Liquid crystal device providing tilt angle inclination angle and ps satisfying relationships at 55 degrees

Abstract

A liquid crystal device including: a pair of substrates and a chiral smectic liquid crystal disposed between the pair of substrates. Each of the pair of substrates has an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal. The pair of substrates is provided with respective uniaxial alignment axes extending in directions which are parallel to each other or intersect each other at a prescribed angle. The chiral smectic liquid crystal is placed in such an alignment state that the liquid crystal assumes at least two stable states and provides a pretilt angle .alpha. (degrees), a tilt angle H (degrees), an inclination angle .delta. (degrees) of the liquid crystal layer, and an apparent tilt angle .theta.a satisfying the following relationships (I) and (II) in a temperature range of 10.degree.-55.degree. C.: H<.alpha.+.delta. and .delta.<.alpha. (I), and H>.theta.a>H/2 (II). The liquid crystal provides a tilt angle H (degrees), an inclination angle .delta. (degrees) of the liquid crystal layer, and a spontaneous polarization Ps (nC/cm.sup.2) satisfying the following relationships (III) and (IV) at 55.degree. C.: H.times..delta.>70 (III), and H.times..delta./Ps>20 (IV).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.