Lcd device having a switching element with reduced size and capacitance

Abstract

The liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. A plurality of pixel electrodes is arranged in matrix on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer of at least one of the pair of substrates. A plurality of signal lines and a plurality of two-terminal nonlinear elements are formed. An individual one of the two-terminal nonlinear elements is connected to one of the pixel electrodes associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element and one of the signal lines associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element. The two-terminal nonlinear element includes: a lower electrode connected to the associated signal line, an insulator formed so as to cover the lower electrode, and an upper electrode connected to the associated pixel electrode. The insulator includes a first insulating film exhibiting non-linearity, a second insulating film formed so as to cover etching edges of the lower electrode, and a slit electrically connecting the upper electrode to the first insulating film. The size of the two-terminal nonlinear element is determined by an opening width of the slit of the second insulating film and a line width of the upper electrode.