Abstract: Disclosed therein are an acrylate compound having a photoreactive group, a photoreactive acrylate polymer, and a photo-alignment layer comprising the same that not only have excellences in alignment properties and alignment rate and readiness for change in the alignment direction based on the polarization direction of radiation but also exhibit a high solubility to organic solvents and good workability.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the first substrate or the second substrate, the alignment layer including at least one vertical alignment monomer and a photo-alignment layer separated from the at least one vertical alignment monomer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The photo-alignment layer includes a main chain and at least one side chain connected to the main chain, and the at least one side chain includes at least one vertical photo-alignment material.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display element which is composed of a pair of substrates (1) at least one of which is transparent. The liquid crystal display element comprises, between the pair of substrates, a transparent electrode (2), an aligning agent (3) that contains at least reactive monomers and/or oligomers (5), and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display element is characterized in that an alignment layer is obtained by polymerizing the reactive monomers or oligomers contained in the aligning agent, and the liquid crystal layer is composed of a liquid crystal composition that contains a compound (4) having at least one benzene ring in each molecule, said benzene ring containing at least one fluorine atom and being disubstituted by halogen atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel and an alignment film thereof, and the alignment film is made of a modified polyimide which has conjugated double bond at side chain. Resistance value of the alignment film is less than the resistance value of a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal panel by properties of the conjugated double bond that can reduce the resistance value of a prior art polyimide. In addition, improving the imidization ratio of a modified polyimide alignment film is important. The present invention is conducted the charged ion from liquid crystal layer to the alignment film by the conjugated double bond of the modified polyimide at the side chain to prevent the increase in the ion density of the liquid crystal in part of this area, and improve the problem of image sticking.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal photo-alignment agent and a liquid crystal photo-alignment film manufactured using the same. The liquid crystal photo-alignment agent includes an epoxy compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a polymer including a polyamic acid, a polyimide, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a norbornene monomer, a polynorbornene derivative, a liquid crystal alignment film including the same, and a liquid crystal display device including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a norbornene monomer, a polynorbornene derivative, a liquid crystal alignment film including the same, and a liquid crystal display device including the same, which have an alignment property by photoreaction, excellent thermal stability and photoreactivity, the increased photo-reaction rate and reliability of the alignment film, thereby showing high manufacturing process efficiency.

Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal cell, a liquid crystal film, and methods of preparing the same. As an exemplary liquid crystal composition, according to the present application can provide a liquid crystal layer aligned without a special alignment layer. According to the liquid crystal composition, all of the liquid crystal cell, in which the liquid crystal layer is maintained in a non-polymerized state, and the liquid crystal film prepared by polymerizing the liquid crystal layer can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for liquid crystal alignment layer, a preparation method of liquid crystal alignment layer using the same, and an optical film comprising the liquid crystal alignment layer. More particularly, the composition for liquid crystal alignment layer according to the present invention includes crosslinkable functional monomers as well as a photoreactive polymer, thereby improving thermal stability and durability of the liquid crystal alignment layer that is prepared by using the composition for liquid crystal alignment layer. In addition, when the liquid crystal alignment layer is used to produce an optical film, adhesive strength between substrate and liquid crystal alignment layer and between liquid crystal alignment layer and liquid crystal film can be improved.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal cell and method thereof. The cell comprises two opposed substrates and a surfactant-free lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLC) material disposed therebetween. By using an ammonium compound with LCLC or surface treatment on the substrates, the alignment of the LCLC material can be manipulated as a homeotropic bulk alignment; or a hybrid bulk alignment in which the LCLC alignment is changed from homeotropic bulk alignment in the vicinity of one substrate to planar alignment in the vicinity of another substrate. The cell can be used in biosensing, detection and amplification of ligands, optical devices, and photovoltaics etc.

Abstract: Disclosed are an alignment layer and a liquid crystal display having the same. The alignment layer comprises a polyimide compound having an azo group and exhibiting optical alignment characteristics and a discotic liquid crystal compound exhibiting optical anisotropy. The liquid crystal display comprises first and second substrates facing each other, liquid crystal aligned between the first and second substrates, and an alignment layer formed on at least one surface of the first and second substrates. The alignment layer is adjacent to the liquid crystal and has optical alignment characteristics and optical anisotropy.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a LC panel and a LCD apparatus using the LC panel. The LC panel includes: a first substrate and a second substrate opposing the first substrate, arranging the first substrate to face the second substrate; a LC layer containing a plurality of LC molecules between the first substrate and second substrate; and a plurality of vertical alignment molecules, each comprising a long-chain alignment terminal, a cross-linking terminal, and at least one bonding terminal; wherein the at least one bonding terminal couples the vertical alignment molecule to the first or second substrate to form a surface bonding, the long-chain alignment terminals are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first or second substrate, the cross-linking terminals link the neighboring vertical alignment molecules together, and the LC molecules are vertically aligned between the first substrate and second substrate by means of the long-chain alignment terminals.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, and a polymer stabilized alignment layer is provided. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The polymer stabilized alignment layer is disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and an average surface roughness of the polymer stabilized alignment layer is greater than or equal to 10 nm.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device in which a risk of generation of a image sticking is reduced. A liquid crystal display device (100) of the present invention includes a pair of glass substrates (11) and (21), a liquid crystal layer (30) provided between the pair of glass substrates (11) and (21), an alignment layer (23) provided between the liquid crystal layer (30) and at least one of the pair of glass substrates (11) and (21), and an alignment sustaining layer (24) for defining a direction in which liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer (30) are inclined, the alignment sustaining layer (24) being provided between the alignment layer (23) and the liquid crystal layer (30), the alignment layer (23) and the alignment sustaining layer (24) being covalently bound to each other.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a first field generating electrode disposed on the first substrate; a second field generating electrode disposed on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer including a liquid crystal and an alignment assistant, wherein the alignment assistant includes a mesogen and two or more photo-polymerizable groups.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (100) according to the present invention includes: an active matrix substrate (220) having a pixel electrode (224); a counter substrate (240) having a counter electrode (244); a vertical-alignment type liquid crystal layer (260); and alignment sustaining layers (210, 230) provided between the active matrix substrate (220) and the liquid crystal layer (260) and between the counter substrate (240) and the liquid crystal layer (260). The alignment sustaining layers (210, 230) contain a polymerization product (poa) resulting from polymerization of a polyfunctional monomer. At least one of the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate further includes an alignment film (110, 120) located on the liquid crystal layer side, the alignment film (110, 120) containing polyimide (pi) and a polymerization product (pob) resulting from polymerization of a polyfunctional monomer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment agent includes a polymer and an organic solvent for dissolving the polymer. The polymer is obtained by subjecting a diamine composition and a tetracarboxylic dianhydride compound to a polymerization reaction. The diamine composition includes a first diamine compound, a second diamine compound, and a third diamine compound as defined in the specification. A liquid crystal alignment film formed from the liquid crystal alignment agent and a liquid crystal display element including the liquid crystal alignment film are also disclosed.

Abstract: An LCD device includes first and second substrates, an alignment layer formed over at least one of the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the substrates. The alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment and UV alignment materials. A method of fabricating the LCD device includes preparing first and second substrates; coating an alignment layer over at least one of the substrates; performing a rubbing process on the substrate coated with the alignment layer; and irradiating polarized UV rays onto the substrate coated with the alignment layer, wherein the alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment a UV alignment materials. The rubbing process obtains high anchoring energy is obtained, thereby preventing afterimages. Also, the process of irradiating the polarized UV rays eliminates the problem of light leakage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing the probability of image sticking. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates. At least one of the substrates includes an alignment film and a polymer layer on the alignment film. The polymer layer includes monomer units derived from at least two species of polymerizable monomers. The at least two species of polymerizable monomers include at least two species of monomers selected from the group consisting of: specific polyfunctional monomers and specific monofunctional monomers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; a pair of field generating electrodes disposed on the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy; and at least one alignment layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the alignment layer includes a main chain and at least one side chain connected to the main chain, and the side chain includes a vertical functional group or a polar group.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved The present invention is a transparent conductive film characterized in that: a major component of the transparent conductive film is a single-walled carbon nanotube; the single-walled carbon nanotubes are present in a bundle state; and a rope-like shape, which is a state where the bundles are gathered together, can be confirmed by scanning electron microscope observation. The present invention is also a method for producing a liquid crystal alignment film using a transparent electrode substrate, with an electrode layer being the aforementioned transparent conductive film. According to the invention, a transparent electrode substrate with high wettability can be obtained, and further a method for producing an alignment film by which a uniform alignment film can be obtained without deteriorating an electrical characteristic is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resin composition for a protective layer of a color filter including an acrylate-based resin including a repeating unit represented by each of Chemical Formulae 1 to 3, a melamine-based resin represented by Chemical Formula 4, a thermal acid generator (TAG), and a solvent.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including a polymerizable compound, and an AM device including the liquid crystal composition are described. The liquid crystal composition includes the compound (1) and the compound (2): wherein P1 and P2 are polymerizable groups; the rings A, B, C and E are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, etc.; the ring D is 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, etc.; Z1 and Z2 are alkylene, etc.; L1, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond, etc.; R1 and R2 are alkyl, etc.; and q, r and s are 1, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds represented by the following Formula I, In Formula I, R1 and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen, and optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is selected from optionally substituted hydrocarbyl (e.g., tertiary butyl); n is 0, 1 or 2, and each R3 is independently selected from optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; L1 is a divalent linking group, such as a bond or —C(O)O—; each L2 independently represents a flexible segment, such as divalent linear or branched C1-C25 alkyl; each L3 independently represents a rigid segment including, for example, optionally substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl groups; t is from 1 to 4; m and p are each independently from 0 to 4 for each t, provided that the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t; and E can be, for example, C5-C18 aryl.

Abstract: An alignment film capable of reducing occurrence of alignment disorder in a simple manner, a method of manufacturing the alignment film, a retardation film, a method of manufacturing the retardation film, and a display are provided. An alignment film is configured of an anchor layer and an alignment layer stacked in this order on a base. The alignment layer includes a groove region having a plurality of fine grooves on a surface thereof, and a groove region having a plurality of fine grooves on a surface thereof. The anchor layer provided between the base and the alignment layer is provided with an antistatic function in addition to a function of bringing the alignment layer into close contact with the base.

Abstract: A photo alignment material includes a photo alignment polymer and an organic solvent. The photo alignment polymer is prepared by polymerizing a diamine monomer including at least two photo reactive parts represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. In Chemical Formula 1, R1 represents —(CH2)n—, —O(CH2)n— or R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent —H, —O(CH2)m—1—CH3 or and n and m independently represent an integer of from 1 to 8. Thus, change of the orientation of the alignment layer due to the action of an electric stress may be prevented and/or reduced. Therefore, an after—image may be reduced, and display quality is improved.

Abstract: A photoalignment material includes an alignment polymer, a photoalignment additive including a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and an organic solvent. In Chemical Formula 1, R1 represents a cyclic compound. A and B independently represent a single bond or —(CnH2n)—. “n” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 12. Each —CH2— of A and/or B may be replaced with R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and each —CH2— of A and/or B may be replaced with —O—. R4 represents In Chemical Formula 1, each hydrogen atom excluding hydrogen atoms of R4 may be replaced with chlorine (Cl) or fluorine (F).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device superior in mass productivity and improved image quality with a higher contrast ratio by decreasing the occurrence of defective display due to the disorder of the initial liquid crystal alignment and realizing stable alignment of liquid crystals, comprising: a pair of substrates 101 and 102, at least one of which is transparent; a liquid crystal layer 110? disposed between the pair of substrates; a group of electrodes formed on at least one of the pair of substrates to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer; plural active elements 115 connected to the group of electrodes; and an orientation control film 109 disposed on at least one of the pair of substrates, wherein said orientation control film made of a photosensitive polyimide, a polyamide acid ester and a polyamide acid is given orientation control ability by being irradiated with substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: There are provided an optical compensation film including an alignment film whose adhesiveness to a substrate and a liquid crystal layer and alignment property are excellent when a novel substrate is used to solve the problem regarding deteriorated durability being caused when a retardation film including a liquid crystal film is used under a hot and humid environment, and an integrated polarizing plate comprising the same. The O-plate includes a substrate; an alignment film prepared by coating the substrate with a composition for an alignment film that is composed of polyvinyl alcohol, a multifunctional acrylate monomer, a compatibilizing agent, a photo initiator and a solvent, followed by undergoing drying, curing and rubbing processes; and a splay-aligned liquid crystal film formed on the alignment film.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal alignment film having a sufficient alignment-regulating power and high resistance against blue laser beam and having, at the same time, excellent adhesion, and an optical element using it. A liquid crystal alignment film obtainable by bonding, by chemisorption to a substrate, an alignment-regulating precursor which undergoes anisotropic decomposition by irradiation with polarized ultraviolet light, and irradiating the alignment-regulating precursor bonded to the substrate, with polarized ultraviolet light, to let it undergo anisotropic decomposition and exhibit an alignment-regulating power.

Abstract: A glassy cholesteric liquid crystalline composition comprising compounds with a volume-expanding core bound to one or more hybrid chiral-nematic (or Ch) pendant moieties and a method of producing oriented films of such compounds. The Ch pendant moieties are comprised of chiral spacer groups connected to the core via linker groups and nematic groups linked to the chiral spacer groups. Thin-films of the composition are morphologically stable for extended periods of time. Also, the thin-films are able to selectively interact with light from the visible to near-IR wavelength range.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate that has a first electrode formed thereon, a second substrate that faces the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer that is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a first alignment layer that is formed on the first substrate and is in contact with the liquid crystal layer. Here, the first alignment layer includes a first alignment base layer that is photoaligned, and a first alignment controlling layer that is extended from the inside of the first alignment base layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a curable dichroic dye and a curable liquid crystal compound, which are used to prepare an optical component that is vertically oriented to give a narrow viewing angle, to form an optical component, and an optical component comprising an optical component layer prepared using the same. There is provided a composition for forming an optical component comprising 0.1-90 parts by weight of a dichroic dye and 10-98.85 parts by weight of a curable liquid crystal compound, and there is also provided an optical component comprising an optical component layer in which a curable liquid crystal compound and a curable dichroic dye are vertically oriented.

Abstract: Since a polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (1) produces polymers exhibiting high optical anisotropy and high chemical resistance, and the optical anisotropy thereof exhibits low wavelength dependence, polymers obtained from a polymerizable liquid crystal composition comprising said polymerizable liquid crystal compound are useable as an optically anisotropic film for polarizers, wave plates, and the like, and are particularly best used in pattern formation that uses photolithography in air. (n represents an integer in the range of 3 to 10, m represents an integer in the range of 0 to 5, and q represents an integer in the range of 1 to 2.

Abstract: An input device includes an upper sheet having a resistive film formed on a lower surface thereof and a lower substrate disposed in a co-planar relationship below the upper sheet and spaced apart from the upper sheet by a gap, where the lower substrate has a resistive film formed on an upper surface thereof. The lower substrate has opposite side edge portions disposed along a longitudinal axis of the lower substrate, and the side edge portions have an incline or taper along a thickness axis of the lower substrate. A pair of lower electrodes are formed on the resistive film of the lower substrate, and are disposed parallel to the side edge portions of the lower substrate, such that when pressure is applied to an operation portion of the upper sheet, the upper sheet flexes toward the lower substrate, and planar coordinates of the operation portion are determined based on a voltage between the pair of lower electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes at least one substrate; and an alignment layer over the substrate, wherein the alignment layer includes material having a main chain adapted to be aligned by a rubbing process and a photo-reactive side chain adapted to be aligned by irradiation.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate (6); a second substrate (7); a liquid crystal layer (LC); a first alignment film (606) placed on the first substrate; a second alignment film (705) placed on the second substrate; and at least one of: a transparent layer (610) contacting the first alignment film on the other side of the liquid crystal layer and being lower in volume resistivity than the first alignment film; and a transparent layer (710) contacting the second alignment film on the other side of the liquid crystal layer and being lower in volume resistivity than the second alignment film, wherein the transparent layer contains polysiloxane expressed by Chemical Formula 1: where R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group or alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyl group, and at least 30% of hydroxyl groups are contained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reactive monomer of liquid crystal. The reactive monomer of liquid crystal is added with at least one fluoro group. Because hydrocarbon bonds of a side chain of polyimide surface of an alignment film has a fluorophobic effect, the fluoro group of the reactive monomer of liquid crystal can lower the interaction between the polyimide surface of the alignment film and the reactive monomer of liquid crystal to thus evenly deposit the liquid crystal composition containing the reactive monomers of liquid crystal onto the polyimide surface of the alignment film. Thus, it can avoid from occurring the phenomenon of drop Mura defect occurred during implementing the ODF technology.

Abstract: A birefringent film which comprises a compound having a proton-accepting group and a compound having a proton-donating group; and a birefringent film which comprises a compound having a proton-accepting group and a proton-donating group. The proton-accepting group and proton-donating group are combined with each other through intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: A first substrate and a second substrate are provided. An alignment process is performed on a surface of the first substrate and a surface of the second substrate respectively. A liquid crystal mixture is prepared, where the liquid crystal mixture includes a liquid crystal molecule and a liquid crystal monomer having a functional group of diacrylates, and the liquid crystal monomer having the functional group of diacrylates occupies 0.01-2 wt % of the liquid crystal mixture. The first substrate and the second substrate are assembled, and the liquid crystal mixture is filled therebetween. A polymerization curing process is performed such that the liquid crystal monomer having the functional group of diacrylates is polymerized to respectively form a liquid crystal polymer film on the aligned surfaces of the first and second substrates. The method enhances anchoring energy and reduces problems of V-T shift, surface gliding, and residual image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-sensitive compound, a polymer formed by using the compound, and a production method of the compound and polymer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a unit compound that exhibits light-sensitivity with respect to three different wavelengths, a polymer having light-sensitive, which is polymerized by using the unit compound as a monomer, and a production method of the compound and polymer. The light-sensitive compound and the polymer according to the present invention may be usefully applied to an optical film.

Abstract: A photo-alignment material, a liquid crystal display device using the photo-alignment material, and a manufacturing method. The photo-alignment material is a polymer having a photo-reactive ethenyl group on a main chain. When used as a photo-alignment layer, the photo-alignment material enables improved alignment stability against external shocks, light, and heat. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates, and a photo-alignment layer formed at least on the first substrate, with the photo-alignment layer formed from a photo-alignment material having an ethenyl group at a main chain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal photo-alignment agent including polyamic acid or a polyimide including a first structural unit derived from a photo-diamine represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, a second structural unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 2 or a polymer compound combination thereof, and a solvent. In Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: A polymerizable mixture for ink jetting, having liquid crystalline phases comprising the following components: a) 50-80 wt % mono-functional LCP's, b) 10-50 wt % of a higher functional LCP's, f) 0.01-5 wt % initiators, preferably below 1% g) 0.01-5 wt % inhibitors, preferably below 1% h) 0-20 wt % additives, preferably below 10 wt %, with the provision that the total amount of the components is 100 wt %, characterized in that the polymerizable mixtures has a viscosity smaller than 0.015 Pa s at 100° C. and yet remaining thermally stable.

Abstract: A depolarizing film of the present invention comprises a film containing at least one liquid crystal compound, wherein the liquid crystal compound comprises a liquid crystal compound (1) that satisfies the relation: 0.05??n?0.5, with the proviso that ?n=ne?no, ne represents an extraordinary-ray refractive index, and no represents an ordinary-ray refractive index, and the film has a haze value of 15% or less and a thickness of 1 ?m to 10 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal alignment film having a sufficient alignment-regulating power and high resistance against blue laser beam and having, at the same time, excellent adhesion, and an optical element using it. A liquid crystal alignment film obtainable by bonding, by chemisorption to a substrate, an alignment-regulating precursor which undergoes anisotropic decomposition by irradiation with polarized ultraviolet light, and irradiating the alignment-regulating precursor bonded to the substrate, with polarized ultraviolet light, to let it undergo anisotropic decomposition and exhibit an alignment-regulating power.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal alignment agent that includes a polymer comprising polyamic acid including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, polyimide including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, or a combination thereof. In Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 are the same in the detailed description.

Abstract: A photopolymer mixture is capable of use for a liquid crystal alignment layer. An alignment layer is formed from such a photopolymer mixture. The mixture comprises at least two polymerisable materials which are blended together in proportion so as to give a predetermined, preferably low, surface energy. A low surface energy, e.g., less than 4×10?2 N/m, can result in an alignment layer which imparts a particular orientation to liquid crystal molecules with out requiring any post-cure treatments. The polymerisable materials may be monomers, oligomers, or diluents that form long chain molecules when cured, and the mixture may contain additives to lower the overall surface energy.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a transparent support and, as formed on the transparent support, a patterned alignment control layer containing a first alignment control region and a second alignment control region each having an alignment control surface, in which the two regions differ from each other in point of the composition thereof and in point of the alignment-controlling capability thereof, in which the individual alignment control surfaces are alternately positioned in the patterned alignment control layer, and in which the alignment control surfaces of the first alignment control region and the second alignment control region can control liquid crystals in such a manner that the long axes of the aligned liquid crystals could be vertical to each other in the plane parallel to the alignment control surfaces.