Abstract: A cellulose acylate film containing a cellulose acylate and a sugar ester compound having from 1 to 12 pyranose structures or furanose structures in which at least one hydroxyl group is esterified, the film satisfying 40 nm?Re(550)?60 nm and 100 nm?Rth(550)?140 nm, and having a dimensional change of ?0.5 to 0.5% and an internal haze of at most 0.1%.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film comprising at least one cellulose acylate, at least one sterol derivative represented by formula (1), and at least one saccharide derivative and/or at least one oligomer plasticizer is disclosed. R1, R2 and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a substituent represented by -L-R*, provided that at least one of them represents the substituent represented by -L-R*; L represents a single bond or a divalent connecting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO—, —CONR6—, —CH2— and a combination thereof, R* represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, heterocyclic group or alkyl group; R4 represents a carboxyl group or —CHR7—CH(CH3)2; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

Abstract: Microstructured films comprising surface modified inorganic oxide particles, surface modified inorganic nanoparticles having a high refractive index, and polymerizable resins are described.

Abstract: A non-linear optical device comprising a polymer configured to be photorefractive upon irradiation by a green laser. The polymer comprises a repeating unit including a moiety selected from the group consisting of the structures (M-1), (M-2) and (M-3), as defined herein.

Abstract: A polarizer includes a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film in which iodine is oriented by adsorption, wherein an iodine orientation ratio, represented by the following Equation I, is about 20% to about 30%, Iodine ? ? orientation ? ? ratio = R I R PVA , ( I ) RI being an average in-plane retardation value of iodine in infrared regions of 845.1 nm, 903.3 nm, 952.1 nm, 1000.0 nm, 1046.5 nm, and 1092.7 nm, and RPVA being an average in-plane retardation value of a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin in infrared regions of 845.1 nm, 903.3 nm, 952.1 nm, 1000.0 nm, 1046.5 nm, and 1092.7 nm.

Abstract: An adhesive composition and an optical member using the same, the adhesive composition including about 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate copolymer including repeating units derived from a C1-20 alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer, an aromatic group-containing monomer, and a carboxyl group-containing monomer; about 0.01 to about 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent; about 0.01 to about 5 parts by weight of a silane coupling agent; and about 0.01 to about 5 parts by weight of a crosslinking catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a cellulose acetate film for optical compensation, which has a low retardation value Rth in the film thickness direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an azo compound represented by the general formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group; and n represents 1 or 2. Also disclosed are a dye-containing polarizing film and a dye-containing polarizing plate, each of which comprises a polarizing film base material and the azo compound contained in the base material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an azo compound represented by the formula (1) below, a salt thereof, or a copper complex salt compound thereof. (In the formula, R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a sulfonic acid group, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxyl group; R3-R6 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxyl group; R7 represents a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxyl group; and n represents 0 or 1.

Abstract: A method of making a polarizing article having high polarization efficiency, low haze, and no visible micro-cracks. The article is made by applying an aqueous polarizing dye solution to a surface of a substrate. The polarizing dye solution comprises at least one ammonium salt of a polarizing azoic dye, an activator, and at least one of an acid and a non-polarizing azoic dye.

Abstract: Azo compounds represented by formula (1) or (2) (In the formulas, A represents a phenyl group or naphthyl group that has at least 1 substituent. R1-R4 represent a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl group or lower alkoxy group, with at least one of R1-R4 being a lower alkoxy group that has a sulfone group. X represents an optionally substituted amino group, optionally substituted benzoylamino group, optionally substituted phenylamino group, optionally substituted phenyl azo group or optionally substituted naphthotriazole group) and salts thereof.

Abstract: An ionic compound has the formula (I): in which, R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1-C20 alkyl, and an aromatic group; R2 is selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl and a C1-C10 alkyl; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of an imidazole ring, a C1-C20 alkyl, an acrylic group, and an aromatic group; X? is selected from the group consisting of Cl?, Br?, I?, NO3?, AlCl4?, BF4?, CF3SO3?, (CF3SO3)?, CF3COO?, CH3COO?, and PF6?; and k is an integer 1 or 2. The ionic compound can be added in a pressure-sensitive adhesive of a polarizer of a liquid crystal display panel to avoid the phenomenon of the static electricity residual when the release film is removed from the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an azo compound represented by the general formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkoxy group; and n represents 1 or 2. Also disclosed are a dye-containing polarizing film and a dye-containing polarizing plate, each of which comprises a polarizing film base material and the azo compound contained in the base material.

Abstract: A cellulose ester film is provided and includes a polycondensate obtained from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid, and the polycondensate contains the following (1) and (2). (1) A dicarboxylic acid residue containing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residue having an average carbon number of 4.0 to 5.0, in which a ratio of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue represented by the following equation is from 40% by mole to 95% by mole: The ratio of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue=[(the number of moles of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue)/((the number of moles of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid residue)+(the number of moles of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues))]×100. (2) An aliphatic diol residue having an average carbon number of 2.0 to 3.0.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol film composition including: (A) 100 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol; and (B) 0.001 to 30 parts by weight of a multi-hydroxyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). The POSS is soluble in polar solvents, but insoluble in water. The invention also provides a polarizing plate containing the polyvinyl alcohol film composition.

Abstract: An ultra-thin polarizing glass article having two polarizing glass layers separated by a non-polarizing central region. The polarizing glass layers contain stretched or elongated metal particles and the non-polarizing central region contains elongated or stretched metal halide particle. The polarizing article has a thickness less than 200 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colloidal photonic crystals using colloidal nanoparticles and a method for the preparation thereof, wherein by adding a viscoelastic material into a solution containing the colloidal nanoparticles when preparing the colloidal photonic crystals, a uniform volume contraction occurs due to the elasticity of the viscoelastic material even when a nonuniform volume contraction occurs while drying a dispersion medium in the colloidal solution. Thus, it is possible to prepare 2 or 3 dimensional colloidal photonic crystals of large scale with no defects in less time.

Abstract: Natural lighting profiles are affected in a building facade and internal transparent membrane using a transparent sheet having one or more pixel elements, wherein each of the pixel elements is capable of being driven to control opacity (by shading). A programmable controller is used to send control commands to control opacity of the pixel elements, wherein the percentage of light transmitted through the display panel forming part of the facade is controlled via the controller.

Abstract: An optical system, such as, for example, an illumination system or a projection lens of a microlithographic exposure system. The optical system can have an optical axis and include at least one optical element that includes an optically uniaxial material having, for an operating wavelength of the optical system, an ordinary refractive index no and an extraordinary refractive index ne. The extraordinary refractive index ne can be larger than the ordinary refractive index no. The optical element can absorb, at least for light rays of the operating wavelength entering the optical element with respect to the optical axis under an angle of incidence that lies within a certain angle region, a p-polarized component of the light rays significantly stronger than a s-polarized component of the light rays.

Abstract: A non-linear optical device comprising a polymer configured to provide a grating holding ratio of 20% or higher after about four minutes, wherein the polymer comprises a first repeating unit comprising a first moiety having formula (M-1) and a second repeating unit comprising a second moiety having formula (M-2), as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for making anisotropic solids which may be in the form of films, layers, shaped elements, and other shaped articles. The methods provide anisotropic solids without the need for rolling, rubbing, or stretching to impart orientational alignment of the molecules of the solid. The methods employ organic or organometallic compounds which are soluble orienting molecules. The solvent or solvent system must be sufficiently volatile to be removed without disruption of the molecular orientation. The soluble orienting molecules include those containing one or more hydrophilic and/or ionic groups and the solvent or solvent system can be a polar organic solvent or solvent system or an aqueous solvent or solvent system. The invention also provides novel compounds having quaterrylene, perylene and naphthalene ring systems carrying one or more hydrophilic and/or ionic groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical film comprising a first optically anisotropic layer formed of a composition comprising, at least, a liquid crystal compound and a fluorinated surfactant, and a second optically anisotropic layer comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of cycloolefin base homopolymers and copolymers, wherein a dynamic friction coefficient between the two sides of the optical film is equal to or smaller than 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol film having a correlation length of 200 nm or less, the correlation length being derived from the result of light scattering measurement using a He—Ne laser having a wavelength of 633 nm as a light source.

Abstract: The present invention can provide cellulose ester pellets, a cellulose ester film, a manufacturing method thereof, a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display which minimize a manufacturing load, a facility load and an environmental load, each being given by evaporation or recovery (collection) of solvents and which have excellent optical properties, less coloring and high processing stability, and its manufacturing method. The cellulose ester pellets contains cellulose ester and at least one combination selected from combination A, combination B and combination C, the cellulose ester pellets containing the at least one combination in an amount of from 0.001 to 1.

Abstract: A composite metal nanorod, including a core nanorod and a shell, the core nanorod being covered with the shell to form a core-shell structure, wherein the composite metal nanorod contains at least two different metals, and wherein the composite metal nanorod has an equivalent-volume-sphere radius of 15 nm or smaller and has an aspect ratio of 1.1 to 10.

Abstract: High durable polarized film comprising a radiation curable PSA layer for lamination in TFT/LCD applications have high humidity and heat resistance. In one embodiment, the adhesive comprises a UV curable acrylic polymer, a compatible tackifier, a multifunction unsaturated oligomer, and a long chain alkyl acrylate monomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizer that includes a supporting member and a liquid crystal polarizing layer that is coated on the supporting member. The liquid crystal polarizing layer includes liquid crystal molecules that are arranged in a predetermined direction and polarizing molecules that are combined with the liquid crystal molecules in order to absorb light oscillating in predetermined direction. The resulting polarizer is thin and highly effective.

Abstract: To provide a dye capable of forming an anisotropic dye film showing high dichroism and having a high degree of molecular orientation, a composition containing the dye, an anisotropic dye film using the dye and a polarizing element. A trisazo dye, of which the free acid form is represented by the following formula (1), wherein at least one of B1 and D1 has at least one substituent as defined by the following Q1, a dye composition for an anisotropic dye film containing the dye, an anisotropic dye film and a polarizing element using the anisotropic dye film: Q1: an alkyl group or alkoxy group substituted by a hydrogen bond-forming group: wherein A1 is a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, each of B1 and D1 is a phenylene group or a naphthylene group, X1 is an amino group which may be substituted or a hydroxyl group, and m is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film is provided and contains an additive. Tg of the cellulose acylate film is lower by 5 to 50° C. or the half value width of the diffraction peak at 2?=10 to 15° in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the cellulose acylate film after heating at 200° C. for 3 hours is 110 to 300%, each compared with a cellulose acylate film not containing the additive. An optically compensatory film, and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display using the film are provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarizer is provided that makes it possible to manufacture a polarizer prevented from curling even when a liquid is brought into contact with a hydrophilic polymer film by being sprayed. A method of manufacturing a polarizer includes a swelling step A for swelling a hydrophilic polymer film 1 by bringing it into contact with a swelling liquid 2, a dyeing step B for dyeing the hydrophilic polymer film 1 by bringing it into contact with a dye liquid 3 containing a dichroic material, and a crosslinking/stretching step C for crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer film 1 by bringing it into contact with a crosslinking liquid 4 and further stretching it. In the method, the contact with the swelling liquid in the swelling step A is carried out in the gas phase by spraying the swelling liquid 2 onto both surfaces of the hydrophilic polymer film 1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a retardation film including a polymer resin; and an optically anisotropic compound having a silicon group, and a polarizing plate including the retardation film. Also, disclosed is a liquid crystal display including the retardation film and/or the polarizing plate.

Abstract: An optical film, which has been subjected to an orientation treatment, containing a low-molecular weight compound, in which a birefringence ?n(550 nm) is larger than zero (0) in an orientation direction, and the optical film satisfies the following expressions (1) and (2); and a phase difference plate, a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display using the same: 0.5<?n(450 nm)/?n(550 nm)<1.0; and??Expression (1) 1.05<?n(630 nm)/?n(550 nm)<1.5.

Abstract: An anti-reflection film, which comprises: a low refractive index layer that is formed by curing a coating solution composition comprising: a fluorine-free copolymer containing a constituent having a polysiloxane structure represented by formula (1) as defined in the specification in a main chain and a constituent containing a hydroxyl group in a side chain; and a fluorine-containing copolymer; a polarizing plate wherein the anti-reflection film is used as one of two protective films for a polarizing film; and an image display device wherein the anti-reflection film or the polarizing plate is used in the outermost surface of the display.

Abstract: A plastic polarized lens 1 contains a lens substrate 2, which is obtained by curing through polymerization a polymerization composition having a refractive index of 1.60 or more containing a thiourethane polymerization composition or a thioepoxy polymerization composition, having embedded therein a polarized film 14, which is obtained by forming antireflection layers 14B having a five-layer structure of Al2O3 ZrO2 accumulated alternately on both surfaces of a polarized film substrate 14A obtained by curving an iodine polarized film to a prescribed curvature, followed by cutting into a circular outer shape. According to the constitution, such a plastic polarized lens can be obtained that is reduced in reflection on the surface of the polarized film embedded in the polymerization composition and has good polarizing capability.

Abstract: An optical cellulose ester film comprising a cellulose ester (A); at least one ester based plasticizer (B) selected from ester based plasticizers composed of a polyhydric alcohol and a univalent carboxylic acid, or ester based plasticizers composed of a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a monohydric alcohol; at least one stabilizer (C) selected from the group consisting of a phenol based stabilizer, a hindered amine based stabilizer, or a phosphorous based stabilizer; and a hydrogen bonding solvent (D).

Abstract: The present invention provides an anisotropic dye film having a high dichroic ratio. For this reason, the present invention uses a composition for an anisotropic dye film containing an electron-deficient discotic compound and an electron-rich compound.

Abstract: A cellulose-film modifier, having a compound represented by the following Formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic or aromatic acyl group; R2, R3 and R4 each represent a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic or aromatic group; and at least one of R2, R3 and R4 represents an aliphatic group bonding via its secondary carbon; a cellulose composition, an optical cellulose film, a polarizing plate-protecting film, a polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A method for producing a polarizing film of the present invention comprises a step (1) of preparing a lyotropic liquid crystalline solution having electric conductivity of not more than 50 ?S/cm (expressed in terms of 0.05% by weight) and containing a dichroic dye and a solvent, a step (2) of preparing a base material having at least one surface subjected to a hydrophilization treatment, and a step (3) of coating the solution prepared in the step (1) on the hydrophilized surface of the base material prepared in the step (2) at a coating rate of not less than 100 mm/second, and drying the solution. The method of the present invention can easily produce a polarizing film having a high dichroic ratio.

Abstract: Ionic colloidal crystals (ordered multicomponent colloids formed by attractive electrostatic interactions) may be produced by controlling the surface potential and relative size of multiple populations of colloidal particles in suspension. Such suspensions are dried or otherwise caused to precipitate out the particles in ordered arrays. The crystal structure of the arrays may be controlled by appropriate choices of particle materials, sizes, and charge ratios.

Abstract: An in-cell polarizer is provided which can achieve a liquid crystal device having excellent drive and display characteristics in an active drive system. A composition for the in-cell polarizer comprises a dye and a solvent and has an electric conductivity of 25 mS/cm or less.

Abstract: A broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention is a cholesteric liquid crystal film obtained by coating a liquid crystal mixture containing a polymerizable mesogen compound (a), a polymerizable chiral agent (b) and a photoisomerizable material (c) on a substrate to ultraviolet polymerize a coat of the liquid crystal mixture, and has a reflection bandwidth of 200 nm or more. A broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention has a broad reflection band, is of a thin type and can be manufactured in less of manufacturing steps.

Abstract: An adhesive of the invention is used for polarizing plate to provide a transparent protective film on at least one side of a polarizer and comprises a resin solution comprising a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, a crosslinking agent and a colloidal metal compound with an average particle size of 1 nm to 100 nm, wherein 200 parts by weight or less of the colloidal metal compound is added to 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. The adhesive for polarizing plate can reduce the occurrence of knicks.

Abstract: The present invention provides one or more dichroic dyes which exhibit high solubility in liquid crystal and a high order parameter. The dichroic dyes each have a first substituent having at least one cis-cyclohexane ring and/or a second substituent having at least one trans-cyclohexane ring. The dichroic dye(s) may be provided as a mixture including at least a first dichroic dye having at least the first substituent and a second dichroic dye having at least the second substituent. The dichroic dye(s) may also be provided as a plurality of dichroic dyes, each of the molecules of which has at least the first substituent and the second substituent. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal element including the one or more dichroic dyes.

Abstract: A polarizing plate protective film manufacturing method, comprises: preparing a mixture containing a cellulose ester, a triazine ring compound, a phenol compound and a compound represented by Formula (L); heating and melting the mixture; and casting the melted mixture to form a film.

Abstract: Reflective liquid crystalline polymer films having increased bandwidth have a single layer of liquid crystalline material with short, long, and medium pitch of the helical molecular structure of the liquid crystalline polymer. The films are easily produced by a readily reproducible and economic process of low complexity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an azo compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein A denotes a phenyl group having 1 to 3 substituents such as sulfonic acid group, amino group, lower alkyl groups and lower alkoxyl groups, or a naphthyl group, B denotes hydrogen atom, sulfonic acid group, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxyl group or the like, each of R1 to R4 independently denotes hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxyl group or the like, D denotes —NHCO—, —N?N— or —NH—, E denotes hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 to 3 substituents such as hydroxyl group and amino group, n denotes 0 or 1, and m denotes 0 or 1, or a salt thereof, or a copper complex compound of either of them, which is used for a polarizing plate having excellent polarization performance and durability and furthermore little color leakage in visible light range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a azo dyestuff compound of the following formula (I), of which the free acid is represented by the following formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and n are defined as in the specification. The azo dyestuff compound of formula (I) of the present invention is used for preparing polarizing film. The present invention also relates to a polarizing film comprising the azo dyestuff compound of formula (I), which has excellent degree of polarization.

Abstract: Poly-azo compound selected from the group consisting compounds of the formula (I) and compounds of the formula (II), (wherein, Me represents copper, nickel, zinc or iron, A represents a naphthyl group having 1 to 3 sulfonic groups and further optionally having an alkyl group or alkoxy group, R1 and R2 represent each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group or alkoxy group, and R3 represents an amino group or hydroxyl group.).

Abstract: A Faraday rotator in which the isolation function based on a temperature rise is not deteriorated even when the Faraday rotator is used for a high output laser of not smaller than 1W output at a wavelength of not larger than 1.1 ?m includes sapphire crystals or rutile crystals bonded as radiation substrates to the incident side and outgoing side of a bismuth substituted type rare earth metal iron garnet crystal (RIG) film, the thickness of the RIG film being not smaller than 130 ?m and not larger than 200 ?m.

Abstract: A diamond-like carbon (DLC) film having refractive indices distributed in a pattern oriented within the plane of the film or on a bias with respect to the thickness of the film. Such films may be useful in low-cast Faraday rotators, in polarizers (analyzers), and in magnetic substances, and in Faraday rotators and optical isolators that can handle a plurality of wavelengths. The refractive index structure may be imparted to the DLC film, for example, by irradiating at least one region of the film with either a particle or energy beam.