Abstract: A polarizing plate comprises a light-scattering polarizing element and a light-absorbing polarizing element. The elements are so arranged that the polarizing transmission axis of the light-scattering polarizing element is essentially parallel to the polarizing transmission axis of the light-absorbing polarizing element. The light-scattering polarizing element has a polarizing layer comprising an optically isotropic continuous phase and an optically anisotropic discontinuous phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a cellulose acylate film, and an optical compensation sheet, a polarizing plate, and an image display device employing the cellulose acylate film. The process for producing a cellulose acylate film of the present invention is characterized by including a step of preparing a cellulose acylate solution containing 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of an aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings relative to 100 parts by weight of a cellulose acylate, a step of casting, and a step of blowing a gas on the cast cellulose acylate solution at an effective wind speed of at least 10 m/min during a first half of drying prior to peel-off.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from liquid crystal molecules. Three principal refractive indices of the optically anisotropic layer are different from each other.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer is made from discotic liquid crystal molecules. The transparent support is made of a polymer film. The polymer film has an Re retardation value in the range of 10 to 70 nm. The polymer film also has an Rth retardation value in the range of 70 to 400 nm. The polymer film further has a standard deviation of angle of slow axis of 1.5° or less.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprises a light-scattering polarizing element and a light-absorbing polarizing element. The elements are so arranged that the polarizing transmission axis of the light-scattering polarizing element is essentially parallel to the polarizing transmission axis of the light-absorbing polarizing element. The light-scattering polarizing element has a polarizing layer comprising an optically isotropic continuous phase and an optically anisotropic discontinuous phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display can be optically compensated by only one cellulose acetate film. The film comprises cellulose acetate and an aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings. The cellulose acetate has an acetic acid content in the range of 59.0 to 61.5%. The aromatic compound is contained in the film in an amount of 0.01 to 20 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the cellulose acetate. The film gives an Re retardation value of 20 to 70 nm and an Rth retardation value of 70 to 400 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display can be optically compensated by only one cellulose acetate film. The film comprises cellulose acetate and an aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings. The cellulose acetate has an acetic acid content in the range of 59.0 to 61.5%. The aromatic compound is contained in the film in an amount of 0.01 to 20 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the cellulose acetate. The film gives an Re retardation value of 20 to 70 nm and an Rth retardation value of 70 to 400 nm.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are oriented in essentially mono domain alignment at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode having the optical compensatory sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display can be optically compensated by only one cellulose acetate film. The film comprises cellulose acetate and an aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings. The cellulose acetate has an acetic acid content in the range of 59.0 to 61.5%. The aromatic compound is contained in the film in an amount of 0.01 to 20 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the cellulose acetate. The film gives an Re retardation value of 20 to 70 nm and an Rth retardation value of 70 to 400 nm.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer formed of discotic liquid crystal molecules provided on a transparent substrate. The liquid crystal molecules are horizontally aligned in the optically anisotropic layer. An average inclined angle between discotic planes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules and a surface of the transparent substrate is less than 5°. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are fixed in the optically anisotropic layer while keeping the horizontal alignment.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display can be optically compensated by only one cellulose acetate film. The film comprises cellulose acetate and an aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings. The cellulose acetate has an acetic acid content in the range of 59.0 to 61.5%. The aromatic compound is contained in the film in an amount of 0.01 to 20 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the cellulose acetate. The film gives an Re retardation value of 20 to 70 nm and an Rth retardation value of 70 to 400 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal cell of a vertical alignment mode, one or two optical compensatory sheets arranged on one or both sides of the liquid crystal cell and two polarizing elements arranged on the optical compensatory sheets or the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell contains a liquid crystal molecule. The liquid crystal molecule is essentially vertically aligned while not applying voltage to the cell, and is essentially horizontally aligned while applying voltage to the cell. The optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer contains a discotic compound. The optically anisotropic layer has an optical anisotropy to optically compensate an optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal cell while applying voltage to the cell. The optical compensatory sheet has a retardation value in plane in the range of -10 to 10 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal cell of a bend alignment mode or a homogeneous alignment mode and two polarizing elements. Each of the elements is arranged on each side of the liquid crystal cell. At least one of the polarizing elements is an ellipsoidal polarizing plate. The ellipsoidal polarizing plate comprises a lamination of an optically anisotropic layer, a transparent substrate and a polarizing membrane. The optically anisotropic layer contains discotic compounds. The transparent substrate is optically anisotropic. The polarizing membrane is arranged as an outermost layer of the liquid crystal display. The optically anisotropic layer and the transparent substrate are so arranged that an angle between a normal discotic direction and a slow axis in plane of the transparent substrate is essentially 45.degree.. The normal discotic direction is an average of directions obtained by projecting normal lines of discotic planes of the discotic compounds on plane of the substrate.