Abstract:
A thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the TFT substrate that are capable of simplifying manufacturing processes and protecting a gate driver from being eroded. The thin film transistor substrate includes an insulation substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a gate metal pattern including a first gate electrode formed on the insulation substrate in the display region, a gate insulation layer formed on the gate metal pattern, a first semiconductor pattern formed on the gate insulation layer overlapping the first gate electrode, a data metal pattern including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode that are connected to both ends of the first semiconductor pattern, a transparent conductive pattern connected to the first drain electrode and formed on the gate insulation layer, and a protective layer formed on the first semiconductor pattern and the data metal pattern.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-93334, filed on Sep. 26, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device and, in particular, to a thin film transistor (“TFT”) substrate of an LCD device and a method of manufacturing the TFT substrate that are capable of simplifying the manufacturing process and preventing a gate driver from being eroded.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of Related Art  
         [0005]     Generally, an LCD device includes a display panel having a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines, a gate driver supplying a gate signal to the plurality of gate lines, and a data driver supplying a data signal to the plurality of data lines.  
         [0006]     The gate driver and the data driver are mounted on a display panel in the form of a chip. Recently, a gate driver being built in the display panel has been developed to reduce the size of the display device and to improve productivity. The gate driver includes a first protective layer to cover a TFT mounted on the gate driver. A transparent electrode is formed along the first protective layer. In this case, the transparent electrode is formed on the top of the gate driver so as to be electrically connected to the display device. Because the transparent electrode is exposed to the outside of the display device, however, the gate driver may be eroded when the display device is driven for a long time at a high temperature and in high humidity.  
         [0007]     A pixel electrode is electrically connected to a drain electrode through a contact hole formed in the first protective layer. The pixel electrode and the first protective layer are formed by a plurality of mask processes. A mask process of forming the pixel electrode and the first protective layer may include a series of processes, such as a thin film deposition process, a cleaning process, a photolithography process, an etching process, a photoresist stripping process, and an inspection process. Since such mask processes are necessary, the display device has a complicated manufacturing process, thereby leading to a significant increase in manufacturing cost. Also, because the pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode through the contact hole, a contact area between the two electrodes becomes small and, thus, resistance is increased. Therefore, load power consumption may be increased.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a TFT substrate and a method of manufacturing the same that is capable of simplifying a manufacturing process and preventing a gate driver from being eroded.  
         [0009]     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a thin film transistor substrate including an insulation substrate including a display area and a non-display area, a gate metal pattern including a first gate electrode formed on the insulation substrate in the display region, a gate insulation layer formed on the gate metal pattern, a first semiconductor pattern formed on the gate insulation layer overlapping the first gate electrode, a data metal pattern including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode that are connected to both ends of the first semiconductor pattern, a transparent conductive pattern connected to the first drain electrode and formed on the gate insulation layer, and a protective layer formed on the first semiconductor pattern and the data metal pattern.  
         [0010]     The thin film transistor substrate further includes a second semiconductor pattern, wherein the gate metal pattern includes a second gate electrode and a gate signal line that are formed on the insulation layer corresponding to the non-display area, wherein the second semiconductor pattern is formed on the gate insulation layer overlapping the second gate electrode, and wherein the data metal pattern includes a second source electrode and a second drain electrode that are connected to both sides of the second semiconductor pattern.  
         [0011]     The gate insulation layer includes a first contact hole exposing the gate signal line and that is formed on the second semiconductor pattern, and wherein the second source electrode is connected to the gate signal line through the first contact hole.  
         [0012]     The gate metal pattern includes a gate pad portion connected to the gate signal line in the non-display area.  
         [0013]     The gate insulation layer comprises a second contact hole exposing the gate pad portion.  
         [0014]     The transparent conductive pattern is connected to the gate pad portion through the second contact hole and includes a first transparent electrode formed on the gate insulation layer.  
         [0015]     The data metal pattern is formed in the non-display area and includes a data pad portion connected to the first source electrode.  
         [0016]     The transparent conductive pattern is connected to the data pad portion and includes a second transparent electrode formed on the gate insulation layer.  
         [0017]     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate. The method of manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate includes forming a gate metal pattern including a first gate electrode formed on an insulation layer in a display area, forming a gate insulation layer on the gate metal pattern, forming a first semiconductor pattern on the gate insulation layer overlapping the first gate electrode, forming a data metal pattern including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode that are connected to both ends of the first semiconductor pattern, forming a transparent conductive pattern including a pixel electrode connected to the first drain electrode on the gate insulation layer, and forming a protective layer on the first semiconductor pattern and the data metal pattern.  
         [0018]     The step of forming the gate metal pattern comprises forming a second gate electrode and a gate signal line on the insulation substrate corresponding to the a non-display area, wherein the step of forming the semiconductor pattern comprises forming a second semiconductor pattern on the gate insulation layer overlapping the second gate electrode, and wherein the step of forming the data metal pattern comprises forming a second source and a second drain electrode connected to both sides of the second semiconductor pattern.  
         [0019]     The step of forming the semiconductor pattern comprises forming a first contact hole exposing the gate signal line.  
         [0020]     The step of forming the data metal pattern comprises connecting the gate signal line to the second source electrode through the first contact hole.  
         [0021]     The step of forming the semiconductor pattern comprises forming a second contact hole exposing the gate pad portion.  
         [0022]     The step of forming the transparent conductive pattern comprises forming on the gate insulation layer a first transparent conductive electrode connected to the gate pad portion through the second contact hole.  
         [0023]     The step of forming the data metal pattern comprises forming a data pad portion connected to the first source electrode.  
         [0024]     The step of forming the transparent conductive pattern comprises forming on the gate insulation layer a second transparent electrode connected to the data pad portion.  
         [0025]     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate. The method of manufacturing the thin film transistor substrate includes a first mask process of forming a gate metal pattern including a first gate electrode on an insulation substrate corresponding to a display area, a second mask process of forming a gate insulation layer on the gate metal pattern and forming a first semiconductor pattern on the gate insulation layer overlapping the first gate electrode, a third mask process of forming a data metal pattern including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode connected to both sides of the first semiconductor pattern, and a fourth mask process of forming on the gate insulation layer a transparent conductive pattern including a pixel electrode connected to the first drain electrode and forming a protective layer on the first semiconductor pattern and the data metal pattern.  
         [0026]     The first mask process includes forming a second gate electrode and a gate signal line on the insulation substrate corresponding to a non-display are, wherein the second mask process includes forming a second semiconductor pattern on the gate insulation layer overlapping the second gate electrode, and wherein the third mask process includes forming a second source and a second drain electrode connected to both sides of the second semiconductor pattern.  
         [0027]     The fourth mask process includes depositing a transparent conductive layer on the insulation layer on which the data metal pattern is formed, depositing photoresist on the transparent conductive layer, exposing the photoresist corresponding to an area except for the transparent conductive pattern through a mask, removing the transparent conductive layer corresponding to an area except for the transparent conductive pattern by developing and etching the exposed photoresist, depositing the protective layer on the insulation substrate, and removing the photoresist and the protective layer formed on the transparent conductive pattern by a liftoff process.  
         [0028]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein are omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.  
         [0029]     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, the exemplary embodiments are shown in drawings with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be understood in more detail from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the LCD device taken along section lines I-I′, II-II′, III-III′, and IV-IV′ in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 4A  to  4 D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a TFT substrate of the LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0035]      FIGS. 5A  to  5 E are cross-sectional views illustrating a fourth masking process in the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate shown in  FIG. 4D  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]     The LCD device of the present invention includes a display panel  140 , a data driver  120 , a gate driver  122 , and a timing controller  100 .  
         [0038]     The display panel  140  includes a TFT substrate, a color filter substrate (not shown), and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sealed between the TFT substrate and the color filter. The color filter substrate includes red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color filters to display colors and a common electrode to apply a common voltage to the liquid crystal. The color filter substrate may also include a white color filter to improve the luminescence of the display device.  
         [0039]     The TFT substrate includes a display area L 1  and a non-display area L 2 . A plurality of gate lines GL 1  to GLn, a plurality of data lines DL 1  to DLm, TFTs, and pixel electrodes PIXEL are formed in the display area L 1  of the TFT substrate. The plurality of gate lines GL 1  to GLn and the plurality of data lines DL 1  to DLm are arranged perpendicularly relative to each other. The TFTs are connected to the pixel electrode PIXEL in respective pixel regions.  
         [0040]     For instance, the first TFT is connected to the first gate line GL 1 , the first data line DL 1 , and the pixel electrode.  
         [0041]     The gate driver  122 , a gate pad (not shown), and a data pad (not shown) are formed in the non-display area L 2 . The gate driver  122  is connected to the plurality of gate lines GL 1  to GLn. The gate pad and the data pad are connected to the gate driver  122  and the plurality of data lines DL 1 -DLm, respectively.  
         [0042]     The liquid crystal material has an anisotropic characteristic such that liquid crystal molecules change their orientation according to a difference of voltages applied to a common electrode and a pixel electrode. The liquid crystal molecules are twisted by the voltage difference so that it is possible to adjust the light transmissivity by controlling the voltages applied to the common electrode and the pixel electrode.  
         [0043]     The data driver  120  generates a data signal corresponding to one line per horizontal period in response to a data control signal DCS received from the timing controller  100  and supplies the data signal to the plurality of data lines DL 1  to DLm. The data driver  120  may be connected to the display panel  140  through a tape carrier package (not shown).  
         [0044]     The timing controller  100  provides the pixel data signals R, G and B to the data driver  120 . The timing controller  100  generates the data control signal DCS and a gate control signal GCS to control the data driver  120  and the gate driver  122 , respectively, in response to external control signals. In this exemplary embodiment, the gate control signal GCS includes first and second clock signals, a scan trigger signal, and the like. The data control signal DCS includes a source start pulse signal, a source shift clock signal, a polarity control signal, and the like.  
         [0045]     The gate driver  122  generates a gate driving signal per horizontal period in response to the gate control signal GCS received from the timing controller  100  and sequentially supplies the gate driving signal to the plurality of gate lines GL 1  to GLn. The gate driver  122  includes a plurality of TFTs which are integrated on the non-display area L 2  by using polysilicon or amorphous silicon having a high carrier. The TFTs of the gate driver  122  are simultaneously formed with the TFTs formed on the display area L 1  of the display panel  140  by an identical process.  
         [0046]     The gate driver  122  may include seven TFTs (not shown), for example, and a plurality of stages (not shown) connected to each other. The gate driver  122  supplies a scan signal, which is generated by the seven TFTs, to the first gate line GL 1  during a first horizontal period. The gate driver  122  supplies the scan signal to the second gate line GL 2  during a second horizontal period and supplies the scan signal to the third gate line GL 3  during a third horizontal period. In this manner, the gate driver  122  sequentially generates one scan pulse per horizontal period to sequentially drive the plurality of gate lines GL 1  to GLn.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the LCD device taken along section lines I-I′, II-II′, III-III′, and IV-IV′ in  FIG. 2 . The section lines I-I′, II-II′, III-III′, and IV-IV′ relate to a gate driver region GDR, a pixel region PR, a gate pad region GPR, and a data pad region DPR, respectively. The gate driver region GDR, the gate pad region GPR, and the data pad region DPR are formed in the non-display area L 2  of the TFT substrate, and the pixel region PR is formed in the display area L 1  of the TFT substrate.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a second TFT T 2  and a gate signal line  22  are formed in the gate driver region GDR on an insulation substrate  10 . The second TFT T 2  includes a second gate electrode  24 , a second active layer  50   b,  a second ohmic contact layer  54   b,  a second source electrode  52   b,  and a second drain electrode  60   b.    
         [0049]     The second active layer  50   b  overlaps the second gate electrode  24  with a gate insulation layer  40  disposed therebetween to form a channel. The second ohmic contact layer  54   b  is formed between the second active layer  50   b  and the second source and drain electrodes  52   b  and  60   b.  The second drain electrode  60   b  is connected to other TFTs (not shown) included in the gate driver  122 . The second source electrode  52   b  is connected to the gate signal line  22  by a connection signal line  53  exposed through a first contact hole  74 . The gate signal line  22  is preferably made of the same metal material as the second gate electrode  24 .  
         [0050]     A first protective layer  30  is formed on the connection signal line  53 , the second source and drain electrodes  52   b  and  60   b,  and the second active layer  50   b.  A second protective layer  68  is formed on the first protective layer  30 . In this exemplary embodiment, it is desirable that the first protective layer  30  be an inorganic layer and the second protective layer  68  be an organic layer. The first and second protective layers  30  and  68  prevent the second TFT T 2  and the gate signal line  22  from being eroded.  
         [0051]     The gate signal line  22  supplies the gate driving signal to the second TFT T 2  through the connection signal line  53  and the second TFT T 2  supplies the gate driving signal to the other TFTs (not shown) through the second drain electrode  60   b.    
         [0052]     A first TFT T 1  and a pixel electrode  32  are formed in the pixel region PR formed on the insulation substrate  10 .  
         [0053]     The first TFT T 1  includes a first gate electrode  26 , a first active layer  50   a,  a first ohmic contact layer  54   a,  a first source electrode  52   a,  and a first drain electrode  60   a.  The first gate electrode  26  is connected to a gate line  80 , shown in  FIG. 2 , and receives the gate driving signal through the gate line  80 . The first source electrode  52   a  is connected to a data line  82 , shown in  FIG. 2 , and receives the data signal through the data line  82 . The first drain electrode  60   a  is connected to the pixel electrode  32 . The first active layer  50   a  overlaps the first gate electrode  26  with the gate insulation layer  40  disposed therebetween to form a channel. The first ohmic contact layer  54   a  is formed between the first active layer  50   a  and the first source and drain electrodes  52   a  and  60   a.    
         [0054]     The pixel electrode  32  is directly connected to the first drain electrode  60   a  and supplies the data signal generated from the first drain electrode  60   a  to the liquid crystal. The first protective layer  30  is formed on the first source and drain electrodes  52   a  and  60   a  and the first active layer  50   a.  The second protective layer  68  is formed on the first protective layer  30  and the pixel electrode  32 .  
         [0055]     The pixel electrode  32  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directly connected to the first drain electrode  60   a,  as opposed to a conventional pixel electrode connected to a drain electrode through a contact hole. Therefore, a contact area between the pixel electrode  32  and the first drain electrode  60   a  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be broader than a contact area between the pixel electrode and the drain electrode as known in the prior art.  
         [0056]     Because the contact area between the pixel electrode  32  and the first drain electrode  60   a  becomes broadened, a resistance of the pixel electrode  32  and the first drain electrode  60   a  is decreased, thereby reducing the load power. Further, since the pixel electrode  32  is simultaneously formed with the first protective layer  30 , a mask manufacturing process may be reduced.  
         [0057]     Next, a gate pad GP is formed in the gate pad region GPR on the insulation substrate  10 . The gate pad GP supplies the gate control signal generated from the timing controller  100  to the gate driver  122  through the gate signal line  22 . In this exemplary embodiment, the gate pad GP is connected to the gate driver  122  through the gate signal line  22 .  
         [0058]     The gate pad GP includes a first transparent electrode  84   a  electrically connected to the timing controller  100  and a gate pad portion  28  connected to the gate signal line  22 . The first transparent electrode  84   a  is connected to the gate pad portion  28  through a second contact hole  72  formed on the gate insulation layer  40 .  
         [0059]     Referring to the data pad region DPR, a data pad DP is formed on the gate insulation layer  40  in the data pad region DPR. The data pad DP supplies the data signal generated from timing controller  100 , shown in  FIG. 2 , to the first TFT T 1  of the pixel region PR through a data line  82 , shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0060]     The data pad DP includes a second transparent electrode  84   b  electrically connected to the timing controller  100  and a data pad portion  62  connected to the data line  82 . The second transparent electrode  84   b  is formed on the data pad portion  62  formed on the insulation layer  40  and is connected to the data pad portion  62 .  
         [0061]      FIGS. 4A  to  4 D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing a TFT substrate of the LCD device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Section lines I-I′, II-II′, III-III′, and IV-IV′ shown in  FIGS. 4A  to  4 D relate to the gate driver region GDR, the pixel region PR, the gate pad region GPR, and the data pad region DPR, respectively.  
         [0062]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first mask process of the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A gate pattern is formed on a prescribed area of the insulation substrate  10 . The gate pattern includes the gate signal line  22  and the second gate electrode  24  formed in the gate driver region GDR, the first gate electrode  26  formed in the pixel region PR, and the gate pad portion  28  formed in the gate pad region GPR.  
         [0063]     More specifically, a gate metal layer is formed on the insulation substrate  10  by a deposition method, such as sputtering. The gate metal layer is patterned by a photolithography process using the first mask and an etching process, thereby forming the gate signal line  22  and the second gate electrode  24  of the gate driver region GDR, the first gate electrode  26  of the pixel region PR, and the gate pad portion  28  of the gate pad region GPR. The gate metal layer may be formed of a metal material such as Mo, Ti, Cu, A 1 Nd, Al, Cr, Mo alloy, Cu alloy, or Al alloy in a single or multi-layer structure of such materials.  
         [0064]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second mask process of the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The gate insulation layer  40  is formed on the insulation substrate  10  on which a gate pattern is formed. A semiconductor pattern is formed including the first and second ohmic contact layers  54   a  and  54   b  and the first and second active layers  50   a  and  50   b.  The second ohmic contact layer  54   b  and the second active layer  50   b  are formed on the second gate electrode  24  in the gate driver region GDR and the first ohmic contact layer  54   a  and the first active layer  50   a  are formed on the first gate electrode  26  in the pixel region PR.  
         [0065]     More specifically, an insulation material, an amorphous silicon layer, and an n+ or p+ impurity doped amorphous silicon layer are sequentially deposited on the insulation substrate  10  on which the gate pattern is formed by using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (“PECVD”) method. In this exemplary embodiment, the insulation material constitutes the gate insulation layer  40  and may include an inorganic insulation material such as silicon oxide (SiOx) or silicon nitride (SiNx), or an organic insulation material.  
         [0066]     Next, the impurity doped amorphous silicon layer, the amorphous silicon layer, and the insulation material are patterned by a photolithography process using the second mask and an etching process. The first and second contact holes  74  and  72  are formed in the gate insulation layer  40 , thereby forming the semiconductor pattern on the second and first gate electrodes  24  and  26 .  
         [0067]     The first and second contact holes  74  and  72  are formed in the gate driver region GDR and the gate pad region GPR to expose the gate signal line  22  and the gate pad portion  28 , respectively. The semiconductor pattern includes semiconductor layers  50   b  and  54   b  on the second gate electrode  24  in the gate driver region GDR and semiconductor layers  50   a  and  54   a  on the first gate electrode  26  in the pixel region PR.  
         [0068]      FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third mask process of the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A source/drain metal pattern is formed on the insulation substrate  10  on which the semiconductor pattern and the gate insulation layer  40  are formed. In this exemplary embodiment, the source/drain metal pattern includes the second source and drain electrodes  52   b  and  60   b  of the gate driver region GDR, the first source and drain electrodes  52   a  and  60   a  of the pixel region PR, and the data pad portion  62  of the data pad region DPR.  
         [0069]     More specifically, a source/drain metal layer is formed on the insulation substrate  10  on which the semiconductor pattern and the gate insulation layer  40  are formed by a deposition method, such as sputtering. The source/drain metal layer is patterned by a photolithography process using the third mask and an etching process, thereby forming the second source and drain electrodes  52   b  and  60   b,  the first source and drain electrodes  52   a  and  60   a,  and the data pad portion  62 . At this time, the connection signal line  53 , which is connected to the gate signal line  22  through the first contact hole  74  and extended to the second source electrode  52   b,  is formed in the gate driver region GDR. The source/drain metal layer may be formed of a metal material such as Mo, Ti, Cu, A 1 Nd, Al, Cr, Mo alloy, Cu alloy, or Al alloy in a single or multi-layer structure formed of such materials.  
         [0070]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth mask process of the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A transparent conductive pattern is formed on the insulation substrate  10  on which the source/drain metal pattern is formed. The transparent conductive pattern includes the pixel electrode  32  of the pixel region PR, the first transparent electrode  84   a  of the gate pad region GPR, and the second transparent electrode  84   b  of the data pad region DPR.  
         [0071]     The fourth mask process of the method of manufacturing the TFT substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5A  to  5 D. Referring to  FIGS. 5A  to  5 D, section lines I-I′, II-II′, III-III′, and IV-IV′ show the gate driver region GDR, the pixel region PR, the gate pad region GPR, and the data pad region DPR, respectively.  
         [0072]     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , a transparent conductive layer  31  is formed on the whole surface of the insulation substrate  10  on which the source/drain metal pattern is formed using a deposition method, such as sputtering. The transparent conductive layer  31  is preferably made of an indium tin oxide (ITO), a tin oxide (TO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO) or an amorphous-indium tin oxide (a-ITO).  
         [0073]     Referring to  FIG. 5B , photoresist  66  is deposited to cover the transparent conductive layer  31 . A photolithography process is performed by a mask process using a mask substrate  90  including a light-blocking layer  92 . An area S of the mask substrate  90 , except for an area of the light-blocking layer  92 , corresponds to an exposure area on the transparent conductive layer  31  formed on the insulation substrate  10 . In this exemplary embodiment, the area on which the light-blocking layer  92  is formed includes the regions corresponding to the pixel electrode  32 , shown in  FIG. 5C , of the pixel region PR, a first transparent electrode  84   a,  shown in  FIG. 5C , of the gate pad region GPD, and the second transparent electrode  84   b,  shown in  FIG. 5C , of the data pad region DPR.  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIG. 5C , the transparent conductive layer  31  of the exposure area is removed by an etching process, thereby exposing the second active layer  50   b,  and the second source and drain electrodes  52   b  and  54   b  of the gate driver region GDR, and the first active layer  50   a,  and the first source and drain electrodes  52   a  and  54   a  of the pixel region PR. A photoresist pattern  66   a  remains on the area except for the exposure area, that is, on the pixel electrode  32  of the pixel region PR, the first transparent electrode  84   a  of the gate pad region GPR, and the second transparent electrode  84   b  of the data pad region DPR.  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 5D , an inorganic insulation material is deposited on the whole surface of the insulation substrate  10  on which the photoresist pattern  66   a  is formed by using a PECVD, spin coating, or spinless coating method to form the first protective layer  30 . In this exemplary embodiment, it is desirable that the inorganic insulation layer constituting the first protective layer  30  be formed of the same material as the gate insulation layer  40 .  
         [0076]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 5E , the photoresist pattern  66   a  and the inorganic insulation material formed on the photoresist pattern  66   a,  shown in  FIG. 5D , are simultaneously removed by a liftoff process using a stripper, thereby exposing the pixel electrode  32  of the pixel region PR, the first transparent electrode  84   a  of the gate pad region GPR, and the second transparent electrode  84   b  of the data pad region DPR.  
         [0077]     Finally, an organic insulation material is deposited on the whole surface of the insulation substrate  10  on which the pixel electrode  32 , the first transparent electrode  84   a,  and the second transparent electrode  84   b  are exposed, thereby forming the second protective layer  68 . The organic insulation material constituting the second protective layer  68  may be made of an epoxy-based acrylic resin.  
         [0078]     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the TFT substrate is manufactured by altering the manufacturing order of the protective layer and the pixel electrode and by using a liftoff process, the number of mask processes is reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost is reduced. Moreover, since the pixel electrode is directly connected to the drain electrode, power consumption is reduced. In addition, since the protective layer covers the pixel electrode, the gate driver is prevented from being eroded.  
         [0079]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.