Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal film and a polarizing plate on a backlight source side. A transflective liquid crystal display device includes an uniaxially anisotropic film (a quarter wave plate) and a polarizing plate on a visual confirmation side. The liquid crystal film has the nematic hybrid orientation, in which a polymeric liquid crystal substance formed in a liquid state is fixed. The optical axis of the anisotropic film is disposed to be orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to that of the liquid crystal 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: The object of the present invention is to provide a producing method for a lengthwise optical laminate exhibiting high contrast ratio and adaptable to a large-sized display. The present invention provides a producing method for a lengthwise optical laminate, which comprises a step 1 of coating and drying a coating solution comprising a birefringent material and a solvent on a surface of a lengthwise base material to form a birefringent film such that a birefringence index (Anxz[590]) in the thickness direction at a wavelength of 590 nm is 0.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a discrimination medium which has high discrimination ability, and which is more difficult to counterfeit than conventional discrimination mediums. A discrimination medium comprises: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer; and a liquid crystal layer acting as a half-wave plate and provided on the cholesteric liquid crystal layer in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester film which rarely causes the attachment of foreign matters to the surface of a conveying roll or the failure of film transfer induced by the attachment of the foreign matters, which is free of the partial deformation caused by foreign matters on the conveying roll, exhibits high durability after saponification treatment, has good close adhesion to a polarizer, and has excellent processing suitability in the processing into a polarizer. Also disclosed is a method for producing the cellulose ester film by a melt-casting process. Further disclosed are; a protective film for a polarizing plate, which has high film strength; a polarizing plate having high durability; and a liquid crystal display having high image quality; each comprising the cellulose ester film. The cellulose ester film comprises a cellulose ester, a compound represented by the general formula (1) and a compound represented by the general formula (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel that can provide a neutral display that is free from coloring in every direction. The liquid crystal panel includes a first polarizer 14a, a second polarizer 14b, and a liquid crystal cell 13. The first polarizer 14a is arranged on the visible side of the liquid crystal cell 13 and the second polarizer 14b is arranged on the backlight side of the liquid crystal cell 13. The liquid crystal panel further includes a first retardation layer 11 and a second retardation layer 12. A refractive index ellipsoid of the first retardation layer 11 has a relationship of nx=ny>nz, and a refractive index ellipsoid of the second retardation layer 12 has a relationship of nx>ny?nz. The first retardation layer 11 and the second retardation layer 12 are arranged between the liquid crystal cell 13 and the second polarizer 14b.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device having a wide viewing angle, in which compensation films are disposed between a liquid crystal display panel and polarizers to change a polarized state of light, which is incident on the liquid crystal display panel and output therefrom through the polarizers, thereby preventing light from being leaked in a diagonal direction of the liquid crystal display device in a normally black mode.

Abstract: A vertically aligned liquid crystal cell to be simple-matrix driven is disposed between two polarizing plates crossed-Nicol disposed, the liquid crystal cell including a liquid crystal layer having a retardation in a cross section in a thickness direction larger than 550 nm. A C plate and a biaxial plate are disposed collectively between the liquid crystal cell and one of the polarizing plates, the C plate being disposed on the liquid crystal cell side and the biaxial plate being disposed on the polarizing plate side. The biaxial plate is disposed in such a manner that the in-plane delay phase axis of the biaxial plate is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the adjacent polarizing plate.

Abstract: A stereoscopic TFT-LCD with a wire grid polarizer affixed to internal surfaces substrates is provided wherein a thin film polarizing film formed by accurately processing a thin aluminum film, a polarizing film of a nano imprint lithography method that uses polymer, and a polarizing film and a liquid crystal material that form a polarizing nano material thin film by uniformly coating a polarizing nano material (TCF), wherein a second 1/2 phase retardation plate and a transparent unit are formed integrally with each other on the same plane in a chessboard shape, wherein a third polarizing region and a fourth polarizing region are formed integrally with each other on the same plane in a chessboard shape, and wherein a 1/4 phase retardation plate is disposed at a front surface of the second transparent substrate so as to produce circularly-polarized light.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, and an optical compensation plate pair including a first optical compensation plate and a second optical compensation plate, the first optical compensation plate being formed of a negative uniaxial crystal and the second optical compensation plate being formed of a positive uniaxial crystal. The optical compensation plate pair is configured such that an optical phase difference caused by a difference in thickness between the first optical compensation plate and the second optical compensation plate cancels an optical phase difference generated by the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has a vertical alignment type liquid crystal panel. The vertical alignment type liquid crystal panel is provided with an active matrix substrate whereupon a light reflection pixel electrode for reflecting light and a light transmission pixel electrode for transmitting light are provided in each pixel section; a counter electrode substrate; and a liquid crystal layer made of a liquid crystal material having negative dielectric anisotropy. The counter electrode substrate includes a convex section so that the liquid crystal layer in the light reflection section has the thickness thinner than that in the liquid crystal layer of the light transmission section. A liquid crystal panel driving device carries out gray scale transition enhancement processing in which the input gray scale is corrected in accordance with gray scale transition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal layer squeezed between first and second substrates and vertically aligned at a retardation of 300-1000 nm; first and second compensators disposed on the first substrate and having negative biaxial optical anisotropy; a first polarizer disposed on the first and second compensators; and a second polarizer on the second substrate disposed crossed-Nichol with said first polarizer, wherein: the second compensator is disposed between the first substrate and first compensator; an in-plane slow axis of the first compensator is disposed perpendicular to an absorption axis of the first polarizer; the in-plane slow axis of the first compensator is disposed perpendicular to an in-plane slow axis of the second compensator; and a retardation in an in-plane direction of the first compensator is larger than that of the second compensator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display. More particularly, the IPS mode liquid crystal display according to the present invention comprises 1) a first polarizing plate; 2) a liquid crystal cell; 3) a retardation film comprising a positive biaxial acryl-based film and a negative C plate; and 4) a second polarizing plate. Accordingly, a contrast property can be improved at a front side of the IPS mode liquid crystal display and at an inclining angle.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes an OCB mode liquid crystal display panel, and an optical compensation element which is disposed outside of the liquid crystal display layer. The optical compensation element includes a polarizer plate, a first retardation plate which is disposed between the polarizer plate and the liquid crystal layer, and a second retardation plate which is disposed between the polarizer plate and the first retardation plate and has a biaxial refractive index anisotropy. The optical compensation element compensates a difference of a polarization state that differs between azimuth directions of light passing through the liquid crystal layer and compensates a shift of the polarization state of light, which passes through the retardation plate, from an azimuth direction of an absorption axis of the polarizer plate.

Abstract: A stereoscopic TFT-LCD with a wire grid polarizer affixed to internal surfaces substrates, applies to a LCD device having a thin polarizing film and a thin phase retardation film to display a 2D image and a 3D image, a thin film polarizing film formed by accurately processing a thin aluminum film, a polarizing film of a nano imprint lithography method that uses polymer, and a polarizing film and a liquid crystal material that form a polarizing nano material thin film by uniformly coating a polarizing nano material (TCF), wherein a ¼ phase retardation plate is disposed at a front surface of the second transparent substrate so as to produce circularly-polarized light.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus has a liquid crystal display device, a surface light source, and a view angle limiting device arranged between the surface light source and the liquid crystal display device. The view angle limiting device includes first and second transparent plates facing each other with a gap therebetween, a plurality of first ½ retardation layers having a predetermined shape formed to be spaced apart from each other on one of the facing inner surfaces of the first and second transparent plates, a plurality of second ½ retardation layers formed on the other inner surface at regions corresponding to the regions between the first ½ retardation layers, and a polarizing film provided at the outer surface of one of the first and second transparent plates that faces the surface light source.

Abstract: The liquid crystal panel 1 of the present invention comprises a liquid crystal cell 2, a first polarizer 31 disposed on one surface side of the liquid crystal cell 2, a second polarizer 41 disposed on the other surface side of the liquid crystal cell 2, and first optical compensation layer 5 and second optical compensation layer 6 disposed between the first polarizer 31 and second polarizer 41, and the liquid crystal cell 2 satisfies a relationship of 0.8 Re [450]/Re [550] 1, the first optical compensation layer 5 satisfies relationships of the Nz coefficient is from 0.8 to 1.4 and 0.8 Re[450]/Re[550] 1, and the second optical compensation layer 6 satisfies relationships of nx =ny>nz and 0.98 Re[450]/Re[550] 1.04. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention is hardly generated color shift when the panel is viewed from all azimuth angle directions and polar angle directions, so that the liquid crystal panel is excellent in color display characteristics.

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 31 of the phase difference element 30 includes, for example, a thin resin film having optical anisotropy. A slow axis AX3 of the base film 31 points in a vertical or horizontal direction, and points in a direction intersecting with a slow axis AX1 of a right-eye region 32A of the phase difference element 30 and with a slow axis AX2 of a left-eye region 32B thereof. Thus, influence due to optical anisotropy of the base film 31 is exerted on each light being transmitted by the base film 31, 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 31.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises at least optically anisotropic members (A) and (B) and a liquid crystal cell disposed between a pair of polarizers having absorption axes disposed approximately perpendicularly to each other, wherein nzA>nyA and nxB>nzB (nxA, nxB: refractive indices (n) in the direction of the in-plane slow axis; nyA, nyB: n in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the above direction; nzA, nzB: n in the direction of thickness, each at 550 nm); the in-plane slow axes of (A) and (B) are approximately parallel or perpendicular to each other; and the in-plane slow axis of (A) is approximately parallel or perpendicular to the absorption axis of a polarizer closer to (A). The antireflection property, scratch resistance and durability are excellent, the angle of field is wide, and uniform display of images with great contrast can be achieved at any angle of observation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention is a transflective liquid crystal display device that is provided with a backlight, a liquid crystal cell (10), and a reflective electrode (32) provided in the liquid crystal cell (10), and that displays an image through both a reflective display region (a) and a transmissive display region (b). In this liquid crystal display device, a front-side ?/4 plate (wave plate) for a reflective display is further provided on a side from which external light enters the liquid crystal cell (10), and a thin film (33) is provided, on the reflective electrode (32), for correcting a change in chromaticity caused by wavelength dispersion due to the ?/4 plate.

Abstract: An optical compensator handling higher luminance, capable of achieving a higher contrast ratio while suppressing variation of the contrast ratio, and able to achieve higher definition and longer service life, a liquid crystal display system and a projection type liquid crystal display system using this optical compensator, and a production method and an adjustment method of the display systems are provided. The liquid crystal display system has a liquid crystal device optically modulating an emitted light beam by a liquid crystal layer vertically aligning liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric constant anisotropies and having a pretilt in a direction vertical to a main surface of a substrate, a first polarizer arranged on an incident side of the liquid crystal device, a second polarizer arranged on an emission side of the liquid crystal device, and an optical compensator arranged in a light path between the emission side of the first polarizer and the incident side of the second polarizer.

Abstract: A display device, capable of changing view angle range and suitable for reducing thickness and weight, is provided. One compensating panel has such a structure that two polymer films, having birefringence, adhere to each other. The birefringence directions of the polymer films are parallel or orthogonal to the liquid crystal orientation direction. Similarly, another compensating panel has such a structure that two polymer films, having birefringence, adhere to each other. The birefringence directions of the polymer films are parallel or orthogonal to the liquid crystal orientation direction. Since the compensating panel does not include glass substrates but includes polymer films, the display device can be thin and light.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal display device comprising a liquid-crystal cell having a liquid-crystal layer that aligns vertically to the substrate thereof in the black state, first and second polarizing elements that are disposed to sandwich the liquid-crystal cell therebetween in a manner that their absorption axes are perpendicular to each other, an optically-biaxial retardation film A disposed between the first polarizing element and the liquid-crystal cell, and an optically-biaxial retardation film B disposed between the second polarizing element and the liquid-crystal cell, wherein the retardation films A and B differ from each other in the optical anisotropy, is disclosed.

Abstract: First and second polarizers are disposed in cross Nichol configuration. A liquid crystal cell is disposed between the two polarizers and establishes vertical alignment in a state of no voltage application. An even number of optical films having optical anisotropy and disposed between the liquid crystal cell and first polarizer. A retardation of the liquid crystal cell is in a range between 300 nm and 1500 nm; and each optical film satisfies nx>ny?nz, an in-plane retardation is smaller than 300 nm, a thickness direction retardation is in a ranger between 50 nm and 300 nm, an angle between an in-plane slow axis of the optical film disposed nearest to the first polarizer and an absorption axis of the first polarizer is smaller than 45°, and the slow axes of mutually adjacent optical films are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A projection display includes a light source, a liquid crystal panel encapsulating a vertical alignment mode liquid crystal between a first substrate and a second substrate which are opposite to each other, the liquid crystal panel modulating light emitted from the light source, a longer axis of a molecule of the vertical alignment mode liquid crystal tilted from the normal direction of the first substrate, a projection lens projecting light modulated by the liquid crystal panel, a first polarization plate placed on an optical path from the light source to the liquid crystal panel, a second polarization plate placed on an optical path from the liquid crystal panel to the projection lens, an optical-compensation plate placed between the liquid crystal panel and the second polarization plate, and the optical-compensation plate including a plate-like base and a retardation plate formed on a surface of the plate-like base.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has at least a pair of transparent substrates, polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween, and a transparent film having an absolute value |Re| of in-plane retardation Re of 10 nm or smaller in the visible light region, having an absolute value |Rth| of thickness-wise retardation Rth of 30 nm or smaller in the visible light region, having an absolute value |Re(400)?Re(700)| of difference between values of in-plane retardation Re at 400 nm and 700 nm of 10 nm or smaller, and having an absolute value |Rth(400)?Rth(700)| of difference between values of thickness-wise retardation Rth at 400 nm and 700 nm of 35 nm or smaller.

Abstract: There is provided: an optical film suitable for a liquid crystal display apparatus providing a colorless neutral display in all azimuth angle directions; a liquid crystal panel employing the optical film; and a liquid crystal display apparatus employing the liquid crystal panel. An optical film includes a transparent protective film, a polarizer, and a birefringent layer having a relationship of nx>ny=nz and positive uniaxial property, in the stated order, in which the polarizer and the birefringent layer are laminated directly through one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that has a higher contrast ratio in a wide viewing angle and that can be easily produced at low cost.

Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel which is configured such that a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, and to which an OCB mode is applied, and a pair of optical elements which are disposed on outsides of the liquid crystal layer, and optically compensate a retardation of the liquid crystal layer in a predetermined display state in which a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer, wherein the optical element is configured to include a circular polarization element including a polarizer and a first retardation plate which imparts a retardation of ¼ wavelength, and the first retardation plate has such wavelength dispersion characteristics as to establish a relationship, ?1<1, where ?1 is a ratio of an in-plane retardation Re430 at a wavelength of 430 nm to an in-plane retardation Re550 at a wavelength of 550 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel has a first optical film (4) adhered to a viewing side of a liquid crystal cell (2) through a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3), and a second optical film (6) adhered to the reverse side of the liquid crystal cell (2) through a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (5). A creep value (L1) of the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3) is from 50 to 3000 ?m. A creep value (L2) of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (5) is from 10 to 400 ?m. The creep value (L1) of the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3) is larger than the creep value (L2) of the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (5). The creep value means the shift amount after one hour of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a thickness of 20 ?m in a case where a tensile shearing force of 4.9 N is applied to an adhesive area of 10 mm2 at 23° C.

Abstract: An optical compensatory film of a laminated structure comprising a first optically anisotropic layer having an Re(550) of 20 to 100 nm wherein retardation at a wavelength of 550 nm is never 0 nm along any direction and the direction along which the absolute value of retardation at a wavelength of 550 nm reaches minimum does not exist along the normal direction of the layer or on the in-plane of the layer; and a second optically anisotropic layer having an Re(550) of 20 to 150 nm and an Rth(550) of 40 to 110 nm with Re(450) Re(550)<?3 nm and Rth(450)?Rth(550)>3 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device comprising: a first polarizer; a second polarizer; a liquid crystal cell; a first birefringent layer; and a second birefringent layer, the second polarizer having an absorption axis orthogonal to an absorption axis of the first polarizer, the liquid crystal cell being disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, the first birefringent layer being disposed between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell, satisfying 0.6?Nz(550)?6, and having an in-plane slow axis orthogonal to the absorption axis of the first polarizer, the second birefringent layer being disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer, satisfying ?5?Nz(550)?0.4, and having an in-plane slow axis parallel to the absorption axis of the second polarizer, and at least one of the first and second birefringent layers satisfying |Rxy(450)|?|Rxy(550)|?|Rxy(650)|.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose acylate film comprising a cellulose acylate satisfying relations of 2.0?A+B?2.45, (II): and 0.8?A?1.4, and (III): 0.6?B?1.65 where “A” represents a degree of acetyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and “B” represents a degree of with C3 or longer acyl substitution of hydroxy in a glucose unit of cellulose acylate; and satisfying relations of 50 nm?Re(590)?70 nm, 100 nm?Rth(590)?120 nm, and (VI): 1.4?Rth(590)/Re(590)?2.6.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal panel and a biaxial compensation film is provided. The liquid crystal panel has a first surface and a second surface. The biaxial compensation film is disposed on the first surface and includes a C-plate compensation film and nano-structures on the C-plate compensation film serving as an A-plate compensation film.

Abstract: The present invention provides an LCD device that has a higher contrast ratio in a wide viewing angle and that can be easily produced at low cost. The present invention is a liquid crystal display device, including in the following order: a first polarizer; a first birefringent layer; a first quarter-wave plate; a liquid crystal cell; a second quarter-wave plate; a second birefringent layer; and a second polarizer having an absorption axis orthogonal to an absorption axis of the first polarizer, wherein the first birefringent layer satisfies Nz>0.

Abstract: A viewing angle controlling liquid crystal panel in which uniformity of a shielding effect in a screen is further improved is provided. Linearly polarized light enters a liquid crystal layer. Further, the liquid crystal layer is provided, on a light exit side of the liquid crystal layer, with a polarizing plate transmitting only a component of light having exited from the liquid crystal layer which component is parallel to a polarization axis of the linearly polarized light having entered the liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer are tilted in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the polarization axis of the linearly polarized light having entered the liquid crystal layer. In addition, an electrode (26) is provided so that two or more different voltages can be applied to the liquid crystal layer simultaneously.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD device includes an LCD panel having a first liquid crystal layer therein; a first polarizing sheet; and a first phase-difference compensation portion disposed adjacent a first surface of the LCD panel between the LCD panel and the first polarizing sheet. The first phase-difference compensation portion includes a plurality of phase-difference films having at least second and third liquid crystal layers with tilt angles that are different.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal layer squeezed between first and second transparent substrates and vertically aligned at a retardation of 300 nm or larger to 940 nm or smaller; two or three viewing angle compensators disposed on the first transparent substrate on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer, each of the viewing angle compensators having a retardation of 90 nm or larger to 350 nm or smaller in a thickness direction and a retardation of 5 nm or larger to 30 nm or smaller in an in-plane direction; a first polarizer disposed on the two or three viewing angle compensator; and a second polarizer disposed on the second transparent substrate and crossed-Nichol disposed relative to the first polarizer, wherein an in-plane slow axis of each viewing angle compensator is disposed perpendicular to an absorption axis of the first polarizer.

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: A grating trim retarder fabricated from a form-birefringent multi-layer dielectric stack including at least one anti-reflection coating and supported on a transparent substrate is provided. The form-birefringent dielectric stack includes an axially-inhomogeneous element in the form of a ?C-plate grating and a transversely-inhomogeneous element in the form of an A-plate grating. Each of the ?C-plate and the A-plate gratings are fabricated with dimensions to form a zeroth order sub-wavelength grating structure. Fabricating the grating trim retarder with anti-reflection coatings and/or a segment where the ?C-plate and A-plate grating overlap enables the in-plane and out-of-plane retardances to be tailored independently according to the desired application.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal display device comprising a liquid-crystal cell and at least three optically-anisotropic layers disposed on each side of the liquid crystal cell, wherein they are combined so that the ?nd value of the liquid-crystal cell and the optical characteristics of the optically-anisotropic layers can satisfy predetermined relationships, is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal display device comprising a liquid-crystal cell comprising a liquid-crystal layer that aligns vertically to the substrate thereof in the black state, first and second polarizing elements that are disposed to sandwich the liquid-crystal cell therebetween so that their absorption axes are orthogonal to each other, a retardation film A and a retardation film B, wherein the retardation films A and B are equivalent to each other in terms of retardation in plane at a wavelength of 548 nm, Re(548), and retardation along thickness direction at a wavelength of 548 nm, Rth(548) thereof, but differ from each other in terms of the wavelength dispersion characteristics of retardation in plane Re and/or retardation along thickness direction Rth thereof in a visible light region, is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a backlight; a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizing plate provided between the liquid crystal cell and the backlight; a second polarizing plate provided in opposite side to the first polarizing plate with respect to the liquid crystal cell; a first retardation film provided between the first polarizing plate and the liquid crystal cell; and a second retardation film provided between the second polarizing plate and the liquid crystal cell, wherein a relationship represented by the following formula (1) is satisfied: 1×10?6/° C.?EC2max?EC1max?50×10?6/° C.??(1) in which EC1max represents a maximal linear thermal expansion coefficient of the first retardation film, and EC2max represents a maximal linear thermal expansion coefficient of the second retardation film.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a reflective liquid crystal display apparatus which includes a polarization beam splitter having a polarization split film used as both a polarizer and an analyzer; a reflective liquid crystal display device; a quarter wave plate; and a projection optical system; where the absolute value of phase difference of diffracted light generated by the reflective liquid crystal display device in a black display state is reduced by the phase difference of the quarter wave plate, and thus the amount of stray light of the diffracted light guided from the polarizing beam splitter to the projection optical system decreases.

Abstract: Provided are a laminated optical film capable of enhancing a contrast ratio in an oblique direction remarkably while enhancing viewing angle characteristics when being used in a liquid crystal display apparatus or the like, and a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the laminated optical film. The laminated optical film of the present invention includes a polarizer, a first optical compensation layer, and a second optical compensation layer in the stated order, in which the first optical compensation layer has a refractive index profile of nx>nz>ny and is placed so that a slow axis direction thereof is substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis direction of the polarizer, and the second optical compensation layer converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light or circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light in a visible light region.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a reflective liquid crystal display apparatus which includes a polarization beam splitter having a polarization split film used as both a polarizer and an analyzer; a reflective liquid crystal display device; a quarter wave plate; and a projection optical system; where the absolute value of phase difference of diffracted light generated by the reflective liquid crystal display device in a black display state is reduced by the phase difference of the quarter wave plate, and thus the amount of stray light of the diffracted light guided from the polarizing beam splitter to the projection optical system decreases.

Abstract: A projection image display apparatus includes: light source; polarization/separation element having a polarization/separation plane through which one polarized light passes and which reflects the other orthogonal to the one; an image display element for modulating the incident light into image light and reflecting the image light; and a retardation plate disposed between the polarization/separation element and the image display element: the retardation plate has refractive indices different between two orthogonal directions in an optical surface thereof, and gives phase difference larger than ?/4 to polarized light entering the optical surface and having a wavelength ?; and supposing z axis be a normal to a light entering/exiting surface of the polarization/separation element, y axis be perpendicular to z axis and a normal to the polarization/separation plane, and x axis be perpendicular to z- and y-axes, the first retardation plate has optic axis within xz plane and tilted to x axis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus has a liquid crystal display device, a surface light source, and a view angle limiting device arranged between the surface light source and the liquid crystal display device. The view angle limiting device includes first and second transparent plates facing each other with a gap therebetween, a plurality of first ½ retardation layers having a predetermined shape formed to be spaced apart from each other on one of the facing inner surfaces of the first and second transparent plates, a plurality of second ½ retardation layers formed on the other inner surface at regions corresponding to the regions between the first ½ retardation layers, and a polarizing film provided at the outer surface of one of the first and second transparent plates that faces the surface light source.

Abstract: A graded index birefringent component is described and shown with at least one liquid crystal layer having a plurality of lens segments, wherein the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules varies across each lens segment of the liquid crystal layer.

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.