Patent ID: 9348191
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: G02F

Claim Text:
1. A liquid crystal element comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate subjected to an orientation process on one surface of each of the first substrate and the second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate being disposed facing each other; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and an electric field applying section that applies an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the electric field applying section comprising a first electrode provided on one surface side of the first substrate, a second electrode provided on one surface side of the first substrate, away from the first electrode, and a common electrode provided on one surface side of the second substrate so that at least a portion thereof is superimposed with the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein: the first substrate and the second substrate are set in an orientation process direction that ensures generation of a first orientation state wherein the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are twisted in a first direction, and a chiral material of a property that generates a second orientation state wherein the liquid crystal molecules are twisted in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction is included in the liquid crystal layer; the liquid crystal layer transitions from the second orientation state to the first orientation state with the application of an electric field of a layer thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer by the electric field applying section, and transitions from the first orientation state to the second orientation state with the application of an electric field of a direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction by the electric field applying section, and further, after transitioning to the second orientation state, by applying an electric field of the direction perpendicular to the layer thickness direction by the electric field applying section, a continuous orientation change regarded as an elastic deformation occurs in accordance with a strength of the electric field, and returns to the second orientation state caused by the elastic deformation when the electric field is subsequently released; and the continuous orientation change that occurs in accordance with the strength of the electric field untwists the liquid crystal molecules that were twisted in the second direction in the second orientation state, achieving a substantially homogeneous orientation state.