Abstract: An optically anisotropic film which is superior in light leakage suppression in black display is provided. An optically anisotropic film is provided, which has a refractive index relation of nx>nz>ny, wherein nx?nz is less than 0.005, and nz?ny is less than 0.004, wherein nz represents a refractive index in the thickness direction, nx represents an in-plane refractive index in a direction in which a maximum refractive index is generated in the plane of the film, and ny represents a refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the diction of nx direction in the plane of the film.

Abstract: A flat panel display device (FPD) makes use of a member including an optical film such as a polarizing plate or a retardation plate. As such an optical film, known is an optical film produced by applying a composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound to a substrate. However, in a conventional optical film, retardation unevenness is generated in a film plane and an optical compensation characteristic for suppressing light leakage attributed to such retardation unevenness during black display of a display device is not sufficient. The present invention, therefore, provides an optical film having an orientation layer containing a leveling agent and an optically anisotropic layer formed on the orientation layer.

Abstract: In a conventional optically anisotropic film, striped unevenness parallel to the carrying direction of a substrate (the direction in which the substrate flows when the optically anisotropic film is produced in a roll-to-roll manner) is sometimes generated. In addition, when a liquid crystal cured film is transferred to a body to be transferred, uniformity of the liquid crystal cured film after transfer is sometimes also not sufficiently satisfactory. An optically anisotropic film is now formed by laminating a substrate, an orientation film and a liquid crystal cured film in this order, the substrate satisfying the following formula (A): 0<XA<dX/10??(A) wherein XA is a maximum height of the surface irregularity in the substrate, and dx represents an average thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: An orientation layer is provided for an optically anisotropic film disposed between a substrate and an optically anisotropic film. The orientation layer has an orientation regulating force vertically orienting a liquid crystal compound without being subjected to orienting treatment.

Abstract: A composition for forming an orientation film is provided. The composition includes a material for forming an orientation film, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and a hydrocarbon with a boiling point of 100° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: A composition is provided for forming an optically anisotropic layer. The composition includes a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a photopolymerization initiator, and an ester solvent having a boiling point of 120° C. to 200° C. and a vapor pressure of 0.7 kPa or less.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an optically anisotropic film. The method includes the following steps: (1) a step of coating a composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer onto a surface of a substrate, or onto a surface of an orientation layer formed on the surface of the substrate; (2) a step of drying the coated composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer to form a dry coating; and (3) a step of cooling the dry coating at a rate of 6° C./sec or more to form an optically anisotropic film.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically anisotropic film is provided. The method includes a step of coating a composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a photopolymerization initiator onto the surface of an orientation layer, and a step of irradiating the coated composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer with light in an atmosphere of 0.5% or less of oxygen concentration, while keeping the composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer at a liquid crystal-liquid phase transition temperature of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically anisotropic sheet for transfer comprising a substrate and a liquid crystal cured layer laminated together, wherein the liquid crystal cured layer is to be transferred from the substrate to a receiver, and the liquid crystal cured layer is formed from a composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound A having a local maximum absorption wavelength in a range of a wavelength of 330 to 380 nm, and 5 to 70 mol of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound B having a local maximum absorption wavelength in a wavelength range of 250 to 300 nm, with respect to 100 mol of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically anisotropic sheet comprising a substrate and a liquid crystal cured layer laminated together, wherein the substrate has a surface roughness of 1.0 nm or less in a field of view of 1 ?m2 and a water contact angle of 70° or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optically anisotropic sheet for transfer, comprising a substrate, and a liquid crystal cured layer laminated together, wherein the liquid crystal cured layer is to be transferred from the substrate to a receiver via an active energy ray-curable adhesive, and when the transmittance of the optically anisotropic sheet for transfer at a wavelength of 800 nm is taken as 100%, the transmittance or the optically anisotropic sheet for transfer at wavelength of 390 nm is more than 35% and less than 45%, the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is more than 75% and less than 85%, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm is more than 95% and less than 100%.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal cured layer wherein a transferring is easily performed, resulting in reducing the occurrence of defects and exhibiting excellent transparency. A liquid crystal cured layer formed from a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and an aromatic ring and satisfying a formula (Y). 0.95>P1/P2>0.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic film which is superior in light leakage suppression in black display is provided. An optically anisotropic film is provided, which has a refractive index relation of nx>nz>ny, wherein nx?nz is less than 0.005, and nz?ny is less than 0.004, wherein nz represents a refractive index in the thickness direction, nx represents an in-plane refractive index in a direction in which a maximum refractive index is generated in the plane of the film, and ny represents a refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the diction of nx direction in the plane of the film.

Abstract: Provided is an optically anisotropic film high in transparency. The film is an optically anisotropic film having a refractive index relationship of nz>nx>ny wherein: nz represents a refractive index of an index ellipsoid which the optically anisotropic film forms, the refractive index being the refractive index thereof in a direction vertical to a plane of the film; nx represents another refractive index of the index ellipsoid, the refractive index being the main refractive index thereof in a direction parallel to the plane of the film; and ny represents still another refractive index of the index ellipsoid, the refractive index being the refractive index thereof in a direction parallel to the plane of the film and perpendicular to the direction related to the refractive index nx. The film further includes a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and an organic modified polysiloxane.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically anisotropic film having a high ?n and superior optical performance is provided. The process includes the following steps (A) and (B) carried out in order: (A) a step of applying a composition for forming an optically anisotropic film to a substrate, the composition containing a photopolymerization initiator, a solvent and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 250 nm to 370 nm, and (B) a step of applying light with wavelengths in the range of 200 nm to 500 nm that has an allowable variation range of less than 250 nm in wavelength.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically anisotropic film having high transparency is provided. A process for producing an optically anisotropic film is provided, wherein the following steps are carried out in order: (1) a step of applying a composition for forming an optically anisotropic film to a substrate, (2) a step of conveying the applied composition for forming an optically anisotropic film to a drying furnace under an environment with an air speed of 0.01 m/s to 0.2 m/s, and (3) a step of removing the solvent by applying a 1 m/s or higher hot air to the applied composition for forming an optically anisotropic film in the drying furnace.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically anisotropic film component having few defects is provided. The process includes forming a coating continuously on a surface of an elongated film roll, and the process further includes a step of changing the conveyance direction of the elongated film roll on which the coating has been formed while blowing air to a surface of the coating formed on the elongated film roll.

Abstract: Method for producing a thin optical laminated body. This method is a method for producing a laminated body including a polarization layer, a ?/2 layer, a ?/4 layer, a positive C layer, and a transfer adhesive layer, the laminated body including the polarization layer, the ?/2 layer and the ?/4 layer in this member-described order; including the positive C layer between the polarization layer and the ?/4 layer, or at the side of the ?/4 layer that is opposite to the ?/2-layer-arranged side of the ?/4 layer; and including the transfer adhesive layer between the polarization layer and the ?/4 layer or positive C layer, the method including the step of bonding a bonding body including a substrate and the transfer adhesive layer to an adherend through the transfer adhesive layer, and peeling the substrate from the resultant.

Abstract: Provided is an optically anisotropic sheet that gives a thin optically anisotropic film that can be transferred to a display device. The optically anisotropic sheet includes a substrate, a liquid crystal cured film, and a sticky adhesive layer in this order. The liquid crystal cured film is a film that has a thickness of 5 ?m or less and is cured with a polymerizable liquid crystal compound aligned. The sticking force (El) between the liquid crystal cured film and the sticky adhesive layer is greater than the substrate sticking force (F4).

Abstract: To provide an optical film excellent in suppression of light leakage in black display. An optical film having a first phase difference layer and a second phase difference layer, wherein the second phase difference layer has an optical property represented by the formula (3), the second phase difference layer has a thickness of 0.2 ?m to 2.0 ?m, and further, the optical film has optical properties represented by the formulae (1) and (2): Re(450)/Re(550)?1.00??(1) 1.00?Re(650)/Re(550)??(2) nx?ny<nz??(3).