Abstract: Optical elements with anisotropic, patterned surface relief microstructures in which information is encoded in the distribution of the orientation of different zones. From the analysis of the distribution of the light scattered from the element, the orientation distribution in the element and therefore the encoded information can be evaluated. The elements are particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprising a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrate; wherein an electrode structure is deposited on at least one of said first and second substrates, said electrode structure comprising: a first electrode layer; an insulating layer; a second electrode layer; wherein said electrode structure comprises holes extending through said second electrode layer and said insulating layer, such that said insulating layer is discontinuous, and wherein each hole is adapted to generate local fringe fields with azimuthal degenerate direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device comprising a first portion, a second portion and a liquid crystal layer, wherein said first portion comprises a first substrate, said first substrate at least partially covered by a first electrode layer, wherein said second portion comprises a second substrate, said second substrate at least partially covered by a second electrode layer, wherein at least one of said first and second electrode layers comprises a plurality of electrodes that are electrically insulated of each other, wherein one of said first and second electrode layers is at least partially covered by said at least one photovoltaic semiconductor conversion layer and wherein said first portion is parallel to said second portion and at least one of them is transparent, wherein said liquid crystal layer is disposed between said first and second portions.

Abstract: Optical elements with anisotropic, patterned surface relief microstructures in which information is encoded in the distribution of the orientation of different zones. From the analysis of the distribution of the light scattered from the element, the orientation distribution in the element and therefore the encoded information can be evaluated. The elements are particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds that are particularly useful for the alignment, especially photoalignment, of slave material, especially liquid crystals for optical or electro-optical applications, such as security applications, liquid crystal devices or optical or electro-optical films.

Abstract: The invention relates to conducting and semi-conducting photoreactive compounds, represented by the general formula (I), to the use of these compounds for the preparation of oriented and/or orientation layers; and to their use in the construction of unstructured and structured optical, electro optical or optoelectronic elements and multi-layer systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to new compositions comprising a photo-alignable material comprising or deriving from a monomer of formula (I) and an additive selected from the group consisting of acid generators, base generators, acids or bases.

Abstract: Optical elements with anisotropic, patterned surface relief microstructures in which information is encoded in the distribution of the orientation of different zones. From the analysis of the distribution of the light scattered from the element, the orientation distribution in the element and therefore the encoded information can be evaluated. The elements are particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the replication of a patterned surface relief microstructure, comprising the steps of generation of a first layer with a patterned surface relief microstructure, generation of a master, by copying the microstructure of the first layer into a second layer, thereby involving at least one dry or wet etching step, characterized by an additional step, in which the microstructure of the master is brought into contact with a replica material, such that the microstructure of the master is reproduced in the replica. The invention further relates to the elements made as a replica according to the method. The surface relief microstructures are suitable to display images with a positive-negative and/or color image flip. The elements according to the invention are particularly useful for securing documents and articles against counterfeiting and falsification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, comprising a main chain and a side chain, wherein the side chain and/or main chain comprises a polar group, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to conducting and semi-conducting photoreactive compounds, represented by the general formula (I), to the use of these compounds for the preparation of oriented and/or orientation layers; and to their use in the construction of unstructured and structured optical, electro optical or optoelectronic elements and multi-layer systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photoreactive compounds that are particularly useful in materials for the alignment of liquid crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer, which, when irradiated with polarised light orients perpendicular to the polarization direction of polarized actinic light, for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, and which derives from at least one monomer (I), compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, such as, liquid crystal devices (LCDs), especially for planar orientation of liquid crystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to photo-alignment layers for planar alignment of liquid crystals. Photo-alignment layers according to the invention exhibit a characteristic wavelength dependency of the dichroism in the uv wavelength range. The invention further relates to methods for providing such photo-alignment layers as well as liquid crystal devices containing them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds that are particularly useful for the alignment, especially photoalignment, of slave material, especially liquid crystals for optical or electro-optical applications, such as security applications, liquid crystal devices or optical or electro-optical films.

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: The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer, which, when irradiated with polarised light orients perpendicular to the polarization direction of polarized actinic light, for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, and which derives from at least one monomer (I), compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, such as, liquid crystal devices (LCDs), especially for planar orientation of liquid crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, comprising a main chain and a side chain, wherein the side chain and/or main chain comprises a polar group, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to photo-alignment layers for planar alignment of liquid crystals. Photo-alignment layers according to the invention exhibit a characteristic wavelength dependency of the dichroism in the uv wavelength range. The invention further relates to methods for providing such photo-alignment layers as well as liquid crystal devices containing them.