Display device

A display device includes a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, including at least two sub-pixel electrodes separated from one another; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, each of the sub-pixel electrodes includes a stem electrode, an outer electrode connected to the stem electrode, a first branch electrode extending from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a first direction, and a second branch electrode extending from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a second direction, wherein an angle between the first direction and the second direction is in a range of about 170 to about 180 degrees.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the priority of and all the benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0013654, filed on Jan. 28, 2015 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Disclosure

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device, and more particularly, to a high-resolution display device with enhanced side visibility.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is a type of flat panel display (FPD) device which has found wide recent acceptance. Such an LCD device includes two substrates having electrodes formed thereon and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. Upon voltages being applied to the electrodes, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are rearranged, such that the amount of transmitted light is adjusted in the display device.

Among LCD devices, a vertically aligned LCD (VA-LCD) device is being developed in which liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a length direction thereof to be perpendicular to a substrate in a state in which an electric field is not applied thereto.

Due to a disadvantage of such a VA-LCD device in which a side visibility is inferior to a front visibility, there is a need for research to be conducted on various pixel structures in order to enhance a side visibility of the display device.

In particular, a multi-domain structure in which a pixel electrode disposed in a pixel area has a plurality of domains and inclination directions of liquid crystal molecules are different in respective domains is garnering attention recently.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the technology and as such disclosed herein, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what was known or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to a corresponding effective filing date of subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed to a high-resolution display device enhanced in a side visibility.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, including at least two sub-pixel electrodes separated from one another; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, each of the sub-pixel electrodes includes a stem electrode, an outer electrode connected to the stem electrode, a first branch electrode extending from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a first direction, and a second branch electrode extending from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a second direction, wherein an angle between the first direction and the second direction is in a range of about 170 to about 180 degrees.

The first branch electrode extends from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in an upper left direction, and the second branch electrode extends from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a lower right direction.

An inner angle between the first branch electrode and the stem electrode or an inner angle between the first branch electrode and the outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, and an inner angle between the second branch electrode and the stem electrode or an inner angle between the second branch electrode and the outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

The first branch electrode extends from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in an upper right direction, and the second branch electrode extends from the stem electrode or the outer electrode in a lower left direction.

An inner angle between the first branch electrode and the stem electrode or an inner angle between the first branch electrode and the outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, and an inner angle between the second branch electrode and the stem electrode or an inner angle between the second branch electrode and the outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

The display device may further include a first thin film transistor (TFT) connected to one of the sub-pixel electrodes; a second TFT connected to another one of the sub-pixel electrodes; a gate line connected to the first and second TFTs; a first data line disposed to intersect the gate line and connected to the first TFT; and a second data line disposed to be spaced apart from the first data line and connected to the second TFT.

The sub-pixel electrodes are disposed between the first and second data lines, and vertically divided by the gate line.

A voltage applied from the first data line to one of the sub-pixel electrodes differs from a voltage applied from the second data line to another one of the sub-pixel electrodes.

The display device may further include a light shielding portion disposed on the second substrate; a planarization layer disposed on the light shielding portion; and a common electrode disposed on the planarization layer.

The outer electrode includes an inverted L-shaped portion connected to a side of the stem electrode and an I-shaped portion connected to another side of the stem electrode. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes A first substrate; a first pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including at least two first sub-pixel electrodes separated from one another; a second pixel electrode disposed adjacently to the first pixel electrodes and including at least two second sub-pixel electrodes separated from one another; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates, each of the first sub-pixel electrodes including a first stem electrode, a first outer electrode connected to the first stem electrode, a first branch electrode extending from the first stem electrode or the first outer electrode in a first direction, and a second branch electrode extending from the first stem electrode or the first outer electrode in a second direction at an angle in a range of about 170 to about 180 degrees with respect to the first direction, and each of the second sub-pixel electrodes including a second stem electrode, a second outer electrode connected to the second stem electrode, a third branch electrode extending from the second stem electrode or the second outer electrode in a third direction at an angle in a range of about 80 to about 100 degrees with respect to the first direction, and a fourth branch electrode extending from the second stem electrode or the second outer electrode in a fourth direction at an angle in a range of about 170 to about 180 degrees with respect to the third direction.

The first and second pixel electrodes are sequentially disposed in a column direction.

The first and second pixel electrodes are sequentially disposed in a row direction.

At least two first pixel electrodes and at least two second pixel electrodes are sequentially disposed in a row direction in an iterative manner.

An inner angle between the first branch electrode and the first stem electrode or an inner angle between the first branch electrode and the first outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

An inner angle between the second branch electrode and the first stem electrode or an inner angle between the second branch electrode and the first outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

An inner angle between the third branch electrode and the second stem electrode or an inner angle between the third branch electrode and the second outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

An inner angle between the fourth branch electrode and the second stem electrode or an inner angle between the fourth branch electrode and the second outer electrode is in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees.

The display device may further include a light shielding portion disposed on the second substrate; a planarization layer disposed on the light shielding portion; and a common electrode disposed on the planarization layer.

The first outer electrode includes a first inverted L-shaped portion connected to a side of the first stem electrode and a first I-shaped portion connected to another side of the first stem electrode; the second outer electrode includes a second inverted L-shaped portion connected to a side of the second stem electrode and a second I-shaped portion connected to another side of the second stem electrode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be made clear from embodiments described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is merely defined by the scope of the claims. Therefore, well-known constituent elements, operations and techniques are not described in detail in the embodiments in order to prevent the present invention from being obscurely interpreted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

All terminologies used herein are merely used to describe embodiments of the inventive concept and may be modified according to the relevant art and the intention of an applicant. Therefore, the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meanings in the context of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1is a plan view illustrating a first example of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a first substrate100may be formed of transparent glass, plastic, or the like, and may have a planar shape or a curved shape having a predetermined radius of curvature.

A gate line110may be disposed on the first substrate100in a horizontal direction. However, the disposition of the gate line110is not limited thereto, and the gate line110may be disposed on the first substrate100in a vertical direction.

The gate line110may be formed of an aluminum (Al) based metal such as Al or an Al alloy, a silver (Ag) based metal such as Ag or an Ag alloy, a copper (Cu) based metal such as Cu or a Cu alloy, a molybdenum (Mo) based metal such as Mo or a Mo alloy, chromium (Cr), tantalum (Ta), and titanium (Ti); however, the material forming the gate line110is not limited thereto, and the gate line110may have a multilayer structure including at least two conductive layers having different physical properties.

A data line120may be disposed in a vertical direction to intersect the gate line110, and may be insulated from the gate line110by a gate insulating layer102. However, the disposition of the data line120is not limited thereto, and the data line120may be disposed in a horizontal direction.

The data line120may include a first data line122and a second data line124disposed to be spaced apart from the first data line122, and the first and second data lines122and124may transmit different voltages.

The data line120may be formed of a refractory metal such as Mo, Cr, Ta, and Ti or an alloy thereof; however, the material forming the data line120is not limited thereto, and the data line120may have a multilayer structure including a refractory metal layer and a low resistance conductive layer.

A pixel electrode130may include an upper sub-pixel electrode132and a lower sub-pixel electrode134which are separated from one another, and may be formed of a transparent conductive material. However, the material forming the pixel electrode130is not limited thereto, and the pixel electrode130may include three or more sub-pixel electrodes separated from one another.

The upper and lower sub-pixel electrodes132and134may be disposed between the first and second data lines122and124, and may be disposed to be vertically separated from one another based on the gate line110. However, the disposition of the upper and lower sub-pixel electrodes132and134is not limited thereto, and the upper and lower sub-pixel electrodes132and134may be disposed upwardly of the gate line110to be divided therein.

A detailed description pertaining to the upper and lower sub-pixel electrodes132and134will be provided further with reference toFIG. 4.

A first thin film transistor (TFT)142may include a gate electrode142aconnected to the gate line110, a first source electrode142bconnected to the first data line122, and a first drain electrode142cconnected to the upper sub-pixel electrode132through a first contact hole152.

A second TFT144may include a second gate electrode144aconnected to the gate line110, a second source electrode144bconnected to the second data line124, and a second drain electrode144cconnected to the lower sub-pixel electrode134through a second contact hole154.

In this instance, the first and second gate electrodes142aand144amay be connected to the same gate line110while the first and second source electrodes142band144bmay be connected to the first and second data lines122and124, respectively. Accordingly, a voltage applied to the upper sub-pixel electrode132may differ from a voltage applied to the lower sub-pixel electrode134.

Since the second TFT144has the same configuration as that of the first TFT142, a detailed description of the second TFT144will be substituted by a description of the first TFT142.

The first gate electrode142amay be insulated from the first source electrode142band the first drain electrode142cby the gate insulating layer102. A semiconductor layer104may be disposed between the gate insulating layer102and the first source electrode142band between the gate insulating layer102and the first drain electrode142c.

The first gate electrode142amay be formed of a conductive material, and may have a monolayer or multilayer structure formed using one of Mo, Al, Cr, gold (Au), Ti, nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), and Cu, or an alloy thereof. However, the material forming the first gate electrode142ais not limited thereto, and the first gate electrode142amay be formed of various conductive materials.

The gate insulating layer102may be disposed on the first substrate100to cover the first gate electrode142a, and may serve to prevent infiltration of moisture or impure elements through the first substrate100. The gate insulating layer102may be formed of an insulating material, and may have a monolayer or multilayer structure formed of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx). However, the material forming the gate insulating layer102is not limited thereto, and the gate insulating layer102may be formed of various insulating materials.

The semiconductor layer104may be formed of an oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor may be a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), and may include one or more of metals such as zinc (Zn), indium (In), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), and titanium (Ti), and an oxide thereof. For example, the oxide semiconductor may include at least one of zinc oxide (ZnO), indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO), and indium-zinc-tin oxide (IZTO). However, the material forming the semiconductor layer104is not limited thereto, and the semiconductor layer104may be formed of various materials.

The first source electrode142bmay be disposed on the semiconductor layer104. The first source electrode142bmay be formed of a conductive material, and may have a monolayer or multilayer structure formed using one of Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, and Cu, or an alloy thereof. However, the material forming the first source electrode142bis not limited thereto, and the first source electrode142bmay be formed of various conductive materials.

The first drain electrode142cmay be disposed on the semiconductor layer104while being spaced apart from the first source electrode142b. The first drain electrode142cmay be formed of a conductive material, and may have a monolayer or multilayer structure formed using one of Mo, Al, Cr, Au, Ti, Ni, Nd, and Cu, or an alloy thereof. However, the material forming the first drain electrode142cis not limited thereto, and the first drain electrode142cmay be formed of various conductive materials.

Although not illustrated, an ohmic contact layer may further be disposed between the first source electrode142band the semiconductor layer104and between the first drain electrode142cand the semiconductor layer104. The ohmic contact layer (not illustrated) may be formed of a material such as silicide or amorphous silicon doped with n-type impurities at high concentration.

A protection layer106may be disposed to cover the first source electrode142band the first drain electrode142c, and may have the first contact hole152through which a portion of the first drain electrode142cis exposed. The protection layer106may be formed of an inorganic insulating material such as SiNx or SiOx or an organic insulating material.

A color filter108may be disposed on the protection layer106. The color filter108may display one of basic colors, such as the three primary colors of red, green, and blue. However, the color displayed by the color filter108is not limited thereto, and the color filter108may display one of cyan, magenta, yellow, and white. In addition, the disposition of the color filter108and the protection layer106is not limited thereto, and the color filter108may be disposed on a second substrate200, and an organic layer formed of an organic material may be disposed on the protection layer106.

Although not illustrated, a capping layer may be disposed on the color filter108. The capping layer (not illustrated) may serve to prevent contaminants generated from the color filter108from flowing into a liquid crystal layer300. The capping layer (not illustrated) may be formed of an inorganic material such as SiNx, SiOx, or silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) or an organic material.

The second substrate200may be disposed opposite to the first substrate100, and may be formed of transparent glass, plastic, or the like. The second substrate200may have a planar shape or a curved shape having a radius of curvature less than that of the first substrate100.

A light shielding portion210may be disposed on the second substrate200to cover the gate line110, the data line120, the first TFT142, and the second TFT144. However, the disposition of the light shielding portion210is not limited thereto, and the light shielding portion210may be disposed on the first substrate100.

The light shielding portion210may serve to prevent leakage of light generated in the gate line110, the data line120, and first TFT142, and the second TFT144. The light shielding portion210may be formed of a photosensitive organic material added with a black pigment.

A planarization layer220may be disposed on the light shielding portion210, and may serve to planarize the light shielding portion210. The planarization layer220may be formed of an organic material, and the like.

A common electrode230may be disposed on the planarization layer220, and may be formed of a transparent conductive material.

The liquid crystal layer300may be interposed between the first and second substrates100and200. The liquid crystal layer300may include a polymer material having an orientation formed by irradiating UV light polarized in a predetermined direction.

FIG. 3is a view illustrating a basic structure of the upper sub-pixel electrode132ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 3, the upper sub-pixel electrode132may include a stem electrode132a, an outer electrode132bconnected to the stem electrode132a, and first and second branch electrodes132cand132deach extending from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132b.

The stem electrode132amay have a linear shape extending in a horizontal direction. However, the shape of the stem electrode132ais not limited thereto, and the stem electrode132amay have a linear shape extending in a vertical direction. The stem electrode132amay affect a front visibility of the display device.

The outer electrode132bmay have a shape including an inverted “L” shape connected to a right end of the stem electrode132ato vertically extend in an upward direction to be bent in parallel with respect to a lengthwise direction of the stem electrode132aand a shape including an “I” shape connected to a left end of the stem electrode132ato vertically extend in a downward direction. However, the shape of the outer electrode132bis not limited thereto, and the outer electrode132bmay have a shape (not shown) connected to both ends of the stem electrode132ato vertically extend in the upward and downward directions or a quadrangular shape enclosing a circumference of the stem electrode132a.

The first branch electrode132cmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin a first direction, and the second branch electrode132dmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin a second direction at an angle in a range of about 170 to about 180 degrees with respect to the first direction. The first and second branch electrodes132cand132dmay affect a side visibility of the display device.

In detail, the first branch electrode132cmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin an upper left direction Wa, and the second branch electrode132dmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin a lower right direction Wb. Sides of the first and second branch electrodes132cand132dextending in the upper left direction Wa and the lower right direction Wb, respectively, may distort an electric field to form horizontal components of the electric field determining an inclination direction of a liquid crystal molecule302. The horizontal components of the electric field may be formed to be substantially parallel with respect to the sides of the first and second branch electrodes132cand132d. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules302may be aligned in two different directions in two domains Da and Db of the upper sub-pixel electrode132, respectively.

In this instance, an inner angle Aa between the first branch electrode132cand the stem electrode132aor an inner angle Ab between the first branch electrode132cand the outer electrode132bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees in order to enhance transmissivity. Similarly, an inner angle Ac between the second branch electrode132dand the stem electrode132aor an inner angle Ad between the second branch electrode132dand the outer electrode132bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees in order to enhance transmissivity.

Since the lower sub-pixel electrode134has the same configuration as that of the upper sub-pixel electrode132, aside from a size thereof, with reference toFIG. 1, a detailed description pertaining to the lower sub-pixel electrode134will be omitted for conciseness.

A pixel electrode of a conventional display device includes a cross-shaped stem electrode and branch electrodes extending from the cross-shaped stem electrode in four different directions, respectively. A single pixel electrode may have four domains.

In general, in a case in which a size of a pixel electrode is reduced to achieve a high-resolution display device, despite the reduced size of the pixel electrode, a width of a branch electrode is not reduced due to limitations of a process, and thus a side visibility of the display device is degraded.

The display device according to the present exemplary embodiment may enhance a side visibility of a high-resolution display device by including the pixel electrode in which an area of the branch electrode forming the two domains is expanded.

FIG. 4is a plan view illustrating a second example of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 5is a view illustrating a basic structure of an upper sub-pixel electrode ofFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 4, since the display device ofFIG. 4has the same configuration as that of the display device ofFIG. 1, aside from a shape of an outer electrode132bof upper and lower sub-pixel electrodes132and134, a first branch electrode132c, and a second branch electrode132d, a detailed description pertaining thereto will be omitted for conciseness.

Referring toFIG. 5, the outer electrode132bmay have a shape connected to a left end of a stem electrode132ato vertically extend in an upward direction to be bent in parallel with respect to the stem electrode132aand a shape connected to a right end of the stem electrode132ato vertically extend in a downward direction. However, the shape of the outer electrode132bis not limited thereto, and the outer electrode132bmay have a shape connected to both ends of the stem electrode132ato vertically extend in the upward and downward directions or a quadrangular shape enclosing a circumference of the stem electrode132a.

The first branch electrode132cmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin an upper right direction Wc, and the second branch electrode132dmay extend from the stem electrode132aor the outer electrode132bin a lower left direction Wd. Sides of the first and second branch electrodes132cand132dextending in the upper right direction We and the lower left direction Wd, respectively, may distort an electric field to form horizontal components of the electric field determining an inclination direction of a liquid crystal molecule302. The horizontal components of the electric field may be formed to be substantially parallel with respect to the sides of the first and second branch electrodes132cand132d. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules302may be aligned in two different directions in two domains Dc and Dd of the upper sub-pixel electrode132, respectively.

In this instance, an inner angle Ae between the first branch electrode132cand the stem electrode132aor an inner angle Af between the first branch electrode132cand the outer electrode132bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees in order to enhance transmissivity. Similarly, an inner angle Ag between the second branch electrode132dand the stem electrode132aor an inner angle Ah between the second branch electrode132dand the outer electrode132bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees in order to enhance transmissivity.

Since the lower sub-pixel electrode134has the same configuration as that of the upper sub-pixel electrode132, aside from a size thereof, with reference toFIG. 4, a detailed description pertaining to the lower sub-pixel electrode134will be omitted for conciseness.

FIG. 6is a plan view illustrating a first example of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; andFIG. 7is a view illustrating a basic structure of a first upper sub-pixel electrode and a second upper sub-pixel electrode ofFIG. 6.

Referring toFIG. 6, since the display device ofFIG. 6has the same configuration as that of the display devices ofFIGS. 1 and 4, aside from a first pixel electrode430and a second pixel electrode440, a detailed description pertaining thereto will be omitted for conciseness.

The first pixel electrode430may include a first upper sub-pixel electrode432and a first lower sub-pixel electrode434which are separated from one another, and the second pixel electrode440may include a second upper sub-pixel electrode442and a second lower sub-pixel electrode444which are separated from one another.

Referring toFIG. 7, the first upper sub-pixel electrode432may include a first stem electrode432a, a first outer electrode432bconnected to the first stem electrode432a, and first and second branch electrodes432cand432deach extending from the first stem electrode432aor the first outer electrode432b. Since the first stem electrode432aand the first outer electrode432bhave the same configuration as that of the stem electrode132aand the outer electrode132bofFIG. 3, a detailed description pertaining thereto will be omitted for conciseness.

The first branch electrode432cmay extend from the first stem electrode432aor the first outer electrode432bin a first direction W1, and the second branch electrode432dmay extend from the first stem electrode432aor the first outer electrode432bin a second direction W2at an angle in a range of about 170 to about 180 with respect to the first direction W1.

In this instance, an inner angle A11between the first branch electrode432cand the first stem electrode432aand an inner angle A12between the second branch electrode432dand the first stem electrode432amay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, or an inner angle A21between the first branch electrode432cand the first outer electrode432band an inner angle A22between the second branch electrode432dand the first outer electrode432bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, in order to enhance transmissivity.

The second upper sub-pixel electrode442may include a second stem electrode442a, a second outer electrode442bconnected to the second stem electrode442a, and third and fourth branch electrodes442cand442deach extending from the second stem electrode442aor the second outer electrode442b. Since the second stem electrode442aand the second outer electrode442bhave the same configuration as that of the stem electrode132aand the outer electrode132bofFIG. 5, a detailed description pertaining thereto will be omitted for conciseness.

The third branch electrode442cmay extend from the second stem electrode442aor the second outer electrode442bin a third direction W3at an angle in a range of about 80 to about 100 with respect to the first direction W1, and the fourth branch electrode442dmay extend from the second stem electrode442aor the second outer electrode442bin a fourth direction W4at an angle in a range of about 170 to about 180 with respect to the third direction W3.

In this instance, an inner angle A31between the third branch electrode442cand the second stem electrode442aand an inner angle A32between the fourth branch electrode442dand the second stem electrode442amay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, or an inner angle A41between the third branch electrode442cand the second outer electrode442band an inner angle A42between the fourth branch electrode442dand the second outer electrode442bmay be, in particular, in a range of about 40 to about 50 degrees, in order to enhance transmissivity.

The first upper sub-pixel electrode432may have two domains D1and D2, and the second upper sub-pixel electrode442may have two domains D3and D4different from those of the first upper sub-pixel electrode432. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules302may be aligned in four different directions in the four domains D1, D2, D3, and D4of the first upper sub-pixel electrode432and the second upper sub-pixel electrode442.

The first and second pixel electrodes430and440may be sequentially disposed in row and column directions with reference toFIG. 6. Accordingly, the first and second pixel electrodes430and440adjacently disposed in the row and column directions may further enhance a side visibility of a high-resolution display device by forming the four domains.

FIG. 8is a plan view illustrating a second example of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8, since the display device ofFIG. 8has the same configuration as that of the display device ofFIG. 6, aside from a disposition of the first pixel electrode430and the second pixel electrode440, a detailed description pertaining thereto will be omitted for conciseness.

The first and second pixel electrodes430and440may be sequentially disposed in a column direction, and three first pixel electrodes430and three second pixel electrodes440may be sequentially disposed in a row direction in an iterative manner. However, the disposition of the first and second pixel electrodes430and440is not limited thereto, and two first pixel electrodes430and two second pixel electrodes440may be sequentially disposed in a row direction in an iterative manner.

That is, the three first pixel electrodes430and the three second pixel electrodes440may form a first pixel group and a second pixel group, respectively, and the first pixel group and the second pixel group may be sequentially disposed in the row and column directions.

As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments, the display device may enhance a side visibility of a high-resolution display device having a relatively small pixel area, due to the pixel electrode having the branch electrode with an expanded area.

In addition, the display device may further enhance a side visibility of a high-resolution display device by adjacently disposing the pixel electrodes each having two different domains to thereby form four domains.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present teachings. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting of the true scope and spirit of the present teachings. Various features of the above described and other embodiments can be mixed and matched in any manner, to produce further embodiments consistent with the invention.