Abstract: An optically anisotropic sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer, an orientation layer and a transparent support in this order. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from discotic liquid crystal molecules. The orientation layer is subjected to rubbing treatment. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the orientation layer. An average inclined angle of discotic planes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules is in the range of 50° to 90°. An average direction of optical axes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules is essentially parallel to a rubbing direction of the orientation layer.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer formed of discotic liquid crystal molecules provided on a transparent substrate. The liquid crystal molecules are horizontally aligned in the optically anisotropic layer. An average inclined angle between discotic planes of the discotic liquid crystal molecules and a surface of the transparent substrate is less than 5°. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are fixed in the optically anisotropic layer while keeping the horizontal alignment.

Abstract: An orientation layer of an acrylic copolymer is used to orient rod-like liquid crystal molecules perpendicularly to rubbing direction. The copolymer comprises repeating units represented by the formula (I) and repeating units represented by the formula (II) or (III).

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules and an alignment promoter. The alignment promoter is represented by the formula (I).

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprises liquid crystal molecules and an alignment promoter. The alignment promoter is represented by the formula (I). (Hb—)mL(—Bu)n  (I) In the formula (I), Hb is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, a fluorine-substituted aryl group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 6 to 60 carbon atoms and an alkyl-substituted oligosiloxanoxy group having 1 to 60 carbon atoms. Bu is a bulky group showing an excluded volume effect and comprising at least two rings. L is an (m+n)-valent linking group. Each of m and n is independently an integer of 1 to 12.

Abstract: A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is represented by the formula (I):

Abstract: An optically active triphenylene compound is represented by the formula (I). In the formula (I), R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is independently an optically active monovalent group. The optically active triphenylene compound can be advantageously used as a chiral agent in an optically anisotropic sheet or a liquid crystal display of an STN mode.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in order. The optically anisotropic layer contains an aligned and fixed discotic liquid crystal compound. The orientation layer has a function of aligning the discotic liquid crystal compound. The function of the orientation layer is activated by irradiating the layer with light from a single direction. The present specification also discloses a process for the preparation of the optical compensatory sheet and a liquid crystal display using the optical compensatory sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensatory sheet which comprises a layer in the condition of a mono-domain of discotic nematic phase or a monoaxial columnar phase. Further, a process for preparation of the optical compensatory sheet and a liquid crystal display provided with the optical compensatory sheet are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a film composed of an oriented polymer matrix and a liquid crystalline compound contained therein. The oriented polymer matrix is generally formed by polymerization of a discotic compound having a polymerizable group and a liquid crystalline compound. Further, a process for preparation of the film and a liquid crystal display in which the film is employed as liquid crystal of a liquid crystal cell, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal display provided with an optical compensatory sheet comprising an optically anisotropic layer which has negative birefringence and comprises a polymer having a discotic structure in its molecule, and an optical compensatory sheet which comprises a transparent support, an orientation layer provided thereon and the optically anisotropic layer provided on the orientation layer. Further, a process for preparation of the optical compensatory sheet and a liquid crystal composition which is useful as material for preparing the optical compensatory sheet are also disclosed.

Abstract: A silver halide color photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer contains a silver halide emulsion sensitized by a methine dye represented by following formula (I) and the total content of calcium in the photographic constituting layers on the support is not more than 10 mg/m.sup.2 ; ##STR1## wherein Q represents a non-metallic atomic group necessary for forming a 5-membered or 6-membered ring; R.sub.1 to R.sub.11 each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, however, at least one of R.sub.1 to R.sub.3 represents a group containing an aromatic group and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are not a hydrogen atom; L.sub.1 to L.sub.

Abstract: An optical compensation sheet for improving the visual characteristics of a liquid crystal display device is disclosed with a liquid crystal display device using such a sheet. The optical compensation sheet contains at least one photopolymerization substance that is sterically or structurally isomerized by light, and has negative uniaxiality, with the optic axis of the sheet intersecting the surface of the sheet. Application of this optical compensation sheet to a TN liquid crystal display device allows it the visual angle property to be improved, thereby providing a high definition liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material contains a methine compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein Y.sup.1 is a group which is clearable by a nucleophile; Z.sup.1 is --O--, --S-- or other; Z.sup.2 is --S--; A and B are each independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group; A and B may be linked to each other to form an unsaturated aliphatic ring or an aromatic ring; and Q.sup.1 is a methine or polymethine group which may have a heterocyclic group. A novel methine compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensatory sheet comprising a transparent support and an optically anisotropic layer provided thereon and having an optic axis inclined at 20 to 34 degrees from the normal of the sheet, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is formed from a discotic compound capable of forming a discotic nematic phase and an organic compound which has compatibility with the discotic compound and is capable of lowering a transition temperature of the discotic nematic phase by at least 10.degree. C. Further, a liquid crystal display provided with the optical compensatory sheet is disclosed.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material contains a methine compound represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein Y.sup.1 is a group which is cleavable by a nucleophile; Z.sup.1 is --O--, --S--, or other; Z.sup.2 is --O--, --S--, --CR.sup.3 R.sup.4 (wherein each of R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is alkyl or other), or other; A and B are each independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group; A and B may be linked to each other to form an unsaturated aliphatic ring, an aromatic ring or a heterocyclic ring; and Q.sup.1 is a methine or polymethine group which may have a heterocyclic group. A novel methine compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkyl sulfonate derivative comprises causing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein X represents --O--, --S--, --NR.sup.1 --, --Se--, --Te-- or --CR.sup.2 R.sup.3 --, in which each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, Y represents a hydrogen atom, a mercapto group, an arylthio group, an aralkyl group, a sulfo group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkylthio group, an alkylsulfonyloxy group or an arylsulfonyloxy group and each of R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group which may be substituted with a sulfo group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group, a haloalkyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a carboxy group or a sulfo group, otherwise R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.6, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 and R.sup.7 and R.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical information recording medium comprising a substrate, a first recording layer, a second recording layer and a third recording layer, superposed in this order. Each of the first, second and third recording layers is made of an organic material, and has such a specific real part of a complex refractive index and an imaginary part thereof that the resulting recording medium shows a high reflectance.

Abstract: A heat-developable color photographic material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-sensitive silver halide, a binder, at least one of an electron-donating agent and a precursor thereof, a reducible dye-forming compound which releases a diffusible dye by reduction and an electron-transferring agent, wherein an electron-transferring agent precursor co-exists together with the electron-transferring agent.

Abstract: A method for forming an image comprising heating a heat-developable light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-sensitive silver halide and a binder, simultaneously with or after imagewise exposure thereof in the presence of water, at least one of a base and a base precursor, and an acetylene compound represented by formula (I):R.sub.1 --C.tbd.C--R.sub.2 (I)wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group; provided that both R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time.