JP5048117B2 - Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a small-sized liquid crystal optical element configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal between substrates on which electrodes are formed, and capable of controlling a focal length by an applied voltage, and a manufacturing method thereof.

  Conventionally, as an optical element using liquid crystal, a pair of transparent substrates, a pair of transparent electrodes formed on the transparent substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the transparent substrates are provided, and the magnitude of the voltage applied between the electrodes There is known a liquid crystal optical element capable of changing the focal length according to the above. As this type of liquid crystal optical element, for example, a liquid crystal optical element that is built into a micro camera in a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a digital device, and has an autofocus function or a macro-micro switching function, or In an optical disc apparatus, there is a liquid crystal aberration correction element used to correct aberrations that occur during recording / reproduction in an optical pickup.

  Such a liquid crystal optical element has a structure in which a terminal connected to a transparent electrode of the liquid crystal optical element is drawn out to an extending portion on the same glass surface in order to connect to an external circuit (for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid crystal optical element 1 described in Patent Document 1 includes a first substrate 2 and a second substrate 3 which are transparent glass substrates, and the first substrate 2 is provided on the first substrate 2. The first transparent electrode 2 a and the plurality of terminals 5 are provided, and the second transparent electrode 3 a is provided on the second substrate 3. An aberration correction pattern 6 is formed on each of the first transparent electrode 2a and the second transparent electrode 3a. The two substrates 2 and 3 are bonded to each other with the liquid crystal 4 sandwiched therebetween with a predetermined interval through the outer peripheral seal portion 7. In this case, the terminal 5 and the second transparent electrode 3 a are electrically connected by the conductive particles 8 a mixed in the common transition electrode 8 disposed inside the outer peripheral seal portion 7.

JP 2003-270656 A

  This type of liquid crystal optical element is required to be smaller in size for incorporation into electronic equipment. For example, the liquid crystal cell size requirement is about 4 to 5 mm. However, in the liquid crystal optical element described in Patent Document 1 described above, the dimensions cannot be reduced because the electrode terminal is drawn out. That is, since one glass substrate is lengthened and a terminal connected to an electrode or the like is drawn out to the extended portion of the same glass surface, it is difficult to reduce the dimension in the drawing direction.

  Further, in the liquid crystal optical element, in order to ensure connection reliability, the width of a terminal connected to an external circuit is required to be 1.5 to 2.0 mm as a minimum dimension. Therefore, in the case of a liquid crystal optical element having a plurality of segment electrodes, or in the case of a multiple liquid crystal optical element in which a plurality of liquid crystal cells are stacked, the number of electrodes increases and the space for arranging the terminals becomes insufficient.

  In addition, in the case of having a terminal structure like the liquid crystal optical element of Patent Document 1, when a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements are formed on a large glass substrate and the glass substrate is cut into individual liquid crystal optical elements, electrode terminals are arranged. The cutting process on the side to be performed becomes very complicated.

  Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide excellent mass productivity, ensure the reliability of connection of the liquid crystal optical element, and provide the liquid crystal optical element. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal optical element that can be reduced in size and cost and a method for manufacturing the same.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal optical element in which liquid crystal is sealed between a first substrate on which a common electrode is formed and a second substrate on which a plurality of segment electrodes are formed. A plurality of electrode terminals exposed to the outside are provided at a plurality of corners of the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element, and the plurality of electrode terminals are formed to extend in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal optical element Is provided.

  A plurality of electrode terminals exposed to the outside are provided on the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element, and these electrode terminals are formed by extending in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal optical element. It is not necessary to form a portion for drawing out the electrode, the connection reliability can be ensured, the size can be reduced, and mass production can be facilitated.

  It is preferable that the plurality of electrode terminals include a conductive layer that is filled in the cutout portions of the plurality of corners of the liquid crystal optical element and exposed to the side surface by cutting. The plurality of electrode terminals preferably include a conductive pattern printed on the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element. Such an electrode terminal is easy to form.

  The plurality of electrode terminals preferably include a conductive pattern having a predetermined area printed in the vicinity of the corners on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element. As a result, the reliability of connection can be further improved. Further, it is preferable that a conductive pattern having a predetermined area is printed on the corners of the surface of the first substrate on which the common electrode is formed and the surface of the second substrate on which the plurality of segment electrodes are formed. In this manner, the contact area between the electrode and the electrode terminal portion is increased, and the reliability of conduction can be ensured. Moreover, when printing a conductive pattern on the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element, the printed conductive material can be prevented from entering the inside.

  According to the present invention, an electrode forming step of forming electrodes corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements on at least a pair of large glass substrates from which a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements can be cut out, and a liquid crystal between at least the pair of large glass substrates. An element group assembling step for forming an element group having a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements by encapsulating a through hole, and a through hole forming step for forming a plurality of through holes at crossing positions of at least a pair of large glass substrate cutting lines, Provided is a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, comprising: a conductive material filling step of filling a plurality of through holes with a conductive material to form a conductive layer; and a cutting step of cutting and separating the element group into a single element. .

  A plurality of through holes are formed at intersections of the cutting lines of the substrate (for example, positions corresponding to the corners of a single element), and a conductive material is filled in these through holes, whereby the element group is made into a single element. In the case of cutting, the electrode terminals exposed to the outside are formed at the corners of each element. Therefore, mass production can be easily performed.

  The device further includes a surface terminal portion forming step of forming a plurality of surface terminal portions by printing a conductive pattern at positions corresponding to the plurality of through holes on the surface of the element group, each of the plurality of surface terminal portions being a plurality of through holes. It is preferred to have a larger area. Thus, the reliability of connection can be improved by forming the surface terminal portion.

  According to the present invention, furthermore, an electrode forming step of forming electrodes corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements on at least a pair of large glass substrates from which a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements can be cut out, and at least a pair of large format glass substrates. An element group assembling process for forming an element group having a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements by encapsulating liquid crystal in the substrate, a cutting process for cutting and separating the element group into strips or single elements, and a side surface of the strip or single element There is provided a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element comprising a side surface terminal portion forming step of printing a conductive pattern on the surface and forming a plurality of side surface terminal portions.

  The side surface terminal portion can be easily formed by printing a conductive pattern on the side surface of the strip or single element in a state where the strip or single element is cut to form a plurality of side surface terminal portions.

  Also, a surface terminal portion is formed by printing a conductive pattern on the surface of a strip or a single element and electrically connecting to a plurality of side surface terminal portions, each forming a plurality of surface terminal portions having a predetermined area. It is preferable to further include a process. By forming such a surface terminal portion, connection reliability can be improved.

  According to the present invention, by providing a plurality of terminals respectively connected to the plurality of segment electrodes and the common electrode over the thickness direction of the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element, the mass productivity is excellent and the connection of the liquid crystal optical element is improved. Reliability can be ensured, and the liquid crystal optical element can be reduced in size and cost.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a liquid crystal optical element in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA schematically showing the configuration of the liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the electrode and terminal of the liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows the state which finished the board | substrate process process, the electrically-conductive material filling process, and the electrically-conductive material printing process in manufacture of a liquid crystal optical element. It is a top view which shows the liquid crystal optical element obtained at the cutting | disconnection separation process. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the liquid crystal optical element in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB schematically showing the configuration of the liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. 7. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the electrode and terminal of a liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal optical element shown in FIG. It is the top view and side view which show the state before cut | disconnecting an element group in strip shape. It is the top view and side view which show the state which printed the conductive layer on the side surface. It is a top view which shows the liquid crystal optical element obtained at the cutting | disconnection separation process. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the liquid crystal optical element in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the conventional liquid crystal optical element.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid crystal optical element according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a liquid crystal optical element 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a cross section taken along line AA of the liquid crystal optical element 100, and FIG. The arrangement | positioning state of an electrode and a terminal is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the liquid crystal optical element 100 has two layers of liquid crystals 40a and 40b sealed in a first liquid crystal unit 100a and a second liquid crystal unit 100b, respectively. The liquid crystal optical element 100 is configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape by superimposing, adhering and integrating the first liquid crystal unit 100a and the second liquid crystal unit 100b.

  That is, the liquid crystal optical element 100 includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, intermediate substrates 10 a and 20 a, a first transparent electrode 50 formed on the first substrate 10, a second substrate A second transparent electrode 60 and a third transparent electrode 70 formed on the substrate 20 and a plurality of terminals 81, 82, 83 and 84 are provided. A liquid crystal 40a is sealed between the first substrate 10 and the intermediate substrate 10a via a sealing material 30a, and a liquid crystal 40b is sealed between the second substrate 20 and the intermediate substrate 20a via a sealing material 30b. Yes. Electrode terminals 81, 82, 83, and 84 exposed to the outside are formed at the corners of the four side surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element 100, respectively. These electrode terminals 81, 82, 83 and 84 are electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60 and the third transparent electrode 70. Therefore, the control voltage applied from the outside via these electrode terminals 81, 82, 83 and 84 is applied to the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60 and the third transparent electrode 70, respectively.

  In FIG. 2, an alignment film generally provided between the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60, the third transparent electrode 70, and the liquid crystal 40, and the first substrate 10 and the first substrate The transparent insulating layer, the antireflection film and the like provided on the second substrate 20 are not shown.

  Each of the 1st board | substrate 10 and the 2nd board | substrate 20 is comprised from the transparent glass substrate. Intermediate substrates 10a and 20a are arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, whereby the liquid crystal is divided into two layers. Liquid crystal filling regions are formed between the first substrate 10 and the intermediate substrate 10a and between the second substrate 20 and the intermediate substrate 20a by the sealing materials 30a and 30b, respectively. Liquid crystal 40a and 40b are respectively enclosed in the.

  The first transparent electrode 50 is a common electrode, and is formed on the inner surface of the first substrate 10 using an ITO (indium tin oxide) material. The first transparent electrode 50 is electrically connected to the terminal 83. An alignment film is formed on the surface of the first transparent electrode 50.

  The second transparent electrode 60 is a segment electrode, and is formed in the central portion on the inner surface of the second substrate 20 using an ITO material. The second transparent electrode 60 is formed, for example, in a circular shape and is electrically connected to the terminal 84, and is configured so that an independent control voltage can be applied via the terminal 84.

  The third transparent electrode 70 is a segment electrode and is formed around the second transparent electrode 60 on the inner surface of the second substrate 20 using an ITO material. The third transparent electrode 70 is formed in a shape having a circular notch at the center, and is electrically connected to the terminal 82, and is configured to apply an independent control voltage via the terminal 82. Has been.

  The electrode terminals 81, 82, 83, and 84 are respectively composed of side surface terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a and a pair of surface terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b, and 84b. The side surface terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a are formed by filling a through hole provided in a substrate with a conductive material when simultaneously forming a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements using a large substrate as a base material. The through-hole is divided into ¼ when cutting into individual liquid crystal optical elements, and the conductive layer is exposed on the surface. On the other hand, the surface terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b and 84b are formed by printing a conductive pattern having a predetermined area on the surface of the liquid crystal optical element 100 at positions corresponding to the side surface terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a and 84a. The terminal 81 can be used for electrical connection with, for example, a heater (not shown).

  Conductive patterns 81c, 82c, 83c, and 84c are printed at each corner of the surface on which the electrodes of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are formed. Here, the first transparent electrode 50 is connected to the conductive pattern 83c. The second transparent electrode 60 is connected to the conductive pattern 84c. The third transparent electrode 70 is connected to the conductive pattern 82c. By printing the conductive patterns 81c, 82c, 83c, and 84c, the contact area between the electrode and the side terminal portion is increased, and the reliability of conduction can be ensured.

  Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal optical element 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal optical element 100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when manufacturing the multilayer structure liquid crystal optical element 100, first, the first liquid crystal unit 100a and the second liquid crystal unit 100b are respectively manufactured, and the created first liquid crystal unit 100a and The second liquid crystal unit 100b is stacked.

  First, the first liquid crystal unit forming step will be described with reference to steps S10 to S20 in FIG. First, the upper substrate (which becomes the substrate 20 in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S10). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed to have a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. A plurality of elements can be formed on the sheet-like glass substrate. Next, an ITO film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the upper substrate to form an electrode (S11). Here, the patterning process by etching etc. is performed and the 2nd transparent electrode 60 and the 3rd transparent electrode 70 are formed for every element. Next, a high resistance film is laminated on the surface of the upper substrate where the electrode is formed (S12). Further, an alignment film is stacked and an alignment process is performed (S13). The alignment film is a liquid crystal alignment film such as polyimide (PI). After the alignment treatment, conductive patterns 81c, 82c, 83c and 84c are printed on the corners of the surface of the upper substrate where the electrodes are formed (S14).

  Further, the lower substrate (which becomes the intermediate substrate 20a in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S15). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed to have a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an alignment film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the lower substrate, and an alignment process is performed (S16). Next, in order to form a liquid crystal filling region that encloses the liquid crystal for each element, the sealing material 30a mixed with the gap material is printed in a ring shape (S17).

  Then, a liquid crystal is dripped inside the ring-shaped sealing material 30a using a liquid crystal dropping device (S18). Next, an element group is assembled by combining the upper substrate and the lower substrate (S19). Next, the lower substrate is polished to a thickness of about 30 μm (S20). That is, the lower substrate is thinned. As a polishing method, a mechanical method or an etching method is used. Thereby, the first liquid crystal unit 100a is obtained.

  Next, the second liquid crystal unit forming step will be described with reference to steps S21 to S30 in FIG. First, the upper substrate (which becomes the intermediate substrate 10a in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S21). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed to have a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an alignment film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the upper substrate, and an alignment process is performed (S22). Next, in order to form a liquid crystal filling region that encloses the liquid crystal for each element, the sealing material 30b mixed with the gap material is printed in a ring shape (S23). Next, liquid crystal is dropped inside the ring-shaped sealing material 30b using a liquid crystal dropping device (S24).

  Further, the lower substrate (which becomes the substrate 10 in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S25). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed into a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an ITO film is laminated on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the lower substrate to form an electrode (S26). Here, a patterning process by etching or the like is performed to form a common electrode for each element. Next, an alignment film is laminated on the surface of the lower substrate where the electrodes are formed, and an alignment process is performed (S27). After the orientation treatment, conductive patterns 81c, 82c, 83c and 84c are printed on the corners of the surface of the substrate on which the electrodes are formed (S28).

  Next, an element group is assembled by combining the upper substrate and the lower substrate (S29). Next, the upper substrate is polished to a thickness of about 30 μm (S30). That is, the upper substrate is thinned. As a polishing method, a mechanical method or an etching method is used. Thereby, the second liquid crystal unit 100b is obtained.

  Thereafter, the first liquid crystal unit 100a and the second liquid crystal unit 100b are bonded in an overlapping manner (S31). Adhesion is performed with an optical adhesive.

  Next, a through hole 80 is formed to form a side terminal portion (S32). Here, the through-hole 80 is formed in the corner | angular part (namely, position where a cutting line crosses) of each element (refer Fig.5 (a)). Next, a conductive layer 80a is formed by filling the through hole 80 with a conductive material (S33). FIG. 5B shows a state in which a conductive layer 80 a is formed in the through hole 80. Next, in order to form the surface terminal portion, a conductive material is printed at a position corresponding to the through hole 80 on the surface of the element group to form a conductive pattern 80b having a predetermined area (S34). The printed area of the conductive pattern 80 b is preferably larger than the diameter of the through hole 80. Here, each conductive pattern 80b is printed in a square (see FIG. 5C).

  Next, the substrate composed of a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements formed in this manner is cut using a slicer or the like, and separated into individual liquid crystal optical elements 100, that is, product sizes (S35). By this cutting / separating step, the conductive layer 80a in the through hole 80 is divided and cut so that the surface is exposed to the outside, and the side terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a and 84a are formed. Further, surface terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b and 84b exposed to the outside are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element 100. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a single liquid crystal optical element obtained by this cutting and separating step. Through the above manufacturing process, the liquid crystal optical element 100 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal optical element 100 includes the first substrate 10, the second substrate 20, the intermediate substrates 10 a and 20 a, and the first substrate 10 formed on the first substrate 10. A transparent electrode 50, a second transparent electrode 60 and a third transparent electrode 70 formed on the second substrate 20, and a plurality of terminals 81, 82, 83 and 84 exposed to the outside are provided. A liquid crystal 40a is sealed between the first substrate 10 and the intermediate substrate 10a via a sealing material 30a, and a liquid crystal 40b is sealed between the second substrate 20 and the intermediate substrate 20a via a sealing material 30b. Has been. The terminals 81, 82, 83, and 84 are respectively composed of side surface terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a, and 84a and surface terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b, and 84b.

  The liquid crystal optical element 100 of the present embodiment can move the focal position by changing the voltage applied to the second transparent electrode 50 and the third transparent electrode 60. Thereby, the refractive index with respect to light can be electrically controlled, and it becomes a functional element useful as a variable focus lens or an aberration correction element.

  Further, the liquid crystal optical element 100 of the present embodiment forms a plurality of through holes at intersections of cutting lines of a large glass substrate, fills the plurality of through holes with a conductive material, forms a conductive layer, and cuts and separates them. By the process, the conductive layer 80a in the through-hole 80 is divided and cut so that the surface is exposed to the outside, and the side surface terminal portions 81a, 82a, 83a and 84a are formed. The reliability of the connection can be ensured, and the liquid crystal optical element can be reduced in size and cost.

  Further, by forming the surface terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b and 84b, it is possible to connect to an external circuit on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element 100.

  Further, since the liquid crystal layer has two layers, the filling amount of the liquid crystal and a sufficient optical distance L can be secured, and the response speed and the light transmittance can be improved.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the liquid crystal optical element 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 shows a cross section taken along line BB of the liquid crystal optical element 200, and FIG. 9 shows the liquid crystal optical element 200. The arrangement | positioning state of an electrode and a terminal is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the liquid crystal optical element 200 has two layers of liquid crystals 40a and 40b sealed in a first liquid crystal unit 200a and a second liquid crystal unit 200b, respectively. The liquid crystal optical element 200 is configured to have a rectangular parallelepiped shape by superimposing, adhering and integrating the first liquid crystal unit 200a and the second liquid crystal unit 200b.

  The liquid crystal optical element 200 includes a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, intermediate substrates 10 a and 20 a, a first transparent electrode 50 formed on the first substrate 10, and a second substrate 20. A second transparent electrode 60 and a third transparent electrode 70 formed thereon and a plurality of terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94 are provided. A liquid crystal 40a is sealed between the first substrate 10 and the intermediate substrate 10a via a sealing material 30a, and a liquid crystal 40b is sealed between the second substrate 20 and the intermediate substrate 20a via a sealing material 30b. Yes. Electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94 exposed to the outside are formed at the corners of the four side surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element 200, respectively. These electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94 are electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60 and the third transparent electrode 70. Therefore, the control voltage applied from the outside via these electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94 is applied to the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60 and the third transparent electrode 70, respectively.

  In FIG. 8, an alignment film generally provided between the first transparent electrode 50, the second transparent electrode 60, the third transparent electrode 70, and the liquid crystal 40, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate A transparent insulating layer, an antireflection film and the like provided on the substrate 20 are not shown.

  The liquid crystal optical element 200 has the same configuration as the liquid crystal optical element 100 described above, in addition to the electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94. Here, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The electrode terminals 91, 92, 93, and 94 are respectively composed of side surface terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a, and 94a and a pair of surface terminal portions 91b, 92b, 93b, and 94b. The side terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a, and 94a are formed by printing a conductive pattern on the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element 200. On the other hand, the surface terminal portions 91b, 92b, 93b and 94b are formed by printing a conductive pattern on the surface of the liquid crystal optical element 200 at positions corresponding to the side surface terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a and 94a.

  In addition, conductive patterns 91c, 92c, 93c, and 94c are printed at each corner of the surface on which the electrodes of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are formed. Here, the first transparent electrode 50 is connected to the conductive pattern 93c. The second transparent electrode 60 is connected to the conductive pattern 94c. The third transparent electrode 70 is connected to the conductive pattern 92c. By printing the conductive patterns 91c, 92c, 93c and 94c, the contact area between the electrode and the side terminal portion corresponding to the electrode is increased, and the reliability of conduction can be ensured. Moreover, when printing the side surface terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a and 94a on the side surfaces, the printed conductive material can be prevented from entering the inside.

  Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal optical element 200 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the liquid crystal optical element 200.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the liquid crystal optical element 200 is manufactured, first, the first liquid crystal unit 200a and the second liquid crystal unit 200b are respectively manufactured, and the manufactured first liquid crystal unit 200a and second liquid crystal unit 200a are manufactured. The liquid crystal unit 200b is stacked.

  First, the first liquid crystal unit forming step will be described with reference to steps S50 to S60 in FIG. First, the upper substrate (which becomes the substrate 20 in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S50). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed to have a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. A plurality of elements can be formed on the sheet-like glass substrate. Next, an ITO film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the upper substrate to form electrodes (S51). Here, the patterning process by etching etc. is performed and the 2nd transparent electrode 60 and the 3rd transparent electrode 70 are formed for every element. Next, a high resistance film is laminated on the surface of the upper substrate where the electrode is formed (S52). Further, an alignment film is stacked and alignment processing is performed (S53). The alignment film is a liquid crystal alignment film such as polyimide (PI). After the orientation treatment, an antireflection film (AR film) is laminated on the outer surface of the upper substrate. Next, conductive patterns 91c, 92c, 93c and 94c are printed at the corners of each element on the surface of the upper substrate where the electrodes are formed (S54).

  Further, the lower substrate (which becomes the intermediate substrate 20a in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S55). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed to have a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an alignment film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the lower substrate, and alignment processing is performed (S56). Next, in order to form a liquid crystal filling region that encloses the liquid crystal for each element, the sealing material 30a mixed with the gap material is printed in a ring shape (S57).

  Thereafter, the liquid crystal is dropped inside the ring-shaped sealing material using a liquid crystal dropping device (S58). Next, an element group is assembled by combining the upper substrate and the lower substrate (S59). Next, the lower substrate is polished so as to have a thickness of about 30 μm (S60). That is, the lower substrate is thinned. As a polishing method, a mechanical method or an etching method is used. Thereby, the first liquid crystal unit 200a is obtained.

  Next, the second liquid crystal unit forming step will be described with reference to steps S61 to S70 in FIG. First, the upper substrate (which becomes the intermediate substrate 10a in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S61). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed into a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an alignment film is stacked on the inner surface (side filled with liquid crystal) of the upper substrate, and an alignment process is performed (S62). Next, in order to form a liquid crystal filling region that encloses the liquid crystal for each element, the sealing material 30a mixed with the gap material is printed in a ring shape (S63). Next, liquid crystal is dropped inside the ring-shaped sealing material using a liquid crystal dropping device (S64).

  Further, the lower substrate (which becomes the substrate 10 in the case of a single element) is processed into a predetermined dimension (S65). For example, a sheet-like glass substrate having a thickness of 300 μm is processed into a size of 200 mm × 200 mm. Next, an ITO film is laminated on the inner surface (liquid crystal filling side) surface of the lower substrate to form an electrode (S66). Here, a patterning process by etching or the like is performed to form a common electrode for each element. Next, an alignment film is laminated on the surface of the lower substrate where the electrodes are formed, and an alignment process is performed (S67). Next, conductive patterns 91c, 92c, 93c and 94c are printed at the corners of each element on the surface of the lower substrate where the electrodes are formed (S68).

  Next, an element group is assembled by combining the upper substrate and the lower substrate (S69). Next, the upper substrate is polished to a thickness of about 30 μm (S70). That is, the upper substrate is thinned. As a polishing method, a mechanical method or an etching method is used. Thereby, the second liquid crystal unit 200b is obtained.

  Thereafter, the first liquid crystal unit 200a and the second liquid crystal unit 200b are superposed and bonded (S71). Adhesion is performed with an optical adhesive.

  Next, the conductive pattern 90b is printed at the corners of each element on the surface of the substrate (centering on the position where the cutting lines intersect; see FIG. 11A) to form surface terminal portions (S72). Next, the substrate formed of the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements formed in this way is cut into strips (S73). And the conductive layer 90a is printed on the side surface of the board | substrate cut | disconnected in strip shape, and a side surface terminal part is formed (S74). The conductive layer 90a is printed at a position corresponding to the conductive pattern 90b printed on the surface of the substrate. FIG. 11A is a view from above the element group before cutting into a strip shape, and FIG. 11B is a side view of the element group before cutting into a strip shape. FIG. 12A is a plan view of a strip-shaped substrate having a conductive layer 90a printed on its side surface, and FIG. 12B is a side view of the strip-shaped substrate having a conductive layer 90a printed on its side surface.

  Finally, the substrate formed of the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements formed in this manner is cut using a slicer or the like, and separated into individual liquid crystal optical elements 200, that is, product sizes (S75). FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a single liquid crystal optical element 200 obtained by the cutting and separating step. Through the above manufacturing process, the liquid crystal optical element 200 shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

  The liquid crystal optical element 200 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94. The electrode terminals 91, 92, 93 and 94 are respectively composed of side surface terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a and 94a and surface terminal portions 91b, 92b, 93b and 94b.

  Thereby, the liquid crystal optical element 200 can obtain the same effect as the liquid crystal optical element 100 described above.

  In the case of the liquid crystal optical element 200, there is a printing process in which a conductive material is printed on the side surface in order to form the side terminal portion. However, since there is no processing to form a through hole in the substrate, the processing of the substrate becomes easy. .

  FIG. 14 schematically shows a configuration of a liquid crystal optical element 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the liquid crystal optical element 300 has four corners cut obliquely to form side terminal portions 91a, 92a, 93a and 94a on the surface of the cutout portions, and triangular shapes on the upper and lower surfaces. Surface terminal portions 91b, 92b, 93b and 94b are formed. Since the other configuration is the same as the configuration of the liquid crystal optical element 200 in the second embodiment described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the liquid crystal optical element 300, the planar shape thereof is closer to a circle than in the case of the liquid crystal optical elements 100 and 200, so that it is further easy to mount the optical system.

  In the liquid crystal optical elements 100, 200, and 300 of the above-described embodiments, the liquid crystal optical element 100, 200, and 300 has two layers of liquid crystal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may have one or three or more liquid crystal layers. Note that a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements may be stacked to be on the same optical axis to form a multiple structure.

  Further, in the liquid crystal optical elements 100, 200, and 300 of the above-described embodiments, the shape of the surface terminal portion is a square, a quarter circle, and a triangle, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, in the liquid crystal optical elements 100, 200 and 300 of the above-described embodiments, the second transparent electrode 60 and the third transparent electrode 70 are provided as the segment electrodes, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, it may be configured to have a plurality of concentric ring segment electrodes. In this case, when four or more terminals are required depending on the number of electrodes, the terminals may be formed on the side surfaces other than the corners.

  Furthermore, in the liquid crystal optical element 100 of the above-described embodiment, the through hole 80 has a constant diameter, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may comprise so that it may have a taper in the one side of a through-hole.

  The present invention relates to an optical pickup as a liquid crystal optical element having a micro camera built in a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital device or the like, and having an autofocus function and a macro-micro switching function, and in an optical disc apparatus. It can be used as a liquid crystal aberration correction element used to correct aberrations that occur during recording / reproduction by.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 1st board | substrate 10a, 20a Intermediate board 20 2nd board | substrate 30a, 30b Sealing material 40a, 40b Liquid crystal 50 1st transparent electrode 60 2nd transparent electrode 70 3rd transparent electrode 80 Through-hole 80a, 90a, Conductivity Layers 80b, 81c, 82c, 83c, 84c, 90b, 91c, 92c, 93c, 94c Conductive patterns 81, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92, 93, 94 Electrode terminals 81a, 82a, 83a, 84a, 91a, 92a , 93a, 94a Side terminal portions 81b, 82b, 83b, 84b, 91b, 92b, 93b, 94b Surface terminal portions 100, 200, 300 Liquid crystal optical elements 100a, 200a First liquid crystal units 100b, 200b Second liquid crystal units

Claims (9)

A liquid crystal optical element in which liquid crystal is sealed between a first substrate on which a common electrode is formed and a second substrate on which a plurality of segment electrodes are formed,
A plurality of electrode terminals exposed to the outside are provided at a plurality of corners on the side surface of the liquid crystal optical element, and the plurality of electrode terminals are formed to extend in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal optical element. A liquid crystal optical element characterized in that   2. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrode terminals include a conductive layer that is filled in the cutout portions of the plurality of corners of the liquid crystal optical element and exposed to the side surface by cutting.   The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrode terminals include a conductive pattern printed on a side surface of the liquid crystal optical element.   4. The liquid crystal according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrode terminals include a conductive pattern having a predetermined area printed in the vicinity of corners on the upper and lower surfaces of the liquid crystal optical element. Optical element.   A conductive pattern having a predetermined area is printed on a corner portion of the surface of the first substrate on which the common electrode is formed and the surface of the second substrate on which the plurality of segment electrodes are formed. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1. An electrode forming step of forming electrodes corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements on at least a pair of large glass substrates capable of cutting out the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements;
An element group assembly step of forming an element group having a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements by enclosing a liquid crystal between the at least one pair of large-sized glass substrates;
A through hole forming step of forming a plurality of through holes at crossing positions of the cutting lines of the at least one pair of large format glass substrates;
A conductive material filling step of forming a conductive layer by filling the plurality of through holes with a conductive material;
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, comprising: a cutting step of cutting and separating the element group into single elements.   The method further includes a surface terminal portion forming step of forming a plurality of surface terminal portions by printing a conductive pattern at positions corresponding to the plurality of through holes on the surface of the element group, each of the plurality of surface terminal portions being the plurality of the plurality of surface terminal portions. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element according to claim 6, wherein each of the through holes has a larger area. An electrode forming step of forming electrodes corresponding to the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements on at least a pair of large glass substrates capable of cutting out the plurality of liquid crystal optical elements;
An element group assembly step of forming an element group having a plurality of liquid crystal optical elements by enclosing a liquid crystal between the at least one pair of large-sized glass substrates;
A cutting step of cutting and separating the element group into strips or single elements;
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, comprising: a side surface terminal portion forming step of printing a conductive pattern on a side surface of the strip or a single element to form a plurality of side surface terminal portions.   Surface terminal part formation which prints a conductive pattern on the surface of the strip or a single element, and is electrically connected to each of the plurality of side surface terminal parts, each forming a plurality of surface terminal parts having a predetermined area. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element according to claim 8, further comprising a step.

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