Abstract: The present invention relates to organic chemistry, in particular, to synthesis of sulfoderivatives of the polycyclic compounds and fabrication of optically anisotropic coatings on their base.

Abstract: An optical diffusing plate that gives a anisotropic scattering of a linearly polarized light and has an excellent diffusion property in a scattering direction, and that is suitable for improving visibility, brightness of a liquid crystal display, comprising a birefringent film and a minute domain with a birefringent characteristic different from the birefringent film in a dispersed state in the birefringent film, the minute domain comprising a side chain type liquid crystal polymer comprising a monomer unit (a) containing a liquid crystalline fragment side chain and a monomer unit (b) containing a non-liquid crystalline fragment side chain, and a refractive index difference (&Dgr;n1) between the birefringent film and the minute domain in a direction orthogonal to a direction of axis that gives a maximum transmittance of linearly polarized light being 0.03 or more, and a refractive index difference (&Dgr;n2) in a direction of axis that gives a maximum transmittance being 80% or less of the &Dgr;n1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium comprising a liquid crystalline host component and an active component, to a thermochromic ink comprising such a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium encapsulated in a light transmissive polymeric material, to the use of a thermochromic medium or ink in decorative applications like pigments, inks and paints, cosmetics, thermodiagnostic applications like medical thermography, thermometry, optical and electrooptical applications, and security applications and devices, to a security marking or device comprising a thermochromic liquid crystalline medium or thermochromic ink and to a document of value comprising such a security marking.

Abstract: A method of film fabrication is taught that uses a coating and drying apparatus to fabricate resin films suitable for optical applications. In particular, sulfone films are prepared by simultaneous application of multiple liquid layers to a moving carrier substrate. After solvent removal, the sulfone films are peeled from the sacrificial carrier substrate. Sulfone films prepared by the current invention exhibit good dimensional stability and low birefringence.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display giving an excellent image without defects is proposed. The liquid crystal display is equipped with an optical compensatory sheet in which a transparent support, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer formed from a liquid crystal compound are provided in this order. The orientation layer has a surface roughness of 0.1 to 2.0 nm.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition whose orientation undergoes a large change upon irradiation with light, and which also has a large birefringence &Dgr;n. The liquid crystal composition contains an aromatic acetylene compound and a chiral compound that undergoes a structural change upon photoreaction, and has such properties that, upon irradiation with light, its helical pitch undergoes a large change in accordance with the level of the light intensity, and that has a large birefringence &Dgr;n. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to provide a reflection type color filter which utilizes the liquid crystal composition, and which provides a lighter display with high reflectance. Moreover, the present invention also provides an optical film that can be formed as a thinner film using the liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A method of making a display includes providing a transparent support and providing a conductive transparent layer formed thereover; patterning the transparent conductive layer; and coating a soluble layer including liquid crystal material dispersed in a polymer matrix over the patterned transparent layer and drying such coated soluble layer. The method further includes providing an opaque hydrophobic conductive layer over the dried coated soluble layer; patterning the opaque hydrophobic layer to form conductors leaving exposed portions of the transparent dried coated soluble layer, the position of the conductors relative to the transparent conductive layer defines image pixels; and removing by a solvent the exposed portions of the dried coated soluble layer so that when a potential for each pixel is applied between the patterned transparent conductive layer and patterned corresponding opaque hydrophobic conductors, an image is provided by the dried coated soluble layer which is viewable by an observer.

Abstract: A retardation film that can compensate for the optical properties of the liquid crystal cells of a liquid crystal display device and thereby enhance image quality. The retardation film consists of a single polymer film, which has a wavelength range in which the retardation value is positive and a wavelength range in which it is negative in a wavelength range of 400-800 nm, and which satisfies the following inequality (1) and/or (2) and has a water absorption of no greater than 1% by mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of optical elements comprising at least one optical retardation film and at least one broadband reflective polarizer, characterized in that the optical retardation film is comprising at least one layer of an anisotropic polymer material having an optical symmetry axis substantially parallel to the plane of the layer, said optical retardation film being obtainable by polymerization of a mixture of a polymerizable mesogenic material comprising: a) at least one reactive mosogen having at least one polymerizable functional group; b) an initiator; c) optionally a non-mesogenic compound having two or more polymerizable functional groups; and d) optionally a stabilizer, and relates to an optical retardation film used in said combination of optical elements and to a liquid crystal display comprising said combination of optical elements.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline film which functions suitably as a polarization rotating lattice is provided. The liquid crystalline film is characterized in that a cholesteric orientation or a chiral smectic C orientation, in which helical axis is not uniformly parallel in the thickness direction of the film nor is helix pitch of helices uniformly equal in the film thickness direction, is formed in a certain region of the film.

Abstract: An anisotropic scattering film, wherein

Abstract: A liquid crystal display which carries out matrix driving of a chiral nematic liquid crystal composition, which is capable of displaying an image theron continuously after an electric field applied thereto is turned off, by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal composition through a plurality of scan electrodes and a plurality of data electrodes which face and cross each other with the liquid crystal composition in-between. The nematic liquid crystal which is the main element of the liquid crystal composition mainly contains a liquid crystalline ester compound, a liquid crystalline stilbene compound, a liquid crystalline terphenyl compound or a liquid crystalline tolane compound.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a wall-structured body having a high aspect ratio which can be produced at low cost. A wall-structured body has molecules having orientation axes, wherein the molecules are formed by polymerizing a compound having a polymerizable functional group, and the orientation axes of the molecules are aligned in one direction. The wall-structured body has molecules having orientation axes, the molecules have an orientation parameter of 0.5 or more to the orientation axes. The wall-structured body has side-surfaces which face each other and cross a horizontal plane, wherein an angle between the horizontal plane and a tangent line at ½A long from the horizontal plane is 85° to 95° in a cross-section where the wall-structured body is cut vertically to the horizontal plane and at a plane crossing the side-surfaces, when “A” expresses a length of at least one of the side-surfaces.

Abstract: An anti-Newton ring film excellent in transparency and anti-scratching property is provided. The anti-Newton ring film comprises a transparent substrate and a resin layer formed on one or both sides of the substrate, wherein the resin layer comprising an ionizing radiation curable resin as a binder and a particulate material dispersed in the binder. Preferably, the particulate material is a lubricant.

Abstract: A film for a liquid crystal display comprising a fatty acid cellulose ester film having an acetyl group and a propionyl group is disclosed. Sum of degree of acetyl substitution (DSac) and degree of propionyl substitution (DSpr) of the fatty acid cellulose ester film of the film is 2.8 or less, and a retardation value (Rt value) in the thickness direction defined by Formula 1 is 60 to 300 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light diffuser comprising a thermoplastic layer incorporating organic bead-containing microvoids and having an integral smoothing layer on at least one surface thereof, the smoothing layer exhibiting an average thickness less than 12 microns.

Abstract: An electrooptical component comprising a side-chain polymer having nonlinear optical properties is disclosed. The polymer having photoaddressable properties contains a) at least one azobenzene-based dye, b) at least one mesogenic grouping, c) optionally at least one additional monomer unit and d) optionally a solubility-improving monomer unit, with the proviso that b) is optional in the embodiments where the azobenzene-based dye is mesogenic. Examples of electrooptical components disclosed include modulators, electrostrictive actuators and piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: A reflective type liquid crystal display which has, between a pair of transparent substrates with electrodes thereon, a nematic liquid crystal composition which exhibits a cholesteric phase at room temperature. The liquid crystal composition contains a nematic liquid crystal mixture containing a liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound, and a chiral agent. The concentration of the liquid crystalline difluorostilbene compound in the liquid crystal composition is preferably in a range from 5 wt % to 60 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of eliminating and a laminate which eliminates an aesthetically unacceptable hue normally visible at an area of overlap between a light-colored substrate that reflects a certain wavelength of light back to and through a light-colored translucent overlay. Specifically, the method includes applying a dark material to at least one of the light-colored substrate and the light-colored translucent overlay upon an area of overlap of the substrate and overlay, and sandwiching the dark material between the overlay and the substrate at the area of overlap so that certain wavelengths of light normally passing through the overlay into the substrate and reflected by the substrate back to and through the overlay are blocked by the dark material. The light-colored overlay in the area of overlap appears in its true light color to the “naked” eye absent the aesthetically unacceptable hue.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is formed with a pair of transparent substrates, each substrate having on one of its surfaces a coating of a transparent electrically conducting material which serves as an electrode. A nematic discotic material is sandwiched between the coated surfaces of the substrates thereby forming a cell. The nematic discotic material has a negative dielectric anisotropy and acts as the electrically switchable material for the electro-optic functioning of the liquid crystal display device. In addition, the cell resides between a pair of crossed polarizers.

Abstract: In a monostable ferroelectric active matrix display comprising a liquid-crystal layer in the form of a monodomain having an unambiguously defined direction of the layer normal z of the smC* phase, the layer normals z and the preferential direction n of the nematic or cholesteric phase (N* phase) form an angle of more than 5°.

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monostable ferroelectric liquid crystal display apparatus includes a pair of substrates, each subjected to uniaxial orientation processing and arranged so that their orientation processing directions are approximately parallel to each other; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal material having the chiral smectic C phase filled between the substrates, the liquid crystal material being such that the projection component of the cone drawn by a liquid crystal molecule of the ferroelectric liquid crystal material projected onto the substrate and the projection component of the liquid crystal molecule itself projected onto the substrate in the molecule axis direction are respectively identical to the orientation processing direction of the substrates, which state is the initial state of the monostable configuration, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal contains a compound having a phenyl pyrimidine skeleton having one end connected to an alkoxyl chain and the other end connected t

Abstract: Presentation of a chiral nematic liquid crystal optical element which is bright within a wide temperature range and which has a high contrast. A liquid crystal composition comprising an optically active compound of the formula R1—X1—A1—C*HY1—(CH2)mX2—A2—(X3—A3)n—(X4—A4)p—X5—R2 and a nematic liquid crystal, wherein each R1 and R2 is an alkyl group, etc., each of X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 is a single bond, etc., each of A1, A2, A3 and A4 is a cyclic group, C* is an asymmetric carbon atom, Y1 is a methyl group, etc., m is an integer of from 0 to 5, and each of n and p is 0 or 1.

Abstract: A main object is to provide an anti-reflection film in which the resistance to wet heat of each thin layer constituting a layer stack is better, the optical properties are excellent, a formation rate is high, and the adherability of each thin layer is excellent.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a large value of An/n, excellent in coating properties on an alignment film and easily aligned. Disclosed is a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having at least one polymerizable reactive group and showing nematic liquid crystal properties, having a &Dgr;n/n value of 0.14 or more wherein n is average refractive index and &Dgr;n is extraordinary light refractive index (ne) minus ordinary light refractive index (no), and being aligned by application onto an alignment film.

Abstract: Photocrosslinkable, mesogenic mixtures, especially for optical or electro-optical devices, exhibit improved properties when, in addition to containing two or more liquid-crystalline monomers each having at least two terminal polymerizable groups, they contain at least one non-liquid-crystalline monomer having no or, at most, one alicyclic or aromatic structural unit and having at least one terminal polymerizable group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of optical elements comprising at least one optical retardation film and at least one broadband reflective polarizer, characterized in that the optical retardation film is comprising at least one layer of an anisotropic polymer material having an optical symmetry axis substantially parallel to the plane of the layer, said optical retardation film being obtainable by polymerization of a mixture of a polymerizable mesogenic material comprising: a) at least one reactive mesogen having at least one polymerizable functional group; b) an initiator, c) optionally a non-mesogenic compound having two or more polymerizable functional groups; and d) optionally a stabilizer; and relates to an optical retardation film used in said combination of optical elements and to a liquid crystal display comprising said combination of optical elements.

Abstract: A light-diffusible liquid crystalline film having a fixed cholesteric or chiral smectic C orientation in which the helical axis direction is not uniformly parallel to the film thickness direction, as well as a liquid crystalline film having a fixed cholesteric or chiral smectic C orientation in which the helical axis direction is not uniformly parallel to the film thickness direction nor is the helix pitch uniformly equal in the film thickness direction, are provided.

Abstract: A platelet-shaped cholesteric multilayer pigment which comprises the layer sequence A/B/ and if desired C, where A and C independently of one another are at least one partly light-permeable absorption layer, and B is at least one cholesteric layer.

Abstract: A photoactive polymer from the class of polyimides, polyamide acids and esters thereof comprises as a side-chain a photocrosslinkable group of the general formula (I) 1

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal composition comprising a discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound. The discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound are essentially mutually different in molecular structure and refractive index anisotropy and are co-present in the liquid crystal layer in a mutual phase separation state, thus improving a light-scattering performance of the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: The invention relates to dielectrically positive nematic liquid crystal compositions for active matrix displays with high voltage holding ratio and very low birefringence. The composition of the mixtures is given in claim 1. The compositions are particularly suited for reflective displays. The invention further relates to particular reflective displays with low optical retardation.

Abstract: A transparent electrically conductive device which includes an indium tin oxide film is improved by providing an indium tin oxide film which contains a graded stack of individual indium tin oxide layers wherein the atomic percent of tin in the layers can be individually selected. Each indium tin oxide layer of the film contains 1-99 atomic percent tin. Each layer is made by a physical vapor deposition process or by sputter coating. Preferably the film which contains a plurality of indium tin oxide layers is applied to a transparent flexible substrate such as a polymeric sheet. Optional primer layers, hardcoat layers and topcoat layers may be included in the device.

Abstract: Polymerizable tolanes of formula I wherein P, Sp, X, n, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, m1, m2, L1, L2, r and R have the meanings defined herein, polymerizable liquid crystal compositions comprising at least one compound of formula I, linear or crosslinked liquid crystal polymers obtainable from these compounds and compositions, are suitable for use in optical elements such as polarizers, retardation and compensation films, alignment layers, color filters or holographic elements. They are also suitable for use in liquid crystal displays such as PDLC, polymer gel or polymer stabilized cholesteric texture (PSCT) displays, as well as for use in adhesives, synthetic resins with anisotropic mechanical properties, cosmetics, diagnostics or liquid crystal pigments, for decorative and security applications, and for nonlinear optics or optical information storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflective material with good the stainproofing properties, wherein dust and fingerprints do not readily adhere to the surface and can be easily wiped off when adhered, the anti-reflective material being provided with a stainproofing layer having excellent durability of its stainproofing effect. In an anti-reflective material comprising a transparent substrate and a low-refractive index layer and a stainproofing layer laminated in order on the transparent substrate, the low-refractive index layer is a silica film formed by the sol-gel method, and the stainproofing layer contains at least a perfluoroalkyl ether compound.

Abstract: A polyester film composite material comprising a biaxially oriented polyester film having a thickness of at least 50 &mgr;m but not more than 200 &mgr;m and an easy-adhesion coating applied onto one or each surface thereof, and having a haze value of less than 2% and a total light transmissivity of at least 90%, and a light-diffusing plate comprising a light-diffusing layer laminated on the surface of the easy-adhesion coating thereof.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal composition comprising a discotic mesomorphic compound and a rod-shaped mesomorphic compound. The discotic mesomorphic compound and the rod-shaped mesomorphic compound are essentially mutually different in molecular structure and refractive index anisotropy and are co-present in the liquid crystal layer in a mutual phase separation state, thus improving a light-scattering performance of the liquid crystal device.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, X, Y1 and Y2 have the meanings defined herein, as well as to liquid crystalline mixtures comprising at least one chiral compound of formula I.

Abstract: An optical film has a transparent film including light output portions distributed over one of opposite surfaces of the transparent film so as to make the total luminous transmittance and the haze of the optical film be set in a range of from 75 to 92% and in a range of from 4 to 20% respectively, the light output portions being constituted by concave or convex portions having optical path changing slopes each inclined at an inclination angle of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a film plane of the transparent film. A liquid-crystal display device has an optical film defined above, and a liquid-crystal display panel, wherein the optical film is disposed on one of opposite surfaces of the liquid-crystal display panel so that a surface of the film in which the light output portions of the optical film are provided faces outward.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent substrate and an optically anisotropic layer. The optically anisotropic layer comprises discotic liquid crystal molecules. The discotic liquid crystal molecules are oriented in essentially mono domain alignment at an average inclined angle in the range of 50° to 90°. A liquid crystal display of an STN mode having the optical compensatory sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical compensatory sheet comprises a transparent support, an orientation layer and an optically anisotropic layer in this order. The optically anisotropic layer is formed from discotic liquid crystal molecules. The discotic liquid crystal molecule comprises a triphenylene nucleus and six cinnamoyl side chains. The optically anisotropic layer has a high refractive anisotropy in the range of 0.065 to 0.16.

Abstract: An optical diffusing layer comprising a resin coated layer having a surface fine concavo-convex structure, wherein an average of peak-to-peak distance (Sm), an average of center line surface roughness (Ra), and an average of ten-point surface roughness (Rz) on the surface with fine concavo-convex structure satisfy specified equations, is capable of maintaining antiglare property and screen glare simultaneously controlled, when applied to an LCD in which high definition is required.

Abstract: An optical compensation sheet favorably employable for a liquid crystal display has an optical anisotropic layer which is composed of a polymer of a non-chiral discotic liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group and a chiral compound. The non-chiral discotic liquid crystal compound is preferably aligned at an angle between 45° and 90° to a plane of the compensation sheet and under a twisted orientation at an angle between 90° and 360°.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a radiation sensitive composition for color filters. The process comprises (1) dispersing a pigment (A) in a solution of an alkali-soluble resin (B) dissolved in a solvent (E) to form a pigment dispersion; and (2) adding and mixing a polyfunctional monomer (C) and a photopolymerization initiator (D) with said pigment dispersion to form the radiation sensitive composition. The color filter is useful for a color liquid crystal display element.

Abstract: Provided is a light scattering resin layer providing scattering of a transmitted light by dispersion of an inorganic fine particle in a transparent resin, wherein said fine particle is a polyhedral particle having substantially no fractured surface, L/S ratio is 2.0 or less when the major axis length is represented by L and the minor axis length is represented by S, the number-average particle diameter of said fine particle is 0.1 &mgr;m or more and 20.0 &mgr;m or less, and the particle size distribution in terms of D90/D10 value is 7 or less when particle diameters at 10% cumulation and 90% cumulation from smaller particle side of cumulative particle size distribution are represented by D10 and D90, respectively. The light scattering layer has a good dispersibility of a fine particle in a transparent resin, improved forward scattering property, and excellent light transmittance and used for a color filter, a light scattering plate, a light scattering adhesive layer, and a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature controlled radiation transmission material for plural component films, the material being present in one or more cores allsidedly surrounded by a transparent sheath layer. The plural component films are particularly useful for the reversibly temperature dependent control of the radiation transmission of buildings and of technical facilities, especially solar energy apparatus, in the apparel industry and/or for decorative purposes.

Abstract: A practical optical film which has excellent anisotropy in the scattering of linearly polarized light, can be easily produced and has excellent thermal stability, and an optical element using the optical film are disclosed. The optical film comprises an optically isotropic resin film and birefringent minute regions dispersedly contained therein comprising a thermoplastic resin having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher and showing a nematic liquid crystal phase in a range of temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin constituting the resin film, wherein the difference in refractive index between the resin film and the minute regions in a direction perpendicular to the axis direction in which a linearly polarized light has a maximum transmittance, &Dgr;n1, is 0.03 or larger and that in the maximum-transmittance axis direction, &Dgr;n2, is 50% or smaller of the &Dgr;n1.

Abstract: An optical sheet 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 0.6 to 0.9 and (nx−ny)d in a range of from 200 to 350 nm in which d is a thickness of the retardation film, nz is a refractive index in a direction of a Z axis expressing a direction of the thickness d of the retardation film, nx is a refractive index in a direction of an X axis expressing a direction of the retardation film in a plane perpendicular to the Z axis while the X axis also expresses a direction of the highest in-plane refractive index, and ny is a refractive index in a direction of a Y axis expressing a direction of the retardation film perpendicular both to the Z axis and to the X axis. The transparent layer has a thickness not larger than 10 &mgr;m and exhibits refractive index anisotropy of nx≈ny>nz.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition whose orientation undergoes a large change upon irradiation with light, and which also has a large birefringence &Dgr;n. The liquid crystal composition contains an aromatic acetylene compound and a chiral compound that undergoes a structural change upon photoreaction, and has such properties that, upon irradiation with light, its helical pitch undergoes a large change in accordance with the level of the light intensity, and that has a large birefringence &Dgr;n. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to provide a reflection type color filter which utilizes the liquid crystal composition, and which provides a lighter display with high reflectance. Moreover, the present invention also provides an optical film that can be formed as a thinner film using the liquid crystal composition.