Optical shutter for display device, image display apparatus, and apparatus and method for manufacturing the optical shutter

Abstract

An optical shutter for a display device includes a partition wall surrounding and isolating a light-transmitting portion; a polar liquid having polarity, allowing light transmission, and placed at the light-transmitting portion; a nonpolar liquid having no polarity, blocking light, and placed at the light-transmitting portion; an insulator having hydrophobic properties and disposed over the entire light-transmitting portion; and first and second electrodes that are different. When no voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes, the nonpolar liquid spreads near the insulator, becomes stable, and thus blocks the light. When a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes, the polar liquid gravitates toward the insulator because of a change in wettability of the insulator against the polar liquid and causes the nonpolar liquid to collect in part of the light-transmitting portion according to the level of the voltage, thereby controlling the amount of transmission of light.