Abstract:
The invention relates to liquid crystal displays used in television receivers and display sections of electronic apparatus and, more particularly, to a liquid crystal display in which a polymeric material included in a liquid crystal material is polymerized to impart a pre-tilt angle to the liquid crystal material. The invention provides a liquid crystal display in which gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction are improved and in which reduction in luminance is suppressed. The liquid crystal display includes a TFT substrate and an opposite substrate provided opposite to each other and a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal material and a polymer sealed between the substrates. A pixel region of the liquid crystal display has a first sub-pixel formed with a first pixel electrode electrically connected to a source electrode of a TFT through a connection electrode and two second sub-pixels formed with two second pixel electrodes which sandwich an insulation film with the connection electrode to form a control capacitance and which are separated from the first pixel electrode.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays used in television receivers and display sections of electronic apparatus and, more particularly, to a liquid crystal display in which a polymeric material included in a liquid crystal material is polymerized to impart a pre-tilt angle to the liquid crystal material. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There is a recent trend toward larger display screens in the field of liquid crystal displays having a liquid crystal display panel for the use of such displays as display sections of television receivers. For this reason, higher display quality is required for liquid crystal displays. However, it is difficult to achieve characteristics required for a display section of a television receiver using a liquid crystal display employing the TN (Twisted Nematic) method which has been the main stream of the field because of the narrow viewing angle resulting from the method. Under the circumstance, techniques other than the TN method are currently being put in use in order to achieve the property of a wide viewing angle. One of such techniques is referred to as MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) method. In an MVA type liquid crystal display, liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal layer sealed between two substrates combined in a face-to-face relationship are aligned perpendicular to the substrates, and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is regulated by protrusions formed on the substrates or slits, provided on a transparent electrode (ITO). 
   It is known in general that when the vertical alignment method in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to substrates, optical characteristics measured in a direction oblique to a direction normal to the display screen are different from optical characteristics in the normal direction.  FIG. 11  is a graph showing characteristics of luminance relative to input gradations (gradation/luminance characteristics) of a vertical alignment type liquid crystal display. The abscissa axis represents input gradations (in gray scale), and the ordinate axis represents luminance (T/Twhite) normalized with reference to the luminance of display of white (TWhite). The curve in a solid line in the figure indicates gradation/luminance characteristics in a direction perpendicular to the display screen (hereinafter referred to as a square direction), and the curve connecting black triangular symbols in the figure indicates gradation/luminance characteristics in a direction at an azimuth angle of 90° and a polar angle of 60° to the display screen (hereinafter referred to as an oblique direction). An azimuth angle is an angle measured counterclockwise with reference to the direction to the right of the display screen. A polar angle is an angle to a line that is vertical to the center of the display screen. 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , gradation/luminance characteristics in a direction oblique to the direction of a polarization axis significantly deviate from gradation/luminance characteristic in the square direction. For example, luminance in the oblique direction is higher than luminance in the square direction in the range of gradations from 0 to 210, whereas luminance in the oblique direction is lower than luminance in the square direction in the range of gradations from 210 to 255 or higher. As a result, when the screen is viewed in the oblique direction, there are small differences in luminance between input gradations, and the color of an image appears more whitish compared to a view of the same in the square direction. 
   A known solution to this problem is a liquid crystal display having a pixel structure including a pixel electrode electrically connected to a source electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) for a pixel and another pixel electrode that is separated from the pixel electrode and insulated from the source electrode. In such a liquid crystal display, an electrostatic capacitance is formed by the pixel electrode insulated from the source electrode, the source electrode, and an insulation film sandwiched between the two electrodes. The pixel electrode insulated from the source electrode is driven by the electrostatic capacitance. 
     FIG. 12  shows a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal display having the pixel structure including two separated pixel electrodes. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a gate bus line  106  and a plurality of drain bus lines  108  are formed on a glass substrate  103 , the drain bus lines extending across the gate bus line  106  with an insulation film (not shown) interposed between them. A TFT  110  is disposed in the vicinity of an intersection between the gate bus line  106  and a drain bus line  108 , a TFT being formed at each pixel. A part of the gate bus line  106  serves as a gate electrode  110   c  of the TFT  110 . An active semiconductor layer and a channel protection film (both of which are not shown) of the TFT  110  are formed above the gate bus line  106  with an insulation film interposed. A drain electrode  110   a  along with an n-type impurity semiconductor layer (not shown) underlying the same and a source electrode  110   b  along with an n-type impurity semiconductor layer (not shown) underlying the same are formed on the channel protection film of the TFT  110  above the gate electrode  110   c , the electrodes facing each other across a predetermined gap. 
   A storage capacitor bus line  114  is formed to extend in parallel with the gate bus line  106  across a pixel region which is defined by the gate bus line  106  and the drain bus lines  108 . A storage capacitor electrode (intermediate electrode)  116  is formed at each pixel above the storage capacitor bus line  114  with an insulation film interposed between them. The storage capacitor electrode  116  is electrically connected to the source electrode  110   b  of the TFT  110  through a connection electrode  111 . A storage capacitor Cs is formed by the storage capacitor bus line  114 , the storage capacitor electrode  116 , and the insulation film sandwiched between them. 
   The pixel region defined by the gate bus line  106  and the drain bus lines  108  is divided into a sub-pixel  120  and a sub-pixel  122 . For example, the sub-pixel  120 , which has a trapezoidal shape, is disposed on the left side of a central part of the pixel region, and the sub-pixel  122  is disposed in upper part and lower parts of the pixel region and on the right side of the central part excluding the area of the sub-pixel  120 . Referring to the disposition of the sub-pixels  120  and  122  in the pixel region, they are substantially line symmetric about the storage capacitor bus line  114 . A pixel electrode  121  is formed at the sub-pixel  120 , and a pixel electrode  123 , which is separate from the pixel electrode  121 , is formed at the sub-pixel  122 . Both of the pixel electrodes  121  and  123  are constituted by a transparent conductive film such as an ITO. The pixel electrode  121  is electrically connected to the storage capacitor electrode  116  and the source electrode  110   b  of the TFT  110  through a contact hole  118  which is an opening in a protective film (not shown). The pixel electrode  123  has a region which overlaps the connection electrode  111  with a protective film and an insulation film interposed between them. In that region, an electrostatic capacitance Cc is formed by the connection electrode  111 , the pixel electrode  123 , and the protective film sandwiched between the electrodes  111  and  123 . 
   A common electrode, which is not shown, is formed on an opposite glass substrate (not shown) provided opposite to the glass substrate  103 . A linear protrusion  112   a  as an alignment regulating structure for regulating the direction of alignment of the liquid crystal is formed so as to protrude from the opposite glass substrate in a position opposite to the connecting electrode  111  diagonally extending in the figure. A linear protrusion  112   b  is formed so as to protrude from the opposite glass substrate in a position in which it is substantially line symmetric with the liner protrusion  112   a  about the storage capacitor bus line  114 . Further, a V-shaped linear protrusion  112   c  is formed such that it is disposed above the pixel electrode  121  on the left side of the central part of the pixel region. The linear protrusion  112   c  is substantially line symmetric about the storage capacitor bus line  114 . 
   At the sub-pixel  120 , a liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1  is formed by pixel electrode  121 , the common electrode, and the liquid crystal sandwiched between those electrodes. At the sub-pixel  122 , a liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  is formed by the pixel electrode  123 , the common electrode, and the liquid crystal sandwiched between those electrodes. The liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  and the electrostatic capacitance Cc are connected in series between the glass substrate  103  and the opposite glass substrate. 
   When the TFT  110  is turned on, the source electrode  110   b  and the connection electrode  111  bear the same potential as a gradation voltage V D  applied to a drain bus line  108 , and the pixel electrode  121  in electrical connection with them also bears the same potential as the gradation voltage V D . A voltage originating from a potential difference applied between the pixel electrode  121  and the common electrode is applied to the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1 . For example, when the voltage applied to the common electrode is 0 V, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1  is equal to the gradation voltage V D  (=V D −0V). On the other hand, the pixel electrode  123 , which is electrically insulated, is applied with a voltage that is obtained by dividing the gradation voltage V D  based on the ratio between the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  and the electrostatic capacitance Cc. The voltage applied to the pixel electrode  123  (represented by V 1 ) can be expressed as follows.
 
 V   1   =V   D   ×{Cc /( Clc 2+ Cc )}  (1)
 
   As apparent from the above, there is a difference between thresholds of the pixel electrode  121  which is electrically connected to the source electrode  110   b  and the pixel electrode  123  which is insulated from the same. Consequently, gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction are significantly improved. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the curve representing gradation/luminance characteristics in a square direction bulges downward. On the contrary, the curve indicating gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction of an MVA type display in the related art is a mixture of a range in which the curve greatly bulges upward (the range of gradations from 0 to about 210) and a range in which the curve bulges downward (the range of gradations from about 210 to 255). Therefore, missing or spreading gradations can be generated depending on gradation data to be displayed, which results in variation of the color of an image. In the case of a liquid crystal display having the pixel structure shown in  FIG. 12 , a curve indicating gradation/luminance characteristics of the apparatus in a direction oblique thereto will include substantially no upward or downward bulge, and the apparatus will have significantly high gradation characteristics. 
   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-149647 
   A liquid crystal display having the pixel structure shown in  FIG. 12  can provide improved gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction. However, as indicated by Expression 1, the voltage V 1  applied to the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  of the sub-pixel  122  decreases below the gradation voltage V D . Therefore, the absolute value of the luminance in an oblique direction of the liquid crystal display is smaller than that of a liquid crystal display without such a pixel structure. Further, since a pixel region of the liquid crystal display is divided into two regions, the disposition of the linear protrusions (bank-like structures) and slits in the pixel electrodes (gaps in the pixel electrodes  121  and  123 ) become complicated. A problem consequently arises in that the aperture ratio is substantially reduced to reduce luminance. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid crystal display in which gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction are improved and in which reduction in luminance is suppressed. 
   The above-described object is achieved by a liquid crystal display, characterized in that it includes a substrate, an opposite substrate provided opposite to the substrate, a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal material, and a polymer obtained by polymerizing a polymeric material by light or heat and sealed between the substrate and the opposite substrate, an alignment regulating structure for regulating the direction of alignment of the liquid crystal material, a gate bus line formed on the substrate, a drain bus line formed across the gate bus line with an insulation film interposed between them, a pixel transistor having a gate electrode electrically connected to the gate bus line, a drain electrode electrically connected to the drain bus line, and a source electrode provided above the gate electrode and opposite to the drain electrode with a predetermined gap left between them, and a pixel region having a first sub-pixel formed with a first pixel electrode electrically connected to the source electrode through a connection electrode and a second sub-pixel formed with a second pixel electrode which sandwiches an insulation film between itself and the connection electrode to form a predetermined electric capacitance and which is separated from the first pixel electrode. 
   The present invention makes it possible to provide a liquid crystal display in which gradation/luminance characteristics in an oblique direction are improved and in which reduction in luminance is suppressed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are enlarged views of a second sub-pixel  22  of the liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 4A to 4C  are illustrations for explaining a height h of a linear protrusion  12  of the liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  shows a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  shows a configuration of one pixel of a modification of the liquid crystal display according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a section of a pixel region of the modification of the liquid crystal display according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  show a configuration of one pixel of another modification of the liquid crystal display according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  shows gradation/luminance characteristics of a liquid crystal display according to the related art; and 
       FIG. 12  shows a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal display according to the related art. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   First Embodiment  
   A liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . First, a configuration of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, the liquid crystal display which is an MVA type display, has a liquid crystal display panel constructed by combining a TFT substrate  2  having such as a pixel electrode and a TFT formed at each pixel region thereof and an opposite substrate  4  having such as a CF layer formed thereon in a face-to-face relationship and sealing a liquid crystal material having negative dielectric constant anisotropy between the substrate. Vertical alignment films for aligning liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material in, for example, a direction perpendicular to substrate surfaces are formed on surfaces of the substrates  2  and  4  facing each other. 
   A gate bus line driving circuit  80  loaded with a driver IC for driving a plurality of gate bus lines and a drain bus line driving circuit  82  loaded with a driver IC for driving a plurality of drain bus lines are provided on the TFT substrate  2 . The driving circuits  80  and  82  output scan signals and data signals to predetermined gate bus lines and drain bus lines based on predetermined signals output by a control circuit  84 . 
   A polarizer  87  is applied to a surface of the TFT substrate  2  that is opposite to the surface thereof on which the elements are formed. A backlight unit  88  constituted by, for example, a linear primary light source and a planar light guide plate is disposed on a side of the polarizer  87  that is opposite to the side thereof facing the TFT substrate  2 . A polarizer  86  is applied to a surface of the opposite substrate  4  that is opposite to the surface thereof on which a resin CF layer is formed. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment.  FIG. 2A  shows a configuration of one of a plurality of pixels formed like a matrix as viewed in a direction normal to a glass substrate  3 .  FIG. 2B  is a view of a section taken along the line A-A indicated by a chain line in  FIG. 2A . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the liquid crystal display has the TFT substrate  2  and the opposite substrate  4  provided opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal composition  30  sealed between the substrates  2  and  4 . The liquid crystal composition  30  includes a liquid crystal material which is aligned substantially perpendicularly to substrate surfaces when no voltage is applied and which has negative dielectric constant anisotropy and a polymer which is provided as a result of polymerization of a polymeric material (a monomer or oligomer) by light or heat. For example, the liquid crystal composition  30  includes 0.3% diacrylate monomer by weight as the polymeric material. Although not shown, an alignment film having vertically aligning properties is formed on each of surfaces of the TFT substrate  2  and the opposite substrate  4  facing each other. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the TFT substrate  2  has a gate bus line  6  formed on a glass substrate  3  and a plurality of drain bus lines  8  formed so as to extend across the gate bus line  6  with an insulation film  26  interposed between them. A TFT (a pixel transistor)  10  is disposed in the vicinity of an intersection between the gate bus line  6  and a drain bus line  8 , a TFT being formed at each pixel. 
   The TFT  10  has a gate electrode  10   c  which is electrically connected to the gate bus line  6 , a drain electrode  10   a  which is electrically connected to a drain bus line  8 , and a source electrode  10   b  which is disposed above the gate electrode  10   c  so as to face the drain electrode  10   a  with a predetermined gap left between them. A part of the gate bus line  6  serves as the gate electrode  10   c  of the TFT  10 . An active semiconductor layer and a channel protection film (both of which are not shown) of the TFT  10  are formed above the gate bus line  6  with the insulation film  26  interposed. The drain electrode  10   a  along with an n-type impurity semiconductor layer (not shown) underlying the same and the source electrode  10   b  along with an n-type impurity semiconductor layer (not shown) underlying the same are formed on a channel protection film of the TFT  10  above the gate electrode  10   c , the electrodes facing each other across a predetermined gap. 
   A storage capacitor bus line  14  is formed to extend in parallel with the gate bus line  6  across a pixel region which is defined by the gate bus line  6  and the drain bus lines  8 . A connection electrode  11 , which is electrically connected to the source electrode  10   b , is formed substantially in the middle of the pixel region across the storage capacitor bus line  14  so as to extend in parallel with the drain bus lines  8 . The drain electrode  10   a , the source electrode  10   b , and the connection electrode are formed in the same layer as the drain bus lines  8 . A storage capacitor electrode (intermediate electrode)  16  is formed at each pixel above the storage capacitor bus line  14  with an insulation film  26  interposed between them. The storage capacitor electrode  16  is electrically connected to the source electrode  10   b  of the TFT  10  through the connection electrode  11 . A storage capacitor Cs is formed by the storage capacitor bus line  14 , the storage capacitor electrode  16 , and the insulation film  26  sandwiched between them. 
   The pixel region defined by the gate bus line  6  and the drain bus lines  8  is divided into a first sub-pixel  20  and two second sub-pixels  22  and  24  which are disposed side by side in the extending direction of the drain bus lines  8 . The first sub-pixel  20  has a first pixel electrode  21  formed in a substantially square shape. The first pixel electrode  21  is constituted by a transparent conductive film such as an ITO. The first pixel electrode  21  is electrically connected to the connection electrode  11 , storage capacitor electrode  16  and the source electrode  10   b  of the TFT  10  through a contact hole  18  which is an opening in a protective film  27  formed above the pixel region. 
   The second sub-pixel  22  has a second pixel electrode  23  formed in a substantially square shape. The second sub-pixel  24  has a second pixel electrode  25  formed in a substantially square shape. The second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  are constituted by a transparent conductive film such as an ITO. The second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  are formed separately from the first pixel electrode  21  and are in therefore a floating state. A control capacitance (a predetermined electrical capacitance) Cc 1  is formed by the second pixel electrode  23 , the connection electrode  11 , and the protective film (insulation film)  27  sandwiched between the electrodes  11  and  23 . Similarly, a control capacitance (a predetermined electrical capacitance) Cc 1 ′ is formed by the second pixel electrode  25 , the connection electrode  11 , and the protective film (insulation film)  27  sandwiched between the electrodes  11  and  25 . The second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  are disposed side by side in the extending direction of the drain bus lines  8  so as to sandwich the first pixel electrode  21 . 
   The opposite substrate  4  includes a common electrode  28  constituted by a transparent conductive film formed on a glass substrate  5 . The opposite substrate  4  includes a linear protrusion (bank-like structure)  12  which is formed to protrude from the glass substrate  5  and which serves as an alignment regulating structure for regulating the direction of alignment of liquid crystal molecules  32  in the liquid crystal material. The linear protrusion  12  is formed with a height h of about 0.7 μm. As shown in FIG.  2 A, the linear protrusion  12  has a trunk portion  12   a , a first branch portion  12   b , and second branch portions  12   c  and  12   d . The trunk portion  12   a  extends substantially in the middle of the pixel region substantially in parallel with the drain bus lines  8 , and the portion is formed across the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24 . The first branch portion  12   b  is formed in the region of the first sub-pixel  20  so as to extend substantially orthogonally to the trunk portion  12   a . The second branch portions  12   c  and  12   d  are formed in the regions of the sub-pixels  22  and  24 , respectively, so as to extend substantially orthogonally to the trunk portion  12   a . The trunk portion  12   a  is disposed opposite to the position where the connection electrode  11  is formed. The trunk portion  12   a  is formed so as to overlap the connection electrode  11  when viewed in a direction normal to the glass substrate  3 . 
   The first and the second branch portions  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d  are formed so as to extend substantially in parallel with the gate bus line  6  across the drain bus lines  8  adjacent to each other. The first branch portion  12   b  provided in the region of the first sub-pixel  20  is formed so as to overlap the storage capacitor bus line  14  when viewed in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 . Any reduction in the aperture ratio can be prevented by disposing the trunk portion  12   a  and the first branch portion  12   b  in the pixel region in such a manner. 
   The first sub-pixel  20  is divided at the trunk portion  12   a , the first branch portion  12   b , and a peripheral part of the first pixel electrode  21  to provide four divisions  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , and  20   d . Similarly, when viewed in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 , the second sub-pixel  22  is divided at the trunk portion  12   a , the second branch portion  12   c , and a peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  23  to provide four divisions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d . Similarly, when viewed in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 , the second sub-pixel  24  is divided at the trunk portion  12   a , the second branch portion  12   d , and a peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  25  to provide four divisions  24   a ,  24   b ,  24   c , and  24   d.    
   When a voltage is applied between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23  and  25  and the common electrode  28 , the electric field applied to the liquid crystal composition  30  is distorted by the peripheral parts of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  and the linear protrusion  12 . The distortion of the electric field regulates the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules  32  in the vicinity of the peripheral parts of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  and the linear protrusion  12 . As a result, the liquid crystal molecules  32  are tilted in a different direction in each of the divisions  20   a  to  20   d , the divisions  22   a  to  22   d , and the divisions  24   a  to  24   d . For example, in the section shown in  FIG. 2B , the liquid crystal molecules  32  are tilted clockwise from the direction perpendicular to the TFT substrate  2  in the division  22   a  and are tilted counterclockwise in the division  22   b . As thus described, the use of the MVA method allows the viewing angle characteristics of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment to be improved. 
   At the first sub-pixel  20 , a liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1  is formed by the first pixel electrode  21 , the common electrode  28 , and the liquid crystal composition  30  sandwiched between the electrodes  21  and  28 . At the second sub-pixel  22 , a liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  is formed by the second pixel electrode  23 , the common electrode  28 , and the liquid crystal composition  30  sandwiched between the electrodes  23  and  28 . The liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  is connected to the control capacitance Cc 1  in series between the glass substrate  3  and the glass substrate  5 . Similarly, at the second sub-pixel  24 , a liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2 ′ is formed by the second pixel electrode  25 , the common electrode  28 , and the liquid crystal composition  30  sandwiched between the electrodes  25  and  28 . The liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2 ′ is connected to a control capacitance Cc 1 ′ in series between the glass substrate  3  and the glass substrate  5 . 
   When the TFT  10  is turned on, the source electrode  10   b  and the connection electrode  11  bear the same potential as a gradation voltage V D  applied to a drain bus line  8 , and the first pixel electrode  21  in electrical connection with them also bears the same potential as the gradation voltage V D . A voltage originating from a potential difference applied between the first pixel electrode  21  and the common electrode  28  is applied to the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1 . For example, when the voltage applied to the common electrode  28  is 0 V, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 1  is equal to the gradation voltage V D  (=V D −0V). On the other hand, a voltage obtained by capacitance-dividing the gradation voltage V D  based on the ratio between the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2  and the control capacitance Cc 1  is applied to the second pixel electrode  23  which is capacitively coupled to the connection electrode  11 . The voltage applied to the second pixel electrode  23  (represented by V) can be expressed as follows.
 
 V=V   D   ×{Cc 1/( Clc 2+ Cc 1)}  (2)
 
   Similarly, a voltage obtained by capacitance-dividing the gradation voltage V D  based on the ratio between the liquid crystal capacitance Clc 2 ′ and the control capacitance Cc 1 ′ is applied to the second pixel electrode  25 . The voltage applied to the second pixel electrode  25  (represented by V′) can be expressed as follows.
 
 V′=V   D   ×{Cc 1′/( Clc 2′+ Cc 1′)}  (3)
 
   Since one pixel region can be driven by different voltages as thus described, the gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display in an oblique direction can be improved. While the voltages V and V′ applied to the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  may have the same value, three different gradation/luminance characteristics can be provided in the single pixel region at the same time when they are different voltage values. The viewing angle characteristics of the liquid crystal display can be further improved. 
   A method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 3B .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are enlarged views of the second sub-pixel  22  taken in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 .  FIG. 3A  shows a state of the same before the monomer is polymerized.  FIG. 3B  shows a state of the same after the monomer is polymerized. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the alignment films (vertical alignment films) are printed and baked on the surfaces of the TFT substrate  2  and the opposite substrate  4  facing to each other. The substrates  2  and  4  are combined by applying a seal material to the periphery of one of the substrates. The liquid crystal composition  30  is then injected between the substrates which are thereafter cut and chamfered to obtain a liquid crystal display panel. 
   When a voltage is applied between the substrates  2  and  4  after the liquid crystal composition  30  is injected, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the liquid crystal molecules  32  begin declining in a direction perpendicular to the linear protrusion  12  or the periphery of the second pixel electrode  23 . The periphery of the second pixel electrode  23  intersects with each of the trunk portion  12   a  and the second branch portion  12   c  at an angle of about 90°. The liquid crystal molecules  32  declining in respective directions collide with each other in the middle of the second sub-pixel  22  and finally settle at an angle of substantially 45° to the linear protrusion  12  or the periphery of the second pixel electrode  23  as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
   When irradiated with ultraviolet light in this state, the diacrylate monomer mixed in the liquid crystal composition  30  is polymerized to fix the direction of alignment of the liquid crystal molecules  32 . When a voltage is applied between the substrates  2  and  4  after the monomer is polymerized (after the irradiation with ultraviolet light), the liquid crystal molecules  32  immediately incline in a direction substantially at an angle of 45° to the linear protrusion  12  or the periphery of the second pixel electrode  23 . 
   Next, polarizers  86  and  87  (see  FIG. 1 ) are applied to outer surfaces of the substrates  2  and  4 , respectively, on a crossed Nicols basis such that their polarization axes will be parallel or perpendicular to the linear protrusion  12  or the periphery of the second pixel electrode  23 . Next, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the gate bus line driving circuit  80 , the drain bus line driving circuit  82 , and the control circuit  84  are mounted on the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight unit  88  is then disposed on a side of the polarizer  87  that is opposite to the side thereof facing the TFT substrate  2 . Thus, a normally black liquid crystal display is completed. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3B , the second sub pixel  22  has four divisions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d . The liquid crystal molecules  32  are tilted in different directions in the divisions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , and  22   d , respectively. The liquid crystal molecules  32  in the division  22   b  are tilted substantially in parallel with a direction which is at a counterclockwise rotation of about 45° from the second branch portion  12   c , the intersection between the trunk portion  12   a  and the second branch portion  12   c  being the axis of rotation. The liquid crystal molecules  32  in the division  22   a  are tilted substantially in parallel with a direction which is a rotation of about 135° in the same direction. The liquid crystal molecules  32  in the division  22   c  are tilted substantially in parallel with a direction which is a rotation of about 225° in the same direction. The liquid crystal molecules  32  in the division  22   d  are tilted substantially in parallel with a direction which is at a rotation of about 315° in the same direction. Although not shown, the liquid crystal molecules  32  in the divisions  20   a  to  20   d  of the first sub-pixel  20  and the divisions  24   a  to  24   d  of the second sub-pixel  24  are also tilted in the same directions as in the divisions  22   a  to  22   d  of the second sub-pixel  22 , respectively. As a result, the liquid crystal display can be provided with the property of a wide viewing angle. 
   A description will now be made on the height h of the linear protrusion  12  with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4C .  FIGS. 4A to 4C  show the second sub-pixel  22  in a state in which the height h of the linear protrusion  12  is not an optimum value.  FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of the second sub-pixel  22  taken in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 .  FIG. 4B  shows a section of the second sub-pixel  22 .  FIG. 4C  shows a state of display of the second sub-pixel  22  photographed using a camera with a microscope. The connection electrode  11  is omitted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  for easier understanding. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4A , the trunk portion  12   a  of the linear protrusion  12  is formed in the vicinity of a drain bus line  8  in parallel with the same. The second branch portion  12   c  is substantially orthogonal to the trunk portion  12   a  and is formed on the peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  23  which is opposite to the peripheral part of the electrode in the vicinity of the gate bus line  6 . When the linear protrusion  12  is formed with a height h of 0.35 μm which is smaller than the optimum height h of 0.7 μm, a force for regulating the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules  32  provided by an electric field at the linear protrusion  12  is smaller then an alignment regulating force provided by an electric field at the periphery of the second pixel region  23 . As a result, when a voltage is applied between the substrates  2  and  4 , some of the liquid crystal molecules  32  inline in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the molecules are supposed to incline (the tilting direction of the five liquid crystal molecules  32  shown on the right side of  FIG. 4B ) as shown in the ellipse in a broken line in  FIG. 4B . Thus, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules  32  is disturbed. 
   When the linear protrusion  12  is formed with a height h of 1.4 μm which is greater than the optimum height h of 0.7 μm, the force for regulating the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules  32  provided by the electric field at the linear protrusion  12  is greater than the alignment regulating force provided by the electric field at the periphery of the second pixel region  23 . As a result, the liquid crystal molecules  32  in the vicinity of the linear protrusion  12  cannot be tilted in a direction at an angle of 45° to the linear protrusion  12  as shown in the ellipses in broken lines in  FIG. 4A . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the second sub-pixel  22  has dark parts  34  which do not transmit light at the periphery thereof. Dark parts  34  are also generated because of a reduction in transmittance at the peripheral parts of the second pixel electrode  23  on the side thereof where the linear protrusion  12  is not formed. The display characteristics of the liquid crystal display are thus degraded both when the height h of the linear protrusion  12  is too great and when it is too small. Studies made by the present inventors have revealed that the optimum height h of the linear protrusion  12  is about 0.7 μm. The linear protrusion  12  of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment is formed with a height of 0.7 μm. 
   As described above, one pixel region of the liquid crystal display can be driven by different voltages. In the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment, the capacitance values of the capacitances Clc 1 , Clc 2 , Cc 1 , Clc 2 ′, and Cc 1 ′ are set such that a threshold difference of 1 V is generated between the first sub-pixel  20  and the second sub-pixels  22  and  24 . The ratio of the area of the first sub-pixel  20  to the area of the second sub-pixels  22  and  24  is set at 4:6. The threshold difference and the area ratio are not limited to those values, and the gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display can be set as desired by changing those values. 
     FIG. 5  is a graph showing the characteristics of luminance relative to input gradations (gradation/luminance characteristics) of the vertical alignment type liquid crystal display of the present embodiment. The abscissa axis represents input gradations (in gray scale), and the ordinate axis represents luminance (T/Twhite) normalized with reference to the luminance of display of white (TWhite). The curve in a solid line in the figure indicates gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment obtained in a direction square to the same. The curve connecting black square symbols in the figure indicates gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment obtained in a direction oblique to the same. The curve connecting black triangular symbols in the figure indicates gradation/luminance characteristics of a liquid crystal display according to the related art obtained in a direction oblique to the same. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment in the oblique direction are significantly higher than the gradation/luminance characteristics in the related art. Referring to the gradation/luminance characteristics in the square direction, the luminance monotonously becomes higher as the input gradation becomes greater, and the curve indicating such characteristics opens upward. Referring to the gradation/luminance characteristics in the oblique direction in the related art, the luminance in the oblique direction is higher than the luminance in the square direction for gradations in the range from 0 to about 210, but the luminance in the oblique direction is lower than the luminance in the square direction for gradations of about 210 or more. The curve indicating such characteristics is a mixture of a part in which the curve greatly bulges upward and a part in which the curve bulges downward. As a result, when the display screen of the liquid crystal display according to the related art is viewed in the oblique direction, differences in luminance between input gradations are small. Thus, some gradations can be missed or spread, which can result in, for example, a change of a color of an image into a whitish color. 
   On the contrary, referring to the gradation/luminance characteristics of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment in the direction oblique thereto, the luminance is higher than that the luminance in the square direction for all gradations. Unlike the curve indicating gradation/luminance characteristics according to the related art, the curve indicating such characteristics does not include a part in which the curve greatly bulges upward and a part in which the curve bulges downward. Therefore, there is no missing gradation or spreading gradation on the display screen of the liquid crystal display when viewed in a direction oblique thereto, and it is possible to prevent the color of an image from changing into a whitish color. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the storage capacitor Cs of the liquid crystal display in the present embodiment is provided only at the first sub-pixel  20  having the first pixel electrode  21  electrically connected to the source electrode  10   b  through the connection electrode  11 . The storage capacitor bus line  14  forming the storage capacitor Cs is disposed so as to extend substantially in the middle of the pixel region substantially in parallel with the gate bus line  6 . The storage capacitor Cs is formed in the region where the storage capacitor bus line  14  and the storage capacitor electrode  16  overlap. The storage capacitor electrode  16  and the connection electrode  11  may be formed integrally with each other and may be formed in a cross-like shape when viewed in the direction normal to the glass substrate  3 . 
   When a storage capacitor bus line is provided in parallel with the gate bus line  6  in each of the regions of the second sub-pixels  22  and  24  having the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  capacitively coupled to the connection electrode  11 , a part of a light-transmitting area of the pixel region is obscured. The transmittance of the liquid crystal display is consequently reduced. For this reason, no storage capacitor bus line is provided in the regions of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment where the second sub-pixels  22  and  24  are formed. For example, a storage capacitor electrode formed integrally with the connection electrode  11  may be provided in the regions where the second sub-pixels  22  and  24  are formed, and a storage capacitor bus line may be disposed opposite to the storage capacitor electrode to form a storage capacitor between them, although the transmittance of the liquid crystal display is slightly reduced. 
   As described above, in the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment, the first sub-pixel  20  and the second sub-pixels  22  and  24 , which can be driven by voltages different from one and the same gradation voltage V D , are provided in a single pixel region. The liquid crystal display can therefore be provided with improved gradation/luminance characteristics in a direction oblique thereto. Further, the pixel region has a simple structure in which each of the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24  having a square shape is divided by the linear protrusion  12  into four divisions in the form of a matrix. Therefore, the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be easily disposed, and the ratio of the area of the first and the second sub-pixels  21 ,  23 , and  25  to the area of the pixel region can be made greater than the ratio of the area of the pixel electrodes  121  and  123  of the liquid crystal display according to the related art. As a result, the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment can be made higher than that of a liquid crystal display according to the related art to achieve higher luminance of the display screen. 
   Second Embodiment  
   A liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . The general configuration of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment will not be described because it is similar to that of the liquid crystal display of the first embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows a configuration of one of a plurality of pixels in the form of a matrix of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment as viewed in a direction normal to a glass substrate  3 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment is characterized in that it includes a first pixel electrode  21  having a slit portion  21   b  formed in a direction substantially in parallel with the declining direction of a liquid crystal material and second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  having respective slit portions  23   b  and  25   b  providing the same effect as the slit portion  21   b  at the periphery thereof. 
   The first pixel electrode  21  includes a solid portion  21   a  disposed in the middle thereof and the slit portion  21   b  which is disposed around the solid portion  21   a  and which is formed like comb teeth. The slit portion  21   b  has a plurality of linear electrode parts  21   c  extending from the solid portion  21   a  and cut-out parts  21   d  formed between adjoining linear electrode parts  21   c . The linear electrode parts  21   c  extend in four different directions in divisions  20   a  to  20   d  of the pixel, respectively. In  FIG. 6 , the linear electrode parts  21   c  in the division  20   a  extend upward and to the left, and the linear electrode parts  21   c  in the division  20   b  extend upward and to the right. The linear electrode parts  21   c  in the division  20   c  extend downward and to the left, and the linear electrode parts  21   c  in the division  20   d  extend downward and to the right. The liquid crystal molecules are tilted in parallel with the extending directions of the linear electrode parts  21   c  and toward the solid portion  21   a . Thus, the alignment of the liquid crystal composition is divided in four directions in the first sub-pixel  20 . 
   Similarly, the second pixel electrode  23  includes a solid portion  23   a  disposed in the middle thereof and the slit portion  23   b  which is disposed around the solid portion  23   a  and which is formed like comb teeth. The slit portion  23   b  has a plurality of linear electrode parts  23   c  extending from the solid portion  23   a  and cut-out parts  23   d  formed between adjoining linear electrode parts  23   c . Similarly, the second pixel electrode  25  includes a solid portion  25   a  disposed in the middle thereof and the slit portion  25   b  which is disposed around the solid portion  25   a  and which is formed like comb teeth. The slit portion  25   b  has a plurality of linear electrode parts  25   c  extending from the solid portion  25   a  and cut-out parts  25   d  formed between adjoining linear electrode parts  25   c . The liquid crystal molecules are tilted in parallel with the extending directions of the linear electrode parts  23   c  and  25   c  and toward the solid portions  23   a  and  25   a . Thus, the alignment of the liquid crystal composition is divided in four directions in each of the second sub-pixels  22  and  24 . 
   In the liquid crystal display of the first embodiment, the divisions  20   a  to  20   d ,  22   a  to  22   d , and  24   a  to  24   d  are defined by the linear protrusions  12  and the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 . Since electric lines of force are sharply bent in the vicinity of the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 , a strong force acts to incline the liquid crystal molecules in directions at an angle of 90° to the extending directions of the peripheries. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules cannot be directed at an angle of 45° to the extending directions of the peripheries, and the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24  will have arcuate regions where transmittance is low (see  FIG. 4C ). The arcuate shapes have greater areas to reduce the transmittance of the liquid crystal display, the longer the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 . 
   In the liquid crystal display of the first embodiment, the liquid crystal composition  30  including a liquid crystal material and a polymer is used to prevent the generation of such arcuate regions. In the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  are formed with the respective slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  to enhance an alignment regulating force for aligning the liquid crystal molecules in the directions at 45° to the extending directions of the peripheries. The slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are formed at a pitch P of 7 μm. The cut-out parts  21   d ,  23   d , and  25   d  are formed with a width d of 3 μm and a length L of 7 μm. When the length L of the cut-out parts  21   d ,  23   d , and  25   d  is too great, the width d can fluctuate due to slight fluctuations in processing of the parts. The liquid crystal display panel may consequently have minute luminance irregularities which can reduce display quality. For this reason, it is desirable to set the area of the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  within a range below one half of the total area of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 . The cut-out parts  21   d ,  23   d , and  25   d  are preferably formed to have a width d in the range from 2 μm to 5 μm, inclusive, and a length L in the range from 3 μm to 10 μm, inclusive. 
   In the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment, since the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  are formed with the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b , substantially no arcuate region of low transmittance is generated. As a result, the transmittance of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment is 15% higher than that of the liquid crystal display of the first embodiment, and higher luminance is therefore achieved on the display screen of the same. 
   The force for regulating the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is enhanced by the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b . The liquid crystal display therefore remains advantageous even when a point-like protrusion is provided, for example, at each of intersections between the trunk portion  12   a  and the first and the second branch portions  12   b ,  12   c , and  12   d  instead of the linear protrusion  12 . 
   A modification of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 8B .  FIG. 7  shows a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to the present modification as viewed in a direction normal to the glass substrate  3 . The liquid crystal display of the present modification is characterized in that the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are formed at least in a part of the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the liquid crystal display of the present modification, the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are formed only at the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  in the vicinity of the gate bus line  6  and the drain bus lines  8 . The slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are not formed at the peripheral regions where the first pixel electrode  21  adjoins the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25 . 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a section of the pixel region.  FIG. 8A  shows a state in which a relatively large gap is provided between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23 .  FIG. 8B  shows a state in which a relatively small gap is provided between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23 .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  omit the linear protrusion  12 , the liquid crystal molecules  32  and the like for easier understanding. As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , electric lines of force indicated by broken lines in the figure are more weakly bent, the smaller the gap between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23 . As a result, the force for inclining the liquid crystal molecules in a direction at 90° to the extending directions of the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23  becomes small. Therefore, it is easier to finally direct the liquid crystal molecules at 45° to the extending directions of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23 , the smaller the gap between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21  and  23 . Thus, substantially no arcuate dark part will be generated at the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24 . 
   In the liquid crystal display of the present modification, the gaps that the first pixel electrode  21  forms with the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  are 4 μm. Thus, the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are not required at the peripheral regions where the first pixel electrode  21  adjoins the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25 , which reduces the risk of generation of luminance irregularities attributable to slight process fluctuations. Therefore, the liquid crystal display of the present modification provides the same advantage as that of the liquid crystal display of the embodiment. 
   Another modification of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  shows a configuration of one pixel of a liquid crystal display according to the present modification as viewed in a direction normal to the glass substrate  3 . The liquid crystal display of the present modification is characterized in that the slit portions  21   b ,  23   b , and  25   b  are formed in at least a part of the periphery of at least either the first pixel electrode  21  or the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the liquid crystal display of the present modification, the slit portions  23   b  and  25   b  are formed only at the peripheries of the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  in the vicinity of the gate bus line  6 . Therefore, the slit portion  21   b  is not formed at the first pixel electrode  21 . 
   In the liquid crystal display of the present modification, the gaps between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  are formed smaller than the gaps in the above-described modification. Further, in the liquid crystal display of the present modification, the gaps between the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  and the drain bus lines  8  are formed smaller than those gaps in the above-described modification. Thus, a conductive material is disposed close to the peripheries of the first and second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 . When diacrylate monomer is polymerized, the voltages at the first pixel electrode  21  and the drain bus lines  8  are made substantially equal to each other. Thus, electric lines of force extending from the peripheries of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  toward the common electrode  28  are more weakly bent except in the peripheral regions of the second pixel electrodes  23  and  25  adjacent to the drain bus line  6  (see  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). It is therefore easier to direct the liquid crystal molecules at 45° to the extending directions of the first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25 , and the generation of arcuate dark parts can be prevented at the first and the second sub-pixels  20 ,  22 , and  24 . 
   Third Embodiment 
   A liquid crystal display according to a third embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The general configuration of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment will not be described because it is similar to that of the liquid crystal display of the first embodiment.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  show a configuration of one pixel of the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment.  FIG. 10A  shows a configuration of one of a plurality of pixels in the form of a matrix as viewed in a direction normal to a glass substrate  3 .  FIG. 10B  shows a section taken along the imaginary line A-A shown in  FIG. 10A . As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment is characterized in that it include a linear protrusion (an alignment regulating structure)  12  formed by patterning a transparent dielectric body provided under first and second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  such that it protrudes from a glass substrate  3  rather than an opposite substrate  4 . 
   In the case of the liquid crystal displays in the first and the second embodiments, the linear protrusion  12  formed on the opposite substrate  4  must be located in the middle of the pixel region in advance in consideration to possible miss-registration between the TFT substrate  2  and the opposite substrate  4 . For example, when the linear protrusion  12  is disposed directly above a peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  23  as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the top of the linear protrusion  12  must be located on the right side of the peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  23 . When the top of the linear protrusion  12  is located on the left side of the peripheral part of the second pixel electrode  23 , the result is the same as a state in which the linear protrusion  12  is formed with a small height h, and the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules are therefore disturbed. However, when the linear protrusion  12  is formed in the middle of the pixel region, the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal display will be substantially reduced. 
   Under the circumstance, in the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment, the linear protrusion  12  is formed on the TFT substrate  2  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The first and the second pixel electrodes  21 ,  23 , and  25  are formed in an overlapping relationship so as to cover at least the top of the linear protrusion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , the slope of the surface of the second pixel electrode  23  on a trunk portion  12   a  of the linear protrusion  12  is leveled by an alignment film  36 . Therefore, an angle θ 1  defined by a line normal to the surface of the alignment film  36  and a line normal to the opposite substrate  4  in  FIG. 10B  is smaller than an angle θ 2  defined by the direction of an electric line of force a penetrating through the surface of the alignment film  36  and the line normal to the opposite substrate  4 . As a result, when a voltage is applied between the substrates  2  and  4 , the direction of alignment of liquid crystal molecules  32  is different from the direction of the electric line of force α, and the liquid crystal molecules  32  incline toward the trunk portion  12   a  of the linear protrusion  12 . In the section shown in  FIG. 10B , the liquid crystal molecules  32  are tilted from the direction perpendicular to the TFT substrate  2  clockwise in a division  22   a  and are tiled counterclockwise in a division  22   b . Since the liquid crystal molecules  32  can be tilted in a different direction in each of the divisions  22   a  and  22   b  as thus described, the liquid crystal display of the present embodiment can provide the same advantage as that of the liquid crystal displays of the above embodiments.