Display device and projection-type display apparatus using the device

Abstract

In a display device, counter electrodes are formed in stripes at a position facing pixel electrodes, with a polymer dispersion liquid crystal held between the counter electrodes and pixel electrodes. When a positive-polarity signal is to be impressed to a pixel electrode, a negative-polarity voltage is fed to the counter electrode. On the other hand, when a negative-polarity signal is to be impressed to a pixel electrode, a positive-polarity voltage is added to the counter electrode. In this manner of impression voltages, a high voltage can be applied to the polymer dispersion liquid crystal layer on the pixel electrodes, so that the liquid crystal layer is turned into the transmitting state even if it is thick. Accordingly, the scattering efficiency is improved and images are displayed with high contrast as the liquid crystal layer can be made thick. If the thick transparent substrate is bonded to the counter substrate having the counter electrodes thereon, the light scattered at the liquid crystal layer is reflected by the counter substrate and returned back to the liquid crystal layer, thus eliminating the light to be scattered again.