JP2827720B2 - Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents
Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereofInfo
- Publication number
- JP2827720B2 JP2827720B2 JP19140392A JP19140392A JP2827720B2 JP 2827720 B2 JP2827720 B2 JP 2827720B2 JP 19140392 A JP19140392 A JP 19140392A JP 19140392 A JP19140392 A JP 19140392A JP 2827720 B2 JP2827720 B2 JP 2827720B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- liquid crystal
- crystal material
- polymer compound
- photocurable polymer
- substrate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、液晶材料−光硬化性化
合物界面の配向制御を行った透過散乱型の液晶光学素子
およびその製造方法に関するものであり、本発明の液晶
光学素子は、文字、図形等を表示する表示装置、入射光
の透過−遮断を制御する調光ガラス、光シャッター等に
利用される。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission / scattering type liquid crystal optical element in which the orientation of a liquid crystal material-photocurable compound interface is controlled and a method of manufacturing the same. , A display device for displaying graphics, etc., a light control glass for controlling transmission and blocking of incident light, an optical shutter, and the like.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】液晶表示素子は、従来ネマチック液晶を
使用したＴＮ型や、ＳＴＮ型のものが実用化されてい
る。しかしこれらは偏光板を要するため、明るさ、コン
トラストにおいて制限を受けるという欠点を有してい
る。一方、偏光板を要しない素子として特表昭５８−５
０１６３１号公報には、液晶材料をカプセル化し、高分
子中に分散する素子が開示されている。この高分子分散
液晶素子は、液晶分子の長軸方向または短軸方向のいず
れか一方の屈折率と高分子物質の屈折率とを等しくして
おき、液晶の向きを変えることにより透明−散乱状態を
制御している。また、液晶材料の屈折率の変化を利用し
た同様の素子として、液晶材料を光硬化性化合物中に分
散したもの（特開昭６２−２２３１号公報）が知られて
いる。この高分子分散液晶素子は、ＩＴＯ等の透明導電
膜を表面にコーティングした基板を透明導電膜が内側と
なるようにして組合わせ、液晶滴が分散している光硬化
性化合物を基板により挟持している。この液晶素子は、
２枚の基板間に光硬化性化合物と誘電異方性が正の液晶
材料との混合溶液を注入し、光を照射して作成する。光
を照射すると、光硬化性化合物が硬化する際に、液晶材
料が球状に分離される。この液晶素子の平均分子方向
は、電圧を印加しない状態で任意の方向を向いている。
この状態では、光硬化性高分子と液晶滴の屈折率は異な
るため、外部からの入射光は散乱される。一方、この液
晶素子に電圧を印加した場合、液晶材料の誘電率異方性
が正であるため、電圧を印加すると液晶の平均分子は基
板と垂直になるように配向する。液晶材料の持つ長軸方
向の屈折率が光硬化性高分子の屈折率と等しくなるよう
に設定してあるとすると、電圧印加時に外部から入射し
た光は散乱せずに透過する。さらに電圧を印加し液晶材
料を配向させながら光照射を行い硬化させると、電圧を
切っても電圧を印加した状態を維持することが報告され
ている（特開昭６３−３０１９２２号公報）。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a TN type or STN type liquid crystal display element using a nematic liquid crystal has been put to practical use. However, they have the disadvantage that they require a polarizing plate and are therefore limited in brightness and contrast. On the other hand, as a device which does not require a polarizing plate, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-5
01631 discloses an element in which a liquid crystal material is encapsulated and dispersed in a polymer. This polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element has the same refractive index in either the major axis direction or the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the refractive index of the polymer substance, and changes the direction of the liquid crystal to obtain a transparent-scattering state. Is controlling. Further, as a similar device utilizing a change in the refractive index of a liquid crystal material, a device in which a liquid crystal material is dispersed in a photocurable compound (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-2231) is known. This polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element combines a substrate coated with a transparent conductive film such as ITO so that the transparent conductive film is on the inside, and sandwiches a photocurable compound in which liquid crystal droplets are dispersed between the substrates. ing. This liquid crystal element
A mixed solution of a photocurable compound and a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is injected between two substrates, and the mixture is formed by irradiating light. When irradiated with light, the liquid crystal material is separated into spheres when the photocurable compound is cured. The average molecular direction of the liquid crystal element is in an arbitrary direction without applying a voltage.
In this state, since the photocurable polymer and the liquid crystal droplet have different refractive indices, external incident light is scattered. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to this liquid crystal element, the dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal material is positive, so that when a voltage is applied, the average molecules of the liquid crystal are oriented so as to be perpendicular to the substrate. Assuming that the refractive index in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal material is set to be equal to the refractive index of the photocurable polymer, light incident from the outside when voltage is applied passes without scattering. Further, it has been reported that, when a voltage is applied and the liquid crystal material is cured by irradiating light while aligning the liquid crystal material, the voltage applied state is maintained even when the voltage is cut off (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-301922).
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】特表昭５８−５０１６
３１号公報に開示された高分子分散液晶素子で光散乱強
度を最大にしたいならば、液晶材料の屈折率と光硬化性
化合物の屈折率との差を最大にすればよい。すなわち液
晶材料の平均分子方向を基板に水平にすればよい。しか
し電圧を除いたときの液晶分子の方向はランダムであ
り、この液晶素子をマクロ的に観察した場合には、液晶
滴の屈折率は、液晶材料の長軸方向の屈折率と短軸方向
の屈折率との間をとる。このため、液晶材料と光硬化性
化合物との屈折率差は、液晶材料の持つ屈折率異方性よ
り小さくなり、光散乱状態が悪くなるという課題があ
る。また、特開昭６３−３０１９２２号公報に記載の高
分子分散液晶素子は、電圧を切っても液晶分子の方向は
ランダムとならず、硬化時の配向状態を維持する。しか
し、通常は硬化時の配向状態を変えずに一定の配向状態
のまま使用している。配向状態を変える場合は、基板面
に対してある角度傾いて配向している液晶分子を基板と
垂直な方向に変えることしかできない。この場合にも、
上記と同様に液晶材料と高分子物質の屈折率との差は液
晶材料の持つ屈折率異方性より小さくなるという課題が
ある。本発明の目的は、以上の課題を解決し、光透過状
態と光散乱状態の比を理論的に最大の値とすることであ
る。また本発明の他の目的は、リバースモードを容易に
実現できる液晶光学素子を提供することである。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] JP-T-58-5016
If it is desired to maximize the light scattering intensity in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal device disclosed in JP-A-31-31, the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal material and the refractive index of the photocurable compound should be maximized. That is, the average molecular direction of the liquid crystal material may be made horizontal to the substrate. However, the directions of the liquid crystal molecules when the voltage is removed are random, and when this liquid crystal element is observed macroscopically, the refractive index of the liquid crystal droplet is determined by the refractive index in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal material and the refractive index in the minor axis direction. Between the refractive index. For this reason, the refractive index difference between the liquid crystal material and the photocurable compound becomes smaller than the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal material, and there is a problem that the light scattering state is deteriorated. Further, in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal device described in JP-A-63-301922, the direction of liquid crystal molecules does not become random even when the voltage is turned off, and the alignment state at the time of curing is maintained. However, it is usually used in a fixed orientation state without changing the orientation state at the time of curing. When the alignment state is changed, liquid crystal molecules that are aligned at an angle with respect to the substrate surface can only be changed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Again, in this case,
As described above, there is a problem that the difference between the refractive index of the liquid crystal material and the refractive index of the polymer substance is smaller than the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal material. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to make the ratio between the light transmitting state and the light scattering state theoretically the maximum value. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal optical element capable of easily realizing a reverse mode.
【０００４】[0004]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、電極層を有す
る少なくとも一方が透明な２枚の基板間に光硬化性高分
子化合物と液晶材料とを挟持してなる液晶光学素子であ
って、前記液晶材料が光硬化時とは異なる液晶材料であ
り、かつ前記光硬化性高分子化合物と前記液晶材料との
界面の相互作用により前記液晶材料が所定の方向に配向
していることを特徴とする液晶光学素子である（請求項
１）。その製造方法は、電極層を有する少なくとも一方
が透明な２枚の基板間に光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体と
液晶材料とからなる溶液を注入し、該液晶材料の分子軸
方向が基板に対して所定の配向状態を形成するようなフ
レデリック転移点以上の電界または磁界を基板間に印加
した状態で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分子化合物前駆
体を硬化させ、調光層を形成させた後、前記液晶材料を
基板間から抽出し、その空孔に別の液晶材料を注入する
ことを特徴とする（請求項２）。The present invention provides a liquid crystal optical element comprising a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer. The liquid crystal material is a liquid crystal material different from that at the time of photocuring, and the liquid crystal material is oriented in a predetermined direction due to the interaction of the interface between the photocurable polymer compound and the liquid crystal material. (Claim 1). In the manufacturing method, a solution composed of a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material is injected between at least one transparent substrate having an electrode layer, and the molecular axis direction of the liquid crystal material is set with respect to the substrate. The photocurable high molecular compound precursor is cured by irradiating light in a state where an electric field or magnetic field higher than the Frederick transition point is applied between the substrates so as to form a predetermined alignment state, and a light modulating layer is formed. After that, the liquid crystal material is extracted from between the substrates, and another liquid crystal material is injected into the holes.
【０００５】また、本発明は、電極層を有する少なくと
も一方が透明な２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物
と液晶材料とを挟持してなる液晶光学素子であって、前
記液晶材料が光硬化時とは異なる液晶材料であり、かつ
前記液晶材料と前記光硬化性高分子化合物との界面の相
互作用により前記液晶材料が基板に対して垂直な方向に
配向していることを特徴とする液晶光学素子である（請
求項３）。その製造方法は、電極層を有する少なくとも
一方が透明な２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物前
駆体と誘電異方性が正の液晶材料からなる溶液を注入
し、該液晶材料の分子軸方向が基板に対して垂直方向に
向くようなフレデリック転移点以上の電界または磁界を
基板間に印加した状態で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分
子化合物前駆体を硬化させ、調光層を形成させた後、前
記液晶材料を調光層から抽出し、その空孔に誘電異方性
が負の液晶材料を注入することを特徴とする（請求項
４）。請求項３および４の発明によれば、電圧無印加時
に液晶分子が基板に対して垂直に配向し、電圧印加時に
基板に対して平行となるため、液晶材料の持つ分子軸方
向の屈折率が光硬化性高分子化合物の屈折率と等しくな
るように設定してあるとすると電圧無印加時に透明状
態、電圧印加時に散乱状態となる液晶光学素子を実現す
ることができる。The present invention also relates to a liquid crystal optical element comprising a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between at least one transparent substrate having an electrode layer. Is a liquid crystal material different from that at the time of photocuring, and the liquid crystal material is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the substrate by the interaction of the interface between the liquid crystal material and the photocurable polymer compound. (Claim 3). In the manufacturing method, a solution composed of a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is injected between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer. Curing the photocurable polymer compound precursor by irradiating light in a state where an electric field or a magnetic field of a Frederick transition point or higher such that the molecular axis direction is perpendicular to the substrate is applied between the substrates, After forming the layer, the liquid crystal material is extracted from the light modulating layer, and a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy is injected into the vacancy (claim 4). According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented perpendicular to the substrate when no voltage is applied, and become parallel to the substrate when a voltage is applied. If the refractive index is set to be equal to the refractive index of the photocurable polymer compound, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal optical element that is in a transparent state when no voltage is applied and in a scattering state when a voltage is applied.
【０００６】さらに、本発明は、電極層を有する少なく
とも一方が透明な２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合
物と液晶材料とを挟持してなる液晶光学素子であって、
前記液晶材料が光硬化時とは異なる液晶材料であり、か
つ前記液晶材料と前記光硬化性高分子化合物との界面の
相互作用により前記液晶材料が基板と平行な方向に配向
していることを特徴とする液晶光学素子である（請求項
５）。その製造方法は、電極層を有する少なくとも一方
が透明な２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体
と誘電異方性が負の液晶材料とからなる溶液を注入し、
該液晶材料の分子軸方向が基板に対して平行方向に向く
ようなフレデリック転移点以上の電界または磁界を前記
基板間に印加した状態で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分
子化合物前駆体を硬化させ、調光層を形成させた後、前
記液晶材料を調光層から抽出し、その空孔に誘電異方性
が正の液晶材料を注入することを特徴とする（請求項
６）。請求項５および６の発明によれば、電圧無印加時
に液晶分子が基板に対して平行に配向し、電圧印加時に
基板に対して垂直となるため、液晶材料の持つ分子軸方
向の屈折率が光硬化性高分子化合物の屈折率と等しくな
るように設定してあるとすると、電圧無印加時に高い散
乱特性を示す液晶光学素子を実現することができる。Further, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal optical element comprising a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer.
The liquid crystal material is a liquid crystal material different from that at the time of photocuring, and that the liquid crystal material is oriented in a direction parallel to the substrate by the interaction of the interface between the liquid crystal material and the photocurable polymer compound. It is a liquid crystal optical element characterized by the following (claim 5). In the manufacturing method, a solution composed of a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy is injected between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer.
The photocurable polymer precursor is irradiated by irradiating light with an electric field or a magnetic field at or above the Frederick transition point applied between the substrates such that the molecular axis direction of the liquid crystal material is parallel to the substrate. After curing and forming a light control layer, the liquid crystal material is extracted from the light control layer, and a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is injected into the pores thereof. According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented parallel to the substrate when no voltage is applied and perpendicular to the substrate when a voltage is applied. When the refractive index is set to be equal to the refractive index of the photocurable polymer compound, a liquid crystal optical element exhibiting high scattering characteristics when no voltage is applied can be realized.
【０００７】本発明の液晶光学素子において、液晶材料
と光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体、および必要に応じて光
硬化開始剤の混合物を電極層が付いた基板間に挟持させ
る方法としては、通常の高分子分散液晶が形成される方
法であればいずれの方法でも構わない。例えば前記混合
物を基板間のギャップが決められたセルに注入する方法
や、一方の基板の上に前記混合物を載せ、その上にもう
一枚の基板を重ねる方法等がある。本発明に用いられる
基板は、ＩＴＯ等の透明性の高い電極層を表面に有する
少なくとも一方が透明な基板であり、ガラス、プラスチ
ック、金属等が使用できる。２枚の基板は、電極が調光
層側になるように設置する。基板の間隔設定には、通常
の液晶デバイスに用いられるスペーサを使用することが
でき、その間隔は、３μｍ〜３０μｍ程度が望ましい。
また電極層は基板に一様に形成されていてもよいが、対
向基板間で短冊状に構成されたそれぞれの電極が直交す
るように配置した単純マトリックス構成や、画素単位で
アクティブ素子を付加したアクティブマトリックス構成
としてもよい。In the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention, a method of sandwiching a mixture of a liquid crystal material, a photocurable polymer compound precursor, and, if necessary, a photocuring initiator between substrates provided with an electrode layer is usually employed. Any method may be used as long as the polymer dispersed liquid crystal is formed. For example, there are a method of injecting the mixture into a cell in which a gap between the substrates is determined, a method of placing the mixture on one substrate, and stacking another substrate on the mixture. The substrate used in the present invention has at least one transparent substrate having a highly transparent electrode layer such as ITO on the surface, and glass, plastic, metal, or the like can be used. The two substrates are set so that the electrodes are on the light control layer side. Spacers used in ordinary liquid crystal devices can be used for setting the distance between the substrates, and the distance is desirably about 3 μm to 30 μm.
The electrode layer may be formed uniformly on the substrate, but a simple matrix configuration in which the respective strip-shaped electrodes are arranged orthogonally between the opposing substrates, or an active element is added for each pixel An active matrix configuration may be used.
【０００８】本発明に使用される液晶材料としては、液
晶材料であれば特に限定されず、ネマチック液晶、スメ
クチック液晶、コレステリック液晶等いずれを用いるこ
ともできる。また２色性色素を混入したホスト−ゲスト
型によりカラー化することもできる。さらに周波数を変
化させることにより、誘電率異方性が正負両方の値をと
ることのできる二周波駆動液晶も用いることができる。
光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体は、通常、紫外線等の光を
照射することにより硬化物を形成する高分子前駆体であ
り、重合性モノマーまたは重合性オリゴマーあるいは重
合性モノマーと重合性オリゴマーの混合物等を用いるこ
とができる。重合性モノマーとしては、メチルアクリレ
ート、２−エチルヘキシルアクリレート、２−エチルヘ
キシルメタクリレート、シクロヘキシルアクリレート、
ブタンジオールモノアクリレート等のアクリル系モノマ
ーが挙げられ、単一物質でも２種類以上の物質の混合物
でも構わない。重合性オリゴマーとしては、ウレタンア
クリレートオリゴマー系、エポキシアクリレートオリゴ
マー系あるいはエステルオリゴマー系等が挙げられ、単
一物質でも２種類以上の混合物でも構わない。光硬化の
開始剤としては、通常の光硬化性化合物の開始剤として
用いられるものが使用できる。例えば紫外線硬化性化合
物の開始剤としては、アセトフェノン系、ベンゾイン
系、ベンゾフェノン系、チオキサンソン系等が用いられ
る。また開始剤は固体でも液体でも構わないが、素子の
均一性の点から光硬化性化合物に溶解または相溶するも
のが望ましい。The liquid crystal material used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid crystal material, and any of a nematic liquid crystal, a smectic liquid crystal and a cholesteric liquid crystal can be used. Coloring can also be performed by a host-guest type mixed with a dichroic dye. Further, by changing the frequency, a dual-frequency drive liquid crystal in which the dielectric anisotropy can take both positive and negative values can be used.
The photocurable polymer compound precursor is generally a polymer precursor that forms a cured product upon irradiation with light such as ultraviolet light, and is a polymerizable monomer or a polymerizable oligomer or a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and a polymerizable oligomer. Etc. can be used. As the polymerizable monomer, methyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate,
An acrylic monomer such as butanediol monoacrylate may be used, and a single substance or a mixture of two or more substances may be used. Examples of the polymerizable oligomer include urethane acrylate oligomers, epoxy acrylate oligomers and ester oligomers, and may be a single substance or a mixture of two or more. As the photo-curing initiator, those used as ordinary photo-curable compound initiators can be used. For example, an acetophenone-based, benzoin-based, benzophenone-based, thioxanthone-based, or the like is used as an ultraviolet curable compound initiator. The initiator may be a solid or a liquid, but is desirably soluble or compatible with the photocurable compound from the viewpoint of the uniformity of the device.
【０００９】調光層に存在する液晶材料の形状は、使用
した液晶材料と光硬化性化合物の濃度、種類等により異
なるが、液晶材料が光硬化性化合物中に分散していて
も、光硬化性化合物が液晶材料中に３次元ネットワーク
状に存在していても、あるいは光硬化性化合物が液晶材
料中に分散していても構わない。本発明の液晶光学素子
の製造方法において、液晶材料を基板間より抽出する方
法としては、通常の溶剤による抽出法が好ましい。この
際に用いられる溶剤としては、硬化した光硬化性化合物
が不溶であればいずれのものでも構わなく、液晶材料は
必ずしも可溶である必要はない。基板間の空孔に液晶材
料を注入する方法としては、通常のＴＮ型液晶注入に利
用されている減圧下での注入が好ましいが、これに限定
されるものではない。本発明の液晶光学素子の用途とし
ては、窓や間仕切り等の建築材料や文字や図形を表示す
る表示装置がある。The shape of the liquid crystal material present in the light modulating layer varies depending on the liquid crystal material used and the concentration and type of the photocurable compound. The curable compound may exist in a three-dimensional network in the liquid crystal material, or the photocurable compound may be dispersed in the liquid crystal material. In the method for producing a liquid crystal optical element of the present invention, as a method for extracting a liquid crystal material from between the substrates, an ordinary extraction method using a solvent is preferable. The solvent used at this time may be any solvent as long as the cured photocurable compound is insoluble, and the liquid crystal material does not necessarily have to be soluble. As a method of injecting the liquid crystal material into the holes between the substrates, it is preferable to inject the liquid crystal under reduced pressure used for the injection of the normal TN type liquid crystal, but the method is not limited thereto. Applications of the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention include display materials for displaying building materials such as windows and partitions, characters and figures.
【００１０】[0010]
【作用】高分子分散液晶素子で、光透過状態と光散乱状
態との比を最大にするには、光透過状態のとき光硬化性
化合物と液晶材料の屈折率を一致させ、光散乱状態のと
き光硬化性化合物と液晶材料との屈折率差を最大となる
ようにすればよい。すなわち、液晶材料の長軸（分子
軸）方向の屈折率と短軸方向の屈折率のどちらか一方と
光硬化性化合物の屈折率とを一致させ、液晶分子の方向
が基板と水平な方向に向く状態と垂直な方向に向く状態
を制御できる構成とすればよい。本発明では、光硬化性
化合物を硬化させる際に、誘電率異方性が負の液晶材料
の分子軸方向が基板と平行方向に向くような電界を基板
間に印加した状態で光を照射する。このため、液晶材料
は光硬化性化合物との界面で基板と平行方向に配向した
状態で固定される。光硬化性化合物の硬化後は液晶分子
はこの界面のアンカーリングにより、作成時の電界を切
ってもランダムな状態に戻ることができず固定化され
る。この界面の配向能は、硬化時に使用された液晶材料
を抽出し、別の液晶材料を注入しても維持している。こ
のため、ここに正の誘電率異方性の液晶を注入すると、
この液晶は電圧無印加時に基板に対して平行となり、電
圧印加時には基板に対して垂直となる。さらに本発明で
は、光硬化性化合物を硬化させる際に、誘電率異方性が
正の液晶材料の分子軸方向が基板と垂直方向に向くよう
な電界または液晶材料のフレデリック転移点以上の磁界
を基板間に印加した状態で光を照射する。このため、液
晶材料は光硬化性化合物との界面で基板と垂直方向に配
向した状態で固定される。光硬化性化合物の硬化後は液
晶分子はこの界面のアンカーリングにより、作成時の電
界を切ってもランダムな状態に戻ることができず固定化
される。この界面の配向能は、硬化時に使用された液晶
材料を抽出し、別の液晶材料を注入しても維持してい
る。このため、ここに負の誘電率異方性の液晶を注入す
ると、この液晶は電圧無印加時に基板に対して垂直とな
り、電圧印加時には基板に対して平行となるリバースモ
ードの液晶光学素子が実現できる。In order to maximize the ratio between the light transmitting state and the light scattering state in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element, the refractive index of the photocurable compound and the liquid crystal material should be matched in the light transmitting state, and the light scattering state At this time, the difference in the refractive index between the photocurable compound and the liquid crystal material may be maximized. That is, one of the refractive index in the major axis (molecular axis) direction and the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal material is matched with the refractive index of the photocurable compound, and the direction of the liquid crystal molecules is parallel to the substrate. What is necessary is just to set it as the structure which can control the state which turns to a perpendicular direction and the state which turns. In the present invention, when curing the photocurable compound, light is irradiated in a state where an electric field is applied between the substrates such that the molecular axis direction of the liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy is parallel to the substrate. . Therefore, the liquid crystal material is fixed in a state of being oriented in the direction parallel to the substrate at the interface with the photocurable compound. After the photocurable compound is cured, the liquid crystal molecules cannot be returned to a random state even if the electric field at the time of preparation is cut off, and are fixed by anchoring at the interface. The alignment ability at the interface is maintained even when the liquid crystal material used at the time of curing is extracted and another liquid crystal material is injected. Therefore, if liquid crystal with positive dielectric anisotropy is injected here,
The liquid crystal is parallel to the substrate when no voltage is applied, and is perpendicular to the substrate when voltage is applied. Further, in the present invention, when the photocurable compound is cured, an electric field or a magnetic field equal to or higher than the Frederick transition point of the liquid crystal material having a dielectric constant anisotropy in which the molecular axis of the liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Light is irradiated while being applied between the substrates. For this reason, the liquid crystal material is fixed in a state of being oriented in the direction perpendicular to the substrate at the interface with the photocurable compound. After the photocurable compound is cured, the liquid crystal molecules cannot be returned to a random state even if the electric field at the time of preparation is cut off, and are fixed by anchoring at the interface. The alignment ability at the interface is maintained even when the liquid crystal material used at the time of curing is extracted and another liquid crystal material is injected. Therefore, when a liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy is injected here, a liquid crystal optical element of a reverse mode is realized in which the liquid crystal becomes perpendicular to the substrate when no voltage is applied and becomes parallel to the substrate when voltage is applied. it can.
【００１１】[0011]
【実施例】以下、本発明を実施例を用いて詳細に説明す
るが、本発明はその要旨を超えない限り、以下の実施例
に限定されるものではない。 実施例１ 重合性モノマーの２−エチルヘキシルアクリレート１部
と、重合性オリゴマーＵＮ９０００ＰＥＰ（根上工業
（株）製）１部と、誘電率異方性が正の液晶材料Ｅ−８
（メルク社製）３．７部と、０．０２部の重合開始剤
２，２−ジエトキシアセトフェノンの混合溶液をギャッ
プ１０μｍの液晶セル中に注入した。この液晶セルを３
２℃に保ち、１００Ｈｚ、５０Ｖの矩形波の交流電圧を
印加しながら紫外線を照射し、重合させた。図１は本実
施例によって得られた液晶光学素子の断面図であり、図
中、１は基板、２は電極層、３は液晶材料、４は光硬化
性高分子化合物である。ＳＥＭで観察したところ、得ら
れた膜中の液晶滴３の大きさは１〜２μｍであった。得
られた液晶光学素子の光の透過率は９５％であった。こ
の素子の液晶材料をメタノールで抽出した。素子を減圧
下で乾燥した後、誘電異方性が負の液晶材料ＮＲ−１０
２３ＸＸ（チッソ石油化学（株）製）を減圧下で注入し
た。得られた液晶光学素子の光の透過率は、電圧無印加
時が９３％で、１００Ｈｚ、５０Ｖの印加で素子の透過
率は１％であった。図２はこの時の液晶光学素子に印加
する矩形波交流電圧の波形と液晶光学素子の光透過率を
示したものである。EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples unless it exceeds the gist. Example 1 One part of a polymerizable monomer, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, one part of a polymerizable oligomer UN9000 PEP (manufactured by Negami Industry Co., Ltd.), and a liquid crystal material E-8 having a positive dielectric anisotropy
A mixed solution of 3.7 parts (manufactured by Merck) and 0.02 parts of a polymerization initiator 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone was injected into a liquid crystal cell having a gap of 10 μm. This liquid crystal cell
While maintaining the temperature at 2 ° C., while applying a rectangular wave AC voltage of 100 V and 50 V, ultraviolet irradiation was performed to polymerize. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal optical element obtained according to the present embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a substrate, 2 is an electrode layer, 3 is a liquid crystal material, and 4 is a photocurable polymer compound. Observation with an SEM revealed that the size of the liquid crystal droplet 3 in the obtained film was 1-2 μm. The light transmittance of the obtained liquid crystal optical element was 95%. The liquid crystal material of this device was extracted with methanol. After the device was dried under reduced pressure, a liquid crystal material NR-10 having a negative dielectric anisotropy was used.
23XX (manufactured by Chisso Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) was injected under reduced pressure. The light transmittance of the obtained liquid crystal optical element was 93% when no voltage was applied, and 1% when 100 Hz and 50 V were applied. FIG. 2 shows the waveform of the rectangular wave AC voltage applied to the liquid crystal optical element and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal optical element at this time.
【００１２】実施例２ 重合性モノマーの２−エチルヘキシルアクリレート１部
と、重合性オリゴマーＵＮ９０００ＰＥＰ（根上工業
（株）製）１部と、誘電率異方性が負の液晶材料ＮＲ−
１０２３ＸＸ（チッソ石油化学（株）製）３．７部と、
０．０２部の重合開始剤ベンゾフェノンの混合溶液をギ
ャップ１０μｍの液晶セル中に注入した。この液晶セル
を２０℃に保ち、１００Ｈｚ、５０Ｖの矩形波の交流電
圧を印加しながら紫外線を照射し、重合させて図１に示
すような液晶光学素子を得た。ＳＥＭで観察したとこ
ろ、得られた膜中の液晶滴の大きさは２〜３μｍであっ
た。得られた液晶光学素子の光の透過率は０％であっ
た。この素子の液晶材料をメタノールで抽出した。減圧
下で乾燥を行った後、誘電異方性が正の液晶材料Ｅ−８
（メルク社製）を減圧下で注入した。得られた液晶光学
素子の光の透過率は、電圧無印加時が０％で、１００Ｈ
ｚ、５０Ｖの印加で素子の透過率は９７％であった。以
上の実施例においては、矩形波による駆動を行っている
が、正弦波、三角波等の他の交流電界を用いても同様の
駆動ができた。Example 2 1 part of a polymerizable monomer, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 1 part of a polymerizable oligomer UN9000 PEP (manufactured by Negami Kogyo Co., Ltd.), a liquid crystal material NR- having a negative dielectric anisotropy
3.7 parts of 1023XX (manufactured by Chisso Petrochemical Co., Ltd.)
A mixed solution of 0.02 parts of the polymerization initiator benzophenone was injected into a liquid crystal cell having a gap of 10 μm. The liquid crystal cell was kept at 20 ° C. and irradiated with ultraviolet rays while applying a rectangular wave AC voltage of 100 Hz and 50 V, and polymerized to obtain a liquid crystal optical element as shown in FIG. When observed by SEM, the size of the liquid crystal droplet in the obtained film was 2-3 μm. The light transmittance of the obtained liquid crystal optical element was 0%. The liquid crystal material of this device was extracted with methanol. After drying under reduced pressure, the liquid crystal material E-8 having a positive dielectric anisotropy was obtained.
(Manufactured by Merck) was injected under reduced pressure. The light transmittance of the obtained liquid crystal optical element was 0% when no voltage was applied, and was 100H.
The transmittance of the device was 97% when z and 50 V were applied. In the above embodiment, the driving is performed by the rectangular wave, but the same driving can be performed by using other AC electric fields such as a sine wave and a triangular wave.
【００１３】[0013]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明による液晶
光学素子を用いれば、光散乱強度を理論的な最大の値と
することが可能である。またリバースモードの素子を容
易に実現することができる。As described above, when the liquid crystal optical element according to the present invention is used, the light scattering intensity can be set to the theoretically maximum value. Also, a reverse mode element can be easily realized.
【図１】本発明による液晶光学素子の一実施例の断面図
である。FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a liquid crystal optical element according to the present invention.
【図２】本発明の実施例１における液晶光学素子に印加
する矩形波交流電圧の波形および液晶光学素子の光透過
率を示す図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a waveform of a rectangular wave AC voltage applied to the liquid crystal optical element and a light transmittance of the liquid crystal optical element in Example 1 of the present invention.
【符号の説明】 １ 基板 ２ 電極層 ３ 液晶材料 ４ 光硬化性高分子化合物[Description of Signs] 1 substrate 2 electrode layer 3 liquid crystal material 4 photocurable polymer compound
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 村井 秀哉 東京都港区芝五丁目７番１号 日本電気 株式会社内 (56)参考文献 特開 平３−116018（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平４−42213（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 昭63−301922（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平１−198725（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平４−159517（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平１−225915（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特表 昭63−501512（ＪＰ，Ａ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.6，ＤＢ名) G02F 1/1333──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideya Murai 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Within NEC Corporation (56) References JP-A-3-116018 (JP, A) JP-A-4 JP-A-42213 (JP, A) JP-A-63-301922 (JP, A) JP-A-1-198725 (JP, A) JP-A-4-159517 (JP, A) JP-A-1-225915 (JP, A) ) Special table 63-501512 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. 6 , DB name) G02F 1/1333
Claims (6)
２枚の基板間に光硬化性高分子化合物と液晶材料とを挟
持してなる液晶光学素子であって、前記液晶材料が光硬
化時とは異なる液晶材料であり、かつ前記光硬化性高分
子化合物と前記液晶材料との界面の相互作用により前記
液晶材料が所定の方向に配向していることを特徴とする
液晶光学素子。1. A liquid crystal optical element comprising a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two transparent substrates, at least one of which has an electrode layer, wherein the liquid crystal material is light-cured. Are different liquid crystal materials, and the liquid crystal material is oriented in a predetermined direction by the interaction of the interface between the photocurable polymer compound and the liquid crystal material.
２枚の基板間に光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体と液晶材料
とからなる溶液を注入し、該液晶材料の分子軸方向が基
板に対して所定の配向状態を形成するようなフレデリッ
ク転移点以上の電界または磁界を基板間に印加した状態
で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体を硬化
させ、調光層を形成させた後、前記液晶材料を基板間か
ら抽出し、その空孔に別の液晶材料を注入することを特
徴とする液晶光学素子の製造方法。2. A solution comprising a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material is injected between at least one substrate having at least one electrode layer having a transparent electrode layer, and the molecular axis direction of the liquid crystal material is set with respect to the substrate. The photocurable polymer compound precursor is cured by irradiating light in a state where an electric field or magnetic field of a Frederick transition point or higher is applied between the substrates to form a predetermined alignment state, thereby forming a light control layer. And extracting the liquid crystal material from between the substrates, and injecting another liquid crystal material into the holes.
２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物と液晶材料とを
挟持してなる液晶光学素子であって、前記液晶材料が光
硬化時とは異なる液晶材料であり、かつ前記液晶材料と
前記光硬化性高分子化合物との界面の相互作用により前
記液晶材料が基板に対して垂直な方向に配向しているこ
とを特徴とする液晶光学素子。3. A liquid crystal optical element comprising a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material sandwiched between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer. A liquid crystal material different from the above, and wherein the liquid crystal material is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the substrate by the interaction of the interface between the liquid crystal material and the photocurable polymer compound. element.
２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体と誘電異
方性が正の液晶材料からなる溶液を注入し、該液晶材料
の分子軸方向が基板に対して垂直方向に向くようなフレ
デリック転移点以上の電界または磁界を基板間に印加し
た状態で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体
を硬化させ、調光層を形成させた後、前記液晶材料を調
光層から抽出し、その空孔に誘電異方性が負の液晶材料
を注入することを特徴とする液晶光学素子の製造方法。4. A solution comprising a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy is injected between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer. Curing the photocurable polymer compound precursor by irradiating light in a state where an electric field or a magnetic field of a Frederick transition point or higher such that the molecular axis direction is perpendicular to the substrate is applied between the substrates, A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, comprising: after forming a layer, extracting the liquid crystal material from the light modulating layer, and injecting a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy into the holes.
２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物と液晶材料とを
挟持してなる液晶光学素子であって、前記液晶材料が光
硬化時とは異なる液晶材料であり、かつ前記液晶材料と
前記光硬化性高分子化合物との界面の相互作用により前
記液晶材料が基板と平行な方向に配向していることを特
徴とする液晶光学素子。5. A liquid crystal optical element in which a photocurable polymer compound and a liquid crystal material are sandwiched between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer, wherein the liquid crystal material is cured by photocuring. A liquid crystal material which is different from the above, and wherein the liquid crystal material is oriented in a direction parallel to the substrate by an interaction at an interface between the liquid crystal material and the photocurable polymer compound.
２枚の基板間に、光硬化性高分子化合物前駆体と誘電異
方性が負の液晶材料とからなる溶液を注入し、該液晶材
料の分子軸方向が基板に対して平行方向に向くようなフ
レデリック転移点以上の電界または磁界を前記基板間に
印加した状態で光を照射して前記光硬化性高分子化合物
前駆体を硬化させ、調光層を形成させた後、前記液晶材
料を調光層から抽出し、その空孔に誘電異方性が正の液
晶材料を注入することを特徴とする液晶光学素子の製造
方法。6. A solution comprising a photocurable polymer compound precursor and a liquid crystal material having a negative dielectric anisotropy is injected between two transparent substrates having at least one electrode layer. Curing the photocurable polymer compound precursor by irradiating light in a state where an electric field or a magnetic field of a Frederick transition point or higher such that the molecular axis direction is parallel to the substrate is applied between the substrates, A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal optical element, comprising: after forming a dimming layer, extracting the liquid crystal material from the dimming layer, and injecting a liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy into holes.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19140392A JP2827720B2 (en) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-06-26 | Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19140392A JP2827720B2 (en) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-06-26 | Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0611694A JPH0611694A (en) | 1994-01-21 |
| JP2827720B2 true JP2827720B2 (en) | 1998-11-25 |
Family
ID=16274029
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| JP19140392A Expired - Lifetime JP2827720B2 (en) | 1992-06-26 | 1992-06-26 | Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof |
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| Country | Link |
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| JP (1) | JP2827720B2 (en) |
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| JP2885116B2 (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 1999-04-19 | 日本電気株式会社 | Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof |
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1992
- 1992-06-26 JP JP19140392A patent/JP2827720B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013032283A2 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-03-07 | 주식회사 엘지화학 | Liquid crystal cell |
| WO2013032283A3 (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-04-25 | 주식회사 엘지화학 | Liquid crystal cell |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0611694A (en) | 1994-01-21 |
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