Abstract: Disclosed is an optical film with controlled birefringence dispersion that is useful in the field of display and other optical applications. The optical film comprises at least a plurality of negative birefringence polymeric layers and a plurality of positive birefringence polymeric layers, wherein each layer is independently 200 nm or less in thickness and the negative birefringent layers alternate with the positive birefringent layers.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical compensation film includes coating one or more first layers and one or more second layers onto a carrier substrate, and stretching the first layers and second layers simultaneously. The one or more first layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence (?nth) not more negative than ?0.005 and not more positive than +0.005, and the one or more second layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the optical compensation film is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the optical compensation film is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm wherein the process employs laminating layers or coating the layers from solvent.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence between ?0.005 and +0.005. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence that is either less than ?0.005 or greater than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm, and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The amorphous polymer of the second layer(s) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that 110° C.?Tg?180° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm, and 100° C.?Tg?160° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A process for forming a fixed liquid crystal layer having a predetermined tilt on an orientation layer comprises: a) adding a predetermined amount of an onium salt to a liquid crystal pre-polymer coating solution containing a liquid crystal pre-polymer and a UV initiator selected from the group consisting of benzophenone and acetophenone and their derivatives; benzoin, benzoin ethers, benzil, benzil ketals, fluorenone, xanthanone, alpha and beta naphthyl carbonyl compounds and ketones; b) coating the solution over the orientation layer; c) drying the coating to form a layer; and then d) UV irradiating the layer to fix the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 and not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: A multilayer optical compensation film includes at least one optically anisotropic first layer and at least one optically anisotropic second layer. The indices of refraction of the first layer satisfies the relation nx1?ny1?nz1. The second layer includes amorphous polymer with a glass transition temperature above 160 C.°, and the indices of refraction of the second layer satisfy the relations |nx2?ny2|<0.001 and nz2?(nx2+ny2)/2>0.005.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 or not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator has two or more first layers and one or more second layers. The overall in-plane retardation of the compensator is from 0 to 300 nm and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The compensator may be fabricated by: coating at least one barrier layer on at least one first layer; coating at least one second layer from an organic coating solvent on the barrier layer to produce an intermediate compensator structure; and stretching the intermediate compensator structure in at least one direction by between 1% and 60%. The barrier layer contains a polymer that is water soluble or water dispersible in an amount sufficient to impede the diffusion of the organic solvent between the other first layers and the second layers. All layers have been stretched simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising a transparent substrate bearing a series of parallel nanogrooves in the surface thereof and containing in the nanogrooves an oriented liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A multilayer optical compensation film comprises one or more optically anisotropic layers X and one or more optically anisotropic layers Z wherein, said each layer X has its optic axis tilted with respect to the plane of said multilayer compensation film, and said each layer Z comprises amorphous polymer with glass transition temperature Tg above 180C°, and satisfies particular relations. The film is readily manufactured and provides the required optical property for proper compensation of LCDs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer compensator polymeric film for a LC cell comprising two or more first layers having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.005 and one or more second layers having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the aligned liquid crystal layer contains an azolium salt represented by formula (I): wherein the subscripts represent the ring positions and each X is independently N or C—R; each Z is independently N, N—R, C—(R)(R), 0, S, S02, SO, C?O, C?S, or C?NR; each R group is independently hydrogen or a substituent; and Y is a charge balancing anion, which may be a separate moiety or part of an X, Z, or R; provided two or more X, Z and R groups may form a ring; provided the salt may be part of an oligomer or polymer. Such a film provides a predetermined increase in pre-tilt angle for use in liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains an onium salt represented by formula (I): (R)bM+X???I wherein: each R is an independently selected straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or an aromatic group and b is 2, 3, or 4; M+ is a cation chosen from periodic group Va, VIa, and VIIa of the Periodic Table of Elements; and X? is a counter-ion; provided the salt may be present as an oligomeric or polymeric form of the salt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains a Lewis acid. Such a film is useful for aligning a liquid crystal material to an increased tilt angle.

Abstract: Disclosed optical compensator for a liquid crystal display and process comprising a transparent polymeric support, an orientation layer, and an optically anisotropic layer comprising a nematic liquid crystal, in order, wherein the anisotropic layer contains a colorless polymer having a weight average molecular weight that is greater that the entanglement molecular weight of the polymer. The uniformity and quality of this film is enhanced by the addition of a high molecular weight polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical multilayer comprising a polymeric substrate having a non-zero out-of plane birefringence and an amorphous polymeric overlayer that comprises an amorphous polymer having a Tg value above 160° C. and having the sign of its out-of-plane birefringence opposite to that of the polymeric substrate so as to provide a total out-of-plane phase retardation of said optical multilayer of between ?30 nm and 30 nm for wavelengths of light between 400 and 700 nm.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm.