Abstract: The invention relates to mesogenic tetrahydropyran compounds having at least four rings, of the formula I in which R1, A1, A2, X1, L1, L2, m and n have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to a process for the preparation thereof, to the use thereof in liquid-crystalline media, to liquid-crystalline media comprising at least one compound of the formula I, and to electro-optical displays containing a liquid-crystalline medium of this type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dielectrically positive liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II and III in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and optionally one or more compounds of the formula IV in which the parameters have the meaning indicated in the specification, and to liquid-crystal displays containing these media, especially to active-matrix displays and in particular to TN, IPS and FFS displays.

Abstract: The invention relates to new cyclohexylene reactive mesogens (RM), polymers derived thereof, liquid crystal (LC) media comprising them, and the use of the compounds, polymers and liquid crystalline media in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices, in decorative, security, cosmetic or diagnostic applications, especially in the polymer stabilised blue phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel fluorene derivatives, which are especially suitable for use in birefringent films with negative optical dispersion, to novel liquid crystal (LC) formulations and polymer films comprising them, and to the use of the fluorene derivatives, formulations and films in optical, electrooptical, electronic, semiconducting or luminescent components or devices.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic material having a good durability against light is provided. Further, an optical element having a good durability against light and an optical information writing/reading device employing such an element are provided. The optically anisotropic material is obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing at least 5 mol % of at least one type of polymerizable compound represented by a general formula CH2?CR1—COO—K-Cy-Cy-L-OCO—CR2?CH2. A phase difference plate 4 produced by employing the optically anisotropic material has a good durability against light, and accordingly, the phase difference plate 4 can realize an optical heat device suitable for large capacity writing/reading by employing a blue laser as a light source 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optically biaxial film comprising an anisotropic material with uniform helically twisted structure and a reflection wavelength below 400 nm, to methods and materials for its preparation, to its use as retardation or compensation film in optical devices like liquid crystal displays, and to compensators and liquid crystal displays comprising such a biaxial film.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having stability to heat, light and so forth, a wide temperature range of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a suitable dielectric anisotropy and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition containing this liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal display device containing this liquid crystal composition. The compound is represented by formula (a). Ra is, for example, alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, and Rb is, for example, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons; La is, for example, hydrogen; and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are, for example, a single bond. The liquid crystal composition comprises this compound. The liquid crystal display device comprises this liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: Provided are a cholesteric liquid crystal composition which contains a compound having a high ?n value and shows an orientation in a thick layer, and a circular polarization separator sheet having a wide reflection bandwidth and capable of being produced simply and easily. A cholesteric liquid crystal composition containing a compound represented by a formula (1): R1-A1-B-A2-R2 (R1 and R2 represent alkyl, alkylene oxide, H, halogen, hydroxyl, carboxyl, (meth)acryl, epoxy, mercapto, isocyanate, amino or cyano; A1 and A2 represent 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexenyl, 4,4?-biphenylene, 4,4?-bicyclohexylene or 2,6-naphthylene; and B represents a single bond, —COO— or the like) and a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound having ?n of 0.18 or more and at least two or more reactive groups per one molecule.