Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical film having matt property and a matted film having a high transmittance which can be used for producing polarizing plates or liquid crystal display device excellent in display brightness and display quality by using the aforesaid films adjusted in a specific surface roughness or by using a specific two kinds of fine particles in a hard coat layer of the films. The present invention relates also to a polarizing plate of a high transmittance having an optical compensative capacity and matt property. A liquid crystal display device and a color liquid crystal display device using the aforesaid polarizing plate possessing an excellent viewing angle characteristics and is improved in Newton ring caused by contact with a light-tuning film and in non-uniformity in brightness due to the light-tuning film.

Abstract: There is disclosed an anti-reflection film comprising 5-65% by volume of inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1-200 nm and having a core/shell structure, and 35-95% by volume of a polymer, wherein a high-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.65-2.40 and a low-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.30-1.55 are laminated. There is also disclosed a polarizing plate and image display device utilizing the anti-reflection film. The anti-reflection film is suitable for mass production.

Abstract: There is disclosed an anti-glare and anti-reflection film, which has a transparent support, and at least one low-refractive-index layer that comprises a fluorine-containing resin and has a refractive index in the range from 1.38 to 1.49, wherein the film comprises an anti-glare layer that is disposed between the support and the low-refractive-index layer and that contains a binder having a refractive index in the range from 1.57 to 2.00. The anti-glare and anti-reflection film, which has sufficient anti-reflection property, resistance to damage, and stain-proofing property, and free from uneven color, can be produced simply and inexpensive manner. There is also disclosed a polarizing plate and an image display device, each utilizing the anti-glare and anti-reflection film.

Abstract: An antireflection film is disclosed, comprising a transparent support having thereon a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.35 to 1.49 and containing a hydrolysate of an organosilane or a partial condensate thereof, a compound capable of generating a reaction accelerator under light, and a fluorine-containing polymer. This antireflection film has high antireflection performance and excellent resistance against fouling and scratching and can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: An antiglare film is described, which comprises a transparent support having thereon an antiglare layer, wherein the surface of the antiglare layer or the surface of a layer positioned above the antiglare layer is subjected to a rubbing treatment. A sheet polarizer and an image display device are also described.

Abstract: A novel anisotropic spectral scattering film is disclosed. The scattered light intensity Fx(?, ?) at azimuthal angle ? and incident wavelength ? in an arbitrary scattering plane with respect to a surface of the film, and the scattered light intensity Fy(?,?) at azimuthal angle ? and incident wavelength ? in a scattering plane orthogonal to said scattering plane satisfy the following equations (1) and (2): Fx(?, ?)/Fx(545, ?)?1.2 ??(1) {Fx(?, ?)/Fx(545, ?)?Fy(?, ?)/Fy(545, ?)}?0.1 ??(2) provided that ? is 435 or 610 nm and ? is an arbitrary angle selected from 30-70°.

Abstract: There is disclosed an anti-reflection film comprising 5-65% by volume of inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1-200 nm and having a core/shell structure, and 35-95% by volume of a polymer, wherein a high-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.65-2.40 and a low-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.30-1.55 are laminated. There is also disclosed a polarizing plate and image display device utilizing the anti-reflection film. The anti-reflection film is suitable for mass production.

Abstract: A long sheet polarizer which has a transmission axis neither parallel nor perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and thereby can increase a yield rate in stamping and simplify the stamping process; a method of producing a long sheet polarizer comprising a step of coating a long transparent substrate with a polymer layer, a step of subjecting the polymer layer to a rubbing treatment, and a step of adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye to the rubbed polymer layer to bring about a state of orientation; a sheet polarizer comprising two transparent substrates and a polarization layer sandwiched between them, wherein the polarization layer comprises a polyvinyl alcohol film stretched at an oblique angle ranging from 10 to 80 degrees and a polarizing element adsorbed to the film in an oriented state; and a sheet polarizer provided with at least one transparent substrate satisfying the following relations at any of wavelengths ranging from 380 nm to 780 nm:

Abstract: There is disclosed an anti-glare and anti-reflection film, which has a transparent support, and at least one low-refractive-index layer that comprises a fluorine-containing resin and has a refractive index in the range from 1.38 to 1.49, wherein the film comprises an anti-glare layer that is disposed between the support and the low-refractive-index layer and that contains a binder having a refractive index in the range from 1.57 to 2.00. The anti-glare and anti-reflection film, which has sufficient anti-reflection property, resistance to damage, and stain-proofing property, and free from uneven color, can be produced simply and inexpensive manner. There is also disclosed a polarizing plate and an image display device, each utilizing the anti-glare and anti-reflection film.

Abstract: There is disclosed an anti-reflection film comprising 5-65% by volume of inorganic fine particles having an average particle size of 1-200 nm and having a core/shell structure, and 35-95% by volume of a polymer, wherein a high-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.65-2.40 and a low-refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.30-1.55 are laminated. There is also disclosed a polarizing plate and image display device utilizing the anti-reflection film. The anti-reflection film is suitable for mass production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical film having matt property and a matted film having a high transmittance which can be used for producing polarizing plates or liquid crystal display device excellent in display brightness and display quality by using the aforesaid films adjusted in a specific surface roughness or by using a specific two kinds of fine particles in a hard coat layer of the films. The present invention relates also to a polarizing plate of a high transmittance having an optical compensative capacity and matt property. A liquid crystal display device and a color liquid crystal display device using the aforesaid polarizing plate possessing an excellent viewing angle characteristics and is improved in Newton ring caused by contact with a light-tuning film and in non-uniformity in brightness due to the light-tuning film.

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 an optical film having matt property and a matted film having a high transmittance which can be used for producing polarizing plates or liquid crystal display device excellent in display brightness and display quality by using the aforesaid films adjusted in a specific surface roughness or by using a specific two kinds of fine particles in a hard coat layer of the films. The present invention relates also to a polarizing plate of a high transmittance having an optical compensative capacity and matt property. A liquid crystal display device and a color liquid crystal display device using the aforesaid polarizing plate possessing an excellent viewing angle characteristics and is improved in Newton ring caused by contact with a light-tuning film and in non-uniformity in brightness due to the light-tuning film.

Abstract: An anti-reflection film comprises a transparent support and a low refractive index coating layer. The low refractive index coating layer has a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the support. The low refractive index coating layer has an essentially uniform thickness, while the layer has a surface roughness in terms of an arithmetic mean (Ra) in the range of 0.05 to 2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An optical film comprises a transparent support and a polarizing layer. The polarizing layer selectively transmits polarized light, and selectively reflects or scatters other polarized light. The polarizing layer contains a compound represented by the formula (I) of Ar1—C≡C—Ar3—C≡C—Ar2. In the formula (I), each of Ar1 and Ar2 independently is a monovalent aromatic group, and Ar3 is a divalent aromatic group.

Abstract: An antiglare film is described, which comprises a transparent support having thereon an antiglare layer, wherein the surface of the antiglare layer or the surface of a layer positioned above the antiglare layer is subjected to a rubbing treatment. A sheet polarizer and an image display device are also described.

Abstract: An antireflection film is disclosed, comprising a transparent support having thereon a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.35 to 1.49 and containing a hydrolysate of an organosilane or a partial condensate thereof, a compound capable of generating a reaction accelerator under light, and a fluorine-containing polymer. This antireflection film has high antireflection performance and excellent resistance against fouling and scratching and can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: An anti-reflection film includes a transparent support and a low refractive index layer. A refractive index of the low refractive index layer is lower than a refractive index of the transparent support. The low refractive index layer contains micro voids in an amount of 3 to 50 volume % of the low refractive index layer. The anti-reflection film further has an overcoating layer provided on the low refractive index layer. The overcoating layer contains a fluorine compound. The fluorine compound is not present in the micro voids, or an amount of the fluorine compound present in the micro voids is less than 70 volume % of the micro voids.

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.