Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display apparatus having sufficiently small black brightness in an oblique direction. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell including a viewer-side substrate, a back surface-side substrate, and a homogeneously aligned liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween; a first polarizer arranged on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on a back surface side of the liquid crystal cell; a first optical compensation layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and a second optical compensation layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. The viewer-side substrate and the back surface-side substrate each have a thickness direction retardation Rth(550) of from ?10 nm to 100 nm, and a product A×E is 300 or less.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display apparatus having sufficiently small black brightness in an oblique direction. A liquid crystal display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell including a viewer-side substrate, a back surface-side substrate, and a homogeneously aligned liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween; a first polarizer arranged on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on a back surface side of the liquid crystal cell; a first optical compensation layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and a second optical compensation layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. The viewer-side substrate and the back surface-side substrate each have a thickness direction retardation Rth(550) of from ?10 nm to 100 nm, and a product A×E is 300 or less.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers that is excellent in antireflection characteristic: in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction, and that has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to an embodiment of the present invention includes in the following order: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; and a second optical compensation layer. The first optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny and has an Re (550) of from 230 nm to 310 nm. The second optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny and satisfies a relationship of Re (450)<Re (550).

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers having the following features: the polarizing plate is excellent in antireflection characteristic in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction; the polarizing plate can achieve such excellent antireflection characteristics over a wide wavelength band; and the polarizing plate has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; a second optical compensation layer; and a third optical compensation layer. Each of the first optical compensation layer, the second optical compensation layer, and the third optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers having the following features: the polarizing plate is excellent in antireflection characteristic in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction; the polarizing plate can achieve such excellent antireflection characteristics over a wide wavelength band; and the polarizing plate has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; a second optical compensation layer; a third optical compensation layer; and a fourth optical compensation layer. Each of the first optical compensation layer, the second optical compensation layer, the third optical compensation layer, and the fourth optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers that achieves an excellent reflection hue and viewing angle characteristic, and has an excellent mechanical strength. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes a polarizer, an optically anisotropic layer, a first optical compensation layer, and a second optical compensation layer in this order. The optically anisotropic layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx?ny>nz, and has an Re(550) of from 0 nm to 20 nm and an Rth(550) of from 5 nm to 100 nm. The first optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>ny?nz, and satisfies a relationship of Re(450)<Re(550). The second optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nz>nx?ny. A laminate of the first optical compensation layer and the second optical compensation layer has an Re(550) of from 120 nm to 160 nm and an Rth(550) of from ?50 nm to 80 nm.

Abstract: As a result of a reduction in thickness of an IPS liquid crystal display panel, curl has started to occur in a structure where an optical film such as a polarizer or a retardation film is laminated to the IPS liquid crystal display panel. The present invention is directed to thinning a polarizer which is easily expandable and contractable, and thinning a retardation film located between the polarizer and an IPS liquid crystal display panel to enable the polarizer to come closer to the IPS liquid crystal display panel than ever before to thereby prevent curl of the IPS liquid crystal display panel.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers having the following features: the polarizing plate is excellent in antireflection characteristic in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction; the polarizing plate can achieve such excellent antireflection characteristics over a wide wavelength band; and the polarizing plate has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; a second optical compensation layer; a third optical compensation layer; and a fourth optical compensation layer. Each of the first optical compensation layer, the second optical compensation layer, the third optical compensation layer, and the fourth optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers that is excellent in antireflection characteristic: in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction, and that has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to an embodiment of the present invention includes in the following order: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; and a second optical compensation layer. The first optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny and has an Re (550) of from 230 nm to 310 nm. The second optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny and satisfies a relationship of Re (450)<Re (550).

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers having the following features: the polarising plate is excellent in antireflection characteristic in an oblique direction while maintaining an excellent antireflection characteristic in a front direction; the polarizing plate can achieve such excellent antireflection characteristics over a wide wavelength band; and the polarizing plate has a neutral hue in the oblique direction. A polarizing plate with optical compensation layers according to the present invention is used for an organic EL panel. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes: a polarizer; a first optical compensation layer; a second optical compensation layer; and a third optical compensation layer. Each of the first optical compensation layer, the second optical compensation layer, and the third optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>nz>ny.

Abstract: As a result of a reduction in thickness of an IPS liquid crystal display panel, curl has started to occur in a structure where an optical film such as a polarizer or a retardation film is laminated to the IPS liquid crystal display panel. The present invention is directed to thinning a polarizer which is easily expandable and contractable, and thinning a retardation film located between the polarizer and an IPS liquid crystal display panel to enable the polarizer to come closer to the IPS liquid crystal display panel than ever before to thereby prevent curl of the IPS liquid crystal display panel.

Abstract: Provided is a polarizing plate with a retardation layer capable of realizing a liquid crystal display apparatus excellent in viewability when viewed through an optical member having polarizing action. The polarizing plate with a retardation layer has an elongate shape and includes, in this order: a retardation layer; a polarizer; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The retardation layer has an in-plane retardation Re(550) of from 100 nm to 180 nm, satisfies a relationship of Re(450)<Re(550)<Re(650), has a refractive index ellipsoid showing a relationship of nx>nz>ny, and has an Nz coefficient of from 0.2 to 0.8.

Abstract: There is provided a polarizing plate with optical compensation layers that achieves an excellent reflection hue and viewing angle characteristic, and has an excellent mechanical strength. The polarizing plate with optical compensation layers includes a polarizer, an optically anisotropic layer, a first optical compensation layer, and a second optical compensation layer in this order. The optically anisotropic layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx?ny>nz, and has an Re(550) of from 0 nm to 20 nm and an Rth(550) of from 5 nm to 100 nm. The first optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nx>ny?nz, and satisfies a relationship of Re(450)<Re(550). The second optical compensation layer shows a refractive index characteristic of nz>nx?ny. A laminate of the first optical compensation layer and the second optical compensation layer has an Re(550) of from 120 nm to 160 nm and an Rth(550) of from ?50 nm to 80 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel which is capable of significantly reducing a thickness thereof as compared to conventional liquid crystal panels, and, when used in a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal cell such as an IPS-type liquid crystal cell, reducing oblique light leakage in a black state of the liquid crystal display device to enhance contrast.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel which is capable of significantly reducing a thickness thereof as compared to conventional liquid crystal panels, and, when used in a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal cell such as an IPS-type liquid crystal cell, reducing oblique light leakage in a black state of the liquid crystal display device to enhance contrast.

Abstract: The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, a first optically anisotropic element disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, and a second optically anisotropic element disposed between the first optically anisotropic element and the liquid crystal cell. Absorption axes of the first and the second polarizers are perpendicular to each other. The first optically anisotropic element has a slow axis direction parallel to the absorption axis direction of the first polarizer. The second optically anisotropic element has a slow axis direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction of the first polarizer. The first and the second optically anisotropic elements each have in-plane and thickness-direction retardation values within specific ranges, respectively.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical film including a birefringence layer having a refractive index distribution that satisfies nx>nz>ny, by which productivity of an optical film becomes high because there are a few steps, and a contamination is reduced, is provided. The method for producing an optical film including a birefringence layer includes forming an applied film by applying a birefringence layer forming material containing a non-liquid crystalline material with a birefringence (?nxz) in the thickness direction thereof of 0.0007 or more directly on a shrinkable film, and forming a birefringence layer having a refractive index distribution that satisfies nx>nz>ny by shrinking the applied film through shrinking the shrinkable film.

Abstract: The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, a first optically anisotropic element having a positive refractive index anisotropy disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, and a second optically anisotropic element having a negative refractive index anisotropy disposed between the first optically anisotropic element and the liquid crystal cell. Liquid crystal molecule in the liquid crystal cell is homogeneously aligned and have a pretilt angle of 0.5° or less in non-electric-field state. At least one of the first optically anisotropic element and the second optically anisotropic element has a ratio R450/R550 of 1.1 or more, where R550 is a retardation at a wavelength of 550 nm and R450 is a retardation at a wavelength of 450 nm.

Abstract: The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, a first optically anisotropic element disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, and a second optically anisotropic element disposed between the first optically anisotropic element and the liquid crystal cell. Absorption axes of the first and the second polarizers are perpendicular to each other. The first optically anisotropic element has a slow axis direction parallel to the absorption axis direction of the first polarizer. The second optically anisotropic element has a slow axis direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction of the first polarizer. The first and the second optically anisotropic elements each have in-plane and thickness-direction retardation values within specific ranges, respectively.

Abstract: There is provided a circularly polarizing plate that can prevent light leakage in an organic EL panel and can suppress the warping of the panel to reduce reflection unevenness in a panel surface. A circularly polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in an organic EL panel, and includes a polarizer and a retardation film directly bonded to the polarizer. In-plane retardations of the retardation film satisfy a relationship of Re(450)<Re(550); and a 90° adhesive strength between the polarizer and the retardation film is 1.0 N/20 mm or more.