A compound having a maximum absorption in a wavelength range of 350 nm to 550 nm that functions as a dichroic dye is provided. In particular, a compound represented by formula (1) is provided. In the compound of formula (1), R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or the like; Z represents —CO— or the like; and Y represents a group of formula (Y1). In the group of formula (Y1), * represents a bonding site with N, or a group of formula (Y2); and in the group of formula (Y2), * represents a bonding site with N; P.sup.1 and P.sup.2 each independently represent —S— or the like; and Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 each independently represent ═N— or the like.

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An apparatus for proving a dimmable reflection and having a layered structure comprises a curved reflective layer, a curved cover glass layer, and at least one liquid crystal film positioned between the curved reflective layer and the curved cover glass layer. Each of the at least one liquid crystal film may comprise a first substrate layer, a first conductive layer, a first alignment layer, a guest host liquid crystal layer, a second alignment layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate layer and may be operable in (1) a vertical state, in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction perpendicular to a plane, associated with a first reflectivity rate and (2) a planar state, in which the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a direction parallel to the plane, associated with a second overall reflectivity rate lower than the first reflectivity rate.

A variable transmission filter combines in optical series first and second guest-host liquid crystal devices arranged such that one of them is rotated 180° about its normal axis with respect to the other one. The reverse arrangement of the liquid crystal directors of the first and second guest-host liquid crystal devices improves the viewing angle range of the variable transmission filter but, without compensation, introduces a diminution of contrast ratio. A polarization state-changing device positioned between the first and second guest-host liquid crystal devices changes the polarization states of light exiting the first guest-host_liquid crystal device such that transmittance of light in first and second orthogonal polarization states incident on the first guest-host liquid crystal device responds to electric fields applied to the first and second liquid crystal devices and thereby counteracts the diminution of contrast ratio while maintaining the improved viewing angle range.

The present invention provides a color liquid crystal display panel, which includes: a plurality of mutually parallel layers of liquid crystal cells (2) and bonding members (8) bonding the plurality of layers of liquid crystal cells (2). Each of the liquid crystal cells (2) includes a thin-film transistor substrate (20), a package substrate (30), and a dye-liquid crystal layer (40) sealed between the thin-film transistor substrate (20) and the package substrate (30). The dye-liquid crystal layer (40) includes a liquid crystal material and a dichroic dye. The dichroic dye of each of the liquid crystal cells (2) absorbs light of a predetermined range of wavelength. The plurality of layers of liquid crystal cells (2) respectively absorbs lights of different ranges of wavelength. The present invention includes a dichroic dye combined in a liquid crystal material in order to use the dichroic dye to absorb light of some colors thereby achieving color displaying without using a conventionally used polarizer and manufacture of a color filter substrate, so that the manufacture cost of and the requirement for backlighting brightness by the liquid crystal display panel can both be reduced.

There are provided a light control apparatus, a method for manufacturing the light control apparatus, and a display apparatus including the light control apparatus. The light control apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a plurality of liquid crystal units between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the plurality of liquid crystal units includes a first liquid crystal unit having a droplet including a liquid crystal and a polymer and configured as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and a second liquid crystal unit which is disposed on or under the first liquid crystal unit and configured as a guest-host liquid crystal (GHLC) including a liquid crystal and a coloring member.

There are provided a light control device, a method for manufacturing the light control device, and a display device comprising the light control device. The light control device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a plurality of liquid crystal units between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the plurality of liquid crystal units includes a first liquid crystal unit including a droplet including a first liquid crystal and a polymer and a second liquid crystal unit which is disposed on or under the first liquid crystal unit and configured as a polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC) including a second liquid crystal, a coloring member, and a network.

A privacy display comprises a spatial light modulator and a compensated switchable guest-host liquid crystal retarder arranged between first and second polarisers arranged in series with the spatial light modulator. In a privacy mode of operation, on-axis light from the spatial light modulator is directed without loss, whereas off-axis light has reduced luminance. The visibility of the display to off-axis snoopers is reduced by means of luminance reduction over a wide polar field. In a wide angle mode of operation, the switchable liquid crystal retardance is adjusted so that off-axis luminance is substantially unmodified.

A reflective display apparatus includes three liquid crystal modules stacked in sequence for an incident light to enter from top to bottom sequentially. Each liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between two substrates. A switchable electric field and a vertical alignment force are provided by the two substrates to the liquid crystal layer. The three liquid crystal modules are respectively: a blue light liquid crystal module located at a top layer, a green light liquid crystal module located in a middle layer and having the liquid crystal layer doped with a dichroic dye for absorbing a light within a blue light wavelength range, and a red light liquid crystal module located at a bottom layer and having the liquid crystal layer doped with a dichroic dye for absorbing a light within a green light wavelength range. A method for controlling the reflective display apparatus is also disclosed.

Light-control panels including layered optical components are described in this application. An example of a light-control panel includes first, second, and third glazing layers, first and second switchable components extending between the first and second glazing layers, and a third switchable component extending between the second and third glazing layers. The switchable components include a polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal (PDLC) device having a clear state and a hazy state, a guest-host liquid-crystal (GHLC) device having a clear state and a tinted state, and a light-guide device having a clear state and a bright state.

Described herein are liquid crystal (LC) assemblies that are dimmable and techniques for manufacturing LC assemblies. In some embodiments, an LC assembly includes a Guest-Host (GH) liquid crystal layer containing nematic liquid crystals, dye molecules, and a chiral dopant. The GH liquid crystal layer is located between a pair of substrates. The LC assembly is a film assembly, with each of the substrates including a flexible film and a conductive layer formed on the flexible film. The substrates are separated by spacers that define a cell gap. The GH liquid crystal layer is configured to transition the LC assembly between darkened and lightened states depending on the voltage across the conductive layers. The flexible films allow the LC assembly to conform to the surface of a window or other rigid surface to which the LC assembly is attached. The LC assembly can be attached via a liquid or film-based adhesive.