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 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 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 .theta. of the ferroelectric liquid crystal satisfy the condition .theta.>.theta..sub.a >.theta./2.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprises a pair of opposite electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the electrodes. At least one of the opposite electrodes is coated with a primer layer and an alignment layer on the primer layer. The alignment layer has a thickness d.sub.2 and is made of a material having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.2, and the primer layer has a thickness d.sub.1 and is made of a material having a dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.1 which are greater than d.sub.2 and .epsilon..sub.2, respectively. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the formula R.sub.1 --A.sub.1 --X--A.sub.2 --R.sub.2 wherein A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 respectively denote a 6-membered ring-containing divalent group; X denotes a single bond or a divalent chain group; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 respectively denote a branch or linear chain group, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being the same or different.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device and apparatus having a pair of substrates with orientation control films of a fluorine-containing aliphatic polyimide or a fluorine-containing alicyclic polyimide. The fluorine-containing aliphatic polyimide or alicyclic polyimide has a structural unit expressed by the following general formula [1]: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a tetravalent organic residue and R.sub.2 is a divalent organic residue, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being an alicyclic or aliphatic organic residue containing fluorine and n is 0 or 1.

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 cell is formed by a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode and disposed spaced apart from each other, spacers and particulate adhesives respectively dispersed between the substrates and a liquid crystal, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal, sandwiched between the substrates. The particulate adhesives are dispersed with a non-uniform distribution over the cell extension so as to minimize initial zigzag or serrate alignment defects.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprises a pair of opposite electrodes and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the electrodes. At least one of the opposite electrodes is coated with an insulating film having a thickness of 200 .ANG. or larger. The ferroelectric liquid crystal has a capacitance C.sub.LC measured in (nF/cm.sup.2) and a spontaneous polarization PS measured in (nC/cm.sup.2) and the insulating film has a capacitance Ci measured in (nF/cm.sup.2) wherein the magnitudes of C.sub.LC, Ps, and Ci satisfy the relationship ofCi.gtoreq.7.multidot.Ps-C.sub.LC.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes: a pair of substrates disposed spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal disposed between the substrates and a plurality of adhesive members bonding the substrates. The adhesive members are dispersed along the inner surfaces of the substrates at a rate of 100 members/mm.sup.2 or less with an average adhesion area per member of 1.25.times.10.sup.-3 mm.sup.2 or less so as to satisfy the relationship of:S.sub.A /S.sub.B =2.5.times.10.sup.-2 -1.0%,wherein S.sub.A denotes the total area of adhesion given by the adhesive members and S.sub.B denotes the area of display given by the liquid crystal device. Spacer members may be further disposed between the substrates. The spacer members may preferably be in the form of rods having a length in the range of 1 to 25 .mu.m.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode thereon, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates in a thickness which is thin enough to release the spiral structure of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2.theta. therebetween, each average molecular axis direction corresponding to one or two stable orientation states of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2 .circle.H therebetween when voltages exceeding the threshold voltage of the ferroelectric liquid crystal are applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal, and the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular directions forming an angle 2.theta.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, includes: (a) a first substrate and a second substrate, (b) an elongated first electrode disposed on the first substrate and an elongated second electrode disposed on the second substrate so as to intersect the first electrode and form a pixel at the intersection of the first and second electrodes, (c) a linear projection disposed along the length of at least one of the first and second electrodes, and (d) a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the first and second substrates in a thickness small enough to suppress the formation of a helical structure inherent to the chiral smectic liquid crystal in its bulk state. The chiral smectic liquid crystal forms a domain in such an alignment state that the liquid crystal has an inclination of forming or actually forms a pair of a hairpin defect and a lightning defect, the hairpin defect being disposed closer to the linear projection than the lightning defect.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprises a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has thereon an inorganic oxide layer which has a resistance of 1-10.sup.5 .OMEGA./cm.sup.2 in the direction of the layer thickness and preferably has a pencil hardness of 4H or harder. Because of the provision of the inorganic oxide layer, the ferroelectric liquid crystal device shows good bistability on switching under application of pulse electric fields and yet free of short circuit between the upper and lower electrodes.

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.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of parallel substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to have an arrangement of molecules forming a plurality of layers perpendicular to the faces of the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has an alignment control film formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol resin having a function of aligning said plurality of layers preferentially in one direction. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin film stably provides a uniform alignment state with a large tilt angle than a conventional alignment control film of polyimide or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has an alignment control film formed of an aliphatic polyimide resin having a function of aligning said plurality of layers preferentially in one direction. The aliphatic polyimide resin film stably provides a uniform alignment state with a large tilt angle than a conventional alignment control film of polyimide or polyvinyl alcohol over a long period. The liquid crystal device also provides a color tone of black in its darkest state.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a pair of parallel substrates and a ferroelectric liquid crystal disposed between the substrates so as to have an arrangement of molecules forming a plurality of layers perpendicular to the faces of the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has an alignment control film formed of a modified polyvinyl alcohol resin having a function of aligning said plurality of layers preferentially in one direction. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin film stably provides a uniform alignment state with a larger tilt angle than a conventional alignment control film of polyimide or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol.