Liquid crystal device

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid crystal device comprising at least two opposing transparent substrates, and at least one liquid crystal switching layer sandwiched between the opposing substrates, the liquid crystal switching layer comprising one or more polymerized photoreactive mesonic crystals of formula I, R 11 -Sp 11 -X 11 [-A-Z] o -A 11 -CY 11 =CY 12 [-C=O] x [-O] y -A[-Z-A] p -X 21 -Sp 21 -R 21 I in which R 11 R 21 A 11 A, Z, X 11 X 21 Y 11 Y 12 Sp 11 Sp 21 The terms o, p, x, and y have one of the meanings given in this invention, and one or more nematic compounds provide an electrode structure on one or both of opposing substrates, wherein one or more of said substrates are further provided with a grating or lens structure adjacent to the LC switching layer. This invention further relates to a method of producing the liquid crystal device, to the use of the liquid crystal device in various types of optical and electro-optic devices, and to electro-optic devices comprising the liquid crystal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid crystal device comprising at least two opposing transparent substrates and at least one liquid crystal switching layer sandwiched between the opposing substrates, the liquid crystal switching layer comprising one or more polymerized photoreactive mesonic crystals of formula I.

[0002] R 11 -Sp 11 -X 11 [-AZ] o -A 11 -CY 11 =CY 12 [-C=O] x [-O] y -A[-ZA] p -X 21 -Sp 21 -R 21 I

[0003] Where R 11 R 21 A 11 A, Z, X 11 X 21 Y 11 Y 12 Sp 11 Sp 21 o, p, x and y have one of the meanings given in this invention, and one or more nematic compounds, providing an electrode structure on one or both of opposing substrates, characterized in that one or more of the substrates correspond to a grating or lens structure or the substrates are additionally provided with a grating or lens structure adjacent to the LC switching layer.

[0004] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal device, to the use of the liquid crystal device in various types of optical and electro-optic devices, and to electro-optic devices comprising the liquid crystal device.

[0005] Background and Existing Technology

[0006] Precise positioning of laser beams or rays is crucial for practical applications such as optical detection and ranging (LiDAR), displays, microscopes, optical tweezers, and laser micromachining. For example, as a key application enabling beam steering technology, LiDAR can map landscapes in three-dimensional (3D) space and serve as a technology enabling space station navigation, telescope docking, and autonomous vehicles, drones, and underwater vehicles. Numerous beam steering methods have been proven to date.

[0007] Generally, they can be divided into two groups: mechanical and non-mechanical beam control. Mechanical methods include scanning / rotating mirrors, rotating prisms, piezoelectric actuators, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. On the other hand, to name just a few, non-mechanical options include acousto-optic and electro-optic deflectors, electrowetting, and liquid crystal (LC) technology.

[0008] While traditional mechanical beam steering devices are quite robust, several technical challenges remain, such as relatively short lifespan, heavy weight, high power consumption, and high cost. In contrast, recently developed mechanical and non-mechanical beam steering systems promise to address these drawbacks. As strong candidates, LC-based beam steering systems offer the potential for lightweight, compact design, low power consumption, and low cost.

[0009] LC (Lithium-Carbon Diode) is a self-assembling soft material composed of certain anisotropic molecules with an orientational order. These molecules can respond to various external stimuli, including heat, electric and magnetic fields, and light. For example, in the presence of an electric field, the LC director can be reoriented due to both the optical and dielectric anisotropy of the LC molecules, resulting in refractive index modulation (birefringence). Using this simple principle, LC spatial light modulators (SLMs), also known as LC optical phased arrays (OPAs), can be constructed by pixelating such refractive index modulators in a two-dimensional (2D) array. Although LC-based OPAs were developed more than thirty years ago, their development continues. Meanwhile, other LC-based beam steering mechanisms, such as compound prisms, resistive electrodes, LC cladding waveguides, Pancharatnam-Berry phase deflectors, and LC volumetric gratings, have emerged, demonstrating significant potential for new applications.

[0010] Liquid crystal-based beam steering or beam focusing devices are described, for example, in US 2002 / 003601A1, US 2007 / 0182915 A1 or US 2019 / 0318706 A1.

[0011] In detail, US 2002 / 003601 A1 discloses an electrically operated beam steering system that includes a grating and a liquid crystal material.

[0012] US 2007 / 0182915 A1 discloses a liquid crystal diffractive lens element and an optical head device that can switch the focal length of the outgoing light and the returning light by a single element.

[0013] US 2019 / 0318706 A1 discloses a display device including an electronic display having a pixel array configured to display a sequence of subframes, and an image-shifting electro-optic device operable to shift at least a portion of an image of the display pixel array synchronized with the display of the subframe sequence to form an offset subframe image sequence for providing enhanced image resolution and pixel correction in composite images. The image-shifting electro-optic device may include a polarization switch connected in series with a polarization grating for shifting image pixels between offset image positions coordinated with the display of consecutive subframes.

[0014] The beam steering or beam focusing devices described above all require an alignment layer (e.g., polyimide) to first align the liquid crystal in the desired orientation.

[0015] The effort required to produce the polyimide layer, process that layer, and improve it with bumps or polymer layers is relatively large. Therefore, a simplified technique is desired that reduces production costs on the one hand, and helps to optimize image quality (viewing angle dependence, contrast, response time) on the other.

[0016] Rubbed polyimide has long been used in the alignment of liquid crystals. The rubbing process leads to several problems: mura, contamination, electrostatic discharge issues, debris, etc.

[0017] In addition, polyimide layers are typically annealed at higher temperatures, and therefore, not all substrate materials or substrate stacks are suitable due to their sensitivity to higher temperatures.

[0018] On the other hand, when the surface features of the substrate are too deep or the degree of structure is too high, traditional alignment methods, such as rubbing polyimide layers, cannot provide suitable alignment.

[0019] Photoalignment is a technique for achieving liquid crystal (LC) alignment, which avoids friction by replacing it with photo-induced orientation ordering of the alignment surface. This can be achieved by means of polarized light through mechanisms of photolysis, photodimerization, and photoisomerization (NAClark et al., Langmuir 2010, 26(22), 17482-17488, and references cited therein). However, a suitably derived polyimide layer containing photoreactive groups is still required. In addition, a substrate with uniform surface anchoring energy and / or uniform surface is required in terms of potential embossing and / or surface treatment. Therefore, another improvement would be to completely avoid the use of polyimide.

[0020] For VA displays, this is achieved by adding a self-aligning agent to the LC, which induces vertical alignment in situ through a self-assembly mechanism disclosed in WO2012 / 104008 and WO 2012 / 038026.

[0021] For planar alignment display modes, particularly for FFS or IPS modes, this is achieved by adding photoreactive messicles that can photoalign the liquid crystal mixture in situ, i.e., after the display is assembled, by means of linearly polarized light, as disclosed, for example, in WO2019 / 206791. However, only substrates with uniform surface anchoring energy and / or uniform surface in terms of potential embossing and / or surface treatment are described.

[0022] In contrast to display applications, beam steering or beam focusing devices typically utilize structured or non-uniform substrates, such as grating or lens structures or even plastic substrates that are incompatible with the baking process of polyimide (PI) layers.

[0023] Therefore, there is an urgent need for beam steering or beam focusing devices that do not require additional alignment layers or PI processing of a single substrate and thus rely on flat surfaces.

[0024] Surprisingly, the inventors have discovered that one or more of the objectives mentioned above can be achieved by providing a liquid crystal device comprising at least two opposing transparent substrates, at least one liquid crystal switching layer sandwiched between the opposing substrates, the liquid crystal switching layer comprising one or more polymerized photoreactive mesolecs and one or more nematic compounds, and an electrode structure provided on one or both of the opposing substrates, characterized in that one or more of the substrates correspond to a grating or lens structure, or the substrates are additionally provided with a grating or lens structure adjacent to the LC switching layer.

[0025] Other objects of the invention will immediately become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

[0026] Terms and Definitions

[0027] According to the present invention, the photoreactive group is a functional group of a molecule whose molecular geometry is altered by bond rotation, skeletal rearrangement, atom transfer, or group transfer, or by dimerization after irradiation with light of a suitable wavelength that can be absorbed by the molecule.

[0028] As used herein, the term "mesocrystalline group" is known to those skilled in the art and described in the literature, and it refers to a group that substantially contributes to the formation of a liquid crystal (LC) phase in a low molecular weight or polymeric substance due to the anisotropy of its attractive and repulsive interactions. A compound containing a mesocrystalline group (mesocrystalline compound) does not necessarily have an LC phase by itself. Mesocrystalline compounds may also exhibit LC phase behavior only after being mixed with other compounds and / or after polymerization. Typical mesocrystalline groups are, for example, rigid rod-shaped or disk-shaped units. Terms and definitions used in connection with mesocrystalline or LC compounds are given in Pure Appl. Chem. 2001, 73(5), 888 and C. Tschierske, G. Pelzl, S. Diele, Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 6340-6368.

[0029] The photoreactive mesocrystalline compound according to the present invention is a mesocrystalline compound containing one or more photoreactive groups.

[0030] Examples of photoreactive groups are -C=C- double bonds and azo groups (-N=N-).

[0031] Examples of molecular structures and substructures containing this photoreactive group include stilbene, (1,2-difluoro-2-phenyl-vinyl)benzene, cinnamate, 4-phenylbut-3-en-2-one, chalcone, coumarin, chromone, pentalenone, and azobenzene.

[0032] According to this application, the term "linearly polarized light" refers to light that is at least partially linearly polarized. Preferably, the aligned light is linearly polarized with a polarization ratio greater than 5:1. The wavelength, intensity, and energy of the linearly polarized light are selected based on the photosensitivity of the light-alignable material. Typically, the wavelength is in the UV-A, UV-B, and / or UV-C range or in the visible light range. Preferably, the linearly polarized light comprises light with wavelengths less than 450 nm, more preferably less than 420 nm, and preferably also includes light with wavelengths longer than 280 nm, more preferably greater than 320 nm, and more preferably greater than 350 nm.

[0033] The term "organic group" refers to a carbon-based or hydrocarbon-based group.

[0034] The term "carbogroup" refers to a monovalent or polyvalent organic group containing at least one carbon atom, wherein it contains no other atoms (such as -C≡C-) or optionally contains one or more other atoms, such as N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te, or Ge (e.g., carbonyl). The term "hydrocarbonyl" refers to a carbogroup that additionally contains one or more H atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms (such as N, O, S, P, Si, Se, As, Te, or Ge).

[0035] "Halogen" indicates F, Cl, Br or I.

[0036] The carbon or hydrocarbon group can be saturated or unsaturated. Unsaturated groups are, for example, aryl, alkenyl, or alkynyl. The carbon or hydrocarbon group having three or more atoms can be straight-chain, branched, and / or cyclic, and may also contain helical bonds or fused rings.

[0037] The terms "alkyl", "aryl", and "heteroaryl" also encompass polyvalent groups, such as alkylene, arylene, and heteroarylene.

[0038] The term "aryl" refers to an aromatic carbonyl group or a group derived therefrom. The term "heteroaryl" refers to an "aryl" group as defined above that contains one or more heteroatoms.

[0039] The preferred carbonyl and hydrocarbon groups are optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkyl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, alkyl carbonyl, and alkoxy carbonyloxy groups having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, and particularly preferably 1 to 18 C atoms; optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy groups having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25 C atoms; or optionally substituted alkylaryl, aralkyl, alkylaryloxy, arylalkoxy, arylcarbonyl, aryloxy carbonyl, aryl carbonyloxy, and aryloxy carbonyloxy groups having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 25 C atoms.

[0040] Further preferred carbon-based and hydrocarbon-based groups are C1-C. 40 Alkyl, C2-C 40 alkenyl, C2-C 40 alkynyl group, C3-C 40 Allyl, C4-C 40 Alkyl diene group, C4-C 40 Polyene, C6-C 40 Aryl, C6-C 40 Alkyl aryl, C6-C 40 Aryl group, C6-C 40 Alkyl aryloxy, C6-C 40 arylalkoxy, C2-C 40 heteroaryl, C4-C 40 cycloalkyl, C4-C 40 Cycloalkenyl groups, etc. Preferably C1-C. 22 Alkyl, C2-C 22 alkenyl, C2-C 22 alkynyl group, C3-C 22 Allyl, C4-C 22 Alkyl diene group, C6-C 12 Aryl, C6-C 20 Araneyl and C2-C 20 Mixed aromatic compounds.

[0041] Other preferred carbonyl and hydrocarbon groups are straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 40, preferably 1 to 25, carbon atoms, which are unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted with F, Cl, Br, I, or CN, and one or more of the non-adjacent CH2 groups can be independently coupled to each other in such a manner that the O and / or S atoms are not directly connected to each other via -C(R z )=C(R z )-、-C≡C-、-N(R z )-, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- substitution.

[0042] R z Preferably, it represents H, halogen, or a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl chain having 1 to 25 C atoms. Additionally, one or more non-adjacent C atoms may be substituted with -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, or -O-CO-O-, and one or more H atoms may be substituted with fluorine, an optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy group having 6 to 40 C atoms, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy group having 2 to 40 C atoms.

[0043] Preferred alkyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-methylbutyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, cyclopentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-heptyl, cycloheptyl, n-octyl, cyclooctyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, trifluoromethyl, perfluoron-butyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, perfluorooctyl, and perfluorohexyl.

[0044] Preferred alkenyl groups include, for example, vinyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, cyclopentenyl, hexenyl, cyclohexenyl, heptenyl, cycloheptenyl, octenyl, and cyclooctenyl.

[0045] Preferred alkynyl groups include, for example, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, and octyynyl.

[0046] Preferred alkoxy groups include, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, n-heptoxy, n-octoxy, n-nonoxy, n-decoxy, n-undecoxy, and n-dodecoxy.

[0047] Preferred amino groups are, for example, dimethylamino, methylamino, methylphenylamino, and phenylamino.

[0048] Aryl and heteroaryl groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic, meaning they can contain one ring (e.g., phenyl) or two or more rings, which can be fused (e.g., naphthyl) or covalently bonded (e.g., biphenyl), or a combination of fused and linking rings. Heteroaryl groups contain one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from O, N, S, and Se. This type of ring system can also contain independent non-conjugated units, as is the case, for example, in the fluorene basic structure.

[0049] Preferred are mono-, di-, or tricyclic aryl groups having 6-25 C atoms and mono-, di-, or tricyclic heteroaryl groups having 2-25 C atoms, optionally containing a fused ring and optionally substituted. Further preferred are 5-, 6-, or 7-membered aryl and heteroaryl groups, wherein one or more CH groups may be replaced by N, S, or O in such a manner that the O atoms and / or S atoms are not directly connected to each other.

[0050] The preferred aryl groups are derived from, for example, the following parent structures: benzene, biphenyl, terphenyl, [1,1':3',1”]terphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, binaphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene, dihydropyrene. Perylene, tetraphenylene, pentaphenylene, benzo[a]pyrene, fluorene, indene, indo[a]fluorene, spirobifluorene, etc.

[0051] Preferred heteroaryl groups are, for example, 5-membered rings, such as pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazolium, furan, thiophene, selenophene, oxazole, isoxazole, 1,2-thiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2, 4-Thiadiazole, 1,2,5-Thiadiazole, 1,3,4-Thiadiazole, 6-membered rings, such as pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4,5-tetraazine, 1,2,3,4-tetraazine, 1,2,3,5-tetraazine, or fused groups, such as indole, isoindole, indazine, indazole, benzimidazole, benzo[[...]] Triazole, purine, naphthoimidazole, phenanthreneimidazole, pyridinium imidazole, pyrazinium imidazole, quinoxaline imidazole, benzoxazole, naphthoimidazole, anthraquinoxazole, phenanthreneimidazole, isoxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, isobenzofuran, dibenzofuran, quinoline, isoquinoline, pteridine, benzo-5,6-quinoline, benzo-6,7-quinoline, benzo-7,8-quinoline, benzoisoquinoline, acridine, phenthiazoline Azine, phenoxazine, benzopyridinium, benzopyrimidine, quinoxaline, phenazine, naphthidine, azacarbazole, benzocarbline, phenanthridine, phenanthroxaline, thieno[2,3b]thiophene, thieno[3,2b]thiophene, dithieno[3,4-b]-1,4-dioxin, isobenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, benzothiadiazolethiophene, or combinations of these groups. Heteroaryl groups may also be substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, thioalkyl, fluorine, fluoroalkyl, or other aryl or heteroaryl groups.

[0052] (Non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups can include both saturated rings (i.e., rings containing only single bonds) and partially unsaturated rings (i.e., those containing multiple bonds). Heterocyclic groups contain one or more heteroatoms, preferably selected from Si, O, N, S, and Se.

[0053] The (non-aromatic) alicyclic and heterocyclic groups can be monocyclic, i.e., containing only one ring (e.g., cyclohexane), or polycyclic, i.e., containing multiple rings (e.g., decahydronaphthalene or bicyclooctane). Saturated groups are preferred. Furthermore, mono-, di-, or tricyclic groups having 3-25 carbon atoms are preferred, optionally containing a fused ring and optionally substituted. Further preferred are 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-membered carbocyclic groups, wherein one or more carbon atoms may be substituted with Si and / or one or more CH groups may be substituted with N and / or one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may be substituted with -O- and / or -S-.

[0054] Preferred alicyclic and heterocyclic groups are, for example, 5-membered groups, such as cyclopentane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrothiophene, and pyrrolidine; 6-membered groups, such as cyclohexane, silinane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothioran, 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-dithiane, and piperidine; 7-membered groups, such as cycloheptane; and fused groups, such as tetrahydronaphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, indane, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-diyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diyl, spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-diyl, and octahydro-4,7-bridged methylene indane-2,5-diyl.

[0055] The aryl, heteroaryl, carbolic, and hydrocarbon groups may optionally have one or more substituents, which are preferably selected from the group consisting of: silyl, sulfonic acid, sulfonyl, formyl, amine, imine, nitrile, mercapto, nitro, halogen, C 1-12 Alkyl, C 6-12 Aryl, C 1-12 Alkoxy, hydroxy, or combinations of these groups.

[0056] Preferred substituents are, for example, groups that promote solubility, such as alkyl or alkoxy groups, and electron-withdrawing groups, such as fluorine, nitro or nitrile groups.

[0057] Unless otherwise stated, preferred substituents (also referred to as "L" above and below) are F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NO2, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)N(R) z )2、-C(=O)Y 1 C(=O)R z -N(R) z )2, where R z It has the meaning indicated above, and Y 1 The term represents a halogen, optionally a substituted silyl group or an aryl group having 6 to 40, preferably 6 to 20, carbon atoms, and a straight-chain or branched alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, alkyl carbonyloxy, or alkoxy carbonyloxy group having 1 to 25, preferably 2 to 12, carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms may optionally be replaced by F or Cl.

[0058] "Substituted silyl or aryl" preferably refers to substituted silyl or aryl compounds via halogenation, -CN, or R. y1 -OR y1 -CO-R y1 -CO-OR y1 -O-CO-R y1 OR-O-CO-OR y1 Replace, where R y1 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0059] Particularly preferred substituents L are, for example, F, Cl, CN, CH3, C2H5, -CH(CH3)2, OCH3, OC2H5, CF3, OCF3, OCHF2, OC2F5, and phenyl.

[0060] In the preceding and following text, "halogen" refers to F, Cl, Br, or I.

[0061] In the preceding and following text, the terms "alkyl", "aryl", "heteroaryl", etc. also encompass polyvalent groups, such as alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, etc.

[0062] The term "director" is known in the art and refers to the preferred orientation of the long molecular axis (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or short molecular axis (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) of liquid crystal molecules. In the case of such uniaxial arrangement of anisotropic molecules, the director is the axis of anisotropy.

[0063] "Orientation" or "alignment" refers to the alignment (or orientation ordering) of anisotropic units of a material (such as fragments of small or large molecules) in a common direction called the "alignment direction". In the alignment layer of a liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal director is aligned with the alignment direction so that the alignment direction corresponds to the direction of the material's anisotropic axis.

[0064] For example, the term "planar orientation / alignment" in liquid crystal material layers refers to the orientation of a certain proportion of liquid crystal molecules with their long molecular axes (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or short molecular axes (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) substantially parallel (approximately 180°) to the plane of the layer.

[0065] For example, the term "vertical orientation / alignment" in liquid crystal material layers refers to a certain proportion of liquid crystal molecules having their long molecular axes (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or short molecular axes (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) oriented at an angle θ ("tilt angle") of about 80° to 90° relative to the plane of the layer.

[0066] The term "uniform orientation" or "uniform alignment" in liquid crystal materials, for example, within a material layer, means that the long molecular axes (in the case of rod-shaped compounds) or short molecular axes (in the case of disc-shaped compounds) of the liquid crystal molecules are oriented substantially in the same direction. In other words, the lines pointing to the liquid crystal are parallel.

[0067] Unless otherwise expressly specified, the wavelength of light generally referred to in this application is 550 nm.

[0068] The birefringence Δn in this paper is defined by the following equation:

[0069] Δn=n e -n o

[0070] Where n e For unusual refractive index and n o The ordinary refractive index is n, and the effective average refractive index is n. av. It is given by the following equation.

[0071] n av. =[(2n o 2 +n e 2 ) / 3] 1 / 2

[0072] unusual refractive index n e and ordinary refractive index n o An Abbe refractometer can be used for measurement.

[0073] In this application, the term "dielectric positive" is used for compounds or components with Δε > 3.0, "dielectric neutral" is used for compounds or components with -1.5 ≤ Δε ≤ 3.0, and "dielectric negative" is used for compounds or components with Δε < -1.5. Δε is measured at a frequency of 1 kHz and at 20 °C. The dielectric anisotropy of each compound is determined by the results of a 10% solution of each individual compound in a nematic host mixture. If the solubility of each compound in the host medium is less than 10%, its concentration is reduced by half until the resulting medium is sufficiently stable to at least allow the determination of its properties. However, preferably, the concentration is maintained at at least 5% to maintain the highest possible significance of the results. The capacitance of the test mixture is measured in a cell having both vertical and planar alignment. The cell thickness of both types is approximately 20 μm. The applied voltage is a rectangular wave with a frequency of 1 kHz and a root mean square value typically between 0.5 V and 1.0 V, however, it is always selected to be below the capacitance threshold of each test mixture.

[0074] Δε is defined as (ε||-ε ⊥ ), and ε av. (ε||+2ε) ⊥ ) / 3. The dielectric capacitance of the compound is determined by the changes in various values ​​of the host medium after the addition of the compound of interest. This value is extrapolated to 100% of the concentration of the compound of interest. Typical host media are ZLI-4792 or ZLI-2857, both purchased from Merck, Darmstadt.

[0075] For the present invention,

[0076] and

[0077] This represents the trans-1,4-cyclohexyl group.

[0078] and It represents 1,4-phenylene.

[0079] For the present invention, the groups -CO-O-, -COO-, -C(=O)O-, or -CO2- are used in the expression. The ester group, and the group -O-CO-, -OCO-, -OC(=O)-, -O2C- or -OOC- is represented by the formula. The ester group.

[0080] Furthermore, the definitions given in C. Tschierske, G. Pelzl and S. Diele, Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 6340-6368 should apply to the undefined terms related to liquid crystal materials in this application.

[0081] Detailed Explanation

[0082] This invention relates to an LC device comprising at least two opposing transparent substrates, with an LC switching layer sandwiched between the opposing substrates, the LC switching layer comprising a polymer obtainable from one or more photoreactive mesocrystalline materials of Formula I.

[0083] R 11 -Sp 11 -X 11 [-AZ] o -A 11 -CY 11 =CY 12 [-C=O] x [-O] y -A[-Z-

[0084] A] p -X 21 -Sp 21 -R 21 I

[0085] in

[0086] A 11 Groups selected from the following groups:

[0087] a) The group consisting of 1,4-phenylene and 1,3-phenylene, wherein, additionally, one or two CH groups are optionally substituted with N, and wherein, additionally, one or more H atoms are optionally substituted with L.

[0088] b) Select groups from the following groups:

[0089]

[0090]

[0091] Furthermore, one or more H atoms in these groups are optionally replaced by L, and / or one or more double bonds are optionally replaced by single bonds, and / or one or more CH groups are optionally replaced by N.

[0092] Each of A independently possesses A in each occurrence. 11 One of the meanings, or

[0093] a) The group consisting of trans-1,4-cyclohexeneyl and 1,4-cyclohexeneyl groups, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally substituted with -O- and / or -S- and wherein one or more H atoms are optionally substituted with F, or

[0094] b) The group consisting of tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyl, cyclobutane-1,3-diyl, piperidine-1,4-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl, and selenophene-2,5-diyl, each of which may also be mono- or poly-substituted with L.

[0095] L, appearing the same or different each time, represents -OH, -F, -Cl, -Br, -I, -CN, -NO2, SF5, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)N(R) z )2、-C(=O)R z -N(R) z 2. Optionally substituted silyl group, optionally substituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or straight-chain or branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, alkoxy group, alkyl carbonyl group, alkoxy carbonyl group, alkyl carbonyloxy group, or alkoxy carbonyloxy group, or indicating X 21 -Sp 21 -R 21 ,

[0096] M represents -O-, -S-, -CH2-, -CHR z -or-CR y R z -,

[0097] R y and R z Each of these independently represents H, CN, F, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F.

[0098] Y 11 and Y 12 Each of these independently represents H, F, phenyl, or an optional fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0099] Each occurrence of Z independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -(CH2). n -, -CF2CF2-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -CS-S-, -S-CS-, -S-CSS- or -C≡C-,

[0100] n represents an integer between 2 and 8.

[0101] o and p each and independently represent 0, 1, or 2.

[0102] x and y can each independently represent 0 or 1; however, if x represents 0, then y cannot represent 1.

[0103] X 11 and X 21 Each occurrence independently represents a single bond, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-COO-, -O-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -O-CF2-, -CF2-CF2-, -CH2-O-, -O-CH2-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -CS-S-, -S-CS-, -S-CSS-, or -S-.

[0104] Sp 11 and Sp 21 Each and every time it appears, it represents a single bond or a spacer group containing 1 to 20 C atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(CH3)-, -CO-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CF2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -C(OH)-, -CH(alkyl)-, -CH(alkenyl)-, -CH(alkoxy)-, -CH(oxaalkyl)-, -CH=CH-, or -C≡C-, but in such a way that no two O atoms are adjacent to each other and no two groups selected from -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, and -CH=CH- are adjacent to each other.

[0105] R 11 P represents

[0106] R 21This indicates P, halogen, CN, or an optionally fluorinated alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -CO-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)-, or OC(O)-O-.

[0107] Each time P appears, it is a polymerizable group, and each group is independent of the others.

[0108] and one or more nematic compounds,

[0109] An electrode structure is provided on one or both of the opposing substrates.

[0110] The feature is that one or more of the substrates correspond to grating or lens structures, or the substrate is additionally equipped with grating or lens structures adjacent to the LC switching layer.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the substrate used is substantially transparent. Transparent materials suitable for the purposes of the invention are generally known to those skilled in the art. According to the invention, the substrate may (in particular) be composed of polymeric materials, metal oxides (e.g., ITO), and glass or quartz plates, each independently derived from each other, preferably glass and / or ITO, particularly glass / glass.

[0112] Suitable and preferred polymer substrates are, for example, films made of cyclic olefin polymers (COP), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polycarbonate (PC), or triacetyl cellulose (TAC), with PET or TAC films being particularly preferred. PET films are available, for example, from DuPontTeijin Films under the trade name... COP membranes are available for purchase, for example, from ZEON Chemicals LP under the trade name. or Purchased online. COC membranes, for example, are available from TOPAS Advanced Polymers Inc. under the trade name. Purchased online.

[0113] The substrate can be held at defined intervals with each other, for example, by spacers (especially printed spacers) or protruding structures in the layers. Typical spacer materials are generally known to experts and are selected, for example, from plastics, silica, epoxy resins, etc.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment, the substrates are arranged with a maximum spacing of about 1 μm to about 100 μm between each other, preferably about 1 μm to about 75 μm between each other, and more preferably about 1 μm to about 50 μm between each other. Therefore, the LC switching layer is located in the gap.

[0115] Therefore, the present invention relates to a device as described in the context, wherein the maximum thickness of the LC switching layers is in the range of about 1 μm to about 100 μm between each other, preferably in the range of about 1 μm to about 75 μm between each other, and more preferably in the range of about 1 μm to about 50 μm between each other.

[0116] The optical modulation assembly according to the present invention includes an electrode structure capable of electrically switching the LC switching layer.

[0117] In a first preferred embodiment, electrodes are provided on respective opposing substrates to allow the application of an electric field substantially perpendicular to the substrate or LC switching layer. Preferably, the electrode structure is provided as an electrode layer on each opposing substrate. It is understood that the present invention relates to any kind of electrode configuration suitable for generating an electric field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate mentioned above, such as electrode structures generally known for VA mode, or even ITO-doped substrate materials.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, the optical modulation component includes at least one dielectric layer provided on the electrode structure.

[0119] In another preferred embodiment, the optical modulation component comprises at least two dielectric layers provided on opposing electrode structures.

[0120] Suitable transparent electrode materials are generally known to experts, such as electrode structures made of metals or metal oxides, such as transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) preferred according to the present invention.

[0121] ITO thin films are typically deposited on substrates using physical vapor deposition, electron beam evaporation, or sputtering deposition techniques.

[0122] Typical dielectric layer materials are those commonly known to experts, such as SiOx, SiNx, Cytop, Teflon, and PMMA.

[0123] Dielectric layer materials can be applied using conventional coating techniques such as spin coating, roll coating, blade coating, or vacuum deposition (e.g., PVD or CVD). They can also be applied to the substrate or electrode layer using conventional printing techniques known to experts, such as screen printing, offset printing, roll-to-roll printing, letterpress printing, gravure printing, rotary gravure printing, flexographic printing, intaglio printing, pad printing, heat-sealing printing, inkjet printing, or printing using roller printing or printing plates.

[0124] In a second preferred embodiment, one of the substrates includes a pixel electrode and a common electrode for generating an electric field substantially parallel to the surface of the first substrate. Various types of displays having at least two electrodes on a substrate are known to those skilled in the art, the most significant difference being that both the pixel electrode and the common electrode are structured (typical for IPS displays), or only the pixel electrode is structured while the common electrode is unstructured (as is the case for FFS displays).

[0125] It is understood that the present invention relates to any kind of electrode configuration suitable for generating an electric field substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate mentioned above, i.e., IPS and FFS displays.

[0126] Therefore, the present invention further relates to devices as described in the context, wherein the electrode structure is selected from finger-type electrodes, IPS electrodes, FFS electrodes or comb electrodes.

[0127] The present invention further relates to devices as described in the context, wherein one or more substrates, or one or more substrates including electrode structures, are equipped with a plano-concave lens structure, or a plano-convex lens structure, or a refractive Fresnel lens structure, or a diffractive Fresnel lens structure.

[0128] It is understood that the present invention also relates to any kind of substrate or substrate array that can form a lens structure on its own, such as a flexible substrate that can form a lens structure after assembling a liquid crystal cell, such as a curved substrate.

[0129] Typical and preferred flexible substrate materials are PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), TAC (triacetyl cellulose), PC (polycarbonate), PES (polyethersulfone), COC (cyclic olefin copolymer), or COP (polyarylate).

[0130] In a preferred embodiment, an isotropic material is selected for the lens structure to have two possible refractive indices (i.e., n). o (Refractive index of ordinary rays perpendicular to the anisotropic axis), n e One of the unusual light refractive indices parallel to the anisotropic axis, and by selecting a certain light polarization and choosing the negative or positive air focal length of the isotropic material of the lens structure, the lens effect can be associated with the birefringence or optical anisotropy of the LC switching layer.

[0131] The LC switching layer consists of its n o and n e Value definition. The appropriate refractive index (n) of the LC switching layer. o or n e Matching the refractive index of the isotropic material of the lens structure to approximately that of the material is a matter of everyday skill.

[0132] Many transparent polymers, such as polymer films obtainable from reactive mesocrystalline or polymerizable liquid crystals, (functionalized) polycarbonates (n≈1.58); polyimides; fluorinated polyimides (n≈1.52 to 1.54), such as the OPI series polyimides from Hitachi; fluorocarbons, such as Teflon and (n≈1.34 to 1.38), silicon polymers, for example 184 (n≈1.43); acrylic glass (n≈1.49); polycarbonate (n≈1.58), for example PMMA (n≈1.48); PET (n≈1.57); mixtures of these polymers, such as those disclosed in US 6,989,190 A1; flint glass (n≈1.52 to 1.92); crown glass (n≈1.48 to 1.75); and many other polymers are readily available to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, some polymers can be blended to achieve an average effective refractive index, and this can be used to obtain the desired refractive index.

[0133] Refractive index matching makes the refractive index n of the LC switching layer e or n o The difference in refractive index between the material and the isotropic material of the lens structure (i.e., the matching error) is less than 5%. More preferably, the matching error is less than 2%, or most preferably less than 1%.

[0134] A lens effect is provided by creating a refractive index difference between one of the refractive indices of the isotropic material of the lens structure and the refractive index of the LC switching layer. Therefore, the invention further relates to a device as described in the context, characterized as a beam focusing device. Preferably, the refractive index difference should be as large as possible so that the device is as thin as possible.

[0135] The typical substrate stacks (e.g., substrates (e.g., electrode structures and lens structures)) of the devices according to the invention are generally known to those skilled in the art. Exemplarily, substrate stacks utilizing suitable Fresnel lens structures and corresponding substrate stacks are disclosed, for example, in US 2007 / 0182915 or GB201810565.

[0136] Other lens structures or substrates are generally known to experts and are specifically available for purchase, for example

[0137] Fresnel lenses: FRP0510, f=10mm; FRP125, f=25mm; or FRP232, f=32mm; available from Thorlabs, Germany;

[0138] Plano-convex lenses: UV fused silica; N-SF11, lenses made of CaF2, MgF2, Si, BaF2, ZnSe, Ge, PTFE, and THz lenses, all available from Thorlabs, Germany;

[0139] Biconvex lenses, such as N-BK7, UV-fused silica, and corresponding lenses made of CaF2 and ZnSe, are all available from Thorlabs, Germany.

[0140] Plano-concave lenses: N-BK7, UV fused silica N-SF11, and corresponding lenses made of CaF2 or ZnSe are available from Thorlabs, Germany.

[0141] Biconcave lenses, N-BK7 and N-SF11, made of CaF2 or ZnSe, are available from Thorlabs, Germany.

[0142] In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention is characterized in that one or more substrates are equipped with a surface relief grating, a blazed grating, a volumetric grating, or a Pancharatnam-Berry grating.

[0143] The typical substrate stack-up (e.g., substrate (e.g., electrode structure and grating structure)) of the device according to the invention is generally known to the experts.

[0144] Suitable options include grating structures or substrates, especially those that are readily available, such as...

[0145] Surface embossed gratings, GR13-0305, GR25-0305, GR50-0305, GR13-0605, GR25-0605, GR50-0605, GR13-1205, GR25-1205 or GR50-1205 are all available from Thorlabs, Germany;

[0146] Volumetric Bragg grating: Available for purchase from PD-LD, Germany; or disclosed, for example, in WO 2016 / 019123 (Pancharatnam-Berry grating or Bragg polarization grating).

[0147] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the grating structure is selected to have two possible refractive indices (i.e., n0 (the ordinary ray refractive index perpendicular to the anisotropic axis), n eOne of the unusual light refractive indices parallel to the anisotropic axis, and by selecting a certain light polarization and choosing the negative or positive air focal length of the isotropic material of the lens structure, the deflection or refraction of the lens effect can be associated with the birefringence or optical anisotropy of the LC switching layer.

[0148] The LC switching layer consists of its n o and n e Value definition. Approximate matching of the appropriate refractive index (n) of the LC switching layer. o or n e The refractive index of isotropic materials with grating structures is a matter of everyday skill.

[0149] For example, transparent polymers, such as polymer films obtainable from reactive mesocrystalline or polymerizable liquid crystals, (functionalized) polycarbonates (n≈1.58); polyimides; fluorinated polyimides (n≈1.52 to 1.54), such as the OPI series polyimides from Hitachi; fluorocarbons, such as Teflon and (n≈1.34 to 1.38), silicon polymers, for example 184 (n≈1.43); acrylic glass (n≈1.49); polycarbonate (n≈1.58), for example PMMA (n≈1.48); PET (n≈1.57); mixtures of these polymers, such as those disclosed in US 6,989,190 A1; flint glass (n≈1.52 to 1.92); crown glass (n≈1.48 to 1.75); and many other polymers are readily available to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, some polymers can be blended to achieve an average effective refractive index, and this can be used to obtain the desired refractive index.

[0150] Refractive index matching makes the refractive index n of the LC switching layer e or n o The difference in refractive index between the material and the isotropic material of the grating structure (i.e., the matching error) is less than 5%. More preferably, the matching error is less than 2%, or most preferably less than 1%.

[0151] The device can operate in binary mode. For example, when an electric field is present, the refractive indices of the grating and the LC switching layer differ. Therefore, when the voltage is off, strong diffraction occurs between the grating and the LC switching layer due to the refractive index / phase difference. The effective diffraction efficiency can be determined, for example, by parameters of the (blazed) grating, such as grating depth, grating period, and (blazed) characteristics.

[0152] When an electric field is applied between the electrode structures, the refractive index of the liquid crystal decreases. Under a specified driving voltage, "refractive index matching" occurs between the grating material and the LC switching layer. When this refractive index matching occurs, the entire device can be considered as an optical plate. In this state, almost no or no diffraction occurs.

[0153] Therefore, the device can be viewed as an electrically controlled binary switch. The incident beam can be deflected in the off state or not deflected in the on state.

[0154] Therefore, the present invention further relates to a device, characterized in that the device is an LC beam steering device.

[0155] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a device as described in the context, comprising one or more of the following steps:

[0156] - Provide electrode structures on one or more substrates, provide grating or lens structures on one or more substrates, and assemble a liquid crystal cell.

[0157] - A liquid crystal cell filled with an LC medium comprising one or more photoreactive mesocrystalline materials of Formula I and one or more nematic compounds.

[0158] - Illuminate the liquid crystal cell with linearly polarized light.

[0159] - Polymerizable compounds of LC media are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet or visible light with a wavelength of 450 nm or less.

[0160] According to the present invention, a suitable LC medium comprises one or more monomeric compounds of formula I or photoreactive mesocrystalline materials.

[0161] R 11 -Sp 11 -X 11 [-AZ] o -A 11 -CY 11 =CY 12 [-C=O] x [-O] y -A[-ZA] p -X 21 -

[0162] Sp 21 -R 21 I

[0163] Where R 11 R 21 A 11 A, Z, X 11 X 21 Y 11 Y 12 Sp11 Sp 21 o, p, x and y have one of the meanings given in Equation I above.

[0164] Suitable and preferred compounds of formula I are disclosed, for example, in EP 19178130.1, EP18168779.9, EP18168775.7, EP 18168774.0, EP 18168776.5, EP18199489.8 or EP 18211999.0.

[0165] In this application, the polymerizable group (P) is a group suitable for polymerization reactions (e.g., free radical or ionic chain polymerization, addition polymerization, or condensation polymerization) or polymer-like reactions (e.g., addition or condensation to the polymer backbone). Particularly preferred are groups for chain polymerization, especially those containing C=C double bonds or -C≡C- triple bonds, and groups suitable for ring-opening polymerization (e.g., oxetyl or epoxy groups).

[0166] The preferred group P is selected from the group consisting of: CH2=CW 1 -CO-O-、CH2=CW 1 -CO-、 CH2=CW 2 -(O) k3 -、CW 1 =CH-CO-(O) k3 -、CW 1 =CH-CO-NH-, CH2=CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH3-CH=CH-O-, (CH2=CH)2CH-OCO-, (CH2=CH-CH2)2CH-OCO-, (CH2=CH)2CH-O-, (CH2=CH-CH2)2N-, (CH2=CH-CH2)2N-CO-, HO-CW 2 W 3 -、HS-CW 2 W 3 -、HW 2 N-, HO-CW 2 W 3 -NH-, CH2=CW 1 -CO-NH-, CH2=CH-(COO) k1 -Phe-(O) k2 - CH2=CH-(CO) k1 -Phe-(O) k2 -, Phe-CH=CH-, HOOC-, OCN- and W 4 W 5 W6 Si-, where W 1 It represents H, F, Cl, CN, CF3, phenyl, or alkyl with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, especially H, F, Cl, or CH3, W 2 and W 3 Each of these independently represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, especially H, methyl, ethyl, or n-propyl, W 4 W 5 and W 6 Each independently represents Cl, an oxaalkyl or oxacarbonylalkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and W. 7 and W 8 Each of the above can independently represent H, Cl or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 C atoms, Phe represents 1,4-phenylene, which is optionally substituted with one or more groups L as defined above, k1, k2 and k3 can independently represent 0 or 1, k3 preferably represents 1, and k4 represents an integer from 1 to 10.

[0167] More preferably, P represents a group.

[0168]

[0169] Preferred groups

[0170]

[0171] in

[0172] Y represents H, F, phenyl, or an optionally fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

[0173] More preferably H or methyl, especially H, and

[0174] q and r are each an independent integer from 1 to 12.

[0175] The preferred group P is selected from the group consisting of: CH2=CW 1 -CO-O-, especially CH2=CH-CO-O-, CH2=C(CH3)-CO-O- and CH2=CF-CO-O-, as well as CH2=CH-O-, (CH2=CH)2CH-O-CO-, (CH2=CH)2CH-O-, (CH2=CH)2CH-O- and or groups

[0176]

[0177] Y represents H or methyl, especially H.

[0178] q and r are each an independent integer from 1 to 12.

[0179] The most particularly preferred group P is selected from the group consisting of: acrylate, methacrylate, fluoroacrylate, vinyloxy, chloroacrylate, oxetyl, epoxy, and other groups.

[0180]

[0181] Y represents H or methyl, especially H, q, and r, each being an independent integer from 1 to 12, and preferably acrylate or methacrylate groups, or other groups.

[0182]

[0183] Where Y represents H or methyl, and q and r are each an integer from 1 to 12.

[0184] Compounds of formula I are preferably selected from the following sub-formula compounds,

[0185]

[0186]

[0187]

[0188]

[0189]

[0190] Where R 11 R 21 A 11 X 11 X 21 Y 11 Y 12 Sp 11 and Sp 21 A has one of the meanings given in Equation I above. 12 To A 23 It has one of the meanings of A in formula I, A 11 It has one of the meanings given in Equation I above, and Z 11 To Z 22 It has one of the meanings given for Z under Equation I above.

[0191] A 11 Preferably, 1,4-phenylene and 1,3-phenylene are represented, wherein, additionally, one or two CH groups are optionally replaced by N, and wherein, additionally, one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by L as given above under Formula I.

[0192] A12 To A 23 Each independently has one of the meanings of A in Formula I, and preferably represents 1,4-phenylene and 1,3-phenylene, wherein, in addition, one or two CH groups are optionally replaced by N, and wherein, in addition, one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by L as given above in Formula I.

[0193] For parameter A 11 To A 23 The L, when appearing in the same or different manner, preferably represents -OH, -F, -Cl, -Br, -I, -CN, -NO2, SF5, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)N(R) z )2、-C(=O)R z -N(R) z )2, or a straight-chain or branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, alkyl carbonyloxy or alkoxy carbonyloxy having 1 to 25 C atoms, more preferably -OH, -F, -CN, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, or a straight-chain or branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, alkyl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, alkyl carbonyloxy or alkoxy carbonyloxy having 1 to 12 C atoms.

[0194] More preferred A 11 To A 23 The preferred representation group is the same or different each time it appears.

[0195] Each of them independently

[0196] also

[0197]

[0198] L is preferably F, Cl, CH3, OCH3 and COCH3 or an alkylene or alkeneoxy group having 1 to 6 C atoms.

[0199] Y 11 and Y 12 Each is preferably represented independently by H or F, with H being more preferred.

[0200] Z 11 To Z 22 Each occurrence is preferably represented independently as a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, -(CH2). n-, -CF2CF2-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH- or -C≡C-, more preferably -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, -CF2CF2-.

[0201] X 11 and X 21 Each occurrence independently represents a single bond, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-COO-, -O-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -O-CF2-, -CF2-CF2-, -CH2-O-, -O-CH2-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -CS-S-, -S-CS-, -S-CSS- or -S-, more preferably -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-, especially O.

[0202] Sp 11 and Sp 21 Each occurrence independently represents a single bond or a spacer group containing 1 to 12 C atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(CH3)-, -CO-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CF2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH(OH)-, -CH(alkyl)-, -CH(alkenyl)-, -CH(alkoxy)-, -CH(oxaalkyl)-, -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, however, in such a manner that no two O atoms are adjacent to each other and no two groups selected from -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O- and -CH=CH- are adjacent to each other, preferably straight-chain alkyl groups containing 1 to 20 C atoms.

[0203] R 21 P is the preferred option.

[0204] Formula I and its sub-formulas are preferably synthesized according to or similar procedures described in WO 2017 / 102068 and JP2006-6232809.

[0205] The medium preferably contains 0.01 to 10%, particularly preferably 0.05 to 5%, and most preferably 0.1 to 3% of the compound of formula I.

[0206] The medium preferably comprises one, two, or three, more preferably one or two, and most preferably one compound of formula I according to the invention.

[0207] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the LC dielectric comprises one or more nematic compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy. Preferred embodiments of such LC dielectrics are those described in sections a) to z) below:

[0208] a) An LC medium comprising one or more compounds of formula CY and / or formula PY:

[0209]

[0210] in

[0211] 'a' represents 1 or 2.

[0212] b represents 0 or 1.

[0213] express

[0214] R 1 and R 2 Each of the groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -OCO-, or -COO- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other, preferably alkyl or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0215] Z x and Z y Each of these can independently represent -CH2CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-CH2O-, or a single bond, preferably a single bond.

[0216] L 1-4 Each of them independently represents F, Cl, OCF3, CF3, CH3, CH2F, and CHF2.

[0217] Preferably, L 1 With L 2 Both represent F or L. 1 With L 2 One represents F and the other represents Cl, or L 3 With L 4 Both represent F or L. 3 With L 4 One of them represents F and the other represents Cl.

[0218] Compounds of formula CY are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0219]

[0220]

[0221]

[0222]

[0223]

[0224] Where 'a' represents 1 or 2, alkyl and alkyl* each independently represent a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkenyl represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and (O) represents an oxygen atom or a single bond. Alkenyl preferably represents CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0225] PY compounds are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0226]

[0227]

[0228]

[0229] Among them alkyl and alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkenyl represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, with (O) representing an oxygen atom or a single bond. alkenyl preferably represents CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0230] b) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds of the following formula:

[0231]

[0232] Each of the groups has the following meaning:

[0233] express

[0234]

[0235] express

[0236] R 3 and R 4 Each of these groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -O-CO-, or -CO-O- in a manner where the O atoms are not directly connected to each other.

[0237] Z y It represents -CH2CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-CH2O- or a single bond, preferably a single bond.

[0238] Compounds of formula ZK are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0239]

[0240]

[0241] Among them alkyl and alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkenyl represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. alkenyl preferably represents CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0242] Compounds of formulas ZK1 and ZK3 are particularly preferred.

[0243] Particularly preferred compounds of formula ZK are selected from the following sub-formulas:

[0244]

[0245]

[0246] Among them, propyl, butyl, and pentyl are straight-chain groups.

[0247] The most preferred compounds are those of formulas ZK1a and ZK3a.

[0248] c) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds of the following formula:

[0249]

[0250] Each of the groups, when appearing in the same or different instances, has the following meaning:

[0251] R 5 and R 6 Each of the groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -OCO-, or -COO- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other, preferably alkyl or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0252] express

[0253] express and

[0254] e represents 1 or 2.

[0255] Compounds of formula DK are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0256]

[0257]

[0258] Among them alkyl and alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkenyl represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. alkenyl preferably represents CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0259] d) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds of the following formula:

[0260]

[0261] Each of the groups has the following meaning:

[0262] express

[0263]

[0264] At least one of the rings F is different from the subcyclohexyl group.

[0265] f represents 1 or 2.

[0266] R 1 and R 2 Each of these groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -OCO-, or -COO- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other.

[0267] Z x This indicates -CH2CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-CH2O-, or a single bond, preferably a single bond.

[0268] L 1 and L 2 Each of them independently represents F, Cl, OCF3, CF3, CH3, CH2F, and CHF2.

[0269] Preferably, the group L 1 With L 2 Both represent F, or the group L. 1 With L 2 One of them represents F and the other represents Cl.

[0270] Compounds of formula LY are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0271]

[0272]

[0273]

[0274]

[0275] Where R 1 With the meanings indicated above, alkyl refers to a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (O) represents an oxygen atom or a single bond, and v represents an integer from 1 to 6. R 1 Preferably, it represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, especially CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9, n-C5H 11 , CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH- or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0276] e) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of:

[0277]

[0278]

[0279] Where alkyl represents C 1-6 -alkyl, L x The symbol represents H or F, and X represents F, Cl, OCF3, OCHF2, or OCH=CF2. Compounds of formula G1 are particularly preferred, where X represents F.

[0280] f) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0281]

[0282]

[0283]

[0284] Where R 5 With the above for R 1 One of the meanings indicated is that alkyl represents C. 1-6 -alkyl, d represents 0 or 1, and z and m each independently represent integers from 1 to 6. R in these compounds 5 C is particularly preferred 1-6 -alkyl or C 1-6 -alkoxy or C 2-6 -Alkenyl, d is preferably 1. The LC medium according to the invention preferably contains one or more compounds of the various types mentioned above in an amount of ≥5% by weight.

[0285] g) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more biphenyl compounds selected from the group consisting of the following:

[0286]

[0287] Among them alkyl and alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and alkenyl and alkenyl * Each of these independently represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. alkenyl and alkenyl *The preferred representations are CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0288] The proportion of biphenyls of formulas B1 to B3 in the LC mixture is preferably at least 3% by weight, and especially ≥5% by weight.

[0289] Compound B2 is particularly preferred.

[0290] Compounds of formulas B1 to B3 are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0291]

[0292] alkyl * This indicates an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The media according to the invention particularly preferably comprise one or more compounds of the formula B1a and / or B2e.

[0293] h) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more terphenyl compounds of the following formula:

[0294]

[0295] Where R 5 and R 6 Each of them independently possesses one of the meanings indicated above, and

[0296]

[0297] Each represents independently of the other.

[0298]

[0299] Where L 5 Indicates F or Cl, preferably F, and L 6 It can be represented by F, Cl, OCF3, CF3, CH3, CH2F or CHF2, with F being preferred.

[0300] Compounds of formula T are preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0301]

[0302]

[0303]

[0304] Where R represents a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, R *R represents a straight-chain alkenyl group with 2 to 7 carbon atoms, (O) represents an oxygen atom or a single bond, and m represents an integer from 1 to 6. * The preferred representations are CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0305] R preferably represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, or pentoxy.

[0306] The LC medium according to the invention preferably contains 0.5-30% by weight, especially 1-20% by weight, of terphenyl of formula T and its preferred derivatives.

[0307] Compounds of formulas T1, T2, T3, and T21 are preferred. In these compounds, R preferably represents an alkyl group and an alkoxy group, each having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0308] If a Δn value ≥ 0.1 is desired for the mixture, then terphenyl is preferably used in the mixture of the present invention. A preferred mixture contains 2-20% by weight of one or more terphenyl compounds of formula T, preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds T1 to T22.

[0309] i) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of:

[0310]

[0311]

[0312] Where R 1 and R 2 Having the meaning indicated above, and preferably each independently representing a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0313] The preferred medium comprises one or more compounds selected from the formulas O1, O3, and O4.

[0314] k) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds of the following formula:

[0315]

[0316] in

[0317] express

[0318]

[0319] R 9 (F) represents an optional fluorine substituent, and q represents 1, 2, or 3, and R 7 With R 1 One of the meanings indicated is that the amount is preferably >3% by weight, especially ≥5% by weight, and very especially preferably 5-30% by weight.

[0320] The most preferred compounds of formula FI are selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0321]

[0322]

[0323] Where R 7 Preferably, it represents a straight-chain alkyl group, and R 9 It represents CH3, C2H5, or n-C3H7. Compounds of formulas FI1, FI2, and FI3 are preferred.

[0324] l) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of:

[0325]

[0326]

[0327] Where R 8 With R 1 The meaning indicated is as follows, and alkyl means a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0328] m)LC media, which further comprises one or more compounds containing tetrahydronaphthyl or naphthyl units, for example, compounds selected from the group consisting of:

[0329]

[0330]

[0331] in

[0332] R 10 and R 11 Each of the groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -OCO-, or -COO- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other, preferably alkyl or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0333] And R 10 and R 11Preferably, it represents a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and

[0334] Z 1 and Z 2 Each of these can be represented independently as -C2H4-, -CH=CH-, -(CH2)4-, -(CH2)3O-, -O(CH2)3-, -CH=CHCH2CH2-, -CH2CH2CH=CH-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CF=CH-, -CH=CF-, -CH2-, or a single bond.

[0335] n) An LC medium, which further comprises one or more of the following types of difluorodibenzo-p-chromium and / or chromium:

[0336]

[0337] in

[0338] R 11 and R 12 Each of them independently possesses the characteristics described above for R under equation N1. 11 One of the meanings indicated.

[0339] Ring M is trans-1,4-cyclohexene or 1,4-phenylene.

[0340] Z m It is -C2H4-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-.

[0341] c is 0, 1, or 2.

[0342] Preferably, the amount is 3 to 20% by weight, and more particularly, 3 to 15% by weight.

[0343] Particularly preferred compounds of formulas BC, CR, and RC are selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0344]

[0345]

[0346]

[0347]

[0348] Among them alkyl and alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, (O) representing an oxygen atom or a single bond, and c being 1 or 2. (The last two characters, "alkenyl" and "alkenyl", appear to be unrelated to the preceding text and are likely separate entries.)* Each of these independently represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. alkenyl and alkenyl * The preferred representations are CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0349] Very, especially preferred are mixtures containing one, two or three BC-2 compounds.

[0350] o) LC media, which further comprises one or more of the following types of fluorinated phenanthrene and / or dibenzofuran:

[0351]

[0352]

[0353] Where R 11 and R 12 Each of them independently possesses the characteristics described above for R under equation N1. 11 One of the indicated meanings is that b represents 0 or 1, L represents F, and r represents 1, 2, or 3.

[0354] Particularly preferred compounds of formulas PH and BF are selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0355]

[0356] R and R' each independently represent a straight-chain alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms.

[0357] p)LC media, which further comprises one or more monocyclic compounds of the following formula

[0358]

[0359] in

[0360] R 1 and R 2 Each of the groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups can be replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -OCO-, or -COO- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other, preferably alkyl or alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0361] L 1 and L 2Each of them independently represents F, Cl, OCF3, CF3, CH3, CH2F, and CHF2.

[0362] Preferably, L 1 With L 2 Both represent F or L. 1 With L 2 One of them represents F and the other represents Cl.

[0363] Compound Y is preferably selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0364]

[0365]

[0366] Among them, Alkyl and Alkyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Alkoxy represents a straight-chain alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Alkenyl and Alkenyl * Each of these terms independently represents a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and O represents an oxygen atom or a single bond. Alkenyl and Alkenyl * The preferred representations are CH2=CH-, CH2=CHCH2CH2-, CH3-CH=CH-, CH3-CH2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)2-CH=CH-, CH3-(CH2)3-CH=CH-, or CH3-CH=CH-(CH2)2-.

[0367] The most preferred compounds of formula Y are selected from the group consisting of the following formulas:

[0368]

[0369]

[0370] Alkoxy preferably refers to a straight-chain alkoxy group having 3, 4, or 5 carbon atoms.

[0371] q)LC media, which, apart from the stabilizers according to the invention, especially the stabilizers of formula I or its derivatives, and the comonomers, do not contain compounds containing terminal vinyloxy groups (-O-CH=CH2).

[0372] r)LC media, comprising one to five, preferably one, two or three, stabilizers, preferably selected from stabilizers according to the invention, especially stabilizers of formula I or its sub-formulas.

[0373] s)LC medium, wherein the stabilizer, especially the stabilizer of formula I or its sub-formulas, is present in the whole mixture at a ratio of 1 to 1500 ppm, preferably 100 to 1000 ppm.

[0374] t) An LC medium comprising one to eight, preferably one to five, compounds of the formula CY1, CY2, PY1, and / or PY2. The proportion of these compounds in the overall mixture is preferably 5% to 60%, particularly preferably 10% to 35%. In each case, the content of each of these compounds is preferably 2% to 20%.

[0375] u) An LC medium comprising one to eight, preferably one to five, compounds of the formula CY9, CY10, PY9, and / or PY10. The proportion of these compounds in the overall mixture is preferably 5% to 60%, particularly preferably 10% to 35%. In each case, the content of each of these compounds is preferably 2% to 20%.

[0376] v) An LC medium comprising 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 8, compounds of formula ZK, particularly compounds of formula ZK1, ZK2, and / or ZK6. The proportion of these compounds in the overall mixture is preferably 3% to 25%, particularly preferably 5% to 45%. In each case, the content of these individual compounds is preferably 2% to 20%.

[0377] w)LC medium, wherein the proportion of compounds of formula CY, PY and ZK in the overall mixture is greater than 70%, preferably greater than 80%.

[0378] x) LC medium, wherein the LC bulk mixture contains one or more alkenyl compounds, preferably selected from the group consisting of: formula CY, PY, and LY, wherein R 1 and R 2 One or both represent a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 C atoms; formulas ZK and DK, wherein R 3 and R 4 One or both or R 5 and R 6 One or both of these compounds represent a straight-chain alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; and formulas B2 and B3; very preferably selected from formulas CY15, CY16, CY24, CY32, PY15, PY16, ZK3, ZK4, DK3, DK6, B2, and B3, and most preferably selected from formulas ZK3, ZK4, B2, and B3. The concentration of these compounds in the LC bulk mixture is preferably 2 to 70%, very preferably 3 to 55%.

[0379] y)LC medium containing one or more, preferably one to five compounds selected from formulas PY1-PY8, and very preferably formula PY2. The proportion of these compounds in the overall mixture is preferably 1% to 30%, particularly preferably 2% to 20%. In each case, the content of these individual compounds is preferably 1% to 20%.

[0380] z) An LC medium containing one or more, preferably one, two, or three compounds of formula T2. The content of these compounds in the overall mixture is preferably 1% to 20%.

[0381] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the LC dielectric contains one or more mesocrystalline compounds having positive dielectric anisotropy. Preferred embodiments of such LC dielectrics are those with the following portions aa)-mmm):

[0382] aa) An LC medium, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds of formula II and formula III.

[0383]

[0384] in

[0385] R 20 Each may be identical or different from a halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of these CH2 groups may be independently formed by -C≡C-, -CF2O-, -CH=CH-, etc., with the O atoms not directly connected to each other. Replace with -O-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-.

[0386] X 20 Each may be identical or different from F, Cl, CN, SF5, SCN, NCS, alkyl halide, alkenyl halide, alkoxy halide, or alkenyloxy halide, each having a maximum of 6 carbon atoms, and

[0387] Y 20-24 Each may represent H or F in the same or different ways;

[0388] W represents H or methyl.

[0389] Each represents independently of the other.

[0390]

[0391] Compounds of formula II are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0392]

[0393]

[0394] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0395] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 F is preferred. Compounds of formula IIa and IIb are particularly preferred, especially compounds of formula IIa and IIb in which X represents F.

[0396] Compounds of formula III are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0397]

[0398]

[0399] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0400] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 F is preferred. Compounds of formula IIIa and IIIe are particularly preferred, especially compounds of formula IIIa;

[0401] bb)LC media, which further comprises one or more compounds selected from the following formulas:

[0402]

[0403]

[0404] in

[0405] R 20 X 20 W and Y 20-23 It has the meaning indicated in Equation II above, and

[0406] Z 20 The symbol represents -C2H4-, -(CH2)4-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C2F4-, -CH2CF2-, -CF2CH2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -COO-, or -OCF2-. In formulas V and VI, it also represents a single bond, and in formulas V and VIII, it represents -CF2O-.

[0407] r represents 0 or 1, and

[0408] s represents 0 or 1;

[0409] Compounds of formula IV are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0410]

[0411] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0412] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferably, it represents F or OCF3, and OCF = CF2 or Cl;

[0413] Compounds of formula V are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0414]

[0415]

[0416] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0417] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferred representations are F and OCF3, as well as OCHF2, CF3, OCF=CF2 and OCH=CF2;

[0418] Compounds of formula VI are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0419]

[0420] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0421] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 The preferred representation is F, and OCF3, CF3, CF=CF2, OCHF2 and OCH=CF2;

[0422] Compounds of formula VII are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0423]

[0424] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0425] R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20The preferred representation is F, as well as OCF3, OCHF2 and OCH=CF2.

[0426] The medium further comprises one or more compounds selected from the formulas ZK1 to ZK10 given above. Compounds of formulas ZK1 and ZK3 are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred compounds of formula ZK are selected from sub-formulas ZK1a, ZK1b, ZK1c, ZK3a, ZK3b, ZK3c and ZK3d.

[0427] The medium further comprises one or more compounds selected from the formulas DK1 to DK12 given above. A particularly preferred compound is DK3.

[0428] The medium further comprises one or more compounds selected from the following formulas:

[0429]

[0430] Where X 20 It has the meaning indicated above, and

[0431] L represents H or F.

[0432] “alkenyl” indicates C 2-6 -Alkenyl.

[0433] Compounds of formula DK-3a and IX are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0434]

[0435] Where "alkyl" represents C 1-6 -alkyl group, preferably n-C3H7, n-C4H9 or n-C5H 11 Especially n-C3H7.

[0436] The medium further comprises one or more compounds selected from formulas B1, B2 and B3 given above, preferably selected from formula B2. Compounds of formulas B1 to B3 are particularly preferred to be selected from formulas B1a, B2a, B2b and B2c.

[0437] hh) The medium also contains one or more compounds selected from the following formulas:

[0438]

[0439] Where L 20 Represents H or F, and R 21 and R 22 Each of the following may be identical or different from an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an oxaalkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, or an alkenyl group, each having a maximum of 6 carbon atoms, and preferably each of the following may be identical or different from an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0440] ii) The medium contains one or more compounds of the following formulas:

[0441]

[0442] Among them, W and R 20 X 20 and Y 20-23 It has the meaning indicated in Equation III, and

[0443] Each represents independently of the other.

[0444]

[0445] and

[0446] express

[0447]

[0448] The compounds of formulas XI and XII are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0449]

[0450]

[0451]

[0452] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above, and preferably R 20 It represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and X 20 It represents F.

[0453] The mixtures according to the invention preferably contain at least one compound of formula XIIa and / or XIIe.

[0454] The medium comprises one or more compounds of formula T given above, preferably selected from the group consisting of compounds of formulas T21 to T23 and T25 to T27.

[0455] Compounds of formulas T21 to T23 are preferred. Compounds of the following formulas are particularly preferred:

[0456]

[0457]

[0458] The kk) medium contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the formulas DK9, DK10 and DK11 given above.

[0459] ll) The medium further comprises one or more compounds selected from the following formulas:

[0460]

[0461]

[0462] Where R 20 and X 20 Each of them independently possesses one of the meanings indicated above, and Y 20-23 Each can be represented independently of the other, either H or F. X 20 The preferred elements are F, Cl, CF3, OCF3, or OCHF2. R 20 Preferably, it represents an alkyl, alkoxy, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl, or alkenyl group, each having a maximum of 6 carbon atoms.

[0463] The mixtures according to the invention particularly preferably contain one or more compounds of formula XVIII-a.

[0464]

[0465] Where R 20 It has the meaning indicated above. R 20 Preferably, straight-chain alkyl groups are used, especially ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and n-pentyl, and very particularly preferably n-propyl. Compounds of formula XVIII, especially formula XVIII-a, are preferably used in the mixtures according to the invention in an amount of 0.5-20% by weight, especially preferably 1-15% by weight.

[0466] The mm) medium also contains one or more compounds of formula XIX.

[0467]

[0468] Where R 20 X 20 and Y 20-25 Having the meaning indicated in Equation I, s represents 0 or 1, and

[0469] express

[0470] In equation XIX, X 20 It may also represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alkyl or alkoxy group is preferably straight-chain.

[0471] R 20Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferred option is F;

[0472] Compounds of formula XIX are preferably selected from the following formulas:

[0473]

[0474]

[0475] Where R 20 X 20 and Y 20 It has the meaning indicated above. R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferred representation is F, and Y 20 F is preferred;

[0476] - Preferred is

[0477]

[0478]

[0479] -R 20 It is a straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0480] The medium comprises one or more compounds of formulas G1 to G4 given above, preferably selected from G1 and G2, wherein alkyl represents C 1-6 -alkyl, L x Let H represent H, and let X represent F or Cl. In G2, X is particularly preferably Cl.

[0481] The medium contains one or more compounds of the following formulas:

[0482]

[0483] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above. R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferably, F is represented. The medium according to the invention particularly preferably comprises one or more compounds of formula XXII, wherein X... 20 Preferably, F is indicated. Compounds of formula XX-XXII are preferably used in the mixtures of the present invention in an amount of 1-20% by weight, particularly preferably 1-15% by weight. It is particularly preferred that the mixture contains at least one compound of formula XXII.

[0484] pp) The medium contains one or more of the following pyrimidine or pyridine compounds:

[0485]

[0486]

[0487] Where R 20 and X 20 It has the meaning indicated above. R 20 Preferably, it refers to an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 20 Preferably, F is represented. The medium according to the invention particularly preferably comprises one or more compounds of formula M-1, wherein X 20 The preferred representation is F. Compounds of formula M-1-M-3 are preferably used in the mixtures of the present invention in an amount of 1-20% by weight, particularly preferably 1-15% by weight.

[0488] Other preferred embodiments are indicated below:

[0489] The medium contains two or more compounds of formula XII, especially compounds of formula XIIe;

[0490] The medium contains 2-30% by weight, preferably 3-20% by weight, and particularly preferably 3-15% by weight of a compound of formula XII;

[0491] In addition to compounds of formula XII, the medium also contains other compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds of formulas II, III, IX-XIII, XVII and XVIII.

[0492] The proportion of compounds of formulas II, III, IX-XI, XIII, XVII and XVIII in the overall mixture is 40% to 95% by weight;

[0493] The medium contains 10-50% by weight, particularly preferably 12-40% by weight, of compounds of formula II and / or formula III;

[0494] The vv) medium contains 20-70% by weight, particularly preferably 25-65% by weight, of compounds of formula IX-XIII;

[0495] The medium contains 4-30% by weight, particularly preferably 5-20% by weight, of a compound of formula XVII;

[0496] (xx) The medium contains 1-20% by weight, particularly preferably 2-15% by weight, of a compound of formula XVIII;

[0497] The yy) medium contains at least two of the following types of compounds:

[0498]

[0499] (zz) The medium contains at least two of the following types of compounds:

[0500]

[0501] The aaa) medium contains at least two compounds of formula XIIa and at least two compounds of formula XIIe.

[0502] The bbb) medium contains at least one compound of formula XIIa, at least one compound of formula XIIe, and at least one compound of formula IIIa.

[0503] The ccc) medium contains at least two compounds of formula XIIa, at least two compounds of formula XIIe, and at least one compound of formula IIIa.

[0504] The ddd) medium contains a total of ≥25% by weight, preferably ≥30% by weight, one or more of the XII compound.

[0505] The eee) medium contains ≥20% by weight, preferably ≥24% by weight, and more preferably 25-60% by weight of a compound of formula ZK3, especially a compound of formula ZK3a.

[0506]

[0507] The medium contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds ZK3a, ZK3b and ZK3c, preferably a combination of ZK3a and compound ZK3d.

[0508]

[0509] The ggg) medium contains at least one compound of the formula DPGU-nF.

[0510] The hhh) medium contains at least one compound of the formula CDUQU-nF.

[0511] iii) The medium contains at least one CPU-n-OXF compound.

[0512] The medium contains at least one compound of the formula CPGU-3-OT.

[0513] The kkk) medium contains at least one compound of the formula PPGU-nF.

[0514] The medium contains at least one PGP-nm compound, preferably two or three compounds.

[0515] The (mmm) medium contains at least one compound of formula PGP-2-2V having the following structure.

[0516]

[0517] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid crystal mixture of the present invention further comprises one or more polymerizable compounds.

[0518] The polymerizable compound may be selected from isotropic or mesocrystalline polymerizable compounds known to those skilled in the art.

[0519] Preferably, the liquid crystal mixture according to the invention further comprises one or more polymerizable compounds of the formula P.

[0520] P a -Sp a -(A p )-P b P

[0521] Each of the groups has the following meaning:

[0522] P a and P b Each independently represents a polymerizable group, preferably selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, fluoroacrylate, ethylene acrylate, chloroacrylate, oxetyl, or epoxy groups. a Indicates a spacer group or a single bond.

[0523] A p It is a group selected from the following formula:

[0524]

[0525] It is optionally bound by one or more L groups a replace,

[0526] L a Each occurrence is identical or different of F, Cl, -CN, P-Sp-, or a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 25 C atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2- groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O- in such a manner that the O and / or S atoms are not directly connected to each other, and wherein one or more H atoms are each optionally replaced by F or Cl.

[0527] Preferred spacer group Sp a Selected from formula Sp"-X", such that the groups P-Sp- and P a / b -Sp a / b - respectively conforming to the formulas P-Sp"-X"- and P a / b -Sp"-X"-, where

[0528] "Sp" represents an alkylene group having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, carbon atoms, optionally mono- or poly-substituted with F, Cl, Br, I, or CN, wherein, in addition, one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may be independently substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH-, or -N(R) 0 )-、-Si(R 00 R 000 )-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -S-CO-, -CO-S-, -N(R 00 -CO-O-、-O-CO-N(R) 00 )-、-N(R 00 )-CO-N(R 00 -, -CH=CH-, or -C≡C- are replaced by O and / or S atoms that are not directly connected to each other, or represent a single bond.

[0529] X" means -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-N(R 00 )-、-N(R 00 )-CO-、-N(R 00 )-CO-N(R 00 )-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CF2CH2-, -CH2CF2-, -CF2CF2-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=CR 0 -、-CY 3 =CY 4 -, -C≡C-, -CH=CH-CO-O-, -O-CO-CH=CH-, or single bonds, with single bonds being preferred.

[0530] R 0 R 00 and R 000 Each independently represents H or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and

[0531] Y 3 and Y 4 Each may be represented by H, F, Cl, or CN, either the same or different.

[0532] X" is preferably -O-, -S-, -CO-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O-, -OC(O)O-, -CO-NR 0 -、-NR 0 -CO-、-NR 0 -CO-NR 0 - or a single key.

[0533] Typical spacer groups Sp are, for example, single bonds, -(CH2) p1 -、-(CH2CH2O) q1 -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-S-CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-NH-CH2CH2- or -(SiR) 00 R 000 -O) p1 - where p1 is an integer from 1 to 12, q1 is an integer from 1 to 3, and R 00 and R 000 It has the meaning indicated above.

[0534] The particularly preferred group -Sp”-X”- is a single bond, -(CH2) p1 -、-(CH2) p1 -O-、-(CH2) p1 -O-CO-、-(CH2) p1 -O-CO-O-, where p1 and q1 have the meanings indicated above.

[0535] In each case, the particularly preferred group Sp” is, for example, linear methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, heptylene, octylene, nonylene, decylene, undecylene, dodecylene, octadecylene, ethylene oxyethylene, methylene oxybutylene, ethylene thioethylene, ethylene-N-methylimino ethylene, 1-methylalkylene, vinylene, propenylene, and butenylene.

[0536] The compounds of formula P and its sub-formulas used in this invention are prepared by methods known per se, as described in the literature (e.g., in standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methods of Organic Chemistry, Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), more precisely under known and suitable reaction conditions. Variations known per se, not mentioned in more detail herein, may also be used.

[0537] The amount of one, two, three or more P-polymerizable compounds in the total LC mixture is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5%, more preferably in the range of 0.3 to 3%, and especially in the range of 0.5 to 2%.

[0538] The polymerizable compounds of formulas I and P are also suitable for polymerization without an initiator, which offers numerous advantages, such as lower material costs and, in particular, reduced contamination of the LC medium from any residual initiator or its degradation products. Therefore, polymerization can be carried out without the addition of an initiator. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the LC medium does not contain a polymerization initiator.

[0539] The LC medium may also contain one or more stabilizers to prevent undesirable spontaneous polymerization of the polymerizable compound during, for example, storage or transportation. Suitable types and amounts of stabilizers are known to those skilled in the art and described in the literature. Particularly suitable stabilizers are, for example, those derived from… BASF SE series of commercially available stabilizers, such as 1076. If a stabilizer is used, its proportion is preferably 10 ppm to 10,000 ppm, particularly preferably 50 ppm to 1,000 ppm, based on the total amount of polymerizable compounds.

[0540] The medium is prepared in a conventional manner. Typically, it is preferred to dissolve the components in each other at high temperatures.

[0541] In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid crystal medium is injected between the first and second substrates or, after the first and second substrates are assembled, filled into a cell by capillary force. In an alternative embodiment, the liquid crystal composition is inserted between the first and second substrates by assembling the second substrate onto the first substrate after the liquid crystal composition is loaded onto the first substrate. Preferably, the liquid crystal is dispensed dropwise onto the first substrate using a method known as "onedrop filling" (ODF) as described, for example, in JPS63-179323 and JPH10-239694, or using an inkjet printing (IJP) method.

[0542] In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention includes the method step of allowing the liquid crystal inside the device's liquid crystal cell to stand for a period of time in order to uniformly redistribute the liquid crystal medium inside the liquid crystal cell (referred to herein as "annealing").

[0543] However, it is also preferable to combine the annealing step with previous steps, such as edge sealant pre-curing. In this case, a "separate" annealing step may not be necessary at all.

[0544] To produce the device of the present invention, it is preferable to redistribute the photoreactive mesogens of Formula I in the liquid crystal cell. After filling and assembly, the liquid crystal cell is annealed for a time between 1 min and 3 h, preferably between 2 min and 1 h, and most preferably between 5 min and 30 min. Annealing is preferably performed at room temperature.

[0545] In an alternative embodiment, annealing is performed at elevated temperatures, preferably above 20°C and below 140°C, more preferably above 40°C and below 100°C, and most preferably above 50°C and below 80°C.

[0546] In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the method steps of filling the liquid crystal cell, annealing, photoalignment, and curing the polymerizable compound are performed at a temperature higher than the clearing point of the liquid crystal bulk mixture.

[0547] During the photoalignment of liquid crystals inside a liquid crystal panel, anisotropy is induced by exposing the liquid crystal cell or liquid crystal layer to linearly polarized light.

[0548] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more compounds of formula I are photo-oriented using linearly polarized light in a first step, and further cured using linearly polarized or unpolarized UV light in a second step. In the second step, all polymerizable compounds are also further cured.

[0549] In another preferred embodiment, the linearly polarized light applied according to the method of the present invention is ultraviolet light, which enables simultaneous photoorientation and photocuring of one or more compounds of formula I, and photocuring of polymerizable compounds of formula P.

[0550] The photo-orientation of the photoreactive compound of formula I and the curing of the polymerizable groups of the compound of formula I, as well as the curing of the optional polymerizable compound of formula P, can be carried out simultaneously or gradually, preferably gradually. In cases where the method is divided into different steps, each step can be carried out at the same temperature or at different temperatures.

[0551] Following the photoalignment and curing steps, a so-called "post-curing" step may optionally be performed at a reduced temperature by irradiation with UV light and / or visible light (both linear or unpolarized) to remove unreacted polymerizable compounds. Post-curing is preferably performed at a temperature above 0°C and below the clearing point of the LC mixture used, preferably at 20°C and below 60°C, and most preferably at a temperature above 20°C and below 40°C.

[0552] The polymerizable compound may optionally be polymerized or crosslinked under an applied electric field (if the polymerizable compound contains two or more polymerizable groups). Polymerization may be carried out in one or more steps.

[0553] The device according to the invention can be used in a variety of electro-optical applications, such as applications for augmented reality or virtual reality.

[0554] Therefore, the present invention further relates to the use of the device according to the invention in an electro-optical device and to an electro-optical device, preferably for use in augmented reality or virtual reality, the electro-optical device itself comprising the device according to the invention.

[0555] Such electro-optical devices include, but are not limited to, head-mounted displays or eye-care products, preferably goggles or contact lenses.

[0556] Unless otherwise expressly indicated in the text, the plural forms of terms used herein shall be considered to include the singular forms and vice versa.

[0557] The parameter ranges indicated in this application all include limit values, including the maximum permissible error as known to experts. Different upper and lower limits indicated for various property ranges can be combined to create additional preferred ranges.

[0558] Throughout this application, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following conditions and definitions apply. All concentrations are expressed as a weight percentage and relative to the corresponding whole mixture; all temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius and all temperature differences are expressed as degree differences. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all physical properties are determined according to "Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals", Status Nov. 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and given for a temperature of 20°C. Optical anisotropy (Δn) was measured at a wavelength of 589.3 nm. Dielectric anisotropy (Δε) was measured at a frequency of 1 kHz (or, if precisely specified, at a frequency of 19 GHz). Threshold voltage and all other electro-optic properties were determined using a test cell manufactured by Merck KGaA, Germany. The test cell used to measure Δε had a cell thickness of approximately 20 μm. The electrodes were 1.13 cm thick. 2 A circular ITO electrode with a defined area and guard ring. The alignment layer is SE-1211 from Nissan Chemicals, Japan, for vertical alignment (ε||), and polyimide AL-1054 from Japan Synthetic Rubber, Japan, for planar alignment (ε||). ⊥ The capacitor was used with a Solatron 1260 frequency response analyzer at a voltage of 0.3V. rms The sine wave was measured. White light was used in the electro-optic measurement. A setup was used here with a DMS instrument available from Autronic-Melchers, Germany.

[0559] Throughout this disclosure and its claims, the terms “comprising” and “containing”, and variations thereof (e.g., “comprising” and “containing”), mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components. On the other hand, the term “comprising” also covers the term “composed of,” but is not limited thereto.

[0560] It should be understood that many of the features described above, especially those of the preferred embodiments, are inventive in themselves and not merely part of the embodiments of the invention. Independent protection may be sought for these features, in addition to or in lieu of any invention currently claimed.

[0561] Throughout this application, it should be understood that the bond angle at a C atom bonded to three adjacent atoms (e.g., in a C=C or C=O double bond or, for example, in a benzene ring) is 120°, and the bond angle at a C atom bonded to two adjacent atoms (e.g., in a C≡C or a C≡N triple bond or in an allyl C=C=C position) is 180°, unless otherwise limited, for example, to part of a small ring (e.g., a 3-, 5-, or 5-atom ring). However, in some cases, in some structural formulas, these angles are not precisely represented.

[0562] It should be understood that variations of the foregoing embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose may replace the features disclosed herein. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the disclosed features are merely one example of a general series of equivalent or similar features.

[0563] All features disclosed in this specification can be combined in any combination, except for at least some mutually exclusive combinations of these features and / or steps. In particular, preferred features of the invention apply to all aspects of the invention and can be used in any combination. Similarly, features described in non-essential combinations can be used alone (non-combined use).

[0564] Without further detailed explanation, those skilled in the art will be able to fully utilize the invention through the foregoing description. Therefore, the following embodiments should be interpreted as merely illustrative and not as limiting the remainder of the invention in any way.

[0565] The following abbreviations are used to describe the liquid crystal phase behavior of compounds: K = crystallization; N = nematic phase; N2 = twisted-bent nematic phase; S = smectic phase; Ch = cholesterol phase; I = isotropic phase; Tg = glass transition. The numbers between the symbols indicate the phase transition temperature in °C.

[0566] In this application and particularly in the following embodiments, the structures of the liquid crystal compounds are represented by abbreviations (also known as "acronyms"). The abbreviations can be easily converted to their corresponding structures according to the following three tables A to C.

[0567] All groups C n H 2n+1 C m H 2m+1 and C I H 2I+1Preferably, they are straight-chain alkyl groups having n, m, and l C atoms respectively, and all groups have C atoms. n H 2n C m H 2m and C I H 2I The preferred values ​​are (CH2). n (CH2) m and (CH2) I And -CH=CH- is preferably trans- or E-vinylidene.

[0568] Table A lists the symbols used for ring elements, Table B lists the symbols used for linking groups, and Table C lists the symbols used for left and right end groups of the molecule.

[0569] Table A: Ring Elements

[0570]

[0571]

[0572]

[0573] Table B: Linking Groups

[0574]

[0575]

[0576] Table C: End bases

[0577]

[0578]

[0579] Where n and m each represent integers, and the three dots "..." represent spaces or other abbreviations from this table. Example

[0580] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following working examples, which are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0581] Photoreactive compounds used

[0582] RM-1

[0583] RM-2 RM-3

[0584] Nematic body mixture used

[0585] The following table shows the preparation of nematic LC bulk mixtures.

[0586] Mixture M-1:

[0587]

[0588] Mixture M-2:

[0589]

[0590]

[0591] Example 1:

[0592] A glass cell, without an alignment layer and with a substrate spacing of 23 μm, was capillarily filled with a mixture of 99.5% w / w M-1 and 0.5% w / w RM-2 and heated on a 115°C hot plate for 30 minutes without illumination. The cell was then exposed to polarized UV (50 mW / cm²). 2 (120 seconds). By turning off the heating plate and leaving the box on the heating plate, the box is slowly cooled to below the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition (approximately 20°C below TNI).

[0593] When observed under a microscope, the box exhibits good uniform planar alignment.

[0594] Example 2:

[0595] A glass cell, without an alignment layer and with a substrate spacing of 23 μm, was capillarily filled with a mixture of 98% w / w M-1 and 2% w / w RM-2 and heated on a 115°C hot plate for 30 minutes without illumination. The cell was then exposed to polarized UV (50 mW / cm²). 2 (120 seconds). By turning off the heating plate and leaving the box on the heating plate, the box is slowly cooled to below the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition (approximately 20°C below TNI).

[0596] When observed under a microscope, the box exhibits good uniform planar alignment.

[0597] Example 3:

[0598] A test chamber comprising a Fresnel lens structure substrate and a planar glass substrate was manufactured according to the procedures given in paragraphs

[0171] to

[0181] of GB 201810565. A 10 μm spacer in a UV-curable sealant was used to separate the two substrates. The sealant containing the glass spacer was applied to the edges of the chamber, and the chamber was then irradiated with UV light to cure the adhesive. The chamber was capillarily filled with a mixture consisting of 98% w / w M-1 and 2% w / w RM-2 and heated on a hot plate at 115°C for 30 minutes. The chamber was then exposed to polarized UV (50 mW / cm²). 2 (90 seconds). By turning off the heating plate, leave the box on the heating plate and slowly cool the box below the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition (approximately 20°C below the TNI of M-1).

[0599] Under a microscope, the box exhibits excellent and uniform planar alignment. The relief Fresnel lens is clearly visible in bright light. Self-alignment has been achieved over the entire area of ​​the relief surface feature. The planar alignment remains oriented relative to the surface feature at any angle.

[0600] Example 4:

[0601] Test chambers with one convex and one concave side, corresponding to convex and concave lenses or meniscus lenses, were formed using N-BK7 plano-convex lenses (F=100) with a diameter of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 2 mm and N-BK7 plano-concave lenses (F=100) with a diameter of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 5 mm (both available from Thorlabs, Germany). Prior to assembling the chambers, a mixture of 99% w / w M-2 and 1% w / w RM-1 was dropwise supplied to the plano-concave lens substrate.

[0602] Place the box on a 100°C heating plate for 10 minutes without light exposure, then expose it to polarized UV (35mW / cm², 3 steps, 5 minutes each, for a total of 15 minutes). By turning off the heating plate, leave the box on the heating plate and slowly cool it below the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition (approximately 20°C below TNI of M-2).

[0603] When observed under a microscope, the box exhibits acceptable planar alignment.

[0604] Example 5:

[0605] Test chambers with one convex and one concave side, corresponding to convex and concave lenses or meniscus lenses, were formed using N-BK7 plano-convex lenses (F=100) with a diameter of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 2 mm and N-BK7 plano-concave lenses (F=100) with a diameter of 25.4 mm and a thickness of 5 mm (both available from Thorlabs, Germany). Prior to assembling the chambers, a mixture of 99.5% w / w M-2 and 0.5% w / w RM-3 was dropwise fed to the plano-concave lens substrate.

[0606] The box was placed on a 100°C heating plate for 10 minutes without light exposure, and then exposed to polarized UV light (35mW / cm², 3 steps, 5 minutes each, total 15 minutes) using a 360nm cutoff filter. The box was then left on the heating plate and slowly cooled to below the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition (approximately 20°C below the TNI of M-2) by turning off the heating plate.

[0607] When observed under a microscope, the box exhibits acceptable planar alignment.

Claims

1. LC device, which is an LC beam steering device, includes At least two opposing transparent substrates, At least one LC switching layer sandwiched between the opposing substrates, the LC switching layer comprising a polymer obtainable from one or more photoreactive mesocrystalline materials of Formula I. in A 11 Groups selected from the following groups: a) The group consisting of 1,4-phenylene and 1,3-phenylene, wherein, Additionally, one or two CH groups are optionally replaced by N, and in the group of a), one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by L. b) Select groups from the following groups: In group b), one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by L, and / or one or more double bonds are optionally replaced by single bonds, and / or one or more CH groups are optionally replaced by N. Each of A independently possesses A in each occurrence. 11 One of the meanings, or it can be selected from the following meanings: a) The group consisting of trans-1,4-cyclohexene and 1,4-cyclohexenyl groups, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally substituted with -O- and / or -S- and wherein one or more H atoms are optionally substituted with F, or b) The group consisting of tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyl, cyclobutane-1,3-diyl, piperidine-1,4-diyl, thiophene-2,5-diyl, and selenophene-2,5-diyl, each of which may also be mono- or poly-substituted with L. L, appearing the same or different each time, represents -OH, -F, -Cl, -Br, -I, -CN, -NO2, SF5, -NCO, -NCS, -OCN, -SCN, -C(=O)N(R) z )2、-C(=O)R z -N(R) z 2. Optionally substituted silyl, optionally substituted aryl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, or alkoxycarbonyloxy, or indicating X 21 -Sp 21 -R 21 , M represents -O-, -S-, -CH2-, -CHR z -or-CR y R z -, R y and R z Each of these independently represents H, CN, F, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein one or more H atoms are optionally replaced by F. Y 11 and Y 12 Each of these independently represents H, F, phenyl, or an optional fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Each occurrence of Z independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -(CH2). n -, -CF2CF2-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-COO-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -CS-S-, -S-CS-, -S-CSS- or -C≡C-, n represents an integer between 2 and 8. o and p each and independently represent 0, 1, or 2. x and y can each independently represent 0 or 1; however, if x represents 0, then y cannot represent 1. X 11 and X 21 Each occurrence independently represents a single bond, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -O-COO-, -O-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -CF2-O-, -O-CF2-, -CF2-CF2-, -CH2-O-, -O-CH2-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -CS-S-, -S-CS-, -S-CSS-, or -S-. Sp 11 and Sp 21 Each occurrence of each group independently represents a single bond or a spacer group containing 1 to 20 C atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(CH3)-, -CO-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CF2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH(OH)-, -CH(alkyl)-, -CH(alkenyl)-, -CH(alkoxy)-, -CH(oxaalkyl)-, -CH=CH-, or -C≡C-, but in such a way that no two O atoms are adjacent to each other and no two groups selected from -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -O-COO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, and -CH=CH- are adjacent to each other. R 11 P represents R 21 This indicates P, halogen, CN, or an optionally fluorinated alkyl or alkenyl group having up to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -S-, -CO-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)-, or OC(O)-O-. Each time P appears, it is a polymerizable group, and each group is independent of the others. and one or more nematic compounds, An electrode structure is provided on one or both of the opposing substrates. The substrate is characterized in that one or more of the substrates correspond to a grating or lens structure, or the substrate is additionally equipped with a grating or lens structure adjacent to the LC switching layer; the one or more substrates correspond to or are equipped with a plano-concave lens structure, or a plano-convex lens structure, or a biconvex lens structure, or a biconcave lens structure, or a refractive Fresnel lens structure, or a diffractive Fresnel lens structure; the one or more substrates correspond to or are equipped with a surface relief grating, or a blazed grating, or a volumetric grating, or a Pancharatnam-Berry grating, or a Bragg polarization grating; the maximum thickness of the LC switching layer is in the range of 10 µm to 100 µm.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The maximum thickness of the LC switching layer is in the range of 10µm to 75µm.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electrode structure used is selected from finger-type electrodes, IPS electrodes, FFS electrodes, or comb electrodes.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The one or more nematic compounds are selected from the following formula: in a represents 1 or 2, b represents 0 or 1. R 1 and R 2 Each of the above independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein one or more additional non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -O-CO-, or -CO-O- in such a manner that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other. Z x This indicates -CH=CH-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -O-, -CH2-, -CH2CH2-, or a single bond. Z y This indicates -CH2CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-CH2O-, or a single bond. L 1-4 Each of them independently represents F, Cl, OCF3, CF3, CH3, CH2F, and CHF2.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The one or more nematic compounds are selected from the following formula: in R 20 Each may be identical or different from a halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of these groups are optionally represented by -C≡C-, -CF2O-, -CH=CH-, etc., in a manner in which the O atoms are not directly connected to each other. Replace with -O-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-. X 20 Each may be identical or different from F, Cl, CN, SF5, SCN, NCS, alkyl halide, alkenyl halide, alkoxy halide, or alkenyloxy halide, each having a maximum of 6 carbon atoms, and Y 20-24 Each may represent H or F in the same or different ways; W represents H or methyl. 。 6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One or more nematic compounds are selected from the following formula: Where R 20 X 20 W and Y 20-23 It has the meaning indicated in formula III of claim 5, and and 。 7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The one or more nematic compounds are selected from the following formula: Each of the groups has the following meaning: R 3 and R 4 Each of these groups independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the other one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups are optionally replaced by -O-, -CH=CH-, -CO-, -O-CO-, or -CO-O- in such a way that the O atoms are not directly connected to each other. Z y It represents -CH2CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -C2F4-, -CF=CF-, -CH=CH-CH2O-, or a single bond.

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It is a beam focusing device.

9. A method of manufacturing the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising one or more of the following steps: - Provide electrode structures on one or more substrates, provide grating or lens structures on one or more substrates, and assemble a liquid crystal cell. - A liquid crystal cell filled with an LC medium comprising one or more photoreactive mesocrystalline materials of Formula I and one or more nematic compounds. - Illuminate the liquid crystal cell with linearly polarized light. - Polymerizable compounds of LC media are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet or visible light with a wavelength of 450 nm or less.

10. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in an electro-optical device.

11. An electro-optic device comprising the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. The electro-optic device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The electro-optical device is selected from devices used in augmented reality or virtual reality applications.

13. The electro-optic device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, These are either goggles or contact lenses.

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