Abstract: A process for forming a fixed liquid crystal layer having a predetermined tilt on an orientation layer comprises: a) adding a predetermined amount of an onium salt to a liquid crystal pre-polymer coating solution containing a liquid crystal pre-polymer and a UV initiator selected from the group consisting of benzophenone and acetophenone and their derivatives; benzoin, benzoin ethers, benzil, benzil ketals, fluorenone, xanthanone, alpha and beta naphthyl carbonyl compounds and ketones; b) coating the solution over the orientation layer; c) drying the coating to form a layer; and then d) UV irradiating the layer to fix the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording material comprising: a polymeric matrix; a dewarbenzene derivative reactant capable of undergoing isomerization to a benzene product upon triplet excitation, thereby causing a change in optical properties; and a sensitizer capable of absorbing actinic radiation to cause triplet energy transfer to said reactant, wherein the algebraic sum of the excitation energy of said sensitizer and its reduction potential is at least 0.05 eV less than the oxidation potential of said reactant, thereby precluding one-electron oxidation of said reactant. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising regional variations in concentrations of reactants and products produced by triplet chain isomerization, thereby providing a pattern of intelligence.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains a Lewis acid. Such a film is useful for aligning a liquid crystal material to an increased tilt angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the aligned liquid crystal layer contains an azolium salt represented by formula (I): wherein the subscripts represent the ring positions and each X is independently N or C—R; each Z is independently N, N—R, C—(R)(R), 0, S, S02, SO, C?O, C?S, or C?NR; each R group is independently hydrogen or a substituent; and Y is a charge balancing anion, which may be a separate moiety or part of an X, Z, or R; provided two or more X, Z and R groups may form a ring; provided the salt may be part of an oligomer or polymer. Such a film provides a predetermined increase in pre-tilt angle for use in liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains an onium salt represented by formula (I): (R)bM+X???I wherein: each R is an independently selected straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or an aromatic group and b is 2, 3, or 4; M+ is a cation chosen from periodic group Va, VIa, and VIIa of the Periodic Table of Elements; and X? is a counter-ion; provided the salt may be present as an oligomeric or polymeric form of the salt.

Abstract: An optically recorded article comprising a pattern of isomerized material in two isomeric forms in a matrix, wherein one of the isomeric forms is capable of being converted to the other form by one-electron oxidation and wherein said matrix was polymerized in-situ.

Abstract: This invention comprises a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer in which the silver halide is sensitized with a compound of the formula X--H, wherein X is an electron donor moiety to which a base, B.sup.-, is covalently linked and H is a leaving hydrogen atom, and wherein:1) X--H has an oxidation potential between 0 and about 1.4 V; and2) the oxidized form of X--H undergoes deprotonation reaction with the base B.sup.-, to give the radical X.sup..cndot. and the protonated base B-H.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radical X.cndot. has an oxidation potential <-0.7V.