Sharp Begins Production of World's First LCD Panels Incorporating IGZO Oxide Semiconductors.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Sharp Begins Production of World's First LCD Panels Incorporating IGZO Oxide Semiconductors

In March 2012 at Kameyama Plant No. 2, Sharp began producing the world's first high-performance LCD panels incorporating IGZO oxide semiconductors. Sharp is expanding production scale through April to meet market demand.

Kameyama Plant No. 2 first started operations in August 2006, manufacturing highly advanced LCD panels for TVs. Production systems have subsequently been reorganized to focus on producing small- and medium-sized LCD panels for the world's rapidly growing smartphone and tablet terminal markets.

Employing advanced IGZO oxide semiconductors enables Sharp to produce LCDs with smaller thin-film transistors and increased pixel transparency, thus allowing for lower energy consumption. In addition, proprietary UV2A*3 photo-alignment technology employed in Sharp's AQUOS LCD TVs enables these displays to achieve high image quality.

Sharp will encourage the application of its new high-resolution LCD panels to high-definition notebook PCs and LCD monitors-which are both expected to grow in demand-as well as to mobile devices. Sharp will also contribute to creating markets for attractive new products.

Sample Specifications of LCD Panels Incorporating IGZO

For LCD Monitors Display size 32 inches

No. of pixels 3,840 x 2,160

Pixel density 140 ppi

For High-Definition Notebook PCs Display size 10 inches

No. of pixels 2,560 x 1,600

Pixel density 300 ppi

For Tablet Terminals Display size 7 inches

No. of pixels 800 x 1,280

Pixel density 217 ppi