Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing a multilayer comprising two or more anisotropic layers with different optical axes by using a particle beam etching technique, to a multilayer obtained by said process, to the use of such a multilayer as optical compensator or retarder in optical and electrooptical devices, and to devices comprising such a multilayer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an optical pickup apparatus in which a liquid crystal optical element constructed by combining an aberration correcting liquid crystal panel and a ?/4 liquid crystal panel in an integral fashion is mounted in a tilted position. More particularly, the invention provides a liquid crystal optical element comprising a first liquid crystal layer for correcting aberration, a second liquid crystal layer functioning as an n?/4 plate and combined in an integral fashion with the first liquid crystal layer, a transparent electrode for generating a potential difference on the second liquid crystal layer in order to control an amount of phase difference for the light beam passing through the second liquid crystal layer, and a driver for driving the transparent electrode so as to generate a potential difference that is the lowest among a plurality of potential differences that cause the second liquid crystal layer to function as an n?/4 plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical compensation film comprising a light absorbing layer and a retardation layer, wherein the light absorbing layer shows absorption anisotropy in the plane (x-y plane) thereof with respect to light of wavelength ? nm in the visible light region and a degree of polarization P of 0.986 or smaller, and the in-plane absorption axis of the light absorbing layer and the in-plane slow axis of the retardation layer are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: In a transflective liquid crystal panel having an in-cell retarder, for improving a layer structure of poor adhesion, an alignment film for the retardation layer is not applied to a portion of disposing a sealing material at the main surface of a substrate of the liquid crystal panel in the step of applying the alignment film to the main surface.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device whose sub-pixel region has a reflective display region that displays an image in a reflective mode and a transmissive display region that displays an image in a transmissive mode includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposing the first substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer has a smaller thickness in the reflective display region than in the transmissive display region. One of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a reflection layer in the reflective display region, and the other substrate includes on the liquid crystal layer side a functional resin layer having a first functional resin sub layer in the reflective display region and a second functional resin sub layer in the transmissive display region. The first functional resin sub layer and the second functional resin sub layer serve as retardation layers with different optical axes from each other.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, liquid crystal held between the first substrate and the second substrate, patterned layers divided into fine areas, disposed on the first substrate, comprising at least a patterned color filter layer and a patterned first optically anisotropic layer laminated in the direction of the normal line of the substrate, and a barrier wall disposed at a boundary portion of the adjacent fine areas of the patterned layers.

Abstract: An oblique angle deposition is used to provide an A-plate optical retarder having at least one dense, form-birefringent layer. According to one embodiment, the dense, form-birefringent layer(s) are deposited as part of an FBAR stack to provide an all-dielectric full-function A/?C-plate trim retarder for LCD birefringence compensation. Advantageously, the dense structure of the full-function A/?C-plate trim retarder offers high durability and/or stability, thus making it well suited for providing polarization compensation in high light flux polarization-based projection systems.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel including an active device array substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The active device array substrate includes a plurality of pixel electrodes and each of the pixel electrodes includes a plurality of sets of stripe patterns extending along different directions. Each of the stripe patterns has a width of L and a space between two neighboring stripe patterns is S. The opposite substrate is disposed over the active device array substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the active device array substrate and the opposite substrate. A cell gap between the active device array substrate and the opposite substrate is d, birefringence of the liquid crystal layer is ?n, and dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal layer is ??, wherein S, d, ?n, and ?? comply with the inequality: S/|??|?2.8×?n×d.

Abstract: An optical resin film is provided, in which a wavelength dispersion of a retardation in planar direction and a wavelength dispersion of a retardation in thickness direction are independently controlled, is provided and has at least an additive having a negative intrinsic birefringence.

Abstract: A plastic substrate according to the present invention is used in optical instruments. The plastic substrate includes a composite substrate 10 in which fibers 11 are embedded in a resin matrix 12. The fibers are arranged in at least one predetermined direction within a plane of the composite substrate. The composite substrate substantially transmits visible radiation and has a predefined retardation that is associated with the predetermined direction in which the fibers are arranged.

Abstract: A phase difference element, in which imbalance hardly occurs between right and left pictures during displaying a three-dimensional image, and a display device having the phase difference element are provided. A base film of the phase difference element includes, for example, a thin resin film having optical anisotropy. A slow axis of the base film points in a vertical or horizontal direction, and points in a direction intersecting with a slow axis of a right-eye region of the phase difference element and with a slow axis of a left-eye region thereof. Thus, influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film is exerted on each light being transmitted by the base film, so that the influence is not extremely greatly exerted on only one of light corresponding to a right eye and light corresponding to a left eye, the respective light being transmitted by the base film.

Abstract: Provided are an optical compensation film and a method for producing the same. The optical compensation film includes a nematic liquid crystal compound including a compound having at least two mesogens linked to each other with a constant angle, and has hybrid alignment in which the alignment of the liquid crystal compound varies gradually along the thickness direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensation film including a supporter, and an optical compensation layer disposed on at least one surface of the supporter and including a polymer of cholesteric liquid crystal molecules having a structure in which a plurality of parallel-arranged liquid crystal molecules are helically arranged, wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a helical axis that is bent and tilted to the supporter at an angle represented by the following Equation 1; a method of manufacturing the same; and a liquid crystal device (LCD) including the optical compensation film.

Abstract: Self-compensating, quasi-homeotropic liquid crystal devices overcome the contrast reducing effects of smaller pretilt angles. The devices exhibit extremely high contrast ratio but at the same time suppress fringe field-induced disclination lines in high pixel density and small pixel size quasi-homeotropic displays. The surface pretilt and cell twist angles are set at values that, in combination, contribute to establishing a cuspate singularity in the contrast ratio for normally incident light in response to a drive signal switching the liquid crystal device to the OFF director field state that provides nearly 0% optical efficiency. The OFF director field state corresponds to a subthreshold drive level that provides for the liquid crystal device self-compensation for in-plane optical retardation.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film, which has a film thickness of from 20 to 70 ?m and an elastic modulus of from 3.5 to 10 GPa in at least one direction of a film casting direction and a width direction.

Abstract: A cyclic olefin addition copolymer includes a structural unit (1) derived from a cyclic olefin compound with a C4 alkyl substituent group and a structural unit (2) derived from a cyclic olefin compound with a C5-12 alkyl substituent group, and optionally includes a structural unit (3) derived from another cyclic olefin compound. The novel cyclic olefin addition copolymers according to the present invention are excellent in melt-formability, transparency and heat resistance, have low water absorption properties, low dielectric constant and low metal content, and are suitably used in optical parts such as optical films. Processes according to the present invention produce the cyclic olefin addition copolymers at high yield with small amounts of catalysts.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device which has a first and second electrodes formed on a second substrate and which controls allows alignment of liquid crystal molecules by an electric field generated between the first and second electrodes, wherein the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned in a first direction in a plane of the substrate, wherein a phase difference layer having molecules, which are inclined in the plane of the first or second substrate and are aligned in directions different from one another in the transmissive display portion and the reflective display portion, is formed on a surface of the first or second substrate opposed to the liquid crystal layer, and wherein a director of the molecules of the phase difference layer is aligned in a second direction parallel to the first direction at least in the plane of the transmissive display portion.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, a display area having a plurality of pixels arranged therein, and a retardation film. Each pixel includes a transmissive display area and a reflective display area. The retardation film is provided on one of the pair of substrates in a band-shape so as to continue across the reflective display areas of the plurality of pixels. An end portion of the band-shaped retardation film is positioned outside the display area.

Abstract: A patterned retarder film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A patterned retarder film with a micro-structure comprises a first substrate, a phase retardation layer on the first substrate comprising a plurality of first retardation regions of liquid crystal materials and a plurality of second retardation regions of curable resin, wherein the structures of the first retardation regions and the second retardation regions are grating-like stripe structures and parallelly interleaved with each other and the first retardation regions provide a first phase retardation and the second retardation regions provide a second phase retardation; and a second substrate laminated on the phase retardation layer; wherein the first phase retardation and the second phase retardation are different by 180°.

Abstract: A patterned retarder film with a plurality of first retardation regions and a plurality of second retardation regions and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes providing a base film; forming an alignment layer on a first surface of the base film; coating a liquid crystal material on the alignment layer as a liquid crystal layer; aligning the liquid crystal layer with the alignment layer; embossing the liquid crystal layer with a predetermined pattern to form a patterned layer with a plurality of first and second retardation regions. The structure of the first and second retardation regions are grating-like stripe structure and parallel to each other and the structure of the second retardation regions are grooving-like stripe structure and interleaved with each other. The patterned liquid crystal layer is cured. The phase retardation of the first and second retardation regions is different by 180°.

Abstract: A patterned retarder film comprises a first substrate, a pattern configuration, an alignment layer formed on the pattern configuration, and a liquid crystal layer disposed on the alignment layer. The pattern configuration comprises a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions, wherein the first regions are grating relief structure and interleaved with the second regions. A liquid crystal layer is coated on the alignment layer to cover the first regions and the second regions of the pattern configuration to a plane with a determined thickness on the surface of the first regions. The first phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer on the first regions and the second phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer on the second regions are different by 180°. The method for manufacturing the same is disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a thin phase difference film of a liquid crystal display easily so as not to prevent a liquid crystal from being driven so that cost for manufacturing a liquid crystal display is more reduced than conventionally. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a structure in which phase difference films that have the same function as a conventional phase difference film are formed by using a liquid crystal stabilized with a polymer over a first substrate and a second substrate that have electrodes formed thereover, and a liquid crystal material is interposed between these substrates. In addition to the structure as described above, it is also a feature that the phase difference film formed over the substrate is formed by using a liquid crystal that is stabilized with a polymer including a conductive material.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate in which a first electrode and a second electrode are provided, the second electrode having a plurality of line-shaped portions that generate an electric field between the first electrode, a second substrate opposing the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer being partitioned into a plurality of display pixels each of which is driven by the electric field, a polarization film arranged outside the second substrate, and an optical member film arranged outside the polarization film. The optical member film has a front phase difference whose retardation value is in the range of 120 to 160 nm, and an angle of an optical axis of the optical member film with respect to an extending direction of the plurality of line-shaped portions of the second electrode is in the range of 30 to 40 degrees or 50 to 60 degrees.

Abstract: An image display device is discussed. The image display device includes a display panel configured to selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image and a patterned retarder disposed line by line. The patterned retarder includes a first retarder transmitting only a left eye image of the 3D image from the display panel and a second retarder transmitting only a right eye image of the 3D image. Pixels disposed on the display panel alternately display the 3D image and a black image every one horizontal line in an interlace manner through a time division.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display device is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus which includes an optical compensation layer in addition to a liquid crystal panel and which is capable of preventing degradation of the optical compensation layer, thereby providing high long-term reliability in display characteristics, is provided. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel 1 in which a liquid crystal layer 30 is interposed between a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20; a protection substrate 3 disposed at least one side of the liquid crystal panel 1 so as to face the liquid crystal panel 1; and an optical compensation layer 5 interposed between the liquid crystal panel 1 and the protection substrate 3.

Abstract: A laminated optical film including a first optical anisotropic layer, and a second optical anisotropic layer, wherein Relationship (1), ?10 nm??Re1??Re2?10 nm, is satisfied when a slow phase axis of the first optical anisotropic layer is substantially perpendicular to a slow phase axis of the second optical anisotropic layer, wherein Relationship (2), ?10 nm??Re1+?Re2?10 nm, is satisfied when the slow phase axis of the first optical anisotropic layer is substantially parallel to the slow phase axis of the second optical anisotropic layer, wherein an in-plane retardation value Re of the film as a whole satisfies 30 nm?Re?500 nm, where ?Re1 denotes a value calculated from “Re1 (at a temperature of 50° C.)?Re1 (at a temperature of 25° C.)” concerning the first optical anisotropic layer, and ?Re2 denotes a value calculated from “Re2 (at a temperature of 50° C.)?Re2 (at a temperature of 25° C.)” concerning the second optical anisotropic layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystals having negative dielectric anisotropy are interposed between upper substrate and lower substrate that have been vertically oriented on the surface, the orientation of the liquid crystals being almost vertical with no applied voltage, almost horizontal when a predetermined voltage is applied, and tilted when a smaller voltage than the predetermined voltage is applied; a first polarizer and a second polarizer disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal panel such that the absorption axes of the polarizers are perpendicular to each other; a first retardation film disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the first polarizer; and a second retardation film disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the second polarizer, wherein the polarizer comprises a polarizing film and a pair of protective films having the polarizing film in between, and wherein at least one of the protective films is a cellulose acylate film sat

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical film including at least two optically anisotropic layers, wherein one optically anisotropic layer satisfies Expression (1) described below, the other optically anisotropic layer satisfies Expression (2) described below, and a slow axis of the one optically anisotropic layer is parallel to a slow axis of the other optically anisotropic layer, 0?Re(450)/Re(550)?0.5??Expression (1) 0.95?Re(450)/Re(550)?1.05??Expression (2) where Re (?) represents an in-plane retardation value (unit: nm) of the corresponding optically anisotropic layer measured at a wavelength of ? nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polarizing plate comprising at least first and second polarizing elements and satisfying (1) kx1>ky1=kz1, (2) kz2>ky2 and (3) (kx1?ky1)×d1>(kz2?ky2)×d2, wherein an x-axis and a y-axis are in-plane axes crossing perpendicularly to each other, and a z-axis is the axis crossing perpendicularly to the x-y axis plane; kx1, ky1 and kz1 each are the absorption coefficient in the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions, respectively, of the first polarizing element; ky2 and kz2 each are the absorption coefficient in the y-axis and z-axis directions, respectively, of the second polarizing element; and d1 and d2 each are the thickness (unit: nm) of the first and second polarizing elements, respectively.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a blue phase liquid crystal display is provided. A first substrate is arranged opposite to a second substrate, in which the first and second substrates include a first and a second electrode, respectively. A blue phase liquid crystal layer is sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate, in which the blue phase liquid crystal layer includes a positive blue phase liquid crystal and a monomer. A voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode such that a vertical electric field is formed. The blue phase liquid crystal layer is illuminated with a light source such that the monomer performs polymerization to produce a polymer-stabilized positive blue phase liquid crystal. A blue phase liquid crystal display is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A substrate for a liquid crystal device includes: an electrode film provided on a display area on the substrate; an alignment film which covers at least the display area and is subjected to an alignment process by rubbing; and a band-shaped projection provided in a peripheral area outside the display area so as at least to intersect the rubbing direction and extend along the display area, in which the height of the band-shaped projection on the substrate is higher than the height of the surface of the electrode film.

Abstract: A color-tunable plasmonic device is provided with a partially modulated refractive index. A first dielectric layer overlies a bottom electrode, and has a refractive index non-responsive to an electric field. A second dielectric layer overlies the first dielectric layer, having a refractive index responsive to an electric field. An electrically conductive top electrode overlies the second dielectric layer. A plasmonic layer including a plurality of discrete plasmonic particles is interposed between the top and bottom electrodes. In one aspect, the plasmonic layer is interposed between the first and second dielectric layers. In a second aspect, the plasmonic layer is interposed between the first dielectric layer and the bottom electrode. In a third aspect, a first plasmonic layer is interposed between the first dielectric layer and the bottom electrode, and a second plasmonic layer of discrete plasmonic particles is interposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polarizer, a method for fabricating the same, and a liquid crystal display having the same. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel and a polarizer attached to the liquid crystal panel. The polarizer includes a polarizing film, a first support film, and a second support film. The first support film has optical anisotropy and is attached to the polarizing film. The first support film has a first thickness. The second support film is attached to the polarizing film while facing the first support film and has a second thickness, which is greater than the first thickness. The polarizer is fabricated by evaporating a solvent from a solution including polymer resin to form an optical film and then elongating the optical film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal display device comprising a retardation layer wherein an in-plane slow axis of the retardation layer is within the direction of 90±40 degrees relative to an absorption axis of the polarizing layer disposed at a closer position to the retardation layer; Re(550) meets following relation, 25 nm?Re(550)?230 nm; R[40°] of the retardation layer which is measured for incident light in a direction tilted by 40 degrees toward the tilt direction of the retardation layer relative to the normal line of the retardation layer meets following relation, 0 nm?R[40°]?300 nm; and R[+40°] of the retardation layer and retardation R[?40°] of the retardation layer meet following relation, 1<R[+40°]/R[?40°].

Abstract: Self-compensating, quasi-homeotropic liquid crystal devices overcome the contrast reducing effects of smaller pretilt angles. The devices exhibit extremely high contrast ratio but at the same time suppress fringe field-induced disclination lines in high pixel density and small pixel size quasi-homeotropic displays. The surface pretilt and cell twist angles are set at values that, in combination, contribute to establishing a cuspate singularity in the contrast ratio for normally incident light in response to a drive signal switching the liquid crystal device to the OFF director field state that provides nearly 0% optical efficiency. The OFF director field state corresponds to a subthreshold drive level that provides for the liquid crystal device self-compensation for in-plane optical retardation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of substrates, at least one polarizing film provided outside the pair of substrates, a liquid crystal cell having a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter provided inside the pair of substrates, a first retardation film compensating for light of a wavelength or wavelengths corresponding to a color or colors of any one or two of the three color filters, and a second retardation film compensating for light of a wavelength that is not compensated for by the first retardation film.

Abstract: To provide a retardation film in which the retardation condition is adjusted to achieve a liquid crystal display without coloration over a wide viewing angle range and having a high contrast ratio, and a method of designing the same, as well as a polarizing film and a liquid crystal display using the same. A liquid crystal display comprising a liquid crystal cell and polarizing films in a Cross-Nicol relationship with each other on both sides of the liquid crystal cell; wherein at least one polarizing film includes a retardation film having reverse wavelength dispersion property; and the liquid crystal display further includes a retardation film having a wavelength dispersion property substantially the same as a liquid crystal layer configuring the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: An optical film comprising a thermoplastic resin, which is such that the slow axis direction in the film plane differs from the film tilt direction and the birefringence of a sliced section of the film that contains the tilt direction and the thickness direction in the plane varies in the thickness direction of the film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method of manufacturing the same that can improve the picture quality are provided. A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate; a black matrix formed in a matrix configuration on the first substrate; a compensation layer disposed above the black matrix and including a plurality of compensation patterns separated a predetermined region from each other where the compensation layer has been removed; and a column spacer disposed in a region including at least the predetermined region.

Abstract: A vertical alignment type liquid crystal display, which has a liquid crystal layer whose retardation value is about 600 nm or more, can solve the viewing angle problems associated with the wider viewing angle. The liquid crystal display can include a vertical alignment liquid crystal cell, and first and second polarizing plates cross-Nicol disposed on respective sides of the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell has a liquid crystal layer with a retardation of about 600 nm or more. A biaxial plate is provided between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate, and two C-plates are provided between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizing plate.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an optical compensation film that allows superior phase difference between a first optically anisotropic layer and a second optically anisotropic layer and excellent wavelength dispersibility in terms of front and inclined retardation of liquid crystal layers in liquid crystal cells, a polarizing plate containing the optical compensation film, and a liquid-crystal display device that can display superior images with less color change due to the polarizing plate. In order to attain the object, an optical compensation film etc. is provided that comprises at least a first optically anisotropic layer and a second optically anisotropic layer, wherein the first optically anisotropic layer satisfies at least one of the following Equations (i) to (iii): 1?Re1450)(0°)/Re1650)(0°)?1.25:??Equation (i) 1?Re1450)(40°)/Re1650)(40°)?1.25:??Equation (ii) 1?Re1450)(?40°)/Re1650)(?40°)?1.25:??Equation (iii).

Abstract: A retardation plate comprising at least one optically anisotropic layer, wherein at least one of said optically anisotropic layers is formed from a composition containing a liquid crystalline compound represented by the following formula: wherein Y11, Y12 and Y13 are methine or N; L1, L2 and L3 are single bond or divalent group; H1, H2 and H3 are formula (DI-A) or (DI-B); YA1, YA2, YB1 and YB2 are methine or N; XA and XB are O, S, etc.; R1, R2 and R3 are -(-L21-Q2)n1-L22-L23-Q1; L21 is single bond or divalent group; Q2 is cyclic divalent group; n1 is 0-4; L22 is —O—, —O—CO—, etc; L23 is —O—, —S—, etc.; Q1 is polymerizable group or H.

Abstract: A high transmittance brightness enhanced optical element for backlight modules and liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The brightness enhanced polarizing optical element comprises a reflective polarizer film, a phase retardation film, and a polarization enhancement film. The reflective polarizer film provides a function of selectively reflecting right-handness circularly polarized light or left-handness circularly polarized light and will transmit the other one of them. The one was selectively reflected will be recombined with the light source or the backlight and re-direct toward the reflective polarizer. The portions of the reflective light will be recombined with the fresh light from the light source as above and the processes repeatedly. As a result, almost all of the light transmit the reflective polarizer and in the same circular polarization. The light is then transmitted the phase retardation film and converted to a polarized light with another optical axis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of a simplified structure and a widened viewing angle are provided. The liquid crystal display device having a stacked structure with its component plates and layers laid one over another in the following top-down order, comprises a first polarizing plate of ? in optic-axial angle, a first ?/2 retardation plate of ? in the optic-axial angle, a first ?/4 retardation plate of ? in the optic-axial angle, a liquid crystal layer located as an interlayer between two of substrates and having its opposite major surfaces oriented in vertical directions, a second ?/4 retardation plate disposed in phase or in parallel with the first ?/4 retardation plate (i.e., the optic-axial angle of ?), a second ?/2 retardation plate of (2???) in the optic-axial angle, and a second polarizing plate of (?/2??+2?) in the optic-axial angle.

Abstract: A retardation compensator 40 for compensating for residual retardation of a liquid crystal panel 11 includes a retardation compensating plate 50 having birefringence. An in-plane retardation R0c of the retardation compensating plate 50 and an in-plane retardation R0p of the liquid crystal panel 11 satisfy a relationship of 1<R0c/R0p?10, thereby allowing changes in the amount of compensated retardation among rotation angles occurring when the retardation compensating plate 50 is set with respect to the liquid crystal panel 11 to be confined within narrow limits. Therefore, the contrast can be adjusted readily, and variations in residual retardation among the individual liquid crystal panels 11 can be accommodated flexibly.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device, in which a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, includes a plurality of pixels and a retardation layer. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a transmissive display area and a reflective display area. The retardation layer is arranged at a position that at least overlaps the reflective display areas and on an inner surface side of the pair of substrates. The retardation layer is formed so as to extend over the reflective display areas of at least two adjacent pixels among the plurality of pixels. The retardation layer has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is located on one of the two adjacent pixels. The second end portion is opposite the first end portion and located on the other pixel of the two adjacent pixels.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film comprising at least one retardation raising agent having specific rod-like polarizability anisotropy or specific plane polarizability anisotropy, and specific distance between terminals of a molecule in a specific amount; a process for producing the same; and a polarizing plate and liquid crystal display using the same.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display including a display panel and a phase retardation film is provided. The display panel has a plurality of first pixel regions and a plurality of second pixel regions that are arranged as an array. The phase retardation film is disposed on the surface of the display panel. The phase retardation film has a plurality of first retardation regions and a plurality of second retardation regions that are alternately arranged. The first retardation regions have the same phase retardation, the second retardation regions have the same phase retardation, and the phase retardation of the first retardation regions is different from that of the second retardation regions. All the regions of the phase retardation film have the same transmittance. A display method adaptable to the 3D display is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device which has a first and second electrodes formed on a second substrate and which controls allows alignment of liquid crystal molecules by an electric field generated between the first and second electrodes, wherein the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned in a first direction in a plane of the substrate, wherein a phase difference layer having molecules, which are inclined in the plane of the first or second substrate and are aligned in directions different from one another in the transmissive display portion and the reflective display portion, is formed on a surface of the first or second substrate opposed to the liquid crystal layer, and wherein a director of the molecules of the phase difference layer is aligned in a second direction parallel to the first direction at least in the plane of the transmissive display portion, wherein an angle formed by the alignment direction of the molecules of the phase difference layer in the transmissive display portion an