Abstract: The present invention provides an optical phase retardation film comprising a polymer comprising at least about 40 percent by weight chlorotrifluoroethylene. The present invention also provides an optical phase retardation film comprising a halogen-containing polymer wherein: (a) the film has refractive indices n.sub.x, n.sub.y, and n.sub.z associated with its axes x, y, and z: (b) the x and y axes are in the plane of the film and perpendicular to each other; (c) the z axis is perpendicular to the plane of the film; and (d) n.sub.x .gtoreq.n.sub.y >n.sub.z. The optical phase retardation film is useful in a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A process for preparing film structures comprising phthalocyanine oligomers having metal coordinating atoms in adjacent rings connected along a central axis through oxygen atoms. The ligands on the outermost rings of the structures are hydrophilic. The preferred coordinating atom is germanium and the structures may be prepared on a Langmuir-Blodgett balance using phthalocyanine oligomers in which one of the outermost rings is connected to a hydrophobic ligand while the other outermost ring is connected to a hydrophilic ligand. The pH of the subphase in the trough of the balance is maintained at a pH of from about 2 to 6, and the hydrophobic ligand is converted to a hydrophilic ligand during the process of coating a substrate by passing it upward through the film on the subphase.