US Patent 8743466 Display device and method for forming the same

A display device has a display element that makes a display and a viewing angle widening member that is provided on the viewing side of the display element, and that causes light to exit in a condition in which the angle distribution is widened relative to before incidence of the viewing angle widening member to the display element. The viewing angle widening member includes a base material, and a refractive index change layer formed over the base material. The refractive index change layer includes a plurality of high refractive index portions and low refractive index portions having a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the high refractive index portions. Each of the plurality of high refractive index portions includes a light emission surface on the base material side, and a light incidence surface having a larger surface area than that of the light emission surface on the opposing side of the base material side. The refractive index change layer faces the display element. The base material is disposed on the display side.