Provided is a composition which can be used for formation of an optical film having high quality and a high dichroic ratio even after the composition is stored for a predetermined period of time. The composition includes a compound represented by the general formula (A) and a compound represented by the general formula (B), wherein R.sup.1a in the general formula (A) and R.sup.1b in the general formula (B) are mutually different groups.

R.sup.1a—Ar.sup.1a—N═N—Ar.sup.2a—N═N—Ar.sup.3a—R.sup.10a   (A)

R.sup.1b—Ar.sup.1b—N═N—Ar.sup.2b—N═N—Ar.sup.3b—R.sup.10a   (B)

The liquid crystal composition has the nematic phase and contains a specific compound having large positive dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having small viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having large positive dielectric anisotropy as a third component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or large positive dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, or a specific compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a fifth component, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.

Shown is a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as high maximum temperature, low minimum temperature, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large dielectric anisotropy and small frequency dependence, or has a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics, and an AM device including the composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having large positive dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having small viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a third component, a specific compound having positive dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component or a specific compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a fifth component.

Shown is a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature, a low minimum temperature, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, or has a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics, and an AM device including the composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having small viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a third component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a fourth component or a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive component.

Shown is a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature, a low minimum temperature, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, or has a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics, and an AM device including the composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component, and a specific compound having small viscosity as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having negative dielectric anisotropy as a third component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a fourth component or a specific compound having a polymerizable group as an additive component.

A component for high-frequency technology or for the microwave range and millimeter wave range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The component contains a liquid-crystal compound of the formula I ##STR00001##
in which the parameters have the respective meanings given in the claims or in the text, or a liquid-crystal medium which itself comprises one or more compounds of this formula I. Also, the corresponding, novel liquid-crystal media, the use and preparation thereof, and the production and use of the components. The components are particularly suitable as phase shifters in the microwave and millimeter wave range, for microwave and millimeter wave array antennae and very particularly for so-called tuneable reflectarrays.

A component for high-frequency technology or for the microwave range and millimeter wave range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The component contains a liquid-crystal compound of the formula I ##STR00001##
in which the parameters have the respective meanings given in the claims or in the text, or a liquid-crystal medium which itself comprises one or more compounds of this formula I. Also, the corresponding, novel liquid-crystal media, the use and preparation thereof, and the production and use of the components. The components are particularly suitable as phase shifters in the microwave and millimeter wave range, for microwave and millimeter wave array antennae and very particularly for so-called tuneable reflectarrays.

Provided are liquid crystal compounds and mixtures incorporating the same. The liquid crystal compounds of the invention generally comprise a cyclopentane group and at least two other rings. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal compounds of the invention comprise a cyclopentane group and at least two other rings, one of which is a fused ring system.

Provided are liquid crystal compounds and mixtures incorporating the same. The liquid crystal compounds of the invention generally comprise a cyclopentane group and at least two other rings. In one embodiment, the liquid crystal compounds of the invention comprise a cyclopentane group and at least two other rings, one of which is a fused ring system.

The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more compounds of formula DFS ##STR00001##
in which the groups and parameters occurring have the meanings indicated in claim 1, to high-frequency components comprising same, especially microwave components for high-frequency devices, such as devices for shifting the phase of microwaves, in particular for microwave phased-array antennas. The present invention further relates to novel mesogenic compounds.