JPS6242128A - Liquid crystal shutter - Google Patents
Liquid crystal shutterInfo
- Publication number
- JPS6242128A JPS6242128A JP60182687A JP18268785A JPS6242128A JP S6242128 A JPS6242128 A JP S6242128A JP 60182687 A JP60182687 A JP 60182687A JP 18268785 A JP18268785 A JP 18268785A JP S6242128 A JPS6242128 A JP S6242128A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- liquid crystal
- light
- polarizing plate
- molecules
- polarization
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/137—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
- G02F1/139—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering based on orientation effects in which the liquid crystal remains transparent
- G02F1/141—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering based on orientation effects in which the liquid crystal remains transparent using ferroelectric liquid crystals
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔発明の技術分野〕
本発明は強誘電性液晶を用いたダスト・ホスト型の液晶
シャッター（こ−）ＲｆＳ。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention is a dust-host type liquid crystal shutter RfS using ferroelectric liquid crystal.
〔発明の技術的背景とその問題点］
近時、液晶表示装置の分野では、高速応答性を有する強
誘電性液晶を用いることが提案されている。この強誘電
性液晶としては、カイラルスメクチックＣ相またはカイ
ラルスメクチックＨ相を示すものを用いることが検討さ
れている。[Technical background of the invention and its problems] Recently, in the field of liquid crystal display devices, it has been proposed to use ferroelectric liquid crystals that have high-speed response. As this ferroelectric liquid crystal, it is being considered to use one exhibiting a chiral smectic C phase or a chiral smectic H phase.
この液晶はら旋状の分子配列構造を有しており・液晶分
子がら旋釉に対して傾いて配列されている。そして、こ
の液晶は直流磁界に対して強訪電体としての応答を示し
、電界の向きに応じて自発分極を反転させて高速で応答
する。従って、この強誘電性液晶を用いることにより液
晶表示装置の応答性を高め高速スイッチング性を与える
ことができる。This liquid crystal has a spiral molecular arrangement structure, and the liquid crystal molecules are arranged at an angle with respect to the spiral glaze. This liquid crystal responds to a direct current magnetic field as a strong electric current, and responds at high speed by reversing its spontaneous polarization depending on the direction of the electric field. Therefore, by using this ferroelectric liquid crystal, the responsiveness of the liquid crystal display device can be improved and high-speed switching performance can be provided.
一方、最近では例えば光書込み式プリンタの光書込み用
として、その透過、不透過の制御を行なうＧ−Ｈ型（ダ
スト・ホスト効果型）液晶シャッター装置が実用化され
つつあり、この液晶シャッター装置においても応答性を
高めるために強誘電性液晶を用いることが検討されてい
る。On the other hand, recently, G-H type (dust/host effect type) liquid crystal shutter devices that control transmission and non-transmission have been put into practical use, for example, for optical writing in optical writing printers. The use of ferroelectric liquid crystals is also being considered to improve responsiveness.
従来、とのＧ−Ｈ型の液晶シャッター装置として、内皿
に電極および配向処理を施した配向膜が形成された２枚
の基板間に、強誘電性液晶に二色性染料を溶解させた液
晶組成物を封入し、さらに２枚の基板のうち一方の基板
の外側に偏光板を配置してなる装置が提案されている。Conventionally, as a G-H type liquid crystal shutter device, dichroic dye was dissolved in ferroelectric liquid crystal between two substrates on which electrodes and an alignment film were formed on the inner plate. A device has been proposed in which a liquid crystal composition is sealed and a polarizing plate is disposed on the outside of one of two substrates.
この液晶シャッター装置は、液晶組成物の染料に光線を
吸収させてシャッター閉状態を得、また染料に光を吸収
させないようＫしてシャッター開状態を得るものである
。This liquid crystal shutter device obtains a shutter closed state by making the dye of the liquid crystal composition absorb light, and obtains a shutter open state by preventing the dye from absorbing light.
しかしながら、このダスト・ホスト効果型の液晶シャッ
ター装置には、次のような問題がある。すなわち、シャ
ッター閉状態を得るために光を液晶素子に入射させると
、この光は、一方の基板の外側に設けた偏光板により、
その振動面が二色性染料の分子長軸方向に沿う直線偏光
にされて基板間の液晶組成物に入射するが、この際に、
入射光が液晶組成物の複屈折性により正常光と異常光と
に分かれて楕円偏光となる。However, this dust-host effect type liquid crystal shutter device has the following problems. In other words, when light is incident on the liquid crystal element to obtain the shutter closed state, this light is polarized by the polarizing plate provided on the outside of one of the substrates.
The vibration plane is made into linearly polarized light along the molecular long axis direction of the dichroic dye, and it enters the liquid crystal composition between the substrates, but at this time,
The incident light is divided into normal light and extraordinary light due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal composition, and becomes elliptically polarized light.
一方、液晶組成物に含まれる二色性染料は、その分子が
分子長軸方向に沿う振動面をもった光のみを吸収するも
のであるために、分子長軸方向と異なった振動面をもっ
た光を吸収しない。On the other hand, dichroic dyes contained in liquid crystal compositions absorb only light whose molecules have a plane of vibration along the long axis of the molecule, so they have a plane of vibration that is different from the long axis of the molecule. does not absorb light.
ところが、入射光が染料分子の分子長軸方向に振動面を
もつ直線偏光成分の他に１分子長軸方向と直交する振動
面をもつ直線偏光成分とを有するので、この分子長軸方
向と直交する振動面をもつ直線偏光成分は、二色性染料
に吸収されなりまま他方の基板から出射されることにな
る。However, in addition to the linearly polarized component whose vibration plane is in the direction of the long axis of the dye molecule, the incident light has a linearly polarized component whose vibration plane is perpendicular to the direction of the long axis of one molecule. The linearly polarized light component with the vibration plane is absorbed by the dichroic dye and is emitted from the other substrate as it is.
すなわち、光が液晶素子を通過する時に、液晶組成物の
複屈折性により生じた二色性染料で吸収されない光が、
液晶素子の出射光側から漏出してしまう。このため、シ
ャッター閉状態を得ようとする場合に、入射光が充分吸
収されず、シャッター開状態に対する高いコントラスト
が得られない。従って、従来の強電性液晶を用いた液晶
シャッター装置では、高いコントラストの透過光制御が
行なえないという問題があった。In other words, when light passes through a liquid crystal element, the light that is not absorbed by the dichroic dye produced by the birefringence of the liquid crystal composition is
It leaks from the output light side of the liquid crystal element. For this reason, when trying to obtain a shutter closed state, the incident light is not sufficiently absorbed, and high contrast with respect to the shutter open state cannot be obtained. Therefore, conventional liquid crystal shutter devices using strong electric liquid crystals have a problem in that they cannot control transmitted light with high contrast.
本発明は前記事情に基づいてなされ走もので、高いコン
トラストをもった良好な表示を行なうことができる強誘
電性液晶を用いたダスト・ホスト効果型の液晶シャッタ
ーを提供することを目的とするものである。The present invention was made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dust-host effect type liquid crystal shutter using ferroelectric liquid crystal, which is capable of providing a good display with high contrast. It is.
本発明の液晶シャッターは、内面に電極および配向膜を
形成した一対の透明な基板の間に、強誘電性液晶と二色
性染料からなる液晶組成物を封入し、さらに各基板の外
側に、前記液晶組成物の液晶分子の配向方向と同じ方向
に偏光軸を有する偏光板を夫々配置したもので、直線偏
光板を透過した元が液晶シャッターに入射された際に、
液晶組成物の複屈折性により生じた二色性染料に吸収さ
れない光が、液晶表示装置から外部へ漏出することを防
止して、充分コントラストの高い液晶シャッターを得る
ことができるようにしたものである−
〔発明の実施例〕
以下本発明を図面で示す実施例について説明する。The liquid crystal shutter of the present invention includes a liquid crystal composition consisting of a ferroelectric liquid crystal and a dichroic dye sealed between a pair of transparent substrates having electrodes and an alignment film formed on the inner surfaces, and a liquid crystal composition comprising a ferroelectric liquid crystal and a dichroic dye on the outside of each substrate. Polarizing plates each having a polarization axis in the same direction as the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal composition are arranged, and when the source transmitted through the linear polarizing plate is incident on the liquid crystal shutter,
This prevents light that is not absorbed by the dichroic dye produced by the birefringence of the liquid crystal composition from leaking out from the liquid crystal display device, making it possible to obtain a liquid crystal shutter with sufficiently high contrast. [Embodiments of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.
本発明の液晶シャッターを、光書込み式プリンタの光書
込みに使用した一実施例について図面を参照して説明す
る。An embodiment in which the liquid crystal shutter of the present invention is used for optical writing in an optical writing printer will be described with reference to the drawings.
まず、光書込み式プリンタの構成について説明すると、
第６図において、１は光導電性感光ドラム、２は感光ド
ラム１の表面に均一に帯電させる帯電器、３は帯電され
た感光ｐラム１０表面に光書込みを行なう光記録部であ
わ、この光記録部３は、画像等の記録情報に基づいてタ
イミング等を制御する記録制御部４により駆動され、感
光？ラム１の表面に光を照射して、感光ドラム表面の光
照射部分の電荷を消去することにより光書込みを行なう
ようになっている。First, let me explain the configuration of an optical writing printer.
In FIG. 6, 1 is a photoconductive photosensitive drum, 2 is a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and 3 is an optical recording section that performs optical writing on the surface of the charged photosensitive pram 10. The optical recording section 3 is driven by a recording control section 4 that controls timing etc. based on recording information such as images, Optical writing is performed by irradiating the surface of the ram 1 with light and erasing the charge on the irradiated portion of the photosensitive drum surface.
この光記録部３の光書込みによって形成された感光ｒラ
ム表面の静電潜像は、現像器５によりトター現像される
。The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive ram by optical writing in the optical recording section 3 is completely developed by the developing device 5.
また、記録用紙６は、給紙ロール７によって給送され、
待機ロール８によって一旦停止された後、感光ドラム表
面のトナー像と同期をとって転写部９に送られるように
なっておシ、感光ドラム表面のトナー像は、転写部９に
おいて用紙６に転写される。この用紙６は、分離部ｌσ
において感光ドラム１から分離され、定着器１ノでトナ
ー像を定着されて排紙ローラ１２により送出される。Further, the recording paper 6 is fed by a paper feed roll 7,
After being temporarily stopped by the standby roll 8, the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is sent to the transfer section 9 in synchronization with the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. be done. This paper 6 has a separating portion lσ
The toner image is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 at a fixing device 1 and sent out by a paper discharge roller 12.
なお、用紙６にトナー像を転写した感光げラム１は、除
電器１３によりトナー電荷を中和された後、クリーナ１
４で残存トナーを清掃され、トレーサ１５により表面電
荷を中和される。Note that the photosensitive ram 1, which has transferred the toner image onto the paper 6, is subjected to a cleaner 1 after the toner charge is neutralized by the static eliminator 13.
4, the remaining toner is cleaned, and the surface charge is neutralized by the tracer 15.
前記光記録部３は、第７図で示すように、光源１６と、
光書込み用液晶シャッター２０と、結像レンズ１７とか
らなっており、光源１６からの光線を液晶シャッター２
０および結像レン、ｆ１７を介して感光ｒラム１表面に
照射するようになっている。As shown in FIG. 7, the optical recording section 3 includes a light source 16,
It consists of a liquid crystal shutter 20 for optical writing and an imaging lens 17, and the light beam from the light source 16 is directed to the liquid crystal shutter 2.
0 and an imaging lens f17 to irradiate the surface of the photosensitive r-ram 1.
液晶シャッター２０は、感光、ドラム１の軸方向に沿う
横長をなすもので、その長さ方向に沿わせて、光の透過
を制御する多数の微小なシャ、タ一部をち密な間隔で並
べて形成したものである。The liquid crystal shutter 20 is horizontally elongated along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 1, and has a large number of minute shutters arranged at close intervals along its length to control the transmission of light. It was formed.
すなわち、液晶シャッター２０は、二色性を有する強誘
電性液晶または強Ｍ’Ｍ、性液晶と二色性染料とからな
る液晶組成物を使用したダスト・ホスト効果型のもので
、以下液晶シャッター２０を第１図および第２図につい
て説明する。That is, the liquid crystal shutter 20 is a dust-host effect type that uses a liquid crystal composition consisting of a dichroic ferroelectric liquid crystal or a strong M'M liquid crystal and a dichroic dye, and is hereinafter referred to as a liquid crystal shutter. 20 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
図中２１．２２はがラス板からなる透明な上下一対の基
板で、この一対の基板２１．２２はその周縁部に沿った
枠形をなすシール材２３′ｔ−介して接着されている。In the figure, reference numerals 21 and 22 denote a pair of upper and lower transparent substrates made of lath plates, and the pair of substrates 21 and 22 are bonded together via a frame-shaped sealing material 23't along the periphery thereof.
このシール材２３で囲まれた一対の基板２１゜２２の間
の空間は、二色性を有する強誘電性液晶または強誘電性
液晶に二色性染料を溶解した液晶組・放物を充填して液
晶２４としである。すなわち、液晶２４は第３図および
第４図で示すように強誘電性液晶の液晶分子２５と二色
性染料の染料分子２６とが混合したものである。強誘電
性液晶は、カイラルスメクチ、りＣ相を示ス液晶、例え
ばデゾルオキシベンゾリデンｙ−アミノスメチルプチル
シンナメートを使用する。The space between the pair of substrates 21 and 22 surrounded by the sealing material 23 is filled with a dichroic ferroelectric liquid crystal or a liquid crystal set/paraboloid in which a dichroic dye is dissolved in a ferroelectric liquid crystal. This is the liquid crystal display 24. That is, the liquid crystal 24 is a mixture of liquid crystal molecules 25 of ferroelectric liquid crystal and dye molecules 26 of dichroic dye, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ferroelectric liquid crystal used is a liquid crystal exhibiting a chiral smectyl C phase, such as desoloxybenzolidene y-aminosmethylbutylcinnamate.
この強誘電性液晶は、層状構造をなし、各層毎に分子長
軸が変化し、層に対して直角な方向にら脚軸Ｐを有する
ら旋状分子配列を示し、液晶分子２５がら脚軸Ｐに対し
て傾いているものである。二色性染料としては、例えば
下記構造のチェソチアゾール系染料を使用し、強誘電性
液晶に対して例えば２重量％添加する。This ferroelectric liquid crystal has a layered structure, the long axis of the molecules changes for each layer, and exhibits a helical molecular arrangement with the leg axis P in the direction perpendicular to the layer. It is tilted with respect to P. As the dichroic dye, for example, a chesothiazole dye having the following structure is used, and it is added, for example, 2% by weight to the ferroelectric liquid crystal.
また、前記液晶２４の厚さｔは、強誘電性液晶の液晶分
子２５がら旋を形成できる大きさとする。Further, the thickness t of the liquid crystal 24 is set to a size that allows the liquid crystal molecules 25 of the ferroelectric liquid crystal to form a spiral.
また、前記一対の基板２１．２２のうち、一方の基板（
以下セグメント基板という）２ノの内面には、透明電極
からなる多数のセグメント電極Ｓ１＋８１ ・・・、８
２ １８２ ・・・が２列に並べて配列形成しである。Also, one of the pair of substrates 21 and 22 (
On the inner surface of the segment substrate (hereinafter referred to as segment substrate) 2, there are a large number of segment electrodes S1+81..., 8 made of transparent electrodes.
2 182 . . . are arranged in two rows to form an array.
これら各セグメント電極Ｓ１＋８１ ・・・とセグメン
ト電極Ｓ、ｔＳ２・・・とけ、互いに隣接するもの同士
が、相互に接続電極２７．２７・・・により接続され、
且つ各セグメント電極はセグメント基板２１の両側部に
形成した端子電極２８．２８・・・に接続されている。These segment electrodes S1+81... and segment electrodes S, tS2... are melted, and the adjacent ones are connected to each other by connecting electrodes 27, 27...
Moreover, each segment electrode is connected to terminal electrodes 28, 28, . . . formed on both sides of the segment substrate 21.
なお、前記接続電極２７・・・と端子電極２８・・・（
端末部を除く）の表面には、低抵抗金属膜２９゜２９・
・・が夫々被着しである。また、一方の基板（以下コモ
ン基板という）２２の内面には、セグメント基板２１の
各セグメント電極列に夫々対向させて、透明電極からな
るコモンＸ’１Ｃｘ−Ｃ，が間隙を存して平行に形成し
である。このヨ、７電極Ｃ１ａＣｚの表面には、前記セ
グメント電極ＳＩ＃ＳＩ・・・、Ｓ１＋Ｓ１・・・に夫
々対向する部分すなわちシャッター窓ｓｏ＠、ｓａ＠−
・、を除いて低抵抗金属膜３０．３０が夫々被着しであ
る。そして、各セグメント′ｒ！Ｌ極８１＊８１ ・・
・、Ｓ、、Ｓ＝・・・とコモンＮＮ Ｃ１＊ Ｃｚのシ
ャ。Note that the connection electrodes 27... and the terminal electrodes 28...(
A low resistance metal film 29°29.
... are respectively attached. Further, on the inner surface of one substrate (hereinafter referred to as the common substrate) 22, common X'1Cx-C, which is made of transparent electrodes, are arranged in parallel with a gap, facing each segment electrode row of the segment substrate 21. It is formed. On the surface of the seven electrodes C1aCz, there are parts facing the segment electrodes SI#SI..., S1+S1..., ie, shutter windows so@, sa@-.
・A low resistance metal film 30 and 30 are respectively deposited except for . And each segment'r! L pole 81*81...
・,S,,S=...and common NN C1* Cz.
ター窓ｊ （７ａ ＊ Ｊ Ｏａ・・・との対向する部
分で、光の透過を制御するシャ、タ一部ａ＋ｌＬ・・・
が形成しである。A portion of the shutter that controls the transmission of light at the part facing the outer window j (7a * J Oa...).
is formed.
また、セグメント基板２１の内面には配向膜３１が、コ
モン基板２２の内面には配向膜３２が夫々形成してあり
、これら配向膜３１ 、 、？ ２には、前記液晶２４
における強誘電性液晶のら腕軸Ｐの方向を位置づける配
向処理が夫々施しである。Further, an alignment film 31 is formed on the inner surface of the segment substrate 21, and an alignment film 32 is formed on the inner surface of the common substrate 22, and these alignment films 31, , ? 2, the liquid crystal 24
An alignment process for positioning the direction of the arm axis P of the ferroelectric liquid crystal is performed in each case.
さらに、コモン基板２２の外側ＫＶｉ第１の偏光板３３
が配置され、セグメント基板２）の外側には第２の偏光
板３４が配置されている。すなわち、第１の偏光板３３
は液晶２４に対して光が入る側に、第２の偏光板３４は
元が出る側に夫々位置して、液晶２４の両側に偏光板が
設けられる。第１の偏光板３３は、液晶２４の液晶分子
２５の配向方向と同じ方向に偏光軸Ｕをｌ向けて配置し
てあり、第２の偏光板３４は、第１の偏光板３３の偏光
軸Ｕと平行に偏光ｓｂｖを向けて配置しである。具体的
には、第１および第２０Ｄ４Ｊ５光板ｓ 、？ 、 ｓ
４は、そのイ４光ａＵ 、 Ｖを、電界の印加により
配向（−た液晶分子２５の分子長軸Ｏの二方向のうちい
ずれか一方に一致させて配電しである。Furthermore, the outer KVi first polarizing plate 33 of the common substrate 22
is arranged, and a second polarizing plate 34 is arranged outside the segment substrate 2). That is, the first polarizing plate 33
are located on the side where light enters the liquid crystal 24, and the second polarizing plate 34 is located on the side from which light exits, so that polarizing plates are provided on both sides of the liquid crystal 24. The first polarizing plate 33 is arranged with its polarization axis U oriented in the same direction as the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules 25 of the liquid crystal 24, and the second polarizing plate 34 is arranged with the polarization axis U of the first polarizing plate 33 The polarized light sbv is arranged parallel to U. Specifically, the first and 20th D4J5 light plates,? , s
4 is such that the 4-light beams aU and V are aligned in one of the two directions of the molecular long axis O of the liquid crystal molecules 25, which are oriented by applying an electric field.
これら嬉１および第２の偏光板３ Ｊ 、 Ｊ ４の偏
光軸ｔｙ 、 ｖＦｉ、光透過軸および光吸収軸のいず
れも使用できる。Any of the polarization axes ty, vFi, light transmission axes, and light absorption axes of the first and second polarizing plates 3J and J4 can be used.
々お、各セグメント電極Ｓ、、Ｓ、 ・・・、５２ｒ
８、・・・の端子を極２Ｂ 、２ｇ・・・と、コモン電
極Ｃ，，Ｃ，は夫々駆動回路に接続する。Each segment electrode S, , S, . . . , 52r
The terminals of terminals 8, . . . are connected to the poles 2B, 2g, . . . and the common electrodes C, , C, are connected to the drive circuit, respectively.
このように構成した液晶シャッター２０の作用について
説明する。The operation of the liquid crystal shutter 20 configured in this way will be explained.
この液晶シャッター２０に用いる強誘電性液晶の作Ｖｌ
ｈは次の通りである。カイラルスメクチックＣ相の液晶
は、その液晶分子が各層面に対して傾いて配列しておシ
、それらの各層ごとに傾きの方向が変化するら旋構造を
有している。The production of ferroelectric liquid crystal used in this liquid crystal shutter 20
h is as follows. The liquid crystal of chiral smectic C phase has a helical structure in which the liquid crystal molecules are arranged obliquely with respect to the plane of each layer, and the direction of the inclination changes for each layer.
そして、対向する内面に配向処理を旋こした基板間に封
入された液晶２４は、その配向膜３１゜３２に接する液
晶分子２５がその配向処理方向に沿って配列し、その液
晶分子２５に隣接する液晶分子２５もその影４１を受け
て配列するため液晶２４全体の平均的な配向方向が配向
膜の配向処理方向により定められる。即ち、この液晶分
子２５は、配向処理方向に対して傾いた方向をら腕軸Ｐ
とするら旋構造を提している。この状態で電界を印加す
ると、第３図又は第４図に示すように、液晶分子２５の
自発分極と電界の相互作用により、液晶分子２５はその
分子長軸を分子長軸方向Ｏに揃えて配向する。ここで、
第３図は、紙面裏側から表面方向の電界Ｅが印加された
場合であり、液晶分子及び染料分子はら腕軸Ｐに対して
左へ傾いた方向Ｏに沿って配列し、第４図は紙面表側か
ら裏面方向の直昇Ｅ′が印加された場合であり、液晶分
子及び染料分子はら腕軸ＰＫ対して右へ傾いた方向げに
沿って配列する。即ち、液晶分子２５は、その自発分極
と外部電界とが直接的に作用して、分子長軸の向きを変
えるだけであるので、高速で応答できる。In the liquid crystal 24 sealed between the substrates whose inner surfaces facing each other have been subjected to an alignment process, the liquid crystal molecules 25 in contact with the alignment films 31 and 32 are aligned along the direction of the alignment process, and are adjacent to the liquid crystal molecules 25. Since the liquid crystal molecules 25 are also aligned under the shadow 41, the average alignment direction of the entire liquid crystal 24 is determined by the alignment treatment direction of the alignment film. That is, the liquid crystal molecules 25 are aligned in a direction tilted with respect to the direction of alignment treatment.
It has a spiral structure. When an electric field is applied in this state, as shown in FIG. 3 or 4, due to the interaction between the spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules 25 and the electric field, the liquid crystal molecules 25 align their molecular long axes in the molecular long axis direction O. Orient. here,
Figure 3 shows the case where an electric field E is applied from the back side of the page toward the surface, and the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules are arranged along the direction O tilted to the left with respect to the arm axis P. This is a case where a direct rising E' from the front side to the back side is applied, and the liquid crystal molecules and dye molecules are arranged along a direction tilted to the right with respect to the arm axis PK. That is, the liquid crystal molecules 25 can respond at high speed because their spontaneous polarization and external electric field act directly to change the direction of the long axis of the molecules.
そして、液晶シャッター２０を駆動する場合は、駆動回
路３５から各セグメント電極Ｓｌ 。When driving the liquid crystal shutter 20, each segment electrode Sl is sent from the driving circuit 35.
Ｓ！・・・ｓ ８！ ＋８重・・・とコモンｔｉｃ
ｘ−Ｃｚとの間に、向きが異なる電圧を印加し、液晶２
４の液晶分子２５および染料分子２６を挙動させ、シャ
、タ一部ａｉｍ・・・を開“または閉状伸にし光源１６
からの光の透過を制御する。S! ...s 8! +8 layers... and common tic
By applying voltages with different directions between x and Cz, the liquid crystal 2
The liquid crystal molecules 25 and dye molecules 26 of 4 are made to behave, and the light source 16 is made to open or close its aim...
Controls the transmission of light from.
この場合、光源１６は、二色性染料の櫃大吸収波長帯域
に包含される発光波長帯域を有するものを使用する。尚
、光源１６は白色光も使用でき、この場合入射光は電界
の印加方向に応じて白色光と着色光とに制御される。In this case, the light source 16 used has an emission wavelength band included in the large absorption wavelength band of the dichroic dye. Note that the light source 16 can also use white light, and in this case, the incident light is controlled into white light and colored light depending on the direction of application of the electric field.
まず、第１および第２の偏光板３３．３４の偏光軸Ｕ、
Ｖを夫々光透過軸とした場合におけるシャッタ一部ａの
作動を第３図および第４図について説明する。第３図は
、液晶２４に電圧Ｅが印加された際に、液晶２４の液晶
分子２５と染料分子２６の分子長軸が配列する方向Ｏと
偏光軸（光透過軸）Ｕ、Ｖとをほぼ一致させて偏光板３
３．３４を配置した場合を示している。First, the polarization axes U of the first and second polarizing plates 33, 34,
The operation of the shutter part a when V is the light transmission axis will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows approximately the direction O in which the long axes of liquid crystal molecules 25 and dye molecules 26 of the liquid crystal 24 are aligned and the polarization axes (light transmission axes) U and V when a voltage E is applied to the liquid crystal 24. Polarizing plate 3 to match
3.34 is placed.
光源Ｊ６から光を与えると、との光は第１の偏光板３３
にて直線偏光され偏光軸（光透過軸）Ｕの方向の振動面
をもつ光のみが通過し、さらに基板２２を介してシャッ
ター窓ＳＯ，から液晶２４に入射する。つまシ、分子長
軸の方向０の振動面をもった光が液晶２４に入射する。When light is applied from the light source J6, the light from the first polarizing plate 33
Only the light that is linearly polarized and has a vibration plane in the direction of the polarization axis (light transmission axis) U passes through the substrate 22 and enters the liquid crystal 24 from the shutter window SO. Light having a plane of vibration in the direction 0 of the long axis of the molecules enters the liquid crystal 24 .
ここで、光は第５図で示すように液晶の複屈折性によ＃
）楕円偏光され、この楕円偏光は分子長軸の方向０を含
む振動面をもつ直線偏光成分と、これに直交する振動面
をもつ直線偏光成分とに分けられる。染料分子２６は、
分子長軸の方向０を含む振動面をもった光における特定
周波数帯域のものを吸収するため、分子長軸の配向方向
Ｏを含む振動面をもった直線偏光成分は染料分子に吸収
され、これに対して分子長軸の配向方向０と直交する振
動面をもった直線偏光成分は染料分子２６に吸収されず
液晶２５を透過する。第５図で示すように第２の偏光板
３４は、その偏光軸Ｖの方向を第１の偏光板、７３の偏
光軸Ｖの方向にほぼ一致させて配置している。とのため
、液晶の分子長軸を含む振動面の直線偏光成分のうち、
染料分子で十分吸収されなかったわずかな光は第２の偏
光板３４ｔｌ−通過して外部へ出る。しかし、液晶の分
子長軸に直交する振動面を有する直線偏光成分は第２の
偏光板３４によって遮断されて外部へ出ない。すなわち
、染料分子２６Ｖｃよシ吸収されない光が外部へ漏出す
ることを第２の偏光板３４によって阻止され、液晶２４
に入射する光景に比して液晶２４から出る光量が大幅に
減少する。従って、シャッタ一部ａでは、透過光量が著
しく低下する。この場合はシャ、タ一部凰は「閉」で、
感光ｒラム１には光が照射されない。尚、光源に白色光
を用いた場合には色純度の高い着色光が得られる。Here, the light is caused by the birefringence of the liquid crystal, as shown in Figure 5.
) This elliptically polarized light is divided into a linearly polarized light component having a plane of vibration including the direction 0 of the long axis of the molecule, and a linearly polarized light component having a plane of vibration perpendicular to this direction. The dye molecule 26 is
In order to absorb a specific frequency band of light with a plane of vibration including the orientation direction 0 of the long axis of the molecules, linearly polarized light components with a plane of vibration including the orientation direction 0 of the long axis of the molecules are absorbed by the dye molecules. On the other hand, a linearly polarized light component having a plane of vibration perpendicular to the orientation direction 0 of the long axis of the molecules is not absorbed by the dye molecules 26 and is transmitted through the liquid crystal 25 . As shown in FIG. 5, the second polarizing plate 34 is arranged so that the direction of its polarizing axis V substantially coincides with the direction of the polarizing axis V of the first polarizing plate 73. Therefore, among the linearly polarized light components of the vibration plane including the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules,
A small amount of light that is not sufficiently absorbed by the dye molecules passes through the second polarizing plate 34tl and exits to the outside. However, the linearly polarized light component having a plane of vibration perpendicular to the long axis of the molecules of the liquid crystal is blocked by the second polarizing plate 34 and does not exit to the outside. That is, the second polarizing plate 34 prevents light that is not absorbed by the dye molecules 26Vc from leaking outside, and the liquid crystal 24
The amount of light emitted from the liquid crystal 24 is significantly reduced compared to the scene incident on the screen. Therefore, the amount of transmitted light decreases significantly in the shutter part a. In this case, sha and ta part 凰 are "closed",
The photosensitive r-ram 1 is not irradiated with light. Note that when white light is used as a light source, colored light with high color purity can be obtained.
また、第４図で示すように液晶２４に逆向きの電界ビを
印加すると、液晶分子２５と染料分子２６はら旋釉Ｐに
対して対称的表方向σにその分子長軸の方向を変える。Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when an electric field B in the opposite direction is applied to the liquid crystal 24, the liquid crystal molecules 25 and the dye molecules 26 change the direction of their molecular long axes in the symmetrical surface direction σ with respect to the spiral glaze P.
この場合、第１の偏光板３３で直線偏光された光源１６
からの光は、分子長軸の方向σとは異なった方向で液晶
２４に入る。このため、入射光は染料分子２６によって
はほとんど吸収されず、第２の偏光板３４を通過して外
部へ出る。この場合、シャッタ一部ａは「開」で感光ｒ
ラム１上に光が照射される。In this case, the light source 16 linearly polarized by the first polarizing plate 33
The light enters the liquid crystal 24 in a direction different from the direction σ of the long axis of the molecules. Therefore, the incident light is hardly absorbed by the dye molecules 26 and passes through the second polarizing plate 34 and exits to the outside. In this case, the shutter part a is "open" and exposed to light r.
Light is irradiated onto the ram 1.
このようにシャッタ一部ａの「閉」の状態における透過
光量が著しく低下するので、シャッタ一部１の「開」の
状轢に対する光量比、即ち十分高いコントラストが得ら
れる。In this way, the amount of transmitted light when the shutter part a is in the "closed" state is significantly reduced, so that a ratio of the light amount to that in the "open" state of the shutter part 1, that is, a sufficiently high contrast can be obtained.
次に、偏光軸Ｕ、■を夫々光吸収軸とした場合における
シャッタ一部ａの作動について説明する。第３図で示す
場合には、光源１６からの光が第１の偏光板３３で直線
偏光され、分子長軸の配向方向０に対し直角な方向の振
動面をもつ直線偏光（第３図仮想Ｍ）が液晶２４に入射
する。この直線偏光は染料分子によってはほとんど吸収
されないので第２の偏光板３４を通過して外部へ出る。Next, the operation of the shutter portion a in the case where the polarization axes U and (2) are the light absorption axes will be explained. In the case shown in FIG. 3, the light from the light source 16 is linearly polarized by the first polarizing plate 33, and the linearly polarized light has a plane of vibration perpendicular to the orientation direction 0 of the long axis of the molecules (imaginary in FIG. 3). M) is incident on the liquid crystal 24. Since this linearly polarized light is hardly absorbed by the dye molecules, it passes through the second polarizing plate 34 and exits to the outside.
この場合、シャ、タ一部ａは「開」である。In this case, the shutters and the tabs a are "open".
を九、第４図で示す場合は、第１の偏光板３３で直線偏
光された光（第４図仮想線）は、分子長軸の配向方向σ
の方向に近り方向の振動面を有する直線偏光成分を多く
含んでおり、この光が液晶２４に入射する。この光は液
晶の複屈折性により楕円偏光にされるが、液晶の分子長
軸方向を含む振動面をもつ直線偏光成分は染料分子２６
によりほとんど吸収される。そして、第２の偏光板３４
では、染料分子２６で吸収されなかった偏光成分のうち
、この第２の偏光板３４の偏光軸Ｖの方向に一致する偏
光成分が吸収され、残余のわずかな光のみが透過する。9. When shown in FIG. 4, the light linearly polarized by the first polarizing plate 33 (imaginary line in FIG. 4) is aligned in the orientation direction σ of the long axis of the molecules.
This light is incident on the liquid crystal 24, and contains many linearly polarized light components having a plane of vibration near the direction of . This light is made into elliptically polarized light due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal, but the linearly polarized light component whose vibration plane includes the direction of the long axis of the molecules of the liquid crystal is the dye molecule 26.
is mostly absorbed by And the second polarizing plate 34
Then, among the polarized light components that are not absorbed by the dye molecules 26, the polarized light components that coincide with the direction of the polarization axis V of this second polarizing plate 34 are absorbed, and only a small amount of the remaining light is transmitted.
この場合にシャ、タ一部ａは「閉ｊである。In this case, sha, ta part a is ``closed j''.
この様にシャ、タ一部ａは、偏光板を片側だけに用いた
場合に比して第２の偏光板３４を用ｔ、−、ｆｃｍ合は
、この第２の偏光板によってシャ。In this way, the second polarizing plate 34 is used for the polarizing plate 34 in contrast to the case where the polarizing plate is used only on one side.
タ一部が「閉」状態における不要な光を遮断することが
でき、十分高ｈコントラストが得られる。When the lens is partially closed, unnecessary light can be blocked, and a sufficiently high h-contrast can be obtained.
前述した実施例は、液晶２４の厚さを、強誘電性液晶の
液晶分子から旋を形成し得る大きさに設定したものであ
るが、これに限定されず、液晶２４の厚さを、液晶分子
がら旋を形成しない大きさに設定したものにも適用でき
る。この場合には、前記各基板２１．２２により形成し
た配向膜３０，３１の配向処理により、液晶分子２５の
分子長軸の方向を決める配向を行ない、配向された液晶
分子２６の分子長軸方向に一致させて第１および第２の
偏光板３３．３４の偏光軸を設定する。この偏光軸は光
透過軸および光吸収軸のいずれでも良い。この実施例の
場合におけるシャッタ一部の作動は、前述した実施例と
同様である。In the above-mentioned embodiment, the thickness of the liquid crystal 24 is set to a size that allows the liquid crystal molecules of the ferroelectric liquid crystal to form a spiral. It can also be applied to molecules set to a size that does not form a helix. In this case, the direction of the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules 25 is determined by the alignment treatment of the alignment films 30 and 31 formed by the respective substrates 21 and 22, and the direction of the long axis of the oriented liquid crystal molecules 26 is determined. The polarization axes of the first and second polarizing plates 33 and 34 are set to match . This polarization axis may be either a light transmission axis or a light absorption axis. The operation of a portion of the shutter in this embodiment is similar to that of the previously described embodiment.
本発明の液晶シャッターとして、前述したＤｏＢＡＭＢ
Ｃからなる強誘電性液晶にチェノチアゾール系染料２重
量％を二色性染料として添加してなる液晶組成物を使用
して構成し、この液晶表示装置を２０Ｖの電圧を印加し
て作動させた結果、応答速度は７μｓ、コントラスト比
ハ２０以上であった。As the liquid crystal shutter of the present invention, the above-mentioned DoBAMB
A liquid crystal display device is constructed using a liquid crystal composition obtained by adding 2% by weight of a chenothiazole dye as a dichroic dye to a ferroelectric liquid crystal made of C, and this liquid crystal display device is operated by applying a voltage of 20 V. As a result, the response speed was 7 μs and the contrast ratio was 20 or more.
本発明の液晶シャッターを、光書込み式グリンタの光書
込み用に用いると、次のような効果がある。１０〜１０
０倍以上の応答速度が得られる。自己発熱がない。使用
する′ＷＬ極の特性および構成に制約を受け々込ために
小型化および低コスト化が図れる。When the liquid crystal shutter of the present invention is used for optical writing in an optical writing type glitterer, the following effects can be obtained. 10-10
A response speed of 0 times or more can be obtained. No self-heating. Since there are no restrictions on the characteristics and configuration of the 'WL poles used, miniaturization and cost reduction can be achieved.
本発明の液晶シャッターは、光書込み式プリンタの光書
込みに限定されず、他の用途、例えばテレビジ、ン受俊
機やコンピュータ用ディスプレイ等における画像表示に
用いることができる。The liquid crystal shutter of the present invention is not limited to optical writing in optical writing printers, but can be used in other applications, such as image display in television receivers, computer displays, and the like.
以上説明したように本発明によれば、液晶層を挾む一対
の基板の両外側に、偏光軸を相互て平行に設定した偏光
板を夫々配賀し九ので、シャッター閉状態において液晶
の染料分子に吸収されない光線が偏光板により外部へ漏
出することを防止し、漏れ光を極めて少なくすることが
でキル、従って、コントラストの高い光制御を行なえる
強誘電性液晶を用いたダスト・ホスト効果型の液晶シャ
ッターを得ることができる。As explained above, according to the present invention, polarizing plates with polarization axes set parallel to each other are arranged on both outer sides of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. A dust-host effect using ferroelectric liquid crystal that prevents light that is not absorbed by molecules from leaking to the outside by using a polarizing plate and extremely reduces leakage light.Therefore, high-contrast light control is possible. You can get a type of LCD shutter.
第１図および第２図は本発明の液晶シャッターの一実施
例を示す横断面図および平面図、第３図および第４図は
偏光板の偏光軸と液晶の分子長軸との関係を示す説明図
、第５図は偏光板と液晶層を通過する光の状態を示す説
明図、第６図および第７図は液晶表示装置を用いて光書
込みを行なう光書込み式プリンタの概略図およびその光
記録部の構成図である。
２０・・・液晶シャッター、ｚｌ、２２・・・基板、２
４・・・液晶、２５・・・液晶分子、２６・・・染料分
子、３１ 、 、？ ２・・・配向膜１．？ ３ 、．
９４・・−偏光板、ａ。
０、σ・・・分子長軸、Ｐ・・・ら旋釉、Ｕ、Ｖ・・・
偏光軸。
出願人代理人 弁理士 鈴 江 武 彦第１ｖ！Ｊ
第３図 第４図
第５図1 and 2 are cross-sectional views and plan views showing an embodiment of the liquid crystal shutter of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show the relationship between the polarization axis of the polarizing plate and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of light passing through a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal layer, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams of an optical writing printer that performs optical writing using a liquid crystal display device. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an optical recording section. 20...Liquid crystal shutter, zl, 22...Substrate, 2
4...Liquid crystal, 25...Liquid crystal molecule, 26...Dye molecule, 31, ,? 2...Alignment film 1. ? 3.
94...-Polarizing plate, a. 0, σ... Molecular long axis, P... Spiral glaze, U, V...
polarization axis. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 1st v.! J Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5
Claims (5)
た一対の基板と、この一対の基板間に封入された二色性
を有する強誘電性液晶または強誘電性液晶に二色性染料
を溶解した液晶組成物と、前記一対の基板のうち一方の
基板の外側に、前記強誘電性液晶の液晶分子の配向方向
とほぼ同一の方向に偏光軸を向けて配置した第１の偏光
板と、前記一対の基板のうち他方の基板の外側に、前記
第１の偏光板の偏光軸とほぼ平行に偏光軸を向けて配置
した第２の偏光板とを具備したことを特徴とする液晶シ
ャッター。(1) A pair of substrates facing each other with electrodes and alignment films formed on their inner surfaces, and a dichroic ferroelectric liquid crystal sealed between the pair of substrates, or a dichroic dye in the ferroelectric liquid crystal. and a first polarizing plate disposed on the outside of one of the pair of substrates with the polarization axis directed in substantially the same direction as the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the ferroelectric liquid crystal. and a second polarizing plate disposed on the outside of the other of the pair of substrates with its polarization axis oriented substantially parallel to the polarization axis of the first polarization plate. shutter.
る特許請求の範囲第１項に記載の液晶シャッター。(2) The liquid crystal shutter according to claim 1, wherein the polarization axes of the first and second polarizing plates are light transmission axes.
る特許請求の範囲第１項に記載の液晶シャッター。(3) The liquid crystal shutter according to claim 1, wherein the polarization axes of the first and second polarizing plates are light absorption axes.
内面に形成した配向膜の配向処理により配向された液晶
分子の長軸方向と一致させて配置してなる特許請求の範
囲第１項ないし第３項いずれかに記載の液晶シャッター
。(4) The first and second polarizing plates are arranged so that their polarization axes coincide with the long axis direction of liquid crystal molecules oriented by alignment treatment of an alignment film formed on the inner surface of the substrate. The liquid crystal shutter according to any one of Items 1 to 3.
の印加により配向した液晶分子の長軸方向と一致させて
配置してなる特許請求の範囲第１項ないし第３項いずれ
かに記載の液晶シャッター。(5) Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second polarizing plates are arranged so that their polarization axes coincide with the long axis direction of liquid crystal molecules oriented by application of an electric field. Liquid crystal shutter described in Crab.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60182687A JPS6242128A (en) | 1985-08-20 | 1985-08-20 | Liquid crystal shutter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60182687A JPS6242128A (en) | 1985-08-20 | 1985-08-20 | Liquid crystal shutter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS6242128A true JPS6242128A (en) | 1987-02-24 |
Family
ID=16122677
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60182687A Pending JPS6242128A (en) | 1985-08-20 | 1985-08-20 | Liquid crystal shutter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6242128A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0286903A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1990-03-27 | Toshiba Corp | Geothermal steam turbine bypass controller |
| JPH02256803A (en) * | 1988-12-02 | 1990-10-17 | Ormat Turbines 1965 Ltd | Device for generating power actuated by steam and power generating method |
-
1985
- 1985-08-20 JP JP60182687A patent/JPS6242128A/en active Pending
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0286903A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1990-03-27 | Toshiba Corp | Geothermal steam turbine bypass controller |
| JPH02256803A (en) * | 1988-12-02 | 1990-10-17 | Ormat Turbines 1965 Ltd | Device for generating power actuated by steam and power generating method |
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