Liquid-crystal lens

Abstract

A LC lens and a liquid-crystal medium used in said LC lens, wherein the medium contains one or more compounds of each of formulae I and II ##STR00001##

Claims

1. A liquid-crystal lens comprising an electrode on a substrate and a liquid-crystal medium, wherein the liquid-crystal medium comprises one or more compounds of formula I-1 present at a concentration of 12-18%, one or more compounds of formula I-2 present at a concentration of 3-7% and one or more compounds of formula I-3 present at a concentration of 25-45%, ##STR00210## in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 identically or differently, denote H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00211##  and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, Z.sup.1 denotes —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2— or a single bond, and L.sup.11, L.sup.12, L.sup.13 each, independently of one another, denote H or F; and 10% to 30% by weight of one or more compounds of formula IIZ ##STR00212## in which R.sup.2 denotes H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00213##  and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, X.sup.2 denotes F, Cl, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CN or NCS, L.sup.21 denotes H or F, L.sup.2 denotes H or alkyl having 1 to 6 C atoms, and m is 0 or 1; and one or more compounds of formula III ##STR00214## in which R.sup.31 and R.sup.32 identically or differently, denote alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is straight chain or alkyl having 3 to 20 C atoms, which is branched, which is non-substituted, mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl or CN, and in which one or more CH.sub.2 groups are optionally replaced, in each case independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C— in such a manner that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, ##STR00215## independently of each other, denote ##STR00216## Z.sup.31 and Z.sup.32 on each occurrence, identically or differently, denote —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CF.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —COO—, trans- —CH═CH—, trans- —CF═CF—, —CH.sub.2O—, —CF.sub.2O—, —C≡C— or a single bond, and p is 0, 1 or 2; and 1% to 10% by weight of one or more compounds of formula VI ##STR00217## in which ##STR00218## denotes ##STR00219## R.sup.6 denotes H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00220##  and in all of which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, X.sup.6 denotes CN, F, CF.sub.3 or OCF.sub.3 and Y.sup.61 and Y.sup.62 identically or differently, denote H, Cl or F; and wherein the medium has a birefringence of 0.24 or more, and a dielectric anisotropy of 5 to 15.

2. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the one or more compounds of formula III in the liquid-crystal medium is less than 30%.

3. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the medium comprises one or more compounds of formula III-3 ##STR00221## in which R.sup.31 and R.sup.32 identically or differently, denote alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is straight chain or alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is branched, which is non-substituted, mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl or CN, and in which one or more CH.sub.2 groups are optionally replaced, in each case independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C— in such a manner that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, ##STR00222## each, independently of each other, denote ##STR00223##  and Z.sup.31 denotes —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CF.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —COO—, trans-CH═CH—, trans-CF═CF—, —CH.sub.2O—, —CF.sub.2O—, —C≡C— or a single bond.

4. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-crystal medium has a clearing temperature of 100° C. or more.

5. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is patterned.

6. A liquid-crystal medium comprising one or more compounds of formula I-1, one or more compounds of formula I-2 and one or more compounds of formula I-3, wherein the compounds of formulae I-1, I-2 and I-3 are present collectively at 40% to 90, ##STR00224## in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 identically or differently, denote H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00225##  and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, Z.sup.1 denotes —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2— or a single bond, and L.sup.11, L.sup.12, L.sup.13 each, independently of one another, denote H or F; and 10% to 40% by weight of one or more compounds of formula IIZ ##STR00226## in which R.sup.2 denotes H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00227##  and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, X.sup.2 denotes F, Cl, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CN or NCS, L.sup.21 denotes H or F, L.sup.2 denotes H or alkyl having 1 to 6 C atoms, and m is 0 or 1; and one or more compounds of formula III ##STR00228## in which R.sup.31, R.sup.32 identically or differently, denote alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is straight chain or alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is branched, which is non-substituted, mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl or CN, and in which one or more CH.sub.2 groups are optionally replaced, in each case independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C— in such a manner that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, ##STR00229## independently of each other, denote ##STR00230## Z.sup.31 and Z.sup.32 on each occurrence, identically or differently, denote —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CF.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —COO—, trans-CH═CH—, trans-CF═CF—, —CH.sub.2O—, —CF.sub.2O—, —C≡C— or a single bond, and p is 0, 1 or 2; and/or 1% to 10% by weight of one or more compounds of formula VI ##STR00231## in which ##STR00232## denotes ##STR00233## R.sup.6 denotes H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00234##  and in all of which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, X.sup.6 denotes CN, F, CF.sub.3 or OCF.sub.3 and Y.sup.61, Y.sup.62 identically or differently, denote H, Cl or F; and wherein the medium has a birefringence of 0.24 or more, and a dielectric anisotropy of 5 to 15.

7. A process for the preparation of the liquid-crystal medium according to claim 6, comprising mixing one or more compounds of formula I-1, one or more compounds of formula I-2, one or more compounds of formula I-3, one or more compounds of formula IIZ, one or more compounds of formula III, and one or more compounds of formula VI with one or more further compounds and/or with one or more additives.

8. A TN display, STN display, PDLC display, phase modulator, camera, mobile phone camera, 3D LCD shutter glass, 3D display, LC lens, holographic projection system, LCoS spatial light modulator or component for high-frequency technology operable in the microwave range, comprising the liquid crystal medium according to claim 6.

9. An electro-optical device component comprising the one or more lenses according to claim 1.

10. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, further comprising one or more compounds of formula III ##STR00235## in which R.sup.31, R.sup.32 identically or differently, denote alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is straight chain or alkyl having 1 to 20 C atoms, which is branched, which is non-substituted, mono- or poly-substituted by F, Cl or CN, and in which one or more CH.sub.2 groups are optionally replaced, in each case independently from one another, by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCO—O—, —S—CO—, —CO—S—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C— in such a manner that O and/or S atoms are not linked directly to one another, ##STR00236## independently of each other, denote ##STR00237## Z.sup.31 and Z.sup.32 on each occurrence, identically or differently, denote —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CF.sub.2—, —CF.sub.2CH.sub.2—, —COO—, trans-CH═CH—, trans-CF═CF—, —CH.sub.2O—, —CF.sub.2O—, —C≡C— or a single bond, and p is 0, 1 or 2, and one or more compounds of formula VI ##STR00238## in which ##STR00239## denotes ##STR00240## R.sup.6 denotes H, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 C atoms, or alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 12 C atoms, in which one or more CH.sub.2-groups may be replaced by ##STR00241##  and in all of which one or more H atoms may be replaced by fluorine, X.sup.6 denotes CN, F, CF.sub.3 or OCF.sub.3, and Y.sup.61, Y.sup.62 identically or differently, denote H, Cl or F.

11. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, wherein, in formula IIZ, m is 1.

12. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, wherein, in formula IIZ, X.sup.2 denotes F, Cl, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3 or CN.

13. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, wherein the compound of formula IIZ is the following compound ##STR00242## wherein n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

14. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, wherein the compound of formula IIZ is present at 20% to 40% by weight.

15. The lens according to claim 1, wherein, in formula IIZ, m is 1.

16. The lens according to claim 1, wherein, in formula IIZ, X.sup.2 denotes F, Cl, CF.sub.3, OCF.sub.3 or CN.

17. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula IIZ is the following compound ##STR00243## wherein n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.

18. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula IIZ is present at 20% to 30% by weight.

19. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, which has a Δn of 0.24 to 0.40.

20. The liquid crystal medium according to claim 6, which has a Δn of 0.28 to 0.30.

21. A LC lens, comprising the liquid crystal medium according to claim 6.

22. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the medium has a dielectric anisotropy of 6 to 12.

Description

EXAMPLES

(1) The following examples illustrate the present invention without limiting it in any way. However, it becomes clear to the person skilled in the art from the physical properties what properties can be achieved and in what ranges they can be modified. In particular, the combination of the various properties which can preferably be achieved is thus well defined for the person skilled in the art.

(2) The nematic liquid-crystal mixtures C1, C2, and N1 to N12 are prepared as follows:

Comparative Example C1

(3) TABLE-US-00006 CEP-3-N  10.0% T.sub.(N,I) .Math. [° C.]: 74 CP-3-N  24.0% Δn (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 0.1383 CP-5-N  5.0% n.sub.e (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.6376 CP-3-O2  16.0% n.sub.o (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.4993 CP-3-OT  5.0% Δε (1 kHz, 20° C.): 7.5 CCEP-3-1  6.0% ε.sub.∥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 11.4 CCEP-3-2  5.0% ε.sub.⊥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 3.9 CCEP-3-3  5.0% γ.sub.1 [mPa .Math. s], (20° C.): 119 PTP-1-O2  6.0% K.sub.1 [pN], (20° C.): 12.7 PTP-2-O1  6.0% K.sub.3 [pN], (20° C.): 17.8 CPP-3-2  6.0% V.sub.0 [V], (20° C.): 1.40 CPP-5-2  6.0% Σ 100.0%

Comparative Example C2

(4) TABLE-US-00007 PUQU-3-F  15.0% T.sub.(N,I) .Math. [° C.]: 101 PGUQU-3-F  6.0% Δn (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 0.1889 CP-3-O2  18.0% n.sub.e (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.6969 CVCP-1V-O1  4.0% n.sub.o (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.5081 PP-1-2V1  6.0% Δε (1 kHz, 20° C.): 9.6 PGU-2-F  6.0% ε.sub.∥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 13.6 PGU-3-F  6.0% ε.sub.⊥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 4.0 PGIGI-3-F  12.0% γ.sub.1 [mPa .Math. s], (20° C.): 253 PGP-2-3  7.0% K.sub.1 [pN], (20° C.): 16.3 CPGP-5-2  6.0% K.sub.3 [pN], (20° C.): 17.9 CPGP-5-3  6.0% V.sub.0 [V], (20° C.): 1.38 CGPC-3-3  4.0% CGPC-5-3  4.0% Σ 100.0%

Mixture Example N1

(5) TABLE-US-00008 PZG-2-N  13.0% T.sub.(N,I) .Math. [° C.]: 114 PZG-3-N  7.0% Δn (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 0.2563 PZG-4-N  9.0% n.sub.e (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.7657 PZG-5-N  8.0% n.sub.o (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.5094 CP-3-O2  7.0% Δε (1 kHz, 20° C.): 10.6 CC-5-V  8.0% ε.sub.∥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 14.7 PTP-1-O2  8.0% ε.sub.⊥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 4.1 PTP-2-O1  8.0% γ.sub.1 [mPa .Math. s], (20° C.): 319 PPTUI-3-2  13.0% K.sub.1 [pN], (20° C.): 15.2 PPTUI-3-4  15.0% K.sub.3 [pN], (20° C.): 18.4 CCZPC-3-3  3.0% V.sub.0 [V], (20° C.): 1.27 CCZPC-3-4  4.0% Σ 100.0%

Mixture Example N2

(6) TABLE-US-00009 PZG-4-N  10.5% T.sub.(N,I) .Math. [° C.]: 104 CP-1V-N  5.0% Δn (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 0.2493 CP-3-O1  16.5% n.sub.e (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.7652 CCP-V-1  7.0% n.sub.o (589.3 nm, 20° C.) 1.5159 PTP-1-O2  4.5% Δε (1 kHz, 20° C.): 7.1 PTP-2-O1  4.5% ε.sub.∥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 11.0 PTP-3-O1  4.5% ε.sub.⊥ (1 kHz, 20° C.): 3.9 CPTP-3-O1  5.0% γ.sub.1 [mPa .Math. s], (20° C.): 245 PPTUI-3-2  20.0% PPTUI-3-4  20.0% CGPC-3-3  2.5% Σ 100.0%

(7) The media N3 to N12 are prepared from the medium N2 by addition of stabilisers selected from ST-16, ST-3a-1, ST-3b-1, and ST-8-1, in the amounts given in the table below.

(8) TABLE-US-00010 c(ST-16) ST-3a-1 ST-3b-1 ST-8-1 Mixture [%] [ppm] [ppm] [ppm] N3  0.5 - - N4  0.5 100 - - N5  - 300 - - N6  - 300 -  100 N7  - 300 -  500 N8  - 300 - 1000 N9  - - 300 - N10 - - 300  100 N11 - - 300  500 N12 - - 300 1000 06070809

(9) A LC zoom lens equipped with one of the media N1 to N12 has a shorter shortest focal length and a lower driving voltage than a zoom lens equipped with the medium C1 or C2.

(10) The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

(11) Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. From the description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

(12) The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding Chinese application No. CN 107125456, filed Jul. 24, 2018, are incorporated by reference herein.