Abstract: An optically anisotropic material comprising at least one discotic compound having a cyclopropylcarbonyl group. The material is excellent in both the wavelength dispersion property and the refractive index anisotropy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-crystal composition capable of providing a functional film that exhibits useful optical properties. The composition comprises a compound of the following formula (1) that exhibits a smectic liquid-crystal phase. R1—(Ar1)p—C?C—(Ar2)m—C?C—(Ar3)n—R2??(1) wherein R1 and R2 represent alkyl; R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent hydrogen or alkyl; Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 represent divalent aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; and p, m and n are 1 or 2.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic material comprising at least one discotic compound having a cyclopropylcarbonyl group. The material is excellent in both the wavelength dispersion property and the refractive index anisotropy.

Abstract: An anti-reflection film containing a high-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.65 to 2.40 and a low-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.20 to 1.55, wherein the high-refractive-index layer is formed by coating and hardening a coating solution composition that contains inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1 to 200 nm and being dispersed with a polymer having a crosslinkable group. A method of producing the anti-reflection film and an image display device provided with the anti-reflection film.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-crystal composition capable of providing a functional film that exhibits useful optical properties. The composition comprises a compound of the following formula (1) that exhibits a smectic liquid-crystal phase. R1—(Ar1)p—?C—(Ar2)m—C?C—(Ar3)n—R2??(1) wherein R1 and R2 represent alkyl; R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent hydrogen or alkyl; Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 represent divalent aromatic hydrocarbon or aromatic heterocyclic group; and p, m and n are 1 or 2.

Abstract: A novel polarization selective membrane is disclosed. The membrane comprises a liquid crystal molecule having a helical structure and selectively transmits specific polarized light and selectively reflects the other polarized light. The helical axis of the helical structure is practically oriented in the normal direction of the membrane plane, and the angle between the helical axis of the helical structure and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is from 5° to 85°.

Abstract: A novel polarization selective membrane is disclosed. The membrane comprises a liquid crystal molecule having a helical structure and selectively transmits specific polarized light and selectively reflects the other polarized light. The helical axis of the helical structure is practically oriented in the normal direction of the membrane plane, and the angle between the helical axis of the helical structure and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is from 5° to 85°. The membrane may be prepared by using a composition comprising a compound represented by Formula (I): wherein X represents a group having an optically active site, M represents a group having at least one aromatic carbocycle or aromatic heterocycle, Y1 and Y2 independently represent a bivalent group; R1 to R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R represents an alkyl group.

Abstract: An anti-reflection film containing a high-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.65 to 2.40 and a low-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.20 to 1.55, wherein the high-refractive-index layer is formed by coating and hardening a coating solution composition that contains inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1 to 200 nm and being dispersed with a polymer having a crosslinkable group. A method of producing the anti-reflection film and an image display device provided with the anti-reflection film.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel color-developing agents of the formula (I). There is also disclosed silver halide photographic light-sensitive materials and image-forming methods, using the color-developing agent. The color-developing agent is excellent in color-forming property, and the image obtained from the color-developing agent is good in stability of hue and image. ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 represents an acyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, or a carbonimidoyl group, Q.sup.1 represents a group of atoms required to form a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring together with the C, Q.sup.2 represents a heterocyclic residue, Y.sup.1 represents a group capable of substitution onto the aromatic ring, m is 1 or 2, and n is an integer of 0 to 3.