Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element is provided. A plurality of electrodes having a light-transmitting property are formed in a striped pattern on one surface of an insulating substrate having a light-transmitting property. Then, light-shielding films are formed in such a manner that the light-shielding films are formed adjacent to the edges of each electrode along the long sides thereof, or at least one portion of each light-shielding film is made to overlap each edge of the electrode along one of the long sides thereof. Successively, light is applied from the back-surface side of the insulating substrate by using the light-shielding films and a photomask as masks so that spacers are formed in a state where they are self-aligned with respect to the light-shielding films.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polymer materials used in liquid crystal devices, piezoelectric devices, pyroelectric devices and recording media are described.

Abstract: A light modulating cell comprises a pair of substrates, alignment layers disposed on at least one of the substrates and a solution of polymerizable prepolymer and low molecular weight organic material disposed between the pair of substrates. The solution is phase separated and forms a layer of polymeric material and a layer of organic material between the two substrates. An external force may then be applied across the substrates to alter the optical appearance of the layer of organic material from one state to another. A photo-sensitive layer may also be provided in the cell.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each having thereon an electrode, and a smectic liquid crystal having a plurality of smectic liquid crystal layers disposed between the substrates. The smectic liquid crystal is disposed to form a first region wherein the smectic liquid crystal layers are aligned to have a layer inclination angle smaller than a calculated layer inclination angle based on a temperature-dependent layer spacing-changing characteristic or are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the substrates to form a bookshelf structure, and a second region wherein the smectic liquid crystal layers are aligned to form a chevron structure having a substantial layer inclination angle or having a layer inclination angle substantially equal to a calculated layer inclination angle based on a temperature-dependent layer spacing-changing characteristic.

Abstract: A display apparatus is constituted by a display panel having an electrode terminal, a flexible carrier carrying a drive element for driving the display panel together with an input terminal and an output terminal connected thereto, a circuit board for supplying signals to the drive element, and a support plate for supporting the display panel and the circuit board. The output terminal and the input terminal of the flexible carrier are connected to the electrode terminal of the display panel and the circuit board, respectively. The support plate is provided with a supporting member, for supporting the circuit board at a position which is farther from the display panel than a line dividing the circuit board into equal halves closer to and farther from the display panel.

Abstract: An improved method for achieving a defect-free and uniform liquid crystal alignment in a process for the production of a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device. A process for producing a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing at least an N* phase and an SmC* phase and an organic polymer film or an oblique vapor-deposition film of an inorganic substance serving as an alignment layer is provided by aligning the liquid crystal by cooling the liquid crystal once to a temperature region of a phase which resides in the lower temperature region than the N* phase, and then heating it to a temperature region of an N* phase, or by aligning the liquid crystal by applying an electric field in the N* phase.

Abstract: A polymer having spontaneous polarization with the same codes as liquid crystal is introduced into a liquid crystal layer of the smectic liquid crystal cell so that the responding speed is improved (second liquid crystal cell). In another way, a polymer having spontaneous polarization with opposite codes to the liquid crystal is introduced into liquid crystal showing .tau.-V.sub.min characteristic so that a driving voltage is lowered (first liquid crystal cell). These polymers are previously added to a liquid crystal composite before injecting into the liquid crystal cell. In another way, after a photochemically polymeric monomer is added to the liquid crystal composite and the obtained product is injected into the liquid crystal cell, the monomer is polymerized by the projection of a light. Furthermore, the liquid crystal cell into which the polymer is introduced is heated again so as to show I phase and is cooled so that the tone display is realized.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal assuming two stable states disposed between the opposing electrodes. The opposing inner surfaces of the pair of substrates have been subjected to an aligning treatment such that the liquid crystal placed in one of the two stable states moves under application of an electric field in a direction identical to one in which the liquid crystal placed in the other of the two stable states moves under the application of the electric field. The liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region, wherein the effective optical modulation region and the photosensitive member have been subjected to different aligning treatments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition satisfying many characteristics required to liquid crystal compositions for AM-LCD, having a preferable .DELTA.n value in proportion to the cell thickness, and having very low threshold value suitable for driving at low voltage.The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises as the first constituent at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by particular formula (I) and as the second constituent at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by particular formulas (II-1)-(II-7).

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of transparent substrates each having thereon a transparent electrode, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates so as to assume at least two optically stable states. At least one of the substrates is provided with an alignment film which comprises a polyimide represented by a recurring unit of formula (I) shown below and has been subjected to a uniaxial aligning treatment. ##STR1## wherein A denotes a planar tetravalent organic residue group comprising an aromatic ring, an aromatic polycyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring or a condensed polycyclic ring, and B denotes a divalent aliphatic group comprising .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 .paren close-st..sub.n (n: an integer of at least 1) or an alicyclic ring.

Abstract: A process for the stabilization of the spatial alignment of the smectic layers in an FLC switching and/or display element, in which the original position of the smectic layers has been modified by electrical field treatment, which comprises alternately switching the elements during non-operation and/or when a certain temperature is exceeded which is above a predetermined temperature range which includes the operating temperature region and/or when the temperature falls below a certain temperature which is below a predetermined temperature range which includes the operating temperature region. Use of the process according to the invention ensures long-term functioning of the switching and display device, even in the case of repeated regeneration of the quasi-bookshelf geometry, and prevents worsening in the contrast and brightness and the occurrence of ghost images.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device includes: an active matrix type LC cell and an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sealed in the cell. Liquid crystal molecules aligned to one of a first aligning direction and a second aligning direction are aligned in the other aligning direction in accordance with an applied voltage, thus forming a plurality of regions of different alignment states in a range shorter than a wavelength of light in a visible light band, and directions of said directors are changed in accordance with a ratio of regions in a first alignment state to regions in a second alignment state. The liquid crystal molecules may behave along a predetermined cone by a phase transition precursor in accordance with an applied voltage. The liquid crystal molecules may behave so as to be inclined in a direction perpendicular to an electric field, in accordance with an applied voltage.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device such as an FLC display which is significantly reduced for the temperature dependence of the liquid crystal properties. A liquid crystal optical device 31 in which a plurality of transparent substrates 2a, 2b are opposed to each other at a predetermined gap 32, with transparent electrodes 3a, 3b and liquid crystal alignment films 4a, 4b being disposed, respectively, to the opposing surfaces and ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) 30 is disposed in the gap 32, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal 30 has a layer texture 30A, and the change of the layer tilt angle is less than 3.degree. within an entire temperature range in the smectic C* phase.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a liquid crystal mixture, a liquid crystal device and a display device using the liquid crystal mixture. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has improved contrast due to the specific temperature of the liquid crystal mixture. More specifically, the liquid crystal mixture has a temperature range generating a chiral smectic C phase and a temperature range generating a smectic A phase, and having a difference between the cone angle at (T.sub.C/A -10).degree. C. and the cone angle at (T.sub.C/A -40).degree. C. in the temperature range generating the chiral smectic C phase of from zero (0) degree to ten (10) degrees.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each having thereon an electrode for voltage application, a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition disposed between the substrates so as to assume at least two optically stable states. At least one of the substrates is provided with an alignment control layer having a thickness of at most 200 .ANG. or comprising polyimide. The substrates have been subjected to different aligning treatments at their opposite faces each contacting the composition.

Abstract: This invention is a method of manufacturing liquid crystal device, wherein a high molecular liquid crystal layer of the device is formed by applying a high moleculer liquid crystal solution to form an active layer on the substrate and evaporating the solvent, and as high molecule liquid crystal, for example, high molecular liquid crystal having a structure formula as following is utilized.

Abstract: A distorted helix ferroelectric liquid crystal cell (DHF) is driven with a capacitance connected in series to the liquid crystal layer. Capacity is effected by either an external device (capacitor) or by incorporation of a insulator (dielectric) in the DHF cell. The value of the series capacity is typically smaller than about twice the capacity of the cell without the series capacitance. The capacitive drive circuit, DHF cell and method for driving the circuit and cell, function to shorten the switching times required by conventional cells.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of oppositely disposed substrates having opposing inner surfaces and opposing electrodes thereon, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the opposing electrodes. The liquid crystal device has an effective optical modulation region and a peripheral region outside the effective optical modulation region. In the device, liquid crystal molecules in the peripheral region have a pretilt angle which is larger than a pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in the effective optical modulation region. As a result, a local pressure irregularity or a cell thickness change caused by a liquid crystal molecular movement along an extension of the device is effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is realized, which composition simultaneously exhibits a negatively large .DELTA..di-elect cons. value suitable to .tau.-Vmin, and SA phase within a sufficient temperature range for realizing a good alignment.A smectic liquid crystal composition containing component (AI), component (B) and/or component (C), expressed by the following formulas: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X represents H or F, R.sup.5 represents an alkyl group of 6 to 15 carbon atoms and R.sup.6 represents an alkyl group of 6 to 15 carbon atoms.Ferroelectric liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy is applicable to display element utilizing AC-stabilizing effect and .tau.-Vmin.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of substrates having thereon electrodes for voltage application and provided with uniaxial alignment axes, as by rubbing, so as to provide a high pretilt angle of at least 10 degrees. A problematic liquid crystal movement in such a high-pretilt angle ferroelectric liquid crystal device is suppressed by improving a smectic layer structure therein, inclusive of a symmetry of pretilt angles at the pair of substrate boundary surfaces. Such an improved smectic layer structure is accomplished by a realigning treatment after cooling to the chiral smectic phase or in the final stage of the cooling to the chiral smectic phase as by application of an AC electric field and/or by repetitive heating-cooling in the chiral smectic phase. The improved smectic layer structure is represented by, e.g., an X-ray diffraction peak having an increased peak area and/or a decreased half-value width.

Abstract: The invention relates to monofunctional reactive terphenyls of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is CH.sub.2 =CW--COO--, ##STR2## HWN--, CH.sub.2 =CH--, CH.sub.2 =CH--O-- or HS--CH.sub.2 --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --COO-- with W being H, Cl or alkyl with 1-5 C atoms and m being 1-7,P is alkylene with up to 12 C atoms, it being also possible for one or more non adjacent CH.sub.2 groups to be replaced by --O--,L.sup.1 is H or F,X is --O--, --S--, --COO--, --OCO-- or a single bond,u is 0 or 1,n is an integer 1 to 8, andm is an integer 2 to 8.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition contains a mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; X.sub.1 denotes a single bond, --O--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--; and A.sub.1 denotes ##STR2## and a mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (B): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.3 denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; X.sub.2 denotes a single bond, --O--, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--; X.sub.3 denotes a single bond, --OCH.sub.2 --, --CO--O-- or --O--CO--; n is an integer of 3-16; and A.sub.2 denotes ##STR4## The liquid crystal composition may preferably be formulated as a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition is useful in providing a liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition with a good alignment characteristic, a good drive characteristic, and a high contrast ratio.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by (a) a pair of base plates each having an orientation control film thereon, and (b) a liquid crystal composition interposed between the base plates. The liquid crystal composition comprises a mixture including at least one liquid crystal compound which has a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase and at least one optically active substance which does not have a temperature range in which it shows chiral smectic phase. The liquid crystal composition has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase and is placed in chiral smectic phase which has been formed through cholesteric phase on temperature decrease. The liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules having long axes forming a pre-tilt in the chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel has a memory function that is reliable for a long time. The panel employs a ferroelectric or antiferroelectric liquid crystal material involving at least two kinds of layer structures of minimum energy. The layer structures are defined at least by (1) a c-director parameter that is in parallel with substrates of the panel and has at least one minimal value, or (2) an a-director parameter that is orthogonal to the substrates and has at least one maximal value. Due to these layer structures, the panel is stable, resistant to mechanical and electrical stress, reliable in operation, and excellent in memory function.

Abstract: A large-sized liquid crystal panel uniformly filled with a liquid crystal material may be produced through a process including the steps of: fixing a pair of substrates with a sealing member disposed therebetween to form a blank panel having an injection port, reducing a pressure within the panel, applying a liquid crystal material onto the injection port, heating the liquid crystal material to its isotropic temperature, injecting the liquid crystal material into the panel under a pressure, and filling the panel with the liquid crystal material under heating and pressurization from the injection port toward the panel inside. The pressure within the panel before the injection is reduced at a rate not exceeding 25 torr/min. The pressure for injection is increased at varying rates, e.g., with an intermediate constant pressure period.

Abstract: A mesomorphic compound represented by a formula (I) containing a quinoline-2,6-diyl skeleton is suitable as a component for a liquid crystal composition providing improved response characteristics and a high contrast. A liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing the liquid crystal composition between a pair of electrode plates. The liquid crystal device may preferably be used as a display panel constituting a liquid crystal apparatus providing good display characteristics.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a matrix of pixels in driven for gradational display with better temperature compensation and better flicker suppression by a driving method, wherein (a) a first voltage signal is applied to a pixel on a selected scanning line, the first voltage signal including a clear pulse, a writing pulse of a polarity opposite to that of the clear pulse and a correction pulse of a polarity opposite to that of the writing pulse, (b) a second voltage signal is applied to an associated pixel on a subsequent scanning line, the second voltage signal including a clear pulse, a writing pulse and a correction pulse of which polarities are respectively opposite to corresponding pulses of the first voltage signal, and (c) the correction pulse applied to the pixel on the selected scanning line is determined based on gradation data for the associated pixel on the subsequent scanning line, and the writing pulse applied to the pixel on the selected scanning line is determined based on gradation d

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by (a) a pair of base plates each having an orientation control film thereon, and (b) a liquid crystal composition interposed between the base plates. The liquid crystal composition comprises at least two liquid crystal compounds including at least one liquid crystal compound which has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase. The liquid crystal composition has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase and is placed in chiral smectic phase which has been formed through cholesteric phase on temperature decrease. The liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules having long axes forming a pre-tilt in the chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A composition containing a smectic C compound, having a .DELTA..epsilon. of negative value and enabling to effect a high speed response; a ferroelectric chiral smectic C liquid crystal composition using the same; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device using the ferroelectric chiral smectic C liquid crystal composition are provided,which composition containing a smectic C compound comprises at least one compound expressed by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent different linear alkyl groups of 1 to 9 C, andat least one compound-expressed by the formula (II) ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represent the same or different linear alkyl groups of 1 to 18 C and X is H or F.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a chiral smectic liquid crystal between a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and a uniaxial alignment film. The chiral smectic liquid crystal is placed in such a quasi-smectic A alignment state that the liquid crystal molecules will have a single average molecular axis under no electric field application on a lower temperature side within chiral smectic C phase range, wherein the single average molecular axis can be confirmed as a position providing the darkest state when observed through cross nicol polarizers. Such a quasi-smectic A alignment state is effective in providing a liquid crystal device (or display apparatus) having an improved shock resistance and a good low-temperature storage properties.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by (a) a pair of base plates each having an orientation control film thereon, and (b) a liquid crystal composition interposed between the base plates. The liquid crystal composition comprises at least two liquid crystal compounds including at least one liquid crystal compound which has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase. The liquid crystal composition has a temperature range in which it shows cholesteric phase and is placed in chiral smectic phase which has been formed through cholesteric phase on temperature decrease. The liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules having long axes forming a pre-tilt in the chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including: a pair of substrates and a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates. Each of the pair of substrates has an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal. The pair of substrates is provided with respective uniaxial alignment axes extending in directions which are parallel to each other or intersect each other at a prescribed angle. The chiral smectic liquid crystal is placed in such an alignment state that the liquid crystal assumes at least two stable states and provides a pretilt angle .alpha. (degrees), a tilt angle H (degrees), an inclination angle .delta. (degrees) of the liquid crystal layer, and an apparent tilt angle .theta.a satisfying the following relationships (I) and (II) in a temperature range of 10.degree.-55.degree. C.:H<.alpha.+.delta. and .delta.<.alpha. (I), andH>.theta.a>H/2 (II).The liquid crystal provides a tilt angle H (degrees), an inclination angle .delta.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric liquid-crystal compound having a repeating unit represented by Formula (I) ##STR1## wherein U represents a polymer main chain; V represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --, --((CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O).sub.m -- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --((CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O).sub.p --, one or more of methylene hydrogen atoms of which may be substituted with an alkyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an amino group or a carbonyl group, and m, n and p each represents an integer of 0 to 30; W represents a single bond, --O--, --OCO--, --COO--, --CONR.sup.1 --, --CO-- or --NR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; X represents two or more rings of a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic ring or aromatic ring of benzene ring, heteroaromatic ring or condensed ring, which rings are bonded through a single bond, --O--, --OCO--, --COO--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.q --, --N.dbd.N--, --(CH.dbd.CH).sub.q --, --CH.dbd.N--, --(C.tbd.C).sub.q --, --CONR.sup.1 --, --(CO).sub.q --, or --NR.

Abstract: Multiplex addressed ferroelectric liquid crystal devices containing liquid crystal mixtures composed of components A, B and C. Component A consists of one or more optically active compounds capable of imparting a spontaneous polarization to the material. Component B is a compound or compounds of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent straight or branched chain C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkoxy groups, a, b and c are independently 0, 1 or 2 and the total of a+b+c is not greater than 4. Component C is selected from a range of liquid crystal components.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is constituted by a pair of oppositely disposed substrates each having a plurality of opposing electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to form a plurality of pixels each composed by a combination of a pair of the opposing electrodes and the ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed therebetween. Each pixel is provided with regions of different polarity inversion threshold voltages, and at least one of the pair of opposing electrodes is provided with a plurality of regions having unevennesses at different densities including a region with a higher density of unevennesses corresponding to a region of a lower polarity inversion threshold voltage and a region with a lower density of unevennesses corresponding to a region of a higher polarity inversion threshold voltage.

Abstract: An optically inactive mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R denotes a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms or a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1-18 carbon atoms; and m is an integer of 2-18, is suitable as a component for a liquid crystal composition providing improved response characteristics and a high contrast. A liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing the liquid crystal composition between a pair of substrates. The liquid crystal device may preferably be used as a display panel constituting a liquid crystal apparatus providing good display characteristics.

Abstract: An optical modulation device is described, which comprises two substrates, which are provided with at least one electrode, and an optically active layer situated between said two substrates, the optically active layer comprising a liquid crystalline material having ferroelectric, antiferroelectric or electroclinic properties. In accordance with the invention, the device is characterized in that the optically active layer comprises a permanently oriented anisotropic network of polymerized material containing free molecules of a chiral liquid crystalline material. Said network is preferably composed of a polymer formed from reactive monomers comprising at least two reactive groups on the basis of acrylates, methacrylates, epoxy compounds and/or thiolene systems. By means of such an optical modulation device grey levels which can be passively maintained for a relatively long period of time can be obtained in a relatively simple manner.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device with little temperature-dependence of drive characteristics, such as response speed, and with good storage stability, can be produced by using a liquid crystal composition, successively assuming SmA (smectic A) phase and SmC* (chiral smectic) phase on temperature decrease. The layer spacing composition has a temperature-dependence of layer spacing d in smectic phase such that the layer spacing d increases, is constant or decreases on temperature decrease in SmA phase temperature range, assumes a first transition point where the layer spacing d abruptly decreases on temperature decrease in vicinity of transition temperature from SmA phase to SmC* phase, and assumes a second transition point where the layer spacing d commences to increase on further temperature decrease below the first transition point in SmC* temperature range.

Abstract: An optically inactive mesomorphic compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 characterized by having a terminal group of: --A.sub.3 --C.sub.r F.sub.2r+1, where A.sub.3 is a specific cyclic group and r is 2-18, is suitable as a component for a liquid crystal composition providing improved response characteristics and a high contrast. A liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing the liquid crystal composition between a pair of electrode plates. The liquid crystal device is used as a display panel constituting a display apparatus (or display method) providing good display characteristics.