Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polymerizable liquid crystal composition which can be used as an optical material, display material or recording material. More particularly, the present invention provides an optically anisotropic film comprising a photopolymerization product of such a polymerizable liquid crystal composition having a high orientation state fixed therein which functions to control light and is suitable for the application in the field of optoelectronics, liquid crystal display, etc. The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of such an optically anisotropic film. Moreover, the present invention provides a liquid crystal device comprising the foregoing optically anisotropic film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device which comprises a pair of substrates having an electrode layer, at least one of said substrates being transparent, and a light-control layer supported between the substrate is disclosed, wherein said light-control layer comprises a continuous liquid crystal phase composed of a nematic liquid crystal material and a transparent solid substance having the three dimensional network existing in said continuous liquid crystal phase, said nematic liquid crystal material having an optical anisotropy (.DELTA.n) ranging from 0.18 to 0.3 and a dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) ranging from 15 to 30. The device can be driven at a low voltage to provide a display of sufficient contrast and is applicable to a multiplexing drive system.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each having an electrode layer at least one of which is transparent, one or both of said substrates having formed thereon a network layer having a three-dimensional network structure which comprises a transparent solid substance, or one of said substrates having formed thereon said network layer with the other substrate having formed thereon an alignment layer, said pair of substrates being assembled in such a manner that said network layer of one substrate faces to the other network layer or the other substrate with or without an alignment layer in contact or with a small gap therebetween, and a liquid crystal material filled between said pair of substrates.

Abstract: A cyano-substituted compound containing an ether bond is described, which is represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight-chain alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; n represents an integer of 2 to 8; m represents 1 or 2; and the cyclohexane ring is arranged at a trans-configuration.

Abstract: A light scattering liquid crystal device having a double structure composed of (1) a first display panel of light scattering type which comprises a pair of transparent substrates each having a transparent electrode layer and a light controlling layer formed therebetween, said light controlling layer containing a liquid crystal material and a transparent solid substance and (2) a second display panel comprising a pair of transparent substrates each having an electrode layer and a liquid crystal material filled therebetween, selected from a guest-host type liquid crystal display panel containing a dichroic dye and a twisted or super-twisted nematic liquid crystal display panel having a pair of polarizers. The device achieves brightness and high contrast.

Abstract: A phenylbicyclohexanol ester derivative which is a nematic liquid crystal compound having a weakly positive dielectric anisotropy is disclosed. This compound has a high N-I point and yet a low .DELTA.n value. When mixed with other nematic liquid crystal compound(s), it can give a liquid crystal display cell material having excellent visual properties and high-temperature driving properties.

Abstract: A fluorine-substituted compound containing an ether bond is disclosed, which is represented by formula ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; m represents an integer of from 1 to 7; X represents hydrogen atom or fluorine atom; Y represents a connecting group selected from a group consisting of ##STR2## and the cyclohexane ring represents a trans(equatorial-equatorial) cyclohexane ring.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent independently a straight-chain alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; X represents a direct bond, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, ##STR2## n represents an integer of from 1 to 5; and ##STR3## represents a cyclohexane ring in trans configuration. A nematic liquid crystal mixture containing a compound of formula (I) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight chain alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1 to 5; X represents F, Cl or CN; Y represents H or F; and a dioxane ring in a trans configuration with respect to a cyyclohexane ring.

Abstract: A fluorine-substituted compound containing an ether bond and an intermediate thereof are described, which are represented by: ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 2 to 7; m represents 1 or 2, X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, and ##STR2## represents a trans-(equatorial-equatorial)cyclohexane ring. A compound represented by formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 2 to 7; m represents 1 or 2, ##STR4## represents a trans-(equatorial-equatorial)cyclohexane ring.

Abstract: A phenylbicyclohexanol ester derivatives which is a nematic liquid crystal compound having a weakly positive dielectric anisotropy is disclosed. This compound has a high N-I point and yet a low .DELTA.n value. When mixed with other nematic liquid crystal compound(s), it can give a liquid crystal display cell material having excellent visual properties and high-temperature driving properties.

Abstract: A fluorine-substituted compound containing an ether bond and an intermediate thereof are described, which are represented by: ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 2 to 7; m represents 1 or 2, X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom and ##STR2## represents a trans-(equatorial-equatorial)cyclohexane ring. A compound represented by formula (II): ##STR3## wherein R represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms; n represents an integer of 2 to 7; m represents 1 or 2, ##STR4## represents a trans-(equatorial-equatorial)cyclohexane ring.

Abstract: A tricyclic cyclohexenyl cyclohexane derivative is disclosed. This compound is capable of lowering the .DELTA.n value of mixed liquid crystals, which have been obtained by adding said compound to nematic liquid crystals widely used as matrix liquid crystals, and elevating the N-I point thereof. Thus it is highly useful in the production of liquid crystal display cells.

Abstract: A 1,2-di[trans(equatorial-equatorial)cyclohexyl]-ethane derivative of the following general formula ##STR1## wherein R and R', independently from each other, represent a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.