Abstract:
In a method of manufacturing a display apparatus, an opposite substrate on which a conductive pattern is formed is coupled with a display substrate to face the display substrate, and the opposite substrate is cut to partially expose the display substrate. Since the conductive pattern is cut with the opposite substrate during the cutting of the opposite substrate, an electric resistance of the conductive pattern is changed. The change in electric resistance of the conductive pattern is detected to determine whether the opposite substrate is cut or not.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0008531 filed on Feb. 3, 2009, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates a display apparatus capable of preventing defects in manufacturing process and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Among flat panel displays, a flexible display indicates a display device which is flexibly bendable. The flexible display includes a plastic substrate having a thickness of about 0.2 millimeters (mm) which imparts flexibility to the display device, rather than a glass substrate of a relatively hard material which imparts rigidity. 
         [0006]    When manufacturing the flat panel display, two substrates are coupled to each other while facing each other. One of the two substrates is selectively cut to expose the other substrate to an exterior in order to bond a driving chip to the exposed other substrate among the two substrates of the flat panel display. In a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display including a glass substrate, the selective cutting process for only one substrate of the two substrates is performed such as by using a scribing wheel. However, in the manufacturing method of the flexible display including the plastic substrate, the thickness of the plastic substrate is too thin to reliably and accurately cut only one substrate of the two substrates by using the scribing wheel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a display apparatus capable of reducing or effectively preventing defects in a manufacturing process. 
         [0008]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the display apparatus. 
         [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a display apparatus is provided as follows. A plurality of pixels is formed on a first substrate to manufacture a display substrate, and a conductive pattern is formed on a second substrate to manufacture an opposite substrate. The display substrate is coupled with the opposite substrate, and the second substrate is cut with the conductive pattern to cut the opposite substrate such that the display substrate is partially exposed. 
         [0010]    In addition, a change in electric resistance of the conductive pattern is detected during the cutting of the opposite substrate to check whether or not the opposite substrate is cut. The opposite substrate is accurately cut while the display substrate is coupled with the opposite substrate, and the opposite substrate being incompletely cut or damaged by cutting the opposite substrate is reduced or effectively prevented. 
         [0011]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a first substrate including a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of conductive lines. 
         [0012]    The conductive lines are arranged on the second substrate corresponding to the peripheral area. First ends of the conductive lines are electrically connected to each other, and second ends arranged opposite to the first ends are spaced apart from each other. 
         [0013]    The display apparatus may be a liquid crystal display which further includes a liquid crystal interposed between the display substrate and the opposite substrate. 
         [0014]    The display substrate may include the first substrate having flexibility, such as a plastic substrate, and the opposite substrate may include the second substrate having flexibility, such as the plastic substrate. 
         [0015]    The opposite substrate may be cut using a laser beam. 
         [0016]    In the exemplary embodiments, an intensity of the laser beam may be controlled by detecting the change in electric resistance of the conductive pattern while the display substrate and the opposite substrate are coupled to each other. Therefore, the opposite substrate being incompletely cut due to a lack of the intensity of the laser beam, and the display substrate being damaged due to an excessive intensity of the laser beam may be reduced or effectively prevented. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above and other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side view showing an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a partially enlarged plan view showing an exemplary embodiment of an edge of the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing another exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5 to 8  are plan, perspective and cross-sectional views showing an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary 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. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0025]    It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0026]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0028]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of 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 “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. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. 
         [0030]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0031]    All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as used herein. 
         [0032]    Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a side view showing an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the present invention. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal display (“LCD”)  500  includes a display substrate  200 , an opposite substrate  400  facing the display substrate  200 , and a liquid crystal  250  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) interposed between the display substrate  200  and the opposite substrate  400 . 
         [0035]    The display substrate  200  includes a first substrate  100  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) which is flexible, such as including a plastic material, so that the display substrate  200  may have flexibility. In addition, the opposite substrate  400  includes a second substrate  300  which is flexible, such as including a plastic material, so that the opposite substrate  400  may have flexibility. Although external forces are applied to the LCD  500 , the LCD  500  may be flexibly bent and deformed, thereby advantageously reducing or effectively preventing the LCD  500  from being damaged. 
         [0036]    Each of the display substrate  200  and the opposite substrate  400  includes a display area DA and a peripheral area SA. The display area DA is an area on which images are displayed, and the peripheral area SA surrounds the display area DA. A portion of the peripheral area SA may be respectively disposed between the display area DA and each outer edge of the display substrate  200  and the opposite substrate  400 . The display substrate  200  is coupled with the opposite substrate  400  in the peripheral area SA. An inner boundary of the peripheral area of the opposite substrate  400  and the display substrate  200  may coincide with (e.g., are aligned with) each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    The peripheral area SA of the display substrate  200  includes a bonding area BA. The display substrate  200  includes a bonding portion  10  corresponding to the bonding area BA. As used herein, “corresponding” may refer to as being related in positional relationship, dimension and/or shape to another element. The bonding part  10  includes a plurality of a bonding pad part  50  (shown in  FIG. 3A ). The bonding pad parts  50  are coupled to, such as by bonding, with elements (not shown) which provide driving signals to the display substrate  200 . The elements providing driving signals to the display substrate  200  include, but are not limited to, a driving chip, a bumper of a flexible printed circuit board, or the like. Accordingly, the display substrate  200  may receive the driving signals used to drive the display substrate  200  from the driving chip or the flexible printed circuit board. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a partially enlarged plan view showing an exemplary embodiment of an edge of the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , elements for the opposite substrate  400  will mainly be described.  FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B, the LCD  500  includes the display substrate  200 , the opposite substrate  400 , and the liquid crystal  250  interposed between the display substrate  200  and the opposite substrate  400 . The display substrate  200  is coupled with the opposite substrate  400  by a coupling member  260  which is interposed between the display substrate  200  and the opposite substrate  400 , and corresponding to the peripheral area SA. 
         [0040]    The display substrate  200  includes the display area DA and the peripheral area SA, and the peripheral area SA includes the bonding area BA and surrounds the display area DA. Also, the display substrate  200  includes the first substrate  100 , a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area DA, and the bonding pad parts  50  arranged in the bonding area BA. 
         [0041]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first substrate  100  is a plastic substrate. More particularly, the first substrate  100  includes a plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), poly carbonate (“PC”), polyethylene naphthalate (“PEN”), polyether sulfone (“PES”), or fiber reinforced plastic (“FRP”). In addition, the first substrate  100  has a thickness which is equal to or less than about 0.2 millimeters (mm) and has flexibility. 
         [0042]    The pixels are disposed on the first substrate  100  corresponding to the display area DA. Since each of the pixels have substantially the same structure and function, only one pixel PXL will be described in  FIG. 3A  as a representative pixel, and thus others will be omitted. The pixel PXL includes a pixel electrode PE and a thin film transistor TR electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE to switch a driving signal applied to the pixel electrode PE. 
         [0043]    Although not shown in detail in drawings, a plurality of gate lines (not shown) and a plurality of data lines (not shown) crossing the gate lines are arranged on the first substrate  100 . Each pixel is electrically connected to a corresponding gate line among the gate lines and a corresponding data line among the data lines. Therefore, gate signals transmitted through the gate lines may control operations of the pixels, so that data signals transmitted through the data lines may be applied to the pixels. 
         [0044]    The thin film transistor TR includes a gate electrode GE, an active pattern AP, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE. The gate electrode GE may branch from the gate line GL and is disposed on the first substrate  100 . The gate line GL including the branched gate electrode GE may be a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. The active pattern AP includes a semiconductor material such as amorphous silicon or polysilicon and is disposed on the gate electrode GE. A gate insulating layer  110  is interposed between the gate electrode GE and the active pattern AP to insulate the gate electrode GE and the active pattern AP. The source electrode SE can branch from each data line and is disposed on the active pattern AP, and the drain electrode DE is spaced apart from the source electrode SE and disposed on the active pattern AP. The data line including the branched source electrode SE may be a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. 
         [0045]    The pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the thin film transistor TR. More particularly, the thin film transistor TR is covered (e.g., overlapped) by an inter-insulating layer  120 . The pixel electrode PE is disposed on the inter-insulating layer  120  to cover (e.g., overlap) an area of the thin film transistor TR where the inter-insulating layer  120  is partially removed to expose a portion or the drain electrode DE. Thus, the pixel electrode PE and the drain electrode DE are electrically connected to each other where the inter-insulating layer  120  is partially removed. 
         [0046]    Each of the bonding pad parts  50  includes a terminal  20  branching from the gate line GL and a pad  30  electrically connected to the terminal  20 . The gate line GL including the branched terminal  20  may be a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. More particularly, the terminal  20  is partially covered (e.g., overlapped) by the gate insulating layer  110  and the inter-insulating layer  120 . The pad  30  is disposed on the inter-insulating layer  120  to overlap an area from which both the gate insulating layer  110  and the inter-insulating layer  120  are partially removed to expose the terminal  20 . As a result, the pad  30  and the terminal  20  are electrically connected to each other where the gate insulating layer  110  and the inter-insulating layer  120  are partially removed. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the pad  30  and the pixel electrode PE may include the same material. 
         [0047]    The opposite substrate  400  includes the second substrate  300 , color filters CF, a black matrix BM, a common electrode  365 , and conductive lines  361 . 
         [0048]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the second substrate  300  is a plastic substrate like the first substrate  100 . The second substrate  300  has a thickness equal to or less than about 0.2 mm and has flexibility. 
         [0049]    The color filters CF are disposed on the second substrate  300  corresponding to the display area DA of the opposite substrate  400 . In exemplary embodiments, the color filters CF may include red, green, and blue color filters, and a white light is filtered through the color filters CF to have a predetermined color. The black matrix BM is disposed on the second substrate  300  substantially corresponding to the peripheral area SA of the opposite substrate  400 . A portion of the black matrix BM may also be disposed in the display area DA, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3A . The black matrix BM is disposed in areas between adjacent color filters CF, and in areas between an outer edge of the opposite substrate  400  directly adjacent to color filters CF and the color filters CF to block a light. 
         [0050]    The common electrode  365  is disposed on the second substrate  300  corresponding to the display area DA of the opposite substrate  400 . A portion of the common electrode  365  may also be disposed in the peripheral area SA, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3A . The common electrode  365  may be disposed overlapping an entire of the second substrate  300 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the common electrode  365  includes a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) and indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), and forms an electric field in cooperation with the pixel electrode PE to control a director of the liquid crystal  250 . 
         [0051]    The conductive lines  361  branch from the common electrode  365 , and each conductive line  361  longitudinally extends substantially in a first direction D 1 . Also, the conductive lines  361  are arranged in a second direction D 2  which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 . The conductive lines  361  arranged along the second direction D 2  are spaced apart from each other by an interval. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an entire of the conductive lines  361  is disposed within the peripheral area SA of the opposite substrate  400 . In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive lines  361  may be disposed only in the peripheral area SA of the opposite substrate  400  and not in the display area DA of the opposite substrate  400 . The conductive lines  365  may be arranged along at least one edge among edges of the opposite substrate  400 . The common electrode  365  including the branched conductive lines  361  is a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. 
         [0052]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a first length L 1  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which represents a (longitudinal) length taken in the first direction D 1  of each conductive line  361  is about  2  millimeters, a second length L 2  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) which represents a width of each conductive line  361  taken in the second direction D 2  is about 3 micrometers, and a third length L 3  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) which represents the interval between adjacent conductive lines  361  arranged in the second direction D 2  is about 10 micrometers. However, the first, second, and third lengths should not be limited thereto. 
         [0053]    Since each conductive line  361  branches from the common electrode  365 , and is indivisibly continuous with the common electrode  365 , the conductive lines  361  are electrically connected to each other by the common electrode  365 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 3A , ends (e.g., distal ends) of the conductive lines  361  are each disposed on an extended portion of one side of the second substrate  300 . The distal ends of the conductive lines  361  are disposed on an extended portion of one side of the second substrate  300  because when a preliminary opposite substrate  402  (shown in  FIG. 7A ) is partially cut to form the opposite substrate  400 , a preliminary substrate  301  (shown in  FIG. 7A ) is cut with a conductive pattern  370  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) to substantially simultaneously form the second substrate  300  and the conductive lines  361 . More detailed descriptions of the above will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing another exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , and thus the detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an opposite substrate  401  includes a plurality of conductive lines  368  which is spaced apart from a common electrode  365  in the plan view. The conductive lines  368  include first conductive lines  366  longitudinally extended in a first direction D 1  and a second conductive line  367  longitudinally extended in a second direction D 2  to connect first ends of the first conductive lines  366  to each other. Second ends of the first conductive lines  366  which are disposed opposite to the first ends are arranged spaced apart from each other along the second direction D 2 . The conductive lines  368 , including the first conductive lines  366  and the second conductive line  367 , define a unitary, continuous and indivisible member, while the common electrode  365  is also a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. Since the conductive lines  368  are indivisibly continuous with each other, the first conductive lines  366  and the second conductive line  367  are electrically connected to each other. 
         [0056]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a length and a width of each first conductive line  366 , and a distance (e.g., interval) between the first conductive lines  366  may be the same as those of L 1 , L 2  and L 3  of the conductive lines  361 , respectively, shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 5 to 8  are plan, perspective and cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 . In  FIGS. 5 to 8 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A and  3 B, and thus the detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a preliminary opposite substrate  402  is prepared. The preliminary opposite substrate  402  is used to form the opposite substrate  400  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). More particularly, the opposite substrate  400  is formed by cutting the preliminary opposite substrate  402  along a cutting line CL to remove a cutting area CA of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . 
         [0059]    Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3A , during the process of manufacturing the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the common electrode  365 , the black matrix BM, the color filters CF, and the conductive pattern  370  are formed on the second substrate  300 . After the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is formed, the conductive pattern  370  is cut with the preliminary opposite substrate  402  to form the conductive lines  361 . In an exemplary embodiment, the common electrode  365  is formed with the conductive pattern  370  through a same photolithography process using a same photomask. The conductive pattern  370  for forming the conductive lines  361  and  368  may include a same material as the common electrode  365 . 
         [0060]    The conductive pattern  370  includes a first inspection pad  371 , a second inspection pad  372 , a third inspection pad  373 , a fourth inspection pad  374 , a plurality of inspection lines  375 , and a connection line  376  connecting the inspection lines  375  to each other. Each inspection line  375  branches from the common electrode  365  and longitudinally extends in the first direction D 1 , and the inspection lines  375  are arranged in the second direction D 2  while being spaced apart from each other. The connection line  376  longitudinally extends in the second direction D 2  to connect first ends of the inspection lines  375  to each other. The first and second inspection pads  371  and  372  branch from two inspection lines  375 , which are directly adjacent to a first edge  506  of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , among the inspection lines  375 . In addition, the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  branch from two inspection lines  375 , which are adjacent to a second edge  507  facing the first edge  506 , among the inspection lines  375 . 
         [0061]    The first and second edges  506  and  507  of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  are disposed opposing each other, at a first side and a second side of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . The conductive pattern  370  including the first inspection pad  371 , the second inspection pad  372 , the third inspection pad  373 , the fourth inspection pad  374 , the plurality of inspection lines  375  and the connection line  376  is a unitary, continuous and indivisible member. The inspection lines  375  are essentially extended from and continuous with portions of the conductive pattern  370  that will ultimately form the conductive lines  361  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  3 B) and the conductive lines  368  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) when the inspection lines  375  are cut in forming the LCD. 
         [0062]    As described above, since the first ends of the inspection lines  375  are connected to each other by the connection line  376 , second ends of the inspection lines  375  are connected to the common electrode  365 , and the inspection lines  375  are spaced apart from each other, the inspection lines  375  are electrically connected to each other in parallel. When an inspection needle makes contact with the first and second inspection pads  371  and  372 , or the inspection needle makes contact with the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374 , an electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370  may be measured. An intensity of the electric resistance may depend on a length and a width of each inspection line  375  and the number of the inspection lines  375  which are electrically connected to each other in parallel. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , after forming the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the liquid crystal  250  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) is provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  or the display substrate  200 , and the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is coupled with the display substrate  200  by the coupling member  260  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) to form a preliminary liquid crystal display  502 . More particularly, the coupling member  260  is provided to the peripheral area SA of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  or the display substrate  200  and used to couple the preliminary opposite substrate  402  and the display substrate  200 . 
         [0064]    In an inspection process, a first inspection needle  630  makes contact with the third inspection pad  373 , and a second inspection needle  635  makes contact with the fourth inspection pad  374  to measure the electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  and the display substrate  200  includes a thin plastic substrate and has flexibility, and the coupling member  260  is not provided in the cutting area CA between the preliminary opposite substrate  402  and the display substrate  200 . Thus, when the preliminary opposite substrate  402  and the display substrate  200  are separated from each other at the edge of the cutting area CA, the first and second inspection needles  630  and  635  can be disposed between the preliminary opposite substrate  402  and the display substrate  200  and may make contact with the third inspection pad  373  and the fourth inspection pad  374  in a one-to-one correspondence. 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a laser beam  610  is irradiated onto the preliminary opposite substrate  402  along the cutting line CL using a laser cutter  600 . When the laser beam  610  is irradiated along the cutting line CL from the first edge  506  to the second edge  507 , a portion  650  (shown in  FIG. 7B ) corresponding to the cutting area CA of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is removed, thereby completely manufacturing the opposite substrate  400  (shown in  FIG. 7B ). When the portion  650  of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  including portions of the conductive pattern  370  is removed, conductive lines  361  (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  3 B) and the conductive lines  368  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) are formed. A planar area of the completed opposite substrate  400  including the conductive lines is less than the preliminary opposite substrate  402  due to the removal of the portion  650  corresponding to the cutting area CA of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . 
         [0066]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first inspection needle  630  makes contact with the third inspection pad  373 , the second inspection needle  635  makes contact with the fourth inspection pad  374 , and the laser beam  610  is irradiated along the cutting line CL from the first edge  506  to the second edge  507 . Although not shown in drawings, the first inspection needle  630  may make contact with the first inspection pad  371 , the second inspection pad  635  may make contact with the second inspection pad  372 , and the laser beam  610  may be irradiated along the cutting line CL from the second edge  507  to the first edge  506 . 
         [0067]    When cutting the preliminary opposite substrate  402  using the laser beam  610 , it is desirable to control an intensity of the laser beam  610  in order to completely cut only the preliminary opposite substrate  402  while reducing or effectively preventing damage to the display substrate  200  by the laser beam  610 . In one exemplary embodiment, where the laser beam  610  has the intensity corresponding to the intensity of about 90% of the laser beam  610  which is required to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may not be completely cut. On the contrary, where the laser beam  610  has the intensity corresponding to the intensity of about 110% of the laser beam  610  which is required to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be completely cut. However, since the intensity of the laser beam  610  provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  exceeds a level of the laser beam  610  required to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the display substrate  200  disposed under the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be damaged by the laser beam  610 . 
         [0068]    Therefore, when the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut using the laser beam  610 , the intensity of the laser beam  610  provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  should be controlled accurately. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the intensity of the laser beam  610  may be adjusted with reference to changes of electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), which are measured by the first and second inspection needles  630  and  635 . More detailed descriptions of the above will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  8 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cross-sectional views taken along line III-III′ of  FIG. 6 . Particularly,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an exemplary embodiment of processes of cutting a portion of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  by the laser beam.  FIG. 8  is a plan view illustrating the process of cutting the portion of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , and elements of the preliminary opposite  402  substrate are mainly described in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  8 , after the first inspection needle  630  makes contact with the third inspection pad  373  and the second inspection needle  635  makes contact with the fourth inspection pad  374 , the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut using the laser cutter  600  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). More particularly, the laser beam  610  is irradiated along the cutting line CL from the first edge  506  to the second edge  507  to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . 
         [0071]    The inspection lines  375  branch from the common electrode  365  to cross (e.g., intersect) a borderline between the peripheral area SA and the cutting area CA of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . Thus, when the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut by the laser beam  610 , the inspection lines  375  are cut by the laser beam  610 . The severed inspection lines  375   
         [0072]    As described earlier, the inspection lines  375  serve as electric resistances connected to each other in parallel. Therefore, while the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is being cut, as the number of inspection lines  375  cut by the laser beam  610  increases, the electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370  measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  increases. In one exemplary embodiment, when one of the inspection lines  375  is cut on the assumption that the electric resistance of each inspection line  375  is n ohm and the number of inspection lines  375  is m (m is a natural number), the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  increases from n/m ohm to n/(m−1) ohm. 
         [0073]    Referring to the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the inspection lines  375  are disposed at an uppermost portion of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , and the inspection lines  375  are cut after the second substrate  300  at a lowermost portion of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut by the laser beam  610 . Thus, a timing at which the inspection lines  375  are cut is substantially the same as a timing at which the second substrate and the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut. As a result, when the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  increases during the process of cutting the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the timing at which the inspection lines  375  are cut by the laser beam  610  may be checked, so that the timing at which the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut may be checked. 
         [0074]    As described above, the timing at which the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is cut may be checked by detecting the change of the electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370  measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374 . Advantageously, damage to the display substrate  200  due to an excessive intensity of the laser beam  610  provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be reduced or effectively prevented. In addition, the preliminary opposite substrate  402  being incompletely cut due to a lack of intensity of the laser beam  610  provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be reduced or effectively prevented. 
         [0075]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the change in electric resistance of the conductive pattern  370  is measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374 , however, the change in electric resistance may be measured at the first and third inspection pads  371  and  373  or the second and fourth inspection pads  372  and  374 . 
         [0076]    According to the exemplary embodiment of the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display, the intensity of the laser beam provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be controlled as follows. First, when the laser beam  610  is initially irradiated onto the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the laser beam  610  having the intensity lower than the intensity of the laser beam  610  required to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402  is provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . Then, the intensity of the laser beam gradually increases to detect the timing at which the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  begins to be increased. As described above, when the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  begins to be increased, it can be determined that a portion of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , onto which the laser beam  610  is irradiated, is completely cut. 
         [0077]    Assuming that the intensity of the laser beam  610  corresponding to the timing at which the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  begins to be increased is a first intensity, the laser beam  610  having the first intensity may be uniformly provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402  during the cutting process of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . However, where the laser beam having the first intensity is uniformly provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , cutting quality of the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be adversely affected by a uniformity of thickness of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , such as when there are variations in the thickness of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . 
         [0078]    Therefore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the method of controlling the intensity of the laser beam provided to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be cut using the following processes in order to improve the cutting quality of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . That is, instead of uniformly providing the laser beam  610  having the first intensity to the preliminary opposite substrate  402 , the laser beam  610  having the first intensity is irradiated first. Then, the laser beam  610  having 10% smaller intensity (e.g., a second intensity) than the first intensity is provided, and the intensity of the laser beam increases from the second intensity. After that, when the electric resistance measured at the third and fourth inspection pads  373  and  374  increases as the number of inspection lines  375  cut by the laser beam  610  increases, the increase of the intensity of the laser beam  610  from the second intensity stops. The intensity of the laser beam  610  returns to the first intensity, and the process is repeated along the cutting line CL of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . When repeatedly performing the processes as stated above, the intensity of the laser beam  610  needed to cut the preliminary opposite substrate  402  may be frequently adjusted and controlled according to a location of the preliminary opposite substrate  402 . 
         [0079]    According to the above, the intensity of the laser beam may be adjusted and controlled by detecting the change in electric resistance of the conductive pattern while the display substrate and the opposite substrate are coupled to each other. Advantageously, the opposite substrate being incompletely cut due to the lack of the intensity of the laser beam, and the display substrate being damaged due to the excessive intensity of the laser beam may be reduced or effectively prevented. 
         [0080]    Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.