Abstract: The steps of forming electrodes on one surface of a first substrate, forming electrodes on one surface of a second substrate, said second substrate opposing to said first substrate; preparing a phase boundary of the first substrate, the phase boundary allowing liquid-crystal molecules to align parallel to said substrate; preparing a phase boundary of the second substrate, the phase boundary allowing liquid-crystal molecules to align vertical to said substrate; filling a gap between said first and second substrates with liquid crystal to which a polymerizable material is added; and polymerizing the material added to the liquid crystal are employed. Even when a liquid-crystal cell is relatively thick, a high-speed operation can be achieved, and its response speed is rarely lowered in operation for an intermediate gradation, and the effective aperture ratio is increased.

Abstract: A method of driving a liquid-crystal device having a gap of 15 &mgr;m to 200 &mgr;m between transparent substrates, a first electrode and a second electrode formed on opposing surfaces of the substrates, and liquid crystal filled in the gap between the substrates, the liquid crystal changing direction by applying a driving voltage, includes the steps of (a) applying a first waveform to obtain a first optical characteristic of the liquid crystal and (b) applying a second waveform to obtain a second optical characteristic of the liquid crystal other than the first optical characteristic, the second waveform having an effective voltage lower by 10 V to 500 V than an effective voltage of the first waveform.

Abstract: A variable phase shifter is improved in liquid crystal response characteristics by using a thin liquid crystal material as a dielectric substrate. The variable phase shifter includes two substrates disposed parallel to each other. The substrates have alignment layers on their mutually opposing inner surfaces. A liquid crystal layer is sealed in the area between the substrates. A transmission line is formed to meander on the inner surface of one of the substrates. A grounding conductor is formed on the inner surface of the substrate along the transmission line at a predetermined distance therefrom. External electrodes are formed at least in regions on the respective outer surfaces of the substrates, each of which regions corresponds to the gap between the transmission line and the grounding conductor. A bias voltage source applies a bias voltage between the upper and lower external electrodes.