Use of black diamond-like carbon films as a contrast enhancement layer for liquid-crystal displays

Abstract
We report development of single-layer, highly durable, pinhole-free, abrasion-resistant, chemically inert ‘‘black coating’’ suitable for use as a contrast enhancement layer for liquid- crystal display devices. The single layer is a diamond-like carbon coating that has a high extinction coefficient and appears black due to optical absorption. The optical transmittance is less than 2% over the visible spectrum, and the reflectance is about 20%. Furthermore, this coating is easy to deposit onto large-area substrates at high deposition rates. The coating is sufficiently durable, electrically insulating, and chemically compatible with liquid-crystal display materials. Its hardness exceeds that of SiC (9+ on Mohs scale), and it is resistant to abrasion and most common solvents and acids. It exhibits good adhesion to glass, silicon, metal, and oxide substrates. Films of this material have been used to provide an increased contrast enhancement ratio in liquid-crystal displays. Details on the synthesis of these films are presented. Also, data on the optical and mechanical properties of these films as well as their use as contrast enhancement layers for liquid-crystal displays are presented.

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