Liquid crystal device, electronic device and projector with maximum-light-intensity direction inclined from the direction normal to the substrates

摘要

A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel including a pair of substrates that sandwiches a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules exhibiting a parallel alignment in an initial alignment state, and a polarizing plate disposed on either side of the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal molecules are inclined at a pretilt angle and aligned in a predetermined direction in planes of the substrates. The liquid crystal panel emits light entering through one of the polarizing plates toward the other. The liquid crystal panel emits light having the maximum intensity in a direction different from a direction normal to the substrates. The azimuth of the maximum-light-intensity direction projected onto the planes of the substrates is substantially parallel to the predetermined direction. The maximum-light-intensity direction is a direction inclined from the direction normal to the substrates toward a direction in which the maximum-light-intensity direction form a right angle with a longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules inclined at the pretilt angle.

主权项

1. A liquid crystal device, comprising:
a light source; a liquid crystal panel configured to operate in a vertical alignment mode and including a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, the liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules having a negative anisotropy of dielectric constant; and polarizing plates disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal panel, wherein one of the polarizing plates is disposed between the light source and the liquid crystal panel, wherein the liquid crystal molecules are inclined at a pretilt angle and aligned in a predetermined direction in planes of the pair of substrates, wherein the liquid crystal panel is configured to transmit light emitted by the light source and entering through said one of the polarizing plates toward the other of the polarizing plates, wherein the liquid crystal panel is configured to have a maximum transmission for the light in a maximum intensity direction different from a direction normal to the planes of the pair of substrates, wherein the light source is configured to generate the light in the maximum intensity direction, wherein an azimuth of the maximum intensity direction projected onto the planes of the pair of substrates is substantially parallel to the predetermined direction, and wherein the maximum intensity direction is inclined from the direction normal to the pair of substrates toward a direction in which the maximum intensity direction and a longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules inclined at the pretilt angle are progressively closer to being parallel to each other.