US6201588B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid crystal optical element and liquid crystal device incorporating same
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-05
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Granted: 2001-03-13
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Expires: 2018-03-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical element includes a liquid crystal layer; and at least one alignment layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, the at least one alignment layer being formed from a mixture including a first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen. Each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen. A ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle with liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Garth Walton
- 👤 Edward Peter Raynes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133711; G02F1/133726; G02F1/133746; G02F1/13378; G02F1/133788
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An optical element, comprising: a liquid crystal layer; and at least one first alignment layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, the at least one first alignment layer being formed from a mixture including a first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen, wherein each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen, and wherein a ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle to liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical element, comprising: a liquid crystal layer; and at least one first alignment layer in contact with the liquid crystal layer, the at least one first alignment layer being formed from a mixture including a first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen, wherein each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen, and wherein a ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle to liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the first reactive mesogen is a liquid crystal molecule having at least one polymerizable functional group at each end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical element according to claim 2 , wherein the first reactive mesogen is a diacrylate and the second reactive mesogen is a monoacrylate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the second reactive mesogen is a liquid crystal molecule having at least one polymerizable functional group at only one end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the second reactive mesogen is a liquid crystal molecule having a single polymerizable functional group at only one end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one polymerizable functional group of the first and second reactive mesogens is selected from a group consisting of an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, a vinyl ether group and an epoxy group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one polymerizable functional group of the first and second reactive mesogens is an acrylate group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the second reactive mesogen is substantially from greater than 0 wt % to equal to or less than 40 wt % of a total weight of the first and second reactive mesogens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the second reactive mesogen is substantially from equal to or greater than 5 wt % to equal to or less than 40 wt % of the total weight of the first and second reactive mesogens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the second reactive mesogen is substantially from equal to or greater than 10 wt % to equal to or less than 30 wt % of the total weight of the first and second reactive mesogens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the second reactive mesogen is substantially from equal to or greater than 20 wt % to equal to or less than 30 wt % of the total weight of the first and second reactive mesogens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A liquid crystal display device comprising an optical element according to claim 1 , and further comprising: a pair of electrodes opposing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein the liquid crystal layer is an active layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , further comprising a second alignment layer provided on a substrate, the second alignment layer having a first region and a second region, wherein a pretilt direction of molecules at a surface of the first region and a pretilt direction of molecules at a surface of the second region are different from each other, and wherein the first alignment layer is provided on the second alignment layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , further comprising a second alignment layer provided on a substrate, the second alignment layer having a first region and a second region, wherein a pretilt angle of molecules at a surface of the first region and a pretilt angle at a surface of molecules at the second region are different from each other, and wherein the first alignment layer is provided on the second alignment layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical element according to claim 1 , further comprising a second alignment layer provided on a substrate, the second alignment layer having a first region and a second region, wherein a pretilt direction of molecules at the first region and a pretilt direction of molecules at he second region are different from each other, wherein a pretilt angle of molecules at the first region and a pretilt angle of molecules at the second region are different from each other, and wherein the first alignment layer is provided on the second alignment layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a liquid crystal layer; alignment layers disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, at least one of said alignment layers being formed of a mixture including first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen; and a pair of electrodes opposing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen, and wherein a ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle to liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
A liquid crystal display device, comprising: a liquid crystal layer; alignment layers disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal layer, at least one of said alignment layers being formed of a mixture including first reactive mesogen and a second reactive mesogen; and a pair of electrodes opposing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, wherein each of the first and second reactive mesogens have at least one polymerizable functional group, and a number of polymerizable functional groups of the second reactive mesogen is smaller than that of the first reactive mesogen, and wherein a ratio of the second reactive mesogen to the first reactive mesogen in the mixture is determined so as to provide a predetermined pretilt angle to liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |