Abstract: An optical film, includes: a transparent support; and at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the at least one low refractive index layer is a layer formed from a coating composition containing: (A) an inorganic fine particle; (B) a fluorine-containing copolymer; and (C) a polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate, and the polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate (C) is represented by the following structural formula: wherein Rf represents a (p+q)-valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 1 to 20, which may have an ether bond; p represents an integer of 2 to 10; q represents an integer of 0 to 8, provided that (p+q) represents an integer of 2 to 10; r represents an integer of 0 to 100; and R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group.

Abstract: A transparent film is disclosed. The film comprises a domain in which the Nz value in the normal direction of the film surface shows monotonous increase from 0 to 1 or monotonous decrease from 1 to 0, and having an in-plane retardation Re at a wavelength of 550 nm falling within the range from 510 to 610 nm, provided that Nz is defined as Nz=0.5+Rth(550)/Re(550), where Rth(550) and Re(550) respectively indicate a thickness-direction retardation and an in-plane retardation at a wavelength of 550 nm.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first display panel and a second display panel facing each other; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first display panel and the second display panel and including pre-tilted liquid crystal molecules and a first compound derived from a reactive mesogen; and an alignment layer positioned between the first display panel and the second display panel, wherein the alignment layer includes a polyimide derived from a composition including a dianhydride-based compound, and a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a substituted or non-substituted C1-C8 alkyl group, R2 is a substituted or non-substituted C8-C30 alkyl group, and A1 is a functional group including a substituted or non-substituted aliphatic ring and a substituted or non-substituted aromatic ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal display utilizing a vertically aligned state of liquid crystal molecules when no voltage is applied and to a method of manufacturing the same. The invention is aimed at providing a liquid crystal display and a method of manufacturing the same in which the existing step for forming vertical alignment films can be omitted to achieve a cost reduction. The liquid crystal display includes a monofunctional monomer having a structure expressed by X—R (where X represents an acrylate group or a methacrylate group, and R represents an organic group having a steroid skeleton). A liquid crystal material is sandwiched between substrates which is then irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the monofunctional monomer, thereby forming a polymer film at an interface of a substrate. The monofunctional monomer has a hydrophobic skeleton such as an alkyl chain and a photoreactive group on one side of the skeleton.

Abstract: Provided are: a light-diffusing plate for a liquid crystal display device which plate can give an assured or improved luminance with assured light-diffusibility, suppress itself from dimensional changes caused by moisture absorption, and also prevent the device from deterioration caused by ultraviolet light generated from a lighting unit; and a polycarbonate resin composition for a light-diffusing plate which has both high light transmittivity and light-diffusibility and is excellent in flame retardancy. The present invention is a light-diffusing plate for a liquid crystal display device which plate has a lamination structure comprising two or more kinds of plastic layers; said lamination structure having at least two layers of which are different from each other in refractive index.

Abstract: Microstructured optical films, assemblies of films including at least one microstructured optical film, and (e.g. illuminated) display devices including a single microstructured optical film or assembly.

Abstract: A method for alignment treatment of a substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes the steps of: forming an alignment film including a plurality of molecules with curable parts on a substrate; applying an electrical field on the substrate to rotate the curable parts; and curing the curable parts such that the curable parts are cured along a first direction. A manufacturing method of the LCD device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a retardation film including a polymer resin; and an optically anisotropic compound having a silicon group, and a polarizing plate including the retardation film. Also, disclosed is a liquid crystal display including the retardation film and/or the polarizing plate.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film comprising a cellulose acylate resin satisfying the formulae (i)-(iii) and a compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond satisfying conditions (A)-(C): (A) the compound has both a hydrogen bond donor moiety and a hydrogen bond acceptor moiety in the molecule, (B) the value obtained by dividing the molecular weight of the compound by the total of the number of the hydrogen bond donor moiety and the number of the hydrogen bond acceptor moiety is from 30 to 65, (C) the number of aromatic ring structures is from 1 to 3, 0.5?A+B?2.7, ??(i) 0.0?A?2.5, and ??(ii) 0.1?B?2.0, ??(iii) wherein A means the degree of substitution with an acetyl group, and B means a total of the degree of substitution with a propionyl group and the degree of substitution with a butyryl group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing film containing an azo compound represented by the following formula (1): in which X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and M is a counter ion.

Abstract: Disclosed are a biaxial liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film having a water vapor permeability at 40° C. and 90% RH of from 100 to 400 g/(m2·day), of which the water vapor permeability change after kept at 60° C. and 95% RH for 1000 hours is from ?100 g/(m2·day) to 10 g/(m2·day). This film is an excellent optical compensatory film.

Abstract: An optical film having a core layer containing a (meth)acrylic resin having a lactone ring structure, and an outer layer containing a cellulose acetate with a thickness of from more than 3 ?m to 20 ?m on at least one side of the core layer is excellent in nonbrittleness and adhesiveness to a polarizing element.

Abstract: A homeotropic alignment liquid crystal film is provided with a liquid crystalline substance containing a side chain liquid crystalline compound having an oxetanyl group, as a constituent, aligned homeotropically on an alignment substrate while being in a liquid crystal state and fixed in the homeotropic alignment by allowing the oxetanyl group to react. Thus, the homeotropic alignment liquid crystal film can be stably produced without necessitating a complicated step such as light irradiation under an inert gas atmosphere and is excellent in alignment retainability after being fixed in the homeotropic alignment and in mechanical strength.

Abstract: An antireflective film is provided and includes: a transparent substrate; at least one conductive layer formed from a composition including at least one transparent conductive polymeric material and a compound forming a cross-liking site, the compound having a plurality of cross-linking reactive groups, at least one of which cross-links with the transparent conductive polymeric material; and at least one low refractive index layer.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable biaxial retardation film without the problems of peeling off of the retardation layer from the base material or the like generated in the case of forming the retardation layer, capable of enlarging the range of the thickness direction and in-plane direction retardation values to be obtained, easily obtaining optional thickness direction and in-plane direction retardation values even for a small amount, a method for producing the same, an optical functional film using the retardation layer, a polarizing film and a display device. In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an optically biaxial retardation film, comprising a polymer film containing a material having refractive index anisotropy, wherein the material having refractive index anisotropy has a concentration gradient in a thickness direction of the polymer film, is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copolymer for liquid crystal alignment having a photoreactive group, a mesogen group, a thermosetting group, and a crosslinking group, a liquid crystal aligning layer including the copolymer for liquid crystal alignment, and a liquid crystal display including the liquid crystal aligning layer. Since the liquid crystal aligning layer has excellent thermal stability and no residual image, the liquid crystal aligning layer is usefully applied to the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystal (LC) display of the PSA (polymer sustained alignment) type, and to novel polymerisable compounds and novel LC media for use in PSA displays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower.

Abstract: A method for producing a stretched film comprising supplying a film composed of a thermoplastic resin along a direction D1 that is different from a taking-up direction D2 of a post-stretch film, and obliquely stretching the film while transferring the film with the edges thereof being gripped by gripping devices, to produce the stretched film having an orientation angle ? being within 45±5° with respect to the taking-up direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal layer containing a nematic liquid crystal material; a pair of electrodes opposing each other via the liquid crystal layer; a pair of alignment films respectively provided between the pair of electrodes and the liquid crystal layer; and an alignment sustaining layer formed of a photopolymerized material on each of surfaces of the pair of alignment films which are closer to the liquid crystal layer, the alignment sustaining layer being configured to regulate a pretilt azimuth of a liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer during the absence of an applied voltage across the liquid crystal layer, wherein the pretilt azimuth of the liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer is regulated by the alignment sustaining layer during the absence of an applied voltage across the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A plastic substrate according to the present invention is used in optical instruments. The plastic substrate includes a composite substrate 10 in which fibers 11 are embedded in a resin matrix 12. The fibers are arranged in at least one predetermined direction within a plane of the composite substrate. The composite substrate substantially transmits visible radiation and has a predefined retardation that is associated with the predetermined direction in which the fibers are arranged.

Abstract: A process of producing a cellulose acylate film is disclosed. The process comprises a forming step of forming a web of a fluid, comprising a cellulose acylate, aromatic group-containing oligomer and solvent, by casting the fluid onto a support, a stretching step of stretching the web, thereby to align molecules of the aromatic group-containing oligomer along the stretching direction, and a heat-treatment step of subjecting the stretched web to a heat treatment, thereby to at least increase the alignment degree of molecules of the aromatic group-containing oligomer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer interposed between top and bottom substrates. The LC layer includes a plurality of LC compounds and a stabilization-aligned polymer polymerized from a plurality of polymerizable monomers and formed on at least one surface of the top substrate or the bottom substrate. The plurality of LC compounds comprise first, second, and third LC compounds in which the third LC compound is selected from the group consisting of a compound 3A, a compound 3B, a compound 3C, and combinations thereof. As seen from the chemical formulae, the plurality of LC compounds have condensed rings so that sensitivity to light and heat is reduced and reliability of the LCD panel is improved.

Abstract: A liquid crystal-containing composition includes a microcapsule. In the microcapsule, a liquid crystal is encapsulated by a shell material component containing polyurea. Monomer components included in the polyurea include a polyisocyanate component, a high molecular weight polyamine component and a low molecular weight polyamine component.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a retardation element which has excellent heat resistance, is small in the changes in the retardation value in an atmosphere of high temperatures, and is capable of maintaining stable optical performance. The present invention pertains to a retardation element containing a liquid crystalline compound, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following formula (1), a compound represented by the following formula (2) and a compound represented by the following formula (3). In the formula (1), n represents an integer of 3 to 10 and R2 represents a —CH2—CH2— group, a —CH2—CH(CH3)— group or a —CH2—CH2—CH2— group. In the formula (2), R3 represents a —(CH2)p— group or a phenylene group and p represents an integer of 4 to 8. In the formula (3), R4 represents a substituted phenylene group.

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, and can maintain desired birefringence property with reliability. The present invention relates to an optical element formed by forming, on an upper surface of a base material having light transmittance, 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, and by removing an additive layer formed on the upper surface of the birefringence layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel fluorene derivative, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there are provided a liquid crystal material for a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio measured at an oblique angle to the front and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retardation film, a method for manufacturing the same, and a liquid crystal display device including the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a retardation film that includes 1) an acryl-based film, and 2) a coating layer of a negative C type material, the retardation film according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be applied to an IPS (in-plane switching) mode liquid crystal display, and it is possible to control a ratio of an in-plane retardation value and a thickness retardation value of the retardation film.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a cellulose resin film, with which the deterioration of the entire film and the occurrence of die lines can be prevented. The method for producing a cellulose resin film, including the steps of: discharging two cellulose resins A and B molten in the respective extruders in the form of an A/B/A three-layer sheet from a die upon a support by co-extrusion; and cooling and solidifying the sheet-shaped molten resin into a film, wherein the resin A, which forms a pair of outer layers of the A/B/A three-layer sheet, has a number average molecular weight smaller than that of the resin B, which forms the inner layer of the A/B/A three-layer sheet, and the resin A has a number average molecular weight of 20,000 or more and 50,000 or less, and the resin B has a number average molecular weight of 30,000 or more and 100,000 or less.

Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.00?Ici/Ico<0.60;??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1);??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam;??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12; and??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one type of liquid crystal, to a liquid crystal cell and liquid crystal display device comprising such composition and to a method of preparing such a composition and/or such a liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.60?Ici/Ico??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1)??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films 109 comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photo-tunable dopant compositions comprising a photo-reactive chiral compound capable of undergoing a photochemical reaction resulting in the loss of chirality, and a triplet sensitizer. The present invention also relates to a display comprising a substrate, a liquid crystalline layer thereon, wherein the liquid crystalline layer comprises a nematic host, at least one chiral dopant, a photo-reacted compound, and a triplet sensitizer, and at least one transparent conductive layer. The present invention also relates to a method of tuning a cholesteric liquid crystal material comprising providing at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound; combining the at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound to form a mixture; and irradiating the mixture for a period of time.

Abstract: A polymer film comprising at least one polymer as the main ingredient thereof, and at least one compound that satisfies relational formulae (1) and (2), in an amount of from 0.2 to 20% by mass of said at least polymer is disclosed. ?max indicates the maximum absorption wavelength (unit: nm) of the compound, ?1/2 (?max<?1/2) indicates the wavelength at which the absorption intensity at ?max is ½.

Abstract: An optical film having an inner portion exhibiting an N value defined by the following equation smaller than an N value at a surface of the optical film: N=(nx+ny)/2?nz wherein nx represents an in-plane refractive index in a slow axis direction of the optical film, ny represents an in-plane refractive index in a fast axis direction of the optical film, and nz represent a refractive index in a thickness direction of the optical film.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal optical modulation element which is excellent in durability against blue laser and which can maintain the characteristics for a long period of time. A liquid crystal optical modulation element to modulate a laser beam having a wavelength of at most 500 nm, which comprises a layer of a polymer liquid crystal composition sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates facing each other, characterized in that each of the pair of transparent substrates has an alignment film on the surface which faces the other transparent substrate, and the polymer liquid crystal composition is a polymer liquid crystal containing a hindered amine compound and a hindered phenol compound.

Abstract: An antireflection film comprising a support and a low refractive index layer prepared by coating a coating composition containing the following components: (A) a fluorine-containing polymer, a principal chain of which is made of only carbon atoms and which contains at least one fluorine-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit and at least one hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit, wherein a content of the hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit exceeds 20% by mole, provided that the polymer does not have a polysiloxane structure in the principal chain; (B) a crosslinking agent capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group; and (C) a compound containing two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule thereof.

Abstract: A protective film for polarizing plate comprising k layers (k is an integer of 2 or more) of thermoplastic resin layer laminated, wherein a refractive index ni(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i th thermoplastic resin layer as well as a refractive index ni+1(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni+1(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i+1 th thermoplastic resin layer have a relationship in ?ni(380)?ni+1(380)|?|ni(780)?ni+1(780)??0.02 (where, i is an integer of 1 to k?1). A polarizing plate is obtained by bonding the protective film for the polarizing plate and a polarizer. And a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate and a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal cell and two polarizing plates disposed on the both sides thereof, wherein a protective film satisfying the specific conditions of retardation is sandwitched each between the liquid crystal cell and the polarizing plates. The liquid crystal display device can be easily produced at low costs and has a low viewing angle dependency of color.

Abstract: The present invention is a bulk light diffuser material based upon a hydrogenated block copolymer, but including a particulate light diffusing component. The material may be in the form of a film, a sheet or a molded article. When present as a sheet having a thickness of 2 millimeters, the sheet has a percent total transmittance of at least 50% and a haze of at least 70%, measured according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard D 1003.

Abstract: A resin film has a photoelastic coefficient of from 0 to 30×10?8 cm2/N; and Re satisfying the following formulae (1) to (4): 20 nm<Re(548)<300 nm??Formula (1): 0.5<Re(446)/Re(548)<1??Formula (2): 1.0<Re(629)/Re(548)<2.0??Formula (3): 0.1%?[{Re(548) at 25° C., 10% RH?Re(548) at 25° C., 80% RH}/Re(548) at 25° C., 60% RH]?20%,??Formula (4): wherein Re(?) represents an in-plane retardation at a wavelength of ?.

Abstract: A compound useful for fabrication of retardation plates, which is represented by the formula (DI): wherein Y11 to Y13 represent methine or nitrogen; R11 to R13 represent a group of the formula (DI-A) below or others: wherein A11 to A16 represent methine or nitrogen; X1 represents oxygen, sulfur, methylene or imino; L11 represents —O—, —C(?O)—, —O—CO—, —CO—O—, —O—CO—O—, —S—, —NH—, —SO2—, —CH2—, —CH?CH—, or —C?C—; L12 represents a divalent linking group; Q11 represents polymerizable group or hydrogen.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises a pair of polarizing plates which are constituted with a polarizing plate at the output side comprising a polarizer at the output side and a polarizing plate at the incident side comprising a polarizer at the incident side having a transmission axis approximately perpendicular to a transmission axis of the polarizer at the output side and two or more sheets of optically anisotropic members and liquid crystal cells disposed between the pair of polarizing plates. The device exhibits excellent scratch resistance and excellent quality of black depth and uniform and high contrast in viewing at any angles.

Abstract: An optical laminate having layer A having a resin having a negative intrinsic birefringence and at least one layer B having a transparent resin, having substantially no orientation and laminated at least on one face of layer A and satisfies a relation |Re(A)|>|Re(B)|, wherein Re(A) and Re(B) represent in-plane retardations of layer A and layer B, respectively, measured with light having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm, an optical element having a laminate of the optical laminate and a polarizer plate, and a liquid crystal display device using at least one sheet of the optical laminate. In the liquid crystal display device, optical compensation can be made in accordance with the mode of the liquid crystal display by the three dimensional control of the refractive index, and the liquid crystal display device provides an image display with liquid crystals exhibiting small change in the phase contrast depending on the viewing angle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns functionalized photoreactive compounds of formula (I), that are particularly useful in materials for the alignment of liquid crystals. Due to the adjunction of an electron withdrawing group to specific molecular systems bearing an unsaturation directly attached to two unsaturated ring systems, exceptionally high photosensitivities, excellent alignment properties as well as good mechanical robustness could be achieved in materials comprising said functionalized photoreactive compounds of the invention.

Abstract: An optical film, which is an optically compensatory film that comprises: at least two optically anisotropic layers comprising a first optically anisotropic layer and a second optically anisotropic layer, wherein the first optically anisotropic layer is formed by mixing two or more liquid crystal compounds having different structures with each other.

Abstract: Nanoporous polymers with gyroid nanochannels can be fabricated from the self-assembly of degradable block copolymer, polystyrene-b-poly(L-lactide) (PS-PLLA), followed by the hydrolysis of PLLA blocks. A well-defined nanohybrid material with SiO2 gyroid nanostructure in a PS matrix can be obtained using the nanoporous PS as a template for the sol-gel reaction. After subsequent UV degradation of the PS matrix, a highly porous inorganic gyroid network remains, yielding a single-component material with an exceptionally low refractive index (as low as 1.1).