Abstract: An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency.

Abstract: A light deflection element has a pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal 5 with a homeotropic alignment filled between the pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; and at least an electric field applying device 6 for activating an electric field in the liquid crystal 5. Because a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal is used, the problems of the conventional light deflection element, such as high cost, light loss, large size, and optical noise etc. due to its complicated structure, can be greatly improved. The conventional low response time due to the smectic A phase or the nematic liquid crystal is improved, thereby the high-speed response is possible.

Abstract: An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency.

Abstract: A novel retardation film is disclosed. The film comprises a transparent substrate and an optically anisotropic layer formed thereon by fixing a liquid crystalline compound in an aligned state, wherein the retardation film, when positioned between two polarizers in a crossed Nicol arrangement, has a frontal luminance within a range of 0.700 to 0.000 cd/m2. A novel liquid crystal display is also disclosed. The display comprises a first polarizing film, the retardation film positioned in contact with a surface of the first polarizing film, a first substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed of a liquid crystal material, and a second substrate positioned in this order, in which liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material are aligned in a black state parallel to surfaces of a pair of the substrates.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one compound having a fluoro-aliphatic group and at least one hydrophilic group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group (—COOH), a sulfo group (—SO3H), a sulfato group (—OSO3H), a phosphonoxy group {—OP(?O)(OH)2} and salts thereof; at least one onium salt; and at least one liquid-crystal compound is disclosed.

Abstract: An optical path deflecting element, an optical path deflecting apparatus, an image displaying apparatus, an optical writing apparatus, an optical interconnection apparatus, an optical element, and a fabrication method thereof. The optical path deflecting element includes a pair of transparent substrates, transparent electrode films on the substrates to which a voltage having an inverse polarity is selectively applied, an alignment layer in the inner sides of the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer formed of a chiral smectic C phase between the substrates via the alignment layer and homogeneously aligned by the alignment layer. The optical deflecting element can realize the uniformly-aligned liquid crystal layer more easily than a case in which the liquid crystal is aligned to become in a bistable condition. For this reason, it is possible to improve yield in the fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device wherein an optically anisotropic layer is formed on an optical film satisfying that Rth is 0 to 150 nm at 23° C./60% RH and the difference between Rth at 23° C./10% RH and Rth at 23° C./80% RH is 40% or less of Rth at 23° C./60% RH. In the liquid crystal display, liquid crystal cells are optically compensated accurately and less affected in the display properties even when the storage environment changes.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency.

Abstract: An optical path deflecting element easily can realize a uniform alignment condition although liquid crystal of a large cone angle is used therein. In the optical path deflecting element, a slope region is formed between two transparent substrates arranged to have a slope angle &thgr;. A liquid crystal layer of a chiral smectic C phase is provided in the slope region. The liquid crystal is aligned in a single-stable condition where a stable condition direction and an unstable condition direction coexist. Here, the stable condition direction is the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules aligned in a rubbing direction, and the unstable condition is the major axis direction at time when a voltage is applied between transparent electrode films. In such a single-stable liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal can be uniformly aligned more easily than in a case where the liquid crystal is aligned in a bistable condition.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: A light deflection element has a pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal 5 with a homeotropic alignment filled between the pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; and at least an electric field applying device 6 for activating an electric field in the liquid crystal 5. Because a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal is used, the problems of the conventional light deflection element, such as high cost, light loss, large size, and optical noise etc. due to its complicated structure, can be greatly improved. The conventional low response time due to the smectic A phase or the nematic liquid crystal is improved, thereby the high-speed response is possible.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive recording medium comprising an concealing layer provided between a reversible thermosensitive recording layer which is reversibly changed in its color by heat and a photo-thermal conversion layer which absorbs light with generating heat, wherein the concealing layer has an optical characteristic that the ratio of a light absorptivity of light having 555 nm wavelength, in comparison with a light absorptivity of laser light wavelength, is 80% or less. This reversible thermosensitive recording medium has a concealing layer to conceal the color of the photo-thermal conversion layer, thereby the visibility and the contrast of the obtained images are significantly improved, further more, durability in repeated used is also significantly improved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reversible recording material having a liquid crystal mixture comprising at least two cholesteric liquid crystal compounds. The cholesteric liquid crystal compounds which are contained in the reversible recording material has a molecular weight of less than 2000 and a grass transition temperature equal to or more than 30° C. The two cholesteric liquid crystal compounds are compatible each other. After at least a part of the reversible recording material is heated to a temperature where the part of the reversible recording material becomes a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, the part of the reversible recording material is rapidly cooled down to below the glass transition temperature thereof, so that a reflecting color from the reversible recording material can be fixed to achieve a recording.

Abstract: A reversible recording medium has a support, a reversible light absorbing layer formed on the support, and, a reversible cholesteric reflection layer formed on the reversible light absorbing layer, containing a cholesteric liquid crystalline compound capable of assuming a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase reversibly showing iridescent colors by selective reflection. A method for reversibly recording an image in the above-mentioned recording medium, and a reversible recording apparatus using the above-mentioned recording medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image magnifying/reducing optical device includes a base member having first and second surfaces which are approximately parallel to one another; and a plurality of high-refractive-index regions formed in the base member. The plurality of high-refractive-index regions continuously extending from the first surface to the second surface of the base member; and a sectional area of each of said plurality of high-refractive-index regions around the second surface being larger than that around the first surface.

Abstract: An imaging method includes the steps of (a) determining whether an object on which an image is to be formed is an information display medium on which a code is formed with an imaging material formed of a near infrared absorbing pigment, and (b) forming the image on the object by a printer engine with an imaging material formed of a pigment absorbing no or little light in a near infrared spectral region if the step (a) determines that the object is the information display medium.

Abstract: An image magnifying/reducing optical device includes a base member having first and second surfaces which are approximately parallel to one another; and a plurality of high-refractive-index regions formed in the base member. The plurality of high-refractive-index regions continuously extending from the first surface to the second surface of the base member; and a sectional area of each of said plurality of high-refractive-index regions around the second surface being larger than that around the first surface.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a heating roller having a heat source, a pressure roller in pressure contact with the heating roller, a sheet transporting member which transports the sheet between the heating roller and the pressure roller. The pressure roller has a plurality of areas having different traction coefficients on the surface thereof along the width thereof. The area is preferably disposed symmetrically on the surface of the pressure roller.