JP4548568B2 - Liquid crystal device and method for manufacturing liquid crystal device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal element and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to a liquid crystal element having a memory property in an alignment state and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
7A and 7B are schematic views showing a conventional liquid crystal element.
[0003]
Reference is made to FIG. The liquid crystal element 48 includes a pair of substrates 49 and 50 and a liquid crystal layer 59 sandwiched between the substrates 49 and 50, for example, a twist formed of a nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy (Δε> 0). And a nematic liquid crystal layer. Each of the substrates 49 and 50 includes transparent substrates 51 and 52, transparent electrodes 53 and 54 formed on the transparent substrates 51 and 52, and alignment films 55 and 56 formed on the transparent electrodes 53 and 54, respectively. Composed.
[0004]
The pair of substrates 49 and 50 are arranged in parallel so that the alignment films 55 and 56 face each other, and a liquid crystal layer 59 is sandwiched between the alignment films 55 and 56. The alignment films 55 and 56 of the pair of substrates 49 and 50 are subjected to horizontal alignment processing so that the liquid crystal director alignment is twisted by 90 ° between the substrates 49 and 50 in plan view. As shown in the figure, when three directions (X direction, Y direction, Z direction) orthogonal to each other are defined, for example, the alignment film 55 of the substrate 49 is in the Y direction in the drawing, and the alignment film 56 of the substrate 50 is in the X direction in the drawing. An orientation treatment has been made.
[0005]
Polarizing plates 57 and 58 are arranged in a crossed Nicols shape on the outer sides of the pair of substrates 49 and 50 of the liquid crystal element 48. The polarizing plate 57 disposed to face the substrate 49 transmits only light polarized in the Y direction, for example, and the polarizing plate 58 disposed to face the substrate 50 transmits only light polarized in the X direction, for example.
[0006]
Light 60 enters the polarizing plate 57. The light 60 that has been linearly polarized in the Y direction through the polarizing plate 57 enters the liquid crystal layer 59 through the substrate 49 of the liquid crystal element 48. The light 60 is rotated along a liquid crystal director that is twisted by 90 ° and becomes linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is the X direction, and is incident on the substrate 50. The light 60 emitted from the substrate 50 passes through the polarizing plate 58. When the liquid crystal element 48 is used as a pixel of the liquid crystal display device, “bright” is displayed in this state in which the light 60 incident on the liquid crystal element 48 is transmitted.
[0007]
Reference is made to FIG. Next, a voltage is applied between the two transparent electrodes 53 and 54 by the voltage applying means 61. When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 59, the liquid crystal director reorients so that the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules coincides with the electric field direction, and is aligned substantially perpendicularly to both the substrates 49 and 50. For this reason, the light 60 which is linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is the Y direction by the polarizing plate 57 does not rotate in the liquid crystal layer 59, is transmitted through the substrate 50, and is blocked by the polarizing plate 58 in the crossed Nicols arrangement. When the liquid crystal element 48 is used as a pixel of a liquid crystal display device, “dark” is displayed in this state in which the light 60 incident on the liquid crystal element 48 is not transmitted.
[0008]
When the polarizing plates 57 and 58 are changed from the crossed Nicols arrangement to the parallel Nicols arrangement, the “bright” and “dark” states are exchanged. The polarizer arrangement is selected depending on whether normally white display or normally black display is performed.
[0009]
When the applied voltage is removed from the state shown in FIG. 7B, the liquid crystal director returns to the alignment state shown in FIG. 7A due to the anchoring force at the interface between the substrates 49 and 50 and the liquid crystal layer 59. As described above, the liquid crystal element 48 illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B does not have the memory property of the alignment state (bright and dark display in the liquid crystal display device). In order to maintain the alignment state of the liquid crystal element 48 (a certain display in the liquid crystal display device), it is necessary to continuously apply a voltage, and energy is constantly consumed. It is not desirable for portable mobile terminals where low power consumption is desired or for energy saving.
[0010]
A liquid crystal element having a memory property of an alignment state has also been proposed. For example, a two-frequency drive liquid crystal that is a liquid crystal having both positive and negative dielectric anisotropy according to the frequency of the applied AC voltage is mixed and dissolved, and the monomer is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in an isotropic phase. Is polymerized and cured, and liquid crystal droplets are dispersed in the polymer compound layer. There has been proposed a scattering / transparent transition type liquid crystal element that maintains an alignment state before voltage removal (a certain display in a liquid crystal display device) even after removal of an applied voltage. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.)
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-169146 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality liquid crystal device having an alignment state memory property and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0013]
According to one aspect of the present invention, a pair of alignment-treated substrates including electrodes and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates so that a voltage can be applied from the electrodes, the nematic A liquid crystal layer formed including liquid crystal and an aligned nematic liquid crystal, and having a polymer wall discretely formed inside the liquid crystal layer between the substrates, each alignment of the pair of substrates A liquid crystal device is provided in which the direction and the alignment direction of the nematic liquid crystal contained in the polymer wall intersect.
[0014]
This liquid crystal element is a bistable liquid crystal element in which the alignment state of the liquid crystal is maintained. The alignment state of the liquid crystal can be changed, for example, by applying voltages having different frequencies. Further, since a polymer wall is formed between the substrates, the liquid crystal element has a reinforced strength.
[0015]
According to another aspect of the present invention, (a) a step of performing an alignment treatment on one main surface of each of a pair of substrates including electrodes; and (b) photocuring including a nematic liquid crystal and a monomer. A step of preparing a liquid crystal material of a type; and (c) the pair of substrates are arranged to face each other with the main surfaces subjected to alignment treatment facing each other, and the liquid crystal material is supplied between the pair of substrates. And (d) applying a voltage between the electrodes provided on the pair of substrates to align the liquid crystalline material in a direction crossing the alignment direction of each of the pair of substrates; ) A portion of the aligned liquid crystalline material is irradiated with light, and the monomer contained in the liquid crystalline material in the region irradiated with light is polymerized and cured while including the nematic liquid crystal , and discretely , Yes and forming a polymer wall containing the nematic liquid crystal Method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device is provided that.
[0016]
According to this method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, a liquid crystal element having bistability in the alignment state of the liquid crystal can be efficiently manufactured.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1A to 1C are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment.
[0018]
Reference is made to FIG. For example, a pair of substrates 1 and 2 including transparent electrodes 5 and 6 formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is prepared on transparent substrates 3 and 4 formed of transparent glass. Next, a horizontal alignment structure with a pretilt angle is applied to the main surfaces of the substrates 1 and 2 on the transparent electrodes 5 and 6 side in a predetermined direction by a horizontal alignment process, for example, a rubbing process.
[0019]
The two substrates 1 and 2 are arranged in substantially parallel with the main surfaces subjected to the horizontal alignment process facing each other so that the horizontal alignment process is parallel in plan view and the pretilt is the same direction. When a nematic liquid crystal, for example, an AC voltage with a low frequency (for example, 10 Hz) is applied between the two substrates 1 and 2, the dielectric anisotropy becomes positive (Δε> 0), and an AC voltage with a high frequency (for example, 10 kHz). Is applied to a two-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal whose dielectric anisotropy is negative (Δε <0) (for example, LIXONDF-05XX manufactured by Chisso Petrochemical Co., Ltd.) The liquid crystal layer 7 is formed by supplying a liquid crystal material to which a curable (ultraviolet curable) liquid crystal monomer (for example, a UCL series manufactured by DIC or a material manufactured by Merck) is added by several wt% to several tens wt%. To do. Liquid crystal molecules in contact with the horizontal alignment structure are substantially fixed to the substrate surface with a strong anchoring force. The liquid crystal layer 7 is splay aligned.
[0020]
Reference is made to FIG. Subsequently, the liquid crystalline material of the liquid crystal layer 7 is aligned in a direction that intersects with the alignment direction of the substrates 1 and 2, for example, a direction that is substantially orthogonal. For example, an AC voltage of, for example, 10 V having a frequency (for example, 200 Hz) in a region where the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal is positive (Δε> 0) is applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6 by the voltage applying unit 8. . In the liquid crystal material in the central portion of the liquid crystal layer 7, the liquid crystal director is aligned substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the substrates 1 and 2. Since the liquid crystal molecules in contact with the horizontal alignment structure are aligned by the horizontal alignment structure with a strong anchoring force, the liquid crystal layer 7 transitions to a bend alignment state.
[0021]
A part of the bend-aligned liquid crystalline material is irradiated with light, and the liquid crystalline monomer contained in the liquid crystalline material in the region irradiated with the light is polymerized and cured. For example, a mask 20 having a through-hole 20a in a state where a voltage is applied is disposed on the upper side of the substrate 1. The through hole 20a is an opening formed along, for example, a closed curve. For example, the mask 20 is disposed so as to shield the central portion of the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0022]
Subsequently, for example, ultraviolet light 21 having a wavelength of 254 nm to 365 nm is irradiated to the liquid crystalline material through the through hole 20 a of the mask 20. For example, the ultraviolet rays 21 are incident substantially vertically on a pair of substrates 1 and 2 arranged substantially in parallel. The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light 21 is, for example, 7 J / m ² .
[0023]
Reference is made to FIG. As a result of polymerization and curing of the monomer in the liquid crystal material irradiated with the ultraviolet rays 21 transmitted through the through-hole 20a of the mask 20 into a polymer, a polymer wall 9 is formed inside the liquid crystal layer 7. The polymer wall 9 fixes bend-aligned liquid crystal molecules. In this way, the liquid crystal element 10 can be obtained.
[0024]
In the liquid crystal element 10, the two-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal contained in the polymer wall 9 is aligned (bend alignment) substantially perpendicular to the extending direction (alignment direction) of the substrates 1 and 2. An arbitrary voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 7 sandwiched between the pair of substrates 1 and 2 by the voltage applying means 8 connected between the two transparent electrodes 5 and 6.
[0025]
A small amount of unreacted monomer remaining in the liquid crystal material that has not been irradiated with the ultraviolet rays 21 becomes an impurity. Therefore, after the polymer wall 9 is formed, the mask 20 is removed, and the entire liquid crystal material is formed. It is desirable to polymerize the film by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays 21.
[0026]
Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the embodiment, the two-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal is bend-aligned by applying a voltage between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6, but can be bend-aligned using a magnetic field, for example.
[0027]
According to the method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the embodiment, the material constituting the liquid crystal layer 7 and the material constituting the polymer wall 9 are the same, and the liquid crystal element 10 can be efficiently manufactured.
[0028]
2A to 2E are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the liquid crystal element 10.
[0029]
Reference is made to FIG. In the initial state, the liquid crystal at the center of the liquid crystal layer 7 of the liquid crystal element 10 is splay aligned.
[0030]
Reference is made to FIG. The voltage application means 8 applies a low frequency (LF) AC voltage, for example, 10 V, having a frequency in a region where the dielectric anisotropy is positive (Δε> 0), for example, 10 Hz, between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6. . By applying the voltage, the two-frequency driving nematic liquid crystal included in the liquid crystal layer 7 tends to be aligned in parallel with the electric field direction and is in bend alignment.
[0031]
Reference is made to FIG. The AC voltage applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6 is removed from the state shown in FIG. The polymer wall 9 includes a double-frequency nematic liquid crystal in a bend alignment state. For this reason, a regulating force that causes the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 7 to bend is applied from the polymer wall 9, and the regulating force propagates to the entire liquid crystal layer 7. For this reason, even after the applied voltage is removed, the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 can maintain the bend alignment semipermanently.
[0032]
Reference is made to FIG. Next, from the state shown in FIG. 2C, a high frequency (HF) AC voltage of 10 V having a frequency in a region where the dielectric anisotropy is negative (Δε <0), for example, 10 kHz, is applied to the transparent electrode 5. , 6 is applied. By applying a voltage, the liquid crystal molecules tend to be aligned perpendicular to the electric field direction. The two-frequency nematic liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 has a splay alignment.
[0033]
Reference is made to FIG. The AC voltage applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6 is removed from the state shown in FIG. Due to the horizontal alignment treatment applied to the substrates 1 and 2, there is a regulation force that causes the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 7 to be splayed from the substrates 1 and 2 at the interface between the substrates 1 and 2 and the liquid crystal layer 7. work. Since the regulation force propagates to the entire liquid crystal layer 7, the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 can maintain the splay alignment semipermanently even after the applied voltage is removed.
[0034]
The liquid crystal element 10 is preferably formed so that the minimum value of the total energy amount of the liquid crystal director distortion of the entire liquid crystal layer 7 in the splay alignment state and the bend alignment state is equal. By adjusting the density of the polymer wall 9, the total energy amount in the two orientation states can be adjusted. If the excitation energy between the two stable states is too low, the bistability is poor, and if it is too high, it is necessary to increase the external energy (applied voltage) applied to transition the alignment state.
[0035]
FIGS. 3A to 3F show examples of how the polymer wall 9 is formed inside the liquid crystal layer 7 of the liquid crystal element 10.
[0036]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer wall 9 is continuously formed around the display area in the liquid crystal layer 7 along a closed curve.
[0037]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer walls 9 are discretely formed along the closed curve around the display area in the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0038]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer walls 9 are continuously formed in a lattice shape in the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0039]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer walls 9 are discretely formed in a lattice shape in the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0040]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer wall 9 is continuously formed in a strip shape in the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0041]
Reference is made to FIG. The polymer walls 9 are discretely formed in a strip shape in the liquid crystal layer 7.
[0042]
The alignment of liquid crystal molecules is most strongly affected by the nearest alignment structure. The arrangement of the polymer walls in FIGS. 3A to 3F may be selected according to the intended display. 3C to 3F, the arrangement of the pixels and the polymer walls in the pixels can be freely selected. Since the display of the polymer wall portion cannot be changed, it may be shielded by a black mask or the like.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a liquid crystal display in which polarizing plates 11 are disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal element 10 in substantially parallel to the extending direction of the substrates 1 and 2. As shown in the figure, when three orthogonal directions (X direction, Y direction, and Z direction) are defined, for example, the substrate 1 on the side on which the light 60 is incident is subjected to a horizontal alignment process in the X direction in plan view. In addition, the substrate 2 on the side from which the light 60 is emitted is also subjected to horizontal alignment processing in the X direction in plan view. The two polarizing plates 11 are arranged in parallel Nicols inclined at 45 ° with respect to the alignment direction of the substrates 1 and 2, for example. The light 60 enters the liquid crystal display from the Z direction, for example.
[0044]
When an alternating voltage having a frequency in a region where the dielectric anisotropy is positive (Δε> 0) is applied by the voltage applying means 8 and the liquid crystal alignment state of the liquid crystal element 10 is set to bend alignment, the polarizing plate 11 The incident light 60 can pass through the other polarizing plate 11. For this reason, the liquid crystal display displays “bright”. When an AC voltage having a frequency in a region where the dielectric anisotropy is negative (Δε <0) is applied by the voltage application means 8 and the liquid crystal alignment state of the liquid crystal element 10 is changed to the splay alignment, the polarizing plate 11 The incident light 60 cannot pass through the other polarizing plate 11. Therefore, the liquid crystal display displays “dark”.
[0045]
Even when the applied voltage is removed, when the liquid crystal molecules are bend aligned, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is maintained in the bend alignment state by the alignment regulating force from the polymer wall 9. When the liquid crystal molecules are splay aligned, the splay alignment is maintained by the alignment regulating force from the horizontal alignment structure of the substrate. The display (brightness / darkness) state is maintained semipermanently until the voltage application means 8 applies a voltage for transitioning the alignment state of the liquid crystal to the liquid crystal layer 7. This liquid crystal display is a liquid crystal display that can optically display two states (light and dark), and the two display states (light and dark) have bistability.
[0046]
5A and 5B are optical micrographs of a liquid crystal element provided with a polarizing plate. Polarizing plates were disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal element 10 having a pair of substrates 1 and 2 that have been subjected to a horizontal alignment process in a direction parallel in plan view. The polarizing plate was arranged in a parallel Nicol arrangement in which the polarization axis forms 45 ° with the alignment direction of the substrate on the light incident side. This may be a crossed Nicols arrangement.
[0047]
FIG. 5A shows an optical microscope of a liquid crystal element in which an alternating voltage of 10 V and 10 Hz is applied between two transparent electrodes and the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer is bend aligned as shown in FIG. It is a photograph. It can be seen that light transmitted through one polarizing plate and incident on the liquid crystal element is emitted from the other polarizing plate. When the liquid crystal element is used in a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal element displays “bright” in this state.
[0048]
FIG. 5B shows an optical microscope of a liquid crystal element in which an AC voltage of 10 V and 10 kHz is applied between two transparent electrodes and the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer is splayed as shown in FIG. It is a photograph. Light that has passed through one polarizing plate and entered the liquid crystal element does not pass through the other polarizing plate. When the liquid crystal element is used in a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal element displays “dark” in this state.
[0049]
The liquid crystal element 10 according to the embodiment maintains the alignment state of the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 until that time, without applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer 7 until a voltage for changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal is applied. It is a liquid crystal element having bistability that is maintained semipermanently. In any of the bend orientation and the splay orientation, the orientation state can be stably maintained. The two orientation states can be switched any number of times by applying voltages having different frequencies. By using the liquid crystal element 10, an ultra-low power consumption display, a recording medium, and the like can be manufactured. Further, since the polymer wall 9 is formed between the substrates, the strength of the liquid crystal element 10 is high. Therefore, for example, when the substrate is formed of a flexible transparent plastic, the liquid crystal element has a strong durability against bending. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to electronic paper and IC cards used in a hard environment.
[0050]
This liquid crystal element can be used for display devices such as a liquid crystal television, various monitors, and various card displays. It can also be used as a substitute for children's toys, paper, and printed materials (newspapers, magazines, posters, etc.) (electronic paper). Further, it can be used for all optical control components such as camera aperture, strobe light amount adjustment, photographic paper writing light source, and optical memory (recording medium).
[0051]
6A and 6B show a modification of the liquid crystal element 10.
[0052]
Reference is made to FIG. In the liquid crystal element 10 according to the embodiment, the alignment films are not formed on the substrates 1 and 2 in the horizontal alignment process, but the alignment films 13 and 14 are formed on the transparent electrodes 5 and 6, respectively, and are included in the liquid crystal layer 7. You may perform the horizontal alignment process which aligns a liquid crystal in a substantially horizontal direction.
[0053]
Reference is made to FIG. In the embodiment, the substrates 1 and 2 are subjected to a horizontal alignment process so that the dual-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal contained in the polymer wall 9 is in a bend alignment state. However, the substrates 1 and 2 are subjected to a vertical (bend) alignment process to obtain a polymer. The dual frequency drive nematic liquid crystal contained in the wall 9 may be in a horizontal (spray) alignment state. In this case, the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 has a regulating force that brings the liquid crystal into the bend alignment state from the substrates 1 and 2 and a regulating force that brings the liquid crystal into the splay alignment state from the polymer wall 9.
[0054]
In the liquid crystal element illustrated in FIG. 6B, the vertical alignment process is performed on the pair of substrates 1 and 2 in the process illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C, for example, in the process illustrated in FIG. In the step shown in FIG. 1B, a high frequency voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 5 and 6 to bring the two-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal into a splay alignment state, and then ultraviolet light is applied to the liquid crystalline material through the through-hole 20a of the mask 20. Irradiated and can be manufactured.
[0055]
Further, as described in the embodiment, the pair of substrates 1 and 2 and the polymer wall 9 do not align the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 7 in the splay alignment or the bend alignment, respectively. In addition, the alignment treatment may be performed so as to align substantially parallel and substantially vertically.
[0056]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated along the Example, this invention is not limited to these. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, combinations, and the like can be made.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-quality liquid crystal element having a memory property in an alignment state and a manufacturing method thereof.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A to 1C are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment.
2A to 2E are schematic views for explaining the operation of the liquid crystal element 10. FIG.
FIGS. 3A to 3F show examples of how the polymer wall 9 is formed inside the liquid crystal layer 7 of the liquid crystal element 10; FIG.
4 is a schematic view showing a liquid crystal display in which polarizing plates 11 are arranged on both sides of a liquid crystal element 10 in substantially parallel to the extending direction of substrates 1 and 2. FIG.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are optical micrographs of a liquid crystal element provided with a polarizing plate. FIGS.
6A and 6B show a modification of the liquid crystal element 10. FIG.
7A and 7B are schematic views showing a conventional liquid crystal element.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Substrate 3, 4 Transparent substrate 5, 6 Transparent electrode 7 Liquid crystal layer 8 Voltage application means 9 Polymer wall 10 Liquid crystal element 11 Polarizing plate 13, 14 Alignment film 20 Mask 20a Through-hole 21 Ultraviolet ray 48 Liquid crystal element 49, 50 Substrate 51 , 52 Transparent substrate 53, 54 Transparent electrode 55, 56 Alignment film 57, 58 Polarizing plate 59 Liquid crystal layer 60 Light 61 Voltage application means

Claims (10)

A pair of substrates that have been subjected to an orientation treatment and are provided with electrodes;
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates so that a voltage can be applied from the electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer formed including a nematic liquid crystal;
Including an aligned nematic liquid crystal, and having a polymer wall discretely formed inside the liquid crystal layer between the substrates,
A liquid crystal element in which an alignment direction of each of the pair of substrates intersects with an alignment direction of a nematic liquid crystal included in the polymer wall.   The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the alignment direction of each of the pair of substrates is substantially orthogonal to the alignment direction of the nematic liquid crystal included in the polymer wall.   The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the nematic liquid crystal contained in the polymer wall has bend alignment.   4. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the alignment directions of the pair of substrates are parallel in plan view, and the pretilt is the same direction. 5.   The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the nematic liquid crystal is a dual frequency drive nematic liquid crystal. (A) a step of performing an alignment treatment on one main surface of each of a pair of substrates including electrodes;
(B) preparing a photocurable liquid crystalline material containing a nematic liquid crystal and a monomer;
(C) a step of placing the pair of substrates facing each other with the main surfaces subjected to alignment treatment facing each other, and supplying the liquid crystalline material between the pair of substrates;
(D) applying a voltage between the electrodes provided on the pair of substrates to align the liquid crystalline material in a direction intersecting with the alignment direction of each of the pair of substrates;
(E) A portion of the aligned liquid crystal material is irradiated with light, and the monomer contained in the liquid crystal material in the region irradiated with light is polymerized and cured while including the nematic liquid crystal , and discrete And a step of forming a polymer wall containing the nematic liquid crystal . In the step (c), the pair of substrates are opposed to each other so that the alignment directions of the pair of substrates are parallel in plan view and the liquid crystalline material is aligned in parallel with the same pretilt direction. The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal element of Claim 6. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 6 , wherein in the step (d), the liquid crystalline material is aligned in a direction substantially orthogonal to the alignment direction of each of the pair of substrates . The method for producing a liquid crystal element according to claim 6, wherein in the step (d), the liquid crystalline material is bend-aligned . The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 6, wherein the nematic liquid crystal is a dual-frequency drive nematic liquid crystal .

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