Abstract: Provided is an optical device, comprising a plurality of polarizers that are arranged along a propagation direction of incident light; a first phase element that is disposed between the plurality of polarizers and that has a phase lag axis forming a prescribed angle relative to transmission axes of the polarizers arranged along the propagation direction; and a second phase element that is disposed between the first phase element and one of the polarizers arranged along the propagation direction, and that provides the incident light with a prescribed phase difference. An angle of the phase lag axis of the second phase element is adjusted such that the optical device transmits light in a prescribed wavelength region in the incident light.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device including a plurality of polarizers that are arranged along a propagation direction of incident light, where the plurality of polarizers have transmission axes of substantially the same direction, a phaser that is provided between the plurality of polarizers, where the phaser has a retarded-phase axis forming a predetermined angle with the transmission axes of the plurality of polarizers, and a phase modulator that is provided adjacent to the phaser along the propagation direction, where the phase modulator has a retarded-phase axis of substantially the same direction as the retarded-phase axis of the phaser. Here, a phase difference generated in the incident light by the phase modulator is temporally adjusted such that the optical device transmits light in different wavelength ranges at different timings.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is represented by the following formula (1): P-Sp1-L1-M1-L2-Sp2-Ox ??(1) wherein P represents a polymerizable group; one of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a branched alkylene group, or an alkylene group containing, in the chain thereof, at least one divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C?C— and —S—; the other of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a straight chain alkylene group; each of L1 and L2 independently represents a divalent linking group; M1 represents a mesogenic group; and Ox represents a substituent containing an oxetanyl group.

Abstract: A novel optically anisotropic film useful for optical compensation of a liquid crystal display device is provided. The optically anisotropic film has a distorted twisted spiral structure, which is formed from a liquid-crystalline composition comprising a liquid-crystalline compound and at least one optically active compound the torsional force of which is changed by light. The optically anisotropic film is produced, for example by (1) heating a liquid-crystalline composition to temperature T1; and (2) irradiating the liquid-crystalline composition with polarized light at temperature T2, provided TNI<T1<150° C. (XI) and TCN<T2<TNI (XII), wherein TNI is the temperature at which the liquid-crystalline composition phase transitions from a cholesteric phase to an isotropic phase, and TCN is the temperature at which the liquid-crystalline composition phase transitions from a crystal phase to a cholesteric phase.

Abstract: A laminated structure comprising, at least one optically anisotropic layer formed of a liquid crystalline composition comprising a compound having two or more types of reactive groups, and at least one photosensitive polymer layer. The laminated structure is useful for forming an optically anisotropic layer inside of a liquid crystal cell. The laminated structure is also useful for forming a liquid crystal cell substrate with an optically anisotropic layer having an optically compensating ability, inside of a liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a liquid crystal cell substrate comprising forming an image having at least two different hues and having different thickness for the respective hue domains, and forming at least one monoaxial or biaxial optically anisotropic layer having different film thicknesses on the respective hue domains on the image.

Abstract: A first bar code that is reproduced by linearly polarized red light (first read light) parallel to a short-side direction and a second bar code that is reproduced by linearly polarized green light (second read light) parallel to a long-side direction are recorded on a birefringence label. A probe is a reading device that reads the first and second bar codes from the birefringence label and includes first and second light sources and an imaging unit. The first light source emits the first read light to the birefringence label. The second light source emits the second read light to the birefringence label at a time different from that of the first read light. The imaging unit captures the birefringence label through a polarizing plate having a transmission axis aligned with the short-side direction of the birefringence label, and acquires reproduced images of the first and second bar codes.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned birefringent product, containing at least steps (I) to (III) in this order: (I) providing a birefringent pattern builder having an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer; (II) subjecting two or more regions of the birefringent pattern builder to exposure to light under exposure conditions different from each other; and (III) heating a laminated structure obtained after the step (II) at 50° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned birefringent product, comprising at least steps [1] to [3] in this order: [1] producing a birefringent pattern building material comprising at least one optically anisotropic layer, which is formed by a process including: coating and drying a composition containing at least one rod-like liquid crystalline compound having at least two reactive groups and at least one chiral agent to form a cholesteric liquid crystal phase; and then subjecting the cholesteric liquid crystal phase to heating or exposure to radiation to form the optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer fixed by polymerization and fixing; [2] subjecting the birefringent pattern building material to a patterned exposure to light; and, [3] baking a laminate obtained after the step [2] at 50° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower.

Abstract: A process for easy production of a liquid crystal cell substrate having a TFT driver element which contributes to reducing viewing angle dependence of color of a liquid crystal display device is provided: a process using a transfer material, more preferably, a process which comprises the following steps [1] to [4] in this order: [1] transferring on a TFT substrate a transfer material having a photosensitive polymer layer and an optically anisotropic layer on a temporary support; [2] separating the temporary support from the transfer material on the TFT substrate; [3] subjecting the transfer material to light exposure on the TFT substrate; and [4] removing unnecessary parts of the photosensitive polymer layer and the optically anisotropic layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned birefringent product, having at least steps (I) to (III) in this order: (I) providing a birefringent pattern builder having an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer having unreacted reactive groups; (II) heating a region of the birefringent pattern builder; and (III) subjecting the birefringent pattern builder to a process that reacts at least a part of the unreacted reactive groups in the optically anisotropic layer.

Abstract: A viewer for authenticating a birefringent pattern having at least two regions having a different birefringence from each other, wherein the viewer contains a polarizing plate and at least one optically anisotropic layer laminated on the polarizing plate, a front retardation of the at least one optically anisotropic layer is 5 nm or more and the total of the front retardation of the at least one optically anisotropic layer and a maximum value of front retardation of the birefringent pattern is greater than ?/2.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a liquid crystal cell substrate comprising forming an image having at least two different hues and having different thickness for the respective hue domains, and forming at least one monoaxial or biaxial optically anisotropic layer having different film thicknesses on the respective hue domains on the image.

Abstract: A forgery-preventing foil having a latent image and a total thickness of 20 ?m or less, containing at least one patterned optically anisotropic layer having two or more regions different in birefringence property, all of the regions in the same layer being formed of the same layer-forming composition.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is represented by the following formula (1): P-Sp1-L1-M1-L2-Sp2-Ox ??(1) wherein P represents a polymerizable group; one of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a branched alkylene group, or an alkylene group containing, in the chain thereof, at least one divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C?C— and —S—; the other of Sp1 and Sp2 represents a straight chain alkylene group; each of L1 and L2 independently represents a divalent linking group; M1 represents a mesogenic group; and Ox represents a substituent containing an oxetanyl group.

Abstract: A forceps channel tube is composed of a tube body, a reinforcing tape and a protective layer. The reinforcing tape includes a reinforcement layer and an adhesive layer. The reinforcement layer has a plurality of strip-shaped high and low rigidity portions arranged alternately. The reinforcing tape is wrapped around an outer surface of the tube body in a manner that each of the high and low rigidity portions encircles the tube body along the circumferential direction, and fixed thereto by the adhesive layer. The reinforcing tape provides the tube body with rigidity anisotropy that increases a first rigidity against force in a radial direction of the tube body to exceed a second rigidity against bending force.

Abstract: A medium for preventing forgery having a hologram layer and at least one patterned optically anisotropic layer, wherein the patterned optically anisotropic layer has two or more regions comprising different birefringence property, and wherein all the regions are formed of the same composition.

Abstract: A birefringent pattern builder, having an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer having unreacted reactive groups, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is produced by a method containing the steps [1] and [2] in this order: [1] coating and drying a solution containing a liquid crystalline compound having at least two kinds of reactive groups; and [2] reacting one kind of the at least two kinds of reactive groups by applying heat or irradiating ionizing radiation.

Abstract: A transfer material comprising at least one optically anisotropic layer and at least one photosensitive polymer layer on at least one support, wherein said optically anisotropic layer comprises one or more compounds having a reactive group, and said photosensitive polymer layer comprises two or more types of photopolymerization initiators having different photoreaction mechanisms to each other, and a compound having a reactive group which can react with one or more of the reactive groups present in the optically anisotropic layer by the action of the at least one of said photopolymerization initiators. By using the transfer material, a color filter which contributes to reducing viewing angle dependence of color of a liquid crystal display device, and a liquid crystal display device having less corner non-uniformities and less viewing angle dependence of color.

Abstract: A process for easy production of a liquid crystal cell substrate having a TFT driver element which contributes to reducing viewing angle dependence of color of a liquid crystal display device is provided: a process using a transfer material, more preferably, a process which comprises the following steps [1] to [4] in this order: [1] transferring on a TFT substrate a transfer material having a photosensitive polymer layer and an optically anisotropic layer on a temporary support; [2] separating the temporary support from the transfer material on the TFT substrate; [3] subjecting the transfer material to light exposure on the TFT substrate; and [4] removing unnecessary parts of the photosensitive polymer layer and the optically anisotropic layer on the substrate.