This invention relates to polymer particles, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, electrophoretic displays comprising such particle, and new polymerizable dyes.

This invention relates to polymer particles, a process for their preparation, the use of these particles for the preparation of an electrophoretic device, electrophoretic displays comprising such particle, and new polymerizable dyes.

Electrowetting apparatus including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00001##
wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently an alkyl group. In examples a fluid includes a dye compound selected from: ##STR00002##

Electrowetting apparatus including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00001##
wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently an alkyl group. In examples a fluid includes a dye compound selected from: ##STR00002##

The present invention provides a novel azo compound having a quenching ability for the material that exhibits a luminescent phenomenon at an excited energy level, a quencher comprising the novel azo compound, a use of the quencher and a method for preparing the azo compound. The quencher according to the present invention may exhibit excellent characteristics in a wavelength absorption region.

The present invention provides a novel azo compound having a quenching ability for the material that exhibits a luminescent phenomenon at an excited energy level, a quencher comprising the novel azo compound, a use of the quencher and a method for preparing the azo compound. The quencher according to the present invention may exhibit excellent characteristics in a wavelength absorption region.

An object of the invention is to provide a coloring composition with which a light absorption anisotropic film maintaining an excellent dichroic ratio and having good pressing resistance can be formed, and a light absorption anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device using the coloring composition. A coloring composition according to the invention contains: a polymer compound having a repeating unit including a crosslinkable group and a mesogenic group in the same side chain, or a polymer compound separately having a repeating unit including a crosslinkable group in a side chain and a repeating unit including a mesogenic group in a side chain; and a dichroic dye compound.

An object of the invention is to provide a coloring composition with which a light absorption anisotropic film maintaining an excellent dichroic ratio and having good pressing resistance can be formed, and a light absorption anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device using the coloring composition. A coloring composition according to the invention contains: a polymer compound having a repeating unit including a crosslinkable group and a mesogenic group in the same side chain, or a polymer compound separately having a repeating unit including a crosslinkable group in a side chain and a repeating unit including a mesogenic group in a side chain; and a dichroic dye compound.

An object of the invention is to provide a dichroic dye compound which maintains an excellent degree of polarization in a case of being used in a polarizing element and has satisfactory solubility; a dichroic dye composition; a light-absorbing anisotropic film; a polarizing element; and an image display device. The dichroic dye compound of the invention is a dichroic dye compound having a structure represented by Formula (I).

##STR00001##

In Formula (I), L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 each independently represent a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent or a heteroatom; E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 each independently represent O(C?O) or (C?O)O; G represents a branched monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group; n, m, p, q, and r each independently represent 0 or 1; and the sum of m, q, and r represents 2 or 3, provided that in a case in which the sum of m and q is 2, G represents a linear or branched monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

An object of the invention is to provide a dichroic dye compound which maintains an excellent degree of polarization in a case of being used in a polarizing element and has satisfactory solubility; a dichroic dye composition; a light-absorbing anisotropic film; a polarizing element; and an image display device. The dichroic dye compound of the invention is a dichroic dye compound having a structure represented by Formula (I).

##STR00001##

In Formula (I), L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 each independently represent a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent or a heteroatom; E.sup.1 and E.sup.2 each independently represent O(C?O) or (C?O)O; G represents a branched monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group; n, m, p, q, and r each independently represent 0 or 1; and the sum of m, q, and r represents 2 or 3, provided that in a case in which the sum of m and q is 2, G represents a linear or branched monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group.