Electrophoretic displays with an electrophoretic medium having charged pigmented microparticles are disclosed. The microparticles are charged linking molecules polymerized with chromophores of various colors so that microparticles in a variety of colors may be produced. Methods for producing the microparticles and using the microparticles in an electrophoretic display are also disclosed. Such microparticles may be provided separately, or kits may be provided for producing the microparticles.

Electrophoretic displays with an electrophoretic medium having charged pigmented microparticles are disclosed. The microparticles are charged linking molecules polymerized with chromophores of various colors so that microparticles in a variety of colors may be produced. Methods for producing the microparticles and using the microparticles in an electrophoretic display are also disclosed. Such microparticles may be provided separately, or kits may be provided for producing the microparticles.

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.

##STR00001##

Electrowetting element including a compound comprising a plurality of colorant moieties and a linker. The plurality of colorant moieties includes a first colorant moiety having a first net dipole and a second colorant moiety having a second net dipole. The plurality of colorant moieties are linked by and disposed around the linker so that the first net dipole and the second net dipole at least partially cancel each other.

Electrowetting element including a compound comprising a plurality of colorant moieties and a linker. The plurality of colorant moieties includes a first colorant moiety having a first net dipole and a second colorant moiety having a second net dipole. The plurality of colorant moieties are linked by and disposed around the linker so that the first net dipole and the second net dipole at least partially cancel each other.

A coloring composition containing one or more species of compounds represented by Formula (I) or Formula (II) below, wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or substituent, each of Ar.sub.1 to Ar.sub.8 independently represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and each of L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 independently represents a divalent linking group which interrupts ? electron conjugated system: ##STR00001##

A coloring composition containing one or more species of compounds represented by Formula (I) or Formula (II) below, wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or substituent, each of Ar.sub.1 to Ar.sub.8 independently represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or optionally substituted heterocyclic group, and each of L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 independently represents a divalent linking group which interrupts ? electron conjugated system: ##STR00001##

A polarizer contains, in a base thereof, at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof (as compound A), and at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (2-I), (2-II), (3), (4-I), (4-II), (5-I) or (5-II), or a salt thereof (as compound B).

A polarizer contains, in a base thereof, at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof (as compound A), and at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (2-I), (2-II), (3), (4-I), (4-II), (5-I) or (5-II), or a salt thereof (as compound B).

A polarizer contains, in a base thereof, at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (1) or a salt thereof (as compound A), and at least one of an azo compound represented by Formula (2-I), (2-II), (3), (4-I), (4-II), (5-I) or (5-II), or a salt thereof (as compound B).