Abstract: A multilayer polarizing structure is produced on a temporary support. The structure comprises at least one orienting layer and one polarizing layer comprising dichroic dyes, the dichroic dyes having an angular orientation determined by the orienting layer. The multilayer structure is separated from the temporary substrate before being applied onto a surface of an optical element. Applying the structure onto the optical element may be easily carried out while obtaining a quality compatible with many uses of the optical element, in particular ophthalmic uses.

Abstract: A method of treating an inorganic oxide film includes: dipping an inorganic oxide film having a plurality of pores therein which is formed by an oblique deposition method into a treatment liquid containing alcohol; reducing pressure of a space where the treatment liquid is provided to infiltrate the treatment liquid into the pores of the inorganic oxide film; and chemically bonding the alcohol to a surface of the inorganic oxide film and inner surfaces of the pores.

Abstract: A chromonic nanoparticle mixture prepared by combining (i) a continuous water-soluble polymer phase and (ii) a discontinuous chromonic phase comprising a chromonic material; and non-covalently crosslinking the resulting chromonic nanoparticles with a polyvalent cation salt.

Abstract: The present invention to a composition for liquid crystal aligning comprising an oligoimide or oligoamic acid, which comprises a thermocurable or photocurable functional group on at least one end of the oligoimide or oligoamic acid backbone, a liquid crystal aligning layer prepared from the same, and a liquid crystal display comprising the same. The composition for liquid crystal aligning according to the present can minimize the generation of the decomposed by-products, which had been generated upon the use of polyimides, by using an oligoimide or oligoamic acid on at least one end of the backbone, instead of the conventional polyimides and has an excellent effect of improvement in alignment property, thermal stability, and image sticking.

Abstract: A photoalignment material includes an alignment polymer, a photoalignment additive including a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and an organic solvent. In Chemical Formula 1, R1 represents a cyclic compound. A and B independently represent a single bond or —(CnH2n)—. “n” represents an integer in a range of 1 to 12. Each —CH2— of A and/or B may be replaced with R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and each —CH2— of A and/or B may be replaced with —O—. R4 represents In Chemical Formula 1, each hydrogen atom excluding hydrogen atoms of R4 may be replaced with chlorine (Cl) or fluorine (F). Thus, an alignment layer having an orientation may be formed without an alignment polymer having a photoreactive portion, and the density of the alignment layer may be increased.

Abstract: A liquid-crystalline polymer composition with less warpage not only in molding but also in a high temperature treatment conducted after molding is provided. The liquid-crystalline polymer comprises (i) 30 to 95% by weight of a first liquid-crystalline polymer having a deflection temperature under load of 200° C. or higher and (ii) 5 to 70% by weight of a second liquid-crystalline polymer having a deflection temperature under load lower than that of the first liquid-crystalline polymer, a melting point from 270° C. to lower than 400° C. and a flow-beginning temperature of 270° C. or higher.

Abstract: An LCD with an improved image quality and a method of fabricating the same are provided. After a rubbing process as a primary alignment process is performed on an alignment layer, a pre-treatment is performed on the alignment layer before a light irradiation as a secondary alignment process. Thus, the light leakage at a stepped portion may be prevented and the contrast ratio can be improved. Consequently, a high quality image may be obtained and the reliability of products can also be enhanced. After a thermal treatment as the pre-treatment or during the thermal treatment, a light irradiation as a secondary alignment process is performed, or the light irradiation as the secondary alignment process is performed under an oxygen atmosphere, thereby enhancing the alignment process efficiency during the light irradiation. Further, a non-polarized light may be irradiated on the rubbed alignment layer during the light irradiation.

Abstract: A method for forming an alignment layer for a liquid crystal display is disclosed. The method includes preparing a substrate and depositing an alignment layer on the substrate. The method also includes applying one of an electric field and a magnetic field to the alignment layer to set an alignment direction of the alignment layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photoalignment film composition containing a compound represented by general formula (1) and a compound having a hydrophilic group and a (meth)acryloyloxy group, an optically anisotropic medium using a photoalignment film comprised of the photoalignment film composition, and a method for preparing thereof: (wherein, R1 and R2 respectively and independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, carboxyl group or alkali metal salt thereof, halogenated methyl group, halogenated methoxy group, cyano group, nitro group, —OR5, hydroxylalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, —CONR6R7 or methoxycarbonyl group, and R3 and R4 respectively and independently represent a carboxyl group or alkali metal salt thereof, sulfo group or alkali metal salt thereof, nitro group, amino group, carbamoyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, sulfamoyl group or hydroxyl group).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display screen includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate opposite to the first electrode plate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. A first alignment layer is located on the first electrode plate and faces the liquid crystal layer. The first alignment layer comprises a plurality of parallel first grooves defined therein. A second alignment layer is located on the second electrode plate and faces the liquid crystal layer. The second alignment layer comprises a plurality of parallel second grooves defined therein. The second grooves are perpendicular to the first grooves. At least one of the first alignment layer and second alignment layer comprises a carbon nanotube layer and a fixing layer located thereon facing the liquid crystal layer. The carbon nanotube layer comprises a plurality of carbon nanotube wires being arranged in parallel and closely located.

Abstract: A film with alignment film which stably causes liquid crystal alignment and is excellent in adhesion between its constituting layers so as to give a high endurance and an excellent re-workability, and further to provide an optical device using the same. The film with alignment film contains at least a resin substrate and an alignment film, wherein the film is provided with a photocurable resin layer between the resin substrate and the alignment film, the photocurable resin layer being formed by use of a photo-cleaving type photopolymerization initiator. The optical device contains at least a resin substrate, an alignment film, and an optically functional layer, wherein the device is provided with a photocurable resin layer between the resin substrate and the alignment film, the photocurable resin layer being formed by use of a photo-cleaving type photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition with a negative dielectric anisotropy includes at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the following formula (1) as a first component, and at least one compound selected from the group of compounds represented by the following formulas (2-1) to (2-3) and (3-1) to (3-4) as a second component.

Abstract: A process for producing a cellulose acylate film, the process comprising melt-cast filming a composition comprising a cellulose acylate that has a specific acyl substitution degree, and that has a residual sulfate in an amount equal to or less than a definite amount (in terms of an amount of a sulfur atom), and a a cellulose acylate film produced by the process, a high-quality retardation film, a polarizing plate, an optical compensatory film, an anti-reflective film and an image display device using same.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing liquid crystal alignment film of the present invention comprises the steps of: (1) aligning a transparent substrate film by rubbing; (2) laminating a surface protective sheet having a release force of 0.5 N/50 mm or less onto an aligned face of the transparent substrate; (3) coating a liquid crystal material comprising a liquid crystal monomer and/or a liquid crystal polymer onto the aligned face after releasing the surface protective sheet; and (4) fixing the liquid crystal material after aligning the liquid crystal material. The method can make satisfactorily align the liquid crystal material on the substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing highly purified fused aromatic ring compounds with high yield by a simpler method. A method for producing a fused aromatic ring compound comprising irradiating the bicyclo compound containing at least one bicyclo ring represented by formula (1) in a molecule with light to detach a leaving group X from a residual part to form an aromatic ring: wherein R1 and R3 each denotes a group to form an aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring which may be substituted, together with a group to which each thereof is bonded; R2 and R4 each denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an ester group or a phenyl group; and X is a leaving group, which denotes a carbonyl group or —N?.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, which can give mono-domain alignment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal without forming alignment defects such as zigzag defects, hairpin defects and double domains and which is so remarkably good in alignment stability that the alignment thereof can be maintained even if the temperature of the liquid crystal is raised to the phase transition point or higher. The liquid crystal display has a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates, wherein an electrode and a photo alignment layer are each successively formed on opposite faces of the two substrates facing each other, and a constituent material of the respective photo alignment layer has a different composition with the ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched there between.

Abstract: A liquid crystal-containing composition according to the present invention includes a cholesteric liquid crystal, a polymer, and particles having hydrophobic surfaces. The particles having hydrophobic surfaces are at the interface between the region containing the cholesteric liquid crystal and the region containing the polymer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer that is vertically aligned in an initial state and sandwiched between the pair of the substrates. In the device, an alignment layer existing on an uppermost surface of at least one of the substrates is composed of alkyl chains having a different chain length each other, and an alkyl chain having a shortest chain length in the alkyl chains is tilted to the uppermost surface of the at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: Substrate structures, liquid crystal display devices and methods of fabricating liquid crystal display devices. A substrate structure comprises a transparent substrate having an electrode layer thereon. A first alignment layer is formed on the transparent substrate. A second alignment layer is selectively formed on the first alignment, wherein alignment orientations of liquid crystal molecules on the first and second alignment layers are different.

Abstract: The invention includes homeotropically aligned liquid crystal films obtained by applying a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds represented by the following formula (1-1) to the following formula (1-3) onto a substrate having a polar surface, and polymerizing the composition: wherein R1 is methyl or ethyl; Z1 is a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, —CH?CH—COO— or —CH2CH2—COO—; Z2 is —COO— or —OCO—; each Y is independently hydrogen or fluorine; X is —OCF3 or —CN; w is 0, 1 or 2; and a is an integer of 1 to 10.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal cell and method thereof. The cell comprises two opposed substrates and a surfactant-free lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLC) material disposed therebetween. By using an ammonium compound with LCLC or surface treatment on the substrates, the alignment of the LCLC material can be manipulated as a homeotropic bulk alignment; or a hybrid bulk alignment in which the LCLC alignment is changed from homeotropic bulk alignment in the vicinity of one substrate to planar alignment in the vicinity of another substrate. The cell can be used in biosensing, detection and amplification of ligands, optical devices, and photovoltaics etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a free radical polymerizable liquid crystal alignment agent having superior coating ability, a manufacturing method, which comprises the process of coating the liquid crystal alignment agent onto a substrate, carrying out dehydration/ring-closure and free radical polymerization, enables obtaining a liquid crystal alignment film with superior reliability, superior voltage holding ratio and easy control of pretilt angle, and enables the manufacture of a liquid crystal display element provided with a liquid crystal alignment film. The free radical polymerizable liquid crystal alignment agent comprises a molecular compound containing at least 2 polymerizable maleamic acid groups and an organic solvent.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display screen includes a first substrate, a first alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer are respectively disposed on the first substrate and the second substrate, and face the liquid crystal layer. The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer respectively include a plurality of parallel first grooves and second grooves perpendicular to the first grooves formed thereon facing the liquid crystal layer. Furthermore, at least one of the alignment layers includes a carbon nanotube layer and a fixing layer disposed thereon facing the liquid crystal layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes at least one carbon nanotube film pulled out from an array of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an optical element the haze of which is efficiently reduced and an apparatus for producing the optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer for use as a surface-director alignment layer in a liquid crystal device, the polymer comprising a polymeric backbone and side-chains attached thereto, wherein the polymeric backbone lacks directly coupled ring structures, and each side-chain of at least some of the side-chains comprises at least two unsubstituted and/or substituted phenyls coupled via a coupling selected from the group consisting of a carbon-carbon single bond (—), a carbon-carbon double bond containing unit (—CH?CH—), a carbon-carbon triple bond containing unit (—C?C—), a methylene ether unit (—CH2O—), an ethylene ether unit (—CH2CH2O—), an ester unit (—COO—) and an azo unit (—N?N—), exhibits a permanent and/or induced dipole moment that in ordered phase provides dielectric anisotropy, and is attached to the polymeric backbone via at least two spacing atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of liquid-crystal films and coatings from substituted poly-para-xylylenes to be used as alignment layers in different electrooptical devices (alphameric indicators, displays, optical shutters, etc.). Particularly, the invention is directed to a one-step method for producing a liquid-crystal polymer film of the substituted poly-para-xylylene, said film simultaneously exhibiting the orienting properties with respect to LC molecules. The essence of a claimed method is in production of films and coatings from the substituted poly-para-xylylene by means of the successive execution in vacuum of sublimation at 0-350° C. and pyrolysis at 450-700° C. of the substituted cyclic di-para-xylylene in which substituent groups have terminal mesogenic groups, and condensation of the pyrolysis-generated substituted para-xylylene simultaneously with its polymerization on a substrate at 150-320° C. The process is performed at a predetermined film formation rate on the substrate surface.

Abstract: In the present invention, it is an object to improve display quality by improving response speed of a liquid crystal element in a liquid crystal display device, in particular, response speed in the case of falling. In the present invention, it is characterized that a liquid crystal layer is divided into plural regions (domains) substantially by mixing a compound including a liquid crystal skeleton in a liquid crystal layer exisiting liquid crystal molecules as a technique to improve response speed of a liquid crystal element in a liquid crystal display device for solving the above problem.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal displays using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, which can give mono-domain alignment of ferroelectrical liquid crystal without forming orientation defects and which is so remarkably good in orientation stability that the orientation thereof can be maintained even if the temperature of the liquid crystal is raised to the phase transition point or higher. The invention provides liquid crystal displays comprising a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates, wherein an electrode and a photo alignment film are each successively formed, the first of which is a photoreactive material which generates photoreaction to give anisotropy to the photo alignment film, and the constituent material of the second film is an optically isomerizable material comprising an optically isomerization-reactive compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, which can give mono-domain alignment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal without forming alignment defects which is so remarkably good in alignment stability that the alignment thereof can be maintained even if the temperature of the liquid crystal is raised to the phase transition point or higher. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display comprising a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates, wherein an electrode and a photo alignment layer are each successively formed a constituent material of the respective photo alignment layer is a photoreactive material which generates a photoreaction to give anisotropy to the photo alignment layer; and the constituent material of the respective photo alignment layer has different composition from each other with the ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal, which can give mono-domain alignment of the ferroelectric liquid crystal without forming alignment defects such as zigzag defects, hairpin defects and double domains and which is so remarkably good in alignment stability that the alignment thereof can be maintained even if the temperature of the liquid crystal is raised to the phase transition point or higher. The liquid crystal display has a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between two substrates, wherein an electrode and a photo alignment layer are each successively formed on opposite faces of the two substrates facing each other, and a constituent material of the respective photo alignment layer has a different composition with the ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device including a first electrode substrate, a second electrode substrate and a liquid crystal layer is provided. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate. The liquid crystal layer comprises liquid crystal molecules and particles. The liquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned when the applied voltage between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate is less than a threshold voltage. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules is changed so as to produce optical changes in the liquid crystal device when the applied voltage between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate is not less than the threshold voltage.

Abstract: Dichroic dyes, compositions thereof, and liquid crystal compositions, microencapsulated liquid crystal compositions and liquid-crystal display elements employing the same. The dichroic dyes have high photostability in addition to excellent solubility. Furthermore, the liquid crystal composition employing the above dichroic dyes can have an orientational order parameter more than 0.7.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for forming a liquid crystal alignment film, which comprises a photoreactive polymer including a multicyclic compound having a photoreactive group on a main chain thereof. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal alignment film produced using the composition, and a liquid crystal display including the liquid crystal alignment film. The photoreactive polymer including the multicyclic compound on the main chain thereof has a high glass transition temperature, thus thermal stability is excellent. Since lattice vacancy is relatively large, the photoreactive group is capable of moving relatively freely in the main chain of the polymer, thus it is possible to improve a slow photoreaction rate, which is considered a disadvantage of a conventional polymer material.

Abstract: An optically compensated birefringence liquid crystal alignment agent. The liquid crystal alignment agent includes one or more polymerizable monomers polymerized to form a polymer having liquid crystal alignment memory on an alignment layer by irradiating an energy ray. Liquid crystals are rapidly converted from splay state to bend state along the polymer memory direction so that a liquid crystal display reaches steady state immediately by only applying normal voltage, without application of high voltage. The invention also provides a liquid crystal display including the liquid crystal alignment agent and a method for fabricating the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Sub-micron-structured (nanostructured) polymer film or coatings are made by coating a substrate with a mixture of materials. One of the materials is removed using a selective solvent, leaving pores or other nanostructure. The substrate may be grooved, providing a competing nanostructure. The coating may act as an antireflective coating, optical retarder, optical diffuser, or orientation layer.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent which gives a coating film with good uniformity regardless of drying temperature after coating, and a liquid crystal alignment film having good coating film uniformity. A liquid crystal aligning agent comprising at least one polymer selected from a polyamic acid and a soluble polyimide, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, and a liquid crystal alignment film obtained by printing this liquid crystal aligning agent by a flexographic printing method.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element capable of improving the adhesive property between a refractive index anisotropic layer and an alignment property providing layer for providing alignment property to the refractive index anisotropic layer and further improving the endurance of each of the layers.

Abstract: A method for producing an alignment layer for a liquid crystal panel, which is produced by modifying an alignment film in a fixed direction and at a fixed angle by using an atmospheric pressure plasma source to form a uniform and isotropic alignment layer on the surface of the substrate. The resultant alignment layer has good uniformity and high anchoring energy, and the pre-tilt angle can be selected as desired. In addition, there are no problems with static charge generation, dust pollution and the like as in the prior arts. The method of the present invention is not restricted by vacuum apparatuses that need ion alignment or vacuum plasma alignment and the like and is not restricted by the size of the equipment. Therefore, the method of the present invention is suitable for treating the surface of an alignment layer of a large size liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid-crystalline polymer blend which is obtained by combining liquid-crystalline polymer (A) which has a modulus of elongation of 20-32 GPa and a melting point measured by differential scanning calorimeter of 250-330° C. and liquid-crystalline polymer (B) which has a melting point measured by differential scanning calorimeter of equal to or higher than 190° C. and lower than 250° C., wherein the weight ratio of said liquid-crystalline polymer (A) to said liquid-crystalline polymer (B) is in the range of from 50:50 to 90:10. The liquid-crystalline polymer blend and the liquid-crystalline polymer blend composition comprising the same exhibit good mechanical properties such as modulus of elongation and good molding processability at low temperatures. The liquid-crystalline polymer blend and the liquid-crystalline polymer blend composition of the present invention are suitable for producing welded articles with high joint strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarizing complex with functional layers, in particular a polarizing complex having a polarizing plate with lower retardation value and functional layers laminated thereon. Specifically, the present invention discloses a polarizing plate with a protecting layer of polycarbonate having lower retardation value and a polarizing complex including the polarizing plate and suitable layer(s) laminated thereon considering the use of the polarizing complex. The polarizing plate of the present invention comprises a polarizing film made of poly vinyl alcohol; a protecting layer made of poly carbonate; and functional layers, and characterized in that the poly carbonate has retardation value in the range of 5 to 250 nm.

Abstract: There are provided an optical compensation film including an alignment film whose adhesiveness to a substrate and a liquid crystal layer and alignment property are excellent when a novel substrate is used to solve the problem regarding deteriorated durability being caused when a retardation film including a liquid crystal film is used under a hot and humid environment, and an integrated polarizing plate comprising the same. The O-plate includes a substrate; an alignment film prepared by coating the substrate with a composition for an alignment film that is composed of polyvinyl alcohol, a multifunctional acrylate monomer, a compatibilizing agent, a photo initiator and a solvent, followed by undergoing drying, curing and rubbing processes; and a splay-aligned liquid crystal film formed on the alignment film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal bulk layer and a dynamic surface-director alignment layer, wherein the liquid crystal bulk layer comprises a liquid crystalline material possessing a phase sequence consisting of isotropic phase, nematic phase and optionally crystalline phase(s), and the surface-director alignment layer comprises a chiral smectic liquid crystalline polysiloxane. The invention also relates to a method for its manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element capable of improving the adhesion between the alignment property providing layer, for providing the alignment property to the refractive index anisotropic layer, and the refractive index anisotropic layer, as well as improving durability of each layer.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following general formula (1a) or (1b), a liquid crystal composition containing the compound, and a polymer obtained by polymerizing the compound or the composition: wherein R1 represents a fluorine atom, an alkyl group or the like; Y1 and Y2 each independently represents alkylene or the like; A1, A2, B1 and B2 each independently represents 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or the like; X1 and X2 each independently represents a single bond, —COO—, —OCO— or the like; m represents 0, 1 or 2; and G represents hydrogen, methyl or the like.

Abstract: The invention reports on the use of multi-reactive polymerizable surfactants in mixtures of polymerizable mesogenic materials. The polymerizable surfactants are readily polymerized into the liquid crystal film and build a protective topcoat layer. The invention also relates to a method of producing polymeric optical films with improved stability by using the surfactants. Uses of these films are given for various applications including security applications and displays.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent useful to obtain a liquid crystal alignment film which exhibits a high voltage retention characteristic even under high temperature conditions and which has a low accumulation charge, and a liquid crystal display device which is less susceptible to lowering of contrast or to image persistence.

Abstract: The invention provides cross-linked lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) copolymers having ordered nanometer-sized pores lined with functional groups. The copolymers are formed by copolymerizing LLC monomers with strong LLC character and functionalized monomers with no or weak LLC character to form an LLC phase. Both the LLC monomers and the functionalized monomers contain hydrogen-bonding groups and hydrogen-bonding is believed to assist in the formation of the LLC phase of the blended mixture. Different classes of functional groups useful for the invention include, but are not limited to, acidic groups, basic groups, catalytic groups, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, polymerization initiators, binding agents, optically active groups, and electrically active groups. The invention also provides methods for making the cross-linked LLC copolymers of the invention.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate composition, which comprises filtering a solution in which cellulose acylate satisfying the following formulae 1 to 3 and having an M/S defined by following formula 4 of 0.5 to 2 is dissolved in a solvent through a filter having a retention particle size of 0.1 to 40 ?m, and mixing the filtered solution with a poor solvent to reprecipitate cellulose acylate: 1.5?A+B?3??Formula 1 0?A?1.8??Formula 2 1.2?B?3??Formula 3 where A is a substitution degree for an acetyl group of a hydrogen atom which constitutes a hydroxyl group of cellulose, and B is a substitution degree for an acyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms of a hydrogen atom which constitutes a hydroxyl group of cellulose, M/S={(a molar content of alkali metal)/2+(a molar content of alkali earth metal)/2}/(a molar content of sulfur).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element which can suppress a production cost, has good heat resistance; uniformly maintains the fixed orientation of a liquid crystal polymer in a wide temperature range, shows a low haze with reliability without reducing birefringence property owing to a physical factor from its external surface, and can maintain desired birefringence property with reliability. The present invention relates to an optical element formed by forming, on the upper surface of a base material having light permeability, at least a birefringence layer having a structure obtained by fixing liquid crystal monomers each having a polymerizable group at a terminal thereof in a state where the monomers are homeotropically oriented, forming an isotropic layer constituted by the liquid crystal monomers on the upper surface of the birefringence layer, and removing an additive layer formed on the upper surface of the isotropic layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a broadband reflection type brightness enhancement polarizer, which includes a cholesteric liquid crystal film laminate having a broadband selective reflecting wavelength range in which a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal films having selective reflecting wavelength ranges different from each other by having different mixture ratios of a curable nematic liquid crystal compound expressed by the chemical formula 1 and a curable chiral compound expressed by the chemical formula 2 are laminated; and a film having ¼? phase difference laminated on one surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal film laminate. This polarizer has wide selective reflecting wavelength ranges of the cholesteric liquid crystal films composing the polarizer, so the entire visible ray range can be covered just by laminating several cholesteric liquid crystal films.