Abstract: An optical compensation film for Ordinary-mode Normally White Twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Display comprising, a first and a second optically anisotropic layers containing positively birefringent material disposed on a substrate, wherein the optic axis of said first optically anisotropic layer tilts in a first plane with an average tilt angle between 10° and 60°, and the optic axis of said second optically anisotropic layer tilts in a second plane with an average tilt angle between 0° and 30°, and said average tilt angle of said first optically anisotropic layer and said average tilt angle of said second optically anisotropic layer are different, and said first and said second planes are perpendicular to the plane of said optical compensation film with the angle between said first and said second planes being 90±10°, and the retardation defined by (ne1−no1)d1 of said first optically anisotropic layer is between 60 nm and 220 nm and the retardation defined by (ne2−no2)d

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device has an elliptic polarizer consisting of a polarizer, a first retarder, and a second retarder, and a reflector reflecting light in a visual light range. Optimal values for a twist angle of a liquid crystal layer, an angle between a transmission axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the first retarder, an angle between the slow axis of the first retarder and a slow axis of the second retarder, and a product of birefringence &Dgr;n of liquid crystal material used in the liquid crystal layer and a thickness d of the liquid crystal layer are evaluated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystal display device comprising a display cell and a plurality of retardation foils of polymerized or vitrified liquid-crystal material, whose liquid-crystal molecules have a tilt angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrates, which retardation foils have substantially complementary indicatrices so that each one of the retardation foils brings about the compensation of approximately half the display cell in the driven state.

Abstract: An ON/OFF control signal 105 directive of turning ON in a transmissive display mode or turning OFF in a reflective display mode is output by an ON/OFF state controlling means 111 to a light source 115. The ON/OFF control signal 105 is also output to a data signal converting means 104, and the data signal converting means 104 converts a data signal 102 into a data signal 103 in synchronization with the switching of ON and OFF of the light source 115 so as to prevent positive-negative inversion of the display on a liquid crystal panel 114. A data signal potential supplying means 112 supplies a potential of a data signal based on the data signal 103 to a data signal line 113 so as to drive the liquid crystal panel 114.

Abstract: A liquid crystal is interposed between a first transparent substrate having first electrodes and a second transparent substrate having other electrodes. Pixel regions are formed at portions where the first electrodes and the other electrodes are opposed to each other. A semitransparent reflecting film is formed between the first transparent substrate and the first electrodes. The semitransparent reflecting film is formed with light transmission apertures in each pixel region. The semitransparent reflecting film also occupies portions corresponding to the gaps between the adjacent pixel regions. Alternatively, in addition to the light transmission apertures, the semitransparent reflecting film is formed with slits at positions corresponding to the gaps between the adjacent pixel regions. A light absorption film is formed between the first transparent substrate and the semitransparent reflecting film at positions corresponding to the slits, or the slits are charged with a light absorption film.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved contrast in projection optical systems consists of a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) in combination with two or more waveplates whose fast exes are aligned perpendicular to each other. The apparatus has an effective broadband frequency response that is better than that of the individual retarders acting alone, and through the selection of a birefringence factor and thickness of the individual retarders, wavelength dependencies are minimized.

Abstract: A display according to various aspects of the present invention comprises an LCD having a first substrate, a second substrate proximate the first substrate, a liquid crystal material located between the first and second substrates, an element for compensating for horizontal view angle limitations of the display. The LCD may further include a nonmechanical element for vertically shifting the viewing angle associated with the high-contrast viewing envelope of the LCD device.

Abstract: A novel retarder comprising a long transparent substrate, and up on the substrate, a first and a second optically anisotropic layers formed from a homogenously aligned rod-like liquid crystal compound and having a phase shift substantially equal to &pgr; measured and equal to &pgr;/2 respectively at a wavelength of 550 nm; and a first alignment layer having a rubbing axis defining the azimuthal direction of the homogenous alignment in the first anisotropic layer. The angle between the slow axis of the first anisotropic layer and the longitudinal direction of the transparent substrate is 75°, the angle between the slow axis of the second anisotropic layer and the longitudinal direction is 15°, the angle between the slow axis of the second anisotropic layer and the slow axis of the first anisotropic layer is 60° and the azimuthal direction of the homogenous alignment in the first anisotropic layer is substantially orthogonal to the rubbing axis of the first alignment layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter of this invention comprises a liquid crystal element holding a nematic liquid crystal, of 180° to 260° in twist angle, between a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizing plates sandwiching the liquid crystal element, and a retardation film inserted between the liquid crystal element and one polarizing plate. The angle formed by the absorption axes of the polarizing plates is set in the range of 80° to 100°, the angle formed between the absorption axis of one of the polarizing plates and the direction of the central liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal element is set in the range of 40° to 60°, and the delay axis of the retardation film is arranged substantially parallel to the alignment direction of the central liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: A controlled angle retarder and method for making same is presented. In one embodiment, the invention is a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell having an extraordinary axis. The liquid crystal display also includes a first retarder connected to the liquid crystal cell, the first retarder having an extraordinary axis. The extraordinary axis of the first retarder is aligned at an angle to the extraordinary axis of the liquid crystal cell. This angle is sufficient to produce a desired effective retardance of the first retarder within the display different from a specified retardance of the first retarder.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in order. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The orientation layer comprises a polymer having a hydrocarbon side chain containing 10 or more carbon atoms or a fluoropolymer. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are aligned at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode and a method of alignment of discotic liquid crystal molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector providing an image having a high luminance and excellent contrast, including a polarization plate which is arranged at an incident side of a liquid crystal panel and transmits a first polarized beam therethrough, a polarization plate which is arranged at an exit side of the liquid crystal panel and transmits an optically modulated second polarized beam therethrough and outputs the same to a projection lens, and a phase difference film having one of a phase delay axis or a phase forward axis which is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the polarization plate and arranged inclined at a predetermined angle about an axis of rotation comprising an axis parallel to the polarization axis of the polarization plate in the plane in which said phase delay axis or phase forward axis is formed.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are oriented in essentially mono domain alignment at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode having the optical compensatory sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-domain wide viewing angle liquid-crystal display (LCD) has a plurality of superimposed spacing wall-bump structures formed on a pair of parallel substrates. Each superimposed spacing wall-bump (SSWB) structure includes a surrounding wall-bump structure formed around a pixel area on a first substrate and a central wall-bump structure formed in a central portion of the pixel area ore a second substrate. Wall-bumps of many different shapes can be used for the central wall-bump structure. The superimposed spacing wall-bump structure provides pre-tilted angles for liquid crystal molecules and results in orderly alignment of liquid crystal molecules when an external voltage is applied. By means of the fringe field effect to tilt liquid crystal molecules, a multi-domain LCD cell can be established after a voltage is applied. The manufacturing method for the SSWB needs neither rubbing process nor polymer stabilized ultraviolet curing process.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a reflective LCD apparatus to obtain a wider view angle and a desired black view. A reflective LCD apparatus according to the invention comprises a phase difference film (retardation film), a liquid crystal layer and a reflector for reflecting incident light.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes front and rear insulating substrates, each having inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the rear substrate faces the inner surface of the front substrate. A transparent electrode is formed on the inner surface of the front substrate, and a mirror electrode made with a reflective material is formed on the inner surface of the rear substrate. A polarizer is attached on the outer surface of the front substrate, and homogeneously aligning films are coated on the transparent and the mirror electrodes, followed by rubbing unidirectionally. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the homogeneously aligning films on the two substrates. The liquid crystal layer is composed of a nematic liquid crystal material which has positive dielectric anisotropy and a chiral dopant to have a twisted structure. The molecular director in the liquid crystal layer is initially in the &pgr;-twisted state.

Abstract: An ON/OFF control signal 105 directive of turning ON in a transmissive display mode or turning OFF in a reflective display mode is output by an ON/OFF state controlling means 111 to a light source 115. The ON/OFF control signal 105 is also output to a data signal converting means 104, and the data signal converting means 104 converts a data signal 102 into a data signal 103 in synchronization with the switching of ON and OFF of the light source 115 so as to prevent positive-negative inversion of the display on a liquid crystal panel 114. A data signal potential supplying means 112 supplies a potential of a data signal based on the data signal 103 to a data signal line 113 so as to drive the liquid crystal panel 114.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in this order. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from discotic liquid crystal molecules. The discotic liquid crystal molecule comprises a triphenylene nucleus and six cinnamoyl side chains. The optically anisotropic layer has a high refractive anisotropy in the range of 0.065 to 0.16.

Abstract: A liquid crystal layer (6) composed of a super twisted nematic liquid crystal is sealed between a first substrate (1) having first electrodes (3) and a second substrate (2) having second electrodes (4), and a color filter is provided on any one of the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2) to form an STN liquid crystal cell (20), and a polarizing film (11) is disposed outside the second substrate (2), which is the visible side of the STN liquid crystal cell (20), with a twisted retardation film (12) interposed therebetween, and a diffusing layer (13), a reflection-type polarizing film (14) and a light absorbing layer (15) are disposed in order outside the first substrate (1), and the liquid crystal layer (6) is aligned such that major axis directions of molecules located at the middle between the first and second substrates (1, 2) are parallel to the horizontal axis of a display screen.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having an envelope formed by first and second substrates disposed at a predetermined distance therebetween and image forming means disposed in the envelope, wherein a heat insulating member is disposed on a surface of the envelope in an area excepting partial surface areas of the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The normally white reflection type liquid crystal display of the present invention comprises: a polarization plate; a quarter wavelength plate; a transparent substrate; a transparent electrode; and a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer, wherein said polarization plate, said quarter wavelength plate, said transparent substrate, said transparent electrode, and said twisted nematic liquid crystal layer are layered in sequence from a light inputting side, and the angle between the optical axis of said quarter wavelength plate and the transmission axis of said polarization plate is below 65 degrees and above 45 degrees, or below 45 degrees and above 25 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: The reflective liquid crystal display device uses only one polarizing film but achieves display of bright white and achromatic color with high contrast. The twisting angle of a nematic liquid crystal is set to 45° to 90°, and the retardation value of a liquid crystal layer is set to &Dgr;nLC·dLC=0.20 &mgr;m to 0.30 &mgr;m. Two retardation films are configured with a structural component having small chromatic dispersion in refractive index anisotropy and a z coefficient from 03 to 1.0. Retardation values of these two retardation films are set to RF1=0.23 &mgr;m to 0.28 &mgr;m, and RF2=0.13 &mgr;m to 0.18 &mgr;m. When the angle of an absorption axis direction of the polarizing film is denoted by &phgr;P, and the angles of retardation axes directions of the two retardation films are denoted by &phgr;F1 and &phgr;F2, a set of Formulae &phgr;P=75°-195°, &phgr;P-&phgr;F1=95°-115°, and &phgr;P-&phgr;F2=155°-175° are satisfied.

Abstract: A polarizing plate, a phase compensation film, a liquid crystal panel, a phase compensation film, and a polarizing plate are stacked on a planar light source in this order. A color filter substrate and an active matrix substrate are arranged parallel to each other in the liquid crystal panel. A transparent common electrode and a color filter are formed on a transparent glass substrate in the color filter substrate. Thin film transistors and transparent pixel electrodes are arranged in the form of a matrix on a transparent glass substrate in the active matrix substrate. The color filter substrate and the active matrix substrate are adhered to each other with a sealing agent. A TN liquid crystal layer including a TN liquid crystal having a twisted angle of substantially 90° is sealed between the color filter substrate and the active matrix substrate by the sealing agent.

Abstract: Liquid crystal displays in which the phase compensation layer comprises an amorphous optically anisotropic polymer, the optical anisotropy being written in, by irradiation with polarized light, in the pre-selected manner according to size and direction.

Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a liquid crystal layer for twisting at least one normally incident wavelength of visible light when in the off-state. Front and rear orientation layers sandwich the liquid crystal layer therebetween with the front orientation layer causing a front liquid crystal tilt sense direction AF and the rear orientation layer causing a rear liquid crystal tilt sense direction AR different than the direction AF. Rear and front tilted retardation layers are located on opposite sides of said liquid crystal layer. Each of the rear and front tilted retardation layers has an optical axis defining an azimuthal angle &phgr;, and a tilt angle &thgr;, where at least the tilt angle &thgr; varies through the thickness of the layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal cell including homeotropic alignment films which are provided on substrates interposing an N-type nematic liquid crystal layer on the liquid crystal layer side; a pair of polarizing plates provided so as to interpose the liquid crystal cell; and a phase difference compensation element provided between at least one of the pair of polarizing plates and the liquid crystal cell, wherein one principal axis of three principal axes of an index ellipsoid of the phase difference compensation element is inclined from a normal to a surface of the liquid crystal cell, and a refractive index along the one principal axis is smaller than a refractive index along another principal axis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is disclosed, comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal layer which has an intrinsic helical pitch of approximately twice as large as a thickness of the liquid crystal layer and also has a bistable character capable of switching by an application of voltage, and further provided with at least one birefringent medium layer between a polarizer and a substrate. This construction of the liquid crystal display device results in a reduction of birefringent effects, whereby achieving a high contrast, satisfactory color purity, and other display characteristics such as a higher duty ratio operation and faster time response, suitable for displaying a large volume of information data.

Abstract: A retardation film type guest host liquid crystal display is arranged to reduce coloring in dark representation and to be energy-effective. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer containing a given amount of dichroic dye and having a twist alignment, a reflective plate, and a phase plate located between the liquid crystal layer and the reflective plate. The phase plate has a slow axis set at 45 degrees against the alignment direction of the liquid crystal and a retardation set at a half of a phase difference between an ordinary ray before reflection by said reflective plate and an extraordinary ray after reflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical retardation film comprising two layers of an anisotropic polymer adjacent to each other or adjacent to both sides of a substrate, characterized in that each layer exhibits a tilted structure with an optical symmetry axis having a tilt angle &thgr; relative to the plane of the layer, to a means to produce substantially linear polarized light comprising such an optical retardation film and to a liquid crystal display comprising such an optical retardation film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter construction, suitable for glass shields and automatically darkening welding glass filters, which shutter construction is switchable between a first state with high transmission of light and a second state with low transmission of light, and vice versa, in response to an electric control signal, the shutter construction having a nematic type liquid crystal cell disposed between transparent plates having electrodes for providing an electric field in response to the control signal, said plates having mutually facing surfaces, each of which is provided with alignment means for defining a respective molecule alignment direction for molecules in the proximity of said alignment means in the absence of said electric field, said liquid crystal cell being mounted between polarisers, wherein a retardation film is disposed between the polarisers in order to reduce remaining retardation in the liquid crystal cell when in an electrically activated state, said retardation film being arranged such t

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display device employing only one sheet of polarizer film. An optical compensator of a hybrid tilt type having retardation rc is disposed between a liquid crystal cell and the polarizer film disposed only on one side of the liquid crystal cell. When an effective voltage von is applied to the liquid crystal cell, the retardation rc of the optical compensator is determined to accomplish the following relation: ron+rc=&lgr;/4+m·&lgr;/2(m=0, 1, 2 . . . ) Or ron+rc=(m+1)·&lgr;/2(m=0, 1, 2 . . . ) where ron is retardation of the liquid crystal layer and &lgr; is the optical wavelength. This disclosure enables the a reflective liquid crystal display device with brighter white display, higher contrast, achromatic monochrome display, and broader viewing angle to be constructed.

Abstract: An optically active triphenylene compound is represented by the formula (I). In the formula (I), R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is independently an optically active monovalent group. The optically active triphenylene compound can be advantageously used as a chiral agent in an optically anisotropic sheet or a liquid crystal display of an STN mode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes first and second transparent substrates having optical anisotropy, a super twisted nematic liquid crystal body including liquid crystal molecules, an orientation device configured to urge the liquid crystal molecules to orient in a first direction in the inner surface of the first transparent substrate and in a second direction in the inner surface of the second transparent substrate, at least one phase retarder plate and at least one polarizing plate, wherein an angle between an absorption axis of the at least one polarizing plate and a direction of the largest refraction index of the at least one phase retarder plate adjacent to the at least one polarizing plate is 45°±22.5°, an angle between an absorption axis of the at least one polarizing plate and an orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the inner surface of the second substrates adjacent to the polarizing plate is 45°±22.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer of nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and including a chiral material, which is interposed between two substrates disposed substantially in parallel, each provided with a transparent electrode and an aligning layer. The twist angle of the liquid crystal layer of liquid crystal molecules determined by the aligning layer of each of the substrates is 160°-300°. A pair of polarizing plates disposed outside the liquid crystal layer. A driving circuit applies a driving voltage across the transparent electrodes. A birefringent plate is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and an upper polarizing plates and a product &Dgr;n1·d1 of a refractive index anisotropy &Dgr;n1 of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer and a thickness d1 of the liquid crystal layer is 1.2 &mgr;m-2.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: In a reflective liquid crystal display device, a retardation &Dgr;ndLC of a liquid crystal cell ranges from 705 nm to 890 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is composed of a liquid crystal cell which comprises a pair of transparent substrates at least one of which is provided with an electrode thereon and liquid crystal sealed therebetween, a polarizing sheet arranged on at least one side of the cell, the liquid crystal aligning parallel to a plane of the substrate and varying its direction of molecular major axis in a plane parallel to the plane of the substrate under variation of voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal display has an optical compensatory sheet between at least one side of the liquid crystal cell and the polarizing sheet, the optical compensatory sheet having an optically negative uniaxial property and an optic axis parallel to a plane of the sheet.

Abstract: A twist discotic-type liquid-crystal or liquid-crystalline film with negative birefringence is as a compensation film for either single-domain or two-domain liquid crystal display cells to achieve better view-angle characteristics, less color-shift as a function of applied voltage, and faster response times than uncompensated 90°-twist single-domain or two-domain cells.

Abstract: A reflection type liquid crystal display device including a panel, a polarizing plate, and a 1/4 wavelength plate, with the polarizing plate and the 1/4 wavelength plate being placed upon the panel. The panel includes a transparent first substrate disposed at the external light incoming side; a second substrate opposing the first substrate, with the first substrate and the second substrate being put together so as to be separated by a predetermined distance; nematic liquid crystals kept in the gap between the substrates, with the molecules thereof having a twisted orientation; and an electrode, formed at both of the substrates, for applying a voltage to the nematic liquid crystals. When a voltage is not applied, the orientation of the molecules of the nematic liquid crystals is maintained, so that the nematic liquid crystals act together as a 1/4 wavelength layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal displaying apparatus has a reflection-type liquid crystal display with vertical orientation-mode liquid crystals, to modulate linearly polarized light. Also provided is a polarization and diffracting section to convert read light beams obliquely incident thereto to the linearly polarized light, to allow the linearly polarized light to be incident to the liquid crystal display, allow first polarized light components of the linearly polarized light modulated by the liquid crystal display to pass therethrough, the first polarized light components vibrating in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the linearly polarized light vibrates, and diffract second polarized light components of the linearly polarized light to a third direction from which the read light beams be incident to the liquid crystal display, the second polarized light components vibrating in the second direction.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display device employing only one sheet of polarizer film, the liquid crystal display device comprising: a liquid crystal cell comprising liquid crystal sealed between a pair of substrates, a polarizer film, two sheets of retardation film, a scattering film, and a specular reflector. The twisting angle of the liquid crystal is between 220.degree. and 260.degree.. The retardation .DELTA.nLC.multidot.dLC of the liquid crystal is between 700 nm and 1000 nm, and the retardation of the retardation films is .vertline.Rfilm(2)-Rfilm(1).vertline..ltoreq.200 nm. A specific angular relationship is established among the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, the slow axis of the two sheets of retardation film, and the absorption axis of the polarizer. This configuration provides the reflective liquid crystal display device with a bright white display, an achromatic black and white display with high contrast, and less dependence on viewing angle.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid crystal achromatic rotator switch, and an achromatic shutter using the rotator switch. The rotator switch requires input light of a fixed orientation and switches between rotating the polarization by zero degrees and by a fixed angle, .beta.. The achromatic shutter uses an achromatic 90-degree rotator switch positioned between a pair of polarizers. A first embodiment of the rotator switch comprises one rotatable liquid crystal half-wave retarder in series with one passive half-wave retarder. The liquid crystal retarder has fixed retardance and is driven between two orientations for off- and on-states. A second embodiment of the rotator switch utilizes two variable birefringence liquid crystal cells. The variable birefringence cells having fixed orientation and variable retardance. In the off-state both retarders have zero retardance and in the on-state they have half-wave retardance.

Abstract: An optical element includes a transparent substrate having a main surface, a first birefringent photosensitive film arranged on a first region of the main surface such that a slow axis or a fast axis is aligned with a prescribed first direction, and a second birefringent photosensitive film formed on a second region different from the first region of the main surface such that the slow axis or the fast axis is aligned with a prescribed second direction different from the first direction. The first and second directions are different by 90.degree. (.+-.20.degree., more preferably, .+-.10.degree.). An image display device employing the optical element further includes an image forming device such as a liquid crystal display device, and with the optical element arranged on an image display screen, stereoscopic imaging is possible.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid crystal achromatic polarization rotator switch, and an achromatic shutter using the rotator switch. The rotator switch requires input light of a fixed orientation and switches between rotating the polarization by zero degrees and by a fixed angle, .beta.. The achromatic shutter uses an achromatic 90-degree rotator switch positioned between a pair of polarizers. A first embodiment of the rotator switch comprises one planar-aligned rotatable smectic liquid crystal half-wave retarder in series with one passive half-wave retarder. The smectic liquid crystal cell has fixed retardance and is driven between two orientations for off- and on-states. A second embodiment of the rotator switch utilizes two variable birefringence liquid crystal cells. The variable birefringence cells having fixed orientation and variable retardance. In the off-state both retarders have zero retardance and in the on-state they have half-wave retardance.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device including (1) a pair of substrates on the surface of which a transparent electrode and an alignment film are formed in turn, and the alignment films are arranged with a gap so that the films face each other, (2) a liquid crystal which fills the gap, (3) two polarizer plates holding the pair of substrates between them, and (4) a driving circuit connected to the transparent electrodes for applying a voltage between both substrates, the improved display device including a vertically arranged splayed nematic liquid crystal wherein a nematic liquid crystal which is substantially free from a chiral liquid crystalline compound and has a negative dielectric anisotropy is used as the liquid crystal; molecules of the liquid crystal between the pair of the substrates are oriented so that their molecular axis are arranged on planes orthogonal to the substrates; liquid crystal molecules, in the vicinity of the surface of the substrates, are oriented vertically or semi-vertically so that

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a tilted retarder. The tilted retarder has an optical axis which is aligned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to 15.degree. with respect to normal. Thus, because the optical axis of the liquid crystal layer is aligned at an angle to one side of normal and the optical axis of the tilted retarder(s) is at an angle to the other side of normal, the retardation effects substantially cancel one another out. Tilted retarder(s) may be used in combination with negatively birefringent retarders according to certain embodiments of this invention in twisted nematic normally white displays.

Abstract: An optical element includes a transparent substrate having a main surface, a first birefringent photosensitive film arranged on a first region of the main surface such that a slow axis or a fast axis is aligned with a prescribed first direction, and a second birefringent photosensitive film formed on a second region different from the first region of the main surface such that the slow axis or the fast axis is aligned with a prescribed second direction different from the first direction. The first and second directions are different by 90.degree. (.+-.20.degree., more preferably, .+-.10.degree.). An image display device employing the optical element further includes an image forming device such as a liquid crystal display device, and with the optical element arranged on an image display screen, stereoscopic imaging is possible.

Abstract: This invention provides achromatic liquid crystal compound retarders, achromatic polarization switches, and achromatic shutters using the liquid crystal compound retarders. It further provides achromatic variable retardance smectic liquid crystal retarders. The compound retarder of this invention comprises a central liquid crystal retarder unit and two external passive retarders positioned in series with and on either side of the liquid crystal retarder unit. The liquid crystal retarder unit comprises either (1) a rotatable smectic liquid crystal half-wave retarder or (2) first and second liquid crystal variable retarders having retardance switchable between zero and half-wave. The external passive retarders are equal in retardance and orientation to each other. Design equations determine the retardance of the external elements and their orientation relative to the central retarder to obtain a particular achromatic retardance for the compound structure.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device of a TN type which is improved on a display contrast, gray scale characteristics and viewing angle characteristics of a display color. A liquid crystal cell of a TN type for drive is sandwiched by a pair of upper and lower polarizing plates and at least one compensating film which has an extinction axis angle of 5 to 90 degrees as an absolute value and an optical rotating angle of 0.

Abstract: A normally white (NW) twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal display (LCD) outputs improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and/or reduced inversion. The display includes a pair of negative tilted retarders located on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, each of the tilted retarders including a tilt or incline angle which varies throughout the thickness of the layer. Additionally, one or two negative uniaxial or biaxial retarders may also be provided on opposite sides of the LC layer. As a result of the particular orientations, alignments, and retardation values described in different embodiments herein, the display exhibits improved contrast and/or reduced inversion, often in the same viewing areas.