Liquid crystal composition containing polymerizable liquid crystal compound with reverse wavelength dispersion and one additive-monomer-A and additive-monomer-B, wherein: liquid crystal compound includes (in molecule), a main chain mesogen and side chain mesogen, optical axis of the main chain mesogen and optical axis of the side chain mesogen in different directions when compound is uniformly oriented, reversing wavelength dispersion property of birefringence; when the additive-monomer is in liquid crystal compound, the additive-monomer-A satisfies Expression(i); the additive-monomer-B satisfies Expression(ii) within wavelength range =380 nm-780 nm: ne>nea and no<noa Expression(i), ne<neb and no>nob Expression(ii) (ne is a refractive index of liquid crystal compound in slow-axis-direction, no is a refractive index of liquid crystal compound in fast-axis-direction, nea and noa are refractive indices of the additive-monomer-A in ne and no direction when dispersed in liquid crystal compound, neb and neo are refractive indices of additive-monomer-B in ne and no direction when dispersed in liquid crystal compound).

Liquid crystal composition containing polymerizable liquid crystal compound with reverse wavelength dispersion and one additive-monomer-A and additive-monomer-B, wherein: liquid crystal compound includes (in molecule), a main chain mesogen and side chain mesogen, optical axis of the main chain mesogen and optical axis of the side chain mesogen in different directions when compound is uniformly oriented, reversing wavelength dispersion property of birefringence; when the additive-monomer is in liquid crystal compound, the additive-monomer-A satisfies Expression(i); the additive-monomer-B satisfies Expression(ii) within wavelength range =380 nm-780 nm: ne>nea and no<noa Expression(i), ne<neb and no>nob Expression(ii) (ne is a refractive index of liquid crystal compound in slow-axis-direction, no is a refractive index of liquid crystal compound in fast-axis-direction, nea and noa are refractive indices of the additive-monomer-A in ne and no direction when dispersed in liquid crystal compound, neb and neo are refractive indices of additive-monomer-B in ne and no direction when dispersed in liquid crystal compound).

An optical film includes a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals and organic solid crystal structures at least partially surrounding the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals. A method of making the optical film includes obtaining a substrate with an alignment layer and a film of a first solution on the alignment layer. The first solution includes liquid crystals and organic crystal molecules. The liquid crystals form a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals on the alignment layer. The method also includes forming organic solid crystal structures by crystallizing the organic crystal molecules. The organic solid crystal structures at least partially surround the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals.

An optical film includes a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals and organic solid crystal structures at least partially surrounding the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals. A method of making the optical film includes obtaining a substrate with an alignment layer and a film of a first solution on the alignment layer. The first solution includes liquid crystals and organic crystal molecules. The liquid crystals form a plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals on the alignment layer. The method also includes forming organic solid crystal structures by crystallizing the organic crystal molecules. The organic solid crystal structures at least partially surround the plurality of helically arranged liquid crystals.

A compound capable of providing a liquid crystal composition with high T.sub.ni, large n, low V.sub.th, large .sub.r, small tan .sub.iso, and satisfactory storability at low temperatures, and a liquid crystal composition, as well as a liquid crystal display element, a sensor, a liquid crystal lens, an optical communication device, and an antenna using the liquid crystal composition. Specifically, a compound represented by general formula (i) having an alkynyl group and an isothiocyanate group (NCS) and a liquid crystal composition containing one or two or more of such compounds.

A light absorption anisotropic layer which has high contrast and can suppress hue change of an image reflected by surroundings relative to an original image when used in a viewing angle control system, an optical film using the light absorption anisotropic layer, a viewing angle control system, and an image display device. The light absorption anisotropic layer is formed of a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystalline compound, a dichroic substance, and an alignment agent. The liquid crystalline compound is in a liquid crystal state of a smectic phase, a content of the dichroic substance is 5.0% by mass or more with respect to a total solid content mass of the liquid crystal composition, and an angle between a transmittance central axis of the light absorption anisotropic layer and a normal direction of a surface of the light absorption anisotropic layer is between 0 and 45.

A light absorption anisotropic layer which has high contrast and can suppress hue change of an image reflected by surroundings relative to an original image when used in a viewing angle control system, an optical film using the light absorption anisotropic layer, a viewing angle control system, and an image display device. The light absorption anisotropic layer is formed of a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystalline compound, a dichroic substance, and an alignment agent. The liquid crystalline compound is in a liquid crystal state of a smectic phase, a content of the dichroic substance is 5.0% by mass or more with respect to a total solid content mass of the liquid crystal composition, and an angle between a transmittance central axis of the light absorption anisotropic layer and a normal direction of a surface of the light absorption anisotropic layer is between 0 and 45.