Abstract: An optical compensatory film comprising an optically anisotropic layer composed of a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound, wherein the liquid crystal composition contains a copolymer including a repeating unit derived from a monomer of formula [1] and a repeating unit derived from a monomer of formula [2]: wherein R0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group, L represents a divalent linking group, and n represents an integer of 1-18; wherein R11 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group, L11 represents a divalent linking group, and R13, R14 and R15 represents a hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group.

Abstract: Self-compensating, quasi-homeotropic liquid crystal devices (100, 200, 300, 400) overcome the contrast reducing effects of smaller pretilt angles. The devices exhibit extremely high contrast ratio but at the same time suppress fringe field-induced disclination lines in high pixel density and small pixel size quasi-homeotropic displays. The surface pretilt (520, 540) and cell twist (570) angles are set at values that, in combination, contribute to establishing a cuspate singularity in the contrast ratio for normally incident light in response to a drive signal switching the liquid crystal device to the OFF director field state that provides nearly 0% optical efficiency. The OFF director field state corresponds to a subthreshold drive level that provides for the liquid crystal device self-compensation for in plane optical retardation.

Abstract: A twisted nematic (TN) mode liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes first and second display panels facing each other to create an electric field therebetween, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second display panels. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy, and the liquid crystal layer has a structure in which long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned spirally from the first display panel to the second display panel when no electric field is created in the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules have a dielectric anisotropy (??) in a range of 4.5 to 5.7, a splay elastic constant (K11) of 14 pN or less, and a bend elastic constant (K33) of 12 pN or greater.

Abstract: A ferroelectric film includes a plurality of ferroelectric nanodomains configured in a regularly staggered fashion. The ferroelectric film has a quasi 2-dimensional configuration and is comprised of a ferroelectric material. A method for forming a ferroelectric film is also provided. A ferroelectric film comprised of a ferroelectric material is prepared. The ferroelectric film has a quasi 2-dimensional configuration and defines a direction that is normal to the quasi 2-dimensional configuration. An electric field along the normal direction is applied to the ferroelectric film, thereby the ferroelectric film having an array of ferroelectric nanodomains configured in a regularly staggered fashion is obtained.

Abstract: The display device according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal layer 12 having a first principal face and a second principal face opposing each other; a plurality of electrodes 14a and 14b; a fluorophore layer provided on the first principal face side of the liquid crystal layer; and an illuminator for emitting light for exciting the fluorophore layer toward the second principal face of the liquid crystal layer. When a predetermined voltage is applied, the liquid crystal layer forms an intermediate layer containing liquid crystal molecules which are oriented in a different direction from that of liquid crystal molecules in an anchoring layer near the second principal face, and causes linearly-polarized light which has been transmitted through the anchoring layer near the second principal face to be refracted toward the second principal face in or near the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display (LCD) including the liquid crystal composition. The LCD includes a first display panel a second display panel facing the first display panel, and a liquid crystal composition disposed between the first display panel and the second display panel. If a dielectric constant in a direction parallel to a long axis of liquid crystals is defined as a horizontal dielectric constant ??, a dielectric constant in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the liquid crystals is defined as a vertical dielectric constant ??, and the difference between the vertical dielectric constant ?? and the horizontal dielectric constant ?? is defined as dielectric anisotropy ??, then a ratio ??/?? of the dielectric anisotropy ?? to the vertical dielectric constant ?? of the liquid crystal composition is 0.5 or less.

Abstract: It is to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of readily obtaining bend alignment across an entire liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display device, with obtaining brightness while obtaining a high speed responsiveness, a feature of an OCB mode, as well as without increasing a load on an activating driver. The liquid crystal display device is arranged such that: a liquid crystal molecule in a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates facing each other has a pretilt angle of not less 18° and not more than 36°; a product ?nd of a refractive index anisotropy ?n and a thickness d of the liquid crystal layer is not less than 850 nm and not more than 1170 nm; and a lateral electric field generating structure for applying an electric field parallel to the substrates and bend-aligning the liquid crystal molecules is provided in a region corresponding to a pixel.

Abstract: A device for controlling the polarization state of transmitted light comprises first and second cell walls enclosing a layer of a chiral liquid crystal material. The material has a uniformly orientated helical axis in the absence of an applied field, and electrodes for applying an electric field substantially normal to the helical axis. An applied electric field flexoelectrically couples to the molecules, causing distortion of the helical structure and hence changes the bulk birefringence of the cell.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition has low refractive anisotropy to be favorable to low cell gap, has high dielectric anisotropy to be favorable to low voltage driving and has low rotational viscosity to be favorable to fast response time.

Abstract: A display element having high response property, wide viewing angle property, and high contrast property, and exhibiting a wide driving temperature range and excellent durability and reliability. Between two facing substrates (1, 2), a cholesteric liquid crystal layer (3) made of a liquid crystal material exhibiting a cholesteric phase whose spontaneous twist pitch is shorter than a wavelength of visible light is provided. Facing planes of the substrates (1, 2) are provided with alignment films (8, 9) for aligning liquid crystal molecules near the interface of the substrate in a specific direction. Furthermore, the planes are provided with electrodes (4, 5) for applying an electric field on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer (3) in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of each substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer (3) exhibits optical isotropy in the direction parallel to the plane of each substrate when no voltage is applied.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including a first electrode substrate, a second electrode substrate and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate. The liquid crystal layer comprises liquid crystal molecules and particles. The liquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned when the applied voltage between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate is less than a threshold voltage. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules is changed so as to produce optical changes in the liquid crystal device when the applied voltage between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate is not less than the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A blue phase liquid crystalline material comprising a mixture comprising at least one bimesogenic compound and at least one chiral compound, wherein the material is capable of stable existence in the blue phase over a temperature range of at least 5° C. A process for the preparation of the above blue phase liquid crystalline material, an optical device comprising it, a process of mirrorless lasing and a slotted monolithic optical waveguide using it are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display, an image-defining data voltage is simultaneously applied to a main pixel electrode (MPE) and an electrically isolatable sub pixel electrode (SPE) to thereby respectively define a main pixel voltage and a sub pixel voltage. The MPE defines one plate of a first capacitor whose other plate receives a first common voltage whose voltage level can be varied after the image-defining data voltage is applied. Thus the main pixel voltage is shifted up or shifted down according to the voltage variation of the first common voltage. The SPE defines one plate of a second capacitor whose other plate receives a second common voltage. By causing the main pixel voltage to be of greater absolute amplitude than the sub pixel voltage, a side visibility of the liquid crystal display can be enhanced.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a display element which achieves reduction in driving voltage. The display element according to the present invention includes substrates 1 and 2, at least one of which is transparent, and a medium layer 3 held between the substrates 1 and 2, the display element further including on the substrate 1 electrodes 4 and 5 for generating an electric field in a direction substantially parallel to the substrates so as to apply the electric field to the medium layer 3 to cause optical modulation of the medium; and an alignment film 6 which is provided on the surface of the substrate 2. With this arrangement, the voltage level is not decreased because of the alignment film 6, and the driving voltage of the display element does not need to be increased, thereby ensuring reduction of driving voltage.

Abstract: A liquid crystal is provided, which can be used in a liquid crystal display (LCD) to provide an LCD exhibiting a good transmittance. The liquid crystal according to the invention has the following properties: (i) a dielectric anisotropy (??) ranging from about ?2.5 to about ?5; (ii) a splay elastic constant (K11) ranging from about 1.1×10?11 N to about 1.6×10?11 N; (iii) a bend elastic constant (K33) ranging from about 1.1×10?11 N to about 1.6×10?11 N; and (iv) ??, K11 (N) and K33 (N) conforming to the following equation: K 11 + K 33 ? 10 × ? ? ? ? ? < 1.28 × 10 - 12 . A liquid crystal material combination is also provided which comprises the liquid crystal according to the invention above mentioned and a polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by controlling an orientation direction of a liquid crystal mixture with respect to each pixel, includes a first common electrode which is formed on a first substrate; a second common electrode which is formed on a second substrate and includes a predetermined opening; and a pixel electrode which is formed on the second substrate, wherein the first substrate faces the second substrate so that the liquid crystal mixture with positive dielectric anisotropy is sandwiched between the first common electrode and the second common electrode, and wherein the orientation direction of the liquid crystal mixture changes mainly in a face parallel to the substrate according to an electric field generated from electric potential of the first common electrode, the second common electrode, and the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are disposed to face each other, a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed on a surface, which faces the second substrate, of the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and has liquid crystal molecules aligned in a direction parallel to the first substrate, and a pair of polarizing elements having the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal molecules are driven by an electric field that is generated by an electric potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a component parallel to the first substrate, and the retardation of the liquid crystal layer is equal to or larger than 0.66? and is equal to or smaller than 0.83? for light having a wavelength ? of 555 nm.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquid crystal display includes determining an illuminant blue peak wavelength, an illuminant green peak wavelength, and an illuminant red peak wavelength, and assembling a liquid crystal display with a blue light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a blue peak reflection wavelength being a shorter wavelength than the illuminant blue peak wavelength, and a green light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a green peak reflection wavelength substantially equal to or longer than the illuminant green peak wavelength, and a red light reflecting liquid crystal layer having a red peak reflection wavelength being a longer wavelength than the illuminant red peak wavelength. Liquid crystal displays are also described.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal layer may form a stable transparent state and, in addition, which provides for a black display with an excellent viewing angle characteristic, as well as a high contrast ratio and a high response speed in liquid crystal display. The present invention is directed to a liquid crystal display device comprising an electrode and a liquid crystal layer between substrates, said liquid crystal layer consists of a liquid crystalline material containing liquid crystal molecules and fine particles, and is optically isotropic when the voltage applied to the electrode is lower than a threshold value and undergoes optical transition due to change in the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules when the applied voltage is not lower than the threshold value.

Abstract: An in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device, comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate; gate lines and data lines formed on the first substrate and crossing each other to form unit pixel regions; a switching device formed at each crossing of the gate lines and the data lines; at least one common electrode and pixel electrode arranged horizontally on the first substrate and generating a horizontal electric field; and a liquid crystal layer formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein when a maximum voltage is applied to the at least one common electrode and pixel electrode, a maximum twist angle between liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer is about 90°. Also, the liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer include a liquid crystal molecule having a positive dielectric anisotropy and a liquid crystal molecule having a negative dielectric anisotropy.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including 5 to 15% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 1, 25 to 40% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 2, 10 to 25% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 3, 20 to 30% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 4, 15 to 25% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 5, 0 to 10% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 6, 0 to 10% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 7, and 0 to 10% by weight of at least one compound of chemical formula 8.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes an illuminator and a liquid crystal panel for performing displaying by using light which is emitted from the illuminator. The liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer provided therebetween. The liquid crystal layer is formed of a liquid crystal material which contains molecules having at least one of a carbon-carbon triple bond and a polycyclic group. The illuminator includes a light source causing primary generation of at least blue light, among other light which is used for displaying.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of a fast switching liquid crystal composition said composition comprising at least 30 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 25, whereby at least 25 weight % of said compounds have a dielectric anisotropy ?? of at least 40; and at least 5 weight % of a component (?) containing one or more compounds having a ratio of ?1/TNIK of 0.51 mPa·s/K or less, a clearing point TNI of at least 100° C. and a rotational viscosity ?1 of not more than 190 mPa·s (wherein ?1 is the rotational viscosity at 20° C. in mPa·s and TNIK is the clearing point in degrees Kelvin); in a bistable liquid crystal device and especially in a zenithal bistable nematic liquid crystal device, a nematic liquid crystal medium, and a bistable liquid crystal device comprising said fast switching liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: An efficient technique for producing deterministically polarized single photons uses liquid-crystal hosts of either monomeric or oligomeric/polymeric form to preferentially align the single emitters for maximum excitation efficiency. Deterministic molecular alignment also provides deterministically polarized output photons; using planar-aligned cholesteric liquid crystal hosts as 1-D photonic-band-gap microcavities tunable to the emitter fluorescence band to increase source efficiency, using liquid crystal technology to prevent emitter bleaching. Emitters comprise soluble dyes, inorganic nanocrystals or trivalent rare-earth chelates.

Abstract: An active matrix drive type liquid crystal display element capable of preventing deterioration of display capability caused by a stripe domain, and a projection type display device using the liquid crystal display element, by which there is provided a projection type display device comprising a light source; a light convergence optical system for guiding a light emitted from said light source to a liquid crystal display element; and a projection optical system for enlarging and projecting a light subjected to light modulation by said liquid crystal display element; wherein the liquid crystal display element is configured by holding a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates arranged to face to each other, and a twisted nematic type liquid crystal material used in the liquid crystal layer satisfies dielectric constant anisotropy ?? of 0<??<8 and twist elasticity modulus K22 of K22>6.0 pN when the refractive index anisotropy ?n is 0.16??n?0.

Abstract: A method of forming a display including three conductive layers is described. The display is driven by contacting a third conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein the second conductive layer transmits current to the first conductive layer, and an electric field is generated between the first and third conductive layers.

Abstract: An active matrix drive type liquid crystal display element capable of preventing deterioration of display capability caused by a stripe domain, and a projection type display device using the liquid crystal display element, by which there is provided a projection type display device comprising a light source; a light convergence optical system for guiding a light emitted from said light source to a liquid crystal display element; and a projection optical system for enlarging and projecting a light subjected to light modulation by said liquid crystal display element; wherein the liquid crystal display element is configured by holding a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates arranged to face to each other, and a twisted nematic type liquid crystal material used in the liquid crystal layer satisfies dielectric constant anisotropy ?? of 0<??<8 and twist elasticity modulus K22 of K22>6.0 pN when the refractive index anisotropy ?n is 0.16??n?0.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus having a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, an orientation film a scanning signal electrode, an image signal electrode, a pixel electrode and an active device. Each of the electrodes is arranged so as to apply an electric field, mainly parallel to the substrates. At least one of the electrodes is disposed between at least two dielectric layers disposed above and below the at least one of the electrodes. The resistivity of the liquid crystal layer is set at a value sufficient to substantially prevent disturbance of the orientation of the liquid crystal layer due to static electricity.

Abstract: A A compound having formula (2) wherein A2 is an electron acceptor moiety; C2 is a conjugated bridging moiety; D2 is an electron donor moiety; S2 is a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic moiety, or a hetero-acyclic moiety; a? is an integer; Z2 is a polymerizable moiety; and e? is the degree of polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display. The relation of ? (permittivity). sg(r) (resistivity) between a liquid crystal layer, an aligning layer or an overcoat for preventing poor images is established. An LCD according to the present invention includes a first panel including a plurality of devices thereon and an aligning layer formed on the entire surface thereof, a second panel opposite to the first panel and including an overcoat and an aligning layer sequentially formed on the entire surface thereof, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first pane) and the second panel. It is preferable that the aligning layer, the liquid crystal layer and the overcoat satisfy the relation (a).

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer provided between the substrates, the liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal composition that exhibits a cholesteric phase. The liquid crystal composition contains a mixture of a chiral material and nematic liquid crystal. The liquid crystal display layer is configured to satisfies the following conditions: a viscosity a [cP] of the liquid crystal composition is in a range from 30 to 150; a dielectric anisotropy b of the liquid crystal composition is in a range from 5 to 50; a thickness c [?m] of the liquid crystal layer is in a range from 3 to 8; and a product of a, b, and c is not less than 3500.

Abstract: A device composed of: a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal and a liquid crystal domain stabilizing compound, wherein die liquid crystal composition is switchable between a strongly scattering state of a first plurality of smaller liquid crystal domains that strongly scatters a predetermined light and a weakly scattering state of a second plurality of larger liquid crystal domains that weakly scatters the predetermined light; and a liquid crystal containment structure defining a space for the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: New photoactive polymers, their use as liquid crystal (LC) orientation layers and their use in the construction of unstructured and structured optical and electro-optical elements and multi-layer systems. The new photoactive polymers are crosslinkable polymers that can be readily cross linked over a relatively short irradiation time.

Abstract: A device composed of: (1) a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal, a liquid crystal domain stabilizing compound, and a dispersant, wherein the liquid crystal composition is switchable between a strongly scattering state of a first plurality of smaller liquid crystal domains that strongly scatters a predetermined light and a weakly scattering state of a second plurality of larger liquid crystal domains that weakly scatters the predetermined light; and (2) a liquid crystal containment structure defining a space for the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A lower substrate including a first electrode and an upper substrate including a second electrode are opposed to each other, and a space between the two substrates is partitioned by a partition wall into pixels. In the lower substrate, a piezoelectric material is sandwiched between a third electrode and the first electrode, thereby forming a vibration-generating portion. In the space, negatively charged black particles and positively charged white particles are contained. In a display operation, a signal voltage corresponding to an image signal is applied between the first and second electrodes, generating an electric field, whereby the black particles and the white particles travel between the electrodes and adhere to the respective electrode surfaces to perform the display operation. In rewriting the display, a high-frequency sine wave voltage is applied between the first electrode and the third electrode.

Abstract: A stratified-phase-separated composite comprises a liquid layer, such as a liquid crystal layer, and a polymeric layer. In order to obtain a more complete stratification resulting in less liquid being present in the polymeric layer, the polymeric layer is crosslinked. The stratified composite is preferably obtained by photo-polymerization induced phase-separation of a phase-separable composition provided on a single substrate or dispersed between two opposite substrates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having an oblique electric field while a voltage is applied between the upper plate and the lower plate of the LCD is disclosed. The LCD includes a first regulating device of the upper plate and the second regulating device of the lower plate. As no voltage between the upper and lower plate, the liquid crystal molecules in the proximity of the first and the second regulating device are perpendicular to the upper and the lower plate. After a voltage is applied, an oblique electric field is produced by these regulating devices. The liquid crystal molecules are then rotated to parallel to the upper and lower plates because of the oblique electric field. The first and second regulating devices are bumps made of dielectric material or slits of electrodes.

Abstract: A device comprising:

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel fabricating method includes forming a liquid crystal layer on a first substrate of the liquid crystal panel before attaching a second substrate to the first substrate. After attaching the second substrate to the first substrate having the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer is heat-treated so that the liquid crystal layer becomes activated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin film transistor for liquid crystal display is provided. A polysilicon island and a gate insulating layer covered on the polysilicon island are formed on a substrate. A metal layer is formed on the gate insulating layer. A pair of trenches exposing predetermined regions of the polysilicon island are formed in the metal layer and the gate insulating layer. P-type impurities are doped into the uncovered polysilicon regions of the polysilicon island. A gate electrode is formed by removing parts of the metal layer and the gate insulating layer. N-type impurities are doped into the exposed portions of the polysilicon island. Thereby LDD regions, and a source and a drain regions are formed at the regions doped with both n-type and p-type impurities and at the regions doped with only n-type impurities respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquid crystal device, includes: contacting an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant and a receptor molecule with a top surface of a liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is in a holding compartment of a substrate, and the receptor molecule is adsorbed on the top surface of the liquid crystal forming an interface between the liquid crystal and the aqueous solution. The receptor molecule is different than the surfactant. A method of detecting a compound in a flowing stream includes passing an aqueous solution over a top surface of a liquid crystal in a holding compartment of a substrate. The method also includes determining whether a change in the orientation of the liquid crystal occurs as the aqueous solution is passed over the top surface of the liquid crystal. A change in the orientation of the liquid crystal indicates the presence of the compound in the flowing stream.

Abstract: An image display medium comprising a pair of substrates disposed opposed to each other and a group of at least two kinds of particles enclosed in the gap between the pair of substrates, at least one of the two or more kinds of particles being capable of being positively charged and at least the others being capable of being negatively charged and the particles capable of being positively and negatively charged having different colors, wherein both the particles capable of being positively and negatively charged have a shape factor of from greater than 100 to not greater than 140 as determined by the following equation:

Abstract: The leakage of light and the disclination occur at the ends of the pixel electrodes where the equipotential lines bend toward the pixel electrodes. A dielectric 207 having a high dielectric constant is provided at the ends of the pixel electrodes to lift up the equipotential lines toward the opposing electrode, in order to decrease the leakage of light and the disclination.

Abstract: Realizing low driving voltage, high contrast, and high response speed in an active matrix type liquid crystal display device of the in-plane switching mode type.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device in which low voltage driving and low power consumption are realized. In the liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal compound layer LC is interposed between a thin film transistor substrate SUB1 and a color filter substrate SUB2. The dielectric an isotropy &Dgr;&egr; of the liquid crystal compound layer LC is made 15 or less, the elastic constant K of the liquid crystal compound layer LC is made 8 pN or less, and the maximum value of the liquid crystal driving voltage applied across a pixel electrode IT01 and a common electrode IT02 is made 3 V or less.

Abstract: A display medium having temperature sensitive regions that are adapted to display a first image within a first temperature range and a second image within a second temperature range. The images are barcodes and provide information about the product to which they are attached. For example, the first image may provide information about a product in a chilled state, while the second image may provide information about the same product in the frozen state.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display including a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer intervening between the first and second substrates and containing liquid crystal substances different from each other, a sum of values each calculated from a formula: X&agr;(RT log P&agr;+HE&agr;) for all the liquid crystal substances in the liquid crystal layer being 32 kJ/mol or higher, wherein X&agr; denotes a molar fraction of a component &agr; in the liquid crystal layer, P&agr; denotes a distribution ratio of the component &agr; between an aqueous phase and a 1-octanol phase, HE&agr; denotes a hydration energy for 1 mol of the component &agr;, R denotes a gas constant of 8.3 J/K·mol, and T denotes a temperature of 300 K.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates, at least one of which is transparent. A liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates and an alignment layer formed on at least one of the pair of substrates. The pair of substrates are adhered together using a resin so that an interval is formed therebetween, and a portion formed with the resin has at least an opening for injecting liquid crystal into the interval formed between the pair of substrates and the opening is sealed with a photo-curable resin. The liquid crystal layer includes a photo-reactive liquid crystal compound, the molecular structure of which is converted by photo-irradiation, and a photo-absorbing organic compound having a photo-absorptivity larger than the photo-absorptivity of the photo-reactive liquid crystal compound at a designated wavelength, and containing at least one of alkyl substituent, alkenyl substituent, and alkoxyl substituent, respectively, in its molecule.

Abstract: A surface mode liquid crystal device is made by forming a cell containing a mixture of a liquid crystal and a pre-polymer. An electric field is applied across the cell to arrange the liquid crystal in a predetermined surface mode state, such as the V state in the case of a pi-cell configuration. The liquid crystal is held in this state by the field while the pre-polymer is polymerized or cross-linked, for instance by ultraviolet irradiation. The electric field is then removed. The polymer stabilizes the predetermined surface mode state, for instance preventing relaxation of the V state to twist or splay state in the pi-cell configuration.

Abstract: A composition for use in a liquid crystal optical element, such as a liquid crystal display or laser shutter device, comprised of a liquid crystal material and a solidified polymer material. The liquid crystal is such that its refractive index is changed depending on states of applying a voltage. In one state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal substantially coincides with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby pass light. While in the other state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal does not coincide with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby cause the scattering of light. Specifically, the liquid crystal material used in the composition has a refractive index anisotropy (.DELTA.n) is greater than 0.18 and the dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) satisfies the relation of 5<.DELTA..epsilon.<11.6.