Abstract: An imaging unit images light on a light receiving element, and includes an optical path shifting element, and a lens arranged on an input side or an output side of the optical path shifting element. The optical path shifting element includes a liquid crystal layer which is applied with an electrical field in a direction approximately parallel to an in-plane direction. The liquid crystal layer is made of a chiral smectic C phase ferroelectric liquid crystal having a homeotropic alignment. The optical path shifting element shifts an optical path of the light input thereto in an optical path shifting direction.

Abstract: An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency.

Abstract: An optical path deflecting element easily can realize a uniform alignment condition although liquid crystal of a large cone angle is used therein. In the optical path deflecting element, a slope region is formed between two transparent substrates arranged to have a slope angle &thgr;. A liquid crystal layer of a chiral smectic C phase is provided in the slope region. The liquid crystal is aligned in a single-stable condition where a stable condition direction and an unstable condition direction coexist. Here, the stable condition direction is the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules aligned in a rubbing direction, and the unstable condition is the major axis direction at time when a voltage is applied between transparent electrode films. In such a single-stable liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal can be uniformly aligned more easily than in a case where the liquid crystal is aligned in a bistable condition.

Abstract: A light deflection element has a pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal 5 with a homeotropic alignment filled between the pair of transparent substrates 2, 3; and at least an electric field applying device 6 for activating an electric field in the liquid crystal 5. Because a chiral smectic C phase liquid crystal is used, the problems of the conventional light deflection element, such as high cost, light loss, large size, and optical noise etc. due to its complicated structure, can be greatly improved. The conventional low response time due to the smectic A phase or the nematic liquid crystal is improved, thereby the high-speed response is possible.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a spacer is interposed between an upper and a lower substrate implemented by flexible films. Liquid crystals are confined in the gap between the two substrates. The spacer is scattered in the crystals at a density higher than 201/mm.sup.2 and lower than 800/mm.sup.2. The device allows a minimum of bubbles to be produced in the crystals without resorting to gas barrier coatings or similar conventional implementation against bubbles. When the spacer is sprayed, it is uniformly distributed to set up a uniform cell gap. The device is, therefore, free from display speckles and other defects and inexpensive.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a spacer is interposed between an upper and a lower substrate implemented by flexible films. Liquid crystals are confined in the gap between the two substrates. The spacer is scattered in the crystals at a density higher than 201/mm.sup.2 and lower than 800/mm.sup.2. The device allows a minimum of bubbles to be produced in the crystals without resorting to gas barrier coatings or similar conventional implementation against bubbles. When the spacer is sprayed, it is uniformly distributed to set up a uniform cell gap. The device is, therefore, free from display speckles and other defects and inexpensive.

Abstract: A liquid crystal/prepolymer composition which is composed of a liquid crystal component, a prepolymer composition and a polymerization initiator, the liquid crystal/prepolymer composition, when polymerized, being capable of causing phase separation into the liquid crystal and a polymer, the prepolymer composition containing a monofunctional acrylate component having one double bond, with an HLB value of 2.5 to 7.0; and a bifunctional acrylate component having two double bonds, with an HLB value of 3.5 to 11. In addition, there is also disclosed a liquid crystal display device composed of a pair of support materials and a liquid crystal/polymer composition held between the support materials, with the phase separation into the liquid crystal component and the polymer composition, which is formed by polymerizing the above-mentioned liquid crystal/prepolymer composition.

Abstract: A super twisted nematic type liquid crystal display device includes two of substrates, at least one of which is made of a plastic film, transparent electrode films disposed on each inner face of the two of the substrates, a plurality of spacers dispersed between the two of the substrates for maintaining the two of the substrates at a predetermined space and a liquid crystal enclosed between said substrates. The spacers are of spherical grains, a standard deviation of a distribution with respect to diameters of the spherical grains is not more than 3.5% of an average diameter of the spherical grains, a dispersion quantity of the spherical grains between said substrates is 100 to 200 grains/mm.sup.2, and the liquid crystal has a twisted angle of 180.degree. to 270.degree. with respect to liquid crystal molecules thereof.