example, by a photolithography method or an etching method. Of course, the barrier ribs 22 may be formed by other methods.

  After the partition wall 22 is formed on the glass substrate 10, as shown in FIG. 5, an organic solvent containing a gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R and a red color material 41R in a region surrounded by the partition wall 22 in the glass substrate 10. The solution 61, the organic solvent solution 62 containing the gold nanorod 40G and the green color material 41G, and the organic solvent solution 63 containing the silver nanorod 40B and the blue color material 41B are respectively applied (application process). When applying the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63, for example, a liquid discharge method or the like can be used.

  The organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 are obtained by dissolving polysilazane, which is a raw material of silicon oxide, in an arbitrary organic solvent. At the stage where the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 are applied, the plurality of gold core / silver shell nanorods 40R, the plurality of gold nanorods 40G, and the plurality of silver nanorods 40B are directed in random directions.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, an electric field is applied to the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 in a direction parallel to the x-axis (electric field applying step). At this time, the glass substrate 10 is placed on a stage 74 in which a plurality of first electrodes 71 and second electrodes 72 are alternately arranged. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 extend in the y-axis direction. A high frequency power source 73 is connected to the first electrode 71, and the second electrode 72 is grounded.

  When a high frequency voltage is applied between the first electrode 71 and the second electrode 72 in this state, an electric field is generated in the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 in a direction parallel to the x axis. The gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R, the gold nanorod 40G, and the silver nanorod 40B all have a needle shape, and each nanorod 40 is polarized. Therefore, each nanorod 40 is oriented so that the major axis direction is along the direction of the electric field.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 are baked using, for example, an oven 75 (baking step). As a result, the organic solvent in the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 is removed, and the polysilazane reacts with moisture and oxygen in the atmosphere to solidify and change into silicon oxide (base material 50). At this time, the gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R, the gold nanorod 40G, and the silver nanorod 40B are fixed in a state of being oriented in substantially the same direction.
Through the above steps, the polarizing element 20 of the present embodiment is completed.

  Conventional polarizing elements generally have a broad polarization characteristic with respect to the wavelength of light, and the polarization characteristic is not optimized for each color light. For this reason, for example, when used in a liquid crystal device, display problems such as a decrease in luminance and contrast and a deterioration in color reproducibility have occurred. In addition, it is very difficult to manufacture a polarizing element having high polarization characteristics for each color light in different wavelength ranges by dividing conventional polarizers into fine shapes and arranging them on a predetermined plane.

On the other hand, in the polarizing element 20 of the present invention, the wavelength range absorbed by the light absorbing material is set for each polarizing portion. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the wavelength range that the light absorbing material absorbs so as to correspond to the light absorption characteristics of the nanorods included in the polarizing portion, it exhibits high polarization characteristics for colored light in a plurality of wavelength ranges. A polarizing element can be realized. Moreover, since the polarizing element 20 according to the present invention can be easily manufactured using a known thin film forming technique as described above, the thickness of the polarizing element can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.
As a result, display quality can be improved when the polarizing element 20 of the present invention is used in a liquid crystal device.

  In addition, the polarizing element 20 of the present embodiment has a specification including at least one of the material, the distribution density, the diameter, and the dimension in the major axis direction of the nanorods 40 included in the polarizing element 20. It is set for each of 21G and 21B. Therefore, by appropriately selecting and setting these specifications, it is possible to enhance the polarization characteristics for each color light in a different wavelength range.

  Specifically, the gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R, the gold nanorod 40G, and the silver nanorod 40B, which are used as the nanorod 40 in the present embodiment, have specific polarization components in the red wavelength range, the green wavelength range, and the blue wavelength range, respectively. Absorption peak wavelength. Therefore, one polarizing element has polarization characteristics corresponding to each color light of red light, green light, and blue light. As a result, when the polarizing element 20 of this embodiment is used in a liquid crystal device having a plurality of pixels each having a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel as sub-pixels, brightness, contrast, color reproducibility, and the like can be improved. , Display quality can be improved.

  Moreover, since the constituent materials of the polarizing element 20 are all inorganic materials, a polarizing element having excellent heat resistance can be realized.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
8 and 9 are diagrams showing the configuration of the liquid crystal device according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, an example of an active matrix liquid crystal display device using a thin film transistor (hereinafter abbreviated as TFT) as a pixel switching element will be described. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the liquid crystal display device according to the present embodiment as viewed from the counter substrate side together with the respective components, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the liquid crystal display device 31 of the present embodiment, the TFT array substrate PX and the counter substrate 33 are bonded together by a sealing material 34, and a liquid crystal layer is formed in a region partitioned by the sealing material 34. A liquid crystal panel 36 in which 35 is enclosed is provided. The liquid crystal layer 35 is made of a liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy. A light shielding film (peripheral parting) 37 made of a light shielding material is formed in a region inside the region where the sealing material 34 is formed.

  In the peripheral circuit area outside the sealing material 34, a data line driving circuit 38 and an external circuit mounting terminal 39 are formed along one side of the TFT array substrate PX, and scanning lines are formed along two sides adjacent to the one side. A drive circuit 46 is formed. On the remaining side of the TFT array substrate PX, a plurality of wirings 47 for connecting the scanning line driving circuits 46 provided on both sides of the display area are provided.

  In addition, an inter-substrate conductive material 42 for providing electrical continuity between the TFT array substrate PX and the counter substrate 33 is disposed at a corner portion of the counter substrate 33. A color filter 43 is formed on the surface of the counter substrate 33 on the liquid crystal layer 35 side. Polarizers 44 and 45 are disposed on the light incident side and the light emission side of the liquid crystal panel 36, respectively. These polarizing plates 44 and 45 (particularly polarizing plate 45) are the polarizing elements of the above-described embodiment. A backlight (not shown) is disposed on the polarizing plate 44 side.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the configuration of one pixel in the liquid crystal display device 31.
As shown in FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display device 31 includes a plurality of sub-pixels (red sub-pixel PXR, green sub-pixel PXG, blue sub-pixel PXB) in each of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. . The red subpixel PXR, the green subpixel PXG, and the blue subpixel PXB are arranged side by side at an equal pitch in one direction within one pixel.

  The color filter 43 includes a red color material layer 43R, a green color material layer 43G, and a blue color material layer 43B corresponding to each of the red subpixel PXR, the green subpixel PXG, and the blue subpixel PXB.

  The red color material layer 43R is disposed at a position overlapping the red sub-pixel PXR in plan view, and has a size including the red sub-pixel PXR. The green color material layer 43G is disposed at a position overlapping the green subpixel PXG in plan view, and is formed to have a size including the green subpixel PXG. The blue color material layer 43B is disposed at a position overlapping the blue subpixel PXB in plan view, and is formed to have a dimension including the blue subpixel PXB.

  In the polarizing plate 45 according to the present embodiment, the polarizing portion 21R is disposed at a position overlapping the red subpixel PXR in plan view, and is formed to have a size including the red subpixel PXR. The polarization unit 21G is disposed at a position overlapping the green sub-pixel PXG in plan view, and is formed to have a size including the green sub-pixel PXG. The polarization unit 21B is disposed at a position overlapping the blue subpixel PXB in plan view, and is formed to have a dimension including the blue subpixel PXB.

  The polarizing portion 21R is disposed at a position overlapping the red color material layer 43R in plan view, the polarizing portion 21G is disposed at a position overlapping the green color material layer 43G in plan view, and the polarizing portion 21B is The blue color material layer 43B is disposed at a position overlapping the blue color material layer 43B in plan view.

  In this configuration, light emitted from a backlight (not shown) and transmitted through the red color material layer 43R, the green color material layer 43G, and the blue color material layer 43B is irradiated to the polarization unit 21R, the polarization unit 21G, and the polarization unit 21B, respectively. Will be. Here, the polarizing portion 21R, the polarizing portion 21G, and the polarizing portion 21B of the polarizing plate 45 include nanorods 40, and at least among the material, the distribution density, the diameter, and the dimension in the major axis direction of these nanorods 40. Specifications including one are set for each of the polarization unit 21R, the polarization unit 21G, and the polarization unit 21B. For this reason, the polarization characteristic is enhanced for each color light.

  For example, the polarization unit 21R corresponding to the red sub-pixel PXR includes a gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R suitable for red. In addition, the polarization unit 21G corresponding to the green subpixel PXG includes a gold nanorod 40G suitable for green. The polarization unit 21B corresponding to the blue subpixel PXB includes silver nanorods 40B suitable for blue. For this reason, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a bright image with high contrast.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, the cellular phone 1300 (electronic device) includes a display unit 1301 including the liquid crystal display device of the above embodiment, together with a plurality of operation buttons 1302, an earpiece 1303, and a mouthpiece 1304.

  Specific examples of the electronic apparatus of the present invention include a projector, an electronic book, a personal computer, a digital still camera, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, car navigation, as well as the above mobile phone. Examples include an apparatus, a pager, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and an electronic device equipped with a touch panel.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, one pixel of the liquid crystal display device 31 includes three subpixels PXR, PXG, and PXB, and the subpixels PXR, PXG, and PXB have an equal pitch in one direction within one pixel. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, four sub-pixels (first red sub-pixel PXR1, green sub-pixel PXG, blue sub-pixel PXB, and second red sub-pixel PXR2) are included in one pixel of the liquid crystal display device 31. The four sub-pixels may be arranged in a matrix in one pixel.

  In this case, the color material layer of the color filter 43 is a red color material layer 43R for the red subpixel PXR, a green color material layer 43G for the green subpixel PXG, and a blue color for the blue subpixel PXB. Regarding the material layer 43B and the other red sub-pixel PXR, the red color material layer 43R is arranged at a position overlapping each other in plan view.

  In addition, the polarizing plate 45 has a configuration in which the first red sub-pixel PXR1 overlaps with the polarization unit 21R1 in plan view, the green sub-pixel PXG overlaps with the polarization unit 21G in plan view, and the blue sub-pixel PXB overlaps with the polarization unit 21B. The second red sub-pixel PXR2 overlaps with the planar view, and is disposed at a position overlapping the polarization unit 21R2 in the planar view.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, since the first red sub-pixel PXR1 and the second red sub-pixel PXR2 are provided in one pixel of the liquid crystal display device 31, the polarization unit 21R1 corresponding to red and the red color Is provided with a polarizing portion 21R2. In this case, both the light absorbing material 41 included in the polarizing portion 21R1 and the light absorbing material 41 included in the polarizing portion 21R2 are red color materials 41R.

  When the arrangement, shape, and color of the sub-pixel of the liquid crystal display device 31 are other configurations, the arrangement, shape, and color of the polarizing portion of the polarizing plate 45 correspond to the arrangement and color of the sub-pixel. You can do it.

  For example, when each of the subpixels PXR, PXG, PXB, and PXR is formed in a square or a rectangle, the polarization portions 21R, 21G, 21B, and 21R of the polarizing plate 45 are formed in a square or a rectangle corresponding to each other. do it. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying a bright image with high contrast regardless of the arrangement or color of the sub-pixels of the liquid crystal display device 31.

  In the above embodiment, when setting the specifications of the nanorod 40, as means for realizing a polarizing element having excellent polarization characteristics with respect to a plurality of different wavelengths, a silver nanorod, a gold nanorod, and a gold core / silver shell nanorod are referred to. Thus, the material of the nanorod was selected according to the wavelength. Instead of this means, the aspect ratio of the nanorods may be selected according to the wavelength. By changing the aspect ratio of the nanorod, the absorption peak wavelength can be shifted. This means can also realize a polarizing element having excellent polarization characteristics for a plurality of different wavelengths.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although gold and silver were used as a material of a nanorod, it is not limited to this. A semiconductor material may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the polarizing element 20 which has an absorption peak in three wavelength ranges was implement | achieved by using three types of nanorods, this invention is not limited to this. For example, if there are four colored lights such as red, green, blue, and yellow constituting the image display, the four types of nanorods so that the polarizing element has absorption peaks in four wavelength ranges according to these colors. May be used.

  Further, even if there are three colored lights constituting the image display, two types of nanorods may be used so that the polarizing element has absorption peaks in two wavelength regions. In this case, it is preferable that one of the three wavelength ranges constituting the image display overlaps with one of the two absorption peak wavelengths of the polarizing element.

  Further, the wavelength range is not limited to the blue wavelength range, the green wavelength range, and the red wavelength range. In addition, the constituent materials, dimensions, manufacturing processes, and the like of each part of the polarizing element can be appropriately changed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where it was set as an example as a dimension of the major axis direction of the nanorod 40 which is one of the specifications of the nanorod 40, for example was set to 15 nm-40 nm, it is not restricted to this. The dimension in the major axis direction may be 40 nm or more. As an example, the dimension in the major axis direction of the silver nanorods 40B may be about 300 nm to 500 nm.

  In addition, for example, a material other than gold and silver, such as copper, may be used as a material for the nanorods used in the polarizing portions 21R and 21G irradiated with light in the red wavelength range and the green wavelength range. .

  For example, silver may be used as the material for the nanorods 40 used in the polarizing portion 21R. Further, for example, the material of the nanorod 40 used for the polarizing portion 21G may be configured to use copper. Further, for example, red phosphorus may be used as the material of the nanorod 40 used in the polarizing portion 21B.

  Moreover, when setting the distribution density which is one of the specifications of the nanorod 40, in view of the fact that the transmittance increases and the degree of polarization decreases as the distribution density of the nanorod 40 decreases, for example, an experiment An optimal distribution density can be set in advance by simulation or simulation.

  In addition, about the distribution density of the nanorod 40, it can set separately for each polarization part 21R, 21G, 21B. When individually adjusting the distribution density of the nanorods 40 included in the polarizing parts 21R, 21G, and 21B, the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63 are included in the organic solvent per unit amount in the manufacturing process of the polarizing element 20. What is necessary is just to adjust the quantity of the nanorod 40 to be adjusted individually for each of the organic solvent solutions 61 to 63.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the partition wall 22 is provided between the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B has been described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. Two polarizing portions adjacent to each other, for example, the polarizing portion 21R and the polarizing portion 21G may be formed in contact with each other. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a gap is left between two polarizing parts adjacent to each other, for example, the polarizing part 21R and the polarizing part 21G.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated by taking as an example the structure by which the nanorod 40 (Gold core / silver shell nanorod 40R, the gold nanorod 40G, and the silver nanorod 40B) was included in the polarizing parts 21R, 21G, and 21B, For example, a configuration in which the nanorod 40 is not provided may be used. In this case, another polarizing means may be provided in the polarizing portions 21R, 21G, and 21B.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure using the color material used for a color filter was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as a light absorption material, it is not restricted to this. For example, by utilizing the light absorption characteristics of the nanorods 40, a plurality of types of nanorods 40 having different absorption peak wavelengths may be appropriately combined so as to correspond to the wavelengths of light incident on the polarization units 21R, 21G, and 21B. 21G and 21B may be included.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Glass substrate 10a ... One side 20 ... Polarizing element 21 ... Polarizing part group 21R ... Polarizing part, 21G ... Polarizing part, 21B ... Polarizing part 22 ... Partition 31 ... Liquid crystal display device PXR ... Red subpixel, PXG ... Green subpixel, PXB ... Blue subpixel 35 ... Liquid crystal layer 36 ... Liquid crystal panel 40 ... Nanorod 40R ... Gold core / silver shell nanorod, 40G ... Gold nanorod, 40B ... Silver nanorod 41 ... Light absorbing material 41R ... Red color material 41G ... Green color material 41B ... Blue color material 43 ... Color filter 43R ... Red color material layer 43G ... Green color material layer 43B ... Blue color material layer 50 ... Base material 61-63 ... Organic solvent solution 1300 ... Mobile phone (electronic equipment)

Claims (10)

It has a plurality of polarizing parts,
Of the plurality of polarizing parts, the first polarizing part has a first light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength region different from the first wavelength region,
Of the plurality of polarizing parts, the second polarizing part has a second light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength region different from the second wavelength region,
The polarizing element, wherein the second wavelength region is different from the first wavelength region. The polarizing element according to claim 1, wherein the first polarizing unit and the second polarizing unit are disposed adjacent to each other. Further comprising a base material that supports the plurality of polarizing portions,
The polarizing element according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of polarizing unit groups including the first polarizing unit and the second polarizing unit are arranged in a matrix on the surface of the base material. The polarizing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polarizing unit group includes two first polarizing units. The first polarizing section has a first base material and a plurality of first acicular metal particles dispersed in the first base material so that the major axis direction is oriented in approximately one direction,
The second polarizing section includes a second base material and a plurality of second acicular metal particles dispersed in the second base material so that the major axis direction is oriented in substantially one direction. The polarizing element as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The specifications of the plurality of first acicular particles are set corresponding to the first wavelength range,
The polarizing element according to claim 5, wherein the specifications of the plurality of second acicular particles are set corresponding to the second wavelength region. The polarizing element according to claim 6, wherein the specification is at least one of a material, a distribution density, a diameter, and a dimension in a major axis direction. Of the plurality of polarizing parts, the third polarizing part has a third light absorbing material that absorbs light in a wavelength region different from the third wavelength region,
The first wavelength range corresponds to red light, the second wavelength range corresponds to green light, and the third wavelength range corresponds to blue light. The polarizing element according to item. A liquid crystal panel in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a pair of substrates and a color filter is provided;
A polarizing element disposed on at least one side of the liquid crystal panel,
A liquid crystal device, wherein the polarizing element according to claim 1 is used as the polarizing element.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 9.

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