Abstract: An optical phase difference component includes a transparent base with a concave-convex pattern having concave portions and convex portions; a coating layer coating the concave portions and the convex portions of the concave-convex pattern; a gap defined between the convex portions of the concave-convex pattern coated with the coating layer; and a closing layer provided on the concave-convex pattern to connect tops of the convex portions of the concave-convex pattern and to close the gap. A refractive index n1 of each of the convex portions and a refractive index n2 of the coating layer at a wavelength of 550 nm satisfy n2?n1?0.8. The optical phase difference component has a phase difference property of reverse dispersion and a wide viewing angle.

Abstract: To provide an optical film that can transmit one of orthogonal polarized components and scatter the other one thereof and a process for producing the optical film. An optical film includes an optically isotropic continuous phase and an optically anisotropic dispersed phase, in which the optically isotropic continuous phase has a birefringence of below 1.5×10?4; a ratio: L1/L2 of a mean Feret diameter L1 of the optically anisotropic dispersed phase in one direction D1 of in-plane directions of the optical film to a mean Feret diameter L2 of the optically anisotropic dispersed phase in a direction D2 orthogonal to the direction D1 is 2.5 or more; and the mean Feret diameter L2 is 0.5 ?m or less.

Abstract: An identification medium is to be observed via a linearly polarizing filter and includes a first liquid crystal layer that changes the wavelength of light according to the rotational angle of the linearly polarizing filter, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and a light absorbing layer that is provided below the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a discrimination medium which has high discrimination ability, and which is more difficult to counterfeit than conventional discrimination mediums. A discrimination medium comprises: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer; and a liquid crystal layer acting as a half-wave plate and provided on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical film using an alignment film capable of forming a homeotropically aligned liquid crystal layer at ease and enabling the layer to transfer to other members at ease. The method is characterized by using an alignment film comprising at least a polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 75 to 90 percent.

Abstract: A latent image forming film comprising: a reflective layer; and a polarization converting and rotating layer placed on a surface of the reflective layer, the polarization converting and rotating layer changing an ellipticity of polarized incident light and concurrently rotating a polarization direction of the polarized incident light.

Abstract: An identification medium is to be observed via a linearly polarizing filter and includes a first liquid crystal layer that changes the wavelength of light according to the rotational angle of the linearly polarizing filter, a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, and a light absorbing layer that is provided below the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a wire-grid polarizer includes the steps of preparing a resin film including a concave part formed thereon, the concave part having a submicron-sized grating pattern, the resin film having a visible light transmittance of 80% or more; filling the concave part with an electroconductive nano-material having an average diameter equal to or smaller than one-half of an average line width of the concave part; and removing the electroconductive non-material which has not been filled into the concave part.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a discrimination medium which has high discrimination ability, and which is more difficult to counterfeit than conventional discrimination mediums. A discrimination medium comprises: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer; and a liquid crystal layer acting as a half-wave plate and provided on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in a predetermined pattern.