Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from a) at least one component selected from the group consisting of oligomer(s) and polymer(s) within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof wherein the at least one component comprises at least one initiator generating moiety, and b) at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer(s) and addition polymer(s), wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from a) at least one component selected from the group consisting of oligomer(s) and polymer(s) within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof wherein the at least one component comprises at least one initiator generating moiety, and b) at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer(s) and addition polymer(s), wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of monomer, oligomer and polymer within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof and at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer and functionalized addition polymer wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal optical elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer useful for alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of monomer, oligomer and polymer within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof and at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer and functionalized addition polymer wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal optical elements such as all liquid crystal display products or modes, liquid crystal devices and liquid crystal optical films comprising the novel hybrid polymer alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise reactive diamines containing a C3–C20 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon—carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise crosslinking diamines containing a C3–C22 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon—carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention are prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of monomer, macromonomer and polymer within the class of polyimides, poly(amic acids) and esters thereof and at least one component selected from the group consisting of addition monomer and functionalized addition polymer wherein the two components are covalently bonded to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel branched hybrid polymer optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid polymer optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. Hybrid polymers of this invention comprise at least one component of a macromonomer or polymer within the class of polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof, and at least one additional component from the group consisting of an addition monomer, monomers and addition polymer that are covalently bonded with the first component to form a copolymer. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel branched hybrid polymer optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimides, poly(amic acids) and poly(amide esters) thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side-chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amine compositions and the preparation of polyimides. The polyimides can be used for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium with polarized light in liquid crystal display elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise crosslinking diamines containing a C3-C22 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amine compositions useful in the preparation of polyimides. The polyimides can be used for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium with polarized light in liquid crystal display elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical exposure system with partial polarization and collimation components that is useful for exposing alignment layers with light in order to align liquid crystals. The exposure system comprises at least one source of optical radiation, means for partially collimating said optical radiation, means for partially polarizing said optical radiation and means for transporting the substrate and radiation relative to one another. Other embodiments further comprise means for partially filtering the optical radiation and means for some portion of said optical radiation to be incident at an oblique angle relative to said substrate. Other embodiments include processes for aligning liquid crystals using the optical exposure systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel aromatic diamines useful in preparing polyimides for optical alignment layers in liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side-chains general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf  I wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: A process for aligning liquid crystals adjacent to a surface of an optical alignment layer comprising: exposing at least one optical alignment layer, comprising anisotropically absorbing molecules, to polarized light; the polarized light having a wavelength within the absorption band of said anisotropically absorbing molecules; wherein the exposed anisotropically absorbing molecules induce alignment of a liquid crystal medium at an angle + and − with respect to the direction of the polarization of the incident light beam and along the surface of the optical alignment layer; and applying a liquid crystal medium to said optical alignment layer; wherein said anisotropically absorbing molecules consist essentially of diary ketones, is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimides, poly(amic acids) and poly(amide esters) thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side-chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an optical alignment layer for aligning liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays comprising exposing polyimide layers with polarized light. The invention further describes optical alignment layers, liquid crystal displays incorporating optical alignment layers and novel polymer compositions within the class of polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise crosslinking diamines containing a C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amine compositions and the preparation of polyimides. The polyimides can be used for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium with polarized light in liquid crystal display elements.