Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: An optical element of the present invention is constituted by a multilayer structure having a polarizing plate, and a light diffusing plate. The light diffusing plate is formed of a birefringent film containing dispersed therein minute regions differing from the birefringent film in birefringent characteristics. The minute regions are formed of a thermoplastic liquid-crystal polymer. The difference in refractive index between the birefringent film and the minute regions in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, ?n1, is 0.03 or larger and that in said axis direction, ?n2, is not larger than 80% of the ?n1. Furthermore, the ?n1 direction for the light diffusing plate is parallel to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate. A liquid-crystal display of the present invention has a liquid-crystal cell and the optical element disposed on one or each side of the cell.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A semi-transmissible reflection layer is formed on a light-transmissible polymer substrate uniaxially drawn to have uniaxial orientation characteristic to thereby form a semi-transmissible reflector.

Abstract: A light diffusing plate is formed of a birefringent film containing dispersed therein minute regions differing from the birefringent film in birefringent characteristics. The minute regions are formed of a thermoplastic liquid-crystal polymer. The difference in refractive index between the birefringent film and the minute regions in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, ?n1, is 0.03 or larger and that in said axis direction, ?n2, is not larger than 80% of the ?n1. An optical element is formed of a multilayer structure of the above light diffusing plate and at least either of a polarizing plate and a phase plate. A liquid-crystal display is formed of a liquid-crystal cell and, disposed on one or each side thereof, either the above light diffusing plate or the above optical element.

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A laminate polarizer has a dichroic polarizing sheet and a polarizing and scattering sheet showing anisotropy in scattering properties depending on a direction of polarization and being laminated on the dichroic polarizing sheet. An absorption axis of the dichroic polarizing sheet and an optical axis of the polarizing and scattering sheet in which polarized light is intensely scattered are in parallel to each other. A liquid crystal display is provided so that this laminate polarizer is disposed on a light source side of a liquid crystal panel as a polarizer.

Abstract: A neutral polarizer has a dichroic polarizing sheet and a polarizing and scattering sheet laminated on the dichroic polarizing sheet. The polarizing and scattering sheet has anisotropy in light scattering properties depending on a direction of polarization, and has an optical axis showing intense scattering properties. Scattering intensity of linearly polarized light having a polarization direction of the optical axis is greatly dependent on wavelength. An absorption axis of the dichroic polarizing sheet and the optical axis of the polarizing and scattering sheet are in parallel to each other. A liquid crystal display is provided so that this neutral polarizer is disposed on a light source side of a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A semi-transmissible reflection layer is formed on a light-transmissible polymer substrate uniaxially drawn to have uniaxial orientation characteristic to thereby form a semi-transmissible reflector.

Abstract: An optical film is disclosed which is reduced in diffuse reflection while retaining anisotropy in the scattering of a linearly polarized light and is practically usable in a light diffuser film or viewing-side polarizing film for liquid crystal displays and the like. The optical film comprises a light-transmitting resin and dispersedly contained therein minute regions differing from the light-transmitting resin in birefringent characteristics, wherein the difference in refractive index between the minute regions and the light-transmitting resin in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, &Dgr;n1, is from 0.03 to 0.5 and that in the maximum-transmittance axis direction, &Dgr;n2, is smaller than 0.03, and the diffuse reflectance of linearly polarized light in the &Dgr;n1 direction is lower than 30%.

Abstract: A practical optical film which has excellent anisotropy in the scattering of linearly polarized light, can easily be produced and has excellent thermal stability, and an optical member and an optical element using the optical film, are disclosed. The optical film comprises a birefringent resin film and birefringent minute regions dispersedly contained therein comprising a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher and showing a nematic liquid crystal phase in a range of temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin constituting the resin film, wherein the difference in refractive index between the resin film and the minute regions in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, &Dgr;n1, is 0.03 or larger and that in the maximum-transmittance axis direction, &Dgr;n2, is not larger than 50% of the &Dgr;n1.

Abstract: A practical optical film which has excellent anisotropy in the scattering of linearly polarized light, can be easily produced and has excellent thermal stability, and an optical element using the optical film are disclosed. The optical film comprises an optically isotropic resin film and birefringent minute regions dispersedly contained therein comprising a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher and showing a nematic liquid crystal phase in a range of temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin constituting the resin film, wherein the difference in refractive index between the resin film and the minute regions in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, &Dgr;n1, is 0.03 or larger and that in the maximum-transmittance axis direction, &Dgr;n2, is 50% or smaller of the &Dgr;n1.

Abstract: An optical film is disclosed which is reduced in diffuse reflection while retaining anisotropy in the scattering of a linearly polarized light and is practically usable in a light diffuser film or viewing-side polarizing film for liquid crystal displays and the like. The optical film comprises a light-transmitting resin and dispersedly contained therein minute regions differing from the light-transmitting resin in birefringent characteristics, wherein the difference in refractive index between the minute regions and the light-transmitting resin in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, &Dgr;n1, is from 0.03 to 0.5 and that in the maximum-transmittance axis direction, &Dgr;n2,is smaller than 0.03, and the diffuse reflectance of linearly polarized light in the &Dgr;n1 direction is lower than 30%.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle polarizing plate has a laminate of a birefringent film having an in-plane average phase difference of from 50 nm to 200 nm made of a transparent resin film having microscopic regions dispersed therein and a polarizing plate. The birefringent film comprises a transparent resin film having microscopic regions dispersed therein and satisfies the relationships &Dgr;n2≦0.