Abstract: A display device includes: a substrate; a display element layer disposed on the substrate, where the display element layer includes a light emitting element which emits light; a polarizing film disposed on the display element layer, where the polarizing film includes a first polarizer having a first absorption axis extending to a first direction and a first transmission axis extending to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a first layer disposed on one surface of the polarizing film, where the first layer has a first phase difference. Light emitted from the display element layer has a polarizing axis, and an angle between the polarizing axis and one of the first absorption axis and the first transmission axis is in a range of about 25 degrees to about 65 degrees.

Abstract: A display device includes: a substrate; a display element layer disposed on the substrate, where the display element layer includes a light emitting element which emits light; a polarizing film disposed on the display element layer, where the polarizing film includes a first polarizer having a first absorption axis extending to a first direction and a first transmission axis extending to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a first layer disposed on one surface of the polarizing film, where the first layer has a first phase difference. Light emitted from the display element layer has a polarizing axis, and an angle between the polarizing axis and one of the first absorption axis and the first transmission axis is in a range of about 25 degrees to about 65 degrees.

Abstract: A radiation device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a dielectric layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a film layer structure disposed on the first substrate. The resistivity of the film layer structure is between 108 and 5×1014 ?-cm. Therefore, frequency modulation range of radiation signals of the radiation device can be increased.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a dual-cell display apparatus. The apparatus includes a first panel, and a second panel disposed in a first preset order relative to the first panel. The apparatus includes a memory storing instructions; and a processor in communication with the memory. When executing the instructions, the processor is configured to receive an image signal, and generate dimming data for the first panel according to the image signal. When executing the instructions, the processor is also configured to generate image data for the second panel according to the image signal, and generate backlight data for backlight control according to the image signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first alignment film, a second substrate including a second alignment film opposed to the first alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer held in a cell gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is formed of a liquid crystal material having a viscosity of 20 mPa*s or more under a condition of 65° C. The cell gap is greater than or equal to 2.3 ?m and smaller than or equal to 3.3 ?m.

Abstract: An electronic part embedded substrate is disclosed. The electronic part embedded substrate includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electronic part, an electrically connecting member, and a sealing member. A method of producing an electronic part embedded substrate is also disclosed. The method includes mounting an electronic part onto a first substrate, laminating a second substrate on the first substrate through an electrically connecting member; and filling a space between the first substrate and the second substrate with a sealing member to seal the electronic part.

Abstract: A method of driving a dual mode liquid crystal display device includes: applying a first horizontal electric field to the liquid crystal layer for a first duration time during a reset period of a memory mode, the first duration time longer than a frame; eliminating the first horizontal electric field and keeping the liquid crystal layer without the first horizontal electric field for a second duration time during the reset period of the memory mode; applying a first vertical electric field corresponding to a static image for a third duration time during a writing period of the memory mode, the third duration time longer than the frame; and eliminating the first vertical electric field and keeping the liquid crystal layer without the first vertical electric field for a fourth duration time during the writing period of the memory mode.

Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.

Abstract: Provided is a laser oscillation device. A second substrate is disposed above a first substrate in such a manner that a wedge cell is formed between the first and second substrates. A liquid crystal layer is formed by two or more liquid crystals which are injected into the wedge cell and have different pitches. Therefore, a consecutive wavelength-variable lasing process is possible in a certain wavelength region.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a pair of substrates including at least one transparent substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of substrates; and an electrode group formed on at least one of the pair of substrates so as to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer contains at least one kind of liquid crystalline compound and at least one kind of chiral dopant. The concentration c of the chiral dopant is lower than a saturation solubility s thereof. The concentration c of the chiral dopant and a helical twisting power [HTP] of the chiral dopant satisfy a relation of [HTP]·c?5.5 (?m?1).

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed on the first substrate, a plurality of pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines and each pixel having a first subpixel and a second subpixel, a first subpixel electrode formed in the first subpixel, and a second subpixel electrode formed in the second subpixel. The voltage of the first subpixel electrode is greater than the voltage of the second subpixel electrode, and a ratio of the area of the second subpixel electrode to the area of the first subpixel electrode is in the range of 0.66 to 1.5.

Abstract: A method for the control of a liquid crystal display that includes a matrix of pixels arranged in crossed lines and columns. A switching of state of the liquid crystal molecules, is controlled by application of an electrical control signal between two electrodes (50, 52) framing each pixel, generates a flow according to a particular direction (18), characterized in that, to control the switching of at least some of the pixels (P). The method includes applying to at least one neighboring pixel (58), according to the direction of flow, of a pixel (P) whose switching is controlled by the electrical control signal, auxiliary electrical signals whose amplitude is less than the anchorage breaking voltage and whose rising or falling edges are temporally placed in advance or in coincidence with the active falling edge of the electrical control signal, to favor the switching of the said pixel to be controlled (P).

Abstract: Thermochromic liquid crystal filters are fabricated by providing two polarizers oriented at offset polarity with respect to each other; providing alignment structures adjacent the inner surfaces of the polarizers; placing a plurality of spacers between the polarizers; and filling a space created by the spacers with a thermotropic liquid crystal that acts as a depolarizer in a nematic state. The filter acts as a wave block when the liquid crystal is in an isotropic state. Alternatively, the filters can be created by encapsulating a thermochromic liquid crystal with a polymer material to form a flexible film and orienting the thermochromic liquid crystal in the polymer material to create a structure that functions as a thermochromic optical filter. Such filters can control the flow of light and radiant heat through selective reflection, transmission, absorption, and/or re-emission. The filters have particular application in passive or active light-regulating and temperature-regulating films and materials.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including a first neutral liquid crystal, a second neutral liquid crystal, a first polar liquid crystal, a second polar liquid crystal, and a third polar liquid crystal. A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel to form an image using light provided by the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first base substrate, an opposing second base substrate, and the liquid crystal composition disposed between the first and second base substrates.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a fumed metal-oxide gel, such as fumed silica gel, that is dispersed into a blue-phase liquid crystal. Adding the fumed silica nanoparticles in blue-phase media leads to the broadening of the blue-phase temperature range and reduces the switching voltage. Additionally, the polarity-controlled nanoparticles of the fumed silica enable the stabilization of thermal-sensitive Bragg reflection property of the blue-phase liquid crystals, which allows their use in active optical elements and fast-switching LCDs.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition including a first neutral liquid crystal, a second neutral liquid crystal, a first polar liquid crystal, a second polar liquid crystal, and a third polar liquid crystal. A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit and a liquid crystal display panel to form an image using light provided by the backlight unit. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first base substrate, an opposing second base substrate, and the liquid crystal composition disposed between the first and second base substrates.

Abstract: We describe a wide band variable transmission optical device, mixtures for use in such a device, and methods of making the same. The wide band optical device includes a cell comprising a guest-host mixture of a liquid crystal host and a dichroic guest dye material contained between a pair of plastic substrates. The optical device does not use polarizers. The liquid crystal host has an axis orientation that is alterable between a clear state orientation and a dark state orientation perpendicular thereto and the dichroic guest dye material includes one or more dichroic dyes. The optical device is characterized in that it exhibits a wide absorption band that is greater than 175nm within a visible wavelength range of 400-700nm and has a clear state transmission equal to or above 30% and a dark state transmission equal to or below 40%.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a pixel array substrate, an opposite substrate, and a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal layer located between the two substrates. The pixel array substrate includes a first substrate, gate lines, data lines, thin film transistors (TFTs) coupled to the gate lines and the data lines, a first insulation layer, a transparent conductive layer, a second insulation layer, and pixel electrodes coupled to the TFTs through contact holes in the first and second insulation layers. The first insulation layer covers the gate lines, the data lines, and the TFTs. The transparent conductive layer, the second insulation layer, and the pixel electrodes are sequentially stacked on the first insulation layer and constitute a storage capacitor. A phase retardation value of the TN liquid crystal layer ranges from 250 to 480, and a dielectric anisotropy ?? of the TN liquid crystal layer ranges from 3 to 10.

Abstract: A bistable chiral splay nematic mode liquid crystal display device including a first substrate; a first electrode on the first substrate, the first electrode having a plate shape; a first insulating layer covering the first electrode; a second electrode and a third electrode on the first insulating layer along a first direction; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a fourth electrode on the second substrate, the fourth electrode having a plate shape; a second insulating layer covering the fourth electrode; a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode on the second insulating layer along a second direction; and a bistable chiral splay nematic liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.

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

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a segment driver, a common driver, and a voltage setting unit. The voltage setting unit derives a voltage at which a previous drive line becomes a focal conic state regardless of image data by applying a synthesized voltage of a voltage that is applied from the segment driver and a voltage that is applied from the common driver to the previous drive line. Then, the voltage setting unit sets the voltages that are applied from the segment driver and the common driver on the basis of the derived result.

Abstract: A watermark formed of a bistable material, and a method of forming the watermark, are described.

Abstract: A watermark formed of a bistable material, and a method of forming the watermark, are described.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer which is arranged between first and second aligning films formed on inner sides of first and second substrates, has liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned in a direction from the first aligning film toward the second aligning film when an electric field is not applied between first and second electrodes, and generates retardation of substantially ?/2 with respect to transmitted light. First and second polarizing plates are arranged on outer sides of the first and second substrates. A transmission axis or an absorption axis of the first polarizing plate is substantially matched with a direction along which the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the first aligning film are aligned when a sufficiently intensive electric field is applied.

Abstract: An LCD device comprises upper substrate, lower substrate, and a liquid crystal (LC) cell disposed therebetween. The LC cell comprises liquid crystals. According to the present invention, in the LCD device which applies voltage to the liquid crystals to control transmissive light for proceeding display, the liquid crystals are applied with a voltage larger than a predetermined voltage for proceeding display. The reflect light and the transmissive light of the liquid crystals are the predetermined color under a condition without applying the voltage thereto.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first alignment film having a first alignment direction, a second alignment film having a second alignment direction, and a liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules between the first and second alignment films. The liquid crystal layer is doped with a chiral material that tends to induce a first twist in directors of the liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer. The first and second alignment films have orientations that tends to induce a second twist in the directors when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, in which the direction of the first twist is different from the direction of the second twist.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first alignment film having a first alignment direction, a second alignment film having a second alignment direction, and a liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules between the first and second alignment films. The liquid crystal layer is doped with a chiral material that tends to induce a first twist in directors of the liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer. The first and second alignment films have orientations that tends to induce a second twist in the directors when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, in which the direction of the first twist is different from the direction of the second twist.

Abstract: An STN liquid crystal display, wherein a twist angle of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is 155° to 210°, and a first angle between a polarizing axis direction of the first polarizer and an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in contact with the first transparent substrate and a second angle between a polarizing axis direction of the second polarizer and an alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in contact with the second transparent substrate are each larger than 0° and smaller than 90°, and a sum of the first and second angles is 90°±7°. The STN liquid crystal display is provided having a high contrast ratio and good characteristics of viewing angle.

Abstract: A display apparatus has a switchable birefringent lens array. The display apparatus produces a substantially linearly polarised output. The lens array comprises birefringent material arranged between a planar surface of a first substrate and a relief substrate of a second substrate defining an array of cylindrical lenses. The lens array has electrodes for applying a control voltage across the birefringent material for electrically switching the birefringent material between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the lens array modifies the directional distribution of incident light polarised in a predetermined direction. In the second mode the lens array has substantially no effect on incident light polarised in said predetermined direction.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode in a pixel region, a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a common electrode, a first alignment layer on the pixel electrode, a second alignment layer on the common electrode, a first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the first alignment layer and including a first spontaneous polarization, a second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the second alignment layer and including a second spontaneous polarization, a rotational direction of the first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the first alignment layer being different from a rotational direction of the second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the second alignment layer, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second ferroelectric liquid crystal layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display has (i) first and second substrates having electrodes and a pretilt angle of 88.5° to 89.5°, (ii) a liquid crystal layer, having a thickness d and made of liquid crystal molecule material which has a twist structure at a twist angle of 160° to 240° in a voltage application state, the liquid crystal layer containing chiral material having a pitch of p, where d/p is 0.2 to 0.74, (iii) a first polarizer disposed facing the first substrate, the first polarizer having as a transmission axis direction a first direction, (iv) a second polarizer disposed facing the second substrate, the second polarizer having as a transmission axis direction a second direction having an angle of 85° to 95° relative to the first direction, and (v) an optical anisotropic plate disposed at least one of between the first substrate and first polarizer and between the second substrate and second polarizer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving method using a liquid crystal light modulating device including transparent electrodes which each have a horizontally alignment film; and a liquid crystal composition which contains at least a chiral dopant, a dichroic dye and a host liquid crystal. The transparent electrodes face each other to have a cell gap having a width of 10 ?m or less therebetween. The liquid crystal composition is filled into the cell gap, and has a positive dielectric constant anisotropy. The driving method attains display-switching by (a) applying a higher voltage than a threshold voltage of the liquid crystal composition into the device so as to be transparent and colorless, (b) applying a lower voltage than a threshold voltage so as to be light-scattered white, or (c) applying no voltage so as to be colored.

Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display (TLCD) using separate transmissive (T) and reflective (R) cells in which two liquid crystal materials with different birefringence changes are used. The birefringence change of the R region is half of the birefringence change of the T region. In this case, a single cell gap is possible and identical transmittance and reflectance for R and T is obtained. It is applicable to various reflective LC modes, and the fabrication methods are simple.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal layer is provided between a principal substrate and an opposing substrate that are disposed so as to face each other, and a shared electrode and a pixel electrode, which is a parallel electrode pair formed in the shape of a comb, are formed on the surface of the principal substrate that faces the opposing substrate. Orientation films are also formed on the opposing surfaces of the principal substrate and the opposing substrate. The electrodes of the parallel electrode pair are formed so that the width thereof is smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal cell including liquid crystal operating in a twisted nematic mode; a first quartz plate optically compensating for the liquid crystal cell; a second quartz plate optically compensating for the liquid crystal cell; and a pair of polarizing elements disposed with the liquid crystal cell, the first quartz plate, and the second quartz plate interposed therebetween. Here, the thickness d [?m] of the first and second quartz plates, the polar angle ? [°] of the optical axis of the first and second quartz plates, and the cell gap CG [?m] of the liquid crystal cell satisfy the following conditional expressions: 0.7(16 cos2 ??23.6 cos ?+14.6)(1+0.32(CG?3.0))<d??(1) d<1.3(16 cos2 ??23.6 cos ?+14.6))(1+0.32(CG?3.0))??(2).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second electrodes and having a twisted nematic alignment of liquid crystals, wherein rotation viscosity of the liquid crystal layer is 50 mPas-80 mPas, a cell gap, namely, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, is 2.5 ?m-5.0 ?m, a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes is 0.2V-8.0V, and a response time can be obtained from the expression 6.78+(rotation viscosity)×0.81+(cell gap)×0.7+(rotation viscosity)×(cell gap)×0.14. The liquid crystal display having the twisted nematic alignment of liquid crystals, has the pitch of the liquid crystal layer within the range of 10 ?m to 70 ?m, a cell gap, namely, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, within the range of 3.0 ?m to 4.5 ?m, and a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes within the range of 0.2V to 6.0V.

Abstract: An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a pixel electrode in a pixel region, a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a common electrode, a first alignment layer on the pixel electrode, a second alignment layer on the common electrode, a first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the first alignment layer and including a first spontaneous polarization, a second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer on the second alignment layer and including a second spontaneous polarization, a rotational direction of the first ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the first alignment layer being different from a rotational direction of the second ferroelectric liquid crystal layer with respect to the second alignment layer, and a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer between the first and second ferroelectric liquid crystal layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element of the present invention is arranged so that a material layer having dielectric anisotropy includes a chiral material and a liquid crystal material with a nematic liquid crystal phase, and 0.25?d/p?0.50 is satisfied assuming that the thickness of the material layer is d and the chiral pitch length of the liquid crystal material is p.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display device comprising a bistable nematic liquid crystal matrix screen with breaking of anchoring, the device being characterized in that it includes addressing means suitable for generating and applying control signals to each pixel of the matrix screen, the control signals having sloping rising edges presenting a gradient lying in the range 0.5 V/?s to 0.0001 V/?s.

Abstract: An optical diode. A cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layer has a selective reflection wavelength band with a left-handed helical structure, and a phase shifter for changing a phase difference between two intrinsic polarized light components of left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength within the selective reflection wavelength band of the CLC layer. When left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength within the selective reflection wavelength band of the CLC layer is incident on the phase shifter in the optical diode, the phase shifter turns the left-handed circularly polarized light into right-handed circularly polarized light, which can be transmitted through the CLC layer. When left-handed circularly polarized light having a wavelength within the selective reflection wavelength band of the CLC layer is incident on the CLC layer, it is selectively reflected by the CLC layer.

Abstract: A system for displaying images includes a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel comprises a color filter substrate having a light shielding layer on a peripheral area and a common electrode on a display area and the peripheral area, and an array substrate having a pixel electrode on the display area and a separate and independent electrode with a fixed voltage on the peripheral area. The liquid crystal display panel further comprises a liquid crystal layer between the color filter substrate and the array substrate.

Abstract: A segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide mixed with a UV curable acrylate photopolymer material comprises an alignment layer for aligning nematic polymeric liquid crystal compensator films. The material may also provide an out-of-plane retardation. The segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide-based UV curable acrylate alignment layer, when applied in appropriate thickness, functions as a negative uniaxial C-plate compensator and causes alignment of the nematic liquid crystal molecules. The combination of the retardation provided by the alignment layer and the compensator film deposited on it provides a significant improvement in the contrast and color stability of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at large viewing angles.

Abstract: A latent image forming film comprising: a reflective layer; and a polarization converting and rotating layer placed on a surface of the reflective layer, the polarization converting and rotating layer changing an ellipticity of polarized incident light and concurrently rotating a polarization direction of the polarized incident light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal (LC) material that aligns homeotropically on substrates with high or low surface energy.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element according to the present invention includes one or more sets of combinations of a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer composed of a liquid crystal composition indicating a cholesteric phase and disposed between the pair of substrates, and at least one layer of insulating thin film to insulate the liquid crystal layer from an electrode, wherein: the insulating thin film has an electrostatic capacity of not more than 10 ?F; the liquid crystal layer has a layer thickness in the range of 2 to 5 ?m; and the liquid crystal composition has a dielectric anisotropy in the range of 20 to 50. The present invention can realize at least one of lowered driving voltage, enlarged operating temperature range, decrease in electric power consumption and wide display maintaining temperature range, in a liquid crystal display element having a semi-permanent display maintaining function (memory function).

Abstract: A bistable chiral tilted-homeotropic nematic liquid crystal (BCTHN) display can be switched between the tilted-homeotropic state (TH state) and the twisted state (T state) by using dual frequency liquid crystal material. These two states can be maintained without the application of any electric field. The bistable liquid crystal display does not need high voltage to induce the flow of liquid crystal or break the anchoring energy.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device includes a pair of oppositely disposed substrates each of which is provided with an electrode and has been subjected to homeotropic alignment treatment, and chiral nematic liquid crystal disposed between the pair of oppositely disposed substrates. The chiral nematic liquid crystal is capable of causing birefringence leading to a change in brightness and a change in hue depending on a voltage applied between the electrodes. The liquid crystal is twistedly aligned under electric field application to change a twisted angle, so that a fluctuation in birefringence with temperature is compensated.

Abstract: A device nematic liquid crystal display device has two stable states corresponding to two liquid crystal molecule textures whose torsion differs by 150° to 180° in terms of absolute value. The device includes two polarizers (10, 40), one (10) of which is placed on the observer side, the other (40) being placed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal cell. The orientation of the two polarizers is offset by a value which is equal to the rotatory power of the cell+/??/2, the rotatory power corresponding to the most twisted texture effect.

Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a liquid crystal composite capable of sufficiently reducing the scattering of light in a focal conic state, a liquid crystal display element excellent in improvements of a color balance and a contrast, and electronic paper using the same. The content of a chiral material is higher in a cholesteric liquid crystal LCg for G than in a cholesteric liquid crystal LCb for B, and is higher in a cholesteric liquid crystal LCr for R than in the cholesteric liquid crystal LCg for G. The cholesteric liquid crystal LCr for R is prepared by mixing about 5 wt % of a chiral material CHl1 of an L-form with a base liquid crystal of an R-form, which contains 27 wt % of CHr1 of the R-form exhibiting a liquid crystallizability for a nematic liquid crystal LCn, and 3 wt % of a chiral material CHr2 of the R-form exhibiting no crystallizability.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate having a first electrode and a first alignment film, a second substrate having a second electrode and a second alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer having liquid crystal molecules between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal layer is doped with a chiral material that tends to induce a twist in directors of the liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer using the first and second electrodes. The first alignment film has a first alignment direction, the second alignment film has a second alignment direction, and the first and second alignment films have orientations that tend to induce a twist in the directors when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, in which the direction of twist induced by the first and second alignment films is different from the direction of twist induced by the chiral material.