Patent ID: 6078370
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A method of constructing an array of pixels for use in a multi-pixel liquid crystal display, comprising the steps of:a. coating a first substrate with a photo-alignable compound, thereby forming a first orientation surface;b. placing a first mask over the first orientation surface, the first mask defining a first plurality of windows, each window corresponding to a selected pixel of a first group of pixels of the display so that a first portion of the first orientation surface subtends the first plurality of windows;c. illuminating the first portion of the first orientation surface subtending the first plurality of windows with a linearly polarized light having a first polar orientation, so that the photo-alignable compound of the first orientation surface subtending the first plurality of windows becomes cured, so as to have a first orientation;d. placing a second mask over the first orientation surface, the second mask defining a second plurality of windows, each window corresponding to a selected pixel of a second group of pixels of the display so that a second portion of the first orientation surface subtends the second plurality of windows;e. illuminating the second portion of the first orientation surface subtending the second plurality of windows with a linearly polarized light having a second polar orientation, different from the first polar orientation, so that the photo-alignable compound of the first orientation surface subtending the second plurality of windows becomes cured, so as to have a second orientation, different from the first orientation;f. coating a second substrate with a pre-polymer, thereby forming a second orientation surface;g. placing a third mask over the second orientation surface, the third mask defining a third plurality of windows, each window corresponding to a selected pixel of the first group of pixels of the display so that a first portion of the second orientation surface subtends the third plurality of windows;h. illuminating the first portion of the second orientation surface subtending the third plurality of windows with a linearly polarized light having a third polar orientation, so that the photo-alignable compound of the second orientation surface subtending the third plurality of windows becomes cured, so as to have a third orientation;i. placing a fourth mask over the second orientation surface, the fourth mask defining a fourth plurality of windows, each window corresponding to a selected pixel of the second group of pixels of the display so that a second portion of the second orientation surface subtends the fourth plurality of windows;j. illuminating the second portion of the second orientation surface subtending the fourth plurality of windows with a linearly polarized light having a fourth polar orientation, different from the third polar orientation, so that the photo-alignable compound of the second orientation surface subtending the fourth plurality of windows becomes cured, so as to have a fourth orientation, different from the third orientation;k. placing the first substrate and the second substrate parallel to each other with the first orientation surface and the second orientation surface facing each other, thereby defining a cavity therebetween; andl. injecting a liquid crystal into the cavity.