Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-domain type liquid crystal display device with a vertical alignment liquid crystal layer that can get a display operation done without making the viewer sense any unnaturalness and with the decrease in optical transmittance minimized. In the liquid crystal display device of this invention, the liquid crystal layer of each pixel has liquid crystal regions in which liquid crystal molecules tilt in multiple different directions when a voltage is applied between first and second electrodes. Each pixel has an opaque portion arranged on a boundary between the liquid crystal regions. The opaque portion is provided for at least one of the substrates so that when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules neighboring the boundary will tilt while turning one of their end portions, which is closer to the substrate with the opaque portion, away from the boundary.

Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter construction 10 includes two low twist liquid crystal cells 26, 30 interspersed between a series of offset polarizers 24, 28, 32. The resulting construction provides improved homogeneity in the dark state as viewed by the user over a large viewing angle. By reducing variations in shade, visibility through the filter may be improved.

Abstract: An optical pulse shaper includes an optical delay line; a spatial light modulator placed at the Fourier plane of the optical delay line having a spectral amplitude spatial light modulator; a spectral phase and polarization ellipticity spatial light modulator; and a spectral polarization rotator; and a controller configured to independently control an amplitude, a phase and polarization ellipticity, and a linear polarization of an optical pulse. A method for shaping an optical pulse is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel of this invention has a first polarizer and a second polarizer disposed on both sides of a liquid crystal cell, and a first optical compensation layer disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, a second optical compensation layer disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer, and a third optical compensation layer disposed between the first optical compensation layer and the second optical compensation layer, and wavelength dispersion of the liquid crystal cell satisfies Re40(450)>Re40(550)>Re40(650), wavelength dispersion of the first optical compensation layer and wavelength dispersion of the second optical compensation layer satisfy 0.7<Re40(450)/Re40(550)<1.05, and wavelength dispersion of the third optical compensation layer satisfies Re40(450)>Re40(550)>Re40(650).

Abstract: An optical element is arranged in such a manner that a screen thereof can be hardly observed from a predetermined direction, and a deterioration of an image quality caused by moire does not occur. The optical element is constituted by a first polarizing layer, a second polarizing layer, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between these two polarizing layers. In the optical element, absorption axes of the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer are located parallel to each other; the liquid crystal layer is made of hybrid-aligned discotic liquid crystal; and an alignment axis of the liquid crystal layer is located parallel to, or perpendicular to both absorption axes of the first polarizing layer and of the second polarizing layer.

Abstract: An absorption axis of a polarizer on a viewer's side is set to an arbitrary direction to cope with problems attributed to polarization sunglasses or the like. Video lines extend in a reference direction as a whole while being bent locally.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes first and second substrates, an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, a first polarizer under the first substrate, a second polarizer on the second substrate, and a first compensation film between the first and second polarizers, wherein an optical transmission axis of the first compensation film is set at a 90° angle with respect to an alignment direction of the ECB liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a display device with the high contrast ratio by an easy method. In addition, it is an object to provide such a high performance display device at low cost. In a display device including a display element between a pair of light transmitting substrates, a layer including stacked polarizers is each provided on an outer side of the substrates. At that time, the stacked polarizers on a viewing side are arranged to deviate from a parallel nicol state. In addition, a retardation film may be provided between the stacked polarizers and the substrate.

Abstract: An optical compensation sheet is provided and has a stretched polymer film or stretched cellulose acylate film and at least one optical anisotropic layer containing a liquid crystal compound, and has retardations satisfying the specific relationships defined in the specification.

Abstract: A circularly polarizing plate includes a ?/4 phase difference plate and a linearly polarizing plate overlaid on a main surface of the ?/4 phase difference plate and having an absorption axis forming an angle of about 45° with respect to a lagging axis of the ?/4 phase difference plate. The ?/4 phase difference plate has reverse wavelength dispersion characteristics and an Nz coefficient of 1.6 or more. Employment of this structure can provide the circularly polarizing plate having good view angle characteristics and a vertical alignment type of liquid crystal display panel having the same.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal panel including a pair of substrates; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched by the pair of substrates; plural electrodes formed on at least one of the pair of substrates; and a pair of polarizers provided in respective outsides of the pair of substrates; and a back light unit provided in a rear of the liquid crystal panel, in which one of the pair of polarizers, which is provided at a side of the back light unit, includes at least two types of layers which cause polarization, and in which the two types of layers include a first layer provided on a side of the liquid crystal layer and a second layer provided on a side of the back light unit, the first layer being a negative uniaxial polarizer layer, the second layer being a positive uniaxial polarizer layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises at least optically anisotropic members (A) and (B) and liquid crystal cell disposed between a pair of polarizers having absorption axes disposed approximately perpendicularly to each other, wherein nzA>nyA and nxB>nzB (nxA, nxB:refractive indices (n) in the direction of the in-plane slow axis; nyA, nyB:n in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the above direction; nzA, nzB:n in the direction of thickness, each at 550 nm); the in-plane slow axes of (A) and (B) are approximately parallel or perpendicular to each other; and the in-plane slow axis of (A) is approximately parallel or perpendicular to the absorption axis of a polarizer closer to (A). The antireflection property, scratch resistance and durability are excellent, the angle of field is wide, and uniform display of images with great contrast can be achieved at any angle of observation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can decrease lowering of light utilization efficiency attributed to a light absorption axis of an alignment film. A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight arranged on a back surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel includes liquid crystal, and a first substrate and a second substrate arranged to face each other in an opposed manner with the liquid crystal therebetween. The first substrate is arranged between the second substrate and the backlight. The first substrate includes a first polarizer and a first alignment film arranged between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal. The second substrate includes a second polarizer and a second alignment film arranged between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal.

Abstract: The technology presented herein has a feature of providing a liquid crystal display device of an excellent viewing angle characteristic and high brightness, including: liquid crystals containing polymerizable monomers between a first substrate with a pixel electrode having micro slits and a second substrate facing the first substrate; wherein the monomers are polymerizable with voltage applied to the liquid crystals; and an alignment orientation of the liquid crystals is controllable to a direction of extending the micro slit, wherein the pixel electrode includes: a direct coupling part electrically connected to a switching element; a capacitive coupling part electrically insulated from the switching element, and a space between the direct and capacitive coupling parts, wherein directions in which the micro slits are extended along the direct and capacitive coupling parts are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A flat display device includes a flat display panel, an upper polarizing plate disposed on a light exit plane of the flat display panel, and a lower polarizing plate disposed on a light entrance plane of the flat display panel. The upper polarizing plate includes a wide view film, and its absorption axis and a horizontal view direction of the flat display panel have an included angle of about 15 degrees. The absorption axis of the lower polarizing plate and the horizontal view direction of the flat display panel have an included angle of about 105 degrees.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal cell having an improved contrast ratio in an oblique direction and an improved color shift in an oblique direction is provided. A liquid crystal panel according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on another side of the liquid crystal cell; a negative C plate and a negative A plate arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and an isotropic optical element arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. The negative C plate is arranged between the first polarizer and the negative A plate.

Abstract: An optical element of the invention comprises at least three laminated circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) whose wavelength bands for selective reflection of polarized light overlap one another; a layer (b1) which is placed between at least a pair of the circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) and has a front retardation of substantially zero (in the normal direction) and a retardation of at least ?/8 with respect to incident light inclined by at least 30° relative to the normal direction; and a layer (b2) which is placed between at least another pair of the circular-polarization-type-reflection polarizers (a) and has a front retardation of substantially zero (in the normal direction) and a retardation of at most ?/2 with respect to incident light inclined by 60° relative to the normal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal device capable of simultaneously displaying at least two images in different directions comprising a first substrate with a translucent property, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate with a translucent property, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrate with a twist angle of approximately ninety degrees, a first polarizing plate disposed opposite the liquid crystal layer with the first substrate being interposed therebetween, and a second polarizing plate disposed opposite the liquid crystal layer with the second substrate being interposed therebetween, wherein the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate are shifted from an orientation direction of the liquid crystal layer by at least one degree and not more than three degrees.

Abstract: Pixels of an LCD are divided into two sub-pixels, one for a reflective mode and one for a transmittive mode. The cell gaps of both sub-pixels are the same, improving fabrication ease. A novel photoalignment technique is used together with a shadow mask in an embodiment of the invention. Double exposure of the alignment layer with different orientations produces different alignment directions, thereby achieving the different LCD modes for the sub-pixels.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel including a first substrate having a thin film transistor and forming a transmissive region and a reflective region thereon, a second substrate facing the first substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates and being in an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode, a first optical unit attached to an external surface of the first substrate and having a first polarizing layer, and a second optical unit attached to an external surface of the second substrate and having a second polarizing layer and a compensation film interposed between the second substrate and the second polarizing layer, the compensation film having a single ?/2 film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nematic liquid crystal display having two stable states, without an electric field, obtained by anchoring break, characterized in that it comprises two polarizers (10, 40), one (10) of which is placed on the observer side, the other (40) being placed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal cell whereby the latter is at least partially reflecting in order to define a reflective mode or transflective mode. The orientation of the two polarizers (10, 40) is offset by a value which is equal to the rotatory power of the cell at approximately +/?30°.

Abstract: An absorption axis of a polarizer on a viewer's side is set to an arbitrary direction to cope with problems attributed to polarization sunglasses or the like. Video lines extend in a reference direction as a whole while being bent locally.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes first and second aligning films which are respectively arranged on first and second substrates. A liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and the second aligning films. A first polarizing plate is arranged on an opposite side of the first substrate. A second polarizing plate is arranged on an opposite side of the second substrate. A viewing angle compensating film formed of at least one discotic liquid crystal, which the compensating film being arranged in at least one of a part between the first polarizing plate and the first substrate and a part between the second polarizing plate and the second substrate. At least one retardation plate is arranged in at least one of a part between the first polarizing plate and the first substrate and a part between the second polarizing plate and the second substrate.

Abstract: An IPS-LCD, in which the direction of an optical axis and retardation values are adjusted according to the disposition of a phase retardation film replacing one protective film, obtains a contrast ratio similar to that of an IPS-LCD having upper and lower protective films, and has a small thickness. The IPS-LCD includes first and second polarizing plates (1, 2), an IPS panel (3), and a first protective film. Absorption axes (4, 5) of the first and second polarizing plates (1, 2) are orthogonal to each other, and an optical axis of a liquid crystal in the IPS panel (3) and the absorption axis (4) are parallel with each other. A second phase retardation film, obtained by coating a biaxial film (17) with a uniaxial C film (11), is disposed between the second polarizing plate (2) and the IPS panel (3) and is used as a second protective film.

Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter construction 10 includes two low twist liquid crystal cells 26, 30 interspersed between a series of offset polarizers 24, 28, 32. The resulting construction provides improved homogeneity in the dark state as viewed by the user over a large viewing angle. By reducing variations in shade, visibility through the filter may be improved.

Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate, a second a second substrate a second a second substrate parallel and opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal molecules disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first and a second polarizers disposed over the first and the second substrates respectively. The first surface of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal molecules and a second surface of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal molecules includes a first alignment surface and a second alignment surface, wherein an angle between the alignment directions of the first and the second alignment surfaces is in a range of about 90°. The angle between a direction of the absorption axis of the first polarizer/the second polarizer and the alignment direction of the first alignment surface/the second alignment surface is in a range of about 45° respectively.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a transmissive display portion having the same liquid crystal alignment directions and transmissive axes of the polarizers as the transmissive IPS liquid crystal display apparatus. Further, the liquid crystal layer of its reflective display portion has a retardation of a quarter wave. The liquid crystal alignment directions of the reflective display portion are set to be crossed with the transmissive axes of the polarizers in the transmissive display portion at an angle of 45 degrees.

Abstract: A display device includes: a main LCD; a SW LCD, disposed on an optical path of light transmitting through the main LCD, for electrically switching a visible image between a single image display mode and a multiple image display mode; a first polarizer; and a second polarizer. The major axis direction of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer of the SW LCD is always substantially parallel to the polarization direction of light after transmission through the first polarizer when projected from the normal to the substrates. At least some of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are controlled in terms of alignment direction so that the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is substantially parallel to the substrates in the single image display mode and tilted from the substrates in the multiple image display mode.

Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter construction 10 includes two low twist liquid crystal cells 26, 30 interspersed between a series of offset polarizers 24, 28, 32. The resulting construction provides improved homogeneity in the dark state as viewed by the user over a large viewing angle. By reducing variations in shade, visibility through the filter may be improved.

Abstract: A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, including a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer between first and second substrates, a first polarizer disposed at the first substrate, and a second polarizer disposed at the second substrate, wherein an optical transmittance axis of one of the first and second polarizers is within a liquid crystal twist angle range of the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The device comprises two polarizer films, a liquid crystal cell disposed between these two polarizer films wherein liquid-crystalline molecules are oriented substantially normal to the substrates under non-operative state in the absence of applied external electric field; at least one layer of a first optically-anisotropic layer having an optically positive refractive anisotropy having Re falling within a range from 40 to 150 nm at visible light; and at least one layer of a second optically-anisotropic layer having an optically negative refractive anisotropy, and having Re of 10 nm or less and Rth falling within a range from 60 to 250 nm at visible light.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display which exhibits preferable viewing angle characteristics even in a diagonal viewing angle. Optical retardation films of a first type that satisfy nx>ny, nz and optical retardation films of a second type that satisfy nx?ny>nz are used, and a setting is made to satisfy Rp?t=2×(?0.08×RLC+58 nm+?) (?=±30 nm) and Rt?t=(1.05±0.05)×RLC?47 nm+?(?100 nm???47 nm) where ?nd represents a retardation RLC in the liquid crystal display; Rp?t represents the sum of retardations Rp in in-plane directions of a plurality of optical retardation films; and Rt?t represents the sum of retardations Rt in the direction of the thickness of the plurality of optical retardation films.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display is disclosed. The display comprises a pair of substrates disposed facing each other and at least one of which has an electrode, a liquid-crystal layer being sandwiched in between the pair of substrates and comprising liquid-crystal molecules aligned along with a first alignment axis and a second alignment axis respectively formed on facing surfaces of the first and second substrates, a pair of polarizing plates disposed sandwiching the liquid-crystal layer, and at least an optically anisotropic layer disposed between the liquid-crystal layer and either of the polarizing plates, and comprising at least one liquid crystal compound which is aligned along with a third alignment axis and is fixed in the alignment state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal injected between upper and lower plates, wherein the upper and lower plates have electrodes respectively formed thereon, an upper alignment film formed on the upper plate and a lower alignment film formed on the lower plate, wherein only one of the alignment films on the upper plate and the lower plate is aligned in to determine an incipient alignment direction of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: In an in-plane switching (ISP) mode controlling transmission and shielding of light by application of lateral electric field to liquid crystal molecules aligned in the direction in parallel to a substrate, increase in luminance or color shift at a black-representation area or upon black-representation condition at an inclined viewing angle is reduced. First and second polarizing plates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer each have a supporting member (plate) on at least either surface thereof. The supporting member on the inside surface of the first polarizing plate on the side of an illumination unit has a retardation in the thickness direction R1·h1 and the supporting member on the inside surface of the second polarizing plate has a retardation in the thickness direction R2·h2. In the O-mode, R1·h1>R2·h2 and in the E-mode, R1·h1<R2·h2.

Abstract: A polarizing element 20 has a first undulating structure in which a plurality of linear first recesses 22 are formed parallel to one another in one surface of a transparent substrate 21, and a dielectric layer 30 made from silicon dioxide is formed on the surface of the first undulating structure to produce a second undulating structure. The second undulating structure has formed therein second recesses 32 having a width W and a depth H, with second projections 33 having a width d intervening between adjacent second recesses 32. A thin-film-shaped conductive body 13 of width W and depth H is embedded in each of the second recesses 32.

Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate, a second a second substrate a second a second substrate parallel and opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal molecules disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first and a second polarizers disposed over the first and the second substrates respectively. The first surface of the first substrate close to the liquid crystal molecules and a second surface of the second substrate close to the liquid crystal molecules includes a first alignment surface and a second alignment surface, wherein an angle between the alignment directions of the first and the second alignment surfaces is in a range of about 90°. The angle between a direction of the absorption axis of the first polarizer/the second polarizer and the alignment direction of the first alignment surface/the second alignment surface is in a range of about 45° respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to color liquid crystal displays without the use of color filters. By carefully choosing the design parameters of a liquid crystal display, it is possible to obtain vivid colors from the display as a function of the operating voltage.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes a plurality of picture element regions each defined by a first electrode provided on a face of a first substrate facing a liquid crystal layer and a second electrode provided on a second substrate so as to oppose the first electrode via the liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. In each of the picture element regions, the first electrode has a plurality of openings and a solid portion, the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state when no voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, and when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, a plurality of liquid crystal domains each in a radially-inclined orientation state are respectively formed in the plurality of openings and the solid portion by inclined electrode fields generated at respective edge portions of the openings of the first electrode.

Abstract: A semitransparent liquid crystal display element comprises a liquid crystal panel composed of a plurality of pixels each having a reflective portion and a transparent portion arranged therein, a first polarizer sheet located on the observer's side of the liquid crystal panel, and a second polarizer sheet located on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel from the first polarizer sheet, the angle of twist of a liquid crystal molecule which forms each pixel of the liquid crystal panel ranging from 44 degrees to 46 degrees. An angle between an absorption axis of the first polarizer sheet and a major axis of a liquid crystal molecule adjacent thereto ranges from 80 degrees to 85 degrees, and an angle between an absorption axis of the second polarizer sheet and a liquid crystal molecule adjacent thereto ranges from 50 degrees to 55 degrees.

Abstract: A variable reflectance cover for a scanning system. The cover comprises a backing moveable through a plurality of positions. Moving the backing through the plurality of positions varies the reflectance of the cover. In one embodiment, the backing is an endless rotatable belt. In a second embodiment, the backing is a removable panel having a first side with a first reflectance and a second side with a second reflectance. In yet a third embodiment, the backing includes polarizers placed adjacent to a reflective panel. Rotating one polarizer relative to another varies the reflectance of the cover. In another embodiment, magnetic louvers are provided for changing the reflectivity of the cover.

Abstract: A polarization rotator is provided for rotating the polarization direction of linearly polarized light by any arbitrary angle other than 90°. The device comprises a layer of liquid crystal material disposed between alignment surfaces. In one mode, a 90° twist is induced in the liquid crystal director. An expression is provided for relating the retardation of the layer to the amount of polarization rotation and the angle between the polarization direction of incident light and the alignment direction at the input side of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and an electronic apparatus have superior visibility. A transflective reflective liquid crystal device comprises liquid crystals, an upper substrate, an lower substrate, an upper polarizing layer, a reflective polarizing layer, a lower polarizing layer, and a lighting device. A liquid crystal panel comprises the upper substrate, the upper polarizing layer, the liquid crystal, the lower reflective polarizing layer, the lower polarizing layer, and the lower substrate.

Abstract: When an optical element is produced using a liquid crystal film having no supporting substrate film for the purpose of decreasing the weight, the liquid crystal film layer may often pose problems of fine wrinkly deformation of and cracking in a caused by strain occurring during a manufacturing/processing step. The present invention intends to provide an elliptical polarizer having a thinned optical anisotropic element which is free from such deformation and cracking. The elliptical polarizer of the present invention comprises at least a polarizer and an optical anisotropic element wherein said optical anisotropic element comprises a liquid crystalline substance layer with a fixed liquid crystal orientation, a tacky adhesive/adhesive layer, and a stress blocking layer.

Abstract: When radiating light onto a liquid crystal composition containing a photosensitive material, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules is adjusted by applying a voltage to the liquid crystal composition layer, to achieve substantially orderly alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, or the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is made uniform by adjusting the structure of the liquid crystal display device, or any display defect is driven out of the display area. When radiating light to the liquid crystal composition containing the photosensitive material, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can be adjusted so as to achieve substantially orderly alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, and the liquid crystal display device can thus be driven stably.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a reflector disposed at an outside surface side of one substrate of a liquid crystal cell or between the first substrate and an electrode disposed on an inside surface side of the first substrate. When an angle between a direction of a normal line with respect to a display surface of the liquid crystal display device and a main viewing direction is from about 0 degrees to about 20 degrees, a reflection ratio peak value of light incident upon the liquid crystal display device and reflected by the reflector is set so as to occur within a range of about 20 degrees from the normal line direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate facing and spaced apart from each other; an upper orientation film on an inner surface of the upper substrate; a lower orientation film on an inner surface of the lower substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper and lower orientation films; an upper polarizing plate on an outer surface of the upper substrate; a lower polarizing plate on an outer surface of the lower substrate; and at least one compensation film disposed between the upper substrate and the upper polarizing plate or between the lower substrate and the lower polarizing plate. In the typical IPS-LCD device with a wide viewing angle, since the metallic black matrix of the upper substrate affects the voltage between the common and pixel electrodes, the black matrix is made of resin and cannot be formed with a bent portion because of the limits of the processing technology.

Abstract: An optical device has an E-mode polarizer. The optical device has an E-mode polarizer, a ¼ wave phase retardation plate, and a cholesteric reflective polarizer. The E-mode polarizer is a linear dichroic polarizer and enables extraordinary light to pass. The ¼ wave phase retardation plate is sandwiched between the E-mode polarizer and the cholesteric reflective polarizer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate having a plurality of pixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate, polarizing plates attached to outer surfaces of the two substrates, and a liquid crystal material injected into the gap between the two substrates, molecules of the liquid crystal material being initially aligned perpendicularly to the substrates. Each pixel is divided into a plurality of domains distinguished by an average alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules included therein when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal material. On average, liquid crystal molecules located at an edge of the domains are aligned symmetrically to each other with respect to a boundary of the domains. Polarizing directions of the polarizing plates are either perpendicular or parallel to each other, but neither parallel nor perpendicular to at least one of the average alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules of the domains.