Abstract: The invention provides a method for generation of an orientation pattern in a photo-alignable material using parallax optic. The invention further provides optical devices comprising a parallax optical element and an element with patterned optical anisotropic properties. Such devices have angular dependent, optically anisotropic properties, which are useful for various applications.

Abstract: An element for protection against forgery and/or copying is arranged on a substrate and includes an optically anisotropic layer which has at least two regions with different optical axes, characterized in that the substrate is a reflective polarizer. The optically anisotropic layer can include cross-linked liquid crystal monomers. The anisotropic layer can be placed on an orientation layer. The orientation layer can be in contact with the polarizer and can include a photo-oriented polymer network. A device for protection against forgery and/or copying is characterized in that an element as set forth above and an analyzer are arranged on the same substrate.

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: This invention relates to an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying, including at least one layer with anisotropic optical properties, wherein the anisotropic optical properties are patterned, characterized in that the pattern represents biometric information. In addition, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoreactive compound for the preparation of a photoalignment material comprising thioether units, wherein the photoreactive compound is comprising at least one ene group and at least one photoalignment group, and further to a composition comprising at least one photoreactive compound and at least one polythiol, the use of this composition for the preparation of photoalignment materials, and their use for the alignment of liquid crystals or liquid crystal polymers, in electro-optical and optical elements, systems and devices.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a photo-alignable object. The invention further provides compositions for the manufacturing of a photo-alignable object as well as different embodiments of photo-alignable objects and devices using them.

Abstract: Linearly photopolymerized (LPP) orientation layers for liquid crystals, that is to say liquid crystal orientation layers, are oriented and crosslinked by means of linearly polarized light. The properties of an LPP orientation layer, such as the angle of tilt, surface wetting, voltage holding ratio and anchoring energy, can be adjusted and/or improved by mixing further substances into the starting material for the preparation of the orientation layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying, including at least one layer with anisotropic optical properties, wherein the anisotropic optical properties are patterned, characterized in that the pattern represents biometric information. In addition, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying.

Abstract: Sub-micron-structured (nanostructured) polymer film or coatings are made by coating a substrate with a mixture of materials. One of the materials is removed using a selective solvent, leaving pores or other nanostructure. The substrate may be grooved, providing a competing nanostructure. The coating may act as an antireflective coating, optical retarder, optical diffuser, or orientation layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which allows producing elements with individually patterned anisotropic properties, where the pattern may vary from element to element. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a support for a substrate and an exposure unit for providing spatially modulated aligning light with a first polarization plane, wherein the exposure unit contains a light source, a spatial light modulator, which can be controlled electronically, for example by a computer, and a projection lens. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for fast production of elements with individually patterned anisotropic properties using such an apparatus.

Abstract: Sub-micron-structured (nanostructured) polymer film or coatings are made by coating a substrate with a mixture of materials. One of the materials is removed using a selective solvent, leaving pores or other nanostructure. The substrate may be grooved, providing a competing nanostructure. The coating may act as an antireflective coating, optical retarder, optical diffuser, or orientation layer.

Abstract: An element for protection against forgery and/or copying is arranged on a substrate and includes an optically anisotropic layer which has at least two regions with different optical axes, characterized in that the substrate is a reflective polarizer. The optically anisotropic layer can include cross-linked liquid crystal monomers. The anisotropic layer can be placed on an orientation layer. The orientation layer can be in contact with the polarizer and can include a photo-oriented polymer network. A device for protection against forgery and/or copying is characterized in that an element as set forth above and an analyzer are arranged on the same substrate.

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 polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, comprising a main chain and a side chain, wherein the side chain and/or main chain comprises a polar group, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying, including at least one layer with anisotropic optical properties, wherein the anisotropic optical properties are patterned, characterized in that the pattern represents biometric information. In addition, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying.

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.