Abstract: A front projection screen and a projection system incorporating same are disclosed. The front projection screen includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal layers and one or more retarder layers. Each cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a reflectance curve characterized by a reflectance peak and a reflectance full width at half maximum. The reflectance peaks of at least two cholesteric liquid crystal layers in the plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal layers are located at different wavelengths. A retardance full width at half maximum of a first retarder layer in the one or more retarder layers encloses the reflectance full width at half maxima of two or more cholesteric liquid crystal layers in the plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal layers.

Abstract: An infrared light reflecting article is disclosed and includes a visible light transparent substrate including a polymer and an infrared light reflecting cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The substrate and infrared light reflecting cholesteric liquid crystal layer have a combined haze value of less than 3%.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are disclosed that produce high clarity cholesteric liquid crystal films. The cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are a reaction product of a cholesteric liquid crystal compound of formula (I) R—R1—R2—(R3R4)n—R5—R6 ??(I) as defined herein, and a thiol compound.

Abstract: An optical body includes a substrate and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a non-uniform pitch along a thickness direction of the layer and comprises a crosslinked polymer material that substantially fixes the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The crosslinking hinders diffusion of cholesteric liquid crystal material within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. In other methods of making an optical body, a reservoir of chiral material is provided during the process over a first cholesteric liquid crystal layer to diffuse into the layer and provide a non-uniform pitch. Alternatively, two coating compositions can be disposed on a substrate where the material of the first coating composition is not substantially soluble in the second coating composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I The invention also provides cholesteric liquid crystal films and optical bodies formed from cholesteric liquid crystal compositions of the invention. The invention further provides an optical display that includes a display medium, and a reflective polarizer including a cholesteric liquid crystal composition in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Methods of making an optical body are disclosed. A method includes the steps of coating a mixture including a first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer formed from a portion of the second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, and a solvent on a substrate. The first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer is different than the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. Then, forming from the mixture an optical body including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer disposed between the first and second layer. The first layer includes a majority of the first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. The second layer includes a majority of a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer. The third layer includes the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: An optical body includes an optical element, an alignment layer disposed on the optical element, and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the alignment layer. The liquid crystal layer has a retardation (R) at all wavelengths (?) from 400 nm to 700 nm equal to a formula R=?/4±20 nm. The liquid crystal layer can include from 85 to 99 phr of an achiral liquid crystal material, from 1 to 15 phr of a chiral nematic liquid crystal material, and a surfactant.

Abstract: A method includes exposing an alignment material to an interference pattern to cause a chemical reaction in the alignment material and exposing the alignment material to a liquid crystal, where the liquid crystal aligns relative to the alignment material based on the interference pattern.

Abstract: An optical body includes a) first particles comprising a first cholesteric liquid crystal material and b) a second cholesteric liquid crystal material. The first particles and the second cholesteric liquid crystal material form a structure where the first cholesteric liquid crystal material has a pitch that is different than the second cholesteric liquid crystal material. In one example, the second cholesteric liquid crystal material is in the form of second particles. In another example, the first particles are dispersed in a matrix of the second cholesteric liquid crystal material. In other examples, the optical body has more than one layer. In addition, one or more additional cholesteric liquid crystal materials can be used in the optical body. These optical bodies can be used as a reflective polarizer and can be used in a display.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal composition includes a) a cholesteric liquid crystal compound or a cholesteric liquid crystal precursor; and b) a compound of formula (I), formula (II) or formula (III): R—R1—R2?R3R4?nR5—R6??(I) R—R7—R2?R3R4?nR5—R8??(II) R9??R4R3?mR2—R10—R)2??(III) where, n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; m is 1, 2, or 3; R is an acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, isocyanate, epoxy, or silane; R1 is a (C3-C8) alkylene, (C3-C8) alkenylene, or (C3-C8) alkylyne; R2 is a bond, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R3 is a cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, heterocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R4 is a bond, (C1-C8) alkylene, (C2-C8) alkenylene, (C2-C8) alkylyne, carbonyl, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R5 is a bond, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, hetrocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R6 is hydrogen, cyano, halo, (C1-C8) alkoxy, (C1-C8) alkyl, nitro, amino, carboxy, mercapto, (C1-C4)thioalkyl, COCH3, CF3, OCF3, or SCF3; R7 is a (C1