Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprising a first substrate on which a first group of belt-shaped electrodes are formed, a second substrate on which a second group of belt-shaped electrodes are formed so as to cross the first group of belt-shaped electrodes, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal arranged between the first and second substrates, wherein a first pretilt angle of the liquid crystal on the first group of belt-shaped electrodes differs from a second pretilt angle of the liquid crystal in the spaces between the belt-shaped electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is constituted a pair of substrates each having an electrode thereon and disposed with their faces having the electrode opposite to each other, a spacer and a particulate adhesive disposed to leave a spacing between the substrates, and a liquid crystal disposed to fill the spacing between the substrates. The particulate adhesive is dispersed at a higher density in a region close to a side of the cell than in a central region of the cell, particularly in a direction of unidirectional alignment axis provided to the substrates. By such uneven distribution of the particulate adhesive, undesirable local thickening of the cell side due to movement of liquid crystal molecules during drive can be suppressed.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element has a ferroelectric liquid crystal with an orientation state represented by .theta.<.alpha.+.delta. wherein .alpha. is a pretilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, .theta. is a tilt angle, and .delta. is an inclination angle of an Sm*C layer. In another embodiment is a liquid crystal element having a chiral smectic liquid crystal satisfying T.sub.1 /T.sub.2 <2.5 in a first orientation state wherein T.sub.2 is a pulse width threshold values of a portion in a second orientation state adjacent lightning and hairpin defects and T.sub.1 is a pulse width threshold value in a first orientation state of a portion outside of the T.sub.2 portion. In both embodiments, the ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits at least two stable states in orientation. An angle .theta..sub.a midway between optical axes of these two stable states and the tilt angle .theta. of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition .theta.>.theta..sub.a >.theta./2.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal apparatus the scanning electrodes are applied with at least two scanning selection signals in at least two vertical scanning periods. The scanning selection signals comprise mutually different waveforms, each comprising a pulse of one or the opposite voltage polarity with respect to the level of a voltage applied to a scanning electrode when it is not selected. Data pulses are applied to the data electrodes in phase with the pulse. A writing voltage and a fore voltage are applied prior to the writing voltage formed by the combination of the pulse and a data voltage to a pixel on a scanning electrode during a selection period determined by application of the one or the opposite polarity to the scanning electrode. The fore voltage pulse has a polarity opposite to that of the writing voltage and an amplitude which is 1/2 or less of that of the writing voltage.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is formed by a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and disposed spaced apart from each other, spacers and particulate adhesives respectively dispersed between the substrates and a liquid crystal, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal, sandwiched between the substrates. The particulate adhesives are dispersed with a non-uniform distribution over the cell extension so as to minimize initial zigzag or serrate alignment defects.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus comprises a) a liquid crystal device comprising an electrode matrix composed of scanning electrodes and data electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal; and b) a driving means. The driving means includes a first drive means for applying a scanning selection signal two or more scanning electrodes apart in one vertical scanning so at to effect in one picture scanning in plural times of vertical scanning, and a second drive means for applying data signals in synchronism with the scanning selection signal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes: a pair of substrates disposed spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates and a plurality of adhesive members bonding the substrates. The adhesive members are dispersed along the inner surfaces of the substrates at a rate of 100 members/mm.sup.2 or less with an average adhesion area per member of 1.25.times.10.sup.-3 mm.sup.2 or less so as to satisfy the relationship of:S.sub.A /S.sub.B =2.5.times.10.sup.-2 -1.0%,wherein S.sub.A denotes the total area of adhesion given by the adhesive members and S.sub.B denotes the area of display given by the liquid crystal device. Spacer members may be further disposed between the substrates. The spacer members may preferably be in the form of rods having a length in the range of 1 to 25 .mu.m.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus, comprises: a liquid crystal device comprising scanning electrodes, data electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the scanning electrodes and the data electrodes; means for applying a scanning selection signal and a scanning nonselection signal to the scanning electrodes; means for applying data signals to the data electodes in phase with the scanning selection signal; and means for varying the average voltage values of the data signals during the period of applying a scanning selection signal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, comprises: a pair of opposite electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal showing a first and a second alignment state depending on the direction of an electric field applied thereto and disposed between the opposite electrodes. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is placed in a stated of causing a relaxation such that, when a voltage pulse equal to the threshold is applied between the opposite electrodes, the ferroelectric liquid crystal causes a change in its molecular alignment state from one molecular alignment state toward the other molecular alignment state and continues the change in its molecular alignment state even after the removal of the voltage pulse until the change reaches a saturation in a certain period.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode thereon, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates in a thickness which is thin enough to release the spiral structure of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2.theta. therebetween, each average molecular axis direction corresponding to one or two stable orientation states of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2 .circle.H therebetween when voltages exceeding the threshold voltage of the ferroelectric liquid crystal are applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal, and the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular directions forming an angle 2.theta.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus, comprising a liquid crystal panel comprising a plurality of scanning lines, and a plurality of picture elements disposed along each of the scanning lines and comprising a ferroelectric liquid crystal; a backlight disposed behind the liquid crystal panel for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, the backlight changing the light quantity emitted therefrom with the elapse of time. The liquid crystal apparatus is so driven that the low level of the light quantity of the backlight is synchronized with a time when a writing signal is applied to picture elements on at least one scanning line.

Abstract: A display control unit is combined with a display device including scanning and signal electrodes and a display element sandwiched between the scanning and signal electrodes and includes a key or the like for setting drive waveforms for driving the scanning and/or signal electrodes prior to drive timings of the scanning and signal electrodes. In the display device, a ratio of a voltage applied to an intersection between a selected scanning line and a selected information signal line to a voltage applied to an intersection between a non-selected scanning line and a selected information signal line is variably changed in accordance with a temperature change.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising: a pair of substrates each having a plurality of electrodes oppositely spaced from each other and intersecting with each other, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates and having a thickness small enough to release a helical structure in the absence of an electric field, a pixel being formed at each intersection of the opposite electrodes formed on the pair of substrates while leaving non-pixel portions at which the opposite electrodes do not face each other. The ferroelectric liquid crystal yields two stable orientation states providing two average molecular axes forming an angle 2.theta. therebetween under no electric field. The ferroelectric liquid crystal yields two states providing two average molecular axes forming an angle 2 .circle.H therebetween. The ferroelectric liquid crystal at the non-pixel portions forms an orientation state providing an average molecular axis forming an angle .theta. or -.theta..

Abstract: In an optical modulation device, a matrix of pixels are formed at intersections of scanning lines and data lines so as to assume either a first optical state or a second optical state. In a first phase, a voltage V.sub.R of one polarity is applied to the pixels on a selected scanning line to provide the first optical state. In a second phase, the pixels on the selected scanning line are selectively supplied with a voltage V.sub.B.sup.2 of the other polarity inverting the first optical state to the second optical state or a voltage V.sub.B.sup.1 of the other polarity not changing the first optical state. Herein, the minimum of the durations of single-polarity voltages is defined as .DELTA.t, and a voltage at which the optical conversion from the first to the second optical state or vice versa is saturated based on the minimum application time .DELTA.t is defined as a saturation threshold voltage Vsat. Then, the application time of the voltage V.sub.R exceeds the minimum application time .DELTA.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, includes: (a) a liquid crystal cell includes a pair of base plates, and a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy, (b) a device for applying to the ferroelectric liquid crystal an alternating electric field capable of causing the crystal to assume at least two stable orientation states including a first stable orientation state and a second stable orientation state, (c) a device for changing the frequency or voltage value of the alternating electric field corresponding to a temperature change, (d) a device for selectively applying a first electric field for orienting the ferroelectric liquid crystal to the first stable orientation state and a second electric field for orienting the ferroelectric liquid crystal to the second stable orientation state, and (e) a device for detecting an optical difference between light rays having passed through the ferroelectric liquid crystal oriented to the first orientation state and light rays having passed throug

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device, comprising: (a) a liquid crystal cell comprising a pair of base plates and a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal disposed between the base plates and capable of being oriented to one of stable orientation states including a first stable orientation state on one side and a second stable orientation state on the other side under no electric field; (b) means for applying an alternating electric field capable of orienting the ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal oriented to the first stable orientation state to a third stable orientation state and orienting the ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal oriented to the second stable orientation state to a fourth stable orientation state; (c) means for applying a first electric field capable of orienting the ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal to the one side of the stable orientation state and orienting the other stable orientation state selectively depending on an information input; and (d) means for detecting an optical difference b

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of parallel substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to have an arrangement of molecules forming a plurality of layers perpendicular to the faces of the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has an alignment control film formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol resin having a function of aligning said plurality of layers preferentially in one direction. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin film stably provides a uniform alignment state with a large tilt angle than a conventional alignment control film of polyimide or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell includes a pair of substrates, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal assuming a first and a second orientation state in response to an electric field applied thereto. The liquid crystal cell is combined with an optical detector including a polarizer and an analyzer to form a liquid crystal device. The absorption (or transmission) axes of the polarizer and the analyzer are disposed to intersect each other and are deviated from the optic axis providing the darkest or brightest state of the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: The specification and the drawing discloses a liquid crystal device for use as a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal-optical shutter, etc., having a matrix cell structure having scanning electrodes and signal electrodes intersecting with each other, each intersection forming a pixel. The orientation of the liquid crystal at portions other the pixels of the cell is controlled to provide a liquid crystal device with improved display or driving characteristic by removing picture unevenness and light leakage.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of parallel substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to have an arrangement of molecules forming a plurality of layers perpendicular to the faces of the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has an alignment control film formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol resin having a function of aligning said plurality of layers preferentially in one direction. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin film stably provides a uniform alignment state with a larger tilt angle than a conventional alignment control film of polyimide or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.