Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device including vertical alignment layers formed on the substrates. The alignment layer having a polymer realizing vertical alignment is formed on the substrate an unpolarized ultraviolet light is then irradiated in the oblique direction at an angle not more than 45 degrees with respect to the surface of the alignment layer. The ultraviolet light has an exposure energy of 30 to 120 mJ/cm2 per percent of the polymer content realizing the vertical alignment of the alignment layer. The liquid crystal can thus align substantially vertically to the surface of the alignment layer, with a pretilt, and such an alignment is realized by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light, without rubbing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes; a first and a second display panel facing each other, an alignment layer formed on at least one of the first and the second display panels and including a polyamic acid moieties and a polyimide moieties which form a block copolymer, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first display panel and the second display panel.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a layer on a substrate, the layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group or together represent a C1-C4 alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group; and (ii) mechanically rendering the layer liquid crystal aligning; a liquid crystal alignment layer obtainable by the above-mentioned method; a liquid crystal device incorporating the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer; a liquid crystal display comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer or the above-mentioned liquid crystal device; and the use of the polythiophene according to formula (I) for aligning liquid crystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal device, comprising a liquid crystal bulk layer and chiral dopants being inhomogeneously distributed in the bulk layer as a result of being permanently attached to at least one surface, termed chiral surface. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing as well as methods for controlling liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 ?m can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.

Abstract: A photo-alignment material, a liquid crystal display device using the photo-alignment material, and a manufacturing method. The photo-alignment material is a polymer having a photo-reactive ethenyl group on a main chain. When used as a photo-alignment layer, the photo-alignment material enables improved alignment stability against external shocks, light, and heat. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates, and a photo-alignment layer formed at least on the first substrate, with the photo-alignment layer formed from a photo-alignment material having an ethenyl group at a main chain.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a layer on a substrate, the layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent hydrogen or a C1–C4 alkyl group or together represent a C1–C4 alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group; and (ii) mechanically rendering the layer liquid crystal aligning; a liquid crystal alignment layer obtainable by the above-mentioned method; a liquid crystal device incorporating the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer; a liquid crystal display comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer or the above-mentioned liquid crystal device; and the use of the polythiophene according to formula (I) for aligning liquid crystals.

Abstract: An active matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus has a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent; a liquid crystal layer arranged between the pair of substrates; and electrode structure for generating an electric field having a dominant component parallel to a surface of the substrate and passing through the liquid crystal layer, the electrode structure being formed on one of the pair of substrates; a pair of alignment layers formed on respective surfaces in contact with the liquid crystal layer of the pair of substrates; and a pair of polarizing plates arranged so as to sandwich the pair of substrates, wherein the glass transition temperature Tg of a boundary surface between said liquid crystal layer and the alignment layer is higher than the nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature T(N-I) of a liquid crystal composite forming the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that acts as an optical switch to control the intensity of a light beam through the action of a second control beam. This behavior is achieved through photoinduced anisotropy that develops in a monomolecular layer coating the inside surfaces of a liquid crystal cell. One of the surfaces is permanently aligned prior to assembly by illuminating the surface with polarized light in the presence of oxygen. The other surface retains reversible behavior, adapting anisotropy according to the orientation of the polarization of the control beam. Accordingly, an optically controlled liquid crystal light valve is provided that does not require contact-rubbing methods in order to permanently align one of the layers coating an inside surface of the cell.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising an alignment layer; and chemically bound to said alignment layer, a transport material. Also provided are methods for forming the liquid crystal alignment layer and the use thereof in displays for electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment treating agent for optical alignment treatment, whereby it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal alignment film which presents a high and stable tilt angle of liquid crystal and which is excellent in an accumulated charge property by a DC voltage, is provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal alignment treating agent containing a polyamic acid which is represented by the following formula (I) and exhibits a reduced viscosity of from 0.05 to 5.0 dl/g (in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone at 30° C. at a concentration of 0.5 g/dl) or a polyimide obtained by cyclodehydration thereof: wherein R1 represents a tetravalent organic group, at least 20 mol % of which has a fused alicyclic structure composed of two to five rings, and all of the carbonyl groups are directly bonded to the alicyclic structure and that any two carbonyl groups are not bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the alicyclic structure; R2 is a bivalent organic group, from 20 to 100 mol % of which has in the side-chain structure at least one structural unit selected from the group consisting of C5-20 long-chain alkyl, C5-20 fluoroalkyl, alicyclic structures and aromatic ring structures; and L is a positive integer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal between substrates and alignment layers disposed on the inner surface sides of the substrates. The alignment layer is made from a material including polyamic acid containing a diamine component and polyimide containing a diamine component different from the diamine component of the polyamic acid. The alignment layer is subjected to alignment treatment by irradiation of light. UV light can be irradiated in the oblique direction onto the alignment layer through a mask having openings. A reflecting plate can be arranged between a UV light source and the mask. Also, bank structures having a thickness from 0.1 to 0.15 ?m can be provided on the alignment layer of the TFT substrate.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises first and second substrates, a first alignment layer on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment layer includes polyethyleneimine, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises first and second substrates; a first alignment layer on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment layer includes (spacer S is oxygen, m=10˜10,000), the functional group R includes photo-sensitive constituents and/or non-photo-sensitive constituents, the photo-sensitive constituent includes a material selected from the group consisting of cinnamoyl derivatives, the non-photo-sensitive constituent includes a material selected from the group consisting of CnH2n, CnH2n+1, CnH2nOH, COCnH2n+1, COCnH2n, CnH2n+1?xFx, CnH2n?(x?1)F(x?1), CnH2n?xFxOH, COCnH2n+1?xFx (n=1˜10, x=1˜2n+1), and a combination thereof; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise reactive diamines containing a C3–C20 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon—carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyamic acids and polyimide optical alignment layers for inducing alignment of a liquid crystal medium. The novel compositions comprise crosslinking diamines containing a C3–C22 linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing 1 to 4 carbon—carbon double bonds. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays comprising the novel polyimide optical alignment layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an IPS LCD device including a first and second substrate opposing with each other, a common electrode on an inner surface of the first substrate, a pixel electrode parallel to the common electrode, a first alignment layer covering the common and pixel electrodes, wherein the first alignment layer is rubbed, a second alignment layer on an inner surface of the upper substrate, wherein the second alignment layer is photo-aligned, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a flat display element, an electrode pattern is formed on each of a pair of substrates, and a product seal surrounding the electrode pattern and an outside seal having an air vent and surrounding the outside of the product seal are formed on one of the substrates. A gap retaining member for maintaining a gap between the substrates in the region of the air vent is formed outside the product seal and near the air vent. The paired substrates are pressurized after they are stuck together with the product seal and the outside seal between them. Thereafter, the air vent is sealed with a sealing agent, and the outer surface of at least one of the substrates is polished.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes two substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates and two alignment films, each being provided on one surface of associated one of the substrates so as to face the liquid crystal layer. The device defines multiple picture elements. At least one of the two alignment films is made of a polymer material that includes a main chain, an atomic group having a bond that is selectively cut when exposed to an actinic ray and a side chain bonded to the main chain via the atomic group. The polymer material with the side chain can give a pretilt angle of greater than 85 degrees but 90 degrees or less to liquid crystal molecules. The polymer material without the side chain can give a pretilt angle of 2 degrees to 15 degrees to the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides an alignment film that is provided with a high alignment control force to a target molecule and less likely to cause problems to an element during the formation of the alignment film. An alignment film has a configuration in which, on a first alignment layer, a second alignment film layer that is uniform in the in-plane anisotropy more than the first alignment film thereof and aligned along surface alignment of the first alignment film. The first alignment film layer can be formed of, for instance, a polyimide film whose rubbing density is 200 or less, and the second alignment film layer can be formed by use of an ion deposition method with an acryl monomers as a deposition material. A liquid crystal device provided with the alignment film like this becomes higher in the alignment control force to a liquid crystal.

Abstract: A method for forming an aligned polymer layer, the method comprising: bringing a solution of the polymer dissolved in a solvent into contact with a substrate; and depositing the layer on the substrate by progressively absorbing molecules of the polymer from solution on to the substrate in the presence of a field capable of inducing alignment in the polymer; and separating the substrate from the solution.

Abstract: A photo-alignment material, a liquid crystal display device using the photo-alignment material, and a manufacturing method. The photo-alignment material is a polymer having a photo-reactive ethenyl group on a main chain. When used as a photo-alignment layer, the photo-alignment material enables improved alignment stability against external shocks, light, and heat. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer formed between the first and second substrates, and a photo-alignment layer formed at least on the first substrate, with the photo-alignment layer formed from a photo-alignment material having an ethenyl group at a main chain.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises first and second substrates; a first alignment layer on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment layer includes (spacer S is oxygen, m=10˜10,000), the functional group R includes photo-sensitive constituents and/or non-photo-sensitive constituents, the photo-sensitive constituent includes a material selected from the group consisting of cinnamoyl derivatives, the non-photo-sensitive constituent includes a material selected from the group consisting of CnH2n, CnH2n+1, CnH2nOH, COCnH2n+1, COCnH2n, CnH2n+1−xFx, CnH2n−(x−1)F(x−1), CnH2n−xFxOH, COCnH2n+1−xFx, (n=1˜10, x=1˜2n+1), and a combination thereof; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A polarized electroluminescence element used for a display is disclosed. The polarized electroluminescence element includes a substrate, an orientation-inducing layer situated on the substrate and in a first direction of orientation, and a light-emitting layer situated on the orientation-inducing layer and made of a mixture of an electroluminescent material and an oriented material for emitting polarized electroluminescence, wherein the electroluminescent material and the oriented material are in a second direction of orientation corresponding to the first direction of orientation.

Abstract: A ferroelectric liquid crystal display having alignment films with different surface polarities. The alignment films induce an internal electric field through the liquid crystal. Because of the induced internal electric field, initial liquid crystal alignment, and subsequent liquid crystal alignments, can be performed without an externally applied electric field.

Abstract: An active-matrix liquid crystal display device having a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates, a group of electrodes for applying to the liquid crystal layer an electric field substantially parallel to the substrate plane and a plural number of active elements being formed on one of the pair of substrates and an alignment layer disposed between the liquid crystal layer and at least one of the pair of substrates. The alignment layer is a photo-reactive material layer, and the photo-reactive material layer is a photo-reactive alignment layer which has been subjected to linearly polarized light irradiation to selectively derive a photochemical reaction and a tilt angle of liquid crystal molecules on the alignment layer surface of the substrate is 3° or less.

Abstract: Display panels and methods for fabrication are disclosed for an in-plane switching mode display to reduce or eliminate image sticking. The display panel includes a substrate with a first electrode formed on the substrate. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, and the dielectric layer forms an opening down to the first electrode so that the dielectric layer is eliminated over the first electrode. A second electrode is formed on the dielectric layer, and an alignment layer is formed on the first electrode, the second electrode and the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises first and second substrates, a first alignment layer on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment layer includes polyethyleneimine, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: A photo-alignment layer having excellent long-term stability to light and heat is manufactured by coating a material for the photo-alignment layer, which contains a dichroic dye having two or more polymerizable groups per molecule, on a substrate, and exposing the coating layer to polarized light, thereby imparting a photo-alignment function, and polymerizing the polymerizable groups by heating or light exposure.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises first and second substrates, an alignment layer including a pyranose polymer or a furanose polymer on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal display device is characterized by excellent thermostability, superior anchoring energy and uniform alignment of the liquid crystal achieved in a reduced treatment time without creating any flowing effect in the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises first and second substrates, an alignment layer including a pyranose polymer or a furanose polymer on at least one of the first and second substrates, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal display device is characterized by excellent thermostability, superior anchoring energy and uniform alignment of the liquid crystal achieved in a reduced treatment time without creating any flowing effect in the liquid crystal.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the present invention comprises first and second substrates, a first alignment layer on the first substrate, wherein the first alignment layer includes polyethyleneimine, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal element capable of reducing the threshold voltage value, temperature-dependence on light transmittance, and hysteresis phenomenon. The liquid crystal element basically includes a pair of substrates each having a liquid crystal orientation film, wherein the surface sides, on which the liquid crystal orientation films are formed, of the substrates are opposed to each other with a specific gap put therebetween and a liquid crystal is arranged in the gap. The liquid crystal orientation film includes: a SiOx obliquely vapor-deposited film (x: positive number less than 2); and a polyvinyl alcohol based thin film stacked on the obliquely vapor-deposited film to a thickness of 0.1 &mgr;m or less (the concentration of the polyvinyl alcohol based water solution is 1 wt % or less) allowed to keep irregularities of oblique pillars of the obliquely vapor-deposited film.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element improved to reduce hysteresis and after-image by relaxing electronic polarization at an interface between liquid crystal and an orientation film, and hence to enhance an image quality and realize smooth display of a dynamic image irrespective of a material of liquid crystal. The liquid crystal element includes a plurality of base bodies each having a liquid crystal orientation film, the base bodies being opposed to each other on the orientation film side with a specific gap put therebetween; and liquid crystal disposed in the gap; wherein each of the orientation films has a property capable of relaxing polarization at an interface with the liquid crystal.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polyimide, polyamic acids and esters thereof, and optical alignment layers derived therefrom, for inducing alignment of liquid crystals and liquid crystal displays. The novel compositions comprise side chain polymers of the general formula I —L1—D—L2—Cf  I wherein D comprises 1 to 4 carbon-carbon double bonds, Cf is a monovalent C4 to C20 fluorocarbon radical and L1 and L2 are linking groups. The invention further describes liquid crystal displays and other liquid crystal devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cinnamatic photo-polymerization type homopolymeric or copolymeric alignment material, in which polymaleimide is singly used as the main chain, or is combined with styrene, hydroxystyrene or acrylonitrile to form a copolymer so as to be used as the main chain, or polyimide is used as the main chain.

Abstract: An optical element includes a liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, the at least one alignment layer being formed from a mixture including a first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen. Each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen. A ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle with liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A process for aligning liquid crystals adjacent to a surface of an optical alignment layer comprising: exposing at least one optical alignment layer, comprising anisotropically absorbing molecules, to polarized light; the polarized light having a wavelength within the absorption band of said anisotropically absorbing molecules; wherein the exposed anisotropically absorbing molecules induce alignment of a liquid crystal medium at an angle + and − with respect to the direction of the polarization of the incident light beam and along the surface of the optical alignment layer; and applying a liquid crystal medium to said optical alignment layer; wherein said anisotropically absorbing molecules consist essentially of diary ketones, is described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate having a contact hole and second substrate substantially in parallel with the first substrate. Each substrate has electrodes on an inner side thereof with the electrodes of the first substrate being connected to the electrodes of the second substrate at a location which is close to an edge of the contact hole.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal electro-optical device is offered which can operate at high speeds and easily oriented. The value of the surface tension of liquid crystal-orienting layers is 40 dynes/cm or more, and these layers are rubbed in antiparallel directions to each other. This reduces the pretilt angle of the molecules of a nematic liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates. The anisotropy of the dielectric constant of the nematic liquid crystal is positive.

Abstract: A polymer surface in contact with a liquid crystal medium is exposed to polarized light, whereby a covalently bound anisotropic component of the polymer surface aligns in response to the polarized light. Alignment of the anisotropic component causes alignment of the liquid crystal medium. An interference pattern of two polarized lights causes the covalently bound anisotropic component to form microgrooves on the polymer surface. A liquid crystal cell includes at least one polymer surface that has a covalently bound anisotropic component that can align in response to polarized light and a liquid crystal in contact with the polymer surface.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of electrode substrates opposing each other, a polymer wall, and a liquid crystal region surrounded by the polymer wall, the polymer wall and the liquid crystal region being sandwiched by the pair of electrode substrates. At least one of a concave portion and a convex portion is formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of electrode substrates facing the liquid crystal region, and liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the liquid crystal region axial-symmetrically around the vicinity of the at least one of concave portion and convex portion as an axis vertical to the electrode substrates.

Abstract: Related to a liquid-crystal alignment film that can align liquid-crystal molecules without resort to the rubbing.The liquid-crystal alignment film of the present invention comprises a resin (e.g., a polyimide) containing a photoisomerizable and dichroic structural unit (e.g., a stilbene derivative), and is furnished with the ability to align liquid-crystal molecules when a film formed of the resin is irradiated with linearly polarized light; the ability to align liquid-crystal molecules being held and fixed.The liquid-crystal alignment film of the present invention is used in electric-filed driven type liquid-crystal display devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of transparent substrates each having thereon a transparent electrode, and a chiral smectic liquid crystal composition lacking cholesteric phase disposed between the substrates so as to assume at least two optically stable states. At least one of the substrates is provided with an alignment film which comprises a polyimide represented by a recurring unit of formula (I) shown below and has been subjected to a uniaxial aligning treatment. ##STR1## wherein A denotes a tetravalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group free from a planar structure or a tetravalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, and n is an integer of at least 1. The chiral smectic liquid crystal composition may preferably contain at least one species of fluorine-containing mesomorphic compound comprising a fluorocarbon terminal portion and a hydrocarbon terminal portion connected with a central core and having a smectic phase or a latent smectic phase.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal electro-optical device is offered which can operate at high speeds and easily oriented. The value of the surface tension of liquid crystal-orienting layers is 40 dynes/cm or more, and these layers are rubbed in antiparallel directions to each other. This reduces the pretilt angle of the molecules of a nematic liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates. The anisotropy of the dielectric constant of the nematic liquid crystal is positive.

Abstract: An alignment layer, a method for forming the alignment layer, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) adopting the alignment layer are provided. The alignment layer includes a heat-curable resin layer having microgrooves and an optical alignment polymer layer, coated on the heat-curable resin layer. According to the present invention, the thermal stability of the alignment layer is improved. Accordingly, an LCD adopting the alignment layer has improved display performance.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device is constituted by a pair of substrates each having thereon an electrode, and a smectic liquid crystal having a plurality of smectic liquid crystal layers disposed between the substrates. The smectic liquid crystal is disposed to form a first region wherein the smectic liquid crystal layers are aligned to have a layer inclination angle smaller than a calculated layer inclination angle based on a temperature-dependent layer spacing-changing characteristic or are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the substrates to form a bookshelf structure, and a second region wherein the smectic liquid crystal layers are aligned to form a chevron structure having a substantial layer inclination angle or having a layer inclination angle substantially equal to a calculated layer inclination angle based on a temperature-dependent layer spacing-changing characteristic.

Abstract: An active-matrix liquid crystal display device employing the in-plane switching mode in which an electric field substantially parallel to the substrate surface is applied to the liquid crystals, characterized by weak torsional anchoring of the liquid crystal molecules and the alignment layer surface at the liquid crystal/alignment layer interface to an extent that the extrapolation length which expresses the strength of said torsional anchoring will become not less than 10% of the gap between the substrates. For obtaining such weak torsional anchoring, an organic alignment layer comprising a polymer and/or oligomer having long-chain alkylene and/or fluoro groups, or an inorganic alignment layer formed by oblique evaporation technique, or a photo-reactive alignment layer formed by linearly polarized light irradiation is used.

Abstract: A bend-aligned liquid crystal cell is manufactured by irradiating first and second alignment layers with first and second polarized ultraviolet lights to impart first and second pretilt angles in the first and second alignment layers, and injecting molecules of liquid crystal material between the first and second alignment layers. The alignment layers include polysiloxane based materials or polyvinylfluorocinnamate in which the pretilt angle of the alignment layer is changeable according to the ultraviolet absorption energy.