Abstract: An optical body includes an optical element, an alignment layer disposed on the optical element, and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the alignment layer. The liquid crystal layer has a retardation (R) at all wavelengths (?) from 400 nm to 700 nm equal to a formula R=?/4±20 nm. The liquid crystal layer can include from 85 to 99 phr of an achiral liquid crystal material, from 1 to 15 phr of a chiral nematic liquid crystal material, and a surfactant.

Abstract: Methods of making an optical body are disclosed. A method includes the steps of coating a mixture including a first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer formed from a portion of the second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, and a solvent on a substrate. The first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer is different than the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. Then, forming from the mixture an optical body including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer disposed between the first and second layer. The first layer includes a majority of the first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. The second layer includes a majority of a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer. The third layer includes the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: A cholesteric liquid crystal composition includes a) a cholesteric liquid crystal compound or a cholesteric liquid crystal precursor; and b) a compound of formula (I), formula (II) or formula (III): R—R1—R2?R3R4?nR5—R6??(I) R—R7—R2?R3R4?nR5—R8??(II) R9??R4R3?mR2—R10—R)2??(III) where, n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; m is 1, 2, or 3; R is an acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, isocyanate, epoxy, or silane; R1 is a (C3-C8) alkylene, (C3-C8) alkenylene, or (C3-C8) alkylyne; R2 is a bond, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R3 is a cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, heterocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R4 is a bond, (C1-C8) alkylene, (C2-C8) alkenylene, (C2-C8) alkylyne, carbonyl, —O—, —C(O)O—, —O(O)C—, —OC(O)O—, —C(O)N—, —CH?N—, —N?CH—, or —NC(O)—; R5 is a bond, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, hetrocyclylene, arylene, or hetroarylene; R6 is hydrogen, cyano, halo, (C1-C8) alkoxy, (C1-C8) alkyl, nitro, amino, carboxy, mercapto, (C1-C4)thioalkyl, COCH3, CF3, OCF3, or SCF3; R7 is a (C1