Abstract: Provided is a light modulation element which is unlikely to cause photolysis or photodecomposition. Provided is a light modulation element formed of at least one or more transparent substrates and a dielectric layer stacked on at least one transparent substrate, in which the dielectric layer contains from 90 mol % to 100 mol % of an external field-reactive substance, and an energy level (T1) of a lowest triplet excited state of the external field-reactive substance is from 2.6 eV to 5.4 eV. It is preferable that the external field-reactive substance contains from 35 mol % to 85 mol % of an external field-reactive substance (A-1) in which a value of S1-T1 is from 1.0 eV to 2.0 eV, when an energy level of an excited singlet of the external field-reactive substance (A) is set as (S1).

Abstract: The invention provides a metal complex having a structure represented by the following formula (1): wherein M represents a metal atom such as copper; C1 and C2 are each an sp3 carbon atom; A1-A4 each independently represent hydrogen, etc; this is with the proviso that A1 and A3 may bond together to form a C4 or greater alkylene group and form a ring together with C1 and C2; the alkylene group may be optionally substituted; R0-R7 each independently represent hydrogen, etc; Z represents a monovalent monodentate ligand, and p is the number of monodentate ligands, represented by (“valency of central metal atom M” ?2).

Abstract: Provided are an organic EL device having improved conductivity of an anode compared with conventional organic EL devices, and a method for manufacturing such organic EL device. The organic EL device is provided with a layer-like optical element (40), which at least contains a liquid crystal material and a dye, has a refractive index distribution based on orientation of liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal material, and has the refractive index distribution fixed; a substrate (11) which can transmit visible light; a light emitting layer (60) composed of an organic EL material; a cathode (70); and an anode (50). Each of the cathode (70) and the anode (60) is formed layer-like. The organic EL device is further provided with an alignment film (12), and the alignment film (12) and the optical element (40) are in contact with each other.

Abstract: An antibacterial agent comprising as an active ingredient a vinylbenzyl phosphonium salt of the general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group, a hydroxyl group, or an alkoxyl-substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, and X.sup.- is an anion; and/or a phosphonium salt polymer in which the vinylbenzyl phosphonium salt, a monomer, is polymerized.