Abstract: A liquid crystal element improved to reduce hysteresis and after-image by relaxing electronic polarization at an interface between liquid crystal and an orientation film, and hence to enhance an image quality and realize smooth display of a dynamic image irrespective of a material of liquid crystal. The liquid crystal element includes a plurality of base bodies each having a liquid crystal orientation film, the base bodies being opposed to each other on the orientation film side with a specific gap put therebetween; and liquid crystal disposed in the gap; wherein each of the orientation films has a property capable of relaxing polarization at an interface with the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A driving method for a liquid crystal device includes the steps of providing a first substrate with a unidirectionally aligned data electrode group and a second substrate with a select-electrode group aligned perpendicularly to the data electrode; applying a select pulse to the select electrodes; and providing a pause corresponding to at least one line before a data-pulse sequence is applied to the data-electrode group. The select pulse can be synchronized with the data-pulse sequence by shifting them a half line relative to each other so that the select pulse and the data pulse have opposite polarity in relation to each other. Alternatively, the select pulse is applied while the data pulse sequence is applied to the data electrode group. In the latter case, the time and/or voltage is determined so as to offset the effects of the reversed electric field generated during switching of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: An optical device according to this invention includes a phase modulating optical unit comprising a plurality of optically transparent base members each of which includes an optically transparent electrode and an alignment film formed in this order, and an optically transparent birefringent medium, wherein the optically transparent base members are spaced from one another at predetermined intervals so that the electrode and the alignment film of a base member is confronted to the electrode and the alignment film of another base member, and at least one kind of liquid crystal selected from the group consisting of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC), antiferroelectric liquid crystal (AFLC) and smectic liquid crystal having an electro clinic effect (SmA) (or mixed liquid crystals thereof) is injected into gaps between the base members.