Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer for aligning liquid crystal molecules, with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a composition containing a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device produced through the steps of injecting a polymerizable monomer-containing liquid crystal composition between two substrates and, while applying a voltage between opposing transparent electrodes of the substrates, polymerizing the monomer, wherein the polymerizable monomer contained in the liquid crystal composition has one or more ring or condensed ring structures and functional groups bonded directly to the ring or condensed ring structure. The monomer is preferably represented by the following general formula: P1-A1-(Z1-A2)n-P2 wherein P1 and P2 are acrylates or the like, A1 and A2 are 1,4-phenylenes or the like, Z1 is —COO— or the like, and n is 0 to 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral photoisomerizable compounds of formula (I) wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 have the meanings given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them, and to the use of chiral photoisomerizable compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them in optical and electrooptical devices like liquid crystal displays or projection systems, in optical elements like polarizers, retardation films, compensators, color filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal pigments and colored films or coatings for decorative or security applications, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, in nonlinear optics and optical information storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal material containing at least one polymerizable surface-active compound, its use for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films, and the use of the liquid crystal material and the polymer films in optical and electrooptical devices, and for decorative and security applications.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device produced through the steps of injecting a polymerizable monomer-containing liquid crystal composition between two substrates and, while applying a voltage between opposing transparent electrodes of the substrates, polymerizing the monomer, wherein the polymerizable monomer contained in the liquid crystal composition has one or more ring or condensed ring structures and functional groups bonded directly to the ring or condensed ring structure. The monomer is preferably represented by the following general formula: P1-A1-(Z1-A2)n-P2 wherein P1 and P2 are acrylates or the like, A1 and A2 are 1,4-phenylenes or the like, Z1 is —COO— or the like, and n is 0 to 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I, to liquid crystal mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to chiral linear or crosslinked liquid crystal polymers obtainable by polymerizing a polymerizable mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I, to the use of chiral compound of formula I and mixtures and polymers obtained thereof in liquid crystal displays, active and passive optical elements, adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostics, liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, nonlinear optics, optical information storage or as chiral dopants, and to a liquid crystal display comprising a mixture comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral photoisomerizable compounds of formula (I) wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6 have the meanings given in claim 1, to liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them, and to the use of chiral photoisomerizable compounds, liquid crystalline mixtures and polymers containing them in optical and electrooptical devices like liquid crystal displays or projection systems, in optical elements like polarizers, retardation films, compensators, colour filters or holographic elements, in liquid crystal pigments and coloured films or coatings for decorative or security applications, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, in nonlinear optics and optical information storage.

Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electroptical system. The electroptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro-droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers. The liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of the formula I wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, Q, Y and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer beads comprising an anisotropic polymer material with helically twisted structure, to their use in reflective films, spraying or printing inks or as pigments, for optical or electrooptical, decorative or security applications, to a reflective film comprising one or more polymer beads in a transmissive binder, and to a security marking or security device comprising one or more polymer beads or comprising a reflective film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device containing a liquid crystal cell and at least one reflective polarizer or a polarizer combination having at least one reflective polarizer as a means to generate circular polarized light. The reflective polarizer includes an optically active layer of an anisotropic polymer material with a helically twisted planar molecular orientation. The material is oriented so that the axis of the molecular helix extends transversely to the layer, and the pitch of the molecular helix is varied in such a manner that the difference between the maximum pitch and the minimum pitch is at least 100 nm.

Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electrooptical system. The electrooptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro- droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers. The reactive liquid crystalline compounds are of formula II, R′—G′—R″, wherein R′, G′ and R″ are as defined herein. The liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of the formula I wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, Q, Y and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electrooptical system. The electrooptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro- droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers, one of the refractive indices of the liquid crystal mixture is matched to the refractive index of the polymer matrix, the PDLC film exhibits an electrically switching transparency essentially independent of the polarization of the incident light, the precursor of the PDLC film comprises one or more monomers, oligomers and/or prepolymers and a photoinitiator, and is cured photoradically, the liquid crystal mixture comprises one or more compounds of the formula I  wherein R, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, X1, X2, Q, Y and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal material containing at least one polymerizable surface-active compound, its use for the preparation of anisotropic polymer films, and the use of the liquid crystal material and the polymer films in optical and electrooptical devices, and for decorative and security applications.

Abstract: To improve switching times, especially at low temperatures, one or more reactive liquid crystalline compounds is added to a liquid crystal mixture used in an electrooptical system. The electrooptical system comprises a PDLC film comprising a liquid crystal mixture forming micro-droplets in an optically isotropic, transparent polymer matrix between 2 electrode layers. The reactive liquid crystalline compounds are of formula II, R′—G′—R″, wherein R′, G′ and R″ are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I, 1