Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is constituted by a pair of substrates respectively provided with scanning electrodes or data electrodes and uniaxial alignment axes which are substantially parallel with each other and substantially in the same direction, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates. At least one of the substrates is provided with ridges having a height at least one third of the spacing between the substrates or stripe transparent electrodes having thereon a stripe conductor film extending in the longitudinal direction of an associated one of the stripe transparent electrodes.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of oppositely spaced substrates each having an electrode thereon, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is disposed in a thickness sufficiently large to retain its helical structure in its as-injected state but is placed in a non-helical structure showing bistability by application of an AC electric field to the liquid crystal layer prior to a routine drive for normal optical modulation by application of external drive voltage signals.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus includes: (a) a liquid crystal panel having a longitudinal direction and containing therein a chiral smectic liquid crystal comprising plural layers of liquid crystal molecules aligned to have a common layer normal, each layer being composed of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, each liquid crystal molecule being oriented to one of plural stable orientation states in the absence of an electric field; and (b) a panel supporting means comprising two fixing axes which extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal panel and fix the peripheral sides of the liquid crystal panel, the fixing axes forming an intersection angle .theta..sub.1 in the range of 0-25 degrees with the common layer normal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each provided with a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates; at least one of said pair of substrates having thereon an alignment film comprising (i) a polyimide including principally a recurring unit of the following structural formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.11 denotes a tetravalent organic group, and R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 denote the same or different alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups having 1-10 carbon atoms, and also at most 20 mol. % of a recurring monoamine unit of the following structural formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.21 and R.sub.22 denote the same or different alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups having 1-10 carbon atoms, and X denotes an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group or a derivative group thereof; or (ii) a polyimide obtained through a reaction of at least two species of tetracarboxylic anhydrides of the following formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.

Abstract: There is provided a ferroelectric liquid crystal device wherein the yellowing due to a cell thickness increase or occurrence of voids is suppressed. The ferroelectric liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates each having thereon a group of electrodes for liquid crystal drive, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates, wherein thermosetting adhesive particles and thermoplastic polymer particles having a diameter which is 1.5-5 times the liquid crystal layer thickness are dispersed and pressed between the substrates. The polymer particles preferably have a glass transition temperature of at most -20.degree. C.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element has a ferroelectric liquid crystal with an orientation state represented by .theta.<.alpha.+.delta. wherein .alpha. is a pretilt angle of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, .theta. is a tilt angle, and .delta. is an inclination angle of an Sm*C layer. In another embodiment is a liquid crystal element having a chiral smectic liquid crystal satisfying T.sub.1 /T.sub.2 <2.5 in a first orientation state wherein T.sub.2 is a pulse width threshold values of a portion in a second orientation state adjacent lightning and hairpin defects and T.sub.1 is a pulse width threshold value in a first orientation state of a portion outside of the T.sub.2 portion. In both embodiments, the ferroelectric liquid crystal exhibits at least two stable states in orientation. An angle .theta..sub.a midway between optical axes of these two stable states and the tilt angle 8 of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition .theta.>.theta..sub.a >.theta./2.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each having thereon a group of display electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates. Liquid crystal movement causing yellowing or local increase in liquid crystal layer thickness is minimized in the device by forming a substantial in liquid crystal layer thickness between a pixel part and a non-pixel part and/or by forming a groove having minute convexities with a maximum diameter of at least 0.1 .mu.m at non-pixel parts on a substrate so that the groove extends in a direction forming an angle of 45-135 degrees with a normal to smectic layers of the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display device is formed by a first substrate having thereon elongated transparent electrodes constituting data electrodes, a second substrate having thereon elongated transparent electrodes constituting scanning electrodes, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the first and second substrates. At least one of the first and second substrates has minute stripe elevation in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the elongated transparent electrodes on each of the elongated transparent electrodes, whereby a liquid crystal molecular movement causing a deterioration in display quality is suppressed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates; an alignment film comprising a polyimide which has a fluorine-containing substituent in its diamine-originated moiety, disposed on at least one of the pair of substrates and subjected to an aligning treatment; and a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates in an alignment state where its helical structure is suppressed. The chiral smectic liquid crystal is placed in an alignment state of forming an aligned region occupying an area which is at least 95% of the effective display region of the liquid crystal device. The aligned region includes a plurality of unidirectionally bent layers each organized by plural liquid crystal molecules in chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates; an alignment film comprising a polyimide which has a fluorine-containing substituent in its carboxylic acid-originated moiety, disposed on at least one of the pair of substrates and subjected to an aligning treatment; and a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates in an alignment state where its helical structure is suppressed. The chiral smectic liquid crystal is placed in an alignment state of forming an aligned region occupying an area which is at least 95% of the effective display region of the liquid crystal device. The aligned region includes a plurality of unidirectionally bent layers each organized by plural liquid crystal molecules in chiral smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is formed by applying an alignment film on at least one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal, preferably a chiral smectic liquid crystal. The alignment is formed by a dehydro-cyclization product of a polyamide acid which in turn is a reaction product of naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid or its derivative with a diamine or its derivative. The liquid crystal device provides a high contrast display, particularly by multiplexing drive, which is free from after-image because of quick responsiveness.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device of a cell structure having a suppressed increase of cell thickness along a cell side is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of electrode plates each sequentially provided with an electrode, an insulating film and an alignment film on a substrate. The alignment film is provided with a surface unevenness for suppressing a liquid crystal movement causing the increase in cell thickness. The surface unevenness is provided to the alignment film directly or to the insulating film below the alignment film, e.g., by wet forming the relevant film by using at least two solvents having different boiling points or dispersing fine particles within the relavant film, optionally followed by removal of the fine particles.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal device, is constituted by disposing a liquid crystal disposed between a pair of rubbing-treated substrates. The uniaxial alignment control force exerted by rubbing is gradually weakened as the rubbing treatment is successively applied to a large number of substrates. This is compensated by varying a rubbing condition, such as a relative moving speed, a rotational speed, or a pressing depth against the substrate of a rubbing roller. Alternatively, such a change in uniaxial alignment control force with time may be utilized for compensating for a difference in uniaxial alignment control force attributable to a difference in stripe electrode extension relative to the rubbing direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device improved in contrast and freeness from flickering and after image is formed by disposing a liquid crystal between a pair of substrates, at least one of which has an alignment film of a polyimide having a fluoroalkyl chain group as a side chain. The fluoroalkyl chain group may be contained in a diamine-originated moiety or a carboxylic acid-originated moiety of the polyimide.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each provided with a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates; at least one of said pair of substrates having thereon an alignment film comprising (i) a polyimide including principally a recurring unit of the following structural formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.11 denotes a tetravalent organic group, and R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 denote the same or different alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups having 1 - 10 carbon atoms, and also at most 10 mol. % of a recurring monoamine unit of the following structural formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.21 and R.sub.22 denote the same or different alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups having 1 - 10 carbon atoms, and X denotes an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group or a derivative group thereof; or (ii) a polyimide obtained through a reaction of at least two species of tetracarboxylic anhydrides of the following formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sub.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is formed by applying an alignment film comprising a fluorine-containing polyimide having a fluorine-containing substituent in its moiety originated from a diamine on at least one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a chiral smectic liquid crystal. Preferably, the respective substrates are provided with such florine-containing polyimide alignment films which have been rubbed in directions which are substantially parallel with each other and identical to each other or which intersect each other at a small counter-clockwise intersection angle. The liquid crystal device thus formed shows a high contrast display, particularly by multiplexing drive, free from after-image because of quick responsiveness.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus includes: (a) a liquid crystal panel having a longitudinal direction and containing therein a chiral smectic liquid crystal comprising plural layers of liquid crystal molecules aligned to have a common layer normal, each layer being composed of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, each liquid crystal molecule being oriented to one of plural stable orientation states in the absence of an electric field; and (b) a panel supporting means comprising two fixing axes which extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal panel and fix the peripheral sides of the liquid crystal panel, the fixing axes forming an intersection angle .theta..sub.1 in the range of 0-25 degrees with the common layer normal.

Abstract: There is provided a ferroelectric liquid crystal device wherein the yellowing due to a cell thickness increase or occurrence of voids is suppressed. The ferroelectric liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates each having thereon a group of electrodes for liquid crystal drive, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates, wherein thermosetting adhesive particles and thermoplastic polymer particles having a diameter which is 1.5-5 times the liquid crystal layer thickness are dispersed and pressed between the substrates. The polymer particles preferably have a glass transition temperature of at most -20.degree. C.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is formed by applying an alignment film comprising a fluorine-containing polyimide having a substituent of a fluorine atom or a fluorine containing group in its moiety originated from the carboxylic acid anhydride on at least one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a chiral smectic liquid crystal. Preferably, the respective substrates are provided with such fluorine-containing polyimide alignment films which have been rubbed in directions which are substantially parallel with each other and identical to each other or which intersect each other at a small counter-clockwise intersection angle. The liquid crystal device thus formed shows a high contrast display, particularly by multiplexing drive, free from after-image because of quick responsiveness.

Abstract: A ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal device having an improved impact resistance and an improved contrast is provided by using a pair of substrates provided with uniaxial alignment axes which are parallel and identical in direction with each other. A ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal is disposed between the pair of substrates so as to assume a higher-temperature alignment state and a lower-temperature alignment state on temperature decrease in its ferroelectric smectic phase placed in a bistable alignment state. The ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal is further placed in the lower-temperature alignment state which is characterized by having an inclination of forming a connected pair of a lightning defect and a hair pin defect coming after the lightning defect.