Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell including a first transparent substrate and a second substrate, and a reflector attached to the outer surface of the first transparent substrate with a bonding layer therebetween. A first retarder is disposed on the outer surface of the second transparent substrate, a second retarder is disposed on the first retarder, and a polarizer is disposed on the second retarder. The reflector includes a resin substrate having an irregular surface and a metal reflection layer also having an irregular surface that corresponds to the irregular surface of the reflector. The reflector is attached to the liquid cell so that the metal reflector layer faces the first transparent substrate.

Abstract: An elliptically polarizing plate, comprising a polarizer, a first optical anisotropic layer having positive refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis of the anisotropy that is tilted, and a second optical anisotropic layer having negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis that is tilted, have accurate retardation compensation of a liquid crystal cell, and the liquid crystal display maintains a display contrast having a sufficient visibility when the viewing angle is changed and which does not generate colorization.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter comprises a liquid crystal device including a nematic liquid crystal sealed in between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate on whose inner surfaces are formed respective transparent electrodes, the liquid crystal device having a twisted angle equal to or greater than 180°; and a pair of polarizing plates between which are sandwiched the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, the polarizing films having respective absorption axes (13, 14) which are substantially orthogonal to each other, the absorption axes (13, 14) of the polarizing films being angled within a range of ±40° to ±50° relative to a direction (12) in which intermediate liquid crystal molecules are orientated, the direction indicating a direction of orientation of the liquid crystal in the intermediate portion in the direction of thickness of the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: An optical sheet is constituted by: a retardation film; and a transparent layer provided on one of opposite surfaces of the retardation film. The retardation film exhibits Nz=(nx−nz)/(nx−ny) in a range of from 0.4 to 0.6, both not inclusively, and (nx−ny)d in a range of from 200 to 350 nm when nx>ny in which d is the thickness of the retardation film, nz, nx and ny are a refractive index in a direction of the thickness d of the retardation film, a refractive index in a direction of the retardation film in the same plane as the direction of nx, and a refractive index in a direction of the retardation film in the same plane as the direction of nx, respectively. The transparent layer has a thickness not larger than 10 &mgr;m and exhibits refractive index anisotropy of nx≈ny>nz.

Abstract: The structure and construction of a bistable twisted nematic liquid crystal display with very long lifetime are disclosed. The two stable twist states in this display when no voltage is applied have almost infinite lifetimes and do not decay. These two stable twist states differ by a twist angle of 180°. New design conditions of this bistable twist structure are disclosed such that the contrast and the brightness are both optimized. This display can be operated in transmittive mode with two polarizes or in the reflective mode with one polarizer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having an oblique electric field while a voltage is applied between the upper plate and the lower plate of the LCD is disclosed. The LCD includes a first regulating device of the upper plate and the second regulating device of the lower plate. As no voltage between the upper and lower plate, the liquid crystal molecules in the proximity of the first and the second regulating device are perpendicular to the upper and the lower plate. After a voltage is applied, an oblique electric field is produced by these regulating devices. The liquid crystal molecules are then rotated to parallel to the upper and lower plates because of the oblique electric field. The first and second regulating devices are bumps made of dielectric material or slits of electrodes.

Abstract: A reflection liquid crystal display comprises a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and the second transparent substrate. A transparent electrode layer and an alignment layer are formed in that order on the inner surface of the first transparent substrate, a reflecting polarizing film formed by laminating a transparent scattering layer and a light absorbing layer is placed on the outer surface of the first transparent substrate, a transparent electrode layer and an alignment layer are formed in that order on the inner surface of the second transparent substrate, and a phase plate and a polarizing plate are placed in that order on the outer surface of the second transparent substrate.

Abstract: Two electrodes parallel to each other are formed on one of two substrates, homeotropic alignment films are formed on the substrates and a liquid crystal material having positive dielectric anisotropy is injected between the substrates. When a voltage is applied to the two electrodes, a parabolic electric field between the electrodes drives the liquid crystal molecules. Since the generated electric field is symmetrical with respect to the boundary-plane equal distance from each of the two electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules are symmetrically aligned with respect to the boundary-plane, and the optical characteristic is compensated in both regions divided by the boundary-plane, thereby obtaining a wide viewing angle. The electric field does not exert influences on the liquid crystal molecules on the boundary-plane since the electric field on the boundary-plane is parallel to the substrates and perpendicular to the two electrodes: and thus, it is perpendicular to the liquid crystal molecules.

Abstract: A reflective-type liquid crystal display is configured so that a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) substrate and a facing substrate. A polarizer is formed on a side opposite to a side being in contact with the liquid crystal on a second transparent insulating substrate with a layer-stacke ¼ wavelength plate constructed by combining a ½ wavelength phase difference film with a ¼ wavelength phase difference film. Both films are made from a norbornene polymer and are sandwiched between the polarizer and second transparent insulating substrate. A permittivity anisotropy of the liquid crystal is set to be about 6 or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display comprising a liquid crystal cell including a pair of transparent substrates, with orientation layers deposited on inner surfaces thereof, and a liquid crystal layer of liquid crystal material injected between the substrates; biaxial compensation films provided on outer surfaces of the liquid crystal cell, the biaxial compensation films including an optical dielectric material layer; and polarization plates provided on outer surfaces of the biaxial compensation films, wherein if “d” is set as a cell gap of the liquid crystal cell, “RLC” is set as a phase retardation value of the liquid crystal layer, an axis perpendicular to planes made by the substrates is set as a z-axis, x-axis and y-axis are formed on a planar surface of the substrates, and refractive indices of molecules comprising the biaxial compensation films in the x, y and z directions are denoted by nx, ny and nz, retardation values (ny-nx)*d and (nz-nx)*d of the biaxial compensation film

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell having spaced apart opposed and first and second substrates. First and second orientation films having first and second rubbing directions are on opposing surfaces of the first and the second substrates. First and second polarizers having first and second transmittance axis directions are on exterior surfaces of the first and the second substrates. A liquid crystal having a twisted angle “ø” is interposed in a gap “d” between the first and the second orientation films. The first transmittance axis direction is perpendicular to the second transmittance axis direction. The first and the second rubbing direction form an angle of ø. The first and second rubbing directions form angles of (90°−ø/2 with the first and second transmittance axis directions. The gap “d” is equal to the distance that produces optimum transmittance of the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: The structure and construction of a bistable twisted nematic liquid crystal display with very long lifetime are disclosed. The two stable twist states in this display when no voltage is applied have almost infinite lifetimes and do not decay. These two stable twist states differ by a twist angle of 180°. New design conditions of this bistable twist structure are disclosed such that the contrast and the brightness are both optimized. This display can be operated in transmittive mode with two polarizes or in the reflective mode with one polarizer.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal display device of the present invention has the following construction. A transparent electrode is provided via color filter layer on a transparent substrate positioned at the upper side of the device. A metallic reflective electrode is provided on a substrate positioned at the lower side of the device. An alignment layer is provided on the transparent electrode and on the metallic reflective electrode respectively. The transparent substrate positioned at the upper side and the substrate positioned at the lower side are arranged parallel to each other with alignment films provided on the transparent electrode and on the metallic reflective electrode facing each other. A liquid crystal layer is provided between the alignment films. A scattering film is provided on a surface of the transparent substrate positioned at the upper side opposite to the surface where the transparent electrode is provided.

Abstract: A reflector of the present invention has irregularities on a surface thereof. In the reflector, a distribution of inclination angles of the surface is regulated such that a number of an inclination angle of the surface increases along with an increase of the inclination angle at least in the range from 0° to 4°. A reflective type liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal layer, a substrate and the reflector of the present invention. In the reflective type liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the substrate and the reflector.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal-based electro-optic modulator with a twist angle between 0° and 90°, and preferably between 50° and 80° is provided. The modulator provides a relatively rapid switching time such as less than about 50 milliseconds, and provides relatively large extinction ratios, such as greater than −25 dB. Preferably the liquid crystal entrance director differs from the polarization direction by a beta angle of about 15°.

Abstract: A generalized mixed twisted nematic/birefringent effect mode is presented for reflective liquid crystal displays with only one polarizer. This new MTB mode encompasses all previously published reflective nematic liquid crystal display modes and is clearly shown on the parameter space diagrams. The invention of how to obtain operating conditions of this generalized mixed mode display is discussed. For any given angle between the polarizer and the input director of the liquid crystal cell, a unique range of values of the twist angle and the retardation d&Dgr;n for efficient reflection and low dispersion is defined.

Abstract: A composite retarder plate is a laminate including (A) at least one retarder layer made of a high-molecular film satisfying the relation nx>ny>nz, (B) at least one retarder layer satisfying the relation nx≧ny>nz and having an optical axis inclined relative to a direction of a normal line with respect to a plane of the layer, and (C) at least one retarder layer satisfying the relation nx>nz≧ny or nx>ny>nz when nx and ny are in-plane refractive indices and nz is a refractive index in a direction of thickness, wherein &Dgr;Nxy and Rth given by Nx≧Ny, (Nx−Ny)·D=&Dgr;Nxy and {(Nx+Ny)/2−Nz}·D=Rth and based on monochromatic light with a wavelength of 590 nm are in a range of from 25 to 100 nm and in a range of from 100 to 300 nm respectively when Nx and Ny are in-plane refractive indices in the laminate, Nz is a refractive index in a direction of thickness of the laminate and D is the thickness of the laminate.

Abstract: An electrooptical system contains: (a) a twisted nematic liquid-crystal layer, with an input side and an output side, which is positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate, each of whose inside surface is provided with an electrode coating and an alignment layer thereon, the director of said liquid crystal layer having a parallel edge alignment and a twist angle of 0°≦&bgr;≦1000, (b) at least one compensation layer for compensating the optical path difference of the liquid-crystal layer d·&Dgr;n, and (c) at least one device for linear polarization of light in such an arrangement that light, before entering and after exiting the liquid-crystal layer, passes through a polarization device, I.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device comprising first and second substrates having first and second principal surfaces which are opposed to each other with a space left therebetween, first and second alignment layers are formed on the first and the second principal surfaces of the first and the second substrates. The first alignment layer is subjected to a first aligning treatment in a first aligning treatment direction while a second alignment layer is subjected to a second aligning treatment in a second aligning treatment direction which shifts from the first aligning treatment direction by a predetermined slight angle. Interposed between the first and the second alignment layers, a liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules each of which is twist aligned by a twist angle equal to the predetermined slight angle.

Abstract: A liquid crystal shutter comprises a liquid crystal device including a nematic liquid crystal sealed in between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate on whose inner surfaces are formed respective transparent electrodes, the liquid crystal device having a twisted angle equal to or greater than 180°; and a pair of polarizing plates between which are sandwiched the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, the polarizing films having respective absorption axes (13, 14) which are substantially orthogonal to each other, the absorption axes (13, 14) of the polarizing films being angled within a range of ±40° to ±50°0 relative to a direction (12) in which intermediate liquid crystal molecules are orientated, the direction indicating a direction of orientation of the liquid crystal in the intermediate portion in the direction of thickness of the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device with an IPS mode having wide view angle characteristic and capable of improving response time and transmittance, is disclosed. A liquid crystal display device with an in-plane switching mode includes a first substrate having first and second electrodes formed thereon. A second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate with a selected distance. On a surface of the second substrate are also formed third and fourth electrodes. When a voltage is applied to the respective electrodes, a first electric field which is parallel to the planes of the substrates is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a second electric field which is parallel to the planes of the substrates and is orthogonal to the first electric field is generated between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. A polarizer is arranged on the outside of the first substrate and a analyzer is arranged on the outside of the second substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (LCD) in which the direction of a fringe field produced at one unit pixel is orthogonal to the direction of a fringe field produced at each of unit pixels adjacent to the one unit pixel. The disclosed fringe field switching mode LCD includes counter electrodes and pixel electrodes arranged on a back substrate to produce a fringe field having horizontal elements parallel to data bus lines at one unit pixel while producing a fringe field having horizontal elements parallel to gate bus lines at each of unit pixels longitudinally and laterally adjacent to the one unit pixel. In this LCD, the rubbing axis of a back horizontal alignment film defines an angle of ±45±10° with respect to each of the gate bus lines.

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

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus of the present invention, which has a plurality of display pixels arranged in a matrix, includes: a pair of substrates opposing each other; a liquid crystal layer placed between the pair of substrates; an alignment film formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of substrates opposing the liquid crystal layer and subjected to a treatment for aligning liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer; and a pair of polarizing plates placed so as to interpose the pair of substrates, wherein the liquid crystal layer is divided into at least two regions in each of the display pixels, alignment states of the liquid crystal molecules are different in the at least two regions, and one absorption axis of one of the pair of polarizing plates is substantially parallel to a 6-12 o'clock direction or a 3-9 o'clock direction.

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

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

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal-based electro-optic modulator with a twist angle between 0° and 90°, and preferably between 50° and 80° is provided. The modulator provides a relatively rapid switching time such as less than about 50 milliseconds, and provides relatively large extinction ratios, such as greater than −25 dB. Preferably the liquid crystal entrance director differs from the polarization direction by a beta angle of about 15°.

Abstract: A liquid crystal color display has the range of polarization twist angles between the color filter and the active matrix alignment layers for the cells of at least one primary color different from that of the other primary color cells. Each polarization twist minimizes the off state illumination of the display in a color filter cell so that a normally black display is obtained. In a second embodiment, liquid crystal molecules of the display are tilted relative an alignment layer and at least one primary color filter cell has a tilt different from the tilt in the other primary color filter cells. The molecular tilt minimizes off state illumination in the color filter cells in a manner that provides a normally black display. Molecular tilt and multi-twist may be combined to achieve a normally black display, as may multi-twist or multi-tilt, or a combination thereof, be combined with mono-gap or multi-gap liquid crystal display construction to achieve a normally black display.

Abstract: A novel liquid crystal display apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal cell having a structure in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates each having at least one electrode, and liquid crystal molecules in said liquid crystal layer are oriented substantially in parallel to the surface of said substrate and twisted at an angle in the thickness direction of said liquid crystal layer when the voltage is not applied, a pair of polarizers disposed so as to sandwich said liquid crystal cell there between, wherein the angle of the polarized light transmission axis of said polarizer to the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the middle of said liquid crystal layer is less than 10.degree..

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

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal-based electro-optic modulator with a twist angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree., and preferably between 50.degree. and 80.degree. is provided. The modulator provides a relatively rapid switching time such as less than about 50 milliseconds, and provides relatively large extinction ratios, such as greater than -25 dB. Preferably the liquid crystal entrance director differs from the polarization direction by a beta angle of about 15.degree..

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal cell and a polymer film. The liquid crystal cell comprises a liquid crystal layer positioned between a pair of transparent substrates, on whose innersides transparent electrodes are provided. The polymer film is positioned at one side of the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal layer and the polymer film are sandwiched by a pair of polarization films. A twist angle of the liquid crystal layer is set to be a predetermined value. The product of birefringence of the nematic liquid crystal, .DELTA.n.sub.LC, and a thickness of liquid crystal layer, d.sub.LC, .DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC is set to be a predetermined value. The birefringence difference .DELTA.(R)=R.sub.Film -.DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC, which is defined by using the .DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC and retardation of the polymer film, R.sub.Film, is set to be a value between 0.0 .mu.m and 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items is provided. The liquid crystal displays incorporated within the watch or designer apparel item can be adapted to provide various colored images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, logos, etc. on colored backgrounds or alternatively provides a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. Moreover, the dynamically changing watch or other designer apparel item allows for the electronic control of the color appearance of the liquid crystal displays as well as electronic control of the liquid crystal display images, such images being generally independent of the time of day.

Abstract: A display adapted for use in head mounted display systems. The display includes an array of reflecting pixels, a first light source for illuminating the array of reflecting pixels, and a mask screen located between the light source and the array of reflecting pixels. The mask screen includes a plurality of mask elements, one mask element corresponding to each of the pixels. The mask elements have a first state in which the mask element is transparent and a second state in which the mask element is opaque. The state of the mask element is determined by a potential generated by the corresponding pixel. Each of the pixels includes a reflector for reflecting light from the first light source into a cone having an opening angle and an axis which depends on the position of the pixel in the display and on the telecentricity of the imaging optic. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the reflectors is an off-axis portion of a diffractive micro Fresnel mirror.

Abstract: A twisted liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal layer and first and second alignment layers disposed in opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer. The first and second alignment layers have respective alignment directions which are mutually inclined. A first linear polarizer is disposed on the opposite side of the first alignment layer to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes apply a variable voltage across the liquid crystal layer which has a twisted liquid crystal structure and is arranged for operation in a surface switching mode with first and second regions of the liquid crystal layer adjacent the alignment layers being mutually optically de-coupled so as to act, within the liquid crystal layer, when in use, like a pair of separate, active optical retarders having mutually inclined optic axes and optical retardations which can be varied within a range to cause color.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer of nematic liquid crystal having positive dielectric anisotropy and including a chiral material, which is interposed between two substrates disposed substantially in parallel, each provided with a transparent electrode and an aligning layer. The twist angle of the liquid crystal layer of liquid crystal molecules determined by the aligning layer of each of the substrates is 160.degree.-300.degree.. A pair of polarizing plates are disposed outside the liquid crystal layer. A driving circuit applies a driving voltage across the transparent electrodes. A birefringent plate is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and an upper polarizing plate and the product .DELTA.n.sub.1 .multidot.d.sub.1 of the refractive index anisotropy .DELTA.n.sub.1 of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer and the thickness d.sub.1 of the liquid crystal layer is 1.2 .mu.m-2.5 .mu.m. The birefringent plate is formed to have a relation of n.sub.X .gtoreq.n.sub.Z .

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal cell and a polymer film. The liquid crystal cell comprises a liquid crystal layer positioned between a pair of transparent substrates, on whose innersides transparent electrodes are provided. The polymer film is positioned at one side of the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal layer and the polymer film are sandwiched by a pair of polarization films. A twist angle of the liquid crystal layer is set to be a predetermined value. The product of birefringence of the nematic liquid crystal, .DELTA.n.sub.LC, and a thickness of liquid crystal layer, d.sub.LC, .DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC is set to be a predetermined value. The birefringence difference .DELTA.(R)=R.sub.Film -.DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC, which is defined by using the .DELTA.n.sub.LC .multidot.d.sub.LC and retardation of the polymer film, R.sub.Film, is set to be a value between 0.0 .mu.m and 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector having a high contrast ratio has an optical system including, for each color, a liquid crystal display device, a drive device for driving the liquid crystal display device and a polarization device, and a light source. The liquid crystal display device has active devices connected to reflective electrodes. Driving voltages applied to pixels have different polarities in every row. The liquid crystal layer is aligned at an angle from 75.degree. to 105.degree. to the direction of an electric field between electrodes. An optical rotator is provided between the liquid crystal display device and the polarization device.

Abstract: An electro-optical liquid crystal display with active-matrix addressing, in which the liquid-crystal layer has a homeotropic or tilted homeotropic alignment in the switched-off state and which contains a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy. The medium containsA) 30-70% by weight of two or more compounds of the formula I ##STR1## and B) 20-50% by weight of two or more compounds of the formula II ##STR2## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, ##STR3## and m are as defined in claim 1. The displays are particularly capable of operation based on the vertically-aligned cholesteric or nematic (VAC or VAN) effect.

Abstract: An optical display employs a liquid crystal cell with a d.DELTA.n/.lambda. of approximately 0.2-0.8, allowing the cell's optical transmissivity to be modulated by an applied electric field through a dominant non-polarization rotation effect. For visible wavelengths, d.DELTA.n is approximately 0.1-0.4 microns, with a preferred value of about 0.25 microns. Applications include a reflective projection display in which input light is polarized at a greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree. angle, preferably about 20.degree., to the input LC directors of a twisted nematic cell; a reflective direct view system in which a quarter-wave plate is substituted for a polarization analyzer; and both a reflective and a transmissive guest-host system in which optical absorption by dye molecules is the dominant modulation mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal cell filled with a liquid crystal material capable of exhibiting a smectic phase, said cell including upper and lower substrates each having in order an electrode and an orientation film in contact with the liquid crystal material, a cross angle e formed by the orientation treatment directions of the orientation films is 180.degree.-.delta. or 360.degree.-.delta. (0.degree.<.delta..ltoreq.90.degree.). Also disclosed is a process for preparing the above-mentioned liquid crystal device comprising treating the orientation films and preparing the liquid crystal cell so as to have the orientation treatment directions of the orientation films form the cross angle .THETA. within the above range in the cell.

Abstract: A projection-type display device using twisted nematic liquid crystal light valves having multi-twist and/or multi-polarization angles. The photoelectric transfer characteristics of three light valves are optimized for reflecting red, green and blue light with high efficiency and similar reflectivity by selecting proper twisted angle and polarization angle for each corresponding liquid crystal light valve. The twisted angle or polarization biasing angle of each light valve may be different.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal layer between a pair of alignment layers. Glass plates with electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the layers. The alignment layers have their alignment directions disposed mutually perpendicular and at .+-.45.degree. with respect to adjacent linear polarizers. The pretilt angle of liquid crystal molecules in a surface region of the layer adjacent the alignment layer is different to that of liquid crystal molecules in a surface region of the layer adjacent the alignment layer.

Abstract: A system for encoding control data onto a clock signal includes at least one clock cycle in the clock signal; a first transition in the at least one clock cycle, the first transition is from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, the first transition is in a first location in the at least one clock cycle; a second transition in the at least one clock cycle, the second transition is from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, the second transition has a variable location in the clock cycle; and an encoder circuit for positioning the second transition in the variable location in response to the control data.

Abstract: An optical information processor according to the present invention comprises a spatial light modulator 1 illuminated by linearly polarized coherent light and a linear polarization detector element 2 for detecting light diffracted by the spatial light modulator 1, wherein a rotatory polarization element of the spatial light modulator 1 is arranged in such a manner that the direction of the major molecular axis 11 thereof at the incident light side substantially conforms to the linear polarization axis direction (Y-axis direction) of the coherent light and the linear polarization detector element 2 is arranged in such a manner that the detecting axis 21 thereof crosses substantially at right angles with the major polarization axis of the zero-order diffracted light 4 included in the diffracted light described above.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of high display quality and superior sharpness is presented. Large bumps and small bumps made of synthetic resin material are formed on a glass substrate. Covering these bumps and filling the recesses among the bumps, a smoothing film is formed. On the smoothing film, a reflective metal film made of metal material such as aluminum is formed. This reflective metal film is formed in plural rows in a longitudinal band form. On the glass substrate, the bumps, smoothing film, and reflective metal film are combined to compose a reflector. An orientation film is formed on the reflective metal film. By the electric field applied in the liquid crystal layer so as to be in the light shielding state when the retardation .DELTA.n.sub.1 d.sub.1 of the liquid crystal cell and the retardation .DELTA.n.sub.2 d.sub.2 of the substrate possessing optical phase compensating function satisfy .vertline..DELTA.n.sub.1 d.sub.1 -.DELTA.n.sub.2 d.sub.2 .vertline./.lambda.=0.25+m/2.+-.0.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to this invention has a pair of transparent electrodes, a non-chiral smectic liquid crystal therebetween, a polarizer and an analyzer which are attached to the electrodes. The smectic layers are perpendicular to the electrodes and the liquid crystal has a twisted structure where the twist angle is twice the molecular tilt angle. In this configuration, the molecular director is forced to continuously rotate along the cone surface formed by the requirement that the molecules are tilted with respect to the layer normal and pinned at the surfaces. The basic principles of the optical modulation in the present invention are similar to those in twist nematic liquid crystal structures.

Abstract: A birefringence control type color liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell having first and second substrates; first and second electrodes formed on opposing surfaces of the first and second substrates; a first aligning film formed on the first electrode and subjected to an aligning treatment in a first direction; a second aligning film formed on the second electrode and the second substrate and subjected to an aligning treatment in a second direction intersecting the first direction at 90 degrees; and a liquid crystal sealed between the first and second aligning films and twisted at 90 degrees.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal cell having liquid crystal molecules twisted by 90.degree., two polarization plates, a reflector and two retardation plates. The product .DELTA.n.d of the refractive anisotropy .DELTA.n and the LC layer thickness d of the liquid crystal cell, the retardations of the retardation plates, the directions of the transmission axes of the polarization plates and the phase delay axes of the retardation plates are set in such a way that the color of outgoing light changes to red, green, blue, black or white in accordance with an applied voltage. The transmission axis of one of the polarization plates is set in a direction of 110.degree. to 130.degree. in an opposite direction to the twist angle of the liquid crystal molecules and the transmission axis of the other of the polarization plates is set in a direction of 127.degree. to 140.degree. in an opposite direction to this twist angle.

Abstract: A reflection-type liquid crystal (LC) device having a twisted nematic (TN) LC layer that lets linearly-polarized incident light enter and become circularly-polarized at a reflecting surface, and then linearly polarizes it, after reflecting, with a plane of polarization that has been rotated 90.degree. from the incident light at an light output surface. The TN LC layer allows linearly-polarized incident light to enter at an angle to the molecular plane of light input of the twisted nematic LC, and to linearly polarize the light after reflection. The plane of polarization is rotated 90.degree. from the incident light at the light output surface. The TN LC layer also allows circularly-polarized incident light to enter and become linearly-polarized light at the reflecting surface. Circularly-polarized light after reflection may be rotated opposite the incident circularly-polarized light at the light output surface to provide for reverse on/off states.