Display panel preventing reflection of external light and display apparatus having the same

A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is provided, including a lower substrate; an upper substrate disposed to face the lower substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; a lower polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the lower substrate and configured to provide polarizing-filtering of light radiated from a backlight; and an upper polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the upper substrate and configured to provide polarizing-filtering of the radiated light passing through the lower polarizing layer and the liquid crystal layer, at least one of the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer and the wire grid of the upper polarizing layer including a reflection layer configured to reflect the radiated light and an absorbing layer configured to absorb external light incident from the outside through the upper substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0088127, filed on Jul. 25, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a display panel displaying an image, and to a display apparatus having the same. More particularly, the exemplary embodiments relate to a display panel having an improved structure of polarizing-filtering light and preventing reflection of external light, as a liquid crystal display panel displaying an image by light provided from a backlight, and a display apparatus having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display apparatus is a device which includes a display panel which displays images to present broadcast signals or various formats of image signals or image data. The display panel is configured as various types, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), or the like, and is employed for a variety of display apparatuses. When an LCD panel that does not generate light by itself is adopted, a display apparatus includes a backlight which generates and provides light to the display panel.

An LCD panel includes a polarizing film for polarizing-filtering light radiated from a backlight and a color filter layer which converts the radiated light into RGB colors of light. However, the polarizing film and the color filter layer have a high reflectance/absorption rate with respect to the radiated light, thereby reducing light efficiency throughout the panel. In particular, the color filter layer includes RGB dye layers, each of which only transmits light in a necessary wavelength range and reflects or absorbs light in other wavelength ranges, which results in a serious decrease in light efficiency.

To minimize a decrease in light efficiency, a display panel of the related art includes a dual brightness enhance film (DBEF), manufactured by crossing polymer films into a multilayer, stacked on a light entering surface. However, the DBEF involves a complicated manufacture process and high production costs, which contributes to an increase in price of the display apparatus.

Meanwhile, there are various disturbing factors which occur when a user perceives images displayed on the foregoing structured display apparatus. For example, a glare phenomenon, which is light shining on a surface of a display panel displaying an image by reflection of external light from surroundings. Glare becomes serious with higher intensity of external light, and may even make users hardly perceive images displayed on the panel. Although dark surroundings are favorable to minimize a glare phenomenon, it is hard to exclude external light in an actual environment for use of the display apparatus. Thus, a method or structure of reducing intensity of external light reflected on the surface of a display panel is crucial for a display panel and a display apparatus having the same, in view of how clearly the display panel and the display apparatus display images.

SUMMARY

The foregoing and/or other aspects may be achieved by providing a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including: a lower substrate; an upper substrate disposed to face the lower substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; a lower polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the lower substrate, and polarizing-filtering light radiated from a backlight; and an upper polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the upper substrate and polarizing-filtering the radiated light passing through the lower polarizing layer and the liquid crystal layer, wherein at least one of the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer and the wire grid of the upper polarizing layer includes a reflection layer to reflect the radiated light and an absorbing layer configured to absorb external light incident from the outside through the upper substrate.

In response to the radiated light entering a lower side of the lower substrate and the external light entering an upper side of the upper substrate, the absorbing layer may be disposed on the reflection layer.

The reflection layer may be disposed in a direction in which the radiated light enters the display panel and the absorbing layer is disposed in a direction in which the external light enters the display panel in the wire grids of the lower polarizing layer and the upper polarizing layer.

The reflection layer and the absorbing layer may be metal layers which include metal materials.

The reflection layer may have a higher light reflectance and a lower absorption rate than the absorbing layer.

The reflection layer may include an Al material.

The absorbing layer may include a MoW material.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be achieved by providing a display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel; and a backlight providing light to the LCD panel so that an image is displayed on the LCD panel, the LCD panel including: a lower substrate; an upper substrate disposed to face the lower substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; a lower polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the lower substrate and polarizing-filtering light radiated from the backlight; and an upper polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid formed on one surface of the upper substrate and polarizing-filtering the radiated light passing through the lower polarizing layer and the liquid crystal layer, wherein at least one of the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer and the wire grid of the upper polarizing layer includes a reflection layer configured to reflect the radiated light and an absorbing layer configured to absorb external light incident from the outside through the upper substrate.

When the radiated light enters a lower side of the lower substrate and the external light enters an upper side of the upper substrate, the absorbing layer is disposed on the reflection layer.

The reflection layer may be disposed in a direction in which the radiated light enters the display panel and the absorbing layer is disposed in a direction in which the external light enters the display panel in the wire grids of the lower polarizing layer and the upper polarizing layer.

The reflection layer and the absorbing layer may be metal layers which include metal materials.

The reflection layer may have a higher light reflectance and a lower absorption rate than the absorbing layer.

The reflection layer may include an Al material.

The absorbing layer may include a MoW material.

An aspect of an exemplary embodiment may provide a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including: a liquid crystal layer; a lower polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid and configured to provide polarizing-filtering of light radiated from a backlight; and an upper polarizing layer with a structure of wire grid and configured to provide polarizing-filtering of the radiated light passing through the lower polarizing layer and the liquid crystal layer.

At least one of the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer and the wire grid of the upper polarizing layer may include a reflection layer configured to reflect the radiated light and an absorbing layer configured to absorb external light incident from outside the LCD panel.

The liquid crystal panel may further include: a lower substrate; and an upper substrate disposed to face the lower substrate.

The liquid crystal panel may be disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; and the lower polarizing layer is formed on one surface of the lower substrate.

The upper polarizing layer may be formed on one surface of the upper substrate.

In response to the radiated light entering a lower side of the lower substrate and the external light entering an upper side of the upper substrate, the absorbing layer may be disposed on the reflection layer.

In addition, the reflection layer may be disposed in a direction in which the radiated light enters the display panel and the absorbing layer is disposed in a direction in which the external light enters the display panel in the wire grids of the lower polarizing layer and the upper polarizing layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, the display apparatus1is a device which is capable of processing an externally received image signal and autonomously displaying an image based on the processed image signal. In an exemplary embodiment, a TV is illustrated as an example of the display apparatus1. However, the display apparatus1may be provided as various types, for example, a TV, a monitor, a portable multimedia player and a mobile phone, as long as the display apparatus1includes a display panel30to display an image.

The display panel30autonomously generates light for displaying an image or is provided with such light from another component. For example, a self-luminous display panel, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, generates light by itself to display an image, whereas a non-self-luminous display panel30, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, in an exemplary embodiment does not generate light by itself but rather is provided with light generated from a backlight (not shown).

The display panel30emits light L1radiated from the backlight to the outside across a surface thereof, so that a user perceives an image displayed on the surface.

However, while the image is being displayed on the display panel30, external light L2from an external environment in which the display apparatus1is used reaches an outermost surface. In response to the external light L2neither being absorbed nor extinguished on the display panel30, the external light L2is reflected on the display panel30, so that the user may have difficulty in perceiving the image displayed on the display panel30.

Hereinafter, a structure of the display apparatus1will be described with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view which illustrates the display apparatus1. An exemplary embodiment will be illustrated with the display apparatus1including an LCD panel30.

Referring toFIG. 2, the display apparatus1includes covers10and20forming an interior space, a display panel30situated in the interior space by the covers10and20and displaying images on an upper surface thereof, a panel driver40driving the display panel30, and a backlight50situated in the interior space by the covers10and20to face a lower surface of the display panel30and providing light to the display panel30.

Directions shown inFIG. 2are defined as follows. Basically, X, Y, and Z directions ofFIG. 2indicate width, length, and height directions of the display panel30, respectively. The display panel30is disposed on an X-Y plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis, and the covers10and20, the display panel30and the backlight50are stacked on a Z-axis. Opposite X, Y, and Z directions are expressed as −X, −Y, and −Z directions, respectively.

Further, unless specified otherwise, expressions “upper” or “above” means the Z direction, while “lower” or “under” means the −Z direction. For example, the backlight50is disposed under the display panel30, and light radiated from the backlight50enters the lower surface of the display panel30and exits from the upper surface of the display panel30.

The covers10and20form an outward shape of the display apparatus1and support the display panel30and the backlight50which are situated inside. Defining the Z direction as a front direction or front side and the −Z direction as a rear direction or rear side based on the display panel30inFIG. 2, the covers10and20include a front cover10supporting a front side of the display panel30and a rear cover20supporting a rear side of the backlight50. The front cover10has an opening formed on a surface thereof parallel with the X-Y plane to expose an image display area of the display panel30externally.

The display panel30is configured as an LCD panel. The display panel30is formed of two substrates (not shown) and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed there between and displays images on a surface thereof by adjusting an arrangement of liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer (not shown) through application of driving signals. The display panel30does not emit light by itself and thus is provided with light from the backlight50to display images in the image display area on the surface thereof.

The panel driver40applies a driving signal for driving the liquid crystal layer to the display panel30. The panel driver40includes a gate drive integrated circuit (IC)41, a data chip film package43, and a printed circuit board (PCB)45.

The gate drive IC41is integratedly formed on a substrate (not shown) of the display panel30and is connected to each gate line (not shown) on the display panel30. The data chip film package43is connected to each data line (not shown) formed on the display panel30. Here, the data chip film package43may include a wiring pattern, obtained by forming semiconductor chips on a base film, and a tape automated bonding (TAB) tape bonded by a TAB technique. The chip film package may include, for example, a tape carrier package (TCP) or a chip on film (COF). Meanwhile, the PCB45inputs a gate drive signal to the gate drive IC41and inputs a data drive signal to the data chip film package43.

With this configuration, the panel driver40inputs drive signals to each gate line and each data line on the display panel30, respectively, thereby driving the liquid crystal layer (not shown) by a pixel unit.

The backlight50may be disposed under the display panel30, that is, in the −Z direction of the display panel30, to provide light to the lower surface of the display panel30. The backlight50includes a light source unit51disposed on an edge of the display panel30, a light guide plate53disposed parallel with the display panel30to face the lower surface of the display panel30, a reflection plate55disposed under the light guide plate53to face a lower surface of the light guide plate53, and at least one optical sheet57disposed between the display panel30and the light guide plate53.

In an exemplary embodiment, an edge-type backlight50is illustrated in which the light source51is disposed at a lateral side of the light guide plate53and a light emitting direction of the light source51and a light exiting direction of the light guide plate53are perpendicular to each other. However, a structure of the backlight50may be variously changed or modified in design, without being limited to an exemplary embodiment. For example, a direct-type backlight50may be used in which the light source51is disposed under the light guide plate53and the light emitting direction of the light source51and the light exiting direction of the light guide plate53are parallel to each other.

The light source51generates light and radiates the generated light to enter the light guide plate53. The light source51is installed perpendicular to the surface of the display panel30; that is, the X-Y plane, and disposed along at least one of four edges of the display panel30or the light guide plate53. The light source51include light emitting elements (not shown), for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs), sequentially disposed on a module substrate (not shown) in the X direction.

The light guide plate53, which is a plastic lens including injection molded acrylic materials, uniformly guides light incident from the light source51to the entire image display area of the display panel30. The lower surface of the light guide plate53that is a side in the −Z direction faces the reflection plate55. Further, among four side walls formed between an upper surface and the lower surface of the light guide plate53in four directions, side walls in the Y and −Y directions face the light source51. Light radiated from the light source51enters the side walls in the Y and −Y directions.

The light guide plate53includes various optical patterns (not shown) formed on the lower surface to diffused-reflect light proceeding in the light guide plate53or change a traveling direction of the light, thereby uniformly distributing light exiting from the light guide plate53.

The reflection plate55under the light guide plate53reflects light exiting from an inside of the light guide plate53to the outside to head back toward the light guide plate53. The reflection plate55reflects light not reflected by the optical patterns formed on the lower surface of the light guide plate53back into the light guide plate53. To this end, an upper surface of the reflection plate55has characteristics of total reflection.

The at least one optical sheet57is stacked above the light guide plate53to adjust characteristics of light exiting from the light guide plate53. The optical sheet57may include a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, or a protection sheet, wherein two or more kinds of sheets may be stacked in combination for ultimately desired light characteristics.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view which illustrates a layered structure of elements of a display panel100. The display panel100ofFIG. 3has a configuration substantially the same as the display panel30illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2and thus may be applied to the display apparatus1ofFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 3, light L1radiated in the Z direction from the backlight unit50(seeFIG. 2) enters the display panel100and exits in the Z direction via different elements of the display panel100. In the following description, spatially relative terms, such as “upper,” “above,” “lower” and “under” may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) in arrangement or deposition based on the Z direction in which the light L1proceeds.

The display panel100includes an upper substrate110, a lower substrate120disposed to face the upper substrate110, a liquid crystal layer130disposed between the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120, a lower polarizing layer140disposed between the liquid crystal layer130and the lower substrate120, an upper polarizing layer150disposed between the liquid crystal layer130and the upper substrate110, and a color filter layer160disposed between the liquid crystal layer130and the upper polarizing layer150.

Hereinafter, the elements of the display panel100will be described in detail.

The upper substrate110and the lower substrate120are transparent substrates disposed to face each other at a predetermined interval in the light proceeding direction. As for materials, the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120may be formed of a glass or plastic substrate. As a plastic substrate, the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120may include polycarbonate, polyimide (PI), polyethersulphone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR), polyethylenenaphthelate (PEN) or polyethyleneterephehalate (PET).

The upper substrate110and the lower substrate120have different characteristics based on a drive method of the liquid crystal layer130. For example, in a passive-matrix liquid crystal layer130, the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120may include soda lime glass. In an active-matrix liquid crystal layer130, the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120may include alkali free glass or borosilicate glass.

The liquid crystal layer130is disposed between the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120and adjusts light transmittance with a change in arrangement of the liquid crystals based on an applied driving signal. A liquid generally includes molecules with irregular orientation and arrangement, while liquid crystals are matter in a state with regularity to a certain extent, similar to a liquid phase. For example, there is a solid which becomes in a liquid phase exhibiting anisotropic properties such as birefringence when heated and melted. Liquid crystals have optical properties such as birefringence or color change. A liquid crystal is named such because the liquid crystal has properties of both liquid and solid crystal, for example, regularity as a crystal-like property and a liquid-like phase. When voltage is applied to the liquid crystals, an arrangement of the molecules is changed and optical properties thereof are also changed accordingly.

The liquid crystals in the liquid crystal layer130may be classified into nematic, cholesteric, smectice and ferroelectric liquid crystals based on an arrangement of the molecules.

The lower polarizing layer140is formed on a surface of the lower substrate120in the Z direction that is a light L1exiting surface of the lower substrate120. The lower polarizing layer140transmits only a preset first polarizing-direction component of the radiated light L1and reflects components other than the first polarizing-direction component.

The upper polarizing layer150is formed on a surface of the upper substrate120in the −Z direction that is a light L1entering surface of the upper substrate110. The upper polarizing layer150transmits only a preset second polarizing-direction component of the radiated light L1passing through the lower substrate120, the lower polarizing layer140, and the liquid crystal layer130and reflects other component than the second polarizing-direction component.

A second polarizing direction is different from a first polarizing direction, particularly perpendicular to the first polarizing direction, for which a polarizing direction of the radiated light L1is rotated 90 degrees by the liquid crystal layer130when the radiated light L1passes through the liquid crystal layer130. In response to the upper polarizing layer150transmitting the first polarizing-direction component in the same way as the lower polarizing layer140, the radiated light in the first polarizing direction via the lower polarizing layer140is adjusted to the second polarizing direction when passing through the liquid crystal layer130, and thus does not pass through the upper polarizing layer150. In this regard, a polarizing direction of light transmitted by the upper polarizing layer150is perpendicular to that of light transmitted by the lower polarizing layer140.

The upper polarizing layer150and the lower polarizing layer140are provided as wire grids or wire grids (not shown) of a plurality of bars extending in one direction parallel with the X-Y plane respectively on the surfaces of the upper substrate110and the lower substrate120. The bars of the wire grid are arranged at a preset pitch and extend in a direction which corresponds to each polarizing direction. The wire grid on the upper polarizing layer150projects from the upper substrate110to the liquid crystal layer130, while the wire grid on the lower polarizing layer140projects from the lower substrate120to the liquid crystal layer130.

However, external light L2enters the display panel100from the outside in an opposite direction to the direction of the radiated light L1for displaying an image on the display panel100. When the external light L2is reflected on the display panel100, a user may be disturbed in perceiving an image displayed on the display panel100. Thus, a structure of suppressing reflection of the external light L2is needed.

According to the related art, an antiglare film or an antireflection film is stacked on a top layer of the display panel100, that is, a surface of the upper substrate110in the Z direction, to suppress reflection of the external light L2.

The antiglare film has such a structure that the external light L2is reflected in a random direction on a surface thereof to scatter the external light L2, thereby suppressing transmission of light reflected on the display panel100to the eyes of a user. The antiglare film has a specular reflectance of 2.0 to 2.5% and is applied to a large-screen display panel. Meanwhile, the antireflection film is formed by depositing a plurality of materials having different refractive indices into a multilayer, thereby extinguishing reflection of the external light L2on interfaces between the respective coating layers due to a change in refractive index. As such, the antireflection film extinguishes the external light L2, showing an excellent specular reflectance of 0.1 to 1.0%. However, it is not easy to apply the antireflection film to a large-screen display panel due to cost efficiency and difficulties in manufacture.

Thus, the display panel100according to an exemplary embodiment adopts a structure illustrated as follows.

The lower polarizing layer140and the upper polarizing layer150of the display panel100have the wire grids to polarize-filter the radiated light L1, wherein at least one of the wire grids of the lower polarizing layer140and the upper polarizing layer150includes a reflection layer to reflect the radiated light L1and an absorbing layer to absorb the external light L2. In the wire grids of the lower polarizing layer140and the upper polarizing layer150, the reflection layer is disposed in a direction in which the radiated light L1enters the display panel100and the absorbing layer is disposed in a direction in which the external light L2enters the display panel100.

Hereinafter, a structure of the lower polarizing layer140will be described with reference toFIG. 4. The same structure may be applied to the upper polarizing layer150.

FIG. 4is a perspective view which illustrates a main part of the lower polarizing layer140.

As shown inFIG. 4, the lower polarizing layer140includes a wire grid or a linear grid formed by disposing a plurality of bars141parallel with each other on the lower substrate120, the bars141projecting in the Z direction and extending in the Y direction. The bars141have a preset height H and width W and are arranged regularly at a preset pitch P.

In response to the pitch P of the wire grid being adjusted to ½ of a wavelength of light, only transmitted light and reflected light are formed without diffracted waves. A slit is formed between two adjacent bars141of the wire grid, and while incident light is passing through the slit, a first polarized component in the first polarizing direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the bars141passes through the lower polarizing layer140. To the contrary, a second polarized component in the second polarizing direction parallel with the extending direction of the bars141is reflected in the −Z direction, not passing through the lower polarizing layer140. That is, due to the wire grid, light passing through the lower polarizing layer140is polarized-filtered in the first polarizing direction.

The reflected light, which does not pass through the lower polarizing layer140, is reflected by the reflection plate55(FIG. 2) back to the display panel100along with light generated in the light source51(FIG. 2). That is, the light which does not pass but is filtered by the lower polarizing layer140may be reused, thereby improving overall efficiency of light passing through the display panel100without use of a DBEF film of the related art.

The lower polarizing layer140is formed by depositing a metal layer on the lower substrate120and patterning the bars141by nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Accordingly, in response to a polarizing direction of entering light being parallel to the bars, the light is reflected by the lower polarizing layer140. In response to the polarizing direction of entering light being perpendicular to the bars, the light is transmitted.

To improve polarizing-filtering properties of the lower polarizing layer140, an aspect ratio, i.e., a ratio of the width W of the bars141to the height H thereof, may be 1:3 or higher.

Meanwhile, the upper polarizing layer150has a wire grid structure similar to that of the lower polarizing layer140. Here, a wire grid (not shown) of the upper polarizing layer150extends perpendicular to the wire grid141of the lower polarizing layer140. For example, when the wire grid141of the lower polarizing layer140extends in the Y direction, the wire grid of the upper polarizing layer150extends in the X direction, perpendicular to the Y direction. Accordingly, the upper polarizing layer150transmits the second polarized component only and does not transmit the first polarized component.

FIG. 5is a lateral cross-sectional view which illustrates a layered configuration of the lower polarizing layer140and the upper polarizing layer150.

As shown inFIG. 5, the radiated light L1proceeding in the Z direction enters the lower surface of the lower substrate120and exits from an upper surface of the upper substrate110, while the external light L2incident in the −Z direction enters the upper surface of the upper substrate110.

The bars141forming the lower polarizing layer140project to the upper substrate110in the Z direction. Each bar141of the lower polarizing layer140includes a reflection layer141adisposed on an upper surface of the lower substrate120to reflect the radiated light L1and an absorbing layer141bdisposed on the reflection layer141ato absorb the external light L2.

The reflection layer141aand the absorbing layer141bare provided as metal layers which include metal materials. The lower polarizing layer140and the upper polarizing layer150may conduct polarizing-filtering of light only with the wire grid structures. In response to the wire grid structures being provided as metal layers, polarizing-filtering properties are improved by plasmon resonance that occurs on a surface of a nanoscale metal by collective oscillation of free electrons.

The reflection layer141ais disposed on a portion of the lower polarizing layer140that the radiated light L1reaches first. That is, the reflection layer141ais disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate120so that the radiated light L1reaches the reflection layer141abefore the absorbing layer141b. The reflection layer141aserves a polarized component of light that does not pass through the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer140but is filtered heading back to the backlight50(FIG. 2) in the −Z direction.

The reflection layer141aincludes metal materials with high light reflectance, such as Al or Al alloy materials.

The absorbing layer141bis disposed on a portion of the lower polarizing layer140that the external light L2reaches first. That is, the absorbing layer141bis disposed on the reflection layer141aso that the external light L2reaches the absorbing layer141bbefore reaching the reflection layer141a. The absorbing layer141babsorbs the external light L2passing through the upper substrate110, thereby preventing the external light L2from being reflected in the display panel100to exit back out of the display panel100. That is, the absorbing layer141bprevents the external light L2from being reflected again in the display panel100.

The absorbing layer141bincludes metal materials with a high light absorption rate, such as MoW.

In response to the absorbing layer141bbeing disposed on the lower substrate120and the reflection layer141ais disposed on the absorbing layer141bunlike the foregoing structure of exemplary embodiment, the radiated light L1first reaches the absorbing layer141band the external light L2first reaches the reflection layer141a. Then, re-reflection of the radiated light L1and absorption efficiency of the external light L2are considerably reduced.

Thus, in the wire grid of the lower polarizing layer140of an exemplary embodiment, the reflection layer141ais disposed in a direction in which the radiated light L1enters the display panel100, and the absorbing layer141bis disposed in a direction in which the external light L2enters the display panel100. Accordingly, re-reflection of the radiated light L1and absorption efficiency of the external light L2may be improved.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned structure of the lower polarizing layer140may be also applied to the upper polarizing layer150. The upper polarizing layer150includes a absorbing layer151ato absorb the radiated light L1and an reflection layer151bto reflect the external light L2, and the absorbing layer151aand the reflection layer151bserve substantially the same functions as those of the lower polarizing layer140.

The upper polarizing layer150or the lower polarizing layer140may further include a dielectric layer151c. The dielectric layer151cprotects the metal layers141a,141b,151aand151b, and contributes to the generation of surface plasmon waves by surface plasmon resonance to enhance polarizing-filtering properties.

The bars151forming the upper polarizing layer150project in the −Z direction to the lower substrate120from a lower surface of the upper substrate110. That is, the bars141forming the lower polarizing layer140and the bars151forming the upper polarizing layer150project from the lower substrate120and the upper substrate110, respectively, to face each other.

Thus, in the upper polarizing layer150, the absorbing layer151ais disposed under the lower surface of the upper substrate110and the reflection layer151bis disposed under the absorbing layer151a. Here, the expression “under” is understood based on the structure shown inFIG. 5.

With this structure, the radiated light L1passing through the liquid crystal layer130(seeFIG. 3) reaches the reflection layer151bbefore the absorbing layer151a, while the external light L2reaches the absorbing layer151abefore reaching the reflection layer151b. Details regarding the reflection layer151breflecting the radiated light L1and the absorbing layer151aabsorbing the external light L2are substantially the same as described above with respect to the lower polarizing layer140, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted herein.

Hereinafter, a method of forming the upper polarizing layer150will be described with reference toFIG. 6. A method of forming the lower polarizing layer140is equivalent to the method of forming the upper polarizing layer150.

FIG. 6illustrates the method of forming the upper polarizing layer150on the upper substrate110.

As shown inFIG. 6, with the lower surface of the upper substrate placed up, a MoW layer210, an Al layer220and a SiO2layer230are sequentially deposited on the lower surface of the upper substrate110. The MoW layer210, the Al layer220and the SiO2layer230respectively form the absorbing layer151a, the reflection layer151band the dielectric layer151cofFIG. 5.

In response to the dielectric layer151cnot being provided for the wire grid, the SiO2layer230is excluded. Further, the MoW layer210is deposited on the Al layer220for the lower polarizing layer140, unlike the upper polarizing layer150.

A photoresist240is deposited on the SiO2layer230based on the wire grid structure. The photoresist240may be deposited by lithography.

Subsequently, etching is carried out. The MoW layer210, the Al layer220and the SiO2layer230are etched by etching excluding regions where the photoresist240is deposited. The photoresist240is removed, and accordingly the upper polarizing layer150with the wire grid structure is formed on the upper substrate110.

The MoW layer210forming the absorbing layer151ais more easily etched than the Al layer220forming the reflection layer151b. That is, a wire grid structure including only the reflection layer151bis easily etched as compared with a wire grid structure including the reflection layer151band the reflecting layer151b. Thus, in forming a wire grid structure with an aspect ratio of 1:3, the structure including both the reflection layer151band the reflecting layer151bis easier to manufacture than a structure which does not include the reflection layer151b.

Hereinafter, a configuration of a display apparatus900according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described, with reference toFIG. 7.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the display apparatus900according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 7, the display apparatus900includes a signal receiver910receiving an image signal, a signal processor920processing the image signal received by the signal receiver910according to a preset image processing process, a panel driver930outputting a driving signal which corresponds to the image signal processed by the signal processor920, a display panel940which displays an image based on the image signal according to the driving signal from the panel driver930, and a backlight950which provides light to the display panel940which corresponds to the image signal processed by the signal processor920.

In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus900may be configured as various devices capable of displaying images; for example, a TV, a monitor, a portable media player and a mobile phone.

The signal receiver910receives an image signal or image data and transmits the image signal or image data to the signal processor920. The signal receiver910may be configured as various types of receivers based on standards of received image signals and configurations of the display apparatus900. For example, the signal receiver910may receive a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted from a broadcast station (not shown) wirelessly or various image signals in accordance with composite video, component video, super video, SCART, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), DisplayPort, unified display interface (UDI) or wireless HD standards, via a cable. In response to the image signal being a broadcast signal, the signal receiver910includes a tuner to tune the broadcast signal by each channel. Alternatively, the signal receiver910may receive an image data packet from a server (not shown) through a network.

The signal processor920performs various image processing processes on the image signal received by the signal receiver910. The signal processor920outputs a processed image signal to the panel driver930, so that an image based on the image signal is displayed on the display panel940.

The signal processor920may perform any kind of image processing, without being limited to, for example, decoding which corresponds to an image format of image data, de-interlacing to convert interlaced image data into a progressive form, scaling to adjust image data to a preset resolution, noise reduction to improve image quality, detail enhancement, frame refresh rate conversion, or the like.

The signal processor920may be provided as an image processing board (not shown) formed by mounting an integrated multi-functional component, such as a system on chip (SOC), or separate components to independently conduct individual processes on a printed circuit board and be embedded in the display apparatus900.

The panel driver930, the display panel940, and the backlight950have configurations substantially the same as those in the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted herein.