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Abstract

An active circuit element substrate is provided with a matrix array of active circuit elements. Each of the active circuit elements includes 1) a switching element, 2) a capacitor, 3) an electrically-conductive portion connecting the switching element and the capacitor, 4) an insulating layer covering the switching element, the capacitor, and the electrically-conductive portion, and 5) a reflective electrode layer connected to the electrically-conductive portion and extending on the insulating layer. The insulating layer has a surface flat so as to agree with a mirror finished surface. The reflective electrode layer extends on the surface of the insulating layer. A transparent common electrode film extends on a surface of a transparent substrate. An optical modulation layer is located between the reflective electrode layers on the active circuit element substrate and the common electrode film on the transparent substrate. A voltage difference is generated between each of the reflective electrode layers and the common electrode film in response to a signal applied to a control terminal of the related switching element, and light incident to the transparent substrate is modulated by the optical modulation layer in response to the voltage difference and is reflected by the related reflective electrode layer. A light shielding layer covers regions between the reflective electrode layers except portions occupied by metal areas of the active circuit elements as viewed along a direction of incidence of the light. The light shielding layer extends in the insulating layer.

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First Claim