Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprising a specific fluorophenyl compound (I) and a specific pyrimidine compound (II) and optionally a specific benzoate compound (III), which exhibits a high-speed response in room temperature and is useful for liquid crystal display devices of large capacity.

Abstract: An optically active compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, ##STR2## is a 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene group, ##STR3## is a 1,4-phenylene or 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, X is a mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl group, W is a straight or branched chain or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms or a straight or branched chain alkenylene group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, Y is a bond or --COO--, and Z is a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a phenyl group or a hydrogen atom, which is useful as a component of ferroelectric liquid crystal compositions or as a device utilizing said composition.

Abstract: A device and method for inspecting any fault in an active matrix substrate which includes a transparent conductive film on the substrate, an orientation film on the transparent conductive film, a polymer sheet opposite the orientation film with a liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween, a spacer for maintaining a space between the orientation film and the polymer sheet. An electrical modulation is observed in the liquid crystal by applying a voltage across the pixel electrode and the transparent conductive film.

Abstract: An optical device having a lens substrate and a microlens portion formed thereon, wherein the microlens has its lens portion formed on the part of the optical device that has substantially the same coefficient of expansion as that of the lens substrate.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprising at least one compound represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, the same or different, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and each asterisk represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and at least one compound represented by the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are, the same or different, a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and each asterisk represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and liquid crystal device incorporating same.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of aromatic carboxylic acid esters which are useful as a dopant for liquid crystal compositions, and smectic liquid crystal compositions containing at least one of said derivatives.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition suitable to large capacity display which contains from 0.01 to 1% by weight of a liquid crystal or liquid crystal-compatible compound having a fluoroalkyl group in ferroelectric liquid crystals exhibiting a smectic C phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus which stores a charge in the capacitor whereby the liquid crystal layer is continuously driven even if leak occurs therethrough, and which prevents any d.c. component from being applied to the liquid crystal layer, thus maintaining a display of clear, non-flickering constant image on the screen.

Abstract: An improved ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each provided with voltage applying means, at least one of the substrates having an orientation control layer, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer comprising specific .gamma.-lactone derivatives, which is useful as a liquid crystal shutter, liquid crystal display device or the like.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric liquid crystal display device including a specific antiferroelectric liquid crystal composition layer comprising at least one compound represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, X represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom, m and n independently represents an integer 1 or 2, and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and at least one compound represented by the following general formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 represents an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group, having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, ##STR3## X represents a single bond or --COO--, Y represents a single bond, --O--, or --COO--, and k represents an integer 0 or 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to nematic liquid-crystal compositions for active matrix displays with high voltage holding ratios.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus having a source of light, a transmissive display device having a number of picture elements, a light converging means for converging rays of light in correspondence to one or more of the picture elements, a projecting lens disposed backward of the display device so as to project the image represented by the display device on a screen, the projection lens having a larger numerical aperture than that of the converging means.

Abstract: A projection apparatus includes three liquid crystal panels for independently controlling respective color light components of red, green and blue for a color image to be reproduced. The apparatus further includes devices for subjecting the respective color light components to additive mixture so as to reproduce the color image. Each of the liquid crystal panels is constituted by a nematic type simple matrix liquid crystal panel having twist angle .phi. of its liquid crystal molecule represented by210.degree..ltoreq..phi..ltoreq.300.degree..

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement of an active matrix type liquid crystal display device using a combination of a specific mixed liquid crystal and a specific polyimide orientation film.

Abstract: A chiral smectic liquid crystal composition comprising one or more liquid crystalline compound exhibiting a smectic C phase and at least one compound of the formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are same or different and are each a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and each C marked with * is an optically active carbon atoms, and a liquid crystal display device containing it.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprising two substrates and a nematic liquid crystal present between said two substrates, wherein each of said substrates comprises a glass plate, an electrode thereon and an aligning layer subjected to a molecular aligning treatment for a pretilt angle of 1.degree. to 30.degree. on the electrode, wherein an optically active material is added to the nematic crystal which has a positive dielectric anisotropy, wherein the average alignment direction in the longer direction of said liquid crystal molecule is twisted at an angle .phi. of 210.degree. to 300.degree. to impart a spiral structure to the liquid crystal and a ratio d/p of the spiral pitch p of the liquid crystal molecule and the liquid crystal thickness d are(.phi./360-1/4)<d/p<.phi./360;an improvement being present in that the nematic liquid crystal contains one or more compounds represented by the following formula (I) in an amount of not less than 10% by weight: ##STR1## wherein n.sub.1 and n.sub.

Abstract: The lighting device is equipped with a light guide having a linear Fresnel reflection surface consisting of steps of continuously alternating reflecting surfaces having two different reflection angles. A light source is installed at one end of the light guide of the above construction so that the light from the light source is emitted from the irradiation surface of the light guide after being reflected by the linear Fresnel reflection surface.

Abstract: A multi-layered liquid crystal display device is disclosed, which includes a stack of liquid crystal layers in which the longitudinal axes of the liquid crystal molecules extend spirally, the liquid crystal layers being disposed in parallel with the spiral axes. A voltage supply is provided for supplying a voltage to at least a portion of the liquid crystal layers for conversion of the molecular alignment. Also provided is a pair of polarizers for making visible the conversion of the molecular alignment. More particularly, the polarization direction of the polarizers or direction normal to the polarization direction is deflected within the range of 3.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules in a sense to reduce the spiral angle of the liquid crystal layers and the deflection angle is substantially in alignment with the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: A liquid crystal color display device has a substrate made of electrically non-conductive material, and a plurality of spot electrodes aligned in rows. The spot electrodes in each row are aligned with a predetermined pitch so as to provide a first predetermined space between two adajcent spot electrodes. The rows extend in a first direction parallel to each other with a second predetermined space between two adjacent rows. The spot electrodes in one row and the spot electrodes in the next row are off set by half pitch. A plurality of scan electrodes are each extending in the second predetermined space. Also, a plurality of signal electrodes are provided each defined by a first portion extending in the first predetermined space and a second portion extending in the second predetermined space with the first and second portions occurring alternately. Furthermore, a plurality of thin film transistors are provided each defined in association with the second portion.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal composition to be used in a multiplex-driving system in a twisted nematic (TN) type liquid-crystal display devices is extremely superior in its display characteristics, and is able to meet sufficiently the demands to increase the information content of various liquid-crystal display devices of high-level multiplexing operation. The liquid-crystal composition is more considerable in its usefulness than the validity thereof in half-tone display especially when it is used in a liquid-crystal television.The liquid crystal composition having a positive dielectric anisotropy in the nematic phase, comprises each 3 wt % or more of 2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-5-alkylpyrimidine compound and of a cyanobiphenyl compound.