Optical film useful for increasing visibility, brightness and durability liquid crystal display is birefringent resin film containing dispersed birefringent domains of thermoplastic resin with nematic liquid crystal phase

摘要

Optical film comprises a birefringent resin film containing dispersed birefringent domains of thermoplastic resin, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) = 50[deg]C and a nematic liquid crystal phase below the Tg of the resin film. The difference, delta n1, in refractive index between the film and domains in the direction perpendicular to the axis of maximum transmission for linear polarized light is = 0.03 and that, delta n2, in the axial direction is = 50% of delta n1. Independent claims are also included for (a) optical devices with 2 or more layers of this film, superimposed so that the delta n1 direction of all adjacent films are parallel; (b) laminated optical elements with polarizing film(s) and/or retardation film(s) in addition to layer(s) of the optical film.