Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to the invention includes a liquid crystal display element (100) having a liquid crystal layer (4) containing liquid crystal molecules oriented so as to assume a bend alignment when an image display is being made, and at least one retardation plate for compensating for a retardation of the liquid crystal layer, wherein the display is made by varying the retardation of the liquid crystal layer in accordance with video signals inputted from outside to vary the transmittance of the liquid crystal display element to light for display, characterized in that: the liquid crystal display element (100) includes a plurality of red pixels for displaying a red color, a plurality of green pixels for displaying a green color, and a plurality of blue pixels for displaying a blue color; and a thickness (53B) of the liquid crystal layer (4) associated with the blue pixels is larger than a thickness (53R, 53G) of the liquid crystal layer associated with the red pixels and/or the green pixels.

Abstract: Before starting the regular display in a liquid crystal display device of the bend alignment type, it is necessary to transition all the pixel regions in the entire display portion uniformly from splay alignment into bend alignment. However, conventionally, when applying a simple ac voltage, the transition sometimes does not take place, and when it does take place, the transition time is very long, and display defects due to alignment defects tend to occur.

Abstract: By carrying out a parallel alignment treatment on alignment films capable of providing pretilt angles in the range of from 15° to less than 90° to liquid crystal molecules, a liquid crystal display device with a fast transition time in which bend alignment is easily obtained by applying voltages of a few volts is obtained. In addition, a liquid crystal display device that does not require transition control is also provided. Furthermore, as the devices have excellent viewing angle characteristics, highly practical OCB mode liquid crystal display devices are provided.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for driving liquid crystal display apparatuses for certainly completing in a short time to performing a transition of liquid crystal molecules to a displayable alignment in liquid crystal display apparatuses such that an initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is different from the displayable alignment, typically an optically compensated bend mode liquid crystal display apparatus. A voltage is applied to a liquid crystal layer until display area in the liquid crystal layer is transformed to the displayable alignment. After the completion of the transition, a backlight is switched on to shift to a display-driving mode. In order to complete the transition in a short time, voltage pulse under the conditions (such as a frequency and a voltage value) determined in accordance with a temperature of a liquid crystal panel is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a pixel electrode, a counter electrode, and a liquid crystal between the electrodes. Liquid crystal molecules in contact or near the respective opposed surfaces of the electrodes have specified pretilt angles as a result of the conditioning of those surfaces. When no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal is in a splay alignment state; applying voltage prior to image display causes a transition of transformation of the splay alignment state to a bend alignment state; image display is carried out under the bend alignment state. Transition from the splay alignment state to the bend alignment state is promoted by having a large pretilt angle domain formed on at least one of the electrode surfaces causing a larger pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules than is present in a region surrounding the large pretilt angle domain.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display composed of a liquid crystal cell 124 is described. In the liquid crystal cell 124, liquid crystals at the upper and lower interfaces of a liquid crystal layer 122 inserted between an array substrate 106 having pixel electrodes 128 and an opposed substrate 105 having an opposed electrode 127 have pretilt angles opposite to each other in a positive/negative sense and are aligned in parallel with each other, forming a spray alignment. This liquid crystal display performs displaying by bend-aligning such a liquid crystal cell 124. The pixel electrodes 128 are formed on a flattening film 100 for covering switching elements 123 or wiring electrodes flat. With this arrangement, a spray to bend alignment transition can be reliably, easily caused in a short time within the liquid crystal cell pixels, so that an OCB mode liquid crystal display free from alignment defects and having high picture quality can be achieved.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device which displays images by changing light transmission through formation of a bend alignment state of the liquid crystal, a large pretilt angle domain is formed on at least either the surface of the pixel electrode or the surface of the counter electrode and the large pretilt angle domain is so conditioned as to cause a larger pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules than the surrounding region does. This permits quick, reliable transition from a splay alignment state to the bend alignment state. Such transition is also facilitated by adding a chiral agent to a liquid crystal. A combination of the large pretilt angle domain and a chiral agent further facilitates occurrence of the transition.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device which displays images by changing light transmission through formation of a bend alignment state of the liquid crystal, a large pretilt angle domain is formed on at least either the surface of the pixel electrode or the surface of the counter electrode and the large pretilt angle domain is so conditioned as to cause a larger pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules than the surrounding region does. This permits quick, reliable transition from a splay alignment state to the bend alignment state. Such transition is also facilitated by adding a chiral agent to a liquid crystal. A combination of the large pretilt angle domain and a chiral agent further facilitates occurrence of the transition.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device which displays images by changing light transmission through formation of a bend alignment state of the liquid crystal, a large pretilt angle domain is formed on at least either the surface of the pixel electrode or the surface of the counter electrode and the large pretilt angle domain is so conditioned as to cause a larger pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules than the surrounding region does. This permits quick, reliable transition from a splay alignment state to the bend alignment state. Such transition is also facilitated by adding a chiral agent to a liquid crystal. A combination of the large pretilt angle domain and a chiral agent further facilitates occurrence of the transition.

Abstract: A pair of stationary contacts is held on the inner wall of a cylindrical case. The case is closed by a cover having a through-hole, and a bearing is fixed on the cover, such that an operation shaft extends through the bearing such as to be vertically displaceable with respect to the case. The operation shaft is biased upwards by a coil spring provided between its lower end and the bottom surface of the case. A contact piece having a plurality of movable contacts is inserted between the lower end of the operation shaft and the spring, such that it makes contact with the stationary contacts and separates therefrom along with the axial movements of the operation shaft.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for driving liquid crystal display apparatuses for certainly completing in a short time to performing a transition of liquid crystal molecules to a displayable alignment in liquid crystal display apparatuses such that an initial alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is different from the displayable alignment, typically an optically compensated bend mode liquid crystal display apparatus. A voltage is applied to a liquid crystal layer until display area in the liquid crystal layer is transformed to the displayable alignment. After the completion of the transition, a backlight is switched on to shift to a display-driving mode. In order to complete the transition in a short time, voltage pulse under the conditions (such as a frequency and a voltage value) determined in accordance with a temperature of a liquid crystal panel is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An active matrix type of twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided with a lower alignment layer rubbed in rubbing directions RD3, RD4 opposite to each other, an upper alignment layer rubbed in rubbing directions RD5, RD6 opposite to each other, a liquid crystal layer arranged between the lower and upper alignment layers and filled with liquid crystal molecules set in a nematic liquid crystal phase, a pixel electrode and a common electrode for inducing a vertical electric field in the liquid crystal layer, and a source line and gate line driving a switching device for applying an electric potential to the pixel electrode. The rubbing direction on the substrate with the switching device is at an angle of 1.degree.-44.degree. to either the source or gate line. In this case, major axes of a group of liquid crystal molecules arranged above the pixel electrode are twisted in a clockwise direction, and major axes of other group of liquid crystal molecules are twisted in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal device is made up of first and second substrates, a first alignment layer formed on a surface of the first substrate so as to have a first pre-tilt angle, a second alignment layer formed on a surface of the second substrate so as to have a second pre-tilt angle which is smaller than the first pre-tilt angle, a third alignment layer formed on the surface of the second substrate so as to have a third pre-tilt angle which is greater than the first pre-tilt angle, and nematic liquid crystal material filled in a space between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal orientation film comprises a support film formed on a substrate, and an orientation-control film formed on and chemically coupled with the support film. The orientation-control film has a trifluoromethyl group and is in direct contact with a liquid crystal in a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' each is hydrogen or a protecting group, or acid addition salts thereof, useful as a selective insecticide.

Abstract: 37 A liquid crystal display device is provided which comprises a cell unit having a pair of optically transparent substrates each having an optically transparent electrode layer and an alignent layer for liquid crystal formed in this order on one side of the substrate. The paired substrates is in spaced relation with each other and is arranged such that the respective alignment layers are facing each other. A liquid crystal is contained in the space between the paired substrates. The alignment layers are made of a polymer material having both a ring structure and a substituted group at side chains thereof and are subjected to rubbing treatment. The use of the alignment layers ensures a great pretilt angle for liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: A projection type liquid crystal display device for transmitting three color light beams of RGB through three TN type liquid crystal panels and projecting the transmitted light beams optimizes the RGB transmission characteristics by changing the crossing angles of the polarization axes of a polarizer and an analyzer with respect to the orientation directions of the respective RGB TN cells in specified directions, and also a projection type liquid crystal display device for transmitting a light beam through a TN type liquid crystal panel and projecting the transmitted light beam effects temperature-compensation of the transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal panels by controlling the crossing angle of the polarization axes of a polarizer and an analyzer.

Abstract: Liquid crystal compositions comprising indigo dyes which have a benzene ring having a branched alkyl group introduced thereinto. The indigo dyes have improved solubilities in host liquid crystal materials and are suitable for guest-host liquid crystal display.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical filter comprises of a pair of solid polymer films, wherein (1) a first solid polymer film has a planar alignment of a cholesteric liquid crystal structure of either clockwise or counterclockwise helical structure, which alignment allows the light of a specified wavelength to be scattered selectively, and (2) a second solid polymer film has a planar alignment of a cholesteric liquid crystal structure of a helical structure whose helical direction is the opposite to that of the first solid polymer film, which alignment allows the light at the specified wavelength to be scattered selectively, wherein the optical axes of the first and second solid polymer films are made substantially parallel to each other.This invention also provides preparation methods of an optical filter mentioned above.

Abstract: A substituted aldosterone of the formula: ##STR1## wherein either one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is hydrogen and the other is --S(CH.sub.2).sub.m COR.sup.3 or --OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.n COR.sup.3, provided that when R.sup.1 is hydrogen, R.sup.2 is --S(CH.sub.2).sub.m COR.sup.3 or --OCO(CH.sub.2).sub.n COR.sup.3 and when R.sup.2 is hydrogen, R.sup.1 is --S(CH.sub.2).sub.m COR.sup.3 ; m being an integer from 1 to 3, n being an integer from 1 to 5 and R.sup.3 being hydroxyl, lower alkoxy or a residue of tyramine, tyrosine lower alkyl ester, histamine, histidine, 7-aminoheptanoyltyrosine lower alkyl ester or .beta.-D-galactosidase as optionally iodinated, or its (18-20)-acetal 20,21-ketonide, which is useful as the reagent in determination of aldosterones by radioimmunoassay or enzyme immunoassay.