CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER, LAMINATED BODY, OPTICALLY ANISOTROPIC BODY, REFLECTIVE FILM, PRODUCTION METHOD FOR CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER; FORGERY PREVENTION MEDIUM, AND DETERMINATION METHOD

摘要

Provided are: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer having excellent reflective anisotropy, little haze, and high circular polarization of reflected light; and a production method for same. Also provided are a laminate, an optically anisotropic body, and a reflective film that include said cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer is formed using a liquid crystal compound. In at least one main surface out of a pair of main surfaces of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the direction of the molecular axis of the liquid crystal compound changes while continually rotating along at least one in-plane direction. The molecular axis of the liquid crystal compound is inclined relative to the main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The orientation direction of a light section and a dark section that are derived from the cholesteric liquid crystal phase, as observed through a scanning electron microscope in a cross-section perpendicular to the main surface, is inclined relative to the main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer.