Abstract: A liquid crystal display element comprises a liquid crystal material having a resistivity .rho..sub.LC (.OMEGA..multidot.cm) and a polymer matrix material having a resistivity .rho..sub.p (.OMEGA..multidot.cm). The ratio .rho..sub.LC /.rho..sub.p is defined to fall within a range of between 1 and 10.sup.5 (1.ltoreq..rho..sub.LC /.rho..sub.p .ltoreq.10.sup.5). Also, the particles diameters of the polymer matrix material or the liquid crystal material are distributed such that at least two peaks each having a half value width of at least 0.5 .mu.m are present within a range of between 0.5 .mu.m and 2.5 .mu.m. Further, a protective layer is formed to cover the outer surface of the liquid crystal material. The particular construction permits manufacturing a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal display element, which exhibits a high response speed, which can be operated with a low driving voltage, and which permits a high contrast.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element having a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, and a light control layer consisting of a dispersion type liquid crystal material held between the substrates. The dispersion type liquid crystal material consists of a supporting medium, liquid crystal molecules and a dichromatic dye which is oriented within the supporting medium. It is desirable to arrange a polarized light selecting element to cover the outer surface of one of the substrates.