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: 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: A manufacturing method for a slurry for the production of a precision casting mold that includes a zirconia sol and a refractory powder, and a manufacturing method for a precision casting mold that uses the slurry is provided. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a slurry for the production of a precision casting mold for a metal that includes a step in which an alkaline zirconia sol (A1) and a refractory powder (D) are mixed, the alkaline zirconia sol (A1) being obtained by a manufacturing method that includes a step (i), in which a zirconium salt (B1) is heated at 60 to 110° C. in an aqueous medium that includes a carbonate of quaternary ammonium, and a step (ii), in which a hydrothermal treatment is carried out at 100 to 250° C.

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: 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: 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 optical film containing a polymer having at least a repeating unit represented by following general formula (I): The optical film is excellent in heat resistance, transparency and processability because it contains a polymer having a naphthyl group in a molecular structure. In addition, when a retardation film is produced by drawing the optical film, a composition ratio of the polymer can be adjusted in a specific range so that the retardation film exhibits inverse wavelength dispersion properties such that higher retardation value is offered in measuring by light with longer wavelength. The retardation film having such properties is extremely useful for improving display properties of a liquid crystal display device. The optical film is also used in the production of a polarizing plate.

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: A lens meter having a measurement-optical system including a light source which projects and a light-receiving sensor which receives a light beam having passed through the lens; an arithmetic part which obtains optical characteristics of the lens from results received by the light-receiving sensor; mode selecting device which selects between a single-focal-lens-measurement mode and a progressive-lens-measurement mode; detecting device which detects directions and degrees of displacement of measurement positions from a near-vision portion of a progressive lens based on optical characteristics obtained when the progressive-lens-measurement mode is selected and alignment is made to bring the measurement position into the near-vision portion; a display which displays an alignment screen; and a display-control part which causes the display, based on detection results by the detection device, to display a guide mark indicating a direction and an amount that the lens must be moved to bring the measurement position i

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: A modified polymer which can serve as a raw material of novel reverse dispersion retardation films is provided, the modified polymer having no need to select a plurality of monomers or polymers in order to realize a reverse dispersion and having no problems concerning glass transition temperature or the like in drawing treatment. A polymer having a polyol skeleton as its main chain is caused to react with a compound for modification such as an aromatic carboxylic acid hydride. Through this reaction, a modified polymer in which a chemical group such as an aromatic carbonyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom in a side chain of the polyol skeleton is prepared. For example, polyvinyl alcohols and benzoyl chloride can be used as the polymer and the compound for modification, respectively. The chemical group may be a benzoyl group. When this modified polymer is formed into a film and then subjected to drawing treatment, a retardation film which exhibits a reverse wavelength dispersion characteristic can be obtained.

Abstract: There is provided an acidic zirconia sol having compatibility of particle properties and binding properties, and a production method of the same. The acidic zirconia sol includes zirconia particles (a) having a particle diameter ranging from 20 to 300 nm in a content of 90 to 50% by mass, based on the mass of all zirconia particles, and zirconia particles (b) having a particle diameter of less than 20 nm in a content of 10 to 50% by mass, based on the mass of all zirconia particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical film exhibiting wavelength dispersion such that a retardation value is smaller on the shorter wavelength side, and capable of being also formed comparatively thinly. The optical film of the present invention is an optical film including a polyimide-based polymer represented by the following general formula (I). In the formula (I), m is 40% by mol or more and 100% by mol or less. R1 and R2 each independently denote a substituent having a carbon-carbon double bond or a triple bond. A, A?, B, B?, E, G, and H each denote a substituent, and small letters corresponding to these alphabets denote substitution number thereof. X and Y each independently denote bond part such as a covalent bond. The substituents having a carbon-carbon double bond or a triple bond represented by R1 and R2 are a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted ethynyl group.

Abstract: There is provided an acidic zirconia sol having compatibility of particle properties and binding properties, and a production method of the same. The present invention relates to a production method of an acidic zirconia sol containing zirconia particles having a particle diameter of less than 20 nm in a content of 10 to 50% by mass, based on the mass of all zirconia particles including: a first process in which an alkaline zirconia sol (A) and a zirconium salt (B) are mixed in a mass ratio (Bs/As) ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 of a mass of a solid content (Bs) which is converted into an amount of ZrO2 in the zirconium salt (B) to a mass of a solid content (As) which is converted into an amount of ZrO2 in the alkaline zirconia sol (A); and a second process in which the resultant mixture is reacted at 80 to 250° C. to produce an acidic zirconia sol.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing an elongated-shaped silica sol comprising the following steps: (a) adding an aqueous solution containing a water soluble Ca salt and/or Mg salt to an aqueous colloidal solution of active silicic acid with an SiO2 concentration of 1 to 6% by mass and a pH of 2 to 5 in a mass ratio of CaO and/or MgO to SiO2 in the active silicic acid of 1500 to 15,000 ppm, and mixing; (b) adding alkali metal hydroxide, a water soluble organic base, or water soluble silicate thereof to an aqueous solution obtained through (a) in a determined molar ratio to SiO2, and mixing; (c) heating a mixture obtained through (b) at 85 to 200° C. for 0.5 to 20 hours so as to obtain a colloidal solution; (d) removing, from the colloidal solution obtained through (c), part of water and at least part of anions derived from the aqueous solution containing the water soluble Ca salt and/or Mg salt; and (e) heating a colloidal solution obtained through (d) at a temperature of 80 to 195° C.

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: There is provided a liquid crystal panel, in which a color shift in an oblique direction is small even when observed from any azimuth angle of 0° to 360°, and the viewing angle in the horizontal direction is wide.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes at least a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell and a retardation film (A) disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, wherein the retardation film (A) contains a thermoplastic polymer having at least a substituent (a) represented by the following formula (I) and its in-plane retardation value (Re[750]) at a wavelength of 750 nm is larger than its retardation value (Re[550]) at a wavelength of 550 nm. The liquid crystal panel has such an effect that it reduces coloring of characters or images and a color shift even if a screen is viewed from any direction at an angle range of 360°.

Abstract: A production method of an alkaline zirconia sol including: a process (I) in which an alkaline zirconia sol (A) is mixed with a basic zirconium carbonate salt (B1), the alkaline zirconia sol (A) being obtained by: a sub-process (i) in which a zirconium salt (B2) is heated at 60 to 110° C. in an aqueous medium containing a carbonate salt of quaternary ammonium; and a sub-process (ii) in which a hydrothermal treatment is performed at 110 to 250° C. following the sub-process (i).