Abstract: Devices and method of fabrication a liquid crystal electro-optic device which is based on light scattering and diffraction from a multiple domain field-effect liquid crystal configuration are provided. The multiple domains include random liquid crystal alignment directions fabricated by photo-alignment and have sizes ranging from sub-micrometer to several micrometers. The random alignment in the plane can be of two or more directions whereas the pretilt angle can vary between zero and 90°. The randomness of the planar directions of the liquid crystal director can be generated by a designed photo mask in combination with uniaxial photo-alignment.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Devices and method of fabrication a liquid crystal electro-optic device which is based on light scattering and diffraction from a multiple domain field-effect liquid crystal configuration are provided. The multiple domains include random liquid crystal alignment directions fabricated by photo-alignment and have sizes ranging from sub-micrometer to several micrometers. The random alignment in the plane can be of two or more directions whereas the pretilt angle can vary between zero and 90°. The randomness of the planar directions of the liquid crystal director can be generated by a designed photo mask in combination with uniaxial photo-alignment.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a polymer represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: An element for protection against forgery and/or copying is arranged on a substrate and includes an optically anisotropic layer which has at least two regions with different optical axes, characterized in that the substrate is a reflective polarizer. The optically anisotropic layer can include cross-linked liquid crystal monomers. The anisotropic layer can be placed on an orientation layer. The orientation layer can be in contact with the polarizer and can include a photo-oriented polymer network. A device for protection against forgery and/or copying is characterized in that an element as set forth above and an analyzer are arranged on the same substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials used for aligning liquid crystals of liquid crystal display elements and to a polymer for use in liquid crystal vertical alignment layer used in producing a liquid crystal vertical alignment layer. The polymer for use in a liquid crystal vertical alignment layer includes (a) a moiety that is photochemically isomerizable but not photochemically crosslinked, (b) a moiety that is photochemically crosslinkable, and (c) a moiety that stabilizes a vertical alignment. The polymer can be used to produce a vertical alignment layer that has a liquid crystal alignment property enabling control of alignment at a low UV dose and that offers a large pretilt angle and superior optical stability.

Abstract: Linearly photopolymerized (LPP) orientation layers for liquid crystals, that is to say liquid crystal orientation layers, are oriented and crosslinked by means of linearly polarized light. The properties of an LPP orientation layer, such as the angle of tilt, surface wetting, voltage holding ratio and anchoring energy, can be adjusted and/or improved by mixing further substances into the starting material for the preparation of the orientation layer.

Abstract: Sub-micron-structured (nanostructured) polymer film or coatings are made by coating a substrate with a mixture of materials. One of the materials is removed using a selective solvent, leaving pores or other nanostructure. The substrate may be grooved, providing a competing nanostructure. The coating may act as an antireflective coating, optical retarder, optical diffuser, or orientation layer.

Abstract: Sub-micron-structured (nanostructured) polymer film or coatings are made by coating a substrate with a mixture of materials. One of the materials is removed using a selective solvent, leaving pores or other nanostructure. The substrate may be grooved, providing a competing nanostructure. The coating may act as an antireflective coating, optical retarder, optical diffuser, or orientation layer.

Abstract: An element for protection against forgery and/or copying is arranged on a substrate and includes an optically anisotropic layer which has at least two regions with different optical axes, characterized in that the substrate is a reflective polarizer. The optically anisotropic layer can include cross-linked liquid crystal monomers. The anisotropic layer can be placed on an orientation layer. The orientation layer can be in contact with the polarizer and can include a photo-oriented polymer network. A device for protection against forgery and/or copying is characterized in that an element as set forth above and an analyzer are arranged on the same substrate.

Abstract: An optical component includes a birefringent liquid-crystal layer, which has at least two regions with different optical axes, wherein an optical delay of the liquid-crystal layer in each of the at least two regions depends on an angle of observation that differs from the angle of observation of other of the at least two regions.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a polymer represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal alignment layer of which a constituent member is a compound represented by the general formula (I).

Abstract: An optical component includes a birefringent liquid-crystal layer, which has at least two regions with different optical axes, wherein an optical delay of the liquid-crystal layer in each of the at least two regions depends on an angle of observation that differs from the angle of observation of other of the at least two regions.

Abstract: A component has a substrate (1) made of a transparent material, for example glass. On this layer (1), there is a linear polarizer (2) on which there is a layer (3) of a photo-oriented polymer network (PPN)(-LPP) which is oriented in locally varying fashion via its surface which covers the substrate. The layer (3) is adjoined by an anisotropic layer (4) of cross-linked liquid-crystal monomers. This layer (4) then has a molecular arrangement whose orientation is defined by the underlying orientation layer (3). The layer (4) will have been photocross-linked by exposure to a suitable wavelength of light, with the result that the molecular orientation defined by the PPN layer (3) is fixed. The clement, denoted as a whole by 7, can then be used as an optical component which is protected against forgery, it being possible for the orientation pattern of the liquid-crystal layer or the optical information stored therein to be made visible by means of an external polarizer (5), for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials used for aligning liquid crystals of liquid crystal display elements and to a polymer for use in liquid crystal vertical alignment layer used in producing a liquid crystal vertical alignment layer. The polymer for use in a liquid crystal vertical alignment layer includes (a) a moiety that is photochemically isomerizable but not photochemically crosslinked, (b) a moiety that is photochemically crosslinkable, and (c) a moiety that stabilizes a vertical alignment. The polymer can be used to produce a vertical alignment layer that has a liquid crystal alignment property enabling control of alignment at a low UV dose and that offers a large pretilt angle and superior optical stability.