Abstract: A polarizer including a polarization grating comprising a polarization sensitive photo-alignment layer and a liquid crystal composition arranged on said photo-alignment layer. An alignment pattern, corresponding to the polarization pattern of a hologram, is recorded in the photo-alignment layer, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned on the photo-alignment layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional optical sensor, having at least 2 areas which independently react to different input parameters, the sensor comprising a substrate and a polymeric layer comprising polymerized liquid crystal monomers having an ordered morphology, wherein the color, the reflectivity or the birefringence of the sensor changes due to a change of the morphology, wherein said change of the morphology is caused by physical contact with a chemical agent such as a gas or liquid a change of temperature, or passage of time. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the sensor and for the use of a film comprising a single substrate, a layer having a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure for application in labels for packaging of perishable goods, food, fine chemicals, bio-medical materials.

Abstract: A method and sensor for the detection of luminescence radiation generated by at least one luminophore is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the coaxial encapsulation of a plurality of cells in a single elongated compartment. By this encapsulation, the cells are protected by at least one layer of separation material and kept in close contact, which leads to a better vitality of the encapsulated cells and consequently results in higher chances to form microtissue. Methods and devices for the production of such encapsulated cell compartments are disclosed as well as medical uses of such compartments in cell, tissue therapy and tissue engineering.

Abstract: A polarizer including a polarization grating comprising a polarization sensitive photo-alignment layer and a liquid crystal composition arranged on said photo-alignment layer. An alignment pattern, corresponding to the polarization pattern of a hologram, is recorded in the photo-alignment layer, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned on the photo-alignment layer.

Abstract: A polarizer including a polarization grating comprising a polarization sensitive photo-alignment layer and a liquid crystal composition arranged on said photo-alignment layer. An alignment pattern, corresponding to the polarization pattern of a hologram, is recorded in the photo-alignment layer, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned on the photo-alignment layer.

Abstract: A polarization grating comprising a polarization sensitive photo-alignment layer (2) and a liquid crystal composition (3) arranged on said photo-alignment layer is provided. An alignment pattern, corresponding to the polarization pattern of a hologram, is recorded in the photo-alignment layer, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned on the photo-alignment layer. As the origin for the alignment of the liquid crystal composition is a polarization hologram recorded in a photo-alignment layer, an essentially defect-free pattern can be obtained with this approach.

Abstract: A method and sensor for the detection of luminescence radiation generated by at least one luminophore is disclosed.

Abstract: A polarization grating comprising a polarization sensitive photo-alignment layer (2) and a liquid crystal composition (3) arranged on said photo-alignment layer is provided. An alignment pattern, corresponding to the polarization pattern of a hologram, is recorded in the photo-alignment layer, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned on the photo-alignment layer. As the origin for the alignment of the liquid crystal composition is a polarization hologram recorded in a photo-alignment layer, an essentially defect-free pattern can be obtained with this approach.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an alignment layer capable of aligning liquid crystal material, the alignment layer comprising: a first sublayer having regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material in a first alignment, a second sublayer having regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material in a second alignment, the first and the second alignment being different, the second sublayer overlaying the first sublayer and covering in accordance with a pre-determined pattern the first sublayer to provide, at desired locations, second sublayer regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material and, at desired locations, regions of the underlying first sublayer that are not covered by the second sublayer, and to a method of making this alignment layer. The invention further relates to an optical or electro-optical device comprising said alignment layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compensator layer features forming first and second retardation foils by polymerizing or vitrifying liquid-crystalline material comprising liquid-crystal molecules in manner wherein the liquid-crystal molecules in the polymerized or vitrified liquid-crystalline material of the first and second retardation foils respectively exhibit first and second tilt angles which are respectively parallel to first and second planes that are normal to major surfaces of the foils and that are angled with respect to one another by an angle of 60–120 degrees.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquid-crystal display device having a display cell comprises forming retardation foils on substrates using polymerized or vitrified liquid-crystal material wherein the liquid-crystal molecules of the polymerized or vitrified liquid-crystal material have a tilt angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrates and so that the retardation foils have substantially complementary indicatrices and so that each one of the retardation foils brings about the compensation of approximately half the display cell in the driven state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystal display device comprising a display cell and a plurality of retardation foils of polymerized or vitrified liquid-crystal material, whose liquid-crystal molecules have a tilt angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrates, which retardation foils have substantially complementary indicatrices so that each one of the retardation foils brings about the compensation of approximately half the display cell in the driven state.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a broadband cholesteric polarizer includes positioning a layer of reactive material; irradiating the layer of reactive material; directing, at a first side of the layer, a monochromatic beam of light of a given wavelength toward the layer; and detecting, at a second side of said layer, a detected intensity of light of the given wavelength coming from the layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device comprising two substantially parallel substrates with electrode layers on their facing sides for switching an optically active layer which is present between said substrates. Furthermore the present invention relates to a hybrid layer for use in such an optical device. Switching of the layers is enhanced by introducing optically anisotropic material in a porous structure.

Abstract: A transflective liquid-crystal display device comprising a display cell (1) and a reflective polarizer (9), which preferably incorporates a cholesteric mirror (12) which practically completely reflects incident radiation (light) (14) of a specific polarization (left-hand or right-hand) originating from the display cell (reflective effect) and which passes a substantial degree of radiation (15) of the same polarization originating from (a light source (10) on) the other side (transmissive effect).

Abstract: Transflective display device provided with a waveguide which separates light entering from the side or from above into two mutually perpendicular directions of polarization. Polarization separation is obtained at the interface between materials of the waveguide having the same refractive index for one polarization direction and different refractive indices for the other polarization direction.

Abstract: Display device in which light is generated in patterned areas of electroluminescent material (via UV radiation, LED-driving or optical pumping), which light leaves the areas by waveguiding along edges of said area, where it is directed to the viewer by light-scattering or reflecting elements.

Abstract: The Application describes a method and devices for manufacturing a broadband cholesteric polarizer having a well-defined bandwidth and edge position. To this end, a liquid-crystalline cholesterically ordered layer comprising reactive chiral monomers and reactive nematogenic monomers having a different reactivity is polymerized by exposure to radiation. The invention is characterized in that the intensity of the radiation is increased substantially, preferably by a factor of 10 or more, when a desired edge position of the band is reached. As a result, the bandwidth and edge position of the reflection band reached at that moment are frozen as it were. A monochromatic sensor can be used to determine whether said edge position has been reached, the wavelength used by the sensor corresponding to the wavelength of the desired edge position of the band. Broadband, cholesteric polarizers having a well-defined bandwidth and edge position can very advantageously be used in a display.

Abstract: Backlight system in which colors are generated sequentially by coupling short-wave radiation from a source (2) into a waveguide (4) via an optical shutter (6) which sequentially excites luminescent materials (5) radiating at different wavelengths.