Abstract: The invention relates to a compensated electro-optical light modulation element comprising a mesogenic medium that is operated in an optically isotropic phase of the mesogenic medium and comprising at least one compensation element, and to displays containing such a light modulation element.

Abstract: Featured is a liquid crystal display device including first and second transparent substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed there between that includes a plurality of domains in each pixel region. Also included are first and second polarizing plates and first and second phase compensators; the first compensator is provided between the first polarizing plate and first substrate and the second compensator is between the second polarizing plate and second substrate. The phase-delay axes for the first and second compensators are parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to a phase-delay axis of the liquid crystal layer. A third phase difference compensator is provided between the first and/or second polarizing plate and the corresponding first or second compensator.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided, which includes: a first panel; a second panel facing the first panel; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first panel and the second panel; a biaxial compensation film disposed on an outer surface of the first panel; a first polarizing film disposed on an outer surface of the biaxial compensation film; a C-plate uniaxial compensator disposed on an outer surface of the second panel and having a horizontal retardation lower than about 10 nm; and a second polarizing film disposed on an outer surface of the C-plate uniaxial compensator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel having a high contrast ratio in the front direction. The liquid crystal panel includes a first polarizing plate, a second polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal cell, in which the first polarizing plate is arranged on a display surface side and the second polarizing plate is arranged on a back surface side of the liquid crystal cell. The first polarizing plate includes a first polarizer and a first retardation layer arranged between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell. The second polarizing plate includes a second polarizer and a second retardation layer arranged between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal cell. An index ellipsoid of the first retardation layer satisfies nx>ny?nz, and an index ellipsoid of the second retardation layer satisfies nx=ny>nz. The transmittance of the second polarizing plate is greater than that of the first polarizing plate.

Abstract: A viewing angle magnification liquid crystal display of this invention comprising: at least a backlight system containing a polarization element (A) obtained by disposing a retardation layer (b) between at least two layers, included in a reflection polarizer (a), and having respective selective reflection wavelength bands of polarized light superimposed on each other to conduct collimation for a diffusion light source; a liquid crystal cell transmitting collimated lights; a polarizing plate disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal cell; and a viewing angle magnifying layer disposed on the viewer side of the liquid crystal cell to diffuse transmitted light. The liquid crystal display can realize a thin type and have a wide viewing angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device wherein an optically anisotropic layer is formed on an optical film satisfying that Rth is 0 to 150 nm at 23° C./60% RH and the difference between Rth at 23° C./10% RH and Rth at 23° C./80% RH is 40% or less of Rth at 23° C./60% RH. In the liquid crystal display, liquid crystal cells are optically compensated accurately and less affected in the display properties even when the storage environment changes.

Abstract: An LCD device in an LCD projector includes a TFT substrate, a counter substrate, an LC layer sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate, and a pair of compensation substrates attached onto the outer surfaces of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate far from the LC layer. The compensation substrate has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for compensating the retardation caused by a temperature rise of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate due to irradiation thereof by a light source.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a cellulose ester film satisfying the relationships, Nx>Ny>Nz, and 0.8?Rt/R0?3.5, the method comprising casting a cellulose ester dope containing a solvent of a good solvent and a poor solvent on a support to form a web; peeling the web from the support; transporting the peeled web (step D0); holding the edges in the transverse direction of the web (step A); stretching the resulting web in the transverse direction while applying a tension; reducing the tension in the transverse direction of the web; and drying the stretched web, wherein the residual solvent content of the web is 5 to 90% by weight at the beginning in the step A, and the residual poor solvent content in the residual solvent content of the web is from 15 to 95% by weight at the terminal point in the Step D0.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal panel suitable for a liquid crystal display apparatus and capable of providing colorless neutral displays in all directions, and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a first birefringent layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; a second polarizer arranged on another side of the liquid crystal cell; and a second birefringent layer arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer; in which: the first birefringent layer has a relationship of 1<Nz?2 where an Nz coefficient is defined by Nz=(nx-nz)/(nx-ny); and the second birefringent layer has a refractive index profile of nx=ny>nz.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal display device conducts a display operation in Normally Black mode. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell and two polarizers. The liquid crystal cell includes two substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between them. The two polarizers face each other with the liquid crystal cell interposed between them. The liquid crystal display device further includes: a first optical compensator provided between one of the two polarizers and the liquid crystal cell so as to compensate for the wavelength dependence of the angle of rotation of polarized light passing through the liquid crystal layer in a black display state; and a second optical compensator provided between the first optical compensator and that polarizer so as to compensate for the wavelength dependence of the ellipticity of the polarized light passing through the liquid crystal layer in the black display state.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 and not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: A TFT array panel on which both pixel electrodes and common electrodes are formed and a color filter panel is disposed opposing the array panel, and liquid crystals are interposed therebetween. The liquid crystals are aligned parallel to the two panels and driven by parallel electric field formed between the pixel electrodes and reference electrodes. Polarization films are arranged outsides the two panels, and a quasi-A plate compensation film is arranged between the color filter panel and the polarization film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-plane switching liquid crystal display comprising a negative biaxial retardation film and a positive C-plate, as viewing-angle compensation films. By the use of such viewing-angle compensation films, the contrast characteristics at the front side and inclination angle of the in-plane switching liquid crystal display can be improved and color shift with viewing angle in the dark state can be minimized.

Abstract: An inclined optical compensation film formed from a non-liquid-crystal polymer, which is useful in a TN mode liquid crystal display. A substrate is coated with a non-liquid-crystal polymer to thereby form a coating film; the non-liquid-crystal polymer of the coating film is inclined and aligned; and the coating film is solidified, thereby forming an inclined optical compensation film. The non-liquid-crystal polymer can be inclined and aligned by, for example, applying external force, such as wind blowing, to the coating film. This inclined optical compensation film exhibits, for example, a birefringence (?n) ranging from 0.001 to 0.5 and thus is useful in a TN mode liquid crystal display, etc.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell having a pair of transparent substrates opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer provided between the pair of substrates; first and second retardation plates and a first polarizing plate that are sequentially formed on an outer surface of one of the pair of substrates; and third and fourth retardation plates and a second polarizing plate that are sequentially formed on an outer surface of the other substrate of the pair of substrates. Optical characteristics of the liquid crystal cell, the first to fourth retardation plates, and the first and second polarizing plates are set in predetermined ranges.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel having improved contrast ratio in an oblique direction and good display evenness without causing shift or unevenness in retardation values due to shrinkage stress of a polarizer or heat of backlight is provided. A liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a polarizer arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal cell; a first optical element arranged between one polarizer and the liquid crystal cell; and a second optical element arranged between the other polarizer and the liquid crystal cell, wherein: the first optical element comprises a retardation film containing a styrene-based resin and a polycarbonate-based resin and satisfying the following expressions (1) and (2); and the second optical element has substantially optical isotropy: 240 nm?Re[590]?350 nm??(1) 0.20?Rth[590]/Re[590]?0.80.

Abstract: A resin sheet that is unlikely to be affected by heat and allows prevention of the occurrence of a crack is provided. A glass fiber cloth-like material is dipped into an epoxy resin solution and subjected to curing, thereby obtaining an epoxy resin-based sheet including the glass fiber cloth-like material. The resin sheet has a haze value of 10% or lower, and preferably, has a light transmittance of 88% or higher, an in-plane retardation of not more than 2 nm, a retardation in a thickness direction of 40 nm, and a surface roughness of not more than 2 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is configured so that it has a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer pinched between the first substrate and second substrate, and a driving unit, wherein a characteristic of a reflectivity versus an applied voltage is a normally closed type and a characteristic of a transmissivity versus an applied voltage is the normally closed type: wherein the first substrate has a common electrode, and an upside polarization plate and upside phase plate on an upper surface; wherein the second substrate has a reflective electrode and transparent electrode connected with an active element, and a downside polarization plate and downside phase plate on a lower surface; wherein the liquid crystal layer has a twist angle not less than 40 degrees and not more than 65 degrees; wherein a retardation of the liquid crystal layer in a reflective display unit is within a range of not less than 230 nm and not more than 300 nm; and wherein a retardation of the liquid crystal layer in a transm

Abstract: A wide viewing angle liquid crystal display comprises a back light unit, an optical compensation circular polarizer unit, a liquid crystal panel and an optical compensation circular analyzer unit. The optical compensation circular polarizer unit is set over the back light unit. The liquid crystal panel is set over the optical compensation circular polarizer unit. The optical compensation circular analyzer unit is set over the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal display operates using circularly polarized light to improve uniformity of viewing angle properties and contrast ratio, and prevent gray level inversion due to wide-angle viewing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal cell including one or more compensator layers interposed between a constraint and liquid crystal. Each compensator layer contains a transparent amorphous polymeric birefringent material having an out-of plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a laminated phase retarder film that is superior in evenness, exhibits a biaxial optical property as a whole, and makes it possible to set the biaxial optical property over a wide range. This object is achieved by a laminated phase retarder film comprising a transparent resin film as a substrate and at least one coat layer having a refractive-index anisotropy laminated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein a in-plane retardation value (R0) is not less than 20 nm, a retardation value (R?) in the film-thickness direction, which is calculated from a retardation value (R40) measured by inclining by 40 degrees around the slow axis of the film and the in-plane retardation value (R0), is greater than 40 nm.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device is composed of at least one optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) inserted between a liquid crystal display element 1 and polarizer plates 4 and 5. The liquid crystal display element 1 is composed of a pair of electrode substrates 6 and 7 and a liquid crystal layer 8 sealed therebetween. The polarizer plates 4 and 5 flank the liquid crystal display element 1. The optical retardation compensator plate 2 (and 3) has a negative refractive index anisotropy (na=nc>nb). The direction of a principal refractive index nb parallel to the normal to the surface and the direction of either a principal refractive index na or nc in the surface incline either clockwise or counterclockwise around the direction of the principal refractive index nc or na in the surface.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal panel having an improved contrast ratio in an oblique direction and an improved color shift in an oblique direction. Further, there is provided a liquid crystal panel with excellent display uniformity. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on the other side of the liquid crystal cell; a first optical element and a second optical element arranged between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell; and a third optical element arranged between the second polarizer and the liquid crystal cell, in which: the first optical element has substantially optically negative uniaxial property; the second optical element satisfies the following expressions (1) and (2) and is arranged between the first optical element and the liquid crystal cell; and the third optical element has substantially optical isotropy.

Abstract: A multilayer optical compensation film includes at least one optically anisotropic first layer and at least one optically anisotropic second layer. The indices of refraction of the first layer satisfies the relation nx1?ny1?nz1. The second layer includes amorphous polymer with a glass transition temperature above 160° C., and the indices of refraction of the second layer satisfy the relations |nx2?ny2|<0.001 and nz2?(nx2+ny2)/2>0.005.

Abstract: Optical property normalization for a transparent electrical device is described. In an embodiment, an electrical device includes a plurality of laterally displaced regions that are substantially transparent. Each region of the plurality of regions includes a normalized surface that has an optical property that has a normalized value that is substantially the same, one to another. One of the regions includes a portion of an electrical component. Additionally, at least one of the regions includes beneath the normalized surface an additional surface and a spectral normalization structure. The additional surface has a value for the optical property that is not substantially the same as the normalized value. The spectral normalization structure is disposed with the additional surface such that the normalized surface of the at least one region exhibits the normalized value.

Abstract: An optical film, which includes a laminate of a base and a birefringent layer, and which is excellent in adhesiveness between the base and the birefringent layer, is provided. The birefringent layer is formed on the base by: coating a material of the birefringent layer on the base so as to form a coating film; stretching/shrinking the base so as to stretch/shrink the coating film; and solidifying the material of the coating film. The material is dispersed or dissolved previously in a solvent and coated in a form of solution, where the solvent used exhibits solubility with respect to the base, and in the coating step, the solvent is infiltrated into a part of the interior of the base, thereby obtaining an optical film with excellent adhesiveness between the base and the birefringent layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device. An optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is arranged below a semi-transmitting liquid crystal display cell and, thereafter, a ?/4 phase difference plate, a ?/2 phase difference plate and a polarizer are arranged. The orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is substantially equal to the direction which is rotated by 90° in the clockwise direction from a resultant vector of the orientation axis direction of the upper orientation film and the orientation axis direction of the lower orientation film of the liquid crystal display cell. Further, phase lagging axis of the upper and lower ?/4 phase difference plate is set substantially equal to the orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 or not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: An optical compensation film used for a liquid crystal display comprising a support and an optically anisotropic layer is disclosed. The optically anisotropic layer is a layer on which orientation of the liquid crystalline compound is fixed and the support is an optically biaxial cellulose ester film. A polarizing plate used for a liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal display employing the optical compensation film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a display element with a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, and an alignment film on a surface of at least one substrate facing the layer; a pair of polarizers on both surfaces of the liquid crystal element to sandwich the liquid crystal element; and at least one optical phase element between at least one of the polarizers and the liquid crystal element, wherein an optical refractive ellipsoid of the optical phase element is tilted clockwise or counterclockwise from the normal of a surface of the optical phase element, wherein at least one of rates of variation of an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index of a liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal layer with respect to a wavelength is set in a range where viewing angle dependent coloring does not occur on a screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of optical films comprising a twisted A-plate retarder and a polarizer, its use in displays and optical elements, and to displays comprising such a combination.

Abstract: A polarizing plate used in a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display comprising a liquid crystal cell is disclosed, wherein the polarizing plate comprises a polarizing film and a mixed fatty acid cellulose ester film with optical biaxiality provided between the polarizing film and the liquid crystal cell, and wherein the mixed fatty acid cellulose ester film has a retardation in plane R0 of from 31 to 120 nm, and a retardation in the thickness direction Rt of from 60 to 300 nm, in which R0 is represented by the following formula (1) and Rt is represented by the following formula (2): R0=(nx?ny)×d??formula (1) Rt={(nx+ny)/2?nz}×d.

Abstract: A positive uniaxial film 14 with a retardation of Rp [nm] in an in-plane direction is provided between a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal cell 11 and a polarizing plate 12, and a negative uniaxial film 15 with a retardation of Rn [nm] in a thickness direction is provided between the liquid crystal cell 11 and a polarizing plate 13. Further, when a parameter ?1 [nm] relative to Rp is: ?1=135?0.7×Rtac; and a parameter ?1 [nm] relative to Rn is: ?1=Rlc?65?1.4×Rtac, where Rtac [nm] is a retardation in a thickness direction of the respective triacetyl cellulose films 12b and 13b of polarizing plates 12 and 13, the retardations Rp and Rn are set to be values greater than 90% but smaller than 110% with reference to the parameters ?1 and ?1, respectively. This makes it possible to surely provide a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal display device which can maintain a high contrast when viewed from an oblique direction.

Abstract: An achromatic quarter wave film (AQWF) comprising at least one quarter wave film (QWF) and at least one half wave film (HWF), each of said QWF and HWF comprising polymerized or vitrified anisotropic material, to methods and materials for the preparation of the AQWF, its use in optical devices like compensators and liquid crystal displays, and to a liquid crystal display comprising such an AQWF.

Abstract: A phase retarder comprises one cellulose ester film. The retardation value of the film represented by Re450 measured at the wavelength of 450 nm is in the range of 100 to 125 nm. The retardation value of the film represented by Re590 measured at the wavelength of 590 nm is in the range of 120 to 160 nm. The retardation values represented by Re450 and Re590 satisfy the condition of Re590?Re450?2 nm. An aromatic compound having at least two aromatic rings is incorporated in the film as a retardation increasing agent to obtain ?/4 in the wide wavelength region defined above. A phase retarder can also give ?/2 in a wide wavelength region in the same manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device capable of displaying an image with a wide viewing angle and a high color reproducibility. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell, polarizers provided so as to oppose each other via the liquid crystal cell therebetween, a phase compensation element provided between the liquid crystal cell and at least one of the polarizers, and an antiglare layer provided on the viewer side of the polarizer which is provided closer to the viewer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-plane switching active matrix type liquid crystal display with greater improvements on color shifting and contrast. The liquid crystal display comprises an in-plane switching type liquid crystal display panel having an active device substrate, an opposing substrate and a liquid crystal layer held sandwiched between the active device substrate and the opposing substrate, a first polarizer laid out on one side of the liquid crystal display panel, a second polarizer laid out on the opposite side of the liquid crystal display panel, first to third optical compensators placed in order between the liquid crystal display panel and the first polarizer, and a fourth optical compensator placed between the liquid crystal display panel and the second polarizer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display comprises: first and second panels facing each other; a compensation film and a first polarizer disposed on the first panel, the compensation film having phase retardation characteristics; and a second polarizer having a supporting film disposed on the second panel, the supporting film having phase retardation characteristics. In alternative embodiments, a supporting film is used in place of the compensation film. The supporting film has retardation characteristics.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm wherein the process employs laminating layers or coating the layers from solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a birefringent optical film having a high orientation for easily obtaining a desired retardation value and also a small photoelastic coefficient. The birefringent optical film includes at least two kinds of polymer materials. A total of products of Cn and Wn satisfies a numerical formula (1): ?(Cn×Wn)?30×10?8 cm2/N??(1) where Cn and Wn denote respectively a photoelastic coefficient and a volume fraction of each polymer material, and at least one of the polymer materials of the film has a photoelastic coefficient value of at least 60×10?8 cm2/N.

Abstract: A polarizing plate provided on a surface of a liquid crystal cell of a display, containing a polarizing element, Film A and Film B each provided on each of two surfaces of the polarizing element, wherein: (i) a surface of Film B has an adhesive layer which adheres the polarizing plate to the liquid crystal cell; and (ii) concentrations of a ultraviolet absorber and a stabilizer contained in Film A and Film B, and in-plane and out-of-plane retardation values of Film B, satisfy predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell, polarizers, a first retardation plate arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, and a second retardation plate arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. Each retardation plate has an optical axis in a plane parallel to the substrate surface and a retardation of substantially ?/4. The optical axis of one retardation plate is perpendicular to the optical axis of the other. The polarizing axes of the polarizers are arranged at an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axes of the retardation plates. The liquid crystal cell is arranged such that a state of alignment of liquid crystal molecules changes, accompanying a change in a polar angle and/or change in an azimuth, upon application of a voltage.

Abstract: A retardation plate characterized by being obtained by laminating a homeotropic liquid-crystal film formed from a homeotropic liquid-crystal polymer of the side chain type or from a homeotropic liquid-crystalline composition comprising the side chain type liquid-crystal polymer and a photopolymerizable liquid-crystal compound to a stretched film having a retardation function. In the retardation plate, the retardation in the thickness direction can be regulated to a value in a wide range.

Abstract: The invention provides an image display apparatus (1) comprising a lighting system (100); a LCD element (304); and an actuating means for varying the transmittance of the LCD element (304) according to image signals, wherein the LCD element (304) is designed such that when the angle of view with respect to a specified direction of a screen varies provided that the entire LCD element (304) is in a white display mode, transmittance varies such that it has peak values at viewing angles other than viewing angles in the vicinity of 0 degree, and wherein the lighting system (100) is designed such that the intensities of light beams emitted in the directions of the viewing angles in the vicinity of 0 degree are higher than the intensities of light beams emitted in the directions of the viewing angles at which the transmittance has a peak value.

Abstract: An optical film including a transparent polymer film (b) and a birefringent layer (a) formed of a polymer and laminated above the transparent polymer film (b) is provided. The birefringent layer (a) and the transparent polymer film (b) satisfy the following formula (1), the birefringent layer (a) satisfies the following formulae (2) and (3), and the polymer forming the birefringent layer (a) has a weight-average molecular weight in the range between 10,000 and 400,000 inclusive. ?n(a)>?n(b)×10??(1) 1<(nx?nz)/(nx?ny)??(2) 0.0005??n(a)?0.5??(3) This optical film can prevent the occurrence of iridescence, the occurrence of cracks, and the occurrence of variation in retardation.

Abstract: An optical film obtained by stretching a polymer film comprising a polycarbonate resin and a styrene resin: wherein a photoelastic coefficient is 2.0×10?11 to 6.0×10?11 m2/N, and a three dimensional refractive index is controlled so that an Nz coefficient may satisfy a relationship of Nz?0.9 and a front retardation (Re) may satisfy a relationship of Re?80 nm, has characteristics of giving wide viewing angle and also outstanding durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device. An optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is arranged below a semi-transmitting liquid crystal display cell and, thereafter, a ?/4 phase difference plate, a ?/2 phase difference plate and a polarizer are arranged. The orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids is substantially equal to the direction which is rotated by 90° in the clockwise direction from a resultant vector of the orientation axis direction of the upper orientation film and the orientation axis direction of the lower orientation film of the liquid crystal display cell. Further, phase lagging axis of the upper and lower ?/4 phase difference plate is set substantially equal to the orientation axis direction of the optical film having negative uniaxial double refractive index ellipsoids.

Abstract: As a polarizing plate with optical compensation function, that is thin and excellent in optical characteristics, the present invention provides a polarizing plate with optical compensation function including at least two optically compensating layers. The optically compensating layers includes: an optically compensating A-layer formed of a polymer film, satisfying conditions represented by formulae (I) and (II) below; and an optically compensating B-layer formed of a non-liquid crystalline polymer film, satisfying conditions represented by formulae (III) to (V) below. 20 (nm)?Rea?300 (nm)??(I) 1.0?Rza/Rea?8??(II) 1 (nm)?Reb?100 (nm)??(III) 5?Rzb/Reb?100??(IV) 1 (?m)?db?20 (?m)??(V) The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display using the polarizing plate.

Abstract: A positive uniaxial film 14 with a retardation of Rp [nm] in an in-plane direction is provided between a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal cell 11 and a polarizing plate 12, and a negative uniaxial film 15 with a retardation of Rn [nm] in a thickness direction is provided between the liquid crystal cell 11 and a polarizing plate 13. Further, when a parameter ?1 [nm] relative to Rp is: ?1=135?0.7×Rtac; and a parameter ?1 [nm] relative to Rn is: ?1=Rlc?6?1.4×Rtac, where Rtac [nm] is a retardation in a thickness direction of the respective triacetyl cellulose films 12b and 13b of polarizing plates 12 and 13, the retardation Rp is set to be a value ranging from 80% to 120% of the parameter ?1, and the retardation Rn is set to be a value ranging from 60% to 90% of the parameter ?1.

Abstract: An optical stack includes a first liquid crystal layer and a j-retarder disposed on the liquid crystal layer. The j-retarder includes a simultaneous biaxially stretched polymeric film being substantially non-absorbing and non-scattering for at least one polarization state of visible light. The j-retarder has x, y, and z orthogonal indices of refraction where at least two of the orthogonal indices of refraction are not equal, an in-plane retardance being 100 nm or less and an absolute value for an out-of-plane retardance being 55 nm or greater.