Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a polyimide alignment layer, having a bistable liquid crystal material and a polymer stabilizer in an amount effective to stabilize the liquid crystal, preferably about 2 weight percent, associated with the liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal having a low pretilt angle, to eliminate stripe tendency and to increase hysteresis. The device has a low driving voltage, low power consumption and fast switching.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element includes a polymer liquid crystal composite layer in which liquid crystal droplets are dispersed and held in a continuous phase of matrix comprising polymer compound, or liquid crystals are dispersed and held in networks of matrix of a three dimensional network form comprising polymer compound. All areas of this polymer liquid crystal composite layer, except a non-active area, in which cracks will develop, in the vicinity of a sealant, is formed as an active area, so that, even when the cracks develop, stripy display unevenness caused by the cracks can be prevented from being visually confirmed on a display screen.

Abstract: A switchable liquid crystal device, for instance for use as a reflective display, includes a cell containing a helical polymer network and a nematic liquid crystal. Electrodes are provided for applying a field across the cell so as to switch between different optical states. In a reflective state, the cell reflects incident light within a waveband which is relatively insensitive to temperature variations. The device is formed by filling the cell with the liquid crystal and polymer precursor material and then cross-linking or polymerising, for instance by photopolymerisation, the precursor material to form the helical polymer network.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device including a liquid crystal/polymer composite film including of a matrix polymer composed mainly of a transparent resin having an ionic dissociative group and, dispersed therein, a liquid crystal particle; and conductive substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal/polymer composite film therebetween, at least one of the conductive substrates being transparent.

Abstract: Monomers with photopolymerization characteristics and an initiator for polymerization are added to a liquid crystal composition having a ferroelectric liquid crystal phase (S5). In a state (S6) where coexist two domains which differ from each other in directions of molecular major axes in the ferroelectric liquid crystal phase, light is projected to the liquid crystal layer to form a polymer reticulate structure therein (S7). As a result, this state is made a stable one and the liquid crystal shows macroscopic switching behaviors among two states causing dark and bright displays respectively, and the above-described state causing halftone display.

Abstract: In order to the effects of impact on liquid crystal devices a polymer network is introduced into ferroelectric liquid crystal cells. A liquid crystal device comprises two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, characterised in that the liquid crystal material contains a small amount of monomer. The liquid crystal material may also contain a photoinitiator. The monomer material may be cured to produce the polymer network; the curing may be carried out in the presence of an electric or magnetic field. Further, the monomer may be cured in an isotropic or liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: A liquid crystal layer comprising a liquid crystal display has first and second liquid crystal gel layers orientated so that polymer threads are of fixed directions within a dichroic liquid crystal. The direction of orientation of the polymer threads included in the first liquid crystal gel layer and the direction of orientation of the polymer threads included in the second liquid crystal gel layer are orthogonal with respect to each other.

Abstract: An optical device employs a composite of a liquid crystalline substance and an orientation-sustaining material, such as a selected polymer, flat particles, or other material capable of sustaining the state of orientation of the liquid crystalline substance. The optical device has a memory function which is erased by the application of an electrical signal. External force for writing on the device generates local changes of the state of orientation of the liquid crystalline substance. The written display is memorized, and can be erased by the application of an electrical signal. When a two-frequency-driving liquid crystalline substance is used, the device has a long-term memory function. In this device, writing can be conducted at one frequency and erasure easily conducted at the other frequency. These optical devices can be used for light adjustment, display, and data storage.

Abstract: A composition for use in a liquid crystal optical element, such as a liquid crystal display or laser shutter device, comprised of a liquid crystal material and a solidified polymer material. The liquid crystal is such that its refractive index is changed depending on states of applying a voltage. In one state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal substantially coincides with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby pass light. While in the other state, the refractive index of the liquid crystal does not coincide with the refractive index of the solidified matrix to thereby cause the scattering of light. Specifically, the liquid crystal material used in the composition has a refractive index anisotropy (.DELTA.n) is greater than 0.18 and the dielectric anisotropy (.DELTA..epsilon.) satisfies the relation of 5<.DELTA..epsilon.<11.6.

Abstract: A liquid crystal element includes a pair of plates at least one of which is transparent, and a composite layer retained between the plates and including a liquid crystal material in a transparent resin substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises extended polymer networks formed in the liquid crystal cells. By adding a monomer and a photo-initiator into the liquid crystal material of a liquid crystal display, applying a bias voltage and exposing the display under a UV light, a polymer network can be formed. The polymer network modifies the electro-optical characteristic of a liquid crystal display device. With different bias voltages, polymer networks of different structures can be formed so that the color difference of the liquid crystal display with respect to red, green and blue light can be minimized. Liquid crystal display devices of fast switching response and low color dispersion can be fabricated.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) display element for use in an electronic apparatus wherein the display element operates in a PDLC mode or reverse PDLC mode providing for reduction of visual display haze, improved display contrast. The particular medium includes a liquid crystal portion and a polymer portion and may include a chiral component. In cases where visual display haze and contract is a particular problem in the utility of the reverse PDLC display element, such as in the case where the display element is combined with a solar battery, a sufficient amount of dichroic dye is added to the liquid crystal portion of the medium, and, further, a compound showing no fluorescence emission with respect to a liquid crystal portion, or a polymer or a chiral polymer precursor portion of the medium, is employed.

Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal display includes a first substrate provided with a common electrode, a second substrate provided with a pixel electrode, the second substrate being arranged to extend in parallel to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal cell which includes a nematic liquid crystal with a splay distortion. In the liquid crystal domains of a first type which are different in tilted-up direction of liquid crystal molecules coexist, and domains of a second type which are different in twist direction of liquid crystal molecules coexist. The liquid crystal may include a polymer that is a polymerized monomer or oligomer.

Abstract: A method for the loading and alignment of liquid crystal polymers in electro-optic and electro-active devices by in-situ polymerization between substrates of liquid crystal monomers. The molecular weight of the resulting liquid crystal polymer is controlled by the addition of a chain transfer reagent, for example, a thiol-containing compound which may be a liquid crystal material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-domain liquid-crystal display device comprising two substantially parallel substrates which are provided with an electrode layer and an orientation layer. A layer of a nematically ordered liquid-crystalline material comprising a chiral dopant is sandwiched between the substrates. The layer is structured in such a manner that the pixels of the layer are composed of at least two types of sub-pixels in which the twist senses of the liquid-crystalline material are mutually opposite. This construction in accordance with the invention is achieved by differentiating the composition of the chiral dopant in the different types of sub-pixels. This is attained by employing isomerizable chiral dopants and/or diffusion techniques in combination with local exposure of the liquid-crystal layer. The invention also provides methods of manufacturing such multi-domain liquid-crystal display devices.

Abstract: An optical component includes a substrate or cell having two spaced-apart substrates, one or more orientation layers on the substrates and one or more anisotropic layers of cross-linked liquid crystalline monomers or oligomers with locally different orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The surfaces of the orientation layers adjacent the liquid crystalline layers have orientation patterns with a defined parallel or fan-like line structure in locally limited regions. The average spacing between the lines of the fan-like line structure is not greater than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer and the angle between neighboring lines is not greater than 3.degree..

Abstract: A new liquid crystalline light modulating cell and material are characterized by liquid crystalline light modulating material of liquid crystal and polymer, the liquid crystal being a chiral nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and including chiral material in an amount effective to form focal conic and twisted planar textures, the polymer being distributed in phase separated domains in the liquid crystal cell in an amount that stabilizes the focal conic and twisted planar textures in the absence of a field and permits the liquid crystal to change textures upon the application of a field. In one embodiment, the material is light scattering in a field-OFF condition and optically clear in a field-ON condition, while in another embodiment, the material is optically clear in a field-OFF condition and light scattering in a field-ON condition.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline light modulating pixel includes first and second cell wall structures and nematic liquid crystal within a UV cured polymer network disposed therebetween. The first and second cell wall structures cooperate with the liquid crystal to form four liquid crystal domains within the pixel. The liquid crystal in each of the domains exhibits a twisted nematic liquid crystal structure and the orientation of the liquid crystal director of the liquid crystal adjacent one of the cell wall structures in at least two domains is different. The polymer network stabilizes the four domain structure at both high field and zero field conditions.

Abstract: The liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a display layer between a pair of electrode plates. The display layer comprises a porous polymer material having open pores partially filled and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the porous polymer material. The display layer is free from an unfilled portion of the low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing a high transmittance and a good contrast. The display layer also comprises a three dimensional network structure coated with a polymer layer, and a low-molecular weight mesomorphic compound impregnating the three-dimensional network structure. The display layer is free from a fibrous part which is unstable against an applied voltage to be effective for providing a liquid crystal device showing no hysteresis.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates; and an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material having a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase, and fulfills the conditions represented by:2.585.multidot.d.sup.(-1/3) -0.3<R<2.585.multidot.d.sup.(-1/3) +0.3where d represents the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the unit of micrometers and R represents the characteristic length of the liquid crystal phase in the unit of micrometers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes substrates opposed to each other, a polymeric layer patterned into a predetermined pattern, and a liquid crystal layer at least partially surrounded by the polymeric layer. The polymeric layer and the liquid crystal layer are interposed between the substrates. The polymeric layer is at least partially formed by polymerizing a liquid crystalline polymerization precursor in a state where the molecules of the liquid crystalline polymerization precursor are aligned in a predetermined direction by an alignment regulating force of at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a pair of transparent substrates which consists of a driving side substrate and an opposite side substrate; transparent pixels formed in matrix on said driving side substrate; a first orientation film formed on said pixels; a transparent electrode formed on said opposite side substrate; a shielding layer provided at least on the periphery of each of said transparent pixels and at either between said driving side substrate and said transparent pixels or between said transparent pixels and said orientation film; said pair of transparent substrates being located opposite to each other to form a cell in which a mixture comprising a liquid crystal, a photosetting polymer precursor and its polymerization initiator is put and irradiated with a light outside said cell thereby curing said photosetting polymer precursor selectively at a region free from said transparent pixels and enrich the resulting cured resin at said region.

Abstract: A display element for use in computer terminals, television displays and other information display devices capable of large capacity, full color display employing active elements, wherein an optical layer comprises liquid crystal and polymer dispersed in one another. The polymer comprises polymer grains directionally aligned in the optical layer by directional alignment of the liquid crystal, which is aligned by treatment provided relative to at least one of the substrates forming the display element. The polymer grains are developed from the polymerization of at least one polymer precursor containing at least one polymerizable portion and at least two aromatic rings with a coupling group provided between the aromatic rings. The polymer precursor contains, as at least one component, a polymer compound without an alkyl group spacer between the polymerizable portion and the aromatic rings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which the liquid crystal material having cross-over frequency is used for displaying an image, the liquid crystal material is dispersed in the transparent polymer in a phase-separated state, a first voltage signal having a first frequency lower than the cross-over frequency is applied to the liquid crystal material to orient reversibly the liquid crystal material to a first direction to display temporary information, then a second voltage signal having a magnitude higher than the first voltage is selectively applied to orient permanently the liquid crystal material to the first direction to display permanent information and a third voltage signal having a second frequency higher than the cross-over frequency is selectively applied to orient the liquid crystal material perpendicularly to the first direction, to erase the permanent information.

Abstract: A polymerizable compound represented by Formula (I): ##STR1## where X is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; Y and Z are independently a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; l is an integer of 0 to 14; m and n are independently an integer of 0 or 1; R is represented by Formula (II), (III), or (IV); and when m=1, l.gtoreq.

Abstract: A new liquid crystalline light modulating cell and material are characterized by liquid crystalline light modulating material of liquid crystal and polymer, the liquid crystal being a chiral nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and including chiral material in an amount effective to form focal conic and twisted planar textures, the polymer being distributed in phase separated domains in the liquid crystal cell in an amount that stabilizes the focal conic and twisted planar textures in the absence of a field and permits the liquid crystal to change textures upon the application of a field. In one embodiment, the material is light scattering in a field-OFF condition and optically clear in a field-ON condition, while in another embodiment, the material is optically clear in a field-OFF condition and light scattering in a field-ON condition.

Abstract: A polymer dispersed liquid crystal display apparatus has a liquid crystal/polymer medium formed between spatially disposed electrodes formed spatially disposed substrates. The medium includes a polymer phase and a liquid crystal phase having optical axes alignable together in a predetermined direction. A light absorption additive is included in the liquid crystal phase to provide light absorption when said optical axes are aligned in said predetermined direction so that in the presence or absence of an electric field applied between said electrodes, two different conditions are achieved comprising alignment and misalignment of the optical axes of the liquid crystal phase relative to the polymer phase so that in one condition, a light absorption state is created in the medium and in the other condition, a light scattering state is created in the medium.

Abstract: In a liquid crystalline optical device, a light modulating layer composed of a liquid crystal and a high polymer resin is sandwiched between two substrates having electrode layers, at least one of the substrates being transparent. The polymer is a compound which is obtained by photopolymerization of a prepolymer containing a (meth)acryloyl compound having a stilbene skeleton, or a (meth)acryloyl compound including dioxane group or dioxolane group. The liquid crystalline optical device can be driven with a lower applied voltage and exhibits a reduced hysteresis.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing multistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays exhibit ultra fast response times with both video speed and gray scale capability.

Abstract: A photocurable polymer precursor added to a liquid crystal material polymerizes to form a mixture that significantly lowers the threshold and saturation voltages of a standard twisted nematic cell. The performance characteristics of the resulting display device resembles those of a device with a very high pretilt, thereby providing an economical method of fabricating liquid crystal cells of a type that require a high pretilt alignment. The presence of the polymer substantially reduces adverse ion-related effects such as optical droop and charge retention in the liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: An optical modulation device is described, which comprises two substrates, which are provided with at least one electrode, and an optically active layer situated between said two substrates, the optically active layer comprising a liquid crystalline material having ferroelectric, antiferroelectric or electroclinic properties. In accordance with the invention, the device is characterized in that the optically active layer comprises a permanently oriented anisotropic network of polymerized material containing free molecules of a chiral liquid crystalline material. Said network is preferably composed of a polymer formed from reactive monomers comprising at least two reactive groups on the basis of acrylates, methacrylates, epoxy compounds and/or thiolene systems. By means of such an optical modulation device grey levels which can be passively maintained for a relatively long period of time can be obtained in a relatively simple manner.