Patent Publication Number: US-2010110355-A1

Title: Liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a liquid crystal panel of an OCB (Optically Compensated Birefringence) mode (hereinafter referred to as “OCB mode liquid crystal panel”). 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Attention has been given to an OCB mode liquid crystal panel as a liquid crystal panel which has a broad viewing angle and an excellent high-speed response performance. As illustrated in (a) through (d) of  FIG. 17 , in the OCB mode liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal layer  140  is in a splay alignment in a state in which a voltage is not applied ((a) of  FIG. 17 ). By application of a high voltage, the liquid crystal layer  140  transitions to a bend alignment (splay to bend transition) ((b) of  FIG. 17 ). By use of this bend alignment, display between white display ((c) of  FIG. 17 ) and black display ((d) of  FIG. 17 ) is carried out. In other words, a voltage in a fixed range (a voltage VL to a voltage VH) is continuously applied to the liquid crystal layer  140  so as to maintain a bend alignment of the liquid crystal layer  140 ; when the voltage VL is applied, white display is displayed, and when the voltage VH is applied, black display is displayed. 
       FIG. 37  is an arrangement of an active matrix substrate that is used in an OCB mode liquid crystal panel disclosed in Patent Literature 1. As illustrated in  FIG. 37 , this conventional active matrix substrate includes pixel electrodes  506  provided in pixel areas, respectively, which pixel areas are demarcated by gate lines  512  and source lines  511 . The pixel electrodes  506  are connected to respective drain electrodes  514  of respective TFTs (Thin Film Transistor)  513 . Moreover, each of the pixel electrodes  506  has a region which overlaps a respective storage capacitor electrode  509  that passes transversely through the pixel areas. Each of these regions has an opening  506   a  of a rectangular shape. An alignment film (not illustrated) is formed so as to cover the pixel electrodes  506 . A rubbing process is carried out to this alignment film and also to an alignment film provided on a color filter substrate, so as to align liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer. A rubbing direction of the rubbing process is a direction parallel to the source lines  511 . 
     In the OCB mode liquid crystal panel, a splay—bend transition occurs by having a region above the opening  506   a  serve as a transition nucleus. This region above the opening  506   a  locally has strong electric field strength. For example, in a state of the pixel electrodes  506  to which a voltage is not applied (maintaining the source lines  511  to a voltage of 0 V), a voltage of −25 V is applied between a counter electrode (not illustrated) of a color filter substrate and the storage capacitor electrode  509  for one minute. This causes the splay—bend transition to propagate from the transition nucleus to the whole pixel. 
     Patent Literature 1 
     Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2003-107506 A (Publication Date: Apr. 9, 2003) 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The inventors of the present invention found that the conventional OCB mode liquid crystal panel has the following problems. 
     A first problem is as follows. In a display state in which a splay—bend transition has been carried out, the liquid crystal molecules above the gate lines  512  and the source lines  511  receive transverse electric field from the signal lines; this causes a reverse transition (bend to splay transition). The liquid crystal molecules which have reversely transitioned serve as a nucleus, and cause a splay alignment to spread in a pixel, for example during white display (when low voltage is applied). The pixel in which the splay alignment has spread due to the reverse transition becomes a bright dot, and is observed as a point defect. 
     A second problem is as follows. In a liquid crystal panel, a spacer is provided between an active matrix substrate and a color filter substrate. Caused by the spacer, liquid crystal molecules in a splay alignment remain at a shadow part of the spacer, even after the splay—bend transition has spread throughout the pixel. The liquid crystal molecules in the splay alignment which remain at this shadow part serve as a nucleus, and causes the splay alignment to spread in the pixel, for example during white display. 
     A third problem is as follows. In a liquid crystal panel, a non-display area is formed so as to surround a display area, as illustrated in  FIG. 35 ; a voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer in the non-display area, therefore the liquid crystal layer in the non-display area is always in a splay alignment. This splay alignment of the non-display area spreads in the pixel in the display area during white display for example (see  FIG. 36 ). 
     The present invention is accomplished in view of these problems, and its object is to provide an OCB mode liquid crystal panel which is capable of suppressing spreading of a splay alignment caused by reverse transition during display. 
     A liquid crystal panel in accordance with the present invention includes: an active matrix substrate on which (i) signal lines including scanning signal lines and data signal lines, (ii) transistors connected to the respective signal lines, and (iii) pixel electrodes provided for respective pixel areas demarcated by the signal lines are provided; a counter substrate; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, the liquid crystal layer being caused to transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment, at least one of the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate having a surface on which a step section for suppressing reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment is provided, the step section being provided so that (i) the step section, (ii) a corresponding gap between adjacent pixel electrodes and (iii) a corresponding one of the signal lines overlap each other. 
     According to the arrangement, even if reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment occurs during display in liquid crystal molecules above the signal lines, which reverse transition is caused by transverse electric field between (i) data signal lines or scanning signal lines and (ii) a periphery of the pixel electrodes, a step section provided on the surface suppresses spreading of the reverse transition. This is because it is difficult for the reverse transition to propagate at the step section. As a result, it is possible to suppress the spreading of a splay alignment in a pixel during while display or the like, which therefore improves display quality. 
     In the present liquid crystal panel, the step section may be provided by providing a corresponding groove, which groove is provided on the surface such that (i) the corresponding groove, (ii) the corresponding gap between adjacent pixel electrodes and (iii) the corresponding one of the signal lines overlap each other. 
     In the present liquid crystal panel, the step section may be provided by providing a corresponding plurality of depressions, which depressions are provided on the surface such that (i) the corresponding depressions, (ii) the corresponding gap between adjacent pixel electrodes and (iii) the corresponding one of the signal lines overlap each other. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged such that a corresponding pair of embankments that face each other is provided on the surface such that (i) the corresponding pair of embankments, (ii) the corresponding gap between adjacent pixel electrodes and (iii) the corresponding one of the signal lines overlap each other, and the step section is provided by providing the corresponding pair of embankments. Each of the embankments may be constructed by, for example, providing an insulating film to be provided above the transistor to be thicker in embankment parts than adjacent parts to the embankment part. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged such that the step section is provided on a surface of the active matrix substrate. A groove and depressions for providing the step section may be easily provided by, for example, partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the active matrix substrate. In this case, the insulating film is preferably an interlayer insulating film provided above the transistors, which interlayer insulating film includes an organic material. This is because an arrangement in which the interlayer insulating film including an organic material and being provided above the transistors is capable of attaining a sufficient level difference by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of this interlayer insulating film. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged such that the step section is provided on a surface of the counter substrate. A groove for providing the step section may be easily provided, for example, by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the counter substrate. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged such that each of the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate has a surface on which the step section is provided. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged further including retention capacitor wires which pass transversely through the respective pixel areas, the pixel electrodes having openings in parts where the pixel electrodes and the retention capacitor wires overlap each other, the openings causing transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment. 
     A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes: an active matrix substrate on which (i) signal lines including scanning signal lines and data signal lines, (ii) transistors connected to the respective signal lines, and (iii) pixel electrodes provided for respective pixel areas demarcated by the signal lines are provided; a counter substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, the liquid crystal layer being caused to transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment; and a spacer provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, at least one of the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate having a surface on which a step section is provided for suppressing reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment, the step section being provided so as to surround the spacer. 
     According to the arrangement, even if the splay alignment remains around the spacer upon transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment as a shadow of the spacer, the step section suppresses the splay alignment from spreading (reverse transition). This is because it is difficult for the reverse transition to propagate at the step section. As a result, it is possible to suppress spreading of the splay alignment in a pixel during white display or the like, which therefore improves display quality. 
     In the present liquid crystal panel, the step section may be provided by a trench-form recess section provided so as to surround the spacer. The recess section may be provided on a surface of the active matrix substrate, and the recess section can be easily provided by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the active matrix substrate. In this case, the insulating film is preferably an interlayer insulating film provided above the transistors, which interlayer insulating film includes an organic material. This is because, with an arrangement in which a thick interlayer insulating film is provided above the transistors, which interlayer insulating film includes an organic material, it is possible to attain a sufficient level difference by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of this interlayer insulating film. 
     In the present liquid crystal panel, the recess section may be provided on a surface of the counter substrate. The recess section is easily provided by, for example, partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the counter substrate. 
     A liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention includes the foregoing liquid crystal panel. 
     A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes: a display area; a non-display area which adjoins the display area; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, the liquid crystal layer being caused to transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment, at least one of the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate having a surface on which a step section for suppressing reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment are provided, the step section being provided so as to surround a display area part. Note that a non-display area of the liquid crystal panel denotes a part at end sections of the panel outside the display area part; a voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer in the non-display area at all times. 
     In the non-display area, the alignment is always in a splay alignment since a voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer in the non-display area. According to the arrangement, it is possible to suppress spreading (particularly during white display) of a splay alignment from the non-display area to the display area by providing the step section. This is because it is difficult for the reverse transition to propagate at the step section. As a result, it is possible to attain a liquid crystal panel of a high display quality. 
     In the liquid crystal panel, the step section may be provided on the surface by providing a recess section, which recess section is provided so as to surround a display area part. The recess section may be provided, for example, by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the active matrix substrate. Moreover, the recess section may be provided by partially removing or partially reducing thickness of an insulating film of the counter substrate. 
     As described above, in a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the present invention, at least one of an active matrix substrate and a counter substrate has a surface on which a step section is provided for suppressing reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment, which step section is provided such that (i) the step section, (ii) a corresponding gap between adjacent pixel electrodes and (iii) a corresponding one of the signal lines overlap each other. Hence, even if reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment occurs during display in liquid crystal molecules above the signal lines, the spreading of the reverse transition is suppressed by the step section. As a result, it is possible to suppress spreading of the splay alignment in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       
         FIG. 1 
       
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         FIG. 2 
       
         FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 3 
       
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 4 
       
         FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 5 
       
         FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         FIG. 6 
       
         FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the second embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 7 
       
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken on line A-A of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
         FIG. 8 
       
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken on line B-B of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
         FIG. 9 
       
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken on line C-C of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       
         FIG. 10 
       
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken on line D-D of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       
         FIG. 11 
       
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view taken on line E-E of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       
         FIG. 12 
       
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken on line F-F of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
       
         FIG. 13 
       
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken on line G-G of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       
         FIG. 14 
       
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 15 
       
         FIG. 15  is a plan view illustrating a rubbing direction of the present liquid crystal panel. 
       
         FIG. 16 
       
         FIG. 16  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a liquid crystal display apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 17 
       
       In  FIG. 17 , ( a ) through ( d ) are schematic views illustrating an alignment transition of an OCB mode liquid crystal panel. 
       
         FIG. 18 
       
         FIG. 18  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 19 
       
         FIG. 19  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 20 
       
         FIG. 20  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 21 
       
         FIG. 21  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the second embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 22 
       
         FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view taken on line H-H of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       
         FIG. 23 
       
         FIG. 23  is a cross sectional view taken on line h-h of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
       
         FIG. 24 
       
         FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view taken on line I-I of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
       
         FIG. 25 
       
         FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view taken on line J-J of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 20 . 
       
         FIG. 26 
       
         FIG. 26  is a cross sectional view taken on line K-K of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 21 . 
       
         FIG. 27 
       
         FIG. 27  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with a third embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 28 
       
         FIG. 28  is a plan view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the third embodiment. 
       
         FIG. 29 
       
         FIG. 29  is an enlarged plan view illustrating a part of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 27 . 
       
         FIG. 30 
       
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged plan view illustrating a part of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 28 . 
       
         FIG. 31 
       
         FIG. 31  is a cross sectional view taken on line P-P of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 29 . 
       
         FIG. 32 
       
         FIG. 32  is a cross sectional view taken on line p-p of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 29 . 
       
         FIG. 33 
       
         FIG. 33  is a cross sectional view taken on line q-q of the liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 30 . 
       
         FIG. 34 
       
         FIG. 34  is a cross sectional view illustrating another arrangement of a liquid crystal panel illustrated in  FIG. 20 . 
       
         FIG. 35 
       
         FIG. 35  is a plan view illustrating a display/non-display area of a typical liquid crystal panel. 
       
         FIG. 36 
       
         FIG. 36  is a cross sectional view explaining a reverse transition which occurs in a conventional liquid crystal panel. 
       
         FIG. 37 
       
         FIG. 37  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a conventional liquid crystal panel. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               10   a  to  10   f ,  10   h  to  10   k ,  10   p ,  10   q  liquid crystal panel 
               3  active matrix substrate 
               7   57 · 75 · 77  step section 
               9  alignment film 
               12  TFT 
               13  black matrix 
               14  color layer 
               15  data signal line 
               16  scanning signal line 
               17  pixel electrode 
               18  retention capacitor wire 
               19  alignment film 
               23  gate insulating film 
               25  first interlayer insulating film 
               26  second interlayer insulating film 
               28  counter electrode 
               29   65  groove 
               30  color filter substrate (counter substrate) 
               33  spacer 
               39  trench-like recess section 
               40  liquid crystal layer 
               47  depression 
               55  opening (of a pixel electrode) 
               59  embankment 
               81  interlayer insulating film 
           
         
       
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     One embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 26 .  FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a part of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the present embodiment (however a liquid crystal layer and a color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken on line A-A in  FIG. 1   FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken on line B-B in  FIG. 1 . Further,  FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken on line C-C in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a liquid crystal panel  10   a  is an OCB mode liquid crystal panel which includes: an active matrix substrate  3 , a color filter substrate  30 , and a liquid crystal layer  40  provided between the two substrates ( 3  and  30 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the active matrix substrate  3  includes: scanning signal lines  16  extending along a horizontal direction in  FIG. 1 ; data signal lines  15  extending along a vertical direction in  FIG. 1 ; TFTs  12  that are provided in respective pixel areas, which each of the pixel areas is surrounded by the respective scanning signal lines  16  and data signal lines  15 ; retention capacitor wires  18  extending along a horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  so as to pass transversely through respective pixel areas; and pixel electrodes  17  which overlap the entire pixel areas, respectively. The active matrix substrate  3  includes: drain lead-out wires  27  lead out from respective drain electrodes  9  of respective TFTs  12 ; drain lead-out electrodes  37  which are connected to respective drain lead-out wires  27 ; and contact holes  11 . Each of the TFTs  12  has (i) a source electrode  8  connected to a respective data signal line  15 , (ii) a gate electrode  6  connected to a respective scanning signal line  16 , and (iii) a drain electrode  9  connected to a respective pixel electrode  17  via a respective drain lead-out wire  27 , a respective drain lead-out electrode  37 , and a respective contact hole  11 . The drain lead-out electrode  37  is provided so as to face a respective retention capacitor wire  18 . A retention capacitor is constructed by the drain lead-out electrode  37 , the retention capacitor wire  18 , and an insulating film (gate insulating film) provided between the drain lead-out electrode  37  and the retention capacitor wire  18 . 
     The active matrix substrate  3  has a surface on which grooves  29  are provided in grid-like fashion such that (i) a corresponding groove  29 , (ii) at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16 , and (iii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. Step sections  7  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on the surface of the active matrix substrate  3  by providing the grooves  29 . 
     The following description specifically explains an arrangement of a liquid crystal panel  10   a , with reference to  FIGS. 7 through 9  and  FIG. 1 . 
     The color filter substrate  30  has, formed on a transparent substrate  32 , (i) a black matrix  13  made of a light shielding film and (ii) color layers  14  each having one of colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B); and a counter electrode  28  is provided so as to cover the black matrix  13  and the color layers  14 . Moreover, an alignment film  19  is provided on the counter electrode  28 . The color layers  14  are provided regularly for respective pixel areas, and the black matrix  13  is provided in a respective gap between the color layers  14 . That is to say, the black matrix  13  is formed so as to overlap the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15 , scanning signal lines  16 ) of the active matrix substrate  3 . 
     Moreover, in the active matrix substrate  3 , the scanning signal lines  16 , the retention capacitor wires  18  and gate electrodes  6  of the TFTs  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) are provided on a transparent substrate  31 , and a gate insulating film  23  is provided above this arrangement. The gate insulating film  23  has the data signal lines  15 , a semiconductor layer (not illustrated) which constructs a channel for TFTs  12 , source electrodes  8  and drain electrodes  9  of the TFTs  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), the drain lead-out wires  27  (see  FIG. 1 ), and the drain lead-out electrodes  37  provided thereon, and a first interlayer insulating film  25  and a second interlayer insulating film  26  are successively provided above this arrangement. Pixel electrodes  17  are provided above the second interlayer insulating film  26 , and an alignment film  9  is provided above the pixel electrodes  17 . The alignment film  9  causes liquid crystal molecules to align, and the alignment film is rubbed in an oblique direction (in an oblique direction of the pixel electrodes  17 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Note that a level difference and the like which generate at parts where the gate insulating film  23  runs onto the scanning signal lines  16  and the like is ignored in the figures. 
     Here, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second interlayer insulating film  26  has groove-like hollow sections at parts where the second interlayer insulating film  26  overlaps at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16 . Formation of the hollow sections provides the grooves  29  on the surface of the active matrix substrate  3 . A periphery of each of the pixel electrodes and the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap each other, and furthermore, the pixel electrodes  17  has their ends (edges) in line with respective side walls of respective hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26 . The grooves  29  are provided at corresponding gaps between adjacent pixel electrodes. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the first interlayer insulating film  25  and the second interlayer insulating film  26  have rectangular-shaped hollow sections at parts where the first interlayer insulating film  25 , second interlayer insulating film  26  and the respective retention capacitor wires  18  overlap each other. The hollow sections serve as contact holes  11  for connecting the respective pixel electrodes  17  and drain lead-out electrodes  37 . Furthermore, the drain lead-out electrodes  37  have rectangular-shaped hollow sections within the contact holes  11 , respectively, and the pixel electrodes  17  have openings  55 , which openings  55  superpose corresponding hollow sections of the drain lead-out electrodes  37 . This forms a superposed section in a center of a pixel area, of (i) the retention capacitor wires  18 , (ii) the corresponding hollow section of the drain lead-out electrodes  37 , and (iii) the corresponding opening  55  of the pixel electrodes  17 . 
     In a liquid crystal display apparatus which employs the liquid crystal panel  10   a , a high voltage is applied between the counter electrode  28  of the color filter substrate and the retention capacitor wires  18  while the power is turned ON. This causes the liquid crystal molecules in a center of the pixel (transition nucleus) to transition from a splay alignment to a bend alignment by (i) a transverse electric field formed between the retention capacitor wires  18  and the respective pixel electrodes  17  in the vicinity of the corresponding openings  55 , (ii) a rubbing direction (oblique direction; see  FIG. 15 ) of the alignment film  9 , and (iii) a strong vertical electric field between the retention capacitor wires  18  and the respective counter electrode  28  acting in combination with each other. Further, this transition spreads throughout the whole of the pixel. Thereafter, display is carried out in a state in which the whole pixel is transitioned to the bend alignment (see (a) through (d) of  FIG. 17 ). 
     In the liquid crystal panel  10   a , the grooves  29  are formed in grid-like fashion on a surface of the active matrix substrate, in regions where (i) at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. Therefore, even if reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment occurs during display to liquid molecules above the signal lines due to the transverse electric field generated between (i) the data signal lines  15  or scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) the corresponding periphery of the pixel electrodes  17 , spreading of the splay alignment is suppressed by the step sections  7 . This thus allows suppression of a splay alignment above the signal lines to spread in a pixel during white display, thereby improving display quality. 
     The following description is a brief explanation of a method for manufacturing an active matrix substrate used in the present liquid crystal panel. First, scanning signal lines  16  (including gate electrodes  6  of TFTs  12 ) and retention capacitor wires  18  are provided on a glass substrate  31  on which processing such as a base coating has been carried out. The lines and wires are provided by (i) forming a metal film on the entire substrate  31  by sputtering, and (ii) patterning this metal film in a photolithography process. The metal film has a laminated structure including Ta and its nitride, however the metal film does not necessarily have to be a laminated structure. Moreover, metals such as Ti and Al may be used as the material of the metal film. 
     Next, surfaces of the scanning signal lines  16  and the retention capacitor wires  18  are anodized, and thereafter the gate insulating film  23  is formed on the scanning signal lines  16  and retention capacitor wires  18  by use of silicon nitride or the like. The gate insulating film  23  may or may not be patterned. 
     A semiconductor layer is formed by a CVD method so as to form the TFTs  12 ; followed by patterning the semiconductor layer in a lithography process, impurities are injected so as to form a channel region of the TFTs  12 . 
     Subsequently, a metal film is formed by sputtering, and this metal film is patterned in a photolithography process. As a result, the data signal lines  15  and the electrodes (source electrodes  8 , drain electrodes  9 ) of the TFTs  12  are formed. Metal such as Ta, Ti, or Al is used as material for the data signal lines  15 , similarly to the scanning signal lines  16  and the retention capacitor wires  18 . 
     Thereafter, the TFTs  12  are covered by the first interlayer insulating film  25  (not illustrated). This prevents dispersion of impurities to the TFT part and improves performance of the semiconductor. 
     Next, a second interlayer insulating film  26  (organic interlayer insulating film) is formed on the first interlayer insulating film  25 . That is, a photoresist made of polymer material is applied by spin coating; thereafter, the photoresist is exposed to light and is developed, such that (i) hollow sections for providing the grooves  29 , with which at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  overlap, and (ii) hollow sections that serve as contact holes, with which the drain lead-out electrodes  37  overlap, are formed. 
     Upon light exposure and development, just the second, interlayer insulating film is removed at the hollow sections for providing the grooves  29 , however the first interlayer insulating film is also removed in addition to the second interlayer insulating film for the hollow sections that serve as the contact holes. Thereafter, the photoresist is cured by calcinating the photoresist in an oven around 180° C. This cured photoresist serves as the second interlayer insulating film  26 . The cured second interlayer insulating film  26  has an average thickness of 3 μm. 
     A positive-type resist or a negative-type resist may be used as the photoresist material. Thereafter, a metal film (ITO) is formed on the second interlayer insulating film  26  by sputtering, and this metal film is patterned in a photolithography process so as to form pixel electrodes  17 . 
     The following description briefly explains a method for manufacturing the present liquid crystal panel. 
     First, the black matrix  13  which partition the pixels and the color layers (color filter)  14  of R, G, and B is arranged in a stripe alignment on the glass substrate  32 . Subsequently, ITO is applied by sputtering so as to form a counter electrode  28 . This process obtains the color filter substrate. 
     Following this, a polyimide for parallel alignment is printed on each of the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate. This polyimide is calcinated at 200° C. in an oven for one hour so as to form the alignment film  9  of the active matrix substrate and an alignment film  19  of the color filter substrate. The calcinated alignment film has a thickness of approximately 100 nm. Furthermore, the alignment film is rubbed in one direction with a cotton cloth (see  FIG. 15  for a rubbing direction), so that an alignment direction becomes parallel when the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate are adhered together. 
     Thereafter, an appropriate amount of plastic spacer is sprayed to the active matrix substrate in a dry method. A sealing material is printed around a screen on the counter substrate; the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate are aligned in position and adhered together with the sealing material. A thermosetting resin is used as the sealing material; calcinating is carried out for one and a half hours in an oven at 170° C. while applying pressure to the substrates. Moreover, liquid crystal material is injected between the two substrates by a vacuum filling method. Furthermore, in order to attain a broad viewing angle, a phase plate for view angle compensation is adhered to both sides of a panel. Furthermore, polarizing plates are adhered to bath sides of the panel on which the phase plates are adhered in such a manner that respective absorbing axes run orthogonally. The present liquid crystal panel is attained as such. 
     In the liquid crystal panel  10   a , the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17  and the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap each other, however the arrangement is not limited to this. The liquid crystal panel may have edges (sides) of the pixel electrodes  17  and respective edges (sides) of the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap (be vertically in line with) each other, as in a liquid crystal panel  10   b  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the pixel electrodes  17  and the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) may be not overlapping each other, as in a liquid crystal panel  10   c  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A cross sectional view taken on line G-G in  FIG. 3  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     In the liquid crystal panel  10   a , edges of the pixel electrodes  17  and respective side walls of respective hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26  are in line with each other, however it is not limited to this arrangement. The side walls of the hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26  may be formed outside of respective edges of the pixel electrodes  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . In this case also, the grooves  29  (step sections  7 ) are provided in gaps between adjacent pixel electrodes  17 . 
     Moreover, the present liquid crystal panel may be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   d  illustrated in  FIG. 4  (however, a liquid crystal layer and a color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken on line D-D of  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view taken on line E-E of  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  10 , and  11 , a plurality of depressions  47  are formed on a surface of the active matrix substrate of the liquid crystal panel  10   d , in regions where (i) at least one of the data signal line  15  and the scanning signal line  16  and (ii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. Step sections  7  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on the surface of the active matrix substrate by providing the depressions  47 . The depressions  47  are of a rectangular shape, and are aligned in regions (grid-like fashion regions) above the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) with intervals between adjacent depressions  47 . In this case, a ratio of a distance in a longitudinal direction of the depressions  47  and the interval is, for example, 1:1. Note that the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17  and the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap each other, the edges of the pixel electrodes  17  are in line with respective side walls of respective hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26 , and the grooves  29  are provided in corresponding gaps between adjacent pixel electrodes. 
     With the liquid crystal panel  10   d , even if the liquid crystal molecules above the signal lines reverse transition to a splay alignment due to the transverse electric field between (i) the data signal lines  15  or the scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17 , spreading of the reverse transition is suppressed by the step sections  7 . As a result, it is possible to suppress the spreading of the splay alignment in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
     In the above arrangement, the second interlayer insulating film is hollowed (totally removed) at a position in which the grooves are formed, however the arrangement is not limited to this arrangement. The second interlayer insulating film  26  may be removed by just half of the film. Note that the second interlayer insulating film  26  has a thickness of approximately 3 μm, and in a case where the second interlayer insulating film  26  is totally removed, a level difference of around 3 μm is thus formed. 
     Moreover, the present liquid crystal panel may be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   h  illustrated in  FIG. 18  (however, the liquid crystal layer, and the color layer and the black matrix of the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view taken on line H-H in  FIG. 18 , and  FIG. 23  is a cross sectional view taken on line h-h in  FIG. 18 . 
     As illustrated, in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , grooves  79  are provided in a grid-like fashion such that (i) a corresponding groove  79 , (ii) at least one of the data signal line  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other, on a surface of a color filter substrate of the liquid crystal panel  10   h . Step sections  67  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on the surface of the color filter substrate by providing the grooves  79 . 
     The color filter substrate  30   h  of the liquid crystal panel  10   h  has, on a transparent substrate  32 , a black matrix  13  made of a light shielding film, and color layers  14  which have one of colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B); and an insulating film  48  is provided so as to cover the black matrix  13  and the color layers  14 . The insulating film  48  may be an insulating film (flattening film) for flattening a bulge generated at a boundary section between the black matrix  13  and respective color layers  14  (generated by having end sections of the black matrix  13  and color layers  14  overlap each other). The counter electrode  28  is provided on the insulating film  48 , and an alignment film  19  is provided so as to cover the counter electrode  28 . The insulating film  48  has groove-like hollow sections provided at a part where the insulating film  48  and at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  overlap each other, and the grooves  79  are provided on a surface of the color filter substrate  30   h  by providing the hollow sections. Note that the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17  and the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap each other, edges of the pixel electrodes  17  are in line with respective side walls of respective hollow sections of the insulating film  48 , and the grooves  79  and corresponding gaps between adjacent pixel electrodes overlap each other. 
     With the liquid crystal panel  10   h , even if reverse transition to a splay alignment occurs in liquid crystal molecules above the signal lines due to transverse electric field generated between (i) the data signal lines  15  or the scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17 , spreading of the reverse transition is suppressed by the step sections  67 . As a result, it is possible to suppress the spreading of the splay alignment in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
     In the liquid crystal panel  10   h , the periphery of the pixel electrodes  17  and the respective signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap each other. However, the arrangement is not limited to this. The pixel electrodes  17  may have its edges and the respective edges of the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ) overlap (be vertically in line with) each other. Moreover, the pixel electrodes  17  may be arranged not overlapping the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ). In the liquid crystal panel  10   h , the edges of the pixel electrodes  17  and the respective side walls of respective hollow sections of the insulating film  48  overlap (be vertically in line with) each other, however the arrangement is not limited to this. The side walls of the hollow sections of the insulating film  48  may be arranged not overlapping the pixel electrodes  17 . In this case also, the grooves  17  (step sections  67 ) and the corresponding gaps of adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   i  illustrated in  FIG. 19  (however, the liquid crystal layer, and the color layer and black matrix of the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view taken on line I-I in  FIG. 19 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 24 , grooves  79   i  are provided on a surface of a color filter substrate  30   i  of a liquid crystal panel  10   i  in grid-like fashion such that (i) a corresponding groove  79 , (ii) at least one of the data signal lines  15  and, the scanning signal lines  16  and (iii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other; and grooves  29  are provided on a surface of an active matrix substrate  3   i  in grid-like fashion such that (i) a corresponding groove  29 , (ii) at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  and (iii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. Namely, step sections  67  are provided for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) by providing the grooves  79 , and step sections  7  are provided for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) by providing the grooves  29 . In  FIG. 24 , side walls of the grooves  29  are vertically in line with respective side walls of the grooves  79 , however the side walls of the grooves  29  and the respective side walls of the grooves  79  may also be not in line with each other. The color filter substrate  30   i  has the same arrangement as the color filter substrate illustrated in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , and the active matrix substrate  3   i  has the same as the active matrix substrate illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
     Moreover, the present liquid crystal panel may be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   j  illustrated in  FIG. 20  (however, the liquid crystal layer, and the color layer and black matrix of the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 25  is a cross sectional view taken on line J-J of  FIG. 20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 25 , a corresponding pair of embankments  59  (ridge-like bulging sections) that face (are substantially parallel to) each other are provided on a surface of a color filter substrate  30   j  of the liquid crystal panel  10   j , such that (i) a gap  89  between the corresponding pair of embankments  59 , (ii) at least one of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  and (iii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  overlap each other. Step sections  99  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on the surface of the color filter substrate  30   j  by providing the embankments  59 . As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , the embankments  59  are formed by having, for example a semiconductor layer  43  remain under a position where the embankments  59  are to be formed (both sides of the data signal lines  15  in the case of  FIG. 25 ). An interlayer insulating film  81  is provided above the semiconductor layer  43  and the data signal lines  15 , and the pixel electrodes  17  are provided on the interlayer insulating film  81 . Embankments as the foregoing may be constructed by providing an insulating film provided above the TFTs thicker at embankment parts than adjacent parts to the embankment parts. For example, as in an active matrix substrate  3   u  in  FIG. 34 , an insulating film provided above the TFTs includes a first interlayer insulating film  25  (for example, an inorganic interlayer insulating film) and a second interlayer insulating film  26  (for example, an organic interlayer insulating film) that is thicker than the first interlayer insulating film  25 . Adjacent parts to the embankments  59  have the second interlayer insulating film  26  hollowed, thereby only having the first interlayer insulating film  25  remaining; and the parts of the embankments  59  have the first interlayer insulating film  25  and the second interlayer insulating film  26  remaining. The active matrix substrate  3   u  has edges of the pixel electrodes  17  and respective data signal lines  15  overlap each other, and (i) the gaps  89  between a corresponding pair of embankments  59  that face each other, (ii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes  17  and (iii) the data signal lines  15  overlap each other. Further, the step sections for suppressing the reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on the active matrix substrate  3   u  by providing the embankments  59 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is as described below, with reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  12 .  FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a part of a liquid crystal panel according to the present embodiment (however, the liquid crystal layer and the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken on line F-F in  FIG. 5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a liquid crystal panel  10   e  is an OCB mode liquid crystal panel, which includes an active matrix substrate  3 , a color filter substrate  30 , and a liquid crystal layer  40  and a spacer  33  which are provided between the two substrates ( 3  and  30 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the active matrix substrate  3  includes: scanning signal lines  16  extending in a horizontal direction in the figure, data signal lines  15  extending in a vertical direction in the figure, TFTs  12  formed in pixel areas that are surrounded by the respective scanning signal lines and data signal lines  15 , retention capacity wires  18  extending in a horizontal direction so as to pass transversely through respective pixel areas, and pixel electrodes  17  which overlap the entire pixel areas, respectively. The spacers  33  are provided above intersecting sections of the respective data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the second interlayer insulating film  26  has trench-like hollow sections provided so as to surround respective spacers  33 . Each of the hollow sections provides trench-like recess sections  39  on a surface of the active matrix substrate  3 , which recess sections  39  surround the respective spacers  33 . It is preferable to cut off corners of the pixel electrodes  17  so that the trench-like recess sections  39  and the respective pixel electrodes  17  do not overlap each other (see  FIG. 5 ). This prevents a splay alignment from entering into the pixel electrodes  17  during white display. 
     With the liquid crystal panel  10   e , even if the splay alignment remains in the vicinity of the spacers  33  as a shadow of the spacer  33 , the step sections  77  formed by the trench-like recess sections  39  suppress the spreading of the splay alignment. As a result, it is possible to suppress the splay alignment from being spread in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may also be arranged as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Namely, a liquid crystal panel  10   f  includes spacers  33  provided above intersecting sections of the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ). Further, trench-like recess sections  39  and grooves  29  are provided on a surface of the active matrix substrate, which trench-like recess sections  39  surround respective spacers  33 , and which grooves  29  are provided in regions (grid-like regions) above the signal lines however not in the trench-like recess sections  39 . That is to say, step sections  77  are formed by providing the trench-like recess sections  39 , and the step sections  7  are formed by providing the grooves  29 . 
     With the liquid crystal panel  10   f , even if a splay alignment remains in the vicinity of the spacers  33  as a shadow of the spacers  33 , the step sections  77  suppress the spreading of the splay alignment. In addition, even if liquid crystal molecules above the signal lines are reversely transitioned due to the transverse electric field generated between (i) the data signal lines  15  or the scanning signal lines  16  and (ii) the respective periphery of the pixel electrodes  17 , the step sections  7  or  77  suppress spreading of the reverse transition. As a result, it is possible to suppress spreading of the splay alignment in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may also be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   k  illustrated in  FIG. 21  (however, the liquid crystal layer and the color layer and black matrix of the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 26  is a cross sectional view taken on a line K-K in  FIG. 21 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 26 , the liquid crystal panel  10   k  includes spacers  33  provided above respective intersecting sections of the signal lines (data signal lines  15  and scanning signal lines  16 ), and on a surface of the color filter substrate  30   k , trench-like recess sections  93  are provided so as to surround the respective spacers  33 . 
     With the liquid crystal panel  10   k , even if a splay alignment remains in the vicinity of the spacer  33  as a shadow of the spacer  33 , step sections  87  provided by providing the trench-like recess sections  93  suppress spreading of the splay alignment. As a result, it is possible to suppress a splay alignment to spread in a pixel during white display, which therefore improves display quality. 
     In the above embodiment, the spacers  33  are provided above the respective intersecting sections of the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16 . However, the arrangement is not limited to this. The spacers  33  may be provided above the data signal lines  15  and the scanning signal lines  16  other than their intersecting sections, and also the spacers  33  may be provided above the TFTs  12 . 
     A liquid crystal display apparatus  70  in accordance with the present embodiment includes, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the foregoing liquid crystal panel, a gate driver  71  and a source driver  72  for driving the liquid crystal panel, and a control device  73  for controlling each of the drivers ( 71  and  72 ). 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment of the present invention is as described below, with reference to  FIGS. 27 through 33 .  FIG. 27  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of a liquid crystal panel in accordance with the present embodiment, and  FIG. 29  is an enlarged plan view of a part circled by dotted lines in  FIG. 27  (however, the liquid crystal layer and the color filter substrate have been omitted).  FIG. 31  is a cross sectional view taken on line P-P in  FIG. 29 , and  FIG. 32  is a cross sectional view taken on line p-p in  FIG. 29 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 29 ,  31 , and  32 , a liquid crystal panel  10   p  is an OCB mode liquid crystal panel including an active matrix substrate  3   p , a color filter substrate  30 , and a liquid crystal layer  40  provided between the two substrates ( 3   p  and  30 ). The active matrix substrate  3   p  has scanning signal lines  16 , retention capacity wires  18 , and gate electrodes  6  (see  FIG. 29 ) of TFTs  12  provided on a transparent substrate  31 , and a gate insulating film  23  is provided above these members. Data signal lines  15  (see  FIG. 29 ), a semiconductor layer (not illustrated) which constructs channels of the TFTs  12 , source electrodes  8  and drain electrodes of the TFTs  12  (see  FIG. 29 ), drain lead-out wiring  27 , and drain lead-out electrodes  37  are provided on the gate insulating film  23 ; a first interlayer insulating film  25  and a second interlayer insulating film  26  are successively provided above this arrangement. Pixel electrodes  17  are provided on the second interlayer insulating film  26 , and an alignment film  9  is formed above the pixel electrodes  17 . 
     On a surface of the active matrix substrate  3   p , a groove  49  (recess section) is provided trench-like so as to surround a display-area-corresponding part. Providing the groove  49  thus provides, on the surface of the active matrix substrate  39 , the step sections  57  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment), which step sections  57  are provided in such a manner that the step sections  57  surround the display-area-corresponding part (see  FIGS. 27 and 29 ). More specifically, as illustrated in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , the trench-like hollow section of the second interlayer insulating film  26  surround the display-area-corresponding part, and the hollow section  49  provides the trench-like groove  49  on the surface of the active matrix substrate  3 . 
     In a non-display area, no electrode is provided on the active matrix substrate (a voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal layer). Hence, the alignment is always in a splay alignment. However, by providing the step sections  57 , the liquid crystal panel  10   p  can suppress spreading of the splay alignment from the non-display area to the display area (particularly spreading during white display). Hence, it is possible to improve display quality of the present liquid crystal panel. 
     In  FIGS. 31 and 32 , edges of the pixel electrodes  17  positioned at ends of the display area and respective side walls of the hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26  overlap (are in line with) each other. However, the arrangement is not limited to this. The side walls of the hollow section of the second interlayer insulating film  26  may be arranged so as to not overlap the edges of the pixel electrodes  17 . Moreover, the trench-like hollow sections formed in the second interlayer insulating film  26  have a width of not less than 3 [μm], and is preferably not less than 5 [μm]. Moreover, in  FIGS. 31 and 32 , a level difference in the step sections  57  is made to be 3 [μm] by hollowing the second interlayer insulating film  26 , however it is not limited to this arrangement. The step sections  57  may be formed by partially reducing the thickness of the second interlayer insulating film  26  (preferably a thickness of not less than 1.5 [μm]). 
     In the active matrix substrate  3   p , trench-like grooves which surround the display-area-corresponding part is formed on its surface, however the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, frame-like projections may be provided on a surface of the active matrix substrate so as to surround the display-area-corresponding part, and the step sections for suppressing the reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) may be provided by providing the projections. The projections may be constructed by, for example providing an insulating film provided above the TFTs to have projection parts thicker than adjacent parts to the projection parts. 
     The present liquid crystal panel may be arranged as in a liquid crystal panel  10   q  illustrated in  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  is an enlarged plan view of a part circled by dotted lines in  FIG. 28  (however, the liquid crystal layer and the color filter substrate have been omitted), and  FIG. 33  is a cross sectional view taken on line q-q in  FIG. 30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 28 and 33 , the liquid crystal panel  10   q  is an OCB mode liquid crystal panel including: an active matrix substrate  3 ; a color filter substrate  30   q ; and a liquid crystal layer  40  provided between the two substrates ( 3  and  30   q ). The color filter substrate  30   q  has, on a transparent substrate  32 , a black matrix  13  made of a light shielding film, and color layers each of which has one of colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B). An insulating film  48  is provided so as to cover the black matrix  13  and the color layers  14 . The insulating film  48  may be an insulating film (flattening film) provided for flattening a bulge generated at boundary sections between the black matrix  13  and respective color layers  14  (generated by having end sections of the black matrix  13  and the color layers  14  overlap each other). A counter electrode  28  is provided on the insulating film  48 , and an alignment film  19  is provided so as to cover the insulating film  48 . 
     A groove  65  (recess section) is provided trench-like so as to surround a display-area-corresponding part on a surface of the color filter substrate  30   q . Step sections  75  for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) are provided on a surface of the color filter substrate  30   q  such that the step sections  72  surround the display-area-corresponding part (see  FIGS. 28 and 30 ) by providing the groove  65 . More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 33 , trench-like hollow sections of the insulating film  48  surround the display-area-corresponding part, and the grooves  65  are provided trench-like on the surface of the color filter substrate  30   q  by having the hollow sections of the insulating film  48 . In  FIG. 33 , edges of the pixel electrodes  17  positioned at ends of the display area and respective side walls of the hollow sections of the second interlayer insulating film  26  overlap (be vertically in line with) each other. However, the arrangement is not limited to this. The side walls of the hollow section of the second interlayer insulating film  26  may also be arranged such that the side walls of the hollow section and the edges of the pixel electrodes  17  do not overlap each other. 
     In a non-display area, no electrode is provided on the active matrix substrate (no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer). Hence, the alignment in the non-display area is always in a splay alignment. However, by providing the step sections  75 , the present liquid crystal panel  10   q  suppresses the splay alignment to spread (particularly spreading during white display) from the non-display area to a display area. As a result, it is possible to improve display quality of the present liquid crystal panel. 
     The color filter substrate  30   q  has trench-like grooves provided on its surface so as to surround the display-area-corresponding part, however the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, frame-like projections may be provided on the surface of the color filter substrate so as to surround the display-area-corresponding part, and step sections for suppressing reverse transition (from a bend alignment to a splay alignment) may be provided by providing the projections. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same way may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     A liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention is suitable for, for example, a mobile liquid crystal display.