JPH08209131A - Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal element containing the same and liquid crystal device containing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a liquid crystal composition suppressed in the reduction in a drive margin at a low-temperature region and undergoing no change in characteristics even when left standing at cryogenic temperatures by mixing two specified liquid crystal compounds with each other in a specified ratio. CONSTITUTION: This composition is prepared by mixing 0.1-30wt.% each of liquid crystal compounds of formulas I and II (wherein R1 , R2 and R3 are each a 1-18C linear or branched alkyl; X1 , X2 , X3 and X4 are each a single bond, O, a group of formula III or the like; A1 is a single bond, a group of formula IV, a group of formula V or the like; A2 is a group of formula IV, a group of formula V or the like; A3 is a group of formula VI, a group of formula VII or the like; and (m) is 1-10). It is desirable that this composition has chiral smectic C phase and that the tilt angle δ of the layer of the chiral smectic C phase has an adjusted value of 3-15 deg. in the temperature range of 0-60 deg.C. The composition can be desirably used in the production of a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, a ferroelectric liquid crystal device, a liquid crystal optical shutter, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal element, a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal composition used for a liquid crystal optical shutter, a liquid crystal element, and a liquid crystal device, particularly a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, a ferroelectric liquid crystal element, And, regarding the ferroelectric liquid crystal device, in detail,
Even when the size of the tilt angle δ of the layer is adjusted so as not to monotonically increase on the low temperature side by including a specific compound in the liquid crystal composition in combination, the C2 value at the time of matrix driving in the low temperature region is increased. It is possible to suppress the reduction of the drive margin in the low temperature region without the appearance of the region exhibiting the orientation state.
Ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, in which characteristics such as apparent tilt angle θa, contrast and alignment state do not change even when left for a long time at (° C.), a liquid crystal device using the same, and further a liquid crystal device using the same. The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device including a drive circuit and a light source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A display device of a type in which transmitted light rays are controlled by utilizing a refractive index anisotropy of ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules in combination with a polarizing element has been proposed by Clark and Lagerwall. (JP-A-56-107216, U.S. Pat. No. 43679)
No. 24). This ferroelectric liquid crystal generally has a non-helical chiral smectic C phase (SmC *) or H phase (SmH *) in a specific temperature range, and in this state, it has a first phase in response to an applied electric field. One of the second optical stable state and the optical stable state of
And the property of maintaining that state when no electric field is applied,
In other words, it has bistability and responds quickly to changes in the electric field, and is expected to be widely used for high-speed and memory type display devices. In particular, its function makes it suitable for large-screen and high-definition displays. Is expected.

By the way, when such a ferroelectric liquid crystal, especially a chiral smectic liquid crystal is used for a large screen and a high-definition display, a technique which has a high contrast and enables a high speed display is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03- Two
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 52624.

First, a method of obtaining high contrast will be described. Generally, in the case of a liquid crystal element that utilizes the birefringence of liquid crystal,
The transmittance I / I ₀ under the crossed Nicols is expressed by the following formula [1]. From this formula, in order to increase the transmittance I / I ₀ and improve the display quality, the apparent tilt angle is It can be seen that θa (details described later) is preferably 22.5 °.

[0005]

## EQU2 ## I / I ₀ = sin4θasin ² (Δnd / λ) π [1] where I ₀ is the incident light intensity, I is the transmitted light intensity, θa is the apparent tilt angle, and Δn is the refractive index anisotropy. , D is the film thickness of the liquid crystal layer, and λ is the wavelength of the incident light.

The apparent tilt angle θa in the above-mentioned non-helical structure appears as an angle in the average molecular axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned in the first and second alignment states.

However, in a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a non-helical structure obtained by orienting with a conventional rubbing-treated polyimide film, an apparent tilt angle θa (1/2 of an angle formed by molecular axes in a stable state of 2) is obtained. ) Is smaller than the cone angle (1/2 angle of the apex angle of the triangular pyramid shown in FIG. 3) in the ferroelectric liquid crystal, and is generally about 3 ° to 8 °, and the transmittance I / I ₀ was as low as 3 to 5% at most.

By the way, smectic liquid crystals generally have a layered structure, but the SmA phase to the SmC phase or SmC *
When the phase transition occurs, the layer spacing shrinks, so that the liquid crystal layer denoted by 21 has a structure (chevron structure) bent at the center of the upper and lower substrates as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the bending direction appears in the portion 22 in the orientation state (C1 orientation state) that appears immediately after the transition from the high temperature phase to the SmC * phase and in the C1 orientation state when the temperature is further lowered. In the case of the portion 23 in the orientation state (C2 orientation state), there are two possible cases. In addition to two low-contrast stable states (hereinafter referred to as splay states) in which the director of the liquid crystal that has been conventionally found in the C1 orientation is twisted between the upper and lower substrates, another two high-contrast states are used. It has been discovered that a state (hereinafter referred to as the uniform state) appears.

These states transit to each other when an electric field is applied, a transition between spray 2 states occurs when a weak positive and negative pulse electric field is applied, and a transition between uniform 2 states occurs when a strong positive and negative pulse electric field is applied. However, if the uniform 2 state is used, a large apparent tilt angle θ
It was found that a display element with a higher brightness and a higher contrast than the conventional one can be realized.

Therefore, the entire screen is used as a display element in C
It is expected that a display of higher quality than the conventional one can be realized by unifying to one orientation state and using two states of high contrast in the C1 orientation as two states of monochrome display.

Here, the directors near the substrate in the C1 orientation and the C2 orientation are on the cone 31, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). Also, as is well known, the liquid crystal molecules at the interface of the substrate form an angle called pretilt with respect to the substrate by rubbing, and the direction thereof is toward the rubbing direction (A direction in FIGS. 3A and 3B). This is the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules lift their heads (the tip becomes floating).

Due to the above, between the cone angle Θ of the liquid crystal, the pretilt angle α, and the layer tilt angle (angle between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate normal) δ,

[0013]

## EQU00003 ## In the C1 orientation, .THETA. +. Delta.>. Alpha. In the C2 orientation, .THETA .-. Delta.>. Alpha.

Therefore, the conditions for producing the C1 orientation without producing the C2 orientation are:

[0015]

Θ−δ <α That is, Θ <α + δ (I).

Furthermore, from the simple consideration of the torque received when the liquid crystal molecules at the interface are transferred from one position to the other position by the electric field, a simple consideration is given as a condition that the switching of the interface molecules easily occurs.

[0017]

(5) α> δ (II) is obtained.

Therefore, the C1 → C2 transition is unlikely to occur,
It can be understood that in order to form the C1 orientation state more stably, it is effective to satisfy the relationship of the formula (II) in addition to the relationship of the formula (I).

When the above conditions (I) and (II) are satisfied, the apparent tilt angle θa of the liquid crystal increases from about 3 ° to 8 ° to about 8 ° to 16 °, Between the liquid crystal cone angle Θ and the apparent tilt angle θa,

[0020]

It has been empirically obtained that the relational expression Θ> θa> Θ / 2 (III) holds.

As described above, (I), (II) and (II
It has been clarified that a display on which a high-contrast image is displayed can be realized if the condition of the formula (I) is satisfied. In addition, in order to stably form the C1 orientation state and obtain good orientation, the rubbing directions of the upper and lower substrates are 0 ° to 25 °.
Cross rubbing shifted within the range of (crossing angle) is also extremely effective.

Next, a technique that enables high-speed display will be described. A display device using a chiral smectic liquid crystal element is a display device capable of achieving a large screen and a high definition far exceeding that of a conventional CRT or TN type liquid crystal display. However, the frame frequency (one screen forming frequency) becomes a low frequency, so that the screen rewriting speed, smooth scrolling on character editing and graphics screens, and moving image display speed such as cursor movement become slow. There was a point.

A solution to this problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 0-31120, JP-A No. 1-140198, and the like. That is, a display panel in which scan electrodes and information electrodes are arranged in a matrix, a means for selecting all or a predetermined number of scan electrodes (a case of selecting by this means is referred to as full writing), and a total number or a predetermined number of scan electrodes By using a display device having a means for partially selecting (a case of selecting by this means is referred to as partial writing), high speed display becomes possible by performing partial moving image display by partial writing, and partial writing and full writing can be performed. Compatibility can be realized.

In the case of a simple matrix display device as described above using an element in which this ferroelectric liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates, for example, JP-A-59-193426 and JP-A-59-193427 are disclosed. JP-A-60-1560
The driving method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 46, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-156047, or the like can be applied.

FIG. 6 is an example of a waveform diagram of the driving method. In addition, FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel in which matrix electrodes are arranged. In the liquid crystal panel 51 of FIG. 5, the scanning lines of the scanning electrode group 52 and the data lines of the information electrode group 53 are wired so as to intersect with each other, and the ferroelectric property is provided between the scanning line and the data line at the intersection. Liquid crystal is arranged.

In FIG. 6A, S _S is a selected scan waveform applied to the selected scan line, S _N is an unselected scan waveform not selected, and I _S is applied to the selected data line. selection information waveform (black), I _N represents the non-selection information signal applied to the data line which is not selected (white). Further, in view as _{(I S -S S) (I} N -S S) is the voltage waveform applied to pixels on a selected scanning line, the voltage (I _S -S
_The pixel to which _S ) is applied is in a black display state and the voltage (I
_The pixel to which _N −S _S ) is applied has a white display state.

FIG. 6B is the drive waveform shown in FIG. 6A, which is a time-series waveform when the display shown in FIG. 7 is performed.
In the driving example shown in FIG. 6, the minimum application time Δt of the single polarity voltage applied to the pixel on the selected scanning line corresponds to the time of the writing phase t ₂ , and the time of the 1-line clear t ₁ phase is 2Δt. It is set. The values of the parameters V _S , V _I and Δt of the drive waveform shown in FIG. 6 are determined by the switching characteristics of the liquid crystal material used.

FIG. 8 shows the transmittance T when the drive voltage (V _S + V _I ) is changed while keeping the bias ratio, which will be described later, constant.
Of VT characteristics, that is, VT characteristics. Here, Δt = 50 μsec, bias ratio V _I / (V _I + V _S ).
It is fixed at = 1/3. Positive side of Figure 8 is shown in FIG. 6 (I _N -S _S), the negative side waveform shown by (I _S -S _S) is applied.

Here, V ₁ and V ₃ are called the actual driving threshold voltage and the crosstalk voltage, respectively. In addition, V ₂ <V ₁ <
At V ₃ , ΔV = V ₃ −V ₁ is called a voltage margin, which is a voltage width capable of matrix driving. It can be said that V ₃ is generally present in driving a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device. Specifically, a voltage value causing switching by V _B in the waveform of FIG. _{6 (A) (I N -S} S). Of course, it is possible to increase the value of V ₃ by increasing the bias ratio, but increasing the bias ratio means increasing the amplitude of the information signal, which causes an increase in image flicker and contrast. Is caused, which is not preferable.

According to our study, the bias ratio is 1/3 to 1/4.
The degree was practical. By the way, if the bias ratio is fixed, the voltage margin ΔV strongly depends on the switching characteristics of the liquid crystal material, and it goes without saying that a liquid crystal material having a large ΔV is very advantageous for matrix driving.

At such a certain constant temperature, two states of "black" and "white" can be written in the selected pixel depending on two directions of the information signal, and the non-selected pixel has the "black" or "white" state. The upper and lower limit values of the applied voltage that can maintain the “white” state and the width thereof (driving voltage margin Δ
V) is unique because there is a difference between the liquid crystal materials. In addition, since the drive margin also shifts depending on the change in the ambient temperature, in the case of an actual display device, it is necessary to set the optimal drive voltage for the liquid crystal material and the ambient temperature.

As described above, the above (I) and (II)
If a liquid crystal element satisfying the conditions of (3) and (III) is driven by the above-described display device capable of partial writing, a large screen,
High-contrast images can be displayed at high speed on high-definition displays.

The change in the response speed of a normal ferroelectric liquid crystal with respect to temperature is considerably large because it changes depending on the viscosity, and it is more than ten times at 5 to 50 ° C. The current situation is that it exceeds. In addition, when using a large-screen display, it is necessary to be able to output images under the same driving conditions for in-plane temperature distribution of several degrees Celsius to several tens of degrees Celsius. It was too big.

The present inventors compared to the conventional monotonous increase if the layer inclination angle δ shows a decreasing tendency with respect to the temperature drop on the low temperature side where the temperature dependence of the response speed becomes large. Therefore, the temperature dependence of the response speed is remarkably improved.
That is, the value of δ increases with decreasing temperature, and then
By using a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition characterized by having a decreasing temperature characteristic (having a maximum value), it is possible to provide a liquid crystal element and a display device having small temperature dependence of driving conditions. Revealed what you can do. (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-307802)

[0035]

The liquid crystal composition is considerably stable in a supercooled state in the cell, and crystallization or segregation does not occur even when the melting point in the bulk state falls below the melting point. Many. In particular, this phenomenon is remarkable in an element structure having a pretilt angle of 5 ° or more. For this reason,
Storage tests at low temperatures are often not a problem.

However, in the case of the above-mentioned device using the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having the temperature characteristic (having a maximum value) in which the value of δ increases with a decrease in temperature and then decreases. However, regardless of the melting point of the liquid crystal composition, the device characteristics after storage at low temperature often became abnormal. In detail, extremely low temperature (eg -15
If left for a long time at (° C.), even if the temperature is raised again, many characteristics such as the apparent tilt angle θa, the contrast, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules, etc. are changed, and it cannot return to the initial state. It is a phenomenon.

This significantly deteriorates the display characteristics of the display, which is a serious problem in transporting or storing the product. This phenomenon is considered to be related to the hysteresis with respect to the environmental temperature change of the inclination angle δ of the layer (especially between extremely low temperature and room temperature), but a large difference also occurred depending on the type of liquid crystal composition.

Further, in practice, when the operating temperature range of the display is about 5 to 35 ° C., the ambient temperature of the liquid crystal device itself is 5 to 50 ° C. due to heat accumulation from the periphery of the device.
About. In the current situation, it is not possible to maintain a good image quality in all the temperature ranges in a display using an ordinary ferroelectric liquid crystal. In particular, when a liquid crystal composition in which the magnitude of the layer inclination angle δ is adjusted so as not to monotonically increase on the low temperature side is used, securing a drive margin in a low temperature region is a major problem.

At a temperature near room temperature, even if a high-contrast favorable image in the C1 uniform orientation state can be realized,
In the low temperature region, a region exhibiting a C2 orientation state may appear during matrix driving. For this reason, it is difficult to say that the drive margin is largely reduced in the low temperature region, and that a good image and drive margin can be realized within the operating environment temperature range.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the size of the tilt angle δ of the layer is adjusted so as not to monotonously increase on the low temperature side by including a specific compound in the liquid crystal composition in combination, In the low temperature region, the region exhibiting the C2 orientation state does not appear during matrix driving, and it is possible to suppress the reduction of the driving margin in the low temperature region. In addition, at a very low temperature (eg, -15 ° C) for a long time. A liquid crystal composition in which characteristics such as apparent tilt angle θa, contrast, alignment state, etc. do not change even when left unattended, a liquid crystal element using the same, and a drive circuit for the liquid crystal element,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal device including a light source.

[0041]

Means and Action for Solving the Problems The present inventors have
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal composition using a specific liquid crystal compound in combination, a liquid crystal composition using the same, and a liquid crystal device using the same have been intensively studied. It came to.

That is, in the present invention, the liquid crystal compounds represented by the following general formula (A) and general formula (B) are each added to
It is achieved by using a liquid crystal composition characterized by containing 1 to 30% by weight.

[0043]

Embedded image

(In the formula, R ₁ and R ₂ have 1 to 18 carbon atoms.
Which is a linear or branched alkyl group of X ₁ , X ₂
Is a single bond or -O-,

[0045]

[Chemical 19] And A ₁ is a single bond or

[0046]

Embedded image A ₂ is either

[0047]

[Chemical 21] Indicates either )

The liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (A) can be synthesized by the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-295684 or Japanese Patent Application No. 4-316329.

Specific preferred examples of the liquid crystal compound represented by formula (A) are shown in the following table. The alphabet in the table indicates a side chain group or a cyclic group shown below.

[0050]

Embedded image met = CH ₃ , hep = C ₇ H ₁₅ , trd = C ₁₃ H ₂₇ , eth = C ₂ H ₅ , oct = C ₈ H ₁₇ , ted = C ₁₄ H ₂₉ , pro = C ₃ H ₇ , Non = C ₉ H ₁₉ , ped = C ₁₅ H ₃₁ , but = C ₄ H ₉ , dec = C ₁₀ H ₂₁ , hexd = C ₁₆ H ₃₃ , pen = C ₅ H ₁₁ , und = C ₁₁ H ₂₃ , hepd = C ₁₇ H ₃₅ , hex = C ₆ H ₁₃ , dod = C ₁₂ H ₂₅ , ocd = C ₁₈ H ₃₇ , 2 mb = 2-methyl-butyl.

[0051]

[Chemical formula 23]

[0052]

[Table 1]

[0053]

[Table 2]

[0054]

[Table 3]

[0055]

[Chemical formula 24] (In the formula, R ₃ represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X ₃ and X ₄ are single bonds,
O-,

[0056]

[Chemical 25] And m is an integer of 1 to 10.

A ₃ is

[0058]

[Chemical formula 26] Indicates. )

The liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (B) can be synthesized by, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-344738. Specific preferred examples of the liquid crystal compound represented by formula (B) are shown in the table below. The alphabet in the table indicates the side chain group or cyclic group shown below.

[0060]

Embedded image met = CH ₃ , hep = C ₇ H ₁₅ , trd = C ₁₃ H ₂₇ , eth = C ₂ H ₅ , oct = C ₈ H ₁₇ , ted = C ₁₄ H ₂₉ , pro = C ₃ H ₇ , Non = C ₉ H ₁₉ , ped = C ₁₅ H ₃₁ , but = C ₄ H ₉ , dec = C ₁₀ H ₂₁ , hexd = C ₁₆ H ₃₃ , pen = C ₅ H ₁₁ , und = C ₁₁ H ₂₃ , hepd = C ₁₇ H ₃₅ , hex = C ₆ H ₁₃ , dod = C ₁₂ H ₂₅ , ocd = C ₁₈ H ₃₇ , 2 mb = 2-methyl-butyl.

[0061]

[Chemical 28]

[0062]

[Table 4]

[0063]

[Table 5]

The liquid crystal compound (mesom) used in the present invention
It does not limit whether or not the organic compound itself takes a phase transition series as a liquid crystal, as long as it has a suitable function as a liquid crystal component in the liquid crystal composition.

The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises the liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formula (A) and the general formula (B) at 0.1% respectively.
It is desirable that the content is ˜30% by weight, and if the content is less than 0.1% by weight, the appearance of the effect is diminished, and if it exceeds 30% by weight, the balance with various properties is greatly disturbed, and further, the general formula (A) and The liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (B) is 60
Used in liquid crystal compositions,
Adjustment of the phase transition temperature and the like becomes difficult due to the quantitative ratio relationship with other liquid crystal compounds (other than the general formula (A) and the general formula (B) of the present invention), which is not preferable.

Further, preferably, when each of them is contained in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight, there is an advantage that the effect aimed at by the present invention can be exhibited without significantly impairing other characteristics, and more preferably, each of them is 0. If contained in an amount of 0.5 to 15% by weight, the effect aimed at by the present invention can be more surely exhibited, and further, other liquid crystal compounds used in the liquid crystal composition (general formula (A) of the present invention, general There is an advantage that the phase transition temperature and the like can be easily adjusted from the relationship of the quantitative ratio with the formula (other than formula (B)).

Also, preferably, the liquid crystal composition has a chiral smectic C phase, and in the range of 0 ° C. to 60 ° C., the size of the inclination angle δ of the layer of the chiral smectic C phase is 3 ° to. 15 °, preferably 3 ° -12
It is desirable to adjust to °.

Further, according to the present invention, a chiral smectic liquid crystal is opposed to the liquid crystal while sandwiching the liquid crystal, and an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal is formed on each of the opposed surfaces, and the liquid crystal is aligned. In a liquid crystal element comprising a pair of substrates which have been subjected to an alignment treatment in which uniaxial alignment axes are parallel or intersect with each other at a predetermined angle, the liquid crystal is
It is achieved by using a liquid crystal device characterized by being a liquid crystal composition containing 0.1 to 30% by weight of each of the liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formula (A) and the general formula (B). .

Preferably, the liquid crystal composition used in the liquid crystal element has a chiral smectic C phase,
In the range of 0 ° C. to 60 ° C., it is desirable that the chiral smectic C phase layer has a tilt angle δ adjusted to 3 ° to 15 °.

More preferably, in the liquid crystal element,
If the pretilt angle of the chiral smectic liquid crystal and its liquid crystal element near room temperature are α, the cone angle Θ, and the tilt angle of the liquid crystal layer is δ, the chiral smectic liquid crystal has the following formulas (I) and (II). And has at least 2 in this alignment state.
Shows the two stable states, 1 / of the angle formed by their optical axes
2, the apparent tilt angle θa and the cone angle Θ have a relationship of the following formula (III), and the liquid crystal is a liquid crystalline compound represented by the general formula (A) or the general formula (B). It is desirable that the liquid crystal composition contains 0.1 to 30% by weight, respectively.

[0071]

(7) Θ <α + δ (I) δ <α (II) Θ> θa> Θ / 2 (III)

More preferably, the intersection angle of the uniaxial alignment axes of the liquid crystal element is 0 ° to 25 °. More preferably, the magnitude of the pretilt angle α of the liquid crystal element is desirably 5 ° or more. Further, the present invention provides
A drive circuit for the liquid crystal device using the liquid crystal composition,
This is achieved by a liquid crystal device equipped with a light source.

More preferably, in the present invention, other preferable liquid crystal compounds constituting the liquid crystal composition include liquid crystal compounds having the structures of the following general formulas (1) to (5), It is desirable to use these as main constituent components, and change the compounding ratio of each liquid crystal compound at appropriate times to obtain a liquid crystal composition.

[0074]

[Chemical 29]

(In the formula, R ₂₁ and R ₂₂ are each a carbon atom of 1 to
18 is a linear or branched alkyl group, and one or more methylene groups in the alkyl group are -O-, -S-, -CO-, under the condition that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other.
-CHW -, - CH = CH - , - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN, a CF _3. Further, R ₂₁ and R ₂₂ may be optically active. Y ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. p, q
Is 0, 1, 2 and p + q is 1 or 2. )

[0076]

Embedded image (In the formula, B ₁ is

[0077]

[Chemical 31] And Y ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom.

R ₂₃ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and R ₂₄ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen, a CN group or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. One or two or more methylene groups in the alkyl group represented by R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ , which are alkyl groups, are —O—, —S—, —CO under the condition that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other.
-, - CHW -, - CH = CH -, - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. Further, R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ may be optically active. )

[0079]

Embedded image (In the formula, B ₂ is

[0080]

[Chemical 33] Represents

R ₂₅ and R ₂₆ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or more methylene groups in the alkyl groups do not have adjacent heteroatoms. -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CH under the condition
W -, - CH = CH - , - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. Further, R ₂₅ and R ₂₆ may be optically active. )

[0082]

Embedded image (In the formula, B ₃ is

[0083]

Embedded image And Z represents -O- or -S-.

R ₂₇ and R ₂₈ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or two or more methylene groups in the alkyl group are such that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other. At -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW
It may be replaced by —, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, and W represents halogen, CN or CF ₃ . Further, R ₂₇ and R ₂₈ may be optically active. )

[0085]

Embedded image

(In the formula, R₂₉, R₃₀Is 1 to 1 carbon atoms
18 straight chain or branched alkyl groups,
One or more methylene groups in the kill group are
(B) under the condition that atoms are not adjacent to each other, -O-, -S-, -CO-,
Placed by -CHW-, -CH = CH-, -C≡C-
W may be halogen, CN or CF
_Three Is shown. Also, R₂₉, R₃₀Is optically active
Is also good. )

More preferred examples of the compounds of the general formulas (1) to (4) are shown below. More preferred compound examples of the compound of the general formula (1)

[0088]

Embedded image

More preferred examples of the compound of formula (2)

[0090]

[Chemical 38]

More preferred examples of the compound of formula (3)

[0092]

[Chemical Formula 39]

More preferred examples of the compound of formula (4)

[0094]

[Chemical 40]

In the above formula, R is a hydrogen atom, halogen,
A CN group or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or two or more methylene groups in the alkyl group are -O under the condition that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other. -, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -C
H = CH -, - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. Also,
R may be optically active. Y ₁ represents hydrogen or fluorine.

The structure of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a liquid crystal element for explaining the structure of the ferroelectric liquid crystal element.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 15 is a liquid crystal layer, 11a and 11b are glass substrates, 12a and 12b are transparent electrodes, and 13a and 13 are shown.
Reference numerals b, 14a and 14b denote insulating orientation control layers, 16 denotes spacers, and 17a and 17b denote polarizing plates.

On the two glass substrates 11a and 11b, In ₂ O ₃ , SnO ₂ or ITO (Indi
The transparent electrodes 12a and 12b made of a thin film such as um tin oxide) are covered. An insulating alignment control layer for arranging liquid crystals in a specific method is formed thereon. The insulating orientation control layer may be a single layer or a plurality of layers made of a plurality of materials.

In FIG. 1, the insulating alignment control layer has a two-layer structure in which the insulating films 13a and 13b are formed of an inorganic material, and the alignment control films 14a and 14b are formed of an organic material on the insulating films 13a and 13b. The case of a control layer is illustrated.

Examples of the inorganic substance include silicon nitride, silicon carbide containing hydrogen, silicon oxide,
Boron nitride, hydrogen-containing boron nitride, cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, magnesium fluoride, or the like can be used. Specifically, a SiO ₂ film can be used. , TiO
_Two films, Ta ₂ O ₅ film and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the organic substance include polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyamide imide, polyester imide, polyparaxylene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyamide, polystyrene, cellulose resin,
Melamine resin, urea resin, acrylic resin, photoresist resin and the like can be used, and specific examples thereof include polyimide represented by the following structural formula.

Furthermore, the insulating orientation control layer may be formed of a single layer of an inorganic material insulating orientation control layer or a single layer of an organic material insulating orientation control layer.

[0102]

Embedded image

In the alignment control films 14a and 14b, the upper alignment film 14a is oriented in the counterclockwise (or clockwise) direction with respect to the lower alignment film 14b as viewed from the upper alignment film 14a.
Uniaxial orientation treatment with a crossing angle of ~ 25 °, and
The rubbing process is performed so that the same direction (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) is obtained. In the following, the intersection angle is defined as described above. If this insulating orientation control layer is an inorganic type, it can be formed by a vapor deposition method or the like.

In the case of an organic system, a solution in which an organic insulating material is dissolved or a precursor solution thereof (0.1 to 20 wt% in a solvent)
%, Preferably 0.2 to 20 wt%).
It can be applied by a spinner coating method, a dip coating method, a screen printing method, a spray coating method, a roll coating method or the like, and can be cured under predetermined curing conditions (for example, under heating).

Insulating orientation control layers 13a, 13b, 14
The layer thicknesses of a and 14b are each usually 3 to 1000 nm, preferably 3 to 300 nm, more preferably 5 to 200 n.
m is suitable.

The two glass substrates 11a and 11b are kept at an arbitrary interval by the spacer 16. For example, there is a method in which silica beads or alumina beads having a predetermined diameter are used as spacers and sandwiched between two glass substrates, and the periphery thereof is bonded using a sealant, for example, an epoxy adhesive. Alternatively, a polymer film or glass fiber may be used as the spacer.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal is enclosed between the two glass substrates.

The liquid crystal layer 15 in which the ferroelectric liquid crystal is enclosed is
Generally 0.5 to 20 μm, preferably 0.8 to 5
μm. In addition, in order to obtain a mono-domain state showing good orientation when used as an element, the ferroelectric liquid crystal is
Isotropic phase to chiral nematic phase (cholesteric phase), smectic A phase, chiral smectic C
It is desirable to have a phase transition sequence that changes with the phase.

Polarizing plates 17a and 17b are attached to the outside of the glass substrates 11a and 11b. Since FIG. 1 is a transmission type, it is equipped with a light source.

In the case of a simple matrix display device using the element in which the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a pair of substrates,
For example, JP-A-59-193426 and JP-A-59.
The driving method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 193427, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-156046, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-156047, etc. can be applied.

FIG. 4 is an example of a waveform diagram of the driving method. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a ferroelectric liquid crystal panel in which the matrix electrodes used in the present invention are arranged. In the liquid crystal panel 51 of FIG. 5, the scanning lines of the scanning electrode group 52 and the data lines of the information electrode group 53 are wired so as to intersect each other, and the ferroelectric property is provided between the scanning lines and the data lines corresponding to the intersections. Liquid crystal is arranged.

The liquid crystal element of the present invention constitutes various liquid crystal devices, but it is particularly preferable that the liquid crystal element constitutes a liquid crystal display device as a display element. A liquid crystal display device is realized by using the liquid crystal device according to the present invention in a display panel unit and taking a data format as image information having scanning line address information shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and a communication synchronizing means by a SYNC signal. .

Generation of image information is performed by the graphics controller 102 on the main unit side, as shown in FIGS.
It is transferred to the display panel 103 according to the signal transfer means shown in FIG.

The graphics controller 102 is C
PU (Central processing unit, abbreviated as GCPU112 hereafter)
And VRAM (memory for storing image information) 114 as a core,
It manages image information and communication between the host CPU 113 and the liquid crystal display device 101, and the liquid crystal display device control method using the liquid crystal element according to the present invention is mainly realized on the graphics controller 102. .

The cone angle Θ, the apparent tilt angle θa, the tilt angle δ of the liquid crystal layer, the pretilt angle α, and the spontaneous polarization Ps in the liquid crystal element according to the present invention can be measured as follows.

<Measurement of cone angle Θ> ± 30 V to ± 50
While applying AC (alternating current) of V, 1 to 100 Hz through the electrodes between the upper and lower substrates of the liquid crystal element, the liquid crystal element disposed under the orthogonal crossed Nicols is rotated in parallel with the polarizing plate, and at the same time, the photo Maru (Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd.)
The first extinction position (the position where the transmittance is the lowest) and the second extinction position are obtained while detecting the optical response of the product. Then, 1/2 of the angle from the first extinction position to the second extinction position at this time is defined as the cone angle Θ.

<Measurement of Apparent Tilt Angle θa> After applying a single pulse of the threshold value of the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal element arranged between them is rotated in parallel with the polarizing plate under no electric field and under orthogonal crossed Nicols. Find the first extinction position. next,
After applying the pulse of the opposite polarity to the above-mentioned single-shot pulse, the second extinction position is obtained under no electric field. The apparent tilt angle θa is 1/2 of the angle from the first extinction position to the second extinction position at this time.

<Measurement of Inclination Angle δ of Liquid Crystal Layer> Basically,
The method used by Clark and Lagerwol (Jap
an Display '86, Sep. 30-Oct.
2, 1986, 456-458) or the method of Ouchi et al. (JJAP 27 (5) (1988) 725).
Up to 728). The measuring device is
A rotating sheet X-ray diffractometer (manufactured by MAC Science) is used to reduce the absorption of X-rays into the glass substrate of the liquid crystal cell, and the substrate is made of Corning Microsheet (80
μm) was used.

<Measurement of Pretilt Angle α> J. J. A.
P. 19 (1980) No. 10, Short Not
It was determined according to the method described in es 2013 (crystal rotation method). That is, the rubbed substrates are laminated in parallel and in the opposite direction, and the thickness is 20 μm.
m cell and made by Chisso Corporation ferroelectric liquid crystal CS
Measurement was carried out by injecting into -1014 a standard liquid crystal in which 20% by weight of a compound represented by the following structural formula was mixed.

[0120]

Embedded image The mixed liquid crystal composition had a Sm of 10 to 55 ° C.
Phase A is shown.

The measurement method is as follows:
And while rotating in the plane including the alignment treatment axis,
Helium-neon laser light with a polarization plane that makes an angle of 5 ° is emitted from the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the light transmitted through the photodiode passes through the polarization plate with the transmission axis parallel to the incident polarization plane on the opposite side. The strength was measured.

Then, the pretilt angle α was obtained by performing a simulation on the theoretical curve, the following equation, and fitting for the spectrum of the transmitted light intensity generated by the interference.

[0123]

(Equation 8)

<Measurement Method of Spontaneous Polarization> Spontaneous polarization is described in K.K.
Miyasato et al. [Direct measurement method of spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric liquid crystal by triangular wave] (Journal of Japan Society of Applied Physics 22, 10, L
(661) 1983, ("Direct Method
with Triangular Waves fo
r Measuring Spontaneous P
olarizationin Ferroselectr
ic Liquid Crystal ”, asdesc
ribed by K.I. Miyasato et a
l. (Jap. J. Appl. Phys. 22. No1
0. L661 (1983))).

[0125]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Example 1 A compound having the following structure was blended in the blending ratio shown below,
A liquid crystal composition 1 was prepared.

[0127]

[Chemical 43]

Liquid crystal compositions 1S, 1A and 1B were prepared by mixing the liquid crystal composition with the exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention shown below at the following compounding ratios. Liquid crystal compositions 1A and 1B were prepared for Comparative Examples 1 and 2, respectively.

[0129]

[0130]

[0131]

The phase transition temperatures of the liquid crystals prepared for Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C., the cone angle Θ, and
Table 6 shows the values of the layer inclination angle δ.

In this embodiment, the glass substrates 11a, 1
The thickness of 1b is 1.1 mm, and the transparent electrodes 12a, 12b
For this, an ITO film with a side metal (molybdenum) was used. Further, on the transparent electrodes 12a and 12b, tantalum oxide as a transparent dielectric film was formed to a thickness of 150 nm by a sputtering method. In addition, the alignment control film 14
A polyimide film having a thickness of 30 nm is used as each of a and 14b, and its formation is LQ which is a polyimide precursor solution.
1802 (manufactured by Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used for spinner coating. Orientation control films 14a, 14
The b is subjected to a rubbing treatment with an acetate flocked cloth.

Furthermore, as the spacers 16, silica micro beads having an average particle diameter of 1.2 μm are used, and the silica micro beads are sprayed by the Nordson electrostatic spraying method so that the distribution density becomes 300 particles / mm ² . Further, a liquid adhesive (trade name: Struct Bond; manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., Ltd.) is used as the sealing material, and is applied by printing so as to have a film thickness of 6 μm.

Next, the two glass substrates 11a and 11b
Are counterclockwise bonded at a crossing angle of 4 to 12 ° and in the same direction, and pressure-bonded by applying a pressure of 2.8 Kg / cm ³ for 5 minutes at a temperature of 70 ° C, and further at a temperature of 150 ° C. While applying a pressure of 0.63 Kg / cm ³ , two kinds of adhesives were cured for 4 hours to prepare a cell.

Thereafter, the inside of the liquid crystal cell was depressurized to about 10 Pa, and the above liquid crystal compositions 1, 1S, 1A, and 1B were injected in an isotropic liquid phase or a cholesteric phase, and then the cholesteric phase and the smectic A phase were injected. Through to produce a chiral smectic C phase.

Using this liquid crystal element, the orientation at 30 ° C. and 5 ° C. was observed, and at the drive waveform (1 / 3.3 bias ratio) shown in FIG. 4, the drive margin ΔV (V ₃ −
V ₁ ) was measured and the drivability was observed (however, ΔT is V ₁ =
It was set to be 15.0V. ).

The contrast during driving at 30 ° C. was also measured at the same time. In this experiment, the contrast (C / R) was measured by keeping the light amount of the light source constant and setting the above liquid crystal element to one extinction position (position where the transmittance is the lowest) when there is no electric field between the orthogonal crossed Nicols. It was placed, and the amount of transmitted light was detected and measured with a photo multimeter (manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics KK). Color and black displays are also shown in FIG.
Scanning side ± 11.2V (partially ±
4.8 V), information side ± 4.8 V, that is, Vo in FIG.
p = 16.0 V (ΔT similarly V ₁ = 15.0
Set to V).

The measurement results of this example are shown in Table 7. The orientation here means the orientation when not driven. Further, the parameter M of the driving voltage margin is

[0140]

## EQU9 ## It is defined by M = (V ₃ −V ₁ ) / (V ₃ + V ₁ ), and the larger this value is, the larger the margin of the image display capability with respect to the fluctuation of the driving voltage is. (If this value is 0.1 or more, it can be said that it can be practically used for a display device.)

The ranks of orientation and driveability were as follows. Orientation C1U: Full area C1 uniform orientation C1T: C1 splay orientation appearance C2: C2 orientation appearance

Drivability C1U: Switching only between C1 uniform orientations C1T: Appearance of C1 spray orientations C2: Appearance of C2 orientations

The method for evaluating the low temperature storability will be described below.
The evaluation of the low temperature storability was carried out by measuring the driving voltage margin parameter M, the apparent tilt angle θa, and the contrast C / R at 30 ° C. using the above liquid crystal element, and observing the alignment state, and setting it as the initial state. To do. Next, after leaving this element in a constant temperature bath at −15 ° C. for 96 hours, as a characteristic after low-temperature storage again, M, θa, C / R, and orientation state were measured and observed at 30 ° C., and stored at low temperature. Those having almost no change as compared with the previous properties were judged to have good low temperature storage stability.

Further, in the "change in orientation" shown as "streaks", it is not observed in the initial state and is different from other domains in the direction orthogonal to the rubbing direction (direction of smectic layer). It shows that streak-like orientation states with different extinction positions appeared. When the domains in this alignment state appear, not only the contrast is lowered, but also the value of the parameter M is significantly reduced because the threshold voltage is different from other portions.

Example 2 A liquid crystal composition 2 was prepared by blending the liquid crystal compounds shown below in the respective wt% shown below.

[0146]

[Chemical 44]

[0147]

Embedded image

Liquid crystal compositions 2S, 2A, and 2B were prepared by mixing the liquid crystal composition with the exemplary liquid crystal compounds of the present invention shown below at the following compounding ratios. Liquid crystal devices were prepared in the same manner except that these liquid crystal compositions were used instead of the liquid crystal compositions used in Examples 1 and 2, and the same evaluations as in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were performed. The results are shown in Table 7.

The liquid crystal compositions 2A and 2B are respectively
Prepared for Comparative Examples 3 and 4.

[0150]

[0151]

[0152]

The phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal prepared for Example 2 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C., the cone angle Θ, and the layer inclination angle δ were determined. The values are shown in Table 6.

Example 3 A liquid crystal composition 3 was prepared by blending the liquid crystal compounds shown below at the respective wt% shown below.

[0155]

Embedded image

[0156]

[Chemical 47]

Liquid crystal compositions 3S, 3A and 3B were prepared by blending the liquid crystal compositions shown below with the exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention at the following blending ratios. Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 Example 1 was repeated except that these liquid crystal compositions were used instead of the liquid crystal composition used in Example 2.
And the same evaluation as in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was performed. The results are shown in Table 7. Liquid crystal compositions 3A and 3B were prepared for Comparative Examples 5 and 6, respectively.

[0158]

[0159]

[0160]

The values of the phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal prepared for Example 3 and Comparative Examples 5 and 6, and the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C., the cone angle Θ, and the layer inclination angle δ. Is shown in Table 6.

Example 4 Liquid crystal composition 4S was prepared by substituting the following exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention in the following compounding ratios in place of the exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention used in Example 3. A liquid crystal element was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above, and the same evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 7.

[0163]

The phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal used in Example 4 and the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C.
The values of the cone angle Θ and the layer inclination angle δ are shown in Table 6.

Example 5 Liquid crystal composition 5S was prepared by blending the following exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention at the following compounding ratios in place of the exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention used in Example 3. A liquid crystal element was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above, and the same evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 7.

[0166]

The phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal used in Example 5, and the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C.,
The values of the cone angle Θ and the layer inclination angle δ are shown in Table 6.

Example 6 Liquid crystal composition 6S was prepared by blending the following exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention at the following compounding ratios in place of the exemplary liquid crystalline compounds of the present invention used in Example 3. A liquid crystal element was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above, and the same evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 7.

[0169]

The phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal used in Example 6 and the magnitude of spontaneous polarization (Ps) at 30 ° C.
The values of the cone angle Θ and the layer inclination angle δ are shown in Table 6.

As is clear from Table 7, the liquid crystal composition 1S according to the present invention containing the liquid crystal compounds A and B at the same time, compared with the base liquid crystal composition 1, shows the driving characteristics in the low temperature range. It can be seen that both low-temperature storability is excellent and it is practically comprehensive.

On the other hand, 1A containing the liquid crystalline compound A has improved driving characteristics in the low temperature region, but is inferior in low temperature storage stability. On the contrary, 1B containing the liquid crystal compound B has improved low temperature storage stability, but it cannot be said that the driving characteristics in the low temperature region are excellent.

As described above, in order to improve both the low temperature storage stability and the driving characteristics in the low temperature range, it is important that both liquid crystal compounds A and B are contained. It can be seen that it is significantly more effective than the case where each is introduced alone.

Also in Example 2, the liquid crystal composition 2S containing the liquid crystal compounds A and B at the same time was the same as the liquid crystal composition 2 serving as the base and the liquid crystal composition 2A obtained by introducing the liquid crystal compounds A and B respectively. Compared with 2B, both the driving characteristics in the low temperature range and the low temperature preservability are improved.

Further, also in Example 3, the liquid crystal composition 3S containing the liquid crystal compounds A and B at the same time was 3A in which the liquid crystal composition 3 serving as the base and the liquid crystal compounds A and B were introduced individually. Compared with 3B, both the driving characteristics in the low temperature range and the low temperature storability are improved.

Similarly, the liquid crystal compositions 4S, 5S and 6S prepared by containing the liquid crystal compounds A and B at the same time satisfy both the driving characteristics in the low temperature range and the low temperature storage stability.

[0177]

[Table 6]

Here, Cry: a crystal phase or a higher order smectic phase SmC *; a chiral smectic C phase SmA; a smectic A phase Ch; a cholesteric phase Iso; and an isotropic liquid phase, respectively.

[0179]

[Table 7]

In Table 7, "-" is displayed in the contrast measurement column (C / R), which means that the contrast cannot be measured.

[0181]

As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid crystal compounds represented by the general formulas (A) and (B) are contained in combination in the liquid crystal composition, so that the tilt angle δ of the layer is increased. Even if the size of is adjusted so as not to increase monotonously on the low temperature side, in the low temperature region, the region exhibiting the C2 orientation state does not appear during matrix driving, and the reduction of the drive margin in the low temperature region is suppressed. In addition, a liquid crystal composition in which characteristics such as apparent tilt angle θa, contrast, alignment state, etc. do not change even when left for a long time at an extremely low temperature (eg, −15 ° C.), and a liquid crystal composition A liquid crystal device including the used liquid crystal element, a drive circuit for the liquid crystal element, and a light source can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a C1 orientation and a C2 orientation in a chevron structure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a cone angle Θ, a pretilt angle α, and a layer inclination angle δ in a C1 orientation and a C2 orientation.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the waveform of the electric field applied to the liquid crystal device of FIG. 1 and the optical response waveform and the drive waveform measured by Photomal.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel in which matrix electrodes are arranged.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of the driving method described in the description of the related art.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display pattern when actual driving is performed with the time-series driving waveform shown in FIG. 6 (B).

FIG. 8 is a VT characteristic diagram showing a change in transmittance when the drive voltage is changed.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a connection state between a liquid crystal display device and a graphic controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an image information communication state between the liquid crystal display device and the graphic controller according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11a, 11b Substrate (glass substrate) 12a, 12b Electrode (transparent electrode) 13a, 13b Insulating film (insulating alignment control layer) 14a, 14b Alignment control film (insulating alignment control layer) 15 Liquid crystal layer 16 Spacer 17a, 17b Polarization Version 41 Example of voltage waveform when displaying white 42 Example of voltage waveform when displaying black 43 43 Optical response waveform when drive waveform of 42 is applied 44 White writing waveform selection period 45 Black writing waveform selection period 51 Liquid crystal Panel 52 Scanning electrode group 53 Information electrode group 101 Liquid crystal display device 102 Graphics controller 103 Display panel 104 Scanning line driving circuit 105 Information line driving circuit 106 Decoder 107 Scanning signal generating circuit 108 Shift register 109 Line memory 110 Information signal generating circuit 111 Driving Control circuit 112 GCPU 13 host CPU 114 VRAM

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Shuji Yamada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yu Mizuno 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Ikuro Nakazawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal composition comprising 0.1 to 30% by weight of a liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula (A) and general formula (B), respectively. Embedded image (In the formula, R ₁ and R ₂ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X ₁ and X ₂ are single bonds, or —O—, and And A ₁ is a single bond or And A ₂ is Indicates either ) [Chemical 5] (In the formula, R ₃ represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, X ₃ , X ₄ are single bonds, —O—, and And m is an integer of 1 to 10. A ₃ is Indicates. ) 2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 has a chiral smectic C phase, and in the range of 0 ° C. to 60 ° C., the size of the inclination angle δ of the layer of the chiral smectic C phase is 3 ° to. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal composition is adjusted to 15 °. 3. The liquid crystal composition further comprises the following general formula (1):
25 to 75 wt% of the liquid crystal compound represented by the formula, 5 to 25 wt% of the liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (2), 5 to 30 wt% of the liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (3), and the general formula (4 ) 0.1 to 30 wt.
%, 1 to 25 w of the liquid crystalline compound represented by the general formula (5).
The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal composition contains t%. Embedded image (In the formula, R ₂₁ and R ₂₂ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or more methylene groups in the alkyl group do not have adjacent heteroatoms. Under the conditions, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -C
H = CH -, - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN, a CF _3. Also,
R ₂₁ and R ₂₂ may be optically active. Y ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. p and q are 0, 1, and 2, and p + q is 1 or 2. ) [Chemical 9] (In the formula, B ₁ is And Y ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. R ₂₃
Is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and R ₂₄ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen, a CN group or a carbon atom of 1
~ 18 linear or branched alkyl group,
One or more methylene groups in the alkyl group represented by R ₂₃ and R ₂₄ are —O under the condition that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other.
-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -CH = CH-,
It may be replaced by —C≡C—, and W represents halogen, CN or CF ₃ . Also, R ₂₃ ,
R ₂₄ may be optically active. ) [Chemical 11] (In the formula, B ₂ is Represents R ₂₅ and R ₂₆ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or two or more methylene groups in the alkyl group are under the condition that hetero atoms are not adjacent to each other. O-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-,-
CH = CH -, - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. Further, R ₂₅ and R ₂₆ may be optically active. ) [Chemical 13] (In the formula, B ₃ is And Z represents -O- or -S-. R ₂₇ , R
₂₈ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or two or more methylene groups in the alkyl group are -O unless hetero atoms are adjacent to each other.
-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -CH = CH-,
-C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. In addition, R ₂₇ , R
₂₈ may be optically active. ) [Chemical 15] (In the formula, R ₂₉ and R ₃₀ are linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or more methylene groups in the alkyl group do not have adjacent heteroatoms. Under the conditions, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -C
H = CH -, - C≡C- may be replaced by, W is a halogen, CN or CF _3. Also,
R ₂₉ and R ₃₀ may be optically active. ) 4. A liquid crystal compound represented by the general formula (1) is a liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formulas (1-1) to (1-7), and a liquid crystal represented by the general formula (2). The liquid crystalline compound is a liquid crystalline compound represented by the following general formulas (2-1) to (2-5), and the liquid crystalline compound represented by the general formula (3) is represented by the following general formulas (3-1) to (3-). 9) is a liquid crystalline compound, and the liquid crystalline compound represented by the general formula (4) is a liquid crystalline compound represented by the following general formulas (4-1) to (4-6). The liquid crystal composition according to claim 3. Embedded image [Chemical 17] (In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen, a CN group, or a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or more methylene groups in the alkyl group. Is -O-,-under the condition that heteroatoms are not adjacent.
S-, -CO-, -CHW-, -CH = CH-, -C≡
May be replaced by C-, W represents a halogen, CN or CF _3. Further, R may be optically active. Y ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. ) 5. A chiral smectic liquid crystal is opposed to the chiral smectic liquid crystal while sandwiching the liquid crystal, electrodes for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal are respectively formed on the opposed surfaces, and a uniaxial alignment axis for aligning the liquid crystal is formed. In a liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates which are parallel or intersect with each other at a predetermined angle, the chiral smectic liquid crystal is the liquid crystal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Liquid crystal device characterized by. 6. A chiral smectic liquid crystal and a liquid crystal device having a pretilt angle α near the room temperature, a cone angle Θ, and a liquid crystal layer inclination angle δ, the chiral smectic liquid crystal has the following formula (I) and ( II) an apparent tilt angle θa and a cone angle Θ that have an orientation state represented by the formula II, exhibit at least two stable states in this orientation state, and are half the angle formed by their optical axes. The liquid crystal element according to claim 5, wherein and have a relationship represented by the following formula (III). ## EQU1 ## Θ <α + δ (I) δ <α (II) Θ>θa> Θ / 2 (III) 7. The crossing angle of the uniaxial orientation axis is 0 ° to 25.
The liquid crystal element according to claim 5 or 6, wherein 8. The liquid crystal element according to claim 5, wherein the magnitude of the pretilt angle α is 5 ° or more. 9. A liquid crystal device comprising the liquid crystal element according to claim 5. 10. The liquid crystal device according to claim 9, further comprising a drive circuit for the liquid crystal element. 11. The liquid crystal device according to claim 10, further comprising a light source.