Polymer dispersed liquid crystal panel with diffraction grating

Claim 2

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 3

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is substantially identical to one of an ordinary light refractive index n o and an extraordinary light refractive index of said liquid crystal material and a refractive index n x of said liquid crystal polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

Claim 4

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer is formed of a light transmissive material.

Claim 5

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer is formed of an optically isotropic material.

Claim 6

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer has a rectangular shaped sectional surface.

Claim 7

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer is of a stripe form.

Claim 8

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer is of a columnar convex projection.

Claim 9

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer has a concave portion where an electrode is exposed and a convex portion.

Claim 10

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer has a concave and convex portions which are cylindrically formed at a pitch of 15 μm or less.

Claim 11

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer has convex portions each having a height ranging from 1 to 10 μm.

Claim 12

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer has convex portions each having a slant surface at an angle ranging from 0 to 45 degrees with respect to a normal line of a corresponding substrate.

Claim 13

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness ranging from 5 to 25 μm.

Claim 14

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 1, wherein said irregular surface layer is identical in dielectric constant to said liquid crystal material.

Claim 15

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 16

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 17

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 18

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 19

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is substantially identical to one of an ordinary light refractive index n o and an extraordinary light refractive index of the liquid crystal material and a refractive index n x of the liquid crystal polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

Claim 20

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer is formed of a light transmissive material.

Claim 21

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer is formed of an optically isotropic material.

Claim 22

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer has a rectangular shaped sectional surface.

Claim 23

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer is of a stripe form.

Claim 24

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer is of a columnar convex projection.

Claim 25

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer has a concave portion where an electrode is exposed and a convex portion.

Claim 26

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer has a concave and convex portions which are cyclically formed at a pitch of 15 μm or less.

Claim 27

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer has convex portions each having a height ranging from 1 to 10 μm.

Claim 28

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said irregular surface layer has convex portions each having a slant surface at an angle ranging from 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the normal line of the corresponding substrate.

Claim 29

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 15, wherein said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness ranging from 5 to 25 μm.

Claim 30

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 31

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 32

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 33

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 34

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 28, wherein said irregular surface layer has convex portions each having a height which is substantially identical to the thickness of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

Claim 35

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 28, wherein a refractive index n t of said irregular surface is substantially identical to one of an ordinary light refractive index n o and an extraordinary light refractive index of said liquid crystal material and a refractive index n x of the liquid crystal polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.

Claim 36

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 28, wherein a difference between the refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer and a refractive index n p of said polymer is 0.1 or less.

Claim 37

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 28, wherein said irregular surface layer is formed of the same material as said polymer.

Claim 38

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel, said second optical means including an output aperture for blocking light which has been undiffracted by said liquid crystal panel and for passing only light which has been diffracted by said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 39

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel, said second optical means including an output aperture for blocking light which has been undiffracted by said liquid crystal panel and for passing only light which has been diffracted by said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 40

A liquid crystal projection apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said first and second optical means forms a Schlieren optical system.

Claim 41

A liquid crystal projection apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said at least one liquid crystal panel comprises a plurality of liquid crystal panels each being different in at least one of height and pitch of said irregular surface layer from at least one of the remaining liquid crystal panels.

Claim 42

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 43

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 44

A liquid crystal panel according to claim 36, wherein each of said array of microlenses is one of a concave lens and a convex lens.

Claim 45

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 46

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface and polymer dispersed liquid crystal cooperate to form a diffraction grating when the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is in a scattering state and no diffraction grating when the liquid crystal is in a transmissive state.

Claim 47

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 48

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 49

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 50

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein a difference between a refractive index n p of said polymer and a refractive index n t of said irregular surface layer is 0.1 or less; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 51

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 52

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 53

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 54

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates, said irregular surface layer being made of the same material as said polymer of said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 55

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 56

A liquid crystal panel comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 57

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel, said second optical means including an output aperture for blocking light which has been undiffracted by said liquid crystal panel and for passing only light which has been diffracted by said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 58

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel, said second optical means including an output aperture for blocking light which has been undiffracted by said liquid crystal panel and for passing only light which has been diffracted by said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer, said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer satisfying at least one of the following conditions: said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer has a thickness smaller than 5 μm; said liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer is in the form of particles whose average size or average void space is smaller than 1 μm and a mixing ratio of said liquid crystal material in said polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is 90% or more; and an irregular surface layer having an irregular sectional surface formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 59

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 60

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and a liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 61

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.

Claim 62

A liquid crystal projection apparatus comprising: at least one liquid crystal panel for modulating a light which enters therein; a light emitting means for emitting light; a first optical means for guiding said light emitted from said light emitting means to said liquid crystal panel; and a second optical means for projecting a modulated light outputted from said liquid crystal panel; wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate which confront each other, at least one of said substrates being light transmissible; electrode layers respectively formed on confronting surfaces of said first and second substrates; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said first and second substrates and comprising a polymer and liquid crystal material dispersed in said polymer; and an irregular surface layer having an array of microlenses formed on a surface of an electrode provided on at least one of said first and second substrates; wherein the irregular sectional surface forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.