Reflective display having a laminated structure of a polarizer and

Abstract

An illumination structure which is for viewing an image in a dark environment without deterioration of image quality in a bright environment is incorporated in a reflective display. A reflective display comprises a panel, a light guide plate, and a light source. The panel is provided with a transparent first substrate located on the incident side of the outside light, a second substrate bonded to the first substrate with interposition of a prescribed space and located on the side opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer held in the space between both substrates, and an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer. The light guide plate is placed on the outside of the first substrate. The light source is located on the end of the light guide plate, and emits the illumination light as required. The light guide plate allows the outside light to be transmitted, which is incident on the first substrate, and allows the outside light reflected on the second substrate to come out. On the other hand, the light guide plate guides the illumination light as required, which is incident on the first substrate, and allows the illumination light reflected on the second substrate to come out. A laminate structure comprising a polarization plate and a quarter wavelength plate placed one on the other is attached on the light guide plate, and shuts off the outside light or illumination light unnecessary reflected on the first substrate of the panel.