Aligned liquid crystal layer containing azolium salts and process for increasing the tilt

A multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned, fixed liquid crystal layer wherein the aligned liquid crystal layer contains an azolium salt represented by formula (I):

• wherein
• the subscripts for X2and X4 and for Z3and Z5 represent the ring positions with N being the “1” position, and each X2and X4 is independently N or C—R;
• each Z3and Z5 is independently N, N—R, C—(R)(R), O, S, SO2, SO, C═O, C═S, or C═NR;
• each R group including R1 bonded to the N at the “1” position is independently hydrogen or a substituent;
• and
• Y is a charge balancing anion, which may be a separate moiety or part of X2, Z3, X4, Z5, or R1;
• provided two or more X2, Z3, X4, Z5, or R1 groups optionally form a phenyl, naphthyl, pyrizinyl, pyridyl, quinolinyl, cyclohexenyl, oxazolyl, or pyrazolyl ring;
• provided the salt may be part of an oligomer or polymer.