Abstract: A polarizing plate comprising a uniaxial stretched polyvinyl alcohol resin film with iodine adsorbed thereto in an oriented state and a protection film bonded to at least one surface of the resin film. The polarizing plate has a single transmittance of about 42.

Abstract: Described is an optical element having plural electrodes and, disposed therebetween, a stimuli-responsive polymer gel, a liquid which can be absorbed therein and an ion supplying material. As the ion supplying material, preferred is a material showing a volumetric change, in the form of the element, of 0 to 100% under external stimuli. According to the present invention, a novel optical element showing a large change in light transmittance, reflectance or absorption amount and exhibits stable optical properties in repetition can be provided.

Abstract: A polarizing optical composite equipped with a polarizing plate holding a polarizer sheet layer between two protective sheet layers, wherein the polarizing sheet layer has on one side thereof at least two layers, in a body, constructed of materials different each other. The polarizing optical composite has high impact resistance and high degree of polarization, and is used as, for example, goggles, sunglasses, and spectacles, which have high impact resistance, has more safety, and can prevent dazzling light.

Abstract: The phase sheet includes a first region and a second region which have respectively different slow axis directions or fast axis directions. A polymer constituting the sheet contains a photoisomeric molecule.

Abstract: A semiconductor magneto-optical material includes a semiconductor dispersed with fine magnetic material particles and is characterized by exibiting magneto-optical optical effect at ordinary room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing film having a dichroic ratio of at least 20 and comprising a polyvinyl alcohol derivative with a polyvinylene structure as obtained from a polyvinyl alcohol material having a degree of polymerization of at least 2000. The polarizing film of the present invention has excellent polarizing properties in the range of the visible ray spectrum, and exhibits excellent durability when left in high-temperature and high-humidity surroundings for a long period of time. The polarizing film of the present invention is useful for a polarizing sheet laminated with a protective film for on-vehicle LCD that is placed in heavy temperature and humidity fluctuations, such as LCD navigation systems, LCD TV, etc.

Abstract: A method of making particles of light-polarizing material comprising reacting a precursor suitable for forming polyhalide particles with elemental iodine and a hydrohalide or an ammonium, alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal halide wherein the average size and/or median size of the precursor is less than 1 micron.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition essentially consisting of: a) a component MA comprising at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, b) a component MB comprising at least one chiral polymerizable mesogenic compound comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, c) a photoinitiator, and d) optionally a dye component, to anisotropic polymers and polymer films with a chiral mesophase obtainable from said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition and to the use of said thermochromic polymerizable mesogenic composition, anisotropic polymers and polymer films for optical information storage, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security applications, active and passive optical elements such as polarizers or optical retarders, color filters, scattering displays, adhesives or synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention pertains to thermo-resistant and light-resistant dichroic polarizers based on thin films of dichroic matters, in particular organic dyestuffs, in which molecules are ordered in a crystalline structure and applied on the surface of the substrate. The dichroic polarizer is characterized by the fact that it contains at least one anisotropically absorbing film comprised of oriented molecules.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises an antireflective layer and a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: A polyvinyl alcohol polymer film in which the amount of a polyvinyl alcohol polymer eluted when a 10 cm square polyvinyl alcohol polymer film is left in 1 liter of water of 50° C. for 4 hours is from 1 to 100 ppm. A polyvinyl alcohol film in which the content of an alkali metal compound is 0.5% by weight or less based on the polyvinyl alcohol. Further, a polarization film produced by using the same.

Abstract: An azo-compound, free acid form of which is represented by the following formula (I): wherein A and B represent, independently with each other, a phenyl having one or two groups selected from sulfo and carboxyl or a naphthyl having 1 to 3 sulfos; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 represent, independently with each other, hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; and X represents —N═N— or —NHCO—, and a dye polarizing film containing the azo-compound in a polarizing film base, which exhibits a high polarizing performance and is excellent in durability and light fastness, are provided.

Abstract: Coupling fluids for use in optically coupling a projection lens system of a projection television to a cathode ray tube (CRT (16)) are provided. The fluids have: (1) at least one polymer having a siloxane backbone, i.e., at least one polymer having a —Si—O—Si—O—Si— backbone, and (2) methyl, phenyl, and hydrophilic groups attached to the silicon atoms of the backbone. The fluid can be composed of a single siloxane polymer having methyl, phenyl, and hydrophilic side groups or a mixture of a siloxane polymer having methyl and phenyl side groups with a siloxane polymer having methyl and hydrophylic side groups. The index of refraction of the fluid is preferably greater than 1.52 so as to minimize reflections at the interface between the fluid and the faceplate (17) of the CRT (16).

Abstract: Diffusely reflective articles manufactured from optical bodies including continuous and disperse phases are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such articles. Also disclosed are underdrawn continuous/disperse phase optical bodies that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations. The articles, methods and optical bodies of the present invention preferably allow for post-forming of the optical bodies while retaining desired levels of diffuse reflectivity in the articles formed from the optical bodies.

Abstract: To obtain a monomer having a large torsion force, to obtain a liquid crystal polymer which is excellent in a film-forming property, can easily control a helical pitch of a cholesteric phase, can form a grandjean orientation in a good monodomain state by an orientation treatment in a short time such as few minutes, and can stably fix it in a glass state, and to obtain an optical element having a circular dichroism, represented by the following formula (a), comprising a solidified product of the liquid crystal polymer, which is thin and light, is hard to change the oriented state such as pitch, etc., at a practical temperature, and has excellent durability and storage stability.

Abstract: A polarizer is described that is formed of a host matrix and a guest dye. The host matrix may be a lyotropic liquid crystal matrix having a predetermined orientation. A guest pleochroic dye may be disposed within the host lyotropic liquid crystal matrix. The guest pleochroic dye is oriented by the orientation of the host matrix.

Abstract: A dye-containing polarizing film having neutral color which comprises at least one disazo dye represented by the formula (I) in the form of the free acid wherein Me is a transition metal selected from copper, nickel, zinc and iron, A1 is phenyl or naphthyl which may be substituted or substituted. B1 is 1-naphthol or 2-naphthol residue which may be unsubstituted or substituted and in which its hydroxy group is adjacent to the azo group and is linked with the transition metal Me to form the complex, and R1 is a lower alkoxy; and at least two of other specific dyes, and the film causes no light to break through the film at dark state within the visible radiation wavelength region and is excellent in the polarizing activities as well as the durability to water and heat.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device containing a liquid crystal cell and at least one reflective polarizer or a polarizer combination having at least one reflective polarizer as a means to generate circular polarized light. The reflective polarizer includes an optically active layer of an anisotropic polymer material with a helically twisted planar molecular orientation. The material is oriented so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and the pitch of the molecular helix is varied in such a manner that the difference between the maximum pitch and the minimum pitch is at least 100 nm.

Abstract: A shaped article is obtained by polymerizing a selectively reflective solution comprising a cellulose derivative and a polymerizable solvent. The cellulose derivative is a cellulose derivative having an alkyl degree of substitution of about 2.2-3, an acyl degree of substitution of about 0-0.8 (preferably 0.1-0.8), and a total degree of alkyl and acyl substitution of about 2.8-3. The cellulose derivative is thus, e.g., a highly substituted alkyl cellulose (ethyl cellylose) or an acylated alkyl cellulose. Moreover, the polymerizable solvent may be a (meth)acrylic monomer (e.g., (meth)acrylic acid). According to the present invention, a shaped article having selective reflectivity with respect to wavelength and circularly polarized light is provided.

Abstract: An electroptical system which between 2 electrode layers contains a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro-droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix, in which one of the refractive indices of the liquid crystal mixture is matched to the refractive index of the polymer matrix, which exhibits an electrically switchable transparency essentially independent of the polarization of the incident light, the precursor of the PDLC film of which comprises one or more monomers, oligomers and/or prepolymers and a photoinitiator, and is cured photoradically, the liquid crystal mixture of which comprises one or more compounds of the formula I in which the substituents are defined herein characterized in that the liquid crystal mixture additionally contains one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds in order to obtain improved switching times especially at low temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novel methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from polymerizable CLC film material having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the polymeriable CLC materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: Polyhalide light-polarizing particles prepared by the process comprising reacting in a suitable liquid (i) elemental molecular iodine, (ii) an inorganic halide, with (iii) a substantially rigid polycyclic precursor compound, wherein:a. the polycyclic precursor compound has two cyclic structures linked together via an aromatic or heteroaromatic group;b. the three-dimensional structure of the polycyclic precursor compound has a cavity defined by the two cyclic structures and only one opening into the cavity; andc. polar groups are provided in the outside of the polycyclic precursor compound; andd. one of more chelating group or groups are provided inside the cavity of the precursor group for chelating hydrogen or metal ions.

Abstract: Films containing oriented dye, methods of manufacturing such films, and polarizers and liquid crystal display devices utilizing the films are disclosed. The film contains at least one dichroic dye which is uniaxially oriented. A film has a thickness of not less than 1 nanometer and not greater than 5 micrometer and contains the dichroic dye of not less than 1 percent by weight and not greater than 100 percent by weight. The film has a peak of absorption at 400 nm through 800 nm and a dichroic ratio of not less than 25 at the peak of absorption. The film may include a micro-pattern having a minimum width in a film plane of not less than 1 micrometer and not greater than 200 micrometer. In such a case, the dichroic dye has a dichroic ratio of not less than 10 at the peak of absorption. A method of manufacturing such a film according to the invention includes the step of forming a dye-containing film on a substrate having a fluororesin alignment layer on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a broadband reflective polarizer that comprises a layer of a polymerized mesogenic material exhibiting a helically twisted molecular structure with planar alignment, said reflective polarizer being obtainable by a process wherein a mixture of a chiral polymerizable mesogenic material comprisinga) at least one achiral polymerizable mesogenic compound,b) at least one chiral compound that can in addition be polymerizable and/or mesogenic,c) a polymerization initiator,is coated on a substrate or between two substrates in form of a layer, aligned in a planar orientation so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and polymerized by exposure to heat or actinic radiation, and optionally the substrates are removed from the polymerized material, characterized in that said polymerizable material is coated and polymerized between two different substrates, and/or at least one of said substrates comprises a barrier layer on the surface adjacent to the layer of said p

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of three-dimensionally crosslinked polymeric materials having a broad cholesteric reflection band, which comprises bringing polymeric materials having cholesteric properties and an extractable material content into contact with a solvent or solvent mixture.

Abstract: A protective film of a polarizing plate is disclosed in which the protective film comprising a support, and provided on one side of the support, an anti-static layer and a hardened layer in that order, the hardened layer being obtained by hardening a layer containing an ultraviolet ray hardenable resin composition with ultraviolet irradiation, wherein the antistatic layer contains a hydrophobic binder and a compound having a chemical structure represented by formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (1), (2) or (3).

Abstract: An excellent axial refractive index distributed lens is disclosed, which has a refractive index distribution required for an optical design, high durability, and high quality (a low melting temperature) and is obtained, by an ion exchange method using silver, from a glass material having the following composition:10 <Na.sub.2 O.ltoreq.25 mol %8 <A1.sub.2 O.sub.3 .ltoreq.25 mol %0 .ltoreq.MgO.ltoreq.18 mol %0 .ltoreq.ZnO.ltoreq.18 mol %3 .ltoreq.B.sub.2 O.sub.3 .ltoreq.18 mol %35 .ltoreq.SiO.sub.2 .ltoreq.55 mol %0 .ltoreq.La.sub.2 O.sub.3 .ltoreq.5 mol %0 .ltoreq.BaO.ltoreq.5 mol %0 .ltoreq.Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5 .ltoreq.3 mol %0 .ltoreq.ZrO.sub.2 .ltoreq.3 mol %provided that2.5 .ltoreq.MgO+ZnO.ltoreq.18 mol %.The glass composition constituting the glass material has an ion exchange rate sufficient for practical use and is capable of allowing silver ions to be stably present therein.

Abstract: Process for broadening cholesteric reflection bands of photopolymerizable cholesteric liquid crystals, and optical elements produced by this process. The invention relates to a process for broadening the cholesteric reflection bands of photopolymerizable cholesteric liquid crystals, which comprises the following process steps:1) partial polymerization of a layer containing photopolymerizable cholesteric liquid crystals by exposure to actinic light for a defined brief period at a defined temperature,2) observance of a defined waiting time without exposure (dark phase) at a defined temperature,3) fixing of the resultant layer by exposure to actinic light at a defined temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein rings A and B represent independent electron accepting ring systems and wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are the same or different and are H, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, --SR, --NRR', --OR, --OC(O)R, SC(O)R, --SCR, wherein R and R' are independently substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl.This invention also provides thin films comprising a compound having the above structure or suitable derivatives thereof.This invention further provides liquid crystal display devices and non-linear optical devises comprising a compound having the above structure or a suitable derivative thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear UV polarizer based on a polymerized mesogen obtained by curing with actinic radiation or heat of a polymerizable composition comprising:a) a liquid crystalline component A composed of one or more achiral mesogenic compounds having at least one polymerizable end group optionally linked via a spacer group to a mesogenic core,b) a dichroic component B that absorbs light in the UV region, with an absorption maximum of from 320 to 440 nm, andc) a photoinitiator or thermal initiator component C.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: This invention provides an aggregate of a compound capable of forming helical structures such that the aggregate is capable of achieving a specific rotation of at least 100,000.degree. for plane polarized light having a wavelength of 589 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circular UV polarizer based on a polymerized mesogen being obtainable by curing by actinic radiation or by heat of a polymerizable composition which comprises the following components:a) a liquid mesogenic component A composed of one or more achiral mesogenic compounds having at least one polymerizable end group optionally linked via a spacer group to the mesogenic core,b) a component B composed of one or more chiral compounds in such an amount that the maximum wavelength of reflection (.lambda..sub.max) of the composition is between 320 and 440 nm, inclusive, andc) a photoinitiator or thermal initiator component C.

Abstract: A process in which a dye film is cast, the film is peeled off from the substrate and stretched monoaxially, the stretched film is applied to a glass film, and the resultant laminate is conditioned at elevated temperature gives composite materials which are highly suitable for the production of optoelectronic instruments.

Abstract: An optically isotropic film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented film of an aromatic polyethersulfone, which is useful as a phase difference plate for a liquid crystal display device. The optically isotropic film is produced by casting an aromatic polyethersulfone solution composition comprising 15 to 40 parts by weight of a solvent which contains at least 60% by weight of 1,3-dioxolane and can dissolve an aromatic polyethersulfone and 10 parts by weight of the aromatic polyethersulfone, on a substrate, and heating the cast solution composition containing a solvent to evaporate the solvent off.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline cholesterically ordered layer comprising reactive chiral monomers and reactive nematogenic monomers having a different reactivity is polymerized by exposure to radiation. The intensity of the radiation is increased substantially, preferably by a factor of 10 or more, when a desired edge position of the band is reached. As a result, the bandwidth and edge position of the reflection band reached at that moment are frozen as it were. A monochromatic sensor can be used to determine whether said edge position has been reached, the wavelength used by the sensor corresponding to the wavelength of the desired edge position of the band. Broadband, cholesteric polarizers having a well-defined bandwidth and edge position can very advantageously be used in a display.

Abstract: Several crystals have been identified which can be grown using standard single crystals growth techniques and which have a high birefringence. The identified crystals include Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3, LiNaCO.sub.3, LiKCO.sub.3, LiRbCO.sub.3 and LiCsCO.sub.3. The condition of high birefringence leads to their application as optical polarizer materials. In one embodiment of the invention, the crystal has the chemical formula LiK.sub.(1-w-x-y) Na.sub.(1-w-x-z) Rb.sub.(1-w-y-z) Cs.sub.(1-x-y-z) CO.sub.3, where w+x+y+z=1. In another embodiment, the crystalline material may be selected from a an alkali metal carbonate and a double salt of alkali metal carbonates, where the polarizer has a Wollaston configuration, a Glan-Thompson configuration or a Glan-Taylor configuration. A method of making an LiNaCO.sub.3 optical polarizer is described. A similar method is shown for making an LiKCO.sub.3 optical polarizer.

Abstract: A visible range synthetic light polarizing element is provided, the optical and polarizing properties thereof having been selectively effected by regulated exposure of said polarizing element to ultraviolet irradiation. The ultraviolet irradiation can be either polarized or non-polarized, but in either case, is at intensities greater than that produced incidentally or by ambient ultraviolet irradiation sources. The resultant light-polarizing element is characterized by its heightened luminous transmittance, an improvement accomplished without departure from good polarization efficiency (i.e., greater than 99.9%).

Abstract: A protective film for a polarizing plate comprises a resin film, and provided thereon, a layer comprising a polyol acrylate resin.

Abstract: An optical film with a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically transmissive, silica-containing compositions which exhibit a small change of refractive index with respect to temperature changes (dn.sub.g /dT). The compositions are derived from silica sols dispersed in liquid organic polymers. The invention relates to optical systems comprising a plurality of elements that are optically interconnected by means of the inventive composition. An especially preferred embodiment of the invention is the use of the composition within a connector to simultaneously align and join optical fibers.

Abstract: This invention provides novel liquid crystalline polymers which, when blended with a suitable dye at a suitable high temperature and extruded, yields polarizer films with superior thermal and hygroscopic stability and polarizing efficiency. The invention further provides a process to prepare such polarizer films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color filter having polarizability, which comprises a dye having a spectral transmissibility, a dichroic dye having a polarizability, corresponding to the former dye and a base resin. The filter can be produced by coating and fixing the former dye on a monochromatic polarizing film produced by using the dichroic dye; mixing the former dye, the dichroic dye and the base resin, melting and extruding the mixture to produce a film and monoaxially stretching the film; dyeing a transparent film with the former dye and the dichroic dye and then monoaxially stretching the dyed film; or dyeing a transparent monoaxially stretched film with the former dye and the dichroic dye.

Abstract: This invention provides novel liquid crystalline polymers which comprise, in the repeat units of their main chains, residues of suitable dichroic dyes. The polymers yield polarizer films with superior polarizing efficiency, transmittance, dichroic ratio, and thermal and humidity stability. The invention further discloses suitable processes to prepare such polymers and polarizer films therefrom.

Abstract: This invention provides novel liquid crystalline polymers which, when mixed with a suitable dye and extruded, yields polarizer films with superior polarizing efficiency, transmittance, dichroic ratio, and thermal and humidity stability. The invention further provides a process to prepare such polymers and polarizer films therefrom.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel process to prepare high performance polarizing film. In one embodiment, the process includes melt-blending a film-forming wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester and a dichroic dye and then extruding the blend at a suitable temperature to yield polarizer films with superior polarizing efficiency and thermal and humidity stability.

Abstract: An azo compound of the following formulae (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein Q.sub.1 represents a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, Q.sub.2 represents a phenyl group; R represents hydroxy group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group or a halogen atom; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group or a substituted amino group; and X represents --NH--, --NHCO-- or --N.dbd.N--; or a salt thereof;and a polarizing film containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to broadband, reflective circular polarizers and, more particularly, to single layer super broadband, reflective circular polarizers. The polarizers of the present invention are made from a film of material, like a polymer having a cholesteric order, in which a second liquid crystal material, like a nematic liquid crystal, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the polymer. The resulting polarizers have band passes approaching 2000 nm and reflect circularly polarized light which is either left-handed or right-handed depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized. The material of the present invention is fabricated by mixing commercially available polymers having a cholesteric order, a second liquid crystal material and a photoinitiator at a temperature which maintains the mixture in a liquid state.