Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film containing polymers having different repeating units, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The optical film of the invention advantageously has not only high solubility in solvents but also a high level of transparency since the polymers used in the optical film are compatible with each other. Further, wavelength dispersion of the birefringence of the optical film can be controlled by merely changing a ratio of polymers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical film exhibiting a preferable wavelength dispersion and capable of being formed comparatively thinly. The present invention is an optical film containing the repeating unit represented by the following general formula (II). In the formula (II), A, A?, B, and B? each denote a substituent, a, a?, b, and b? denote the number of substituents of the corresponding A, A?, B, and B?. A, A?, B and B? each independently denote a halogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 denote a halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and the like. X denotes —CO—, —SO2—, and the like.

Abstract: The polycarbonate resin of the invention includes a first structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (1), a second structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (2), and a third structural unit derived from at least one dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (3), a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (4), a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (5), and a dihydroxy compound represented by a general formula (6), and in which the first structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by the general formula (1) accounts for 18% by mole or more of the polycarbonate resin. The above general formulae (1) to (6) are described in the specification of the present application.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical film exhibiting a preferable wavelength dispersion and capable of being formed comparatively thinly. The present invention is an optical film containing the repeating unit represented by the following general formula (II). In the formula (II), A, A?, B, and B? each denote a substituent, a, a?, b, and b? denote the number of substituents of the corresponding A, A?, B, and B?. A, A?, B and B? each independently denote a halogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 denote a halogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and the like. X denotes —CO—, —SO2—, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film containing polyester with a specific structure, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The polyester may be obtained by condensation polymerization of dicarboxylic acid compound(s) and bisphenol compound(s), and preferably has no halogen atom in its chemical structure. According to the invention, high productivity of the optical film can be achieved since the polyester has a high solubility in solvents, and an environmental loading for production can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin solution containing polyester with a specific structure, an optical film containing the polyester, and methods for production thereof Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The polyester may be obtained by condensation polymerization of dicarboxylic acid compound(s) and bisphenol compound(s), and preferably has no halogen atom in its chemical structure. According to the invention, high productivity of the optical film can be achieved since the polyester has a high solubility in solvents, and an environmental loading for production can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent substrate excellent in solvent crack resistance, toughness, heat resistance, and flexibility. A transparent substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an inorganic glass; and a first resin layer placed on at least one side of the inorganic glass, wherein: the first resin layer contains a resin compound having a weight-average molecular weight in terms of polystyrene of 8×104 to 100×104; and no solvent crack occurs when a mixed solvent containing 20 wt % to 95 wt % of at least one kind of solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, and N,N-dimethylformamide is brought into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: An optical film of the present invention comprises a polyimide-based polymer represented by the following general formula (V). The optical film of the present invention exhibits an optical property such that wavelength dispersion of retardation scarcely changes ranging from the short wavelength side to the long wavelength side. Typically, the optical film of the present invention may be used as a retardation film of a liquid crystal display device.

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: It is an object to provide a method for producing a retardation film and the like, the retardation film contributing to cost reduction and enlargement of the screen of liquid crystal display devices having a high level of visibility. There is provided a method for producing a retardation film, the method including conveying a long polymer film being continuously fed in a conveying direction while holding both side edges of the polymer film and stretching the polymer film in a direction transverse to the conveying direction while conveying the polymer film, wherein the retardation film has an optical axis in the direction transverse to the conveying direction of the polymer film and has optical properties satisfying 0.1?NZ?0.9, and wherein the polymer film is stretched in the transverse direction with sagged in the conveying direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film containing aromatic polymer which shows high solubility to solvents, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The optical film may be attained by using polyester with a specific structure. The polyester with a specific structure may be obtained by condensation polymerization of bisphenol compound(s) and dicarboxylic acid compound(s) with biphenyl structure, and preferably has no halogen atom in its chemical structure. The optical film of the invention advantageously has not only high solubility in solvents but also a high level of heat resistance and birefringence producing capability. When the content of the biphenyl structure is high, the optical film of the invention can also have large wavelength dispersion of birefringence.

Abstract: [Object] The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel with which a display with extremely small change in color depending on a viewing direction can be realized, and a liquid crystal display including the same. [Solution to Problem] The liquid crystal panel includes: a first polarizer 30; a second polarizer 50; a first optical compensation layer 60; a second optical compensation layer 70; and a liquid crystal cell 40. The first polarizer 30 is arranged on one surface of the liquid crystal cell 40. The second polarizer 50 is arranged on the other surface of the liquid crystal cell 40. The first optical compensation layer 60 is arranged between the liquid crystal cell 40 and the first polarizer 30. The second optical compensation layer 70 is arranged between the liquid crystal cell 40 and the second polarizer 50. The first optical compensation layer 60 satisfies the following mathematical formulae (1) and (2).

Abstract: There are provided a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus each having an excellent screen contrast, a small color shift, and small display unevenness. The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, a protective layer, a first optical compensation layer and a second optical compensation layer. The protective layer has relationships of 0 nm??nd (550)?10 nm and 0 nm?Rth(550)?20 nm. The first optical compensation layer has an absolute value of a photoelastic coefficient of 40×10?12 (m2/N) or less, and has relationships of ?nd(380)<?nd(550)<?nd(780), nx>ny?nz and 90 nm??nd(550)?200 nm. The second optical compensation layer has relationships of Rth(380)>Rth(550)>Rth(780) and nx=ny>nz.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film containing aromatic polymer which shows high solubility to solvents, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The optical film may be attained by using polyester with a specific structure. The polyester with a specific structure may be obtained by condensation polymerization of bisphenol compound(s) and dicarboxylic acid compound(s) with biphenyl structure, and preferably has no halogen atom in its chemical structure. The optical film of the invention advantageously has not only high solubility in solvents but also a high level of heat resistance and birefringence producing capability. When the content of the biphenyl structure is high, the optical film of the invention can also have large wavelength dispersion of birefringence.

Abstract: The birefringent film of the present invention contains an aromatic polyester having a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1). In the general formula (1), A(s), B(s), C(s), and D(s) are each independently represent a group selected from a halogeno group, an alkyl group which has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an aryl group. Also, a and b each represent an integer of 0 to 4, and c and d each represent an integer of 0 to 3. R1 represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group which has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. R2 represents an alkyl group which has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. R3 to R6 each independently represent a group or atom selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogeno group, an alkyl group which has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and an aryl group. Furthermore, l and m each represent an integer of 2 or more.

Abstract: An ester-based polymer to be used in the present invention has at least a repeating unit represented with the general formula (I). A and B are substituents substituted on a stilbene group. R1 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. R3 to R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. n is an integer of 2 or more.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical film including a birefringent layer having a refractive index distribution satisfying nx>nz>ny that can be produced by a small number of steps, contains less foreign matter trapped therein, and has high productivity. An optical film including a birefringent layer, wherein the method includes steps of: forming a coating film by directly applying a material for forming a birefringent layer on the shrinkable film; shrinking the coating film in a first direction by shrinking the shrinkable film; and stretching a laminate of the shrinkable film and the coating film in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the material for forming a birefringent layer contains at least one resin selected from the group consisting of norbornene resins, polycarbonate resins, cellulose resins, polyamides, and polyurethanes, and wherein the birefringent layer has a refractive index distribution satisfying nx>nz>ny.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resin solution containing polyester with a specific structure, an optical film containing said polyester, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The polyester may be obtained by condensation polymerization of dicarboxylic acid compound(s) and bisphenol compound(s), and preferably has no halogen atom in its chemical structure. According to the invention, high productivity of the optical film can be achieved since the polyester has a high solubility in solvents, and an environmental loading for production can be reduced.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus each having an excellent screen contrast, a small color shift, and small display unevenness. The liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, a protective layer, a first optical compensation layer and a second optical compensation layer. The protective layer has relationships of 0 nm??nd (550) 10 nm and 0 nm?Rth(550) 20 nm. The first optical compensation layer has an absolute value of a photoelastic coefficient of 40×10?12 (m2/N) or less, and has relationships of ?nd(380)<?nd(550)<?nd(780), nx>ny>nz and 90 nm??nd(550) ?200 nm. The second optical compensation layer has relationships of Rth(380)>Rth(550)>Rth(780) and nx=ny>nz.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film containing polymers having different repeating units, and methods for production thereof. Further, the invention also relates to an optical laminate, a polarizing plate, and an image display device each using the optical film. The optical film of the invention advantageously has not only high solubility in solvents but also a high level of transparency since the polymers used in the optical film are compatible with each other. Further, wavelength dispersion of the birefringence of the optical film can be controlled by merely changing a ratio of polymers.