Abstract: A method of forming an optical compensation film includes coating one or more first layers and one or more second layers onto a carrier substrate, and stretching the first layers and second layers simultaneously. The one or more first layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence (?nth) not more negative than ?0.005 and not more positive than +0.005, and the one or more second layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the optical compensation film is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the optical compensation film is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence between ?0.005 and +0.005. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence that is either less than ?0.005 or greater than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm, and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The amorphous polymer of the second layer(s) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that 110° C.?Tg?180° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm, and 100° C.?Tg?160° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A multilayer optical compensation film comprises one or more optically anisotropic layers X and one or more optically anisotropic layers Z wherein, said each layer X has its optic axis tilted with respect to the plane of said multilayer compensation film, and said each layer Z comprises amorphous polymer with glass transition temperature Tg above 180C°, and satisfies particular relations. The film is readily manufactured and provides the required optical property for proper compensation of LCDs.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 and not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal cell including one or more compensator layers interposed between a constraint and liquid crystal. Each compensator layer contains a transparent amorphous polymeric birefringent material having an out-of plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005.

Abstract: A multilayer optical compensation film includes at least one optically anisotropic first layer and at least one optically anisotropic second layer. The indices of refraction of the first layer satisfies the relation nx1?ny1?nz1. The second layer includes amorphous polymer with a glass transition temperature above 160° C., and the indices of refraction of the second layer satisfy the relations |nx2?ny2|<0.001 and nz2?(nx2+ny2)/2>0.005.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains a Lewis acid. Such a film is useful for aligning a liquid crystal material to an increased tilt angle.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 or not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical multilayer comprising a polymeric substrate having a non-zero out-of plane birefringence and an amorphous polymeric overlayer that comprises an amorphous polymer having a Tg value above 160° C. and having the sign of its out-of-plane birefringence opposite to that of the polymeric substrate so as to provide a total out-of-plane phase retardation of said optical multilayer of between ?30 nm and 30 nm for wavelengths of light between 400 and 700 nm.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm wherein the process employs laminating layers or coating the layers from solvent.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator has two or more first layers and one or more second layers. The overall in-plane retardation of the compensator is from 0 to 300 nm and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The compensator may be fabricated by: coating at least one barrier layer on at least one first layer; coating at least one second layer from an organic coating solvent on the barrier layer to produce an intermediate compensator structure; and stretching the intermediate compensator structure in at least one direction by between 1% and 60%. The barrier layer contains a polymer that is water soluble or water dispersible in an amount sufficient to impede the diffusion of the organic solvent between the other first layers and the second layers. All layers have been stretched simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the aligned liquid crystal layer contains an azolium salt represented by formula (I): wherein the subscripts represent the ring positions and each X is independently N or C—R; each Z is independently N, N—R, C—(R)(R), O, S, SO2, SO, C?O, C?S, or C?NR; each R group is independently hydrogen or a substituent; and Y is a charge balancing anion, which may be a separate moiety or part of an X, Z, or R; provided two or more X, Z and R groups may form a ring; provided the salt may be part of an oligomer or polymer. Such a film provides a predetermined increase in pre-tilt angle for use in liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article comprising first areas of electrically conductive material and second areas of electrically conductive material raised relative to the first areas and substantially electrically isolated from the first areas, said conductive materials exhibiting a resistivity that averages less than 800 ohm/square.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer compensator polymeric film for a LC cell including two or more first type layers having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.005 and one or more second type layers having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensator for liquid crystal displays comprising a first polymeric layer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.005 and a second polymeric layer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005. The invention also provides an LC display and a process for making such compensators.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensation film for Liquid Crystal Displays comprising an amorphous polymer layer disposed on a substrate wherein said amorphous polymer layer has an out-of-plane birefringence ?nth(?) at a wavelength ? that satisfies both conditions (1) and (2): Condition (1) ?nth(?) is more negative than ?0.005 throughout the range of 370 nm<?<700 nm; Condition (2) ?nth(?1) is more negative than ?nth(?2), for ?1<?2 throughout the range of 370 nm<?<700 nm.

Abstract: A process for making an optical compensator, comprising the steps of coating a orientable resin in a solvent onto a support; drying the resin-containing coating; orienting the resin-containing layer in a predetermined direction; coating a nematic liquid-crystal compound in a solvent carrier onto the orientation layer; drying the nematic liquid-crystal-containing coating; thermally treating the nematic liquid-crystal compound layer, cooling the nematic liquid-crystal compound layer, polymerizing or curing the anisotropic nematic liquid-crystalline layer to form an integral component; and optionally repeating the above steps on top of the integral component so that the optical axis of the first anisotropic nematic liquid-crystal layer is positioned orthogonally relative to the respective optical axis of the second anisotropic nematic liquid-crystal layer about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal cell having contiguous to a surface of a constraint thereof one or more compensator layers, each containing a transparent amorphous polymeric birefringent material having an out-of plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005. The invention also provides a liquid crystal display and a process for making such a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical element comprising in order a light source, air, at least one thin layer having a thickness of 80 to 200 nm, and a thick layer, each layer varying in refractive index (RI) by at least 0.05 from the next adjacent layer, in an alternating manner.