Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed. The projection apparatus includes a light source module, a first light splitting element, a first light valve unit, a first light modulator, a second light modulator and a light consolidating element. A light beam is provided by the light source module, and is split into a first and a second polarized light beam by the first light splitting element. In different time sequences, the first and the second polarized light beams are formed into a first, a second, a third and a fourth image light by the first light valve unit. Then, these image lights are transformed into viewing angle images by the first and the second light modulators. Then, via the light consolidating element, the first, the second, the third and the fourth view angle images are projected to a viewer and a stereoscopic image is formed.

Abstract: A display screen includes a substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a beam-splitting polarizer formed on a first surface of the substrate; and a non-conductive metal layer formed on a second surface of the substrate. The beam-splitting polarizer is a cholesterol liquid crystalline polarization layer.

Abstract: The phase difference plate for a circularly polarizing plate including a first optically anisotropic layer, and a second optically anisotropic layer, in which the first optically anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystal compound helically aligned around a helical axis in its thickness direction, a helix angle of the liquid crystal compound in the first optically anisotropic layer is in a predetermined range, and an in-plane slow axis in a surface of the first optically anisotropic layer at the second optically anisotropic layer side is in parallel with an in-plane slow axis of the second optically anisotropic layer. The phase difference plate can sufficiently suppress the mixing of black with another color observed in the front direction when being stuck as a circularly polarizing plate on a display apparatus.

Abstract: The phase difference plate for a circularly polarizing plate includes a first optically anisotropic layer; and a second optically anisotropic layer, in which the first and second optically anisotropic layers contain a liquid crystal compound that is helically aligned around a helical axis which is in a thickness direction of each of the layers, the liquid crystal compound has a same helix direction in the first optically anisotropic layer and in the second optically anisotropic layer, and a helix angle of the liquid crystal compound each in the first optically anisotropic layer and in the second optically anisotropic layer is in a predetermined range. The phase difference plate can sufficiently suppress the mixing of black with another color observed in the front direction when being stuck as a circularly polarizing plate on a display apparatus.

Abstract: A pattern phase difference film is manufactured by a process including a laminate body formation step of applying a pattern alignment layer composition on a substrate to form a laminate body, a heat-drying layer formation step of heat-drying the composition to form a heat-dried layer, a pattern alignment layer formation step of irradiating a polarization pattern onto the heat-dried layer to form a pattern alignment layer, and a phase difference layer formation step of forming a phase difference layer including a rod-shaped compound on the pattern alignment layer. During the steps between the heat-drying layer formation step and the phase difference layer formation step, the heat-dried layer and the pattern alignment layer are exposed to the air for four hours or less.

Abstract: According to the present invention, provided is a birefringent transfer foil, comprising a temporary support, an orientation layer, a birefringent layer (preferably a patterned optically anisotropic layer) formed from a composition comprising a liquid-crystal compound having at least one reactive group, said orientation layer being in contact with the temporary support or a releasing layer, wherein the releasing layer being in contact with the temporary support, and said orientation layer being a layer comprising a cellulose alkyl ether or a hydroxyalkyl derivative of cellulose alkyl ether. In the birefringent transfer foil of the present invention, the above orientation layer also functions as a protective layer and a detachment layer, enabling to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A 3D display apparatus includes a display device, a liquid crystal panel, and a lens unit. The display device is configured to output polarized lights of one or more images with a first polarization direction. The liquid crystal panel is coupled to the display device and contains a plurality of pixel display areas to receive the polarized lights. The display areas can be individually controlled by corresponding active switches to a first state in which the first polarization direction is transformed into a second polarization direction or a second state in which the first polarization direction is maintained. Further, the lens unit is coupled to the liquid crystal panel and is configured to guide the polarized lights with the second polarization direction to pass through for 2D display and to guide polarized lights with the first polarization direction into predetermined transmitting directions for 3D display.

Abstract: The polarization beam splitting element is configured to reflect or transmit an entering beam according to its polarization direction. The element includes, in order from a beam entrance side, a base member having a light transmissive property, a first one-dimensional grating structure formed of a dielectric material and having, in a first direction, a first grating period smaller than a wavelength of the entering beam, and a second one-dimensional grating structure formed of a metal and having, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a second grating period smaller than the wavelength of the entering beam.

Abstract: An unpolarized light beam phase modulator emitting in a given wavelength range comprises at least one cell containing a liquid crystal having a helical structure and means for applying a voltage to said cell, said liquid crystal having a torsion elastic constant greater than its twisting elastic constant so as to ensure continuous stable behavior voltage-wise, said liquid crystal having a sufficient number of turns and in which the axis of the turns is in the light-propagation direction, making it possible to obtain an optical effect generated by the liquid crystal on the electrical field that is identical regardless of the direction of this electrical field, said cell being transparent in said wavelength range.

Abstract: A polarizing plate includes a polarizer, and a protective film on one side of the polarizer and including a reverse dispersion liquid crystal coating layer having ?/4 retardation. An optical display panel includes the polarizing plate. The polarizing plate has a depolarization function and allows for viewing of the display panel through polarizing sunglasses.

Abstract: It is possible to obtain a polarizing film having a high dichroic ratio by using a liquid-crystalline coating solution in which a small quantity of a second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound is mixed with a first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound. The second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound has a mole number smaller than the first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound. The molecular size of the second lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound is smaller than that of the first lyotropic liquid-crystalline low-molecular compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing stereoscopic images may include, but is not limited to: a first viewing lens including a first polarization layer; a second viewing lens including a second polarization layer; and one or more birefringence compensation layers. Further, the apparatus may be viewing glasses including a frame wearable by a user.

Abstract: An optical film includes: a first optical phase retardation layer having a relation nx1?ny1?nz1; a second optical phase retardation layer disposed under the first optical phase retardation layer and having a relation nx2?ny2<nz2; and a third optical phase retardation layer disposed on the first optical phase retardation layer and having a relation nx3?ny3<nz3, where nzi (i=1, 2, 3) denotes a refractive coefficient in a thickness direction of the i-th optical phase retardation layer, and nxi and nyi denote refractive coefficients in two orthogonal directions in a plane substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction of the i-th optical phase retardation layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product comprising a patterned optically anisotropic layer having two or more regions of different birefringence, which has a latent image becoming visible through a polarizing plate, wherein an image visible through the polarizing plate including the latent image comprises a periodic structure. An additional visual effect can be attached to the latent image observed through a polarizing plate.

Abstract: Provided is an optical film which is resistant to repelling, bright dots, irregularity, and the use of such an optical film in a liquid crystal display leads to high front contrast, reduced grayscale inversion, and a reduced difference between a front image and an oblique image in grayscale reproducibility and color. The optical film including a first optically anisotropic layer; and a second optically anisotropic layer on the first optically anisotropic layer, wherein the first optically anisotropic layer is a layer of liquid crystal compounds aligned and fixed by polymerization, and the surface tilt angle of molecules of the liquid crystal compound is in a range of 5° to 80° at a site in contact with the second optically anisotropic layer.

Abstract: An optical film includes: a liquid crystal coating; and a base layer on the liquid crystal coating, wherein the liquid crystal coating has reversed wavelength dispersion and in-plane retardation for a reference wavelength ranging from 126 nm to 153 nm, and the base layer has in-plane retardation ranging from about 0 to about 50 nm and out-of-plane retardation ranging from about 0 nm to about 100 nm.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods by which a layer of oriented chromonic material may be transferred from a flexible substrate to a receiving substrate, so as to form a subassembly for use in the assembly of liquid crystal cells. The oriented chromonic material layer may function as an alignment layer for aligning liquid crystal material, and may also incorporate a pleochroic dye so to function as a polarizing layer. An oriented chromonic material layer of relatively large area can be transferred, which enables the production of relatively large liquid crystal cells for use in, e.g., autodarkening filters such as used for eye protection in welding operations. Curved liquid crystal cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical element is provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. The optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: An optical element and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. Therefore, the optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: Provided are an optical filter and a stereoscopic display device. The exemplary optical filter may be applied to the stereoscopic display device to observe a stereoscopic image in a wide viewing angle without the loss of brightness.

Abstract: An optical element is provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. The optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: An optical element is provided. The optical element shows excellent durability, hardness property and reworkability. Therefore, the optical element can have a stable light division property since the phase retardation property of the phase retardation layer in the optical element can be stably maintained for a long period of time under severe conditions. Also, it is possible to prevent side effects such as light leakage in an optical instrument to which the optical element is applicable. Also, the optical element can show excellent resistance to external pressure or scratches.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal coating fluid which comprises: an azo compound represented by the following general formula (1); and a solvent to dissolve the azo compound: wherein Q1 is an aryl group which may have any substituent group; Q2 is an arylene group which may have any substituent group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group which may have any substituent group; and M is a counter ion.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline coating solution which comprises: an azo compound represented by the following general formula (1); and a solvent to dissolve the azo compound: wherein Q1 is an aryl group which may have any substituent group; Q2 is an arylene group which may have any substituent group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an acetyl group, a benzoyl group, or a phenyl group (these groups may have any substituent groups); and M is a counter ion.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are arranged so as to face each other, a liquid crystal layer that is pinched between the first substrate and the second substrate, one pair of polarizers that are arranged on both outer sides of the first substrate and the second substrate, a first optical element having a polarization separation function that is disposed in at least one spot of the first substrate, and a display area that contributes to display. The first optical element is arranged outside the display area.

Abstract: A method for producing a mold for a patterned alignment film for three-dimensional display includes: forming a first layer composed of a metal material or an inorganic material; forming a fine linear three-dimensional structure in a surface of the first layer in an approximately constant direction; forming a second layer, composed of a metal material or an inorganic material, on the surface of the first layer after the first three-dimensional structure forming step; a second three-dimensional structure forming step of forming a fine linear three-dimensional structure in a surface of the second layer in an approximately constant direction which differs by 90° from that in the first three-dimensional structure forming step; a resist forming step of forming a resist in a parallel stripe pattern on the surface of the second layer after the second three-dimensional structure forming step.

Abstract: Provided are a polarizer and an organic light-emitting display device including the same. The organic light-emitting display device may be protected by enabling the polarizer to effectively absorb external impact.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a display device having a high contrast ratio. Another object of the invention is to manufacture such a high-performance display device at low cost. In a display device having a display element between a pair of light-transmissive substrates, polarizer-including layers, which have different wavelength distributions of extinction coefficients, are stacked so that absorption axes are in a parallel nicol state, over each light-transmissive substrate. Absorption axes of one of a pair of stacks of polarizers and the other together which interpose the display element are deviated from a cross nicol state. A retardation plate may be provided between the stack of polarizing plates and the substrate.

Abstract: An optical element and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example, an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. Therefore, the optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photo-curable composition that can provide a film, etc. showing excellent optical anisotropy even without need for separately forming a liquid crystal layer and an alignment layer, an optical anisotropic film using the same, and its preparation method. The photo-curable composition comprises a photo-alignable polymer, a noncrosslinkable liquid crystal compound and a photo-curable binder.

Abstract: To provide a polymerizable liquid crystal composition showing good coating properties even when a support substrate has a low solvent resistance, and having uniform alignment properties. A polymerizable liquid crystal composition is prepared by containing as components an acrylate polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a compound represented by formula (3), and a non-liquid crystalline compound having an acryloyl group or a methacryloyl group as a reactive moiety, and having a functional group including a hydroxyl group as a reactive dilution solvent in one molecule. When the polymerizable liquid crystal composition is applied onto the support substrate, dried and irradiated with light, the polymerizable liquid crystal composition showing good coating properties even when the support substrate has the low solvent resistance, and having the uniform alignment properties can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical film including: laminating a hard coat layer on one side of an optical substrate in roll form, the hard coat layer having a transparent support and an optical anisotropic layer. The transparent support is laminated on the optical anisotropic layer, the one side is a transparent support-side of the optical substrate, the hard coat layer is obtained by coating, drying and curing a composition for forming a hard coat layer containing a curable monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator, and a solvent. The solvent is a mixture of at least one solvent selected from (S-1) and (S-2) and at least one solvent selected from (S-3), or a mixture of at least one solvent selected from (S-1) and at least one solvent selected from (S-2): (S-1) solvents dissolving the transparent support; (S-2) solvents swelling the transparent support; and (S-3) solvents neither dissolving nor swelling the transparent support.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device and a method for driving the same are provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first liquid crystal layer selectively driven by a first electric field in a first direction; and a second liquid crystal layer selectively driven a second electric field in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction.

Abstract: An optical film comprising a transparent support, and thereon, an alignment layer comprising at least one photo-acid-generating agent, and an optically anisotropic layer formed of a composition comprising a liquid crystal having a polymerizable group as a main ingredient is disclosed. The optically anisotropic layer is an optically anisotropic patterned layer comprising a first retardation domain and a second retardation domain disposed alternately in a plane.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image display device includes a liquid crystal lens device and an image display unit. The liquid crystal lens device includes a liquid crystal optical element unit. The liquid crystal optical element unit includes a first substrate unit, a second substrate unit and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. The liquid crystal layer has an alignment twisted by an angle not less than 5 degrees and not more than 45 degrees along a normal axis of a major surface of the first substrate unit. The image display unit includes a display unit. The second substrate unit is disposed between the first substrate unit and the display unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a birefringence pattern transfer foil, comprising at least one patterned optically anisotropic layer having two or more regions of differing birefringence and at least one adhesive layer on a temporary support, characterized in that a blocking prevention means is provided to the adhesive layer and/or characterized in that the retardation of the adhesive layer is 40 nm or less is provided. The birefringence pattern transfer foil of the present invention has excellent applicability and handling, and can be used on a variety of subjects.

Abstract: A color filter for use in a light-emitting display element which emits at least white light, the color filter including a circularly polarizing layer which includes a polarizing layer, the polarizing layer having an orientation layer and a liquid crystal compound layer, wherein the circularly polarizing layer is formed only in an optical path of the white light.

Abstract: An optical element and a stereoscopic image display device are provided. The optical element is a light-dividing element, for example an element that can divide incident light into at least two kinds of light having different polarized states. Therefore, the optical element can be used to realize a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A compensation film for a liquid crystal display having a characteristic that R0 is about 40 nm-60 nm, Rth is about 140 nm-170 nm, ? is about 15°-19°, and the supporting film of the compensation film has a positive dispersion characteristic with respect to the wavelength.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thin polarizing plate exhibiting a high contrast ratio. A polarizing plate of the present invention includes: a polarizer; a first protective layer provided on one side of the polarizer; and a second protective layer provided on the other side of the polarizer, wherein the first protective layer has a function of separating incident light into two polarized light components perpendicular to each other, transmitting one polarized light component, and reflecting the other polarized light component. Such a polarizing plate can exhibit a high contrast ratio, for example, in the case of being used in a liquid crystal display apparatus.

Abstract: A light efficiency enhancing optical device is disclosed, including a cholesteric liquid crystal film, a quarter wave plate disposed on a light out-going surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal film and an optical compensating film disposed on a light out-going surface of the quarter wave plate, wherein the optical compensating film includes a positive birefringence C-plate, and a composite optical compensating film with combination of the optical compensating film and the quarter wave plate has in-plane phase retardation R0 of 100 nm˜170 nm and out-of-plane phase retardation Rth of 0 nm˜400 nm.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal alignment film having a sufficient alignment-regulating power and high resistance against blue laser beam and having, at the same time, excellent adhesion, and an optical element using it. A liquid crystal alignment film obtainable by bonding, by chemisorption to a substrate, an alignment-regulating precursor which undergoes anisotropic decomposition by irradiation with polarized ultraviolet light, and irradiating the alignment-regulating precursor bonded to the substrate, with polarized ultraviolet light, to let it undergo anisotropic decomposition and exhibit an alignment-regulating power.

Abstract: A humidity dependence improver for polymer film, comprising a compound of the following formula (1) or (2): wherein Ra, Rb and Rc represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; X1 to X6 represent a single bond or a divalent linking group; R1 to R6 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: A phase difference film stacked body having a lengthy shape, including a first phase difference film that has a uniform phase difference within a plane, and a second phase difference film that includes a plurality of regions that are patterned within a plane, the plurality of regions having different phase differences; as well as a polarizing plate complex having the same, a display device, and polarization glasses corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A patterned phase retardation film is disclosed, which includes substrate, a phase retardation layer on the substrate comprising a plurality of first regions of liquid crystal materials and a plurality of second regions of curable resin, wherein the first regions and the second regions are in a grating stripe structure which is parallel and interleaved with each other the top part of the second regions is formed with at least one inclined plane; and a planarization layer for planarizing the phase retardation layer; wherein the first regions provide a first phase retardation and second regions provide a second phase retardation, the first phase retardation and the second phase retardation have a phase difference of 180°. The method for manufacturing the patterned phase retardation film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light absorption anisotropic film, wherein content of a liquid crystalline non-colorable low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass or less; and which is obtained by fixing the alignment of a dichroic dye composition comprising at least one type of azo-based dichroic dye having nematic liquid crystallinity; and shows a diffraction peak derived from a periodic structure in a direction parallel to the alignment axis on measurement of X-ray diffraction. The light absorption anisotropic film is high in dichroism.

Abstract: Provide is an optical film which includes an optically anisotropic layer having a high-definition alignment pattern, can be readily produced, and is utility. The optical film comprising: a transparent support; an alignment film subjected to a unidirectional alignment treatment; and an optically anisotropic layer formed of one kind of composition mainly containing liquid crystal having a polymerizable group, wherein the optically anisotropic layer is a patterned optically anisotropic layer having first retardation regions and second retardation regions alternately disposed in a plane, and the first retardation regions and the second retardation regions have in-plane slow axes orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: To provide an optical film, which may be used as a ?/4 plate and may provide a display device which has specific optical characteristics, may be manufactured with high productivity and has an excellent 3D-display performance. To provide a 3D-display device having a physical properties having excellent antireflective property and light fastness with high productivity. An optical film having at least one optically anisotropic layer, wherein an in-plane retardation. Re at an arbitrary wavelength in a visible light region is 80 nm to 201 nm, an Nz value represented by the following equation is 0.1 to 0.9, and when the in-plane retardations at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm are referred to as Re450, Re550 and Re650, respectively, Re450/Re550 is 1.18 or less and Re650/Re550 is 0.93 or more. Nx=0.

Abstract: An optical element is provided. The optical element shows excellent durability, hardness property and reworkability.

Abstract: An optical element includes a first and second stacked birefringent layers. The first birefringent layer includes local anisotropy patterns having respective relative orientations that vary over a first thickness between opposing faces of the first birefringent layer to define a first twist angle. The second birefringent layer includes local anisotropy patterns having respective relative orientations that vary over a second thickness between opposing faces of the second birefringent layer to define a second twist angle different than the first twist angle. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.