Abstract: An organic guest compound having both an electron attractive group and an electron donative group is blended with a host polymer selected from a lactone polymer and a copolymer nylon to form a solid solution. The solid solution shows good mechanical strength and processability and may be suitably formed into a nonlinear optical device. Even if the guest compound is a compound, such as p-nitroaniline, which has a large non-linearity but is by itself liable to form a centrosymmetrical crystal thus showing no SHG activity, the solid solution obtained by blending it with the host polymer can show a uniform and large SHG activity.

Abstract: This invention concerns compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a single covalent bond, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, 1,4-phenylene, a 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine ring or a group of the formula: ##STR2## ring A is trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or, when X is a single covalent bond, ring A may also be 1,4-phenylene, a 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine ring or a trans-2,5-disubstituted m-dioxane ring; andR.sup.1 is straight-chain trans-1-alkenyl having 2 to 12 carbon atoms or straight-chain trans-3-alkenyl having 4 to 12 carbon atoms or, when X is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, R.sup.1 may also be 1,4-phenylene, a 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine ring or a group of formula IA or when ring A is a 2,5-disubstituted pyrimidine ring of a trans-2,5-disubstituted m-dioxane ring, R.sup.1 may also be straight-chain alkyl with 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and one of the benzene rings may have a lateral fluorine substituent;their manufacture, and liquid crystalline mixtures and electro-optical device containing same.

Abstract: Described are a series of novel benzospiropyran and naphthospiropyran compounds in which a norcamphor group (or its alkyl-substituted homologues) or a tricyclodecane group (or its alkyl-substituted derivatives) are appended at the 2-position of the benzospiropyran or naphthospiropyran ring. Also described are organic host materials that contain or that are coated with materials containing such compounds. Articles, such as ophthalmic or plano lenses, that incorporate the novel pyran compounds or combinations of the novel pyran compounds with other complementary photochromic compounds are described.

Abstract: This invention provides novel side chain polymers which exhibit nonlinear optical response, and which have utility as a transparent optical component in all-optical and electrooptical light switch and light modulator devices.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula: ##STR1## In the formula, Ar represents ##STR2## and each of Ra and Rb independently represents an optically non-active alkyl group or an optically active group having an asymmetric carbon atom. Either Ra or Rb is the optically active group. X represents ##STR3## Each of l and m represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: An optical material of a high refractive index is formed of a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing 3-40 wt. % of 4-isopropenylbiphenyl, 30-97 wt. % of a monofunctional aromatic monomer represented by the following formula (I) or (II) and 0-67 wt. % of another monomer copolymerizable with 4-isopropenylbiphenyl and the monofunctional aromatic monomer. ##STR1## wherein R means a hydrogen atom or methyl group, X denotes ##STR2## in which n stands for an integer of 0-3, Y is a halogen atom other than a fluorine atom, or a methyl, hydroxyl or methoxy group, and m stands for an integer of 0-3, with the proviso that Y may be different from each other when m is 2 or 3.

Abstract: A material in the form of a film is described which contains, in an orientated arrangement which does not display point symmetry, compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein X is .dbd.CH-- or .dbd.N--, R.sup.1 is C.sub.12 -C.sub.30 -alkyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 -alkyl, R.sup.3 is --NO.sub.2, --CN, --CF.sub.3, --COCF.sub.3, --SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or --SO.sub.2 CF.sub.3, R.sup.4 is hydrogen or is defined in the same way as R.sup.3, R.sup.5 is hydrogen or --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 and R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently of one another are hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 -alkyl, it also being possible for any of the alkyl radicals to be partially fluorinated or perfluorinated.The compounds of formula I can be arranged in Langmuir-Blodgett layer systems. Such systems can be used for example for the manufacture of opto-electronic units.

Abstract: Liquid crystal composition which comprises at least one liquid crystalline compound having an optically active .gamma.-lactone ring of the formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a group selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## n and e are each independently 0 or 1; R.sup.3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; X and Y are each independently a group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and cyano group; R.sup.2 is a group of the formula: --(CO).sub.m --R.sup.4 ; m is 0 or 1; R.sup.4 is hydrogen atom or an alkyl having 1 to 15 carbon atoms; and the symbol * is an asymmetric carbon atom, and a chiral or non-chiral liquid crystal, and a use thereof as an element for opto-electronics devices.

Abstract: Optically responsive films comprising birefringent nematic and/or birefringent chiral nematic liquid crystal microdroplets dispersed in electron beam cured polymeric reaction products are disclosed.

Abstract: Mustard oils of the formula IR--(A.sup.1 --Z.sup.1).sub.n --A.sup.2 --Z.sup.2 --A.sup.3 --NCSin which A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, R, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 and n have the meaning specified in claim 1 can be used as components of liquid-crystalline phases.

Abstract: This invention provides novel biphenyl compounds represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## (wherein R is an alkyl group, A is selected from the single bond, --COO--, --OCO--, --OCOO-- and --CO--, and each of m and n is an integer of 1 or more, provided m<n), optically active bodies thereof, liquid crystal compositions containing at least one of these compounds, light switching elements comprising at least one of the above compounds as a constituent element, and a method of producing the compound.

Abstract: Variable-transmittance articles, such as an ophthalmic lens, are prepared by applying to or incorporating within the article a combination of two (or more) organic photochromic substances exhibiting different activated absorption maxima within the matrix in which the substances are incorporated. One organic photochromic substance has an absorption maximum within the range of between greater than 590 and about 700 nanometers. The other organic photochromic substance exhibits at least one absorption maximum and preferably two absorption maxima, within the range of between about 400 and less than 500 nanometers. The organic photochromic substances are used in a proportion to achieve a near neutral coloring of the article. The article may also be tinted with a light compatible tint (dye) to achieve a more neutral color when the photochromic substances are activated.

Abstract: Certain derivatives of stilbene and diphenylacetylene are capable of second harmonic generation when illuminated by coherent optical radiation.

Abstract: A ferroelectric smectic C liquid crystal mixture having a smectic A phase region within 30.degree. C. on the higher temperature side relative to a chiral smectic C phase and also having a tilt angle at its chiral smectic C phase in the range of 30.degree. to 60.degree..

Abstract: A tricyclic cyclohexenyl cyclohexane derivative is disclosed. This compound is capable of lowering the .DELTA.n value of mixed liquid crystals, which have been obtained by adding said compound to nematic liquid crystals widely used as matrix liquid crystals, and elevating the N-I point thereof. Thus it is highly useful in the production of liquid crystal display cells.

Abstract: Optical elements comprising a non-centrosymmetric compound comprising an electron donor and an electron acceptor linked by a conjugated bridging group, in which the electron acceptor is a nitroso group, in which element the molecules of the compound are aligned so that the element has a net non-centrosymmetry, a method for their preparation, optical devices comprising such elements, and some of the compounds.

Abstract: An alignment layer for a liquid crystal display consists at least substantially of a polyphenylene polymer wherein at least 80% of the said polyphenylene polymer is composed of aromatic phenylene rings. The alignment layer is capable of providing a homogeneous alignment of liquid crystal molecules disposed adjacent thereto with a high tilt bias angle.

Abstract: A novel optically active pyridylethanol derivative having a high twistability and also a superior temperature characteristic is provided, which derivative is expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group of alkoxy group each of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or hydrogen atom, m and n each represent 0 or 1, ##STR2## each independently represent ##STR3## wherein Y is any one of H, halogen atom or CN and ##STR4## is a pyridine ring the N atom of which may be present at an optionally chosen site thereof.

Abstract: There are disclosed a nonlinear optical element capable of second harmonic generation comprising a crystalline inclusion complex of a lattice-forming host compound crystallized with continuous channel cavities in the presence of a nonlinearly polarizable guest compound in a noncentrosymmetric space group, said guest compound having specified properties, and both said guest and host being selected from specified classes; a nonlinear optical device; a method of generating second harmonic radiation; and an electro-optic modulator.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline ferroelectric derivatives of branched acyclic alpha-chlorocarboxylic acids of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein n=0 or 1; m=0 or 1, o=0 or 1; p=0 or 1X=--COO--, --OOC--, or --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --Y=X, --CH.sub.2 --, --N.dbd.N--, or --N.dbd.N(O)--, ##STR2## It was discovered that, by reacting chiral alpha-chlorocarboxylic acids or alpha-chlorocarboxylic acid chlorides or bromides, synthesized from natural alpha-amino acids by reaction with nitric and hydrochloric acids, with appropriate hydroxy compounds directly or in the presence of strongly dehydrating substances, preferably carbodiimides, liquid crystalline ferroelectric substances of the general formula I are formed.The inventive substances by themselves, in mixtures with one another as well as with other liquid crystalline substances or substances which are not liquid crystalline, can form liquid crystalline ferroelectric phases, which make them suitable for use in displays.