Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel which contributes to reduction in thickness and is excellent in optical properties and a liquid crystal display apparatus. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer disposed on another side of the liquid crystal cell, a first optical compensation layer and a first negative C plate disposed between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell, and a second negative C plate and a second optical compensation layer disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer, in which the first optical compensation layer is disposed between the first polarizer and the first negative C plate, the second optical compensation layer is disposed between the second negative C plate and the second polarizer, the first and second optical compensation layers each include a coating layer functioning as a ?/4 plate, and each have a thickness of 0.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus each of which: contributes to a reduction in thickness; and is excellent in optical characteristics, and a method of producing the liquid crystal panel with extremely high production efficiency. A liquid crystal panel of the present invention has a first polarizer, a first protective layer, a first optical compensation layer, a first negative C plate, a liquid crystal cell, a second negative C plate, a second optical compensation layer, a second protective layer, and a second polarizer in the stated order. The first optical compensation layer is arranged between the first protective layer and the first negative C plate to be in close contact with the first protective layer without using any adhesive. The second optical compensation layer is arranged between the second negative C plate and the second protective layer to be in close contact with the second protective layer without using any adhesive.

Abstract: A modified polymer which can serve as a raw material of novel reverse dispersion retardation films is provided, the modified polymer having no need to select a plurality of monomers or polymers in order to realize a reverse dispersion and having no problems concerning glass transition temperature or the like in drawing treatment. A polymer having a polyol skeleton as its main chain is caused to react with a compound for modification such as an aromatic carboxylic acid hydride. Through this reaction, a modified polymer in which a chemical group such as an aromatic carbonyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom in a side chain of the polyol skeleton is prepared. For example, polyvinyl alcohols and benzoyl chloride can be used as the polymer and the compound for modification, respectively. The chemical group may be a benzoyl group. When this modified polymer is formed into a film and then subjected to drawing treatment, a retardation film which exhibits a reverse wavelength dispersion characteristic can be obtained.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing a broadband and wide viewing angle elliptically polarizing plate having excellent properties in an oblique direction, the elliptically polarizing plate, and an image display apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing a liquid crystal panel capable of easily realizing stable high contrast of the liquid crystal panel to be obtained at low cost, a liquid crystal panel, and an image display apparatus.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing an optical film, the method comprising a rubbing treatment step of rubbing the surface of a lengthy plastic film F with a rubbing roll 4 obtained by winding a raised fabric 4a, an application step of applying a liquid crystalline molecule to the surface of the plastic film processed through said rubbing treatment step and a fixing step of fixing said applied liquid crystalline molecule. In the rubbing treatment step, the lengthy plastic film is supported and conveyed by a conveyer belt 3 having a metal surface, and plural backup rolls 5 which support the underside of the conveyer belt supporting the plastic film are disposed opposite to said rubbing roll, to set a rubbing strength RS defined by the following equation (1) to 2600 mm or more (more preferably 3400 mm or more).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an elliptically polarizing plate including the steps of: forming a first birefringent layer on a surface of a transparent protective film; laminating a polarizer on a surface of the transparent protective film; forming a second birefringent layer on a surface of the first birefringent layer; and forming a third birefringent layer on a surface of the second birefringent layer. The first birefringent layer is arranged on the opposite side against the polarizer with respect to the transparent protective film. The step of forming the first birefringent layer includes the steps of: applying a liquid crystal material onto a substrate subjected to an alignment treatment; treating the applied liquid crystal material, so as to form the first birefringent layer on the substrate; and transferring the first birefringent layer onto a surface of the transparent protective film.

Abstract: A modified polymer which can serve as a raw material of novel reverse dispersion retardation films is provided, the modified polymer having no need to select a plurality of monomers or polymers in order to realize a reverse dispersion and having no problems concerning glass transition temperature or the like in drawing treatment. A polymer having a polyol skeleton as its main chain is caused to react with a compound for modification such as an aromatic carboxylic acid hydride. Through this reaction, a modified polymer in which a chemical group such as an aromatic carbonyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom in a side chain of the polyol skeleton is prepared. For example, polyvinyl alcohols and benzoyl chloride can be used as the polymer and the compound for modification, respectively. The chemical group may be a benzoyl group. When this modified polymer is formed into a film and then subjected to drawing treatment, a retardation film which exhibits a reverse wavelength dispersion characteristic can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method of producing a broadband and wide viewing angle elliptically polarizing plate having excellent characteristics in an oblique direction as well; and an image display using the elliptically polarizing plate obtained through the method.

Abstract: An elliptically polarizing plate comprising a retardation film having a film comprising a polymer which has, as its main chain, a polyol skeleton having a side chain substituted with at least one chemical group selected from the group consisting of an aromatic carbonyl group, an aryl-substituted lower alkylcarbonyl group, and an unsaturated aliphatic carbonyl group, the chemical group being bonded to an oxygen atom in the polyol skeleton side chain, and a polarizer stacked over the retardation film, wherein the polarizer is made of a coating film obtained by applying a dichromatic colorant. As the dichromatic colorant, an organic colorant represented by (chromogen)(SO3M)n wherein M represents a cation is used. The elliptically polarizing plate has a good visibility in the range of visible rays and can be made thin and light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an elliptically polarizing plate including the steps of: forming a first birefringent layer on a surface of a transparent protective film; laminating a polarizer on a surface of the transparent protective film; forming a second birefringent layer on a surface of the first birefringent layer; and forming a third birefringent layer on a surface of the second birefringent layer. The first birefringent layer is arranged on the opposite side against the polarizer with respect to the transparent protective film. The step of forming the first birefringent layer includes the steps of: applying a liquid crystal material onto a substrate subjected to an alignment treatment; treating the applied liquid crystal material, so as to form the first birefringent layer on the substrate; and transferring the first birefringent layer onto a surface of the transparent protective film.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a method of producing a broadband and wide viewing angle elliptically polarizing plate having excellent characteristics in an oblique direction as well; and an image display using the elliptically polarizing plate obtained through the method.