JPH055905A - Liquid crystal element, display device, and display method using this device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To offer liquid crystal elements, which have large areas and have good contrast and threshold and show the satisfactory display free from hysteresis, and a display device and a display method which use them. CONSTITUTION:This liquid crystal element where a display layer 106 containing a principal chain type high polymer liquid crystal compound 105 having the ester coupling and a low polymer liquid crystal compound 104 in the incompatible state is interposed between substrates 101 and 101' having electrodes 102 and 102', the liquid crystal element where a display layer containing a polymerization liquid crystal monomer polymer and a low polymer liquid crystal compound in the incompatible state is interposed between substrates 101 and 101' having electrodes 102 and l02', and the liquid crystal element where the display layer 106 containing the high polymer liquid crystal compound 105 of <=-3.0 dielectric constant anisotropy and the low polymer liquid crystal compound of positive dielectric constant anisotropy in the incompatible state is interposed between substrates 101 and 101' having electrodes 102 and 102' are provided. The display device provided with a light throwing means, means which apply voltages to liquid crystal elements 303, 303', and 303'', and a means which separates transmitted light and scattered light out of light thrown to liquid crystal elements 303, 303', and 303''. Light is thrown to liquid crystal elements 303, 303' and 303'', and scattered light and transmitted light obtained as the result are separated to show the display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermo-optical and electro-optical display element, and more particularly to a liquid crystal element using a mixture of a specific polymer liquid crystal compound and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound, a display device and a display method using the same. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Liquid crystals have been used in the past in various applications such as thermo-optic and electro-optic displays. Since these displays have low driving voltage and consume little energy, research is still being actively conducted. At the research stage, one of the challenges is to obtain a large-screen display device.

Therefore, as an example of a liquid crystal display device considered to be suitable for a large area, for example, V. Shibaev, S.
S. Kostromin, N. P'late, S. Ivanov (S. Iv)
a ov), V. Vestro
v), "Polymer Communications" by I. Yakovlev ("Polyme
r Communications ") Volume 24, Volume 3
Pages 64 to 365, "Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymers. 14"("Thermo-t
ropic Liquid Crystalline
Polymers. 14 ″).

However, this method has not been put to practical use due to the problem that the contrast is poor because it utilizes the scattering of light for reading and that the response speed is delayed due to the polymerization.

In addition to the above-mentioned examples, attempts have been made to easily produce a liquid crystal element and increase its size. One of them is one in which a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is held in various polymer matrices and used. As a specific example thereof, Manchester R & D is used in which a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is encapsulated in a polyvinyl alcohol matrix and used.
It is known that the application was made through a partnership. (US Pat. No. 4,435,047) Also, US Pat. No. 4,707,080 is known as one in which a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is held in a connected tubular shape.

Further, among the compounds in which a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is dispersed and held in various polymer matrices and used, a polymer liquid crystal as a polymer matrix is also reported, and the viewing angle and the degree of scattering are reported. Have been reported to be improved. [Jay. W. Douang, Jay. Elle. West, Jay. Bee. Whitehead, JR. , Day. S. Fred Ray "Wide-Angle-VPC Day LC Displays" 1990 Society Four
Information Display International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, Lecture No. 12.5, March 1990 (J.
W. Doane, J.M. L. West, J.M. B. Whit
ehead, Jr. , D. S. Fredley “Wid
e-Angle-View PDLC Display
s "1990 Society for Information
ation Display International
al SymposiumDigest of Tec
hnical Papers, lecture number 12.5, Ma
y 1990)] It is relatively easy to increase the area, and the response speed is better than that of nematic cholesteric polymer liquid crystals.

[0007]

However, a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound used by being dispersed and held in a polymer matrix does not have a sufficient alignment control force by the interface, and therefore, a good threshold value for matrix driving cannot be obtained. Since it is difficult to obtain, there is a drawback that high definition is difficult even if a large screen can be achieved. Further, since the light modulation method uses scattering due to the difference in refractive index between the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the polymer matrix, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient refractive index. As a result, sufficient extinction cannot be achieved and the contrast is insufficient unless the display layer is made considerably thick.

Such conventional polymer matrices are
At the interface, it is slightly compatible with the low-molecular liquid crystal, the composition shows the same electric field response as the low-molecular liquid crystal, and hysteresis occurs at the time of increasing and decreasing the applied voltage because the polymer chain moves. It also has a problem that gradation display is difficult.

Further, although the one using a high molecular weight liquid crystal as a polymer matrix has a good alignment regulating force due to the interface between the high molecular weight liquid crystal and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound, considering the scattering state and contrast of the liquid crystal element as a whole. However, the orientation of the polymer liquid crystal itself is not sufficient. Further, it was not sufficient in terms of obtaining a good response speed without hysteresis.

The present invention has been made in order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and a good threshold value with a good contrast and a good threshold value can be obtained in a large area, and a good display without hysteresis is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal element capable of displaying, a display device using the same, and a display method.

[0011]

That is, according to the present invention, a display layer containing a main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound having an ester bond and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in an incompatible state is sandwiched between substrates having electrodes. A liquid crystal element, a light irradiation means, the liquid crystal element, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light from the light irradiated on the liquid crystal element. It is a display method in which a display device and further the liquid crystal element are irradiated with light, and scattered light and transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are separated to perform display.

The present invention also provides a liquid crystal element comprising a display layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in an incompatible state between substrates having electrodes, and a light irradiation means, A liquid crystal element, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of the light irradiated on the liquid crystal element, and further irradiating the liquid crystal element with light Then, the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are displayed separately.

Further, according to the present invention, a polymer liquid crystal compound having a dielectric anisotropy of −3.0 or less and a low molecular liquid crystal compound having a positive dielectric anisotropy are incompatible with each other between substrates having electrodes. A liquid crystal element having a display layer sandwiched therebetween, a light irradiating means, the liquid crystal element, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light from the light radiated to the liquid crystal element. And a display method in which the liquid crystal element is irradiated with light and the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are separated.

Further, according to the present invention, a liquid crystal device in which the polymer liquid crystal compound is obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer, and the display layer is a display layer formed by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer in a liquid crystal state. A liquid crystal element, means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of the light applied to the liquid crystal element, and a display device further comprising: Is displayed, and the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are separated and displayed.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of the liquid crystal element of the present invention. In the figure, substrates 101 and 101 'can be made of glass, plastic, or the like.

Examples of the polymer film that can be used as the substrate include, but are not limited to, those shown below. That is, low-density polyethylene film, high-density polyethylene film (Mitsui Toatsu Kagaku Hibron, etc.), polypropylene film (Toray Trefan, etc.), polyester film (Dupont Mylar, etc.), polyvinyl alcohol film (Nippon Gosei Kagaku Co., Ltd., Hyselon, etc.) Films (Toyo Gosei film Reifan etc.), Polycarbonate films (Teijin Teijin Panlite etc.), Polyimide films (DuPont KAPTON etc.), Polyvinyl chloride films (Mitsubishi resin Hishirex etc.), Polytetrafluoroethylene films (Mitsui Fluorochemicals) Teflon, etc., polyacrylic film (Sumitomo Bakelite
Sumilite), polystyrene film (Asahi Dow Styrosheet), polyvinylidene chloride film (Asahi Dowsaran film), cellulose film, polyvinyl fluoride film (Dupont Tedlar), polyether sulfone (Sumitomo Bakelite Sumilite) and the like.

Electrodes 102 and 102 'are formed on the substrate, and transparent electrodes such as ITO and SnO ₂ and metal films such as Al, Au, Ag, Cu and Cr are used for the electrodes. The reflective display element may also serve as an electrode and a reflective layer. The electrodes 102 and 102 'are formed in a plane or in a predetermined pattern.

The orientation control films 103, 10 are formed on the substrates 101, 101 'provided with such transparent electrodes 102, 102'.
As 3 ', for example, inorganic insulating substances such as silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, zirconia, magnesium fluoride, cerium oxide, cerium fluoride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, boron nitride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyamide Alignment control film formed using an organic insulating material such as imide, polyester imide, polyparaxylelline, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polystyrene, cellulose resin, melamine resin, urea resin or acrylic resin 103, 103 'can be provided.

The orientation control films 103 and 103 'are obtained by forming a film of the above-described inorganic insulating material or organic insulating material and then rubbing the surface in one direction with velvet, cloth or paper. Be done. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the orientation control films 103 and 103 'can be obtained by forming a film of an inorganic insulating material such as SiO or SiO ₂ on the substrates 101 and 101' by the oblique vapor deposition method.

In another embodiment, the surface of the substrate 101, 101 'made of glass or plastic, or the above-mentioned inorganic insulating material or organic insulating material is formed on the substrate 101, 101', and then the surface of the coating is formed. By etching the film by the oblique etching method, the orientation control effect can be imparted to the surface. The use of this alignment film is effective for uniformly aligning the high-molecular liquid crystal compound.

It is preferable that the above-mentioned orientation control films 103 and 103 'also function as an insulating film at the same time. Therefore, the film thickness of the orientation control films 103 and 103' is generally 50Å to 1 μm, preferably 100Å to. It can be set in the range of 5000Å. This insulating layer is the display layer 106.
Also, it has an advantage that it is possible to prevent the generation of a current caused by a small amount of impurities contained in the liquid crystal compound. Therefore, even if the operation is repeated, the liquid crystal compound is not deteriorated.

The display layer 106 is formed between the electrode substrates, and the display layer is composed of a specific polymer liquid crystal compound 105 and low molecular weight liquid crystal compound 104.

The thickness of the display layer used is usually 0.5 to
If it is less than 0.5 μm, the contrast is not sufficient, and if it exceeds 100 μm, the driving voltage is large, and thus high-speed driving becomes difficult. More preferably, 1 to 50
A thickness of μm is used.

At this time, in the display layer, the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound 105 forms a continuous matrix, and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound 104 is dispersed in the form of islands or tubes. The diameter of the island or tube is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm. When the diameter of the island or tube is outside the range of 0.1 to 10 μm, the scattering efficiency is poor and sufficient contrast cannot be obtained. More preferably, it is used at 0.3 to 3 μm.

The incompatibility between the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is confirmed by using a DSC, a polarization microscope or the like.

In the present invention, the polymer liquid crystal compound is used in combination with the incompatible low molecular weight liquid crystal compound, but the polymer liquid crystal compound only needs to form a matrix continuously. The ratio of the polymer liquid crystal compound used is usually 1
It is used at 0 to 70 wt%. If it is less than 10 wt%, it is difficult to sufficiently control the orientation of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound due to the reduction of the matrix effect, and if it exceeds 70 wt%, the ratio of the change in the refractive index due to the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound decreases and the contrast becomes sufficient. It is not preferable because it cannot be removed.
More preferably, the ratio of the polymer liquid crystal compound is 20 to 50.
Used in wt%.

In the present invention, the refractive index n _e for extraordinary light or the refractive index n ₀ for ordinary light can be made to match depending on the combination of the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound. Good contrast is obtained. However, even if they do not necessarily match,
It can be used as an optical element if the scattering degree with respect to the electric field response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound when an electric field is applied and when there is no electric field is sufficient. In the present invention, the state where the refractive index difference is the same is preferably such that the difference is 0.05 or less.

The polymer liquid crystal compound is designed so that the molecules do not respond even when an electric field is applied. For example, if it is used below the glass transition point or if Δε is negative, it will be aligned when no electric field is applied. Molecules are horizontally oriented on the substrate by the film, and it is possible to use those in which the molecules remain horizontally oriented and have no response even when an electric field is applied.

It is preferable that the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound have low compatibility, and more preferably they are incompatible. The main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound is more preferable because it has low compatibility with the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound.

Further, it is desired that the polymer liquid crystal compound used as the matrix does not change its orientation by an external field such as an electric field after it is oriented, but the main chain polymer liquid crystal compound is also excellent in that respect. There is.

Further, the repeating unit of the main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound preferably has an ester bond, and having an ester bond increases the dielectric constant of the medium formed of the polymer liquid crystal compound. You can
The effective voltage value applied to the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound can be increased, and the electric field response speed of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound can also be increased. Further, those having an ester bond are excellent in the orientation in the initial state before the electric field is applied, and as a result, the contrast is improved.

According to the present invention, a composition comprising a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer having a negative dielectric anisotropy and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is enclosed between substrates having electrodes, and the liquid crystal element is obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer. By this, even if the low-molecular liquid crystal compound having a positive dielectric anisotropy responds to the voltage, at the interface between the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer and the low-molecular liquid crystal compound, Since the dielectric constant anisotropies of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound cancel each other out, the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer does not move due to the response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound. As described above, the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer in the interface portion is caught and does not respond, so that it is possible to prevent the hysteresis of the light transmittance from appearing when the voltage is increased or decreased.
In particular, the value of dielectric anisotropy is preferably -3.0 or less. As a result, gradation display by voltage control can be performed accurately.

The following are used as the display layer in the present invention. First of all, as the display layer 106, a composition composed of a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is sealed between the substrates 101 and 101 'having the electrodes, and the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer is polymerized in a liquid crystal state. The display layer thus obtained is provided. The polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer is 105 as shown in FIG. 1, which is separated from the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound 104 during polymerization.

The incompatibility between the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound can be confirmed by DSC and a polarization microscope as described above.

The dispersion state and dispersion ratio of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound are as described above.
In order to make the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer 105 and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound 104 incompatible, it is also preferable to copolymerize a crosslinkable monomer and three-dimensionally crosslink.

Next, the structure of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the name of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound which are specifically used in the first invention are shown below, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0037]

[Chemical 1]

[0038]

[Chemical 2]

[0039]

[Chemical 3]

[0040]

[Chemical 4]

[0041]

[Chemical 5]

[0042]

[Chemical 6]

[0043]

[Chemical 7]

[0044]

[Chemical 8]

[0045]

[Chemical 9]

[0046]

[Chemical 10]

[0047]

[Chemical 11]

[0048]

[Chemical formula 12]

(I-32) Merck Z-1625 Nematic temperature range -10 to 60 ° C (I-33) BDH E-7 nematic temperature range -10 to 60 ° C (I-34) Roche R-200 Nematic Temperature range 0 to 65 ° C (I-35) Dainippon Ink and Chemicals D-X01A Nematic temperature range -26 to 68 ° C

(I-36) Merck ZLI-2008 Tcl = 64 ° C. (I-37) Merck ZLI-1840 Tcl = 90 ° C. (I-38) DIC TN403 Tcl = 82 ° C.

The polymerizable liquid crystal monomer used in the first invention is

[0052]

[Chemical 13]

A compound having one polymerizable group represented by or a compound having two or more polymerizable groups. It should be noted that the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer in the present invention does not have to show liquid crystallinity by itself, but the polymer may show liquid crystallinity.

For example, it is represented by the following general formula (I).

[0055]

Embedded image XYMZ (I)

In the general formula (I), X represents the above polymerizable group. Y represents a flexible spacer, for example

[0057]

Embedded image — (CH ₂ ) _n − (n = 0 to 15), — (CH ₂ CH ₂ —O) _n − (n = 1 to 4), _{- (CH 2 CH 2 CH 2} CH 2 -O) n - (n = 1~
_{3), - (CH 2 CH} 2 CH 2 -O) n - (n = 1~4), - (CH 2) n -O- (n = 0~15), selected from the like.

M represents a mesogen group, for example

[0059]

[Chemical 16]

And the like.

Z represents a terminal group, for example,

[0062]

Embedded image --CN, --C _n H _{2n + 1} (n = 1 to 10),
_{-H, -OC n H 2n + 1} (n = 1~10), -CF 3, -C
l, -F,

[0063]

[Chemical 18]

[0064]

_{Embedded image} −C _n F _{2n + 1} (n = 1 to 10), −NO ₂

The mesogen group may be plurally substituted.

The structure of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer having two or more polymerizable groups is, for example, the following general formula (I
The one represented by I) is used, but it may have any polymerizable group and mesogen group, and any number of these groups may be present.

[0067]

X-Y-MY'-X '(II) In the general formula (II), X and X'represent the polymerizable group, M is the mesogen group, and Y and Y'are the flexible groups. A spacer is shown.

Further, in the present invention, the following are used as more specific polymerizable liquid crystal monomers, and these polymerizable liquid crystal monomers can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. .. More preferably, a combination using at least one having two or more polymerizable groups is desirable.

[0069]

[Chemical 21]

[0070]

[Chemical formula 22]

[0071]

[Chemical formula 23]

[0072]

[Chemical formula 24]

[0073]

[Chemical 25]

[0074]

[Chemical formula 26]

The polymerizable liquid crystal monomer used in the present invention becomes a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer by polymerizing with a polymerization initiator. As the polymerization method, radical polymerization, anionic polymerization, cationic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, group transfer polymerization and the like are used, and the polymerization is initiated by applying heat or light.

The polymerization initiator is used in an amount of 0.05 to 10 w with respect to the composition comprising the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound.
It is used in the range of t%. If it is less than 0.05 wt%, the polymerization yield is not sufficient, and a good polymer cannot be obtained. If it exceeds 10 wt%, the decomposition product or the polymerization initiator itself becomes liquid crystalline. It is not preferable because it gives a bad influence, for example, a narrow range of liquid crystal temperature and the like. More preferably, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 5 wt%.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include benzoin ether type, benzophenone type, acetophenone type and thioxanthone type. More specifically, the following compounds are used.

[0078]

[Chemical 27]

[0079]

[Chemical 28]

Initiator aids, sensitizers and the like may be used in combination with the above polymerization initiators. Further, in the composition of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound according to the present invention, other polymerizable oligos and polymerizable monomers can be mixed and used within a range not losing the liquid crystallinity.

Specific examples of the polymerizable oligo- or polymerizable monomer include (IV-1) trimethylolpropane triacrylate (IV-2) pentaerythritol triacrylate (IV-3) tripropylene glycol diacrylate (IV-4). ) 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (IV-5) bisphenol A diglycidyl ether diacrylate (IV-6) tetraethylene glycol diacrylate

(IV-7) Hydroxypivalic acid neopentyl glycol diacrylate (IV-8) Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (IV-9) Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (IV-10) Glycidyl acrylate (IV-11) Heptadecachloro Decyl acrylate (IV-12) γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (IV-13)

[0083]

[Chemical 29]

And the like.

Next, the display layer of the second invention will be described. As the display layer, a mixture of a main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound having an ester bond and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound is used.

The main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound used here is as follows, and in the combination of low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds, incompatible compounds are appropriately selected and used. (In formulas (1) to (13) below, p = 5 to 1
000,1 ≦ n ₁ <15. )

[0087]

[Chemical 30]

[0088]

[Chemical 31]

[0089]

[Chemical 32]

[0090]

[Chemical 33]

[0091]

[Chemical 34]

The above-mentioned polymer liquid crystal compounds can be used alone, or two or more kinds can be mixed or copolymerized and used. Further, as the polymer liquid crystal compound used for the display layer in the polymer liquid crystal device of the present invention, a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal can be used.

Ferroelectric polymer liquid crystals that can be used in the present invention have a chiral smectic phase, and more specifically, SmC ^* phase, SmH ^* phase, SmI ^*.
Phase, SmJ ^* phase, SmG ^* phase.
When ferroelectricity is selected, the dielectric constant of the medium formed of the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound can be increased, which can increase the effective value voltage applied to the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound, and The electric field response speed can be increased.

Next, some specific examples of the ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal that can be used in the present invention are shown below, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0095]

[Chemical 35]

Also, an optically active polymer liquid crystal capable of exhibiting ferroelectricity by blending or the like can be used. Specific examples include the following.

[0097]

[Chemical 36]

[0098]

[Chemical 37]

[0099]

[Chemical 38]

Next, the low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds specifically used in the second invention are the same as those mentioned above.

In the mixture of the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound of the second invention, not only the alignment method using the alignment film described above but also the following method is used for aligning the mixture. Good orientation can also be obtained by the orientation method. As the molecular arrangement, stretching methods such as uniaxial stretching, biaxial stretching and inflation stretching, and rearrangement by shearing can be used. If such an alignment method is used, it may not be necessary to form an alignment film on the device.

The dispersion state and the dispersion ratio of the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in the second invention are also as described above.

Further, in the display layer according to the first invention, a composition of a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer having a negative dielectric anisotropy and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound having a positive dielectric anisotropy is provided between the electrode substrates. It is more preferable that the display layer is obtained by encapsulating and polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer in a liquid crystal state.

Here, the measurement of the dielectric anisotropy (Δε) was performed as follows. For the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound, the cell gap was 10 μm, the electrode area was 1 cm ² (Cr 2000
Liquid crystal is injected into the cell of Å) and LCR meter (HP41
92A) to measure the capacitance and determine the dielectric constant. Polyimide (HL-111 manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) on the electrode surface
0) ε⊥ was obtained from the film formed and rubbed, and the silane coupling agent (Toray Silicone, AY-4
Ε | was calculated from the product treated in 3-021). At this time, Δε = ε‖−ε⊥.

As the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer, one having a mesogen group and a polymerizable group is used, and a plurality of polymerizable groups and mesogen groups may be contained.

When the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer alone exhibits a liquid crystal phase, it is possible to measure the dielectric anisotropy by aligning vertically and horizontally. (Co-edited by Mitsuharu Okano and Shunsuke Kobayashi, "Liquid Crystal = Basic", pages 215-220, 198
5 years, published by Baifukan) In addition, those which do not exhibit a liquid crystal phase by themselves are obtained by mixing with a low-molecular liquid crystal having a known dielectric constant and extrapolating.

Specific examples of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound having a positive dielectric anisotropy used include (I to 1) to (I to
Compounds up to 20), or (I-25), (I-2
The compounds from 9) to (I-35) can be mentioned. Further, as the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer having a negative dielectric anisotropy,
From (II-3) or (II-7) to (II-1
The compound of 6) is mentioned.

The dielectric anisotropy of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer used in the present invention is preferably -1.0 or less. −
If it exceeds 1.0, when combined with a low-molecular liquid crystal compound exhibiting a positive dielectric anisotropy, only a low-molecular liquid crystal compound having a small dielectric anisotropy can be used, and the response speed decreases. The threshold voltage rises, which is not preferable. A polymerizable liquid crystal monomer having a dielectric anisotropy of −2.0 or less, and more preferably −3.0 or less is used more preferably.

Further, in order to obtain a practically effective liquid crystal element in which hysteresis is prevented, a polymer liquid crystal compound having a dielectric anisotropy of −3.0 or less (including a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer) is used. Good to use.

Here, the positive / negative measurement of the dielectric anisotropy (Δε) of the polymer liquid crystal compound was carried out as follows. Regarding the polymer liquid crystal compound, a polyimide film which was rubbed in the same manner as above was formed on a glass substrate having an ITO electrode, and a polymer liquid crystal compound film having a thickness of about 10 μm was formed. A glass substrate with electrodes formed on it is aligned and oriented at Tg or higher, and a rectangular wave of ± 50 V, 60 Hz is applied in the liquid crystal temperature range of Tg or higher to reduce the light transmittance under a polarizing microscope. >
0 and those that did not change were set as Δε <0.

2 (a) and 2 (b) show another example of the liquid crystal element of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view of the liquid crystal element.
(B) is the AA 'line sectional view. In FIG.
In the liquid crystal element of the present invention, a pair of substrates 1, 1 '(at least one of which has birefringence) made of a glass plate, a plastic plate or the like is held at a predetermined interval by a spacer 4, and the pair of substrates 1, 1'1'has a cell structure bonded with an adhesive 6 for sealing, and further has an electrode group consisting of a plurality of transparent electrodes 2'on the substrate 1 '(for example, a scanning voltage of the matrix electrode structure). The application electrode group) is formed in a predetermined pattern such as a strip pattern. Further, the transparent electrode 2'described above is provided on the substrate 1.
An electrode group (for example, a signal voltage applying electrode group in the matrix electrode structure) is formed of a plurality of reflective layer electrodes 2 intersecting with each other. In the figure, reference numeral 3 indicates a display layer, and 5 indicates an orientation control film.

Next, the liquid crystal element of the present invention is combined with an irradiation means, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of the light irradiated on the liquid crystal element. To get

Next, FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a display device using the liquid crystal element of the present invention. The figure shows a full-color projection display device using a schlieren optical system. In the figure, white light from the light source unit 301 is converted into R, R by the dichroic mirrors 302, 302 ', 302 ".
It is classified into three primary colors, G and B. The separated light is projected onto the liquid crystal elements 303, 303 ', 303 "by the schlieren lenses 308, 308', 308". At this time, the liquid crystal element is driven by applying a voltage by the liquid crystal element driving device 307. A liquid crystal element using a simple matrix or a non-linear element may be used, but more preferably, a TFT type having a switch for each pixel is excellent in display contrast, response speed, and gradation display.

Here, the selected pixel becomes opaque and scatters the incident light, and the non-selected point transmits the incident light. The transmitted light and the scattered light are combined with the Schlieren optical system 304, 304 ′, 30.
When separated by 4 ″, a very good display with a contrast of 100 was obtained. When this transmitted light was combined by a dichroic prism 305 and projected onto a screen by a projection lens 306, a good full-color image was obtained.

[0115]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described more concretely with reference to the following examples.

Example 1 A polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-6 described above) was used as C.I. Noёl
(Makromol. Chem., Macromo
l. Symp. 24 , 283 (1989)). The polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-
The IR (infrared absorption spectrum) of 6) is shown in FIG. Also, the phase transition by DSC

[0117]

[Equation 1]

It was This polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II
-6) (Δε> 0, n e = 1.67, n 0 = 1.53)
And Merck, nematic liquid crystal (LC), ZLI-2
008 (Δε = + 16, n _e = 1.71, n ₀ = 1.5
The compatibility with 2) was measured by DSC and a polarization microscope, and the phase diagram shown in FIG. 4 was obtained.

Example 2 Polymerizable monomer (II-8) was synthesized by the method described in the following document. [Day. Jay. Blower,
R. A. M. Hickmet and Gerchala (DJ Broer, R.A.M. Hikmeta
nd Ger Challa), Macromolecular
Chemistry (Makromol. Chem.), 19
0 , 3201 (1989)] The IR measurement result of the obtained polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) is shown in FIG.
The measurement result of (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum) is shown in FIG. This polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) (Δε <0) and a nematic liquid crystal (LC) manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc., ZLI-2008.
The compatibility with was measured by DSC and a polarization microscope, and the phase diagram shown in FIG. 5 was obtained.

Example 3 A cell for enclosing a composition comprising a low molecular weight liquid crystal and a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer was prepared as follows. 1.
A substrate (Matsuzaki Vacuum Co., Ltd.) on which 1000 liters of ITO and 500 liters of SiO ₂ are vapor-deposited on 1 mm thick blue plate glass.
Made by diluting a polyamic acid solution (San Ever 100, manufactured by Nissan Kagaku Co., Ltd.) 6 times with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and 2-n-butoxyethanol onto this substrate using a spinner. It was applied and baked at 270 ° C. to form a 200 Å-thick polyimide film. Furthermore,
The polyimide film was subjected to an alignment treatment by a rubbing method to obtain a uniaxial alignment film.

On this substrate, a silica spacer having an average diameter of 8.6 μm (Catalyst Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., Masaki sphere: SW8.6 μ)
m) was sprinkled, another substrate treated in the same manner as above was laminated, and the periphery was sealed with a thermosetting epoxy resin (Structbond EH-454NF, manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.). Next, in the composition of Example 1, 8 parts by weight of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound was mixed with 4 parts of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-6).
Irgacure 651 manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Co., Ltd. was further added as a photopolymerization initiator in an amount of 0.1 part by weight.
The composition containing 1 part by weight was injected at 100 ° C. into the cell prepared by the above method by a capillary method.

Next, the cell was kept at 80 ° C. and 40 W
When the high pressure mercury lamp of No. 2 was irradiated from a distance of 30 cm, the polymerization proceeded while maintaining the liquid crystal state. After about 20 minutes, a liquid crystal element having good transparency was obtained.

While observing this element with a polarization microscope,
When a rectangular wave of 60 Hz and ± 50 V was applied, the low-molecular liquid crystal part responded, but no response was observed in the matrix composed of the polymer liquid crystal. When measured with a haze meter, the haze was good at 5%.

When a voltage of 100 Hz and 20 V was applied to the liquid crystal element, it became cloudy. The contrast ratio between the transparent state and the cloudy state was as good as 20: 1. Next, the display device shown in FIG. 3 was prepared using the above-mentioned liquid crystal element, and the contrast was measured to be as good as 20: 1.

The low-molecular liquid crystal was extracted and removed by removing one side substrate of the liquid crystal device and immersing it in methanol. When the cross section was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after drying, the size of the island-shaped portion containing the low-molecular liquid crystal was 0.5 to 3 μm.

Example 4 A cell similar to the one prepared in Example 3 was prepared, and the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) was added to 8 parts by weight of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in the composition of Example 2. Add 4 parts by weight,
Further, as a photopolymerization initiator, a composition obtained by adding 0.1 weight of Irgacure 651 manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Co., Ltd. was injected into the above cell at 100 ° C. by a capillary method.

Next, this cell was maintained at 70 ° C. and 40 W
When irradiated with a high-pressure mercury lamp, the polymerization proceeded while maintaining the liquid crystal state. After irradiation, a liquid crystal element having good transparency was obtained.

When measured with a haze meter, the haze was 6% and was good. 100Hz,
When a voltage of 35 V was applied, it became cloudy. The contrast ratio between the transparent state and the cloudy state was 18: 1, which was good. The threshold voltage was 4 V, which was a good threshold characteristic.

Comparative Example 1 A liquid crystal composition having the same composition as in Example 3 was polymerized at 100 ° C. under the same conditions and returned to room temperature to obtain a cloudy liquid crystal element. When measured by a haze meter, the haze was 70%.

Example 5 [Method for producing liquid crystal element] A PES (polyether sulfone) film with an ITO transparent electrode (Sumilite FST-1337 manufactured by Sumitomo Bakelite) was added to the following structural formula (III).
50 wt% of a high molecular liquid crystal compound represented by and a low molecular liquid crystal compound (ZLI-1840, manufactured by E. Merck, Δε = + 1)
2) A 50 wt% 1,2-dichloroethane solution was applied and dried to obtain a display layer film having a thickness of 16 μm.

[0131]

[Chemical Formula 39]

Tg = 38 ° C., Tcl = 165 ° C., GPC (gel permeation chromatography)
Polystyrene conversion molecular weight by Mn = 6400, Δ
ε <0 Next, a PES film similar to the one described above with a thin coating of a thermosetting epoxy resin is laminated on the PES film coated with the display layer, and passed through a press roll at 150 ° C. When the alignment treatment was performed, a transparent substrate was obtained.

To the upper and lower electrodes of this substrate, 100 Hz, 10
When a voltage of V was applied, it became cloudy. The contrast ratio between the transparent state and the cloudy state was 10: 1, which was good. When the voltage was increased, the threshold value for clouding was 2 V, and good threshold characteristics were obtained.

While observing this element with a polarization microscope,
When a rectangular wave of 60 Hz and ± 50 V was applied, the low-molecular liquid crystal part responded, but no response was observed in the matrix composed of the polymer liquid crystal.

Next, a display device shown in FIG. 3 was produced using the above-mentioned polymer liquid crystal element. Polymer liquid crystal element 3 described above
In the case of using the elements produced in the same manner as above for 03, 303 ′, 303 ″, the display of RGB has a contrast ratio of 2
It was as good as 0: 1.

The liquid crystal element was set to P on one side in the same manner as in Example 3.
When the ES film was removed, the low-molecular liquid crystal was removed, and the cross section was observed by SEM, the size of the island-shaped portion was 2 to 5 μm.
Met.

Examples 6 and 7 A high liquid crystal compound was prepared in the same manner as in Example 5 except that the compounding ratios of the high molecular weight liquid crystal compound and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound used in Example 5 were changed as shown in Table 1 below. A molecular liquid crystal device was prepared and the contrast ratio was measured. The contrast ratio of the obtained polymer liquid crystal device is shown in Table 1 below.

[0138]

[Table 1]

Example 8 In the same manner as in Example 5, a nematic low-molecular liquid crystal composition was manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., TN403 (Tcl = 8).
2 ° C, Δn = 0.258, Δε = 19.2),
When a 1,2-dichloroethane solution was applied and dried, a 13-μm thick display layer film was obtained.

Then, the IT of the PES film similar to that described above is used.
A thin coating of thermosetting epoxy resin on the O surface was laminated with the PES film coated with the display layer,
The transparent substrate was obtained by carrying out the alignment treatment by passing through a press roll at 150 ° C.

To the upper and lower electrodes of this substrate, 100 Hz, 30
When a voltage of V was applied, it became cloudy. The contrast ratio in the transparent state and the cloudy state was as good as 15: 1. The threshold voltage which becomes cloudy when the voltage is increased is 7V
Thus, good threshold characteristics were obtained.

When the voltage was increased while observing the polymer liquid crystal device with a polarization microscope, both the regions of the polymer liquid crystal compound and the low molecular liquid crystal compound initially had a uniform uniaxial orientation. It was confirmed that the droplet-shaped portion (corresponding to the region of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound) responded and the orientation was changed. Those that responded can be observed to be cloudy even with the naked eye.

Example 9 To a PES film with an ITO transparent electrode, the following structural formula (I
50% by weight of a high molecular liquid crystal compound represented by V) and a nematic low molecular liquid crystal compound (E, ZLI-20 manufactured by Merck & Co., Inc.
08, Δε = 16) A 50 wt% 1,2-dichloroethane solution was applied and dried to obtain a film having a thickness of 12 μm as a display layer.

[0144]

[Chemical 40]

[0145]

[Equation 2]

This polymeric liquid crystal compound of structural formula (IV) was used alone to form a glass substrate with a PI (polyimide) orientation film.
Applied as a 2-dichloroethane solution and dried to a thickness of 10
A film of μm was obtained. Similarly, a glass substrate with a PI alignment film was superposed on this film, and an Iso phase was gradually cooled to perform an alignment treatment. ± 50V at 50 ℃,
A 60 Hz rectangular wave was applied, but no response was observed under a polarizing microscope, and Δε was negative.

Next, the same PES films as those described above were superposed and passed through a press roll at 180 ° C. for orientation treatment, whereby a transparent substrate was obtained.
When a voltage of 100 Hz and 30 V was applied to the upper and lower electrodes of this substrate, it became cloudy. The contrast ratio between the transparent state and the cloudy state was 9: 1, which was good.

Example 10 A crosslinkable liquid crystal monomer (IV-13) was synthesized by the method described in the following document. [Day. Jay. Blower, Earl. A. M. Hickmet and Gelchara (DJ Broer, R.A.M. Hikmet
and GerChalla), Macromolecular Chemistry (Makromol. Chem.), 1
90 , p. 3201 (1989)] The phase transition temperature of the obtained crosslinkable liquid crystal monomer (IV-13) by DSC is

[0149]

[Equation 3]

It was Furthermore, the measurement result of IR (infrared absorption spectrum) of the crosslinkable liquid crystal monomer (IV-13) is shown in FIG. 9, and the measurement result of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum) is shown in FIG.

A cell for enclosing a composition comprising a low molecular weight liquid crystal and a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer was prepared as follows. 1000 mm thick ITO on 1.1 mm thick soda lime glass
And a substrate (manufactured by Matsuzaki Vacuum Co., Ltd.) on which SiO ₂ having a thickness of 500 Å is deposited, a polyamic acid solution (San Ever 100, manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) are used. And a solution diluted with 2-n-butoxyethanol 6 times and applied with a spinner, and 270
The film was baked at ℃ to form a 200 Å-thick polyimide film.
Further, this polyimide film was subjected to an alignment treatment by a rubbing method to obtain a uniaxially oriented alignment film.

On this substrate, a silica spacer having an average diameter of 8.6 μm (Catalyst Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., Masaki sphere: SW 8.6 μ)
m) was sprinkled, another substrate treated in the same manner as above was laminated, and the periphery was sealed with a thermosetting epoxy resin (Structbond EH-454NF, manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.).

The following compounds were mixed to obtain a composition. Merck nematic liquid crystal "ZLI-2008" 50 parts by weight Polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-11) 10 parts by weight

[0154]

[Chemical 41] Negami Kogyo, urethane acrylate polyester 10 parts by weight "Art Resin UN-2500" 10 parts by weight of the crosslinkable monomer (IV-13)

[0155]

[Chemical 42] Ciba Geigy "Irgacure 6"
51 "0.3 parts by weight

The above composition was injected into the above cell at 100 ° C. by the capillary method. Then replace this cell with 80
Polymerization was carried out while maintaining the liquid crystal state by irradiating a 40 W high pressure mercury lamp while maintaining the temperature at ℃.

When a voltage of 100 Hz and 5 V was applied to the liquid crystal element, the haze measured by a haze meter was 2
It was 4%. Fully responsive at 20V with a haze of 50
%Met. When the voltage was dropped from this state to 5 V, the haze was 23%, and a good response with almost no hysteresis was obtained.

Next, using the liquid crystal element, a display device shown in FIG. 3 was prepared and the contrast on the screen was measured. As a result, a good contrast of 23: 1 was obtained.
Incidentally, the liquid crystal element was removed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that one side substrate was removed, low molecular weight liquid crystal was further removed, and the cross section was observed by SEM after drying, and the size of the island-shaped portion was 0.6-2. 6
was μm.

The value of Δε of the polymer liquid crystal which is a polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer used above was also measured by the following method. A mixture of 10 parts by weight of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-11) and 0.3 parts by weight of "Irgacure 651" manufactured by Ciba-Geigy Co., Ltd. was injected into the following two types of cells,
A high-pressure mercury lamp of 40 W was irradiated in the liquid crystal state to carry out polymerization while maintaining the liquid crystal state to obtain a polymer liquid crystal.

An empty cell with a cell gap of 10 μm and an electrode area of 1 cm ² (ITO 2000Å) was formed by forming a polyimide (HL-1110, manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) film on the surface of a substrate to a thickness of 100Å and rubbing the film.

The substrate surface was treated with a silane coupling agent (Toray Silicone, AY-43-021), cell gap was 10 μm, and electrode area was 1 cm ² (ITO 2000
Å) empty cell.

The cell of LCR meter (HP4192
The capacitance was measured according to A), ε⊥ was determined, and the cell was also measured in the same manner to determine ε‖. The dielectric anisotropy was Δε = ε‖−ε⊥ = −3.1. ..

[0163]

Industrial Applicability The polymer liquid crystal compound oriented according to the present invention has an alignment regulating force, and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound can be oriented in the same direction as the polymer liquid crystal compound in the absence of an electric field. This good orientation leads to good contrast.

Further, once the structure of the high-molecular liquid crystal compound is fixed below the glass transition point, the high-molecular liquid crystal compound does not respond around room temperature and the orientation is fixed. Value will occur. Uniform orientation provides a good threshold as compared to conventional polymer matrices.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display a large screen which has no response hysteresis during driving, is excellent in gradation display property, and has good threshold value and contrast. Is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of a liquid crystal element of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the liquid crystal element of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a plan view of the liquid crystal element, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA '.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display device using the liquid crystal element of the present invention.

4 is a graph showing the compatibility of the composition of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-6) of Example 1 and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound ZLI-2008.

5 is a graph showing the compatibility of the composition of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) and the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound ZLI-2008 of Example 2. FIG.

6 is an IR spectrum of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-6) of Example 1. FIG.

7 is an IR spectrum of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) of Example 2. FIG.

8 is an NMR spectrum of the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer (II-8) of Example 2. FIG.

9 is a cross-linkable liquid crystal monomer of Example 10 (IV-1
It is an IR spectrum of 3).

10 is a cross-linkable liquid crystal monomer of Example 10 (IV-1
It is an NMR spectrum of 3).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1 ', 101, 101' Substrate 2, 2 'Transparent electrode 3, 106 Display layer 4 Spacer 103, 103', 5 Alignment control film 6 Adhesive 102, 102 'Electrode 104 Low molecular liquid crystal compound 105 High molecular liquid crystal compound 301 light source unit 302, 302 ', 302 "dichroic mirror 303, 303', 303" liquid crystal element 304, 304 ', 304 "Schlieren optical system 305 dichroic prism 306 projection lens 307 liquid crystal element driving device 308, 308', 308" Schlieren lens

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Higashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsumi Kurematsu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nobuo Minoura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takeo Eguchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. ( 72) Inventor Toshikazu Onishi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yoshika Doshi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (1)

1. A liquid crystal device comprising a substrate having electrodes and a display layer containing a main chain type polymer liquid crystal compound having an ester bond and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in an incompatible state sandwiched between the substrates having electrodes. .. 2. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, further comprising an alignment film on the substrate. 3. A light irradiation means, the liquid crystal element according to claim 1,
A display device comprising: a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element; and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of light applied to the liquid crystal element. 4. The liquid crystal element according to claim 1, which is irradiated with light,
A display method in which scattered light and transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are separated and displayed. 5. The display method according to claim 4, wherein a difference in scattering degree with respect to an electric field response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound generated by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal element is used for display. 6. A liquid crystal element comprising a display layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound in an incompatible state between substrates having electrodes. 7. The liquid crystal device according to claim 6, wherein the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymer is obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer in a liquid crystal state. 8. The liquid crystal element according to claim 6, wherein the substrate has an alignment film. 9. A light irradiation means, the liquid crystal element according to claim 6,
A display device comprising: a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element; and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of light applied to the liquid crystal element. 10. A display method in which light is emitted to the liquid crystal element according to claim 6, and the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation are separated to perform display. 11. The display method according to claim 10, wherein a difference in scattering degree with respect to an electric field response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound generated by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal element is used for display. 12. A display layer containing a high molecular liquid crystal compound having a dielectric anisotropy of −3.0 or less and a low molecular liquid crystal compound having a positive dielectric anisotropy in an incompatible state between substrates having electrodes. Liquid crystal element sandwiched between. 13. The liquid crystal device according to claim 12, further comprising an alignment film on the substrate. 14. A light irradiating means, a liquid crystal element according to claim 12, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of the light irradiated on the liquid crystal element. Characteristic display device. 15. A display method of irradiating the liquid crystal device according to claim 12 with light, and separating the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation for display. 16. The display method according to claim 15, wherein a difference in scattering degree with respect to an electric field response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound generated by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal element is used for display. 17. The liquid crystal according to claim 12, wherein the polymer liquid crystal compound is a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer polymerized, and the display layer is a display layer formed by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal monomer in a liquid crystal state. element. 18. The liquid crystal device according to claim 17, further comprising an alignment film formed on the substrate. 19. A light irradiating means, a liquid crystal element according to claim 17, a means for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal element, and a means for separating transmitted light and scattered light out of light irradiated on the liquid crystal element. Characteristic display device. 20. A display method of irradiating the liquid crystal element according to claim 17 with light, and separating the scattered light and the transmitted light obtained as a result of the irradiation for display. 21. The display method according to claim 20, wherein a difference in scattering degree with respect to an electric field response of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound generated by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal element is used for display.