초록 ▼

A ferroelectric liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of substrates having thereon electrodes for voltage application and provided with uniaxial alignment axes, as by rubbing, so as to provide a high pretilt angle of at least 10 degrees. A pr

A ferroelectric liquid crystal device is constituted by disposing a ferroelectric liquid crystal between a pair of substrates having thereon electrodes for voltage application and provided with uniaxial alignment axes, as by rubbing, so as to provide a high pretilt angle of at least 10 degrees. A problematic liquid crystal movement in such a high-pretilt angle ferroelectric liquid crystal device is suppressed by improving a smectic layer structure therein, inclusive of a symmetry of pretilt angles at the pair of substrate boundary surfaces. Such an improved smectic layer structure is accomplished by a realigning treatment after cooling to the chiral smectic phase or in the final stage of the cooling to the chiral smectic phase as by application of an AC electric field and/or by repetitive heating-cooling in the chiral smectic phase. The improved smectic layer structure is represented by, e.g., an X-ray diffraction peak having an increased peak area and/or a decreased half-value width.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A chiral smectic liquid crystal device, comprising: a chiral smectic liquid crystal, and a pair of substrates sandwiching the chiral smectic liquid crystal and each having thereon an electrode for applying a voltage to the chiral smectic liquid crystal, the pair of substr

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A chiral smectic liquid crystal device, comprising: a chiral smectic liquid crystal, and a pair of substrates sandwiching the chiral smectic liquid crystal and each having thereon an electrode for applying a voltage to the chiral smectic liquid crystal, the pair of substrates being provided with uniaxial alignment axes in directions which are substantially identical so as to provide a pretilt angle .alpha. of at least 10 degrees between a substrate boundary and liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the boundary; wherein said liquid crystal is provided with a layer structure showing a diffraction peak area which is at least 70% of that of the liquid crystal contained in a device which is identical to the above-mentioned device except for having an alignment control film comprising a polyimide represented by the following structural formula: [ STR 11 ]