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.

According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element includes a transparent substrate including a main surface, an alignment film disposed on the main surface, and a liquid crystal layer overlapping the alignment film and including a cholesteric liquid crystal including liquid crystal molecules stacked helically and an additive exhibiting a liquid crystalline property. In the liquid crystal layer, a reflective surface along which alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules are identical is inclined with respect to the main surface.

According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element includes a transparent substrate including a main surface, an alignment film disposed on the main surface, and a liquid crystal layer overlapping the alignment film and including a cholesteric liquid crystal including liquid crystal molecules stacked helically and an additive exhibiting a liquid crystalline property. In the liquid crystal layer, a reflective surface along which alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules are identical is inclined with respect to the main surface.

A lasing device includes an active layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal material and a laser dye, and a liquid crystal cell including spaced apart substrates defining a cell gap in which the active layer is disposed. The substrates include electrodes arranged to bias the active layer into an oblique helicoidal (Ch.sub.OH) state. At least one substrate of the liquid crystal cell is optically transparent for a lasing wavelength range of the device.

A lasing device includes an active layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal material and a laser dye, and a liquid crystal cell including spaced apart substrates defining a cell gap in which the active layer is disposed. The substrates include electrodes arranged to bias the active layer into an oblique helicoidal (Ch.sub.OH) state. At least one substrate of the liquid crystal cell is optically transparent for a lasing wavelength range of the device.

A composite pigment includes first and second cholesteric liquid crystal pigments. The first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment has a center wavelength of a selective reflection band within a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less and a selective reflection bandwidth of 150 nm or less. The second cholesteric liquid crystal pigment has a selective reflection bandwidth of 200 nm or more within a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less. The selective reflection band of the first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment and a selective reflection band of the second cholesteric liquid crystal pigment at least partially overlap with each other. A containing amount of the first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment relative to a total amount of the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal pigments is more than 30% by weight and 80% by weight or less.

A composite pigment includes first and second cholesteric liquid crystal pigments. The first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment has a center wavelength of a selective reflection band within a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less and a selective reflection bandwidth of 150 nm or less. The second cholesteric liquid crystal pigment has a selective reflection bandwidth of 200 nm or more within a wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 800 nm or less. The selective reflection band of the first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment and a selective reflection band of the second cholesteric liquid crystal pigment at least partially overlap with each other. A containing amount of the first cholesteric liquid crystal pigment relative to a total amount of the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal pigments is more than 30% by weight and 80% by weight or less.

The present invention provides thermochromic liquid crystal inks and coatings. The ink and coating compositions comprise one or more non-encapsulated cholesteryl materials, one or more resins that are not cholesteryl materials, and one or more solvents. In certain embodiments, a thermochromic effect is observed at about body temperature.

The present invention provides thermochromic liquid crystal inks and coatings. The ink and coating compositions comprise one or more non-encapsulated cholesteryl materials, one or more resins that are not cholesteryl materials, and one or more solvents. In certain embodiments, a thermochromic effect is observed at about body temperature.