Abstract: The present invention relates to photoreactive compounds that are particularly useful in materials for the alignment of liquid crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals comprising a photoreactive group as given below in formula (I), compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an element comprising a surface area with a specific, optically effective surface relief microstructure (12). The surface relief microstructure has a surface modulation of top regions (13) and bottom regions (14), wherein in a first lateral direction of the surface area there is in average at least one transition from a top to a bottom region or vice versa within every 20 micrometer, and in a second lateral direction of the mask, which is perpendicular to the first direction, there is in average at least one transition from a first to a second zone or vice versa within every 200 micrometer. In the microstructure, (i) in the first direction the lateral arrangement of the transitions is non-periodic, and (ii) the top regions substantially lie in the same top relief plateau (15) and the bottom regions substantially lie in the same bottom relief plateau (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an element comprising a surface area with a specific, optically effective surface relief microstructure (12). The surface relief microstructure has a surface modulation of top regions (13) and bottom regions (14), wherein in a first lateral direction of the surface area there is in average at least one transition from a top to a bottom region or vice versa within every 20 micrometer, and in a second lateral direction of the mask, which is perpendicular to the first direction, there is in average at least one transition from a first to a second zone or vice versa within every 200 micrometer. In the microstructure, (i) in the first direction the lateral arrangement of the transitions is non-periodic, and (ii) the top regions substantially lie in the same top relief plateau (15) and the bottom regions substantially lie in the same bottom relief plateau (16).

Abstract: An optical component includes a birefringent liquid-crystal layer, which has at least two regions with different optical axes, wherein an optical delay of the liquid-crystal layer in each of the at least two regions depends on an angle of observation that differs from the angle of observation of other of the at least two regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-polymerized, patterned or unpatterned liquid crystal polymer, especially a liquid crystal polymer film or a liquid crystal polymer network, comprising thio-ether units of formula (I) * covalent bond, which links the unit of formula (I) to the residue of the polymer wherein LC1 is selected from the group of liquid crystal residues, X1 is selected from the group of aliphatic organic residues, and n1 is an integer ?0 and m1 is an integer ?0; with the proviso that if n1 is 0, then m1 is >0, and if m1 is 0, then n1>0; which is prepared in an atmosphere containing oxygen, preferably with an amount of 0.1?oxygen?50%, more preferably 1?oxygen?25%, most preferably in air; with the proviso that polymer dispersed liquid crystals are excluded. Further, this invention relates to a composition used for the preparation of that photo-polymerized liquid crystal polymer of the invention, to processes of the preparation of that liquid crystal polymer and to its use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel photoactive polymer materials their use as orienting layer for liquid crystals, which are used for the production of non-structured and structured optical elements or electro-optical elements and multi-layer systems.

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: A component has a substrate (1) made of a transparent material, for example glass. On this layer (1), there is a linear polarizer (2) on which there is a layer (3) of a photo-oriented polymer network (PPN)(-LPP) which is oriented in locally varying fashion via its surface which covers the substrate. The layer (3) is adjoined by an anisotropic layer (4) of cross-linked liquid-crystal monomers. This layer (4) then has a molecular arrangement whose orientation is defined by the underlying orientation layer (3). The layer (4) will have been photocross-linked by exposure to a suitable wavelength of light, with the result that the molecular orientation defined by the PPN layer (3) is fixed. The clement, denoted as a whole by 7, can then be used as an optical component which is protected against forgery, it being possible for the orientation pattern of the liquid-crystal layer or the optical information stored therein to be made visible by means of an external polarizer (5), for example.

Abstract: Diamine compounds, which in particular are useful as precursors for the production of liquid crystal alignment layers, are represented by the general formula I: wherein A1 represents an organic group of 1 to 40 carbon atoms; A2 represents a hydrogen atom or an organic group of 1 to 40 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals comprising a main chain and a side chain, wherein the side chain comprises a difluoromethylene group, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photoaligning material with lateral substitution, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymerisable liquid crystals compound (I) having a liquid crystalline phase and to liquid crystalline compositions comprising compounds (I), their use as birefringence layer.

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: A diamine compound of formula (I) is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new optical component comprising an anisotropic diffuser (5,10) with patterned anisotropy; and means (9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 30, 32) for providing a colorshift observable upon changing viewing angle (6) and/or changing angle of incident light (2). It also relates to methods for making such an optical component and uses of such optical components as security elements with a very high level of security.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the replication of a patterned surface relief microstructure, comprising the steps of generation of a first layer with a patterned surface relief microstructure, generation of a master, by copying the microstructure of the first layer into a second layer, thereby involving at least one dry or wet etching step, characterized by an additional step, in which the microstructure of the master is brought into contact with a replica material, such that the microstructure of the master is reproduced in the replica. The invention further relates to the elements made as a replica according to the method. The surface relief microstructures are suitable to display images with a positive-negative and/or color image flip. The elements according to the invention are particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower.