Patent ID: 6930750
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: C09K,G02F

Abstract:
1. A liquid crystal optical element comprising: two substrates; a liquid crystal layer, which is provided between the two substrates and which includes liquid crystal molecules and dichroic dye molecules; and at least two electrodes, which are provided on the two substrates, respectively, so as to face each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed between them and which define one of a plurality of unit regions, wherein in each of the unit regions, the liquid crystal layer includes a first liquid crystal region and a second liquid crystal region within a range, which is approximately half or less as long as the wavelength of visible radiation as measured in a direction that is parallel to the surfaces of the two substrates, the orientation directions of each pair of liquid crystal molecules in the first and second liquid crystal regions having azimuthal directions that define an angle of approximately 90 degrees while no voltage is being applied between the electrodes.