Light-absorbing anisotropic film, viewing angle control system, and image display device

Abstract

To provide a light-absorbing anisotropic film capable of displaying a bright and clear image in an image display device from a desired direction and not viewing the image from other directions, a viewing angle control system using the light-absorbing anisotropic film, and an image display device using the viewing angle control system. A light-absorbing anisotropic film having a light-absorbing anisotropic layer containing a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic substance, an angle formed by an orientation direction of an optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance in one surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and a normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set to θA, an angle formed by an orientation direction of an optical absorption axis of the dichroic substance in the other surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set to θB, a difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is 15° or less, and the angle θA is 5° or more and less than 45°, thereby solving the problem.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a light-absorbing anisotropic film for view angle control, a view angle control system using the same, and an image display device using the view angle control system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the case of using a display for a car navigation system or the like, there is a problem that light emitted upward from a display screen is reflected in a windshield or the like and hinders driving.

[0003] To solve such a problem, for example, Patent Literature 1 provides a method of using a first polarizer having an absorption axis in a plane and a second polarizer (light-absorbing anisotropic layer) in which an absorption axis of an organic dichroic substance is oriented at 0° to 45° with respect to a normal direction. Here, the first polarizer can use a polarizer on a visual recognition side in a liquid crystal display device.

[0004] In this method, by transmitting only light from a specific direction of an image and blocking transmission of light at angles other than that, the image can be observed by an observer at the desired direction, but the image cannot be reflected from a certain direction such as a window glass at angles other than that.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4902516 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] In the above view angle control method, the transmittance when observed from a direction in which the image is intended to be seen is insufficient and sufficient visibility cannot be obtained, and on the other hand, the transmittance when observed from a direction other than that, i.e., a direction in which the screen is not intended to be seen, is not sufficiently reduced, and thus there is a problem that the screen cannot be sufficiently shielded.

[0010] For example, in a car-mounted use, it is difficult to see the screen from a direction of a driver or a person in a front passenger seat or the like, i.e., a direction in which the screen is intended to be accurately and quickly visually recognized to obtain information, and on the other hand, the image can be seen from a direction in which reflection glare on a window glass is intended to be eliminated, and thus the reflection glare prevention effect becomes insufficient. As a car-mounted display system, this can become a serious problem that hinders safe driving.

[0011] Thus, an object of the present application is to provide a light-absorbing anisotropic film that can sufficiently limit reflected glare on a window glass in a vehicle or the like by providing a sufficiently bright and easily viewed image from a desired direction and blocking light from the image from other directions, a viewing angle control system using the light-absorbing anisotropic film, and an image display device using the viewing angle control system.

[0012] Means for solving the technical problem

[0013] The present inventors have found that the above object can be achieved by the following configuration.

[0014] (1) A light-absorbing anisotropic film having a light-absorbing anisotropic layer, wherein

[0015] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic substance,

[0016] An angle formed by an orientation direction of an optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance in one surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and a normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set to θA, and an angle formed by an orientation direction of an optical absorption axis of the dichroic substance in the other surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set to θB,

[0017] The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is 15° or less, and the angle θA is 5° or more and less than 45°.

[0018] (2) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (1), wherein

[0019] The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is 5° or less.

[0020] (3) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (1) or (2), wherein

[0021] The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is 2° or less.

[0022] (4) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

[0023] The ratio of the organic dichroic substance with respect to the total solid content mass of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is 5% by mass or more.

[0024] (5) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

[0025] The ratio of the organic dichroic substance with respect to the total solid content mass of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is 15% by mass or more.

[0026] (6) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein

[0027] The organic dichroic substance is formed from a mixture of three or more kinds of organic dichroic substances that differ in peak absorption wavelength.

[0028] (7) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

[0029] The liquid crystal compound includes a high-molecular liquid crystal compound.

[0030] (8) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

[0031] The liquid crystal compound is a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0032] (9) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (8), wherein

[0033] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound includes a rod-like liquid crystal compound.

[0034] (10) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (8) or (9), wherein

[0035] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound includes a liquid crystal compound that exhibits a smectic phase.

[0036] (11) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to any one of (1) to (11), having an alignment liquid crystal layer adjacent to the light-absorbing anisotropic layer,

[0037] The alignment liquid crystal layer is a layer in which a polymerizable liquid crystal compound that exhibits mixed alignment is fixed, the alignment direction in the thickness direction thereof continuously changing from one surface side toward the other surface side.

[0038] (12) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (11), wherein

[0039] The liquid crystal compound of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound,

[0040] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound used in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound used in the alignment liquid crystal layer are the same polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0041] (13) The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to (11) or (12), wherein

[0042] The thickness of the alignment liquid crystal layer is 0.1 to 2.0 μm.

[0043] (14) The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to any one of (11) to (13) has an alignment layer adjacent to the side of the liquid crystal layer for alignment opposite to the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and formed of polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide.

[0044] (15) A viewing angle control system having a polarizer and a light-absorbing anisotropic thin film as described in any one of (1) to (14).

[0045] (16) An image display device having the viewing angle control system of (15) disposed on at least one main surface of a display panel.

[0046] Invention Effects

[0047] According to the present invention, when used in vehicle-mounted displays or the like, reflected glare from images on windows or the like can be sufficiently suppressed, and bright and easily visually recognizable images can be provided to drivers or the like. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an embodiment of the liquid crystal display device of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an embodiment of the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing the orientation of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic material inside the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the direction of the transmissivity central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the image display device of the present invention and the position of the absorption axis of the polarizer.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the cross-section of the anisotropic light-absorbing layer inside the light-absorbing thin film of the present invention, the direction θA of the light absorption axis of the dichroic material near the support side interface, and the direction θB of the light absorption axis of the dichroic material near the air side interface.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the fabrication of a slice along the light absorption axis of the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the verification embodiment.

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a polarizing microscope observation of a slice of the light absorption axis direction of the light absorption anisotropic layer used to confirm the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The present invention will now be described in detail.

[0056] The following description of the constitutional requirements is made based on a representative embodiment of the present application, but the present application is not limited to this embodiment.

[0057] In addition, the numerical range indicated by "〜" in the present specification means a range including the numerical values indicated before and after "〜" as lower limit values and upper limit values.

[0058] Also, in the present specification, parallel, orthogonal do not mean strict parallel, orthogonal, but mean parallel or orthogonal within a range of ±5°.

[0059] Further, in the present specification, "(meth)acrylate" is used in the meaning of "either one or both of acrylate and methacrylate".

[0060] Also, in the present specification, liquid crystalline composition, liquid crystalline compound include the concept of not exhibiting liquid crystallinity by curing or the like.

[0061] <IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE>

[0062] The image display device in the present application can use organic electroluminescence display devices and other display devices in addition to liquid crystal display devices, and as an example, a liquid crystal display device is described as an example.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1 , the liquid crystal display device 100 of the present application is a liquid crystal display device provided with, in order from the visual recognition side, a light-absorbing anisotropic film 101, a visual recognition side polarizer 102, a liquid crystal cell 103, a back light side polarizer 104, and a back light 105.

[0064] The light-absorbing anisotropic film 101 is a light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application and has a light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0065] The light-absorbing anisotropic film 101 can have various structures as long as it has the light-absorbing anisotropic layer described later.

[0066] The light-absorbing anisotropic film 101 of the present application is not limited to this structure, and as an example, as conceptually shown in Figure 2 , it has, in order, a barrier layer 1, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2, an orientation liquid crystal layer 3, an orientation layer 4, and a TAC film 5.

[0067] The TAC film 5 is a support for the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 101. In addition, TAC is an abbreviation for Triacetylcellulose film.

[0068] In this invention, the direction of the absorption axis of the polarizer is sometimes referred to as longitudinal or transverse. However, in the case of a liquid crystal display device in normal use, the direction of the side of the liquid crystal display device closer to the vertical direction is referred to as longitudinal, and the direction of the side of the liquid crystal display device closer to the horizontal direction is referred to as transverse.

[0069] [Light Absorption Anisotropic Layer]

[0070] The preferred method for controlling the light transmission direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is to orient the organic dichroic material that has absorption in the visible region in the desired direction, and a more preferred method is to orient the organic dichroic material by utilizing the orientation of the liquid crystal compound.

[0071] As an example, an anisotropic light-absorbing layer can be described where at least one organic dichroic material is tilted relative to the normal direction of the thin film. The method for determining the orientation direction of the organic dichroic material will be explained in detail below.

[0072] Furthermore, as is widely known, a normal is a direction orthogonal to the main surface of a sheet-like object (thin film, layer, membrane, plate), for example, ... Figure 2 The stacking directions of the layers in the anisotropic light-absorbing thin film are shown. Furthermore, it is well known that the main surface is the largest surface of the sheet, typically the two surfaces along the thickness direction.

[0073] In the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film of the present invention, an organic dichroic material is oriented in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer such that the angle between the orientation direction of the light absorption axis of the organic dichroic material on one surface and the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set as θA, and the angle between the orientation direction of the light absorption axis of the dichroic material on the other surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set as θB, the difference between angle θA and angle θB is 15° or less, and angle θA is 5° or more and less than 45°.

[0074] Preferably, as an example, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film has a support (TAC film 5), such as Figure 5The angle 34 between the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance in the support side interface 32 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 and the normal line 35 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 is set to an angle θΑ. Also, the angle 33 between the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the dichroic substance in the air layer side interface 31 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 and the normal line 35 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 is set to an angle θΒ. In the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 of the optical absorption anisotropic film of the present application, the difference between the angle θΑ and the angle θΒ is 15° or less and the angle θΑ is 5° or more and less than 45° among such angles θΑ and θΒ. However, the interface on the side opposite to the support of the optical absorption anisotropic layer is not limited to the air layer, and as shown in Figure 2

[0075] That is, in the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 of the optical absorption anisotropic film of the present application, the difference in the orientation direction of the dichroic substance in the thickness direction is small among the two surfaces.

[0076] In addition, in the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 of the optical absorption anisotropic film of the present application, the orientation direction (azimuth angle) of the dichroic substance in the surface direction of the optical absorption anisotropic layer is the same direction on the two surfaces.

[0077] Generally, the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 is formed on an orientation film in which the liquid crystal compound is aligned in one direction (uniaxial orientation). Also, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal compound in the surface direction follows the liquid crystal compound on the orientation film side in the thickness direction. Therefore, in the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal compound in the surface direction is the same direction in the entire region in the thickness direction.

[0078] As described later, the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 of the optical absorption anisotropic film of the present application is formed using the production technology of guest-host liquid crystal cells using a liquid crystal compound as the host, and the like. Therefore, the orientation of the organic dichroic substance follows the orientation of the liquid crystal compound.

[0079] Therefore, the orientation direction of the dichroic substance in the surface direction is also the same direction in the entire region in the thickness direction, and the orientation direction (azimuth angle) of the dichroic substance is equal (approximately equal) on the two surfaces.

[0080] Here, the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance is the orientation direction of the organic dichroic substance in which linearly polarized light absorption is the strongest in the vibration direction of the electric field in the direction thereof.

[0081] ​As a specific method for determining the orientation of the light absorption axis of organic dichroic materials, firstly, the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm was actually measured using an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Opto Science, Inc.), thereby detecting the central axis of the transmittance of the light absorption anisotropic layer.

[0082] More specifically, firstly, using an AxoScan OPMF-1, the azimuth angle at which the transmittance central axis is tilted is initially located. Next, within a plane containing the normal direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer along the detected azimuth angle, the polar angle (the angle relative to the normal direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer) is changed in 1° increments until -70° to 70°, while simultaneously measuring the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm, thus deriving the transmittance of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. Furthermore, the plane containing the normal direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer along the detected azimuth angle is defined as a plane containing the transmittance central axis and orthogonal to the main surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0083] This result uses the direction of highest transmittance as the transmittance central axis. The transmittance central axis refers to the direction in which the light absorption axis (the long axis of the molecule) of the dichroic material contained in the anisotropic light absorption layer is tilted.

[0084] Next, as Figure 6 Conceptually, using a slicing machine or similar tool, the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film 101 is sliced ​​thinly parallel to the normal 42, so that the transmittance central axis containing the detected light-absorbing anisotropic layer is aligned with the normal of the layer (see reference). Figure 5 The sample is thinned parallel to the normal 35) to make a slice 43.

[0085] Next, the sliced ​​section 43 is placed on the rotating sample stage of the polarizing microscope so that the cross-section is oriented upwards. Then, as... Figure 7 Conceptually, the azimuth angle of slice 43 is rotated and the changes in brightness at various positions of slice 43 are observed.

[0086] When the light absorption axis of an organic dichroic substance is parallel to the direction of electric field vibration of the incident polarized light, the orientation of the light absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance at various locations in the anisotropic layer can be deduced by utilizing the fact that the polarized light absorption is strongest and its position becomes darker. In this case, the analyzer of a polarizing microscope is not used.

[0087] Furthermore, in this invention, unless otherwise specified, these optical measurements are performed using light with a wavelength of 550 nm, as described above.

[0088] However, it is difficult to observe the direction of the light absorption axis at the interfaces on the two surfaces of the light absorption anisotropic layer, such as the support side and the air side, due to large deviations.

[0089] Therefore, as to the angle 34, i.e., the angle θA, of the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance in the support side with respect to the normal 35 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer 2, as shown in Figure 5 the angle 34 of the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance at a position 0.2 μm deeper than the support side interface 32 of the original optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 in the direction toward the air side interface 31 is set as the angle θA.

[0090] Similarly, as to the angle θB of the air side interface, as shown in Figure 5 the angle 33 of the orientation direction of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance at a position 0.2 μm deeper than the air side interface 31 of the original optical absorption anisotropic layer 2 in the direction toward the support side interface 32 with respect to the normal 35 of the optical absorption anisotropic layer is set as the angle θB.

[0091] In the present application, by setting the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB to be 15° or less, the light transmittance in the direction of the observer is improved and the image visibility is improved, while the transmittance in directions other than that is reduced to suppress the reflection glare on the window glass or the like.

[0092] As to the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB, for example, in the image display device for vehicle use, when the configuration in the vehicle interior including the image display device determines from which direction the image is intended to be visually recognized, it is determined most closely related to the effectiveness of whether or not the reflection glare suppression of the image display device is improved.

[0093] If the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB exceeds 15°, the visibility from the set visually recognized direction in the image display device is deteriorated, the blocking of light other than the set visually recognized direction is insufficient, and the reflection glare on the window glass in the vehicle use or the like is increased, and the like, which are undesirable.

[0094] The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is preferably 10° or less, more preferably 5° or less, further preferably 2° or less, and most preferably 0°.

[0095] As to the angle θA and the angle θB, for example, in the vehicle use, when the configuration in the vehicle interior including the image display device determines from which direction the image is intended to be visually recognized, it is determined most closely related to the effectiveness of whether or not the reflection glare suppression of the image display device is improved. Specifically, as the angle θA, the effectiveness becomes highest when the angle is 5° or more and less than 45°. Also, either of the angle θA and the angle θB can be the larger value.

[0096] The angle θA is determined according to the need for which direction the viewing angle control is intended to be performed in the viewing angle control system used in the optical absorption anisotropic film of the present application.

[0097] In this invention, when the angle θA is less than 5°, adverse conditions such as a narrowing of the design freedom for the in-vehicle configuration including the image display device occur.

[0098] Furthermore, even when the angle θA is set to 45° or higher, it is difficult to observe the image from such a shallow angle. Moreover, in the frontal direction where the brightness of the emitted light from the image display device is high and the optical path length through the optical anisotropic layer is reduced, the light-blocking effect becomes insufficient. In other words, when the angle θA is 45° or higher, it is not optimal from the perspective of the viewing angle control direction of the viewing angle control system. This results in adverse conditions such as decreased visibility from the set visual recognition direction, insufficient light blocking other than the set visual recognition direction, and increased reflected glare on the center window glass for applications such as automotive.

[0099] The angle θA is preferably 5° to 30°, and more preferably 5° to 15°.

[0100] For techniques to orient organic dichroic materials in a desired direction, refer to the fabrication techniques of polarizers using organic dichroic materials and the fabrication techniques of host and guest liquid crystal cells.

[0101] That is, in the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film of the present invention, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is a layer containing a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic substance.

[0102] As an example, such as Figure 3 The light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2, conceptually shown, uses a liquid crystal compound 11 as the main body, with the liquid crystal compound 11 oriented to satisfy the aforementioned angles θA and θB. Dichroic substances D-1 (reference numeral 13), D-2 (reference numeral 14), and D-3 (reference numeral 15) as objects are oriented along the liquid crystal compound. Furthermore, dichroic substances D-1, D-2, and D-3 are, for example, organic dichroic substances with different absorption peak wavelengths.

[0103] The orientation of this dichroic material can, for example, utilize the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-305036 and 2002-90526, as well as the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-99388 and 2016-27387 for manufacturing a host-guest type liquid crystal display device, in the fabrication of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer used in the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film of the present invention.

[0104] For example, by using guest-host type liquid crystal cell technology, the molecules of organic dichroic substances can be oriented as described above, depending on the orientation of the host liquid crystal.

[0105] Specifically, the organic dichroic substance that becomes a guest and the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound that becomes a host liquid crystal are mixed, the host liquid crystal is aligned, and the molecules of the organic dichroic substance are aligned along the alignment of the liquid crystal compound, and the alignment state is fixed, whereby the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application can be produced.

[0106] In order to prevent variation due to the use environment of the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application, it is preferable to fix the alignment of the organic dichroic substance by formation of a chemical bond. For example, the alignment can be fixed by performing polymerization of the host liquid crystal, the organic dichroic substance, or a polymerizable component added as desired.

[0107] Furthermore, a guest-host liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer containing at least an organic dichroic substance and a host liquid crystal on a pair of substrates can be used as the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application as it is.

[0108] The alignment of the host liquid crystal (and the alignment of the molecules of the organic dichroic substance accompanying it) can be controlled by an alignment film formed on the inner surface of the substrate, and the alignment state can be maintained without application of an external stimulus such as an electric field, and the light absorption anisotropic property of the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application can be maintained constant.

[0109] Furthermore, the organic dichroic substance is allowed to permeate into a polymer film, and the organic dichroic substance is aligned along the alignment of the polymer molecules in the polymer film, whereby a polymer film that can be used as the light absorption anisotropic layer of the light absorption anisotropic film of the present application can be produced.

[0110] Specifically, a solution of the organic dichroic substance can be applied to the surface of the polymer film and permeated into the film. The alignment of the organic dichroic substance can be adjusted depending on the alignment of the polymer chains in the polymer film, the properties thereof (chemical and physical properties of the polymer chains or the functional groups they have, etc.), the application method, and the like. Details of the method are described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-090526.

[0111] In the case where the polymer film is used as the light absorption anisotropic layer, the direction of alignment of the optical absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance can also be measured in the same manner as described above.

[0112] In the light absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application, the transmittance (hereinafter 550 nm) inclined by 30° from the center axis of transmittance is preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less, and further preferably 45% or less.

[0113] By this, the contrast of the illuminance of the center of transmittance and the direction deviated from the center of transmittance can be improved, and the viewing angle can be sufficiently reduced.

[0114] The optical absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application preferably has a transmittance of 65% or more, more preferably 75% or more, and further preferably 85% or more in the central axis of the transmittance. This makes it possible to improve the luminance at the center of the viewing angle of the image display device and to provide good visibility.

[0115] Also, in terms of being able to make the color tone in the front direction neutral, the degree of orientation at 420 nm of the optical absorption anisotropic layer preferably satisfies 0.93 or more.

[0116] Regarding the color tone control of the optical absorption anisotropic film containing a dichroic substance, it is generally performed by adjusting the amount of the dichroic substance contained in the film. However, it is known that adjusting the amount of the dichroic substance alone cannot make the color tone in the front direction and the inclined direction neutral. It is known that the reason why the color tone in the front direction and the inclined direction cannot be made neutral is that the degree of orientation at 420 nm is low, and by making the degree of orientation at 420 nm high, the color tone in the front direction and the inclined direction can be made neutral.

[0117] Also, the optical absorption anisotropic layer used in the present application can be a plurality of optical absorption anisotropic layers having different central axes of the transmittance or a phase difference layer stacked, so as to satisfy the transmittance at 30° from the central axis of the transmittance and the transmittance in the central axis of the transmittance.

[0118] By stacking a plurality of optical absorption anisotropic layers having different central axes of the transmittance, it is possible to adjust the width of the region where the transmittance is high. Also, in the case of stacking a phase difference layer, by controlling the phase difference value and the optical axis direction, it is possible to control the transmittance / blocking performance. As the phase difference layer, it is possible to use a positive A plate, a negative A plate, a positive C plate, a negative C plate, a B plate, an O plate, and the like. In terms of making the viewing angle control system thin, the thickness of the phase difference layer is preferably thin within a range that does not impair the optical characteristics, the mechanical properties, and the manufacturing suitability, and specifically, it is preferably 1 to 150 μm, more preferably 1 to 70 μm, and further preferably 1 to 30 μm.

[0119] As described above, the optical absorption anisotropic layer contains a liquid crystal compound and an organic dichroic substance.

[0120] The liquid crystal compound preferably contains a high-molecular liquid crystal compound, and as described later, a high-molecular liquid crystal compound containing a rod-like liquid crystal compound is particularly preferable. By containing a high-molecular liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal compound, it is possible to reduce the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB described above, and more preferably, the effects of the present application are obtained.

[0121] Further, the liquid crystal compound is preferably a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and more preferably the polymerizable liquid crystal compound contains a rod-like liquid crystal compound, and preferably the polymerizable liquid crystal compound exhibits a smectic phase. By using a liquid crystal compound as a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, it is possible to improve the physical strength of the light absorption anisotropic layer.

[0122] Further, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound refers to a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group.

[0123] [liquid crystal compound]

[0124] The liquid crystal compound can be generally classified into a rod-like type and a discotic type according to its shape.

[0125] The liquid crystal composition of the present application can be either of a rod-like type (rod-like liquid crystal compound) and a discotic type (discotic liquid crystal compound), but from the viewpoint of easy control of the alignment direction of the dichroic substance, a rod-like liquid crystal compound is preferred.

[0126] In the case of controlling the alignment direction of the dichroic substance by a rod-like liquid crystal compound, the dichroic substance tends to align in a direction parallel to the alignment direction of the rod-like liquid crystal compound, and thus the alignment direction of the dichroic substance can be controlled by controlling the alignment direction of the rod-like liquid crystal compound.

[0127] On the other hand, in the case of controlling the alignment direction of the dichroic substance by a discotic liquid crystal compound, the molecular long axis direction of the dichroic substance is parallel to the discotic plane of the discotic liquid crystal compound, but it is difficult to control the alignment direction of the dichroic substance within the discotic plane, and thus it is difficult to control the alignment direction of the dichroic substance in the desired direction, and alignment defects of the dichroic substance are likely to occur.

[0128] The rod-like liquid crystal compound can be either of a low molecular liquid crystal compound and a high molecular liquid crystal compound. The low molecular liquid crystal compound refers to a liquid crystal compound having no repeating unit in the chemical structure. Further, the high molecular liquid crystal compound refers to a liquid crystal compound having a repeating unit in the chemical structure.

[0129] Further, the rod-like liquid crystal compound is preferably a liquid crystal compound which does not exhibit dichroism in the visible region.

[0130] As the rod-like liquid crystal compound, either of a low molecular liquid crystal compound and a high molecular liquid crystal compound can be used. Here, the "low molecular liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound having no repeating unit in the chemical structure. Further, the "high molecular liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound having a repeating unit in the chemical structure.

[0131] As the low-molecular liquid crystal compound, for example, a liquid crystal compound described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-228706 can be given.

[0132] As the high-molecular liquid crystal compound, for example, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-237513 can be given. Also, the high-molecular liquid crystal compound can have a cross-linkable group (for example, an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group) at the terminal.

[0133] The rod-like liquid crystal compound can be used alone or two or more kinds can be used in combination.

[0134] From the viewpoint of being able to reduce the difference between the above-described angle θA and angle θB and the effect of the present application being more excellent, the rod-like liquid crystal compound preferably contains a high-molecular liquid crystal compound, and more preferably contains both a high-molecular liquid crystal compound and a low-molecular liquid crystal compound.

[0135] The rod-like liquid crystal compound preferably contains a liquid crystal compound represented by formula (LC) or a polymer thereof.

[0136] The liquid crystal compound represented by formula (LC) and the polymer thereof are both compounds that exhibit liquid crystallinity. The liquid crystallinity can be either a nematic phase or a smectic phase, or both a nematic phase and a smectic phase. The liquid crystal compound preferably contains a liquid crystal compound that exhibits a smectic phase. If the smectic liquid crystal phase exhibited by the liquid crystal compound is one of these smectic liquid crystal phases, it is preferable that a light absorption anisotropic layer having a higher alignment order can be produced.

[0137] The smectic phase can be a high-order smectic phase. The high-order smectic phase referred to herein is a smectic B phase, a smectic D phase, a smectic E phase, a smectic F phase, a smectic G phase, a smectic H phase, a smectic I phase, a smectic J phase, a smectic K phase, a smectic L phase, among which a smectic B phase, a smectic F phase, and a smectic I phase are preferable.

[0138] If the smectic liquid crystal phase exhibited by the liquid crystal compound is one of these high-order smectic liquid crystal phases, it is preferable that a light absorption anisotropic layer having a higher alignment order can be produced. Also, the light absorption anisotropic layer produced from a high-order smectic liquid crystal phase having a high alignment order is a layer that obtains a Bragg peak derived from a high-order structure called a hexagonal phase or a crystal phase in X-ray diffraction measurement. The above-described Bragg peak is a peak derived from a planar periodic structure of molecular alignment, and according to the liquid crystal composition of the present application, a light absorption anisotropic layer having a periodic interval of 3.5 nm or more can be obtained.

[0139] [Chemical Formula 1]

[0140] Q1-s1-MG-S2-Q2 (LC)

[0141] ​In formula (LC), Q1 and Q2 independently represent hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, heterocyclic groups (also called heterocyclic groups), cyano, hydroxyl, nitro, carboxyl, aryloxy, silyloxy, heterocyclic, acyloxy, carbamoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, amino (including aniline), ammonium, amide, aminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aminosulfonylamino, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, aminosulfonyl, sulfonyl, alkyl or arylsulfinyl, alkyl or arylsulfonyl Acyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryl or heterocyclic azo, imide, phosphin, oxyphosphinyl, oxyphosphinyloxy, oxyphosphinylamino, phosphonyl, silyl, hydrazine, urea, borate (-B(OH)2), phosphate (-OPO(OH)2), sulfate (-OSO3H) or a crosslinking group represented by the following formulas (P-1) to (P-30), wherein at least one of Q1 and Q2 is preferably a crosslinking group represented by the following formula.

[0142] [Chemical Formula 2]

[0143]

[0144] In equations (P-1) to (P-30), R P This refers to hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkylene groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, haloalkyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and heterocyclic groups (also known as heterocyclic groups). (group), cyano, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, aryloxy, siloxy, heterocyclic, acyloxy, carbamoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, amino (including aniline), ammonium, acylamino, aminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aminosulfonylamino, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, aminosulfonyl, sulfonyl, alkyl or arylsulfinyl, alkyl or arylsulfonyl, acyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryl or heterocyclic azo, imide, phosphinyl, oxophosphinyl, oxophosphinyloxy, oxophosphinylamino, phosphonyl, silyl, hydrazine, urea, borate (-B(OH)2), phosphate (-OPO(OH)2) or sulfate (-OSO3H), multiple R P They can be the same or different.

[0145] As preferable examples of the crosslinkable group, a radical polymerizable group or a cationic polymerizable group can be given. As the radical polymerizable group, a vinyl group represented by the above formula (P-1), a butadiene group represented by the above formula (P-2), a (meth)acrylic acid group represented by the above formula (P-4), a (meth)acrylamide group represented by the above formula (P-5), a vinyl acetate group represented by the above formula (P-6), a fumarate group represented by the above formula (P-7), a styrene group represented by the above formula (P-8), a vinylpyrrolidone group represented by the above formula (P-9), a maleic anhydride group represented by the above formula (P-11), or a maleimide group represented by the above formula (P-12) is preferable. As the cationic polymerizable group, a vinyl ether group represented by the above formula (P-18), an epoxy group represented by the above formula (P-19), or an oxetanyl group represented by the above formula (P-20) is preferable.

[0146] In formula (LC), S1and S2independently represent a divalent spacer group, and preferable examples of S1and S2are the same structures as SPW in the above formula (W1), and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0147] In formula (LC), MG represents a mesogenic group described later. The mesogenic group represented by MG refers to a group that represents the main skeleton of a liquid crystal compound that contributes to the formation of liquid crystals. The liquid crystal compound exhibits liquid crystallinity of an intermediate state (mesophase) between a crystalline state and an isotropic liquid state. The mesogenic group is not particularly limited, and for example, reference can be made to "Flussige Kristalle in Tabellen II" (VEB Deutsche Verlag fur Grundstoff Industrie, Leipzig, 1984), particularly the description on pages 7 to 16, and "Liquid Crystal Handbook" (edited by Liquid Crystal Handbook Editorial Committee, Maruzen, 2000), particularly Chapter 3.

[0148] The mesogenic group represented by MG preferably contains 2 to 10 cyclic structures, and more preferably contains 3 to 7.

[0149] As specific examples of the cyclic structure, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group, and an alicyclic group, etc. can be given.

[0150] As the mesogenic group represented by MG, from the viewpoints of the expression of liquid crystallinity, the adjustment of the liquid crystal phase transition temperature, the availability of raw materials, the suitability of synthesis, and the like, and the viewpoint that the effects of the present application are more excellent, a group represented by the following formula (MG-A) or the following formula (MG-B) is preferable, and a group represented by formula (MG-B) is more preferable.

[0151] [Chemical Formula 3]

[0152]

[0153] In formula (MG-A), A1 is a divalent group selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon groups, heterocyclic groups, and alicyclic groups. These groups can be substituted by substituents such as W.

[0154] The divalent group represented by A1 is preferably a 4- to 15-membered ring. Furthermore, the divalent group represented by A1 can be a monocyclic ring or a fused ring.

[0155] * indicates the bonding position with S1 or S2.

[0156] Examples of divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups represented by A1 include phenylene, naphthylene, fluorene-diyl, anthracene-diyl, and tetraphenyl-diyl. From the perspective of the diversity of mesocrystalline framework design or the availability of raw materials, phenylene and naphthylene are preferred.

[0157] The divalent heterocyclic group represented by A1 can be either aromatic or non-aromatic, but from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation, a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group is preferred.

[0158] Examples of atoms other than carbon that constitute a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. When an aromatic heterocyclic group has multiple atoms constituting the ring (excluding carbon), these atoms can be the same or different.

[0159] Specific examples of divalent aromatic heterocyclic groups include, for example, pyridinyl (pyridin-diyl), pyridazin-diyl, imidazole-diyl, thiophene (thiophene-diyl), quinoline (quinoline-diyl), isoquinoline (isoquinoline-diyl), oxazol-diyl, thiazole-diyl, oxadiazole-diyl, benzothiazole-diyl, benzothiadiazole-diyl, phthalimide-diyl, thienothiazole-diyl, thiazonothiazole-diyl, thienothiazole-diyl, and thienooxazol-diyl, as well as the structures (II-1) to (II-4) below.

[0160] [Chemical Formula 4]

[0161]

[0162] In equations (II-1) to (II-4), D1 represents -S-, -O-, or NR. 11 -, R 11 Y1 represents an alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Y2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group with 6 to 12 carbon atoms or an aromatic heterocyclic group with 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and Z1, Z2, and Z3 independently represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group with 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon group with 6 to 20 carbon atoms in monovalent form, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, and -NR, respectively.12 R 13 or -SR 12 , Z1and Z2may be bonded to each other to form an aromatic ring or an aromatic heterocycle, R 12 and R 13 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, J1and J2each independently represent a group selected from the group consisting of -O-, -NR 21 -(R 21 represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent., -S-, and C(O)-, E represents a hydrogen atom or a Group 14 to 16 nonmetal atom to which a substituent can be bonded, Jxrepresents an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms having at least one aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon ring and an aromatic heterocycle, Jyrepresents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which can have a substituent, or an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms having at least one aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon ring and an aromatic heterocycle, the aromatic rings possessed by Jxand Jymay have a substituent, Jxand Jymay be bonded to form a ring, and D2represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which can have a substituent.

[0163] In the formula (II-2), in the case where Y1is an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, it can be a monocyclic ring or a polycyclic ring. In the case where Y1is an aromatic heterocyclic group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, it can be a monocyclic ring or a polycyclic ring.

[0164] In the formula (II-2), in the case where J1and J2represent -NR 21 -, as the substituent of R 21 , for example, the description in

[0035] to

[0045] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-107767 can be referred to, which is incorporated into the present specification.

[0165] In the formula (II-2), in the case where E is a Group 14 to 16 nonmetal atom to which a substituent can be bonded, =O, =S, =NR', =C(R')R' are preferred. R' represents a substituent, and as the substituent, for example, the description in

[0035] to

[0045] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-107767 can be referred to, and -NZ A1 Z A2 (Z A1 and Z A2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group.

[0166] As a specific example of the alicyclic group represented by A1, cyclopentylene and cyclohexylene can be given, and the carbon atom can be substituted with -0-, -Si(CH3)2-, -N(Z)-

[0167] In formula (MG-A), a1 represents an integer of 2 to 10. A plurality of A1 can be the same or different.

[0168] In formula (MG-B), A2 and A3 are each independently a divalent group selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon groups, heterocyclic groups and alicyclic groups. Specific examples and preferred aspects of A2 and A3 are the same as those of A1 in formula (MG-A), and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0169] In formula (MG-B), a2 represents an integer of 1 to 10, a plurality of A2 can be the same or different, and a plurality of LA1 can be the same or different. From the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application, a2 is more preferably 2 or more.

[0170] In formula (MG-B), LA1 is a single bond or a divalent linking group. However, in the case where a2 is 1, LA1 is a divalent linking group, and in the case where a2 is 2 or more, at least one of a plurality of LA1 is a divalent linking group.

[0171] In formula (MG-B), the divalent linking group represented by LA1 is the same as LW, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0172] As a specific example of MG, for example, the following structures can be given, in which the hydrogen atom on the aromatic hydrocarbon group, the heterocyclic group and the alicyclic group can be substituted with the above-mentioned substituent W.

[0173] [Chemical Formula 5]

[0174]

[0175] [Chemical Formula 6]

[0176]

[0177] [Chemical Formula 7]

[0178]

[0179] <Low Molecular Liquid Crystal Compound>

[0180] In the case where the liquid crystal compound represented by formula (LC) is a low-molecular liquid crystal compound, as a preferable mode of the cyclic structure of the mesogenic group MG, cyclohexylene, cyclopentylene, phenylene, naphthylene, fluorene-diyl, pyridine-diyl, pyridazine-diyl, thiophene-diyl, oxazole-diyl, thiazole-diyl, thienothiophene-diyl, and the like can be given, and the number of cyclic structures is preferably 2 to 10, and further preferably 3 to 7.

[0181] As a preferable mode of the substituent W of the mesogenic structure, a halogen atom, a haloalkyl group, a cyano group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarbonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an amino group, an alkylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylaminocarbonyl group, a group in which LW of the above formula (W1) is a single bond, SPW is a divalent spacer, and Q is a crosslinkable group represented by (P-1) to (P-30) described above, and the like can be given, and as the crosslinkable group, a vinyl group, a butadiene group, a (methyl)acryloyl group, a (methyl)acrylamide group, a vinyl acetate group, a fumarate group, a styryl group, a vinylpyrrolidone group, a maleic anhydride group, a maleimide group, a vinyl ether group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group are preferable.

[0182] As a preferable mode of the divalent spacer S1 and S2, the same as SPW described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0183] In the case where a low-molecular liquid crystal compound exhibiting a smectic phase is used, the number of carbon atoms of the spacer (the number of atoms when the carbon is replaced with "SP-C") is preferably 6 or more, and further preferably 8 or more.

[0184] In the case where the liquid crystal compound represented by formula (LC) is a low-molecular liquid crystal compound, a plurality of low-molecular liquid crystal compounds can be used in combination, and preferably 2 to 6 kinds are used in combination, and further preferably 2 to 4 kinds are used in combination. By using low-molecular liquid crystal compounds in combination, the solubility can be improved or the phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal composition can be adjusted.

[0185] As specific examples of the low-molecular liquid crystal compound, compounds represented by the following formulas (LC-1) to (LC-77) can be given, but the low-molecular liquid crystal compound is not limited to these.

[0186] [Chemical Formula 8]

[0187]

[0188] [Chemical Formula 9]

[0189]

[0190] <Polymer Liquid Crystal Compound>

[0191] The high-molecular liquid crystal compound is preferably a homopolymer or a copolymer containing a repeating unit described later, and can be any of a random polymer, a capped polymer, a graft polymer, a star polymer, and the like.

[0192] (repeating unit (1))

[0193] The high-molecular liquid crystal compound preferably contains a repeating unit represented by formula (1) (hereinafter, also referred to as "repeating unit (1)").

[0194] [Chemical Formula 10]

[0195]

[0196] In formula (1), PC1 represents a main chain of a repeating unit, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, SP1 represents a spacer, MG1 represents a mesogenic group MG in the above formula (LC), and T1 represents a terminal group.

[0197] As the main chain of the repeating unit represented by PC1, for example, a group represented by formula (P1-A) to (P1-D) can be given, in which, from the viewpoint of versatility of monomers as raw materials and easy handling, a group represented by the following formula (P1-A) is preferred.

[0198] [Chemical Formula 11]

[0199]

[0200] In formula (P1-A) to (P1-D), "*" represents a bonding position with L1 in formula (1). In formula (P1-A) to (P1-D), R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The above alkyl group can be a linear or branched alkyl group, or an alkyl group having a cyclic structure (cycloalkyl group). Furthermore, the number of carbon atoms of the above alkyl group is preferably 1 to 5.

[0201] The group represented by formula (P1-A) is preferably a partial structure of a poly(meth)acrylate obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate ester.

[0202] The group represented by formula (P1-B) is preferably an ethylene glycol unit formed by ring-opening polymerization of an epoxy group of a compound having an epoxy group.

[0203] The group represented by formula (P1-C) is preferably a propylene glycol unit formed by ring-opening polymerization of an oxetane group of a compound having an oxetane group.

[0204] The group represented by formula (P1-D) is preferably a siloxane unit of a polysiloxane obtained by polycondensation of a compound having at least one group selected from an alkoxysilyl group and a silanol group. Here, as the compound having at least one group selected from an alkoxysilyl group and a silanol group, a compound having a group represented by formula SiR 14 (OR 15 )2- can be given. In the formula, R 14 has the same meaning as R 14 in formula (P1-D), and a plurality of R 15 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0205] The divalent linking group represented by L1 is the same divalent linking group as Lw in formula (W1) described above, and as a preferred example, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)-, -O-, -S-, -C(O)NR 16 -, -NR 16 C(O)-, -S(O)2-, and -NR 16 R 17 - and the like can be given. In the formula, R 16 and R 17 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which can have a substituent (for example, the substituent W described above). In the specific examples of the divalent linking group, the left side of the linking bond is bonded to PC1, and the right side of the linking bond is bonded to SP1.

[0206] In the case where PC1 is a group represented by formula (P1-A), L1 is preferably a group represented by -C(O)O- or -C(O)NR 16 -.

[0207] In the case where PC1 is a group represented by formula (P1-B) to (P1-D), L1 is preferably a single bond.

[0208] The spacer group represented by SP1 represents the same group as S1 and S2 in formula (LC) described above, and from the viewpoint of the degree of orientation, a group containing at least one structure selected from the group consisting of an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, a polysiloxane structure, and a fluorinated alkylene structure, or a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms is preferred. However, the above alkylene group can contain -O-, -S-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-O-, -O-CNR- (R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), or -S(O)2-.

[0209] The spacer group represented by SP1 is more preferably a group containing at least one structure selected from the group consisting of an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, a polysiloxane structure, and a fluorinated alkylene structure, from the viewpoint of easy appearance of liquid crystallinity or availability of raw materials.

[0210] The oxyethylene structure represented by SP1 is preferably a group represented by *-(CH2-CH2O)n1-* n1 in the formula, n1 represents an integer of 1 to 20, and * represents a bonding position to L1or MG1. n1 is preferably an integer of 2 to 10, more preferably an integer of 2 to 6, and most preferably an integer of 2 to 4, from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application.

[0211] The oxypropylene structure represented by SP1 is preferably a group represented by *-(CH(CH3)-CH2O)n2-* n2 in the formula, n2 represents an integer of 1 to 3, and * represents a bonding position to L1or MG1.

[0212] The polysiloxane structure represented by SP1 is preferably a group represented by *-(Si(CH3)2-O)n3-* n3 in the formula, n3 represents an integer of 6 to 10, and * represents a bonding position to L1or MG1.

[0213] The fluorinated alkylene structure represented by SP1 is preferably a group represented by *-(CF2-CF2)n4-* n4 in the formula, n4 represents an integer of 6 to 10, and * represents a bonding position to L1or MG1.

[0214] As the terminal group represented by T1, a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, -SH, a carboxyl group, a boronic acid group, -SO3H, -PO3H2, -NR 11 R 12 (R 11 and R 12 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an acylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfinyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a group containing a crosslinkable group, and the like.

[0215] As the above group having a cross-linkable group, for example, the above -L-CL can be given. L represents a single bond or a linking group. Specific examples of the linking group are the same as those of the above LW and SPW. CL represents a cross-linkable group, and examples include groups represented by the above Q1 or Q2, and preferably groups represented by the above formulae (P1) to (P30). Also, T1 can be a group in which two or more of these groups are combined.

[0216] From the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application, T1 is preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and further preferably a methoxy group. These terminal groups can be further substituted with these groups or the polymerizable group described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-244038.

[0217] From the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application, the number of atoms of the main chain of T1 is preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 15, further preferably 1 to 10, and particularly preferably 1 to 7. By the number of atoms of the main chain of T1 being 20 or less, the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is further improved. Here, the "main chain" in T1 refers to the longest molecular chain bonded to M1, and the number of atoms of the main chain of T1 does not include hydrogen atoms. For example, in the case where T1 is a n-butyl group, the number of atoms of the main chain is 4, and in the case where T1 is a sec-butyl group, the number of atoms of the main chain is 3.

[0218] The content of the repeating unit (1) with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) of the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound is preferably 40 to 100 mass%, and more preferably 50 to 95 mass%. If the content of the repeating unit (1) is 40 mass% or more, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having a more excellent orientation property can be obtained. Also, if the content of the repeating unit (1) is 100 mass% or less, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having a more excellent orientation property can be obtained.

[0219] One kind of the repeating unit (1) alone can be included in the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound, or two or more kinds thereof can be included. In the case where two or more kinds of the repeating unit (1) are included, the content of the above repeating unit (1) refers to the total content of the repeating unit (1).

[0220] (logP value)

[0221] In formula (1), the difference between the logP value of PC1, L1, and SP1 (hereinafter, also referred to as "logP1") and the logP value of MG1 (hereinafter, also referred to as "logP2") (|logP1-logP2|) is preferably 4 or more, more preferably 4.25 or more, and further preferably 4.5 or more, from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0222] Also, from the viewpoint of adjusting the liquid crystal phase transition temperature and the synthesis suitability, the upper limit value of the above difference is preferably 15 or less, more preferably 12 or less, and further preferably 10 or less.

[0223] Here, the logP value is an index of the properties of the hydrophilicity and the hydrophobicity of the chemical structure, and is sometimes referred to as a hydrophobicity parameter. The logP value can be calculated using software such as ChemBioDraw Ultra or HSPiP (Ver. 4.1.07). Also, it can be experimentally obtained by the method of OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Sections 1, Test No. 117 or the like. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the value calculated by inputting the structural formula of the compound in HSPiP (Ver. 4.1.07) is adopted as the logP value.

[0224] As described above, the above logP1 refers to the logP value of PC1, L1, and SP1. The "logP value of PC1, L1, and SP1" refers to the logP value of the structure in which PC1, L1, and SP1 are integrated as one, and is not a value obtained by adding the respective logP values of PC1, L1, and SP1. Specifically, logP1 is calculated by inputting the consecutive structural formula of PC1 to SP1 in Formula (1) into the above software.

[0225] However, in the case of calculating logP1, in the consecutive structural formula of PC1 to SP1, with respect to the portion of the group represented by PC1, the structure of the group represented by PC1 itself (for example, the above Formula (P1-A) to Formula (P1-D) or the like) can be used, or the structure of the group that can become PC1 after polymerization of the monomer used to obtain the repeating unit represented by Formula (1) can be used.

[0226] Here, specific examples of the latter (the group that can become PC1) are as follows. In the case where PC1 is obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate, it is a group represented by CH2=C(R 1 )2- (R 1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group). Also, in the case where PC1 is obtained by polymerization of ethylene glycol, it is ethylene glycol, and in the case where PC1 is obtained by polymerization of propylene glycol, it is propylene glycol. Also, in the case where PC1 is obtained by polycondensation of a silanol, it is a silanol (a compound represented by the formula Si(R 2 )3(OH). A plurality of R 2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. However, at least one of the plurality of R 2 represents an alkyl group).

[0227] In the case where the difference between logP1 and the above logP2 is 4 or more, it can be lower than logP2 or higher than logP2.

[0228] Here, the logP value (the above logP2) of the general mesogenic group tends to be in the range of 4 to 6. At this time, in the case where logP1 is lower than logP2, the value of logP1 is preferably 1 or less, more preferably 0 or less. On the other hand, in the case where logP1 is higher than logP2, the value of logP1 is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 9 or more.

[0229] In the case where PC1 in the above formula (1) is obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate and logP1 is lower than logP2, the logP value of SP1 in the above formula (1) is preferably 0.7 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less. On the other hand, in the case where PC1 in the above formula (1) is obtained by polymerization of a (meth)acrylate and logP1 is higher than logP2, the logP value of SP1 in the above formula (1) is preferably 3.7 or more, more preferably 4.2 or more.

[0230] Further, as a structure having a logP value of 1 or less, for example, an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, and the like can be given. As a structure having a logP value of 6 or more, a polysiloxane structure, a fluorinated alkylene structure, and the like can be given.

[0231] (Repeating units (21) and (22))

[0232] From the viewpoint of improving the degree of orientation, the high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound preferably contains a repeating unit having electron-donating property and / or electron-withdrawing property at the terminal. More specifically, it is more preferable to contain a repeating unit (21) having a mesogenic group and an electron-withdrawing group having a σp value of more than 0 at the terminal thereof and a repeating unit (22) having a mesogenic group and a group having a σp value of 0 or less at the terminal thereof. In this way, in the case where the high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound contains the repeating unit (21) and the repeating unit (22), the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer formed using the same is improved as compared with the case where only either of the above-described repeating unit (21) or the above-described repeating unit (22) is contained. The reason for this is not clear in detail, but it is roughly inferred as follows.

[0233] That is, it is presumed that the opposite-direction dipole moments generated in the repeating unit (21) and the repeating unit (22) interact between the molecules, the interaction of the mesogenic groups in the short-axis direction becomes strong, and the orientation of the liquid crystal becomes more uniform, as a result of which it is considered that the order degree of the liquid crystal becomes high. Due to this, it is presumed that the orientation of the dichroic substance also becomes good, and thus the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer formed using the same becomes high.

[0234] In addition, the repeating units (21) and (22) described above can also be repeating units represented by the formula (1) described above.

[0235] The repeating unit (21) has a mesogenic group and an electron-withdrawing group having a value of σp greater than 0 present at the terminal of the mesogenic group.

[0236] The electron-withdrawing group is a group present at the terminal of the mesogenic group and having a value of σp greater than 0. As the electron-withdrawing group (group having a value of σp greater than 0), the group represented by EWG in the formula (LCP-21) described later can be cited, and specific examples thereof are the same.

[0237] The value of σp of the electron-withdrawing group is preferably 0.3 or greater, and more preferably 0.4 or greater, from the viewpoint of making the degree of orientation of the photoabsorption anisotropic layer higher. The upper limit of the value of σp of the electron-withdrawing group is preferably 1.2 or less, and more preferably 1.0 or less, from the viewpoint of the uniformity of orientation being excellent.

[0238] The value of σp is the Hammett substituent constant σp value (also simply referred to as "value of σp") which is a numerical value indicating the effect of the substituent on the acid dissociation equilibrium constant of the substituted benzoic acid, and is a parameter indicating the strength of the electron-withdrawing property and electron-donating property of the substituent. The Hammett substituent constant σp value in the present specification refers to the substituent constant σ when the substituent is present at the para position of benzoic acid.

[0239] The Hammett substituent constant σp value of each group in the present specification is the value described in the literature "Hansch et al., Chemical Reviews, 1991, Vol, 91, No. 2, 165-195". In addition, with respect to groups for which the Hammett substituent constant σp value is not shown in the above-mentioned literature, the Hammett substituent constant σp value can be calculated from the difference between the pKa of benzoic acid and the pKa of the benzoic acid derivative having a substituent at the para position, using the software "ACD / ChemSketch (ACD / Labs 8.00 Release Product Version: 8.08)".

[0240] The repeating unit (21) is not particularly limited as long as it has a mesogenic group and an electron-withdrawing group having a value of σp greater than 0 present at the terminal of the mesogenic group in the side chain, but is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (LCP-21) from the viewpoint of making the degree of orientation of the photoabsorption anisotropic layer higher.

[0241] [Chemical Formula 12]

[0242]

[0243] In formula (LCP-21), PC21 represents a main chain of a repeating unit, more specifically, represents the same structure as PC1 in the above formula (1), L21 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, more specifically, represents the same structure as L1 in the above formula (1), SP21A and SP21B each independently represent a single bond or a spacer, the spacer specifically represents the same structure as SP1 in the above formula (1), MG21 represents a mesogenic structure, more specifically, represents the mesogenic group MG in the above formula (LC), and EWG represents an electron-withdrawing group having a σρ value of greater than 0.

[0244] The spacer represented by SP21A and SP21B represents the same group as the above formulae S1 and S2, and preferably includes a group having at least one structure selected from the group consisting of an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, a polysiloxane structure, and a fluorinated alkylene structure, or a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms. However, the above alkylene group can include -O-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-O-.

[0245] The spacer represented by SP1 preferably includes at least one structure selected from the group consisting of an oxyethylene structure, an oxypropylene structure, a polysiloxane structure, and a fluorinated alkylene structure, from the viewpoint of easy exhibition of liquid crystallinity or availability of raw materials, and the like.

[0246] SP21B is preferably a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms. However, the above alkylene group can include -O-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-O-.

[0247] Among them, the spacer represented by SP21B is preferably a single bond from the viewpoint of the degree of orientation of the light absorption anisotropic layer becoming higher. In other words, the repeating unit 21 preferably has a structure in which the electron-withdrawing group EWG in formula (LCP-21) is directly connected to the mesogenic group MG21 in formula (LCP-21). In this case, it is presumed that if the electron-withdrawing group is directly connected to the mesogenic group, the intermolecular interaction due to the moderate dipole moment in the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound more effectively acts, and thus the orientation direction of the liquid crystal becomes more uniform, as a result, the order degree of the liquid crystal is considered to be high, and the degree of orientation is considered to be higher.

[0248] EWG represents an electron-withdrawing group having a σρ value of greater than 0. As the electron-withdrawing group having a σρ value of greater than 0, there can be mentioned an ester group (specifically, a group represented by *-C(O)O-R E , a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, a carboxyl group, a cyano group, a nitro group, a sulfo group, -S(O)(O)-OR E , -S(O)(O)-R E , -O-S(O)(O)-R E, acyl group (specifically, a group represented by *-C(O)R E , acyloxy group (specifically, a group represented by *-OC(O)R E , isocyanate group (-N=C(O)), *-C(O)N(R F )2, halogen atom, and alkyl group substituted with these groups (the number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 to 20). In each of the above groups, * represents a bonding position to SP21B. R E represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 2 carbon atoms). R F each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 2 carbon atoms).

[0249] Among the above groups, from the aspect of more exerting the effects of the present application, EWG is preferably a group represented by *-C(O)O-R E , (meth)acryloyloxy group, or cyano group, nitro group.

[0250] From the aspect of maintaining high orientation degree of the light absorption anisotropic layer and enabling the uniform alignment of the polymer liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance, the content of the repeating unit (21) is preferably 60% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or less, and further preferably 45% by mass or less, relative to the total repeating units (100% by mass) possessed by the polymer liquid crystal compound.

[0251] From the aspect of more exerting the effects of the present application, the lower limit value of the content of the repeating unit (21) is preferably 1% by mass or more, and more preferably 3% by mass or more, relative to the total repeating units (100% by mass) possessed by the polymer liquid crystal compound.

[0252] In the present application, the content of each repeating unit contained in the polymer liquid crystal compound is calculated from the amount (mass) of each monomer used to obtain the repeating unit.

[0253] One kind of repeating unit (21) can be contained in the polymer liquid crystal compound, or two or more kinds thereof can be contained. If the polymer liquid crystal compound contains two or more kinds of repeating units (21), it has advantages such as improvement of the solubility of the polymer liquid crystal compound to a solvent and easy adjustment of the liquid crystal phase transition temperature. In the case where two or more kinds of repeating units (21) are contained, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above range.

[0254] In the case where two or more kinds of the repeating unit (21) are contained, the repeating unit (21) not containing a crosslinkable group in the EWG and the repeating unit (21) containing a polymerizable group in the EWG can be used in combination. Thereby, the curability of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer is further improved. In addition, as the crosslinkable group, a vinyl group, a butadiene group, a (meth)acrylic acid group, a (meth)acrylamide group, a vinyl acetate group, a fumarate group, a styrene group, a vinylpyrrolidone group, a maleic anhydride group, a maleimide group, a vinyl ether group, an epoxy group, an oxetane group are preferable.

[0255] In this case, the content of the repeating unit (21) containing a polymerizable group in the EWG with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably 1 to 30 mass% from the viewpoint of the balance between the curability and the degree of orientation of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer.

[0256] Hereinafter, an example of the repeating unit (21) will be shown, but the repeating unit (21) is not limited to the following repeating unit.

[0257] [Chemical Formula 13]

[0258]

[0259] With respect to the repeating unit (21) and the repeating unit (22), the present inventors and others have conducted intensive studies on the composition (content ratio) and the electron-donating property and the electron-withdrawing property of the terminal group, and as a result, it has been found that in the case where the electron-withdrawing property of the electron-withdrawing group of the repeating unit (21) is strong (i.e., in the case where the value of σρ is large), if the content ratio of the repeating unit (21) is reduced, the degree of orientation of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer becomes higher, and in the case where the electron-withdrawing property of the electron-withdrawing group of the repeating unit (21) is weak (i.e., in the case where the value of σρ is close to 0), if the content ratio of the repeating unit (21) is increased, the degree of orientation of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer becomes higher.

[0260] The reason for this is not clear in detail, but it is roughly inferred as follows. That is, it is presumed that the orientation direction of the liquid crystal becomes more uniform by the intermolecular interaction generated by the moderate dipole moment in the polymer liquid crystal compound, and as a result, it is considered that the order degree of the liquid crystal is increased, and the degree of orientation of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer is increased.

[0261] Specifically, the product of the value of σρ of the above-described electron-withdrawing group (in Formula (LCP-21), EWG) in the repeating unit (21) and the content ratio (mass basis) of the repeating unit (21) in the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably 0.020 to 0.150, more preferably 0.050 to 0.130, and further preferably 0.055 to 0.125. If the above-described product is within the above-described range, the degree of orientation of the photoabsorptive anisotropic layer is increased.

[0262] The repeating unit (22) has a mesogenic group and a group having a σρ value of 0 or less present at the terminal of the mesogenic group. By the polymer liquid crystal compound having the repeating unit (22), the polymer liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance can be uniformly oriented.

[0263] The mesogenic group is a group that contributes to the main skeleton of the liquid crystal compound that forms a liquid crystal, and the details thereof are described in MG in Formula (LCP-22) below, and the specific examples thereof are the same.

[0264] The group is a group present at the terminal of the mesogenic group and having a σρ value of 0 or less. As the group (group having a σρ value of 0 or less), a hydrogen atom having a σρ value of 0 and a group (electron-donating group) represented by T22 in Formula (LCP-22) below having a σρ value of less than 0 can be given. Among the groups, specific examples of the group (electron-donating group) having a σρ value of less than 0 are the same as T22 in Formula (LCP-22) below.

[0265] The σρ value of the group is 0 or less, and from the viewpoint of more excellent uniformity of orientation, it is preferably less than 0, more preferably -0.1 or less, and further preferably -0.2 or less. The lower limit of the σρ value of the group is preferably -0.9 or more, and more preferably -0.7 or more.

[0266] The repeating unit (22) is not particularly limited as long as it has a mesogenic group and a group having a σρ value of 0 or less present at the terminal of the mesogenic group in the side chain, but from the viewpoint of the uniformity of orientation of the liquid crystal becoming higher, it is preferably a repeating unit represented by Formula (PCP-22) below and not corresponding to the repeating unit represented by Formula (LCP-21) above.

[0267] [Chemical Formula 14]

[0268]

[0269] In Formula (LCP-22), PC22 represents the main chain of the repeating unit, and more specifically, the same structure as PC1 in Formula (1) above, L22 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, and more specifically, the same structure as L1 in Formula (1) above, SP22 represents a spacer, and more specifically, the same structure as SP1 in Formula (1) above, MG22 represents a mesogenic structure, and more specifically, the same structure as the mesogenic group MG in Formula (LC) above, and T22 represents an electron-donating group having a Hammett substituent constant σρ value of less than 0.

[0270] T22 represents an electron-donating group having a σρ value of less than 0. As the electron-donating group having a σρ value of less than 0, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and the like can be given.

[0271] The number of atoms in the main chain of T22 is 20 or less, and the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is further improved. Here, the "main chain" in T22 refers to the longest molecular chain bonded to MG22, and the number of atoms in the main chain of T22 does not include hydrogen atoms. For example, in the case where T22 is a n-butyl group, the number of atoms in the main chain is 4, and in the case where T22 is a sec-butyl group, the number of atoms in the main chain is 3.

[0272] Hereinafter, an example of the repeating unit (22) will be shown, but the repeating unit (22) is not limited to the following repeating unit.

[0273] [Chemical Formula 15]

[0274]

[0275] Part of the preferred structure of the repeating unit (21) and the repeating unit (22) is the same. It is presumed that the more similar the structures of the repeating units to each other, the more uniformly the liquid crystals are arranged. Thus, the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becomes higher.

[0276] Specifically, from the aspect that the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becomes higher, it is preferred that at least one of SP21A satisfying Formula (LCP-21) and SP22 satisfying Formula (LCP-22) is the same structure, MG21 of Formula (LCP-21) and MG22 of Formula (LCP-22) are the same structure, and L21 of Formula (LCP-21) and L22 of Formula (LCP-22) are the same structure, more preferably two or more of them are satisfied, and particularly preferably all of them are satisfied.

[0277] From the aspect that the uniformity of orientation is excellent, the content of the repeating unit (22) with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound is preferably 50 mass% or more, more preferably 55 mass% or more, and particularly preferably 60 mass% or more.

[0278] From the aspect that the degree of orientation is improved, the upper limit of the content of the repeating unit (22) with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound is preferably 99 mass% or less, and more preferably 97 mass% or less.

[0279] The polymer liquid crystal compound can contain only one repeating unit (22) or two or more repeating units (22). If the polymer liquid crystal compound contains two or more repeating units (22), the solubility of the polymer liquid crystal compound to a solvent is improved, and the liquid crystal phase transition temperature can be easily adjusted. In the case where the polymer liquid crystal compound contains two or more repeating units (22), the total amount of the repeating units (22) is preferably within the above range.

[0280] (repeating unit (3))

[0281] The polymer liquid crystal compound can contain a repeating unit (3) not containing a mesogen from the viewpoint of improving the solubility to a general solvent. In particular, in order to suppress the decrease in the degree of orientation and improve the solubility, as the repeating unit (3) not containing a mesogen, a repeating unit having a molecular weight of 280 or less is preferred. Thus, the reason for suppressing the decrease in the degree of orientation and improving the solubility by containing a repeating unit not containing a mesogen having a molecular weight of 280 or less is inferred as follows.

[0282] That is, it is considered that, by the polymer liquid crystal compound containing a repeating unit (3) not containing a mesogen in the molecular chain thereof, a solvent easily enters the polymer liquid crystal compound, and thus the solubility is improved, but the repeating unit (3) not containing a mesogen decreases the degree of orientation. However, it is inferred that, by the small molecular weight of the above repeating unit, the orientation of the above repeating unit (1) containing a mesogen group, the repeating unit (21), or the repeating unit (22) is not easily disordered, and the decrease in the degree of orientation can be suppressed.

[0283] The above repeating unit (3) is preferably a repeating unit having a molecular weight of 280 or less.

[0284] The molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) is not the molecular weight of a monomer used to obtain the repeating unit (3), but is the molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) in a state incorporated into the polymer liquid crystal compound by polymerization of the monomer.

[0285] The molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) is preferably 280 or less, more preferably 180 or less, and further preferably 100 or less. The lower limit of the molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) is usually 40 or more, and more preferably 50 or more. If the molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) is 280 or less, a light absorption anisotropic layer having a high degree of orientation and excellent solubility of the polymer liquid crystal compound can be obtained.

[0286] On the other hand, if the molecular weight of the repeating unit (3) exceeds 280, the liquid crystal orientation of the above repeating unit (1), the repeating unit (21), or the repeating unit (22) is disordered, and the degree of orientation is sometimes decreased. Also, since a solvent hardly enters the polymer liquid crystal compound, the solubility of the polymer liquid crystal compound is sometimes decreased.

[0287] As specific examples of the repeating unit (3), there are a repeating unit not containing a crosslinkable group (e.g., an ethylenically unsaturated group) (hereinafter also referred to as "repeating unit (3-1)") and a repeating unit containing a crosslinkable group (hereinafter also referred to as "repeating unit (3-2)").

[0288] • repeating unit (3-1)

[0289] As specific examples of the monomer used in the polymerization of the repeating unit (3-1), there can be mentioned acrylic acid [72.1], α-alkyl acrylic acids (for example, methacrylic acid [86.1], itaconic acid [130.1]), esters and amides derived therefrom (for example, N-isopropyl acrylamide [113.2], N-n-butyl acrylamide [127.2], N-tert-butyl acrylamide [127.2], N,N-dimethyl acrylamide [99.1], N-methyl methacrylamide [99.1], acrylamide [71.1], methacrylamide [85.1], diacetone acrylamide [169.2], acryloyl morpholine [141.2], N-hydroxymethyl acrylamide [101.1], N-hydroxymethyl methacrylamide [115.1], methyl acrylate [86.0], ethyl acrylate [100.1], hydroxyethyl acrylate [116.1], n-propyl acrylate [114.1], isopropyl acrylate [114.2], 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate [130.1], 2-methyl-2-nitropropyl acrylate [173.2], n-butyl acrylate [128.2], isobutyl acrylate [128.2], tert-butyl acrylate [128.2], tert-amyl acrylate [142.2], 2-methoxyethyl acrylate [130.1], 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate [144.2], 2-ethoxyethoxyethyl acrylate [188.2], 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate [154.1], 2,2-dimethylbutyl acrylate [156.2], 3-methoxybutyl acrylate [158.2], ethylcarbitol acrylate [188.2], phenoxyethyl acrylate [192.2], n-pentyl acrylate [142.2], n-hexyl acrylate [156.2], cyclohexyl acrylate [154.2], cyclopentyl acrylate [140.2], benzyl acrylate [162.2], n-octyl acrylate [184.3], 2-ethylhexyl acrylate [184.3], 4-methyl-2-propylpentyl acrylate [198.3], methyl methacrylate [100.1], 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate [168.1], hydroxyethyl methacrylate [130.1], 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate [144.2], n-butyl methacrylate [142.2], isobutyl methacrylate [142.2], sec-butyl methacrylate [142.2], octyl methacrylate [198.3], 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate [198.3], 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate [144.2], 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate [158.2], benzyl methacrylate [176.2], 2-norbornylmethyl methacrylate [194.3], 5-norbornen-2-ylmethyl methacrylate [194.3], dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate [157.2]), vinyl esters (for example, vinyl acetate [86.1]), esters derived from maleic acid or fumaric acid (e.g., dimethyl maleate [144.1], diethyl fumarate [172.2]), maleimides (e.g., N-phenylmaleimide [173.2]), maleic acid [116.1], fumaric acid [116.1], p-styrenesulfonic acid [184.1], acrylonitrile [53.1], methacrylonitrile [67.1], dienes (e.g., butadiene [54.1], cyclopentadiene [66.1], isoprene [68.1]), aromatic vinyl compounds (e.g., styrene [104.2], p-chlorostyrene [138.6], t-butylstyrene [160.3], α-methylstyrene [118.2]), N-vinylpyrrolidone [111.1], N-vinyl oxazolidone [113.1], N-vinylsuccinimide [125.1], N-vinylformamide [71.1], N-vinyl-N-methylformamide [85.1], N-vinylacetamide [85.1], N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide [99.1], 1-vinylimidazole [94.1], 4-vinylpyridine [105.2], vinylsulfonic acid [108.1], sodium vinylsulfonate [130.2], sodium allylsulfonate [144.1], sodium methallylsulfonate [158.2], vinylidene chloride [96.9], vinyl alkyl ethers (e.g., methyl vinyl ether [58.1]), ethylene [28.0], propylene [42.1], 1-butene [56.1], and isobutylene [56.1]. In addition, the numbers in [] are the molecular weights of the monomers.

[0290] The above monomers can be used singly or in combination of two or more.

[0291] Among the above monomers, acrylic acid, α-alkylacrylic acids, esters and amides derived therefrom, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and aromatic vinyl compounds are preferred.

[0292] As the monomers other than the above, for example, the compounds described in Research Disclosure No. 1955 (July 1980) can be used.

[0293] Hereinafter, specific examples of the repeating unit (3-1) and the molecular weights thereof will be shown, but the present application is not limited to these specific examples.

[0294] [Chemical Formula 16]

[0295]

[0296] • Repeating unit (3-2)

[0297] In the repeating unit (3-2), as a specific example of the crosslinkable group, a group represented by the above-described formula (P-1) to (P-30) can be given, and more preferably, a vinyl group, a butadiene group, a (meth)acrylic acid group, a (meth)acrylamide group, a vinyl acetate group, a fumarate group, a styrene group, a vinylpyrrolidone group, a maleic anhydride group, a maleimide group, a vinyl ether group, an epoxy group, and an oxetanyl group.

[0298] From the aspect of easy polymerization, the repeating unit (3-2) is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (3).

[0299] [Chemical Formula 17]

[0300]

[0301] In the above-described formula (3), PC32 represents a main chain of the repeating unit, and more specifically, represents the same structure as PC1 in the above-described formula (1), L32 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, and more specifically, represents the same structure as L1 in the above-described formula (1), and P32 represents a crosslinkable group represented by the above-described formula (P1) to (P30).

[0302] Hereinafter, specific examples of the repeating unit (3-2) and the molecular weight (Mw) thereof will be shown, but the present application is not limited to these specific examples.

[0303] [Chemical Formula 18]

[0304]

[0305] The content of the repeating unit (3) with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably less than 14 mass%, more preferably 7 mass% or less, and further preferably 5 mass% or less. The lower limit of the content of the repeating unit (3) with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably 2 mass% or more, and more preferably 3 mass% or more. If the content of the repeating unit (3) is less than 14 mass%, the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is further improved. If the content of the repeating unit (3) is 2 mass% or more, the solubility of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is further improved.

[0306] One kind of the repeating unit (3) can be contained alone in the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound, or two or more kinds thereof can be contained. In the case where two or more kinds of the repeating unit (3) are contained, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above-described range.

[0307] (repeating unit (4))

[0308] From the viewpoint of improving adhesiveness or planar uniformity, the polymer liquid crystal compound can include a repeating unit (4) having a soft structure of a molecular chain length (SP4 of formula (4) described later). The reason for this is inferred as follows.

[0309] That is, by including such a soft structure of a molecular chain length, entanglement of the molecular chains constituting the polymer liquid crystal compound with each other is easily generated, and cohesion failure of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer (specifically, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer itself is destroyed) is inhibited. As a result, it is presumed that the adhesiveness of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer to the base layer (e.g., a substrate or an alignment film) is improved. Also, it is considered that the decrease in planar uniformity is caused by low compatibility of the dichroic substance with the polymer liquid crystal compound. That is, it is considered that if the compatibility of the dichroic substance with the polymer liquid crystal compound is insufficient, planar defects (alignment defects) are generated with the dichroic substance as a nucleus. In this regard, it is presumed that by the polymer liquid crystal compound including a soft structure of a molecular chain length, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer having excellent planar uniformity is obtained by inhibiting the precipitation of the dichroic substance. Here, excellent planar uniformity means that the liquid crystal composition including the polymer liquid crystal compound has few alignment defects generated by being repelled from the base layer (e.g., a substrate or an alignment film).

[0310] The above-described repeating unit (4) is a repeating unit represented by the following formula (4).

[0311] [Chemical Formula 19]

[0312]

[0313] In the above formula (4), PC4 represents a main chain of the repeating unit, and more specifically, represents the same structure as PC1 in the above formula (1), L4 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, and more specifically, represents the same structure as L1 in the above formula (1) (preferably a single bond), and SP4 represents an alkylene group having 10 or more atoms in the main chain, and T4 represents a terminal group, and more specifically, represents the same structure as T1 in the above formula (1).

[0314] Specific examples and preferable modes of PC4 are the same as those of PC1 of formula (1), and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0315] From the viewpoint of more exerting the effects of the present application, as L4, a single bond is preferable.

[0316] In formula (4), SP4 represents an alkylene group having 10 or more atoms in the main chain. However, one or more -CH2- constituting the alkylene group represented by SP4 can be substituted with the above-described "SP-C", and it is particularly preferable to be substituted with one selected from the group consisting of -0-, -S-, -N(R 21 )-, -C(=0)-, -C(=S)-, -C(R 22 )=C(R23 -, ynynyl, -Si(R) 24 (R) 25 -, -N=N-, -C(R) 26 )=NN=C(R 27 )-、-C(R 28 At least one group from the group consisting of -N- and -S(=O)2- is substituted. However, R 21 ~R 28 Each of these can independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Furthermore, the hydrogen atoms contained in one or more -CH2- groups constituting the alkylene group represented by SP4 can be replaced by the aforementioned "SP-H".

[0317] The main chain of SP4 has 10 or more atoms, and from the viewpoint of obtaining a light absorption anisotropic layer with better at least one of superior adhesion and planar uniformity, it is preferably 15 or more, more preferably 19 or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a light absorption anisotropic layer with better orientation, the upper limit of the main chain of SP2 is preferably 70 or less, more preferably 60 or less, and even more preferably 50 or less.

[0318] Here, the "main chain" in SP4 refers to the partial structure required to directly connect L4 and T4, and the "number of atoms in the main chain" refers to the number of atoms constituting the aforementioned partial structure. In other words, the "main chain" in SP4 is the partial structure where the number of atoms connecting L4 and T4 is the shortest. For example, the number of atoms in the main chain of SP4 when it is 3,7-dimethyldecyl is 10, and the number of atoms in the main chain of SP4 when it is 4,6-dimethyldodecyl is 12. Furthermore, in the following formula (4-1), the box represented by the dotted quadrilateral corresponds to SP4, and the number of atoms in the main chain of SP4 (equivalent to the total number of atoms enclosed by the dotted circle) is 11.

[0319] [Chemical Formula 20]

[0320]

[0321] The alkylene group represented by SP4 can be either straight-chain or branched.

[0322] From the perspective of obtaining a light absorption anisotropic layer with better orientation, the number of carbon atoms of the alkylene group represented by SP4 is preferably 8 to 80, more preferably 15 to 80, even more preferably 25 to 70, and particularly preferably 25 to 60.

[0323] From the perspective of obtaining a light absorption anisotropic layer with better adhesion and planar uniformity, one or more -CH2- atoms constituting the alkylene group represented by SP4 are preferably replaced by the above-mentioned "SP-C".

[0324] Also, in the case of having a plurality of -CH2- constituting the alkylene group represented by SP4, from the viewpoint of being able to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having more excellent adhesion and planar uniformity, it is more preferable that only a part of the plurality of -CH2- is substituted with the above-described "SP-C".

[0325] In "SP-C", it is preferable that at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of -0-, -S-, -N(R 21 )-, -C(=0)-, -C(=S)-, -C(R 22 )=C(R 23 )-, alkynylene, -Si(R 24 )(R 25 )-, -N=N-, -C(R 26 )=N-N=C(R 27 )-, -C(R 28 )=N-, and -S(=0)2- is more preferable, from the viewpoint of being able to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having more excellent adhesion and planar uniformity, at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of -0-, -N(R 21 )-, -C(=0)-, and -S(=0)2- is further preferable, and at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of -0-, -N(R 21 )-, and -C(=0)- is still further preferable.

[0326] In particular, SP4 is preferably a group containing at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxyalkylene structure in which one or more -CH2- constituting an alkylene group is substituted with -0-, an ester structure in which one or more -CH2-CH2- constituting an alkylene group is substituted with -0- and -C(=0)-, and a carbamate bond in which one or more -CH2-CH2-CH2- constituting an alkylene group is substituted with -0-, -C(=0)-, and -NH-.

[0327] One or more -CH2- constituting the alkylene group represented by SP4 can be substituted with the above-described "SP-H". In this case, one or more of the hydrogen atoms contained in -CH2- can be substituted with "SP-H". That is, it can be that only one of the hydrogen atoms contained in -CH2- is substituted with "SP-H", or it can be that both (2) of the hydrogen atoms contained in -CH2- are substituted with "SP-H".

[0328] In "SP-H", it is preferable that at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxyl group, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms is further preferable that at least one kind of group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0329] As described above, T4represents the same terminal group as T1, preferably a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, a boronic acid group, an amino group, a cyano group, a nitro group, a phenyl group which can have a substituent, or -L-CL (L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Specific examples of the divalent linking group are the same as those of the above-described LWand SPW. CL represents a cross-linkable group, and examples thereof include groups represented by the above-described formulae (P1) to (P30), preferably cross-linkable groups represented by the above-described formulae (P1) to (P30). As the above-described CL, a vinyl group, a butadiene group, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acrylamide group, a vinyl acetate group, a fumarate group, a styrene group, a vinylpyrrolidone group, a maleic anhydride group, a maleimide group, a vinyl ether group, an epoxy group, or an oxetanyl group is preferred.

[0330] The epoxy group can be an epoxy cycloalkyl group, and the number of carbon atoms in the cycloalkyl moiety of the epoxy cycloalkyl group is preferably 3 to 15, more preferably 5 to 12, and further preferably 6 from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application (i.e., the case where the epoxy cycloalkyl group is an epoxy cyclohexyl group).

[0331] As the substituent of the oxetanyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms can be mentioned, and an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms is preferred from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application. The alkyl group as the substituent of the oxetanyl group can be linear or branched, and a linear alkyl group is preferred from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application.

[0332] As the substituent of the phenyl group, a boronic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a vinyl group, and an amino group can be mentioned, and a boronic acid group is preferred from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application.

[0333] As specific examples of the repeating unit (4), the following structures can be mentioned, but the present application is not limited to these. In the following specific examples, n1 represents an integer of 2 or more, and n2 represents an integer of 1 or more.

[0334] [Chemical Formula 21]

[0335]

[0336] The content of the repeating unit (4) is preferably 2 to 20 mass% and more preferably 3 to 18 mass% with respect to the total repeating units (100 mass%) possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound. If the content of the repeating unit (4) is 2 mass% or more, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having more excellent adhesion can be obtained. Also, if the content of the repeating unit (4) is 20 mass% or less, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having more excellent planar uniformity can be obtained.

[0337] The polymer liquid crystal compound can contain one kind of the repeating unit (4) alone, or two or more kinds. In the case where two or more kinds of the repeating unit (4) are contained, the content of the above-mentioned repeating unit (4) refers to the total content of the repeating unit (4).

[0338] (repeating unit (5))

[0339] From the viewpoint of planar uniformity, the polymer liquid crystal compound can contain a repeating unit (5) introduced by polymerizing a multifunctional monomer. In particular, in order to suppress a decrease in the degree of orientation and improve planar uniformity, it is preferable to contain 10% by mass or less of the repeating unit (5) introduced by polymerizing the multifunctional monomer. Thus, as a reason for suppressing a decrease in the degree of orientation and improving planar uniformity by containing 10% by mass or less of the repeating unit (5), the following is inferred.

[0340] The repeating unit (5) is a unit introduced into the polymer liquid crystal compound by polymerizing a multifunctional monomer. Therefore, it is considered that a high molecular weight body having a three-dimensional crosslinked structure formed of the repeating unit (5) is contained in the polymer liquid crystal compound. Here, since the content of the repeating unit (5) is small, it is considered that the content rate of the high molecular weight body containing the repeating unit (5) is small.

[0341] Thus, it is presumed that by the presence of a small amount of the high molecular weight body having a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, the repulsion of the liquid crystal composition is suppressed and a light absorption anisotropic layer excellent in planar uniformity is obtained.

[0342] Further, since the content of the high molecular weight body is small, it is presumed that the effect of suppressing a decrease in the degree of orientation can be maintained.

[0343] The above-mentioned repeating unit (5) introduced by polymerizing a multifunctional monomer is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (5).

[0344] [Chemical Formula 22]

[0345]

[0346] In formula (5), PC5A and PC5B represent the main chain of the repeating unit, more specifically, the same structure as PC1 in the above-mentioned formula (1), L5A and L5B represent a single bond or a divalent linking group, more specifically, the same structure as L1 in the above-mentioned formula (1), SP5A and SP5B represent a spacer, more specifically, the same structure as SP1 in the above-mentioned formula (1), MG5A and MG5B represent a mesogenic structure, more specifically, the same structure as the mesogenic group MG in the above-mentioned formula (LC), and a and b represent an integer of 0 or 1.

[0347] PC5A and PC5B can be the same group or different groups from each other, but from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are the same group.

[0348] L5A and L5B can each be a single bond, the same group, or different groups from each other, but from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are each a single bond or the same group, and more preferably the same group.

[0349] SP5A and SP5B can each be a single bond, the same group, or different groups from each other, but from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are each a single bond or the same group, and more preferably the same group.

[0350] Here, the same group in formula (5) means that the chemical structure is the same regardless of the bonding direction of each group, for example, the case where SP5A is *-CH2-CH2-O-** (* indicates the bonding position with L5A, and ** indicates the bonding position with MG5A) and SP5B is *-O-CH2-CH2-** (* indicates the bonding position with MG5B, and ** indicates the bonding position with L5B) is also the same group.

[0351] a and b are each independently an integer of 0 or 1, and from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are 1.

[0352] a and b can be the same or different, but from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are each 1.

[0353] From the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the total of a and b is preferably 1 or 2 (i.e., the repeating unit represented by formula (5) has a mesogenic group), and more preferably 2.

[0354] From the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the moiety represented by -(MG5A) a -(MG5B) b is preferably a cyclic structure. In this case, from the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the moiety represented by -(MG5A2) a -(MG5B) b The number of cyclic structures in the moiety represented by formula (5) is preferably 2 or more, more preferably 2 to 8, further preferably 2 to 6, and particularly preferably 2 to 4.

[0355] From the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the mesogenic group represented by MG5A and MG5B is preferably independently composed of 1 or more cyclic structures, preferably 2 to 4, more preferably 2 to 3, and particularly preferably 2.

[0356] As specific examples of the cyclic structure, there are aromatic hydrocarbon groups, heterocyclic groups, and alicyclic groups, of which aromatic hydrocarbon groups and alicyclic groups are preferable.

[0357] MG5A and MG5B can be the same group or different groups from each other, but from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, it is preferable that they are the same group.

[0358] As the mesogenic group represented by MG5A and MG5B, from the viewpoints of exhibiting liquid crystallinity, adjusting liquid crystal phase transition temperature, availability of raw materials, and synthetic applicability, and the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application, it is preferable that the mesogenic group MG in the above formula (LC) is used.

[0359] In particular, it is preferable that PC5A and PC5B are the same group, L5A and L5B are a single bond or the same group, SP5A and SP5B are a single bond or the same group, and MG5A and MG5B are the same group. By this, the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is further improved.

[0360] The content of the repeating unit (5) with respect to the content (100 mass%) of all repeating units possessed by the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound is preferably 10 mass% or less, more preferably 0.001 to 5 mass%, and further preferably 0.05 to 3 mass%.

[0361] One kind of repeating unit (5) can be contained alone in the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound, or two or more kinds thereof can be contained. In the case where two or more kinds of repeating units (5) are contained, it is preferable that the total amount thereof is within the above range.

[0362] (Star-shaped polymer)

[0363] The high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound can be a star-shaped polymer. The star-shaped polymer in the present application refers to a polymer having three or more polymer chains extending from a core, and specifically, is represented by the following formula (6).

[0364] The star-shaped polymer represented by formula (6) as the high-molecular-weight liquid-crystalline compound is high in solubility (excellent in solubility with respect to a solvent), and can form a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having a high degree of orientation.

[0365] [Chemical Formula 23]

[0366]

[0367] In formula (6), n A represents an integer of 3 or more, preferably an integer of 4 or more. n A The upper limit of n is not limited, but is usually 12 or less, preferably 6 or less.

[0368] The plurality of PI's each independently represents a polymer chain containing any one of the repeating units represented by the above formulae (1), (21), (22), (3), (4), (5). However, at least one of the plurality of PI's represents a polymer chain containing the repeating unit represented by the above formula (1).

[0369] A represents an atomic group that becomes the core of the star-shaped polymer. As a specific example of A, the structure in which a hydrogen atom is removed from the thiol group of a polyfunctional thiol compound described in

[0052] to

[0058] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-074280,

[0017] to

[0021] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-189847,

[0012] to

[0024] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-031986,

[0118] to

[0142] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-104631, and the like can be given. In this case, A and PI are bonded through a thioether bond.

[0370] The number of thiol groups of the above polyfunctional thiol compound that becomes the source of A is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 4 or more. The upper limit of the number of thiol groups of the polyfunctional thiol compound is usually 12 or less, preferably 6 or less.

[0371] Hereinafter, specific examples of the polyfunctional thiol compound will be shown.

[0372] [Chemical Formula 24]

[0373]

[0374] From the viewpoint of improving the degree of orientation, the polymer liquid crystal compound can be a thermotropic liquid crystal and a crystalline polymer.

[0375] (Thermotropic liquid crystal)

[0376] A thermotropic liquid crystal refers to a liquid crystal that shows a transition to a liquid crystal phase by a change in temperature.

[0377] The polymer liquid crystal compound is a thermotropic liquid crystal, and can show any one of a nematic phase and a smectic phase, but from the reason that the haze becomes more difficult to observe (the haze becomes better), it is preferable to show at least a nematic phase.

[0378] From the viewpoint of the orientation degree of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becoming higher and the haze becoming more difficult to observe, the temperature range in which the nematic phase is exhibited is preferably (23°C) to 450°C, and more preferably 40°C to 400°C from the viewpoint of handling or manufacturing suitability.

[0379] (crystalline polymer)

[0380] The crystalline polymer refers to a polymer that exhibits a transition to a crystalline layer by temperature change. The crystalline polymer can exhibit a glass transition in addition to the transition to the crystalline layer.

[0381] From the viewpoint of the orientation degree of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becoming higher and the haze becoming more difficult to observe, the crystalline polymer is preferably a polymer liquid crystal compound that has a transition from a crystal phase to a liquid crystal phase upon heating (may have a glass transition in the middle) or a polymer liquid crystal compound that has a transition to a crystal phase upon temperature decrease after becoming a liquid crystal state by heating (may have a glass transition in the middle).

[0382] In addition, the presence or absence of crystallinity of the polymer liquid crystal compound is evaluated in the following manner.

[0383] Two pieces of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer are arranged in a manner orthogonal to each other, and a sample stage is fixed between the two pieces of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. Then, a small amount of the polymer liquid crystal compound is placed on a glass slide, and the glass slide is fixed on a hot stage placed on the sample stage. While observing the state of the sample, the temperature of the hot stage is increased to a temperature at which the polymer liquid crystal compound exhibits a liquid crystal property, and the polymer liquid crystal compound is brought to a liquid crystal state. After the polymer liquid crystal compound is brought to the liquid crystal state, the behavior of the liquid crystal phase transition is observed while gradually decreasing the temperature of the hot stage, and the temperature of the liquid crystal phase transition is recorded. In addition, in the case where the polymer liquid crystal compound exhibits a plurality of liquid crystal phases (for example, a nematic phase and a smectic phase), the transition temperatures of all of them are also recorded.

[0384] Next, a sample of about 5 mg of the polymer liquid crystal compound is placed in an aluminum pan, covered with a lid, and fixed in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) (an empty aluminum pan is used as a reference). The temperature at which the polymer liquid crystal compound exhibits a liquid crystal phase determined in the above is heated, and then the temperature is held for 1 minute. Then, heat measurement is performed while decreasing the temperature at a rate of 10°C / minute. The heat generation peak is confirmed from the obtained heat spectrum.

[0385] As a result, in the case where a heat generation peak is observed at a temperature other than the temperature of the liquid crystal phase transition, the heat generation peak is a peak generated by crystallization, and it can be said that the polymer liquid crystal compound has crystallinity.

[0386] On the other hand, in a case where no heat generation peak is observed at a temperature other than the temperature of the liquid crystal phase transition, it can be said that the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound has no crystallinity.

[0387] The method for obtaining the crystalline high-molecular-weight compound is not particularly limited, and as a specific example, a method using the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound containing the above-described repeating unit (1) is preferable, and a method using the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound containing the above-described repeating unit (1) in the above-described preferable manner is more preferable.

[0388] • Crystallization temperature

[0389] The crystallization temperature of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably -50°C or higher and less than 150°C, more preferably 120°C or lower, further preferably -20°C or higher and less than 120°C, and particularly preferably 95°C or lower, from the viewpoint of making the degree of orientation of the light absorption anisotropic layer higher and making it more difficult to observe the haze. The crystallization temperature of the above-described high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably less than 150°C from the viewpoint of reducing the haze.

[0390] In addition, the crystallization temperature is the temperature of the heat generation peak of crystallization in the above-described DSC.

[0391] (Molecular weight)

[0392] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably 1000 to 500000, and more preferably 2000 to 300000, from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present application. If the Mw of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is within the above-described range, the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is easily handled.

[0393] In particular, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably 10000 or higher, and more preferably 10000 to 300000, from the viewpoint of suppressing cracks at the time of coating.

[0394] In addition, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the high-molecular-weight liquid crystalline compound is preferably less than 10000, and preferably 2000 or higher and less than 10000, from the viewpoint of the temperature tolerance of the degree of orientation.

[0395] Here, the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight in the present application are values measured by a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method.

[0396] • Solvent (eluent): N-methylpyrrolidone

[0397] • Apparatus name: TOSOH HLC-8220 GPC

[0398] • Column: 3 TOSOH TSKgel Super AWM-H (6 mm x 15 cm) were connected and used

[0399] • Column temperature: 25°C

[0400] • Sample concentration: 0.1 mass %

[0401] • Flow rate: 0.35 ml / min

[0402] • Calibration curve: A calibration curve obtained using seven samples of TSK standard polystyrene Mw = 2,800,000 ~ 1,050 (Mw / Mn = 1.03 ~ 1.06) manufactured by TOSOH

[0403] The liquid crystallinity of the high-molecular liquid crystal compound can exhibit either of a nematic phase and a smectic phase, but preferably exhibits at least a nematic phase.

[0404] The temperature range in which the nematic phase is exhibited is preferably 0°C to 450°C, and from the viewpoint of handling or manufacturing suitability, is preferably 30°C to 400°C.

[0405] The content of the liquid crystal compound is preferably 25 to 2,000 parts by mass, more preferably 100 to 1,300 parts by mass, and further preferably 200 to 900 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the content of the dichroic substance in the liquid crystal composition. By the content of the liquid crystal compound being within the above range, the degree of orientation of the polarizer is further improved.

[0406] The liquid crystal compound can include one alone, or two or more. In the case where the liquid crystal compound includes two or more, the content of the liquid crystal compound refers to the total of the contents of the liquid crystal compounds.

[0407] [Dichroic substance]

[0408] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer used in the present application contains an organic dichroic substance.

[0409] The organic dichroic substance is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include visible light-absorbing substances (dichroic substances, dichroic azo compounds), light-emitting substances (fluorescent substances, phosphorescent substances), ultraviolet light-absorbing substances, infrared light-absorbing substances, nonlinear optical substances, carbon nanotubes, inorganic substances (for example, quantum rods), and the like, and conventionally known organic dichroic substances (dichroic dyes, dichroic pigments) can be used.

[0410] The dichroic substance preferably used is an organic dichroic substance, and more preferably, a dichroic azo pigment compound.

[0411] The dichroic azo pigment compound is not particularly limited, and conventionally known dichroic azo pigments can be used, but a compound described later is preferably used.

[0412] In the present application, the dichroic azo pigment compound refers to a pigment in which the absorbance differs depending on the direction.

[0413] The dichroic azo dye compound can or can not exhibit liquid crystallinity.

[0414] In the case where the dichroic azo dye compound exhibits liquid crystallinity, either of a nematic phase or a smectic phase can be exhibited. The temperature range in which the liquid crystal phase is exhibited is preferably from room temperature (about 20°C to 28°C) to 300°C, and more preferably from 50°C to 200°C from the viewpoints of handling properties and manufacturing suitability.

[0415] Specifically, in the present application, from the viewpoint of adjusting the hue, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer preferably contains at least one kind of pigment compound having an absorption peak wavelength in the range of 560 to 700 nm (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the 1st dichroic azo dye compound") and at least one kind of pigment compound having an absorption peak wavelength in the range of 455 nm or more and less than 560 nm (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the 2nd dichroic azo dye compound"), and more specifically, more preferably at least one kind of dichroic azo dye compound represented by formula (1) described later and at least one kind of dichroic azo dye compound represented by formula (2) described later.

[0416] In the present application, three or more kinds of dichroic azo dye compounds can also be used in combination, and for example, from the viewpoint of making the light-absorbing anisotropic layer close to black, the 1st dichroic azo dye compound, the 2nd dichroic azo dye compound, and at least one kind of pigment compound having an absorption peak wavelength in the range of 380 nm or more and less than 455 nm (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "the 3rd dichroic azo dye compound") are preferably used in combination.

[0417] That is, in the present application, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer preferably contains two or more kinds of organic dichroic substances having different absorption peak wavelengths, and more preferably contains three or more kinds of organic dichroic substances having different absorption peak wavelengths.

[0418] In the present application, from the viewpoint of the pressure resistance becoming more excellent, the dichroic azo dye compound preferably has a cross-linkable group.

[0419] As the cross-linkable group, specifically, for example, a (meth)acryloyl group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, a styryl group, and the like can be given, and among them, a (meth)acryloyl group is preferred.

[0420] (1st dichroic azo dye compound)

[0421] The 1st dichroic azo dye compound is preferably a compound having a chromophore as a core and a side chain bonded to the terminal of the chromophore.

[0422] As specific examples of the chromophore, aromatic ring groups (for example, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, aromatic heterocyclic groups), azo groups, and the like can be given, and a structure having both of an aromatic ring group and an azo group is preferable, and a bisazo structure having an aromatic heterocyclic group (preferably a thienothiazolyl group) and two azo groups is more preferable.

[0423] As the side chain, there is no particular limitation, and a group represented by L3, R2, or L4 of the following formula (1) can be given.

[0424] The first dichroic azo dye compound is a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 560 nm or more and 700 nm or less, and from the viewpoint of adjusting the hue of a polarizer, a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 560 to 650 nm is preferable, and a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 560 to 640 nm is more preferable.

[0425] The maximum absorption wavelength (nm) of the dichroic azo dye compound in the present specification is found from an ultraviolet-visible light spectrum in a range of 380 to 800 nm of wavelength using a solution in which the dichroic azo dye compound is dissolved in a good solvent, and measured by using a spectrophotometer.

[0426] In the present application, the first dichroic azo dye compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (1) from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer formed.

[0427] [Chemical Formula 25]

[0428]

[0429] In formula (1), Ar1and Ar2independently represent a phenylene group which can have a substituent or a naphthylene group which can have a substituent, and a phenylene group is preferable.

[0430] In formula (1), R1represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having a substituent having a carbon atom number of 1 to 20, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, an alkylcarbonate group, an alkylamino group, an acylamino group, an alkylcarbonylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an alkylsulfonylamino group, an alkylsulfamoyl group, an alkylcarbamoyl group, an alkylsulfinyl group, an alkylureido group, an alkylphosphoric acylamino group, an alkylimino group, or an alkylsilyl group.

[0431] -CH2- constituting the above alkyl group can be substituted with -0-, -S-, -C(O)-, -C(O)-O-, -O-C(O)-, -C(O)-S-, -S-C(O)-, -Si(CH3)2-O-Si(CH3)2-, -NR2'-, -NR2'-CO-, -CO-NR2'-, -NR2'-C(O)-O-, -O-C(O)-NR2'-, -NR2'-C(O)-NR2'-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -N=N-, -C(R2')=CH-C(O)-, or -O-C(O)-O-.

[0432] In the case where R1is a group other than a hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom possessed by each group can be substituted with a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, -N(R1')2, an amino group, -C(R1')=C(R1')-NO2, -C(R1')=C(R1')-CN, or -C(R1')=C(CN)2.

[0433] R1'represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In the case where a plurality of R1'is present in each group, they can be the same as or different from each other.

[0434] In formula (1), R2and R3independently represent a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which can have a substituent, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonylamido group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an aryl group, an arylcarbonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, or an arylcarbonylamido group.

[0435] -CH2- constituting the above alkyl group can be substituted with -0-, -S-, -C(O)-, -C(O)-O-, -O-C(O)-, -C(O)-S-, -S-C(O)-, -Si(CH3)2-O-Si(CH3)2-, -NR2'-, -NR2'-CO-, -CO-NR2'-, -NR2'-C(O)-O-, -O-C(O)-NR2'-, -NR2'-C(O)-NR2'-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C-, -N=N-, -C(R2')=CH-C(O)-, or -O-C(O)-O-.

[0436] In the case where R2and R3are groups other than a hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom possessed by each group can be substituted with a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an -OH group, -N(R2')2, an amino group, -C(R2')=C(R2')-NO2, -C(R2')=C(R2')-CN, or -C(R2')=C(CN)2.

[0437] R2'represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In the case where a plurality of R2'is present in each group, they can be the same as or different from each other.

[0438] R2and R3may be bonded to each other to form a ring, or R2or R3may be bonded to Ar2to form a ring.

[0439] From the viewpoint of light resistance, R1is preferably an electron- withdrawing group, and R2and R3are preferably groups having low electron-donating properties.

[0440] As specific examples of such groups, as R1, there can be mentioned alkylsulfonyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxy, alkylsulfonylamino, alkylsulfamoyl, alkylsulfinyl, and alkylureido, and the like, and as R2and R3, there can be mentioned groups of the following structures, and the like. In addition, the groups of the following structures are represented in the above formula (1) in a form including the nitrogen atom to which R2and R3are bonded.

[0441] [Chemical Formula 26]

[0442]

[0443] Specific examples of the first dichroic azo pigment compound are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

[0444] [Chemical Formula 27]

[0445]

[0446]

[0447] (Second dichroic azo pigment compound)

[0448] The second dichroic azo pigment compound is a compound different from the first dichroic azo pigment compound, and specifically, its chemical structure is different.

[0449] The second dichroic azo pigment compound is preferably a compound having a chromophore that is a core of a dichroic azo pigment compound and a side chain bonded to a terminal of the chromophore.

[0450] As specific examples of the chromophore, there can be mentioned an aromatic ring group (for example, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic heterocyclic group), an azo group, and the like, and preferably, a structure having both an aromatic hydrocarbon group and an azo group, and more preferably, a bisazo or trisazo structure having an aromatic hydrocarbon group and 2 or 3 azo groups.

[0451] There is no particular limitation on the side chain, and there can be mentioned a group represented by R4, R5, or R6 of the following formula (2).

[0452] The second dichroic azo dye compound is a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 455 nm or more and less than 560 nm, and from the viewpoint of adjusting the hue of the polarizer, it is preferable to be a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 455 to 555 nm, and more preferable to be a dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength in a range of 455 to 550 nm.

[0453] In particular, if the first dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength of 560 to 700 nm and the second dichroic azo dye compound having a maximum absorption wavelength of 455 nm or more and less than 560 nm are used, it is easier to adjust the hue of the polarizer.

[0454] From the aspect of further improving the degree of orientation of the polarizer, the second dichroic azo dye compound is preferably a compound represented by formula (2).

[0455] [Chemical Formula 28]

[0456]

[0457] In formula (2), n represents 1 or 2.

[0458] In formula (2), Ar3, Ar4, and Ar5 each independently represents a phenylene group which can have a substituent, a naphthylene group which can have a substituent, or a heterocyclic group which can have a substituent.

[0459] As the heterocyclic group, either of aromatic or non-aromatic can be used.

[0460] As the atoms other than carbon constituting the aromatic heterocyclic group, nitrogen atom, sulfur atom, and oxygen atom can be mentioned. In the case where the aromatic heterocyclic group has a plurality of atoms other than carbon constituting the ring, they can be the same or different.

[0461] As specific examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group, for example, pyridylene (pyridine-diyl), pyridazylene, imidazylene, thienylene (thiophene-diyl), quinolyiene (quinoline-diyl), isoquinolyiene (isoquinoline-diyl), oxazolyiene, thiazolyiene, oxadiazolyiene, benzothiazolyiene, benzothiadiazolyiene, phthalimidyiene, thienothiazolyiene, thiazolothiazolyiene, thienothienylene, and thienooxazolyiene, etc. can be mentioned.

[0462] In formula (2), R4 is the same as R1 in formula (1).

[0463] In formula (2), R5 and R6 are the same as R2 and R3 in formula (1), respectively.

[0464] From the viewpoint of light resistance, R4is preferably an electron- withdrawing group, and R5and R6are preferably groups having low electron-donating properties.

[0465] In such groups, specific examples when R4is an electron-withdrawing group are the same as those when R1is an electron-withdrawing group, and specific examples when R5and R6are groups having low electron-donating properties are the same as those when R2and R3are groups having low electron-donating properties.

[0466] Specific examples of the second dichroic azo dye compound are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

[0467] [Chemical Formula 29]

[0468]

[0469]

[0470]

[0471]

[0472] (logP value difference)

[0473] The logP value is an index of the properties of the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of a chemical structure. The absolute value of the difference between the logP value of the side chain of the first dichroic azo dye compound and the logP value of the side chain of the second dichroic azo dye compound (hereinafter, also referred to as "logP difference") is preferably 2.30 or less, more preferably 2.0 or less, further preferably 1.5 or less, and particularly preferably 1.0 or less. If the logP difference is 2.30 or less, the affinity of the first dichroic azo dye compound and the second dichroic azo dye compound is improved, and it is thus easier to form an alignment structure, and thus the degree of orientation of the light absorption anisotropic layer is further improved.

[0474] Further, in the case where a plurality of side chains of the first dichroic azo dye compound or the second dichroic azo dye compound are present, it is preferable that at least one logP difference satisfy the above value.

[0475] Here, the side chain of the first dichroic azo dye compound and the second dichroic azo dye compound refers to a group bonded to the terminal of the above-described chromophore. For example, in the case where the first dichroic azo dye compound is a compound represented by formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 in formula (1) are side chains, and in the case where the second dichroic azo dye compound is a compound represented by formula (2), R4, R5, and R6 in formula (2) are side chains. In particular, in the case where the first dichroic azo dye compound is a compound represented by formula (1) and the second dichroic azo dye compound is a compound represented by formula (2), it is preferable that at least one of the difference between the logP values of R1 and R4, the difference between the logP values of R1 and R5, the difference between the logP values of R2 and R4, and the difference between the logP values of R2 and R5 satisfy the above-described value.

[0476] Here, the logP value is an index that represents the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the chemical structure, and is sometimes referred to as a hydrophilic-hydrophobic parameter. The logP value can be calculated using software such as ChemBioDraw Ultra or HSPiP (Ver. 4.1.07). Also, it can be experimentally obtained by the method of OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Sections 1, Test No. 117 or the like. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the value calculated by inputting the structural formula of the compound in HSPiP (Ver. 4.1.07) is adopted as the logP value.

[0477] (Third dichroic azo dye compound)

[0478] The third dichroic azo dye compound is a dichroic azo dye compound other than the first dichroic azo dye compound and the second dichroic azo dye compound, and specifically, its chemical structure is different from the chemical structure of the first dichroic azo dye compound and the second dichroic azo dye compound. If the light absorption anisotropic layer-forming composition contains the third dichroic azo dye compound, it has the advantage that the color tone of the light absorption anisotropic layer can be easily adjusted.

[0479] The maximum absorption wavelength of the third dichroic azo dye compound is 380 nm or more and less than 455 nm, and is preferably 385 to 454 nm.

[0480] The third dichroic azo dye compound preferably contains a dichroic azo dye represented by the following formula (6).

[0481] [Chemical Formula 30]

[0482]

[0483] In formula (6), A and B each independently represent a crosslinkable group.

[0484] In formula (6), a and b each independently represent 0 or 1. In terms of the degree of orientation at 420 nm, a and b are preferably both 0.

[0485] In formula (6), in the case where a = 0, L1 represents a monovalent substituent, and in the case where a = 1, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Also, in the case where b = 0, L2 represents a monovalent substituent, and in the case where b = 1, L2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

[0486] In formula (6), Ar1 represents an (n1+2)-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, Ar2 represents an (n2+2)-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, and Ar3 represents an (n3+2)-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group.

[0487] In formula (6), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a monovalent substituent. In the case where n1 > 2, a plurality of R1 can be the same as or different from each other, in the case where n2 > 2, a plurality of R2 can be the same as or different from each other, and in the case where n3 > 2, a plurality of R3 can be the same as or different from each other.

[0488] In formula (6), k represents an integer of 1 to 4. In the case where k > 2, a plurality of Ar2 can be the same as or different from each other, and a plurality of R2 can be the same as or different from each other.

[0489] In formula (6), n1, n2, and n3 each independently represent an integer of 0 to 4. However, in the case where k = 1, n1 + n2 + n3 > 0, and in the case where k > 2, n1 + n2 + n3 > 1.

[0490] In formula (6), as the crosslinkable group represented by A and B, for example, the polymerizable groups described in

[0040] to

[0050] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-244038 can be given. Among them, from the viewpoint of improving reactivity and synthesis applicability, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, and a styryl group are preferred, and from the viewpoint of being able to further improve solubility, an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group are more preferred.

[0491] In formula (6), in the case where a = 0, L1 represents a monovalent substituent, and in the case where a = 1, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Also, in the case where b = 0, L2 represents a monovalent substituent, and in the case where b = 1, L2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group.

[0492] The monovalent substituents represented by L1 and L2 are preferably groups introduced to improve the solubility of dichroic substances or groups with electron-donating or electron-withdrawing properties introduced to adjust the hue of pigments.

[0493] For example, as a substituent, it can be used

[0494] Alkyl group (preferably with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-hexadecyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, etc.)

[0495] Alkenyl (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as vinyl, allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-pentenyl, etc.), alkynyl (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as propynyl, 3-pentynyl, etc.)

[0496] Aryl groups (preferably with 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably with 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 6 to 12 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl, naphthyl, and biphenyl, etc.)

[0497] Substituted or unsubstituted amino groups (preferably with 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 0 to 6 carbon atoms, such as unsubstituted amino groups, methylamino groups, dimethylamino groups, diethylamino groups, aniline groups, etc.)

[0498] Alkyl groups (preferably with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 1 to 15 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, etc.)

[0499] Oxycarbonyl (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 15 carbon atoms, especially preferably with 2 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, etc.), acyloxy (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 10 carbon atoms, especially preferably with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, acetoxy and benzoyloxy, etc.)

[0500] Acylamino group (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as acetamino and benzoylamino groups, etc.)

[0501] Alkoxycarbonylamino (preferably with 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably with 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and especially preferably with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methoxycarbonylamino, etc.)

[0502] Aryloxy (preferably having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, such as phenoxy, etc.), and

[0503] Sulfonyl (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methanesulfonyl, toluenesulfonyl, etc.), and

[0504] Sulfamoyl (preferably having 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 0 to 6 carbon atoms, such as sulfamoyl, methylsulfamoyl, dimethylsulfamoyl, phenylsulfamoyl, etc.), and

[0505] Carbamoyl (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as unsubstituted carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, phenylcarbamoyl, etc.), and

[0506] Alkylthio (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methylthio, ethylthio, etc.), and

[0507] Arylthio (preferably having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, such as phenylthio, etc.), and

[0508] Sulfonyl (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methanesulfonyl, toluenesulfonyl, etc.), and

[0509] Sulfinyl (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methanesulfinyl, phenylsulfinyl, etc.), and

[0510] Ureido (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as unsubstituted ureido, methylureido, phenylureido, etc.), and phosphoric acid amide (preferably having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and still more preferably having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as diethylphosphoric acid amide, phenylphosphoric acid amide, etc.), and

[0511] a heterocyclic group (preferably a heterocyclic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, for example, a heterocyclic group having a hetero atom such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and the like, for example, imidazolyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, furanyl, piperidyl, morpholino, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, and the like),

[0512] a silyl group (preferably a silyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 30 carbon atoms, particularly preferably 3 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, trimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl, and the like),

[0513] a halogen atom (for example, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom),

[0514] a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfinyl group, a hydrazine group, an imine group, and an azo group, and the like.

[0515] These substituents can also be substituted by these substituents. Also, in the case of having two or more substituents, they can be the same or different. Also, in the case where possible, they can be bonded to each other to form a ring.

[0516] as a group further substituted by the above substituent, for example, a group in which an alkoxy group is substituted by an alkyl group, that is, R B -(O-R A ) na . Here, in the formula, R A represents an alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R B represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and na represents an integer of 1 to 10 (preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 3).

[0517] Among them, as the monovalent substituent represented by L1and L2, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxy group, and a group further substituted by these groups (for example, the above R B -(O-R A ) na group) are preferable, and an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, and a group further substituted by these groups (for example, the above R B -(O-R A ) na group) are more preferable.

[0518] As the divalent linking group represented by L1and L2, for example, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NR N -, -O-CO-NR N -, -NR N -CO-NR N- SO2-, -SO-, alkylene, cycloalkylene, and alkenylene, and a group formed by combining two or more of these groups.

[0519] Among them, a group formed by combining alkylene and one or more groups selected from the group consisting of -O-, -COO-, -OCO-, and -O-CO-O- is preferred.

[0520] Here, R N represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. In the case where a plurality of R N may be the same as or different from each other. N

[0521] From the viewpoint of further improving the solubility of the dichroic substance, the number of atoms of at least one of the main chains of L1and L2is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 5 or more, further preferably 7 or more, and particularly preferably 10 or more. Also, the upper limit of the number of atoms of the main chain is preferably 20 or less, and more preferably 12 or less.

[0522] On the other hand, from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation of the light absorption anisotropic layer, the number of atoms of at least one of the main chains of L1and L2is preferably 1 to 5.

[0523] Here, in the case where A is present in formula (6), the "main chain" in L1refers to a portion required to directly connect the "O" atom connected to L1and "A", and the "number of atoms of the main chain" refers to the number of atoms constituting the above portion. Similarly, in the case where B is present in formula (6), the "main chain" in L2refers to a portion required to directly connect the "O" atom connected to L2and "B", and the "number of atoms of the main chain" refers to the number of atoms constituting the above portion. In addition, the "number of atoms of the main chain" does not include the number of atoms of the branched chain described later.

[0524] Also, in the case where A is not present, the "number of atoms of the main chain" in L1refers to the number of atoms of L1not including the branched chain. In the case where B is not present, the "number of atoms of the main chain" in L2refers to the number of atoms of L2not including the branched chain.

[0525] Specifically, in the following formula (D1), the number of atoms of the main chain of L1is 5 (the number of atoms within the dotted box on the left side of the following formula (D1)), and the number of atoms of the main chain of L2is 5 (the number of atoms within the dotted box on the right side of the following formula (D1)). Also, in the following formula (D10), the number of atoms of the main chain of L1is 7 (the number of atoms within the dotted box on the left side of the following formula (D10)), and the number of atoms of the main chain of L2is 5 (the number of atoms within the dotted box on the right side of the following formula (D10)).

[0526] [Chemical Formula 31] ​

[0527]

[0528] L1and L2may have a branched chain.

[0529] Here, in the case where A is present in formula (6), the "branched chain" in L1refers to a moiety other than a moiety required for directly connecting the "O" atom and "A" to which L1in formula (6) is connected. Similarly, in the case where B is present in formula (6), the "branched chain" in L2refers to a moiety other than a moiety required for directly connecting the "O" atom and "B" to which L2in formula (6) is connected.

[0530] Also, in the case where A is not present in formula (6), the "branched chain" in L1refers to a moiety other than the longest chain of atoms (i.e., the main chain) extending from the "O" atom to which L1in formula (6) is connected. Similarly, in the case where B is not present in formula (6), the "branched chain" in L2refers to a moiety other than the longest chain of atoms (i.e., the main chain) extending from the "O" atom to which L2in formula (6) is connected.

[0531] The number of atoms of the branched chain is preferably 3 or less. By the number of atoms of the branched chain being 3 or less, there is an advantage of further improving the degree of orientation of the light absorption anisotropic layer or the like. In addition, the number of atoms of the branched chain does not include the number of hydrogen atoms.

[0532] In formula (6), Ar1represents an (n1+2)-valent (e.g., 3-valent when n1is 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, Ar2represents an (n2+2)-valent (e.g., 3-valent when n2is 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, and Ar3represents an (n3+2)-valent (e.g., 3-valent when n3is 1) aromatic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group. Here, Ar1to Ar3may each be, in other words, a 2-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a 2-valent heterocyclic group substituted with n1to n3substituents (R1to R3described later).

[0533] The 2-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by Ar1to Ar3may be a monocyclic ring or can have a fused ring structure of 2 or more rings. From the viewpoint of further improving solubility, the number of rings of the 2-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group is preferably 1 to 4, more preferably 1 to 2, and further preferably 1 (i.e., phenylene).

[0534] As specific examples of the 2-valent aromatic hydrocarbon group, phenylene, azulene-diyl, naphthalene-diyl, fluorene-diyl, anthracene-diyl, and tetracene-diyl, and the like can be given, and from the viewpoint of further improving solubility, phenylene and naphthalene-diyl are preferred, and phenylene is more preferred.

[0535] Specific examples of the third dichroic substance compound are shown below, but the present application is not limited thereto. In the specific examples described below, n represents an integer of 1 to 10.

[0536] [Chemical Formula 32]

[0537]

[0538] [Chemical Formula 33]

[0539]

[0540] In terms of the degree of orientation at 420 nm, the third dye is preferably not a structure having a radical polymerizable group. For example, the following structures can be given.

[0541] [Chemical Formula 34]

[0542]

[0543] In terms of the degree of orientation at 420 nm, the third dye is more preferably a dichroic substance having a structure represented by the following formula (1-1).

[0544] [Chemical Formula 35]

[0545]

[0546] In formula (1-1), R1, R3, R4, R5, n1, n3, L1, and L2 are each independently the same as the definitions of R1, R3, R4, R5, n1, n3, L1, and L2 of formula (1).

[0547] In formula (1-1), R 21 and R 22 are each independently the same as the definition of R2 of formula (1).

[0548] In formula (1-1), n21 and n22 are each independently the same as the definition of n2 of formula (1).

[0549] n1 + n21 + n22 + n3 > 1, preferably 1 to 9, more preferably 1 to 5.

[0550] Hereinafter, specific examples of the dichroic substance will be shown, but the present application is not limited to these.

[0551] [Chemical Formula 36]

[0552]

[0553] [Chemical Formula 37]

[0554]

[0555] [Chemical Formula 38]

[0556]

[0557] (content of dichroic substance)

[0558] The content of the dichroic substance is preferably 5 to 30 mass% and more preferably 15 to 28 mass% and further preferably 20 to 30 mass% with respect to the total solid content of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. If the content of the dichroic substance is within the above range, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer with a high degree of orientation can be obtained even if the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is provided as a thin film. Therefore, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer with excellent flexibility is easily obtained. Further, if it exceeds 30 mass%, it is difficult to suppress internal reflection by increasing the refractive index.

[0559] From the viewpoint of improving the contrast between the luminance at the center of the viewing angle and the luminance in the direction deviating from the center of the viewing angle, the content per unit area of the dichroic substance is preferably 0.2 g / m 2 More preferably, it is 0.3 g / m 2 More preferably, it is 0.5 g / m 2 More preferably, it is 0.5 g / m 2 The upper limit is not particularly limited, but it is usually 1.0 g / m

[0560] The content of the first dichroic azo dye compound is preferably 40 to 90 mass parts and more preferably 45 to 75 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of the total content of the dichroic substance in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition.

[0561] The content of the second dichroic azo dye compound is preferably 6 to 50 mass parts and more preferably 8 to 35 mass parts with respect to 100 mass of the total content of the dichroic substance in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition.

[0562] The content of the third dichroic azo dye compound is preferably 3 to 35 mass parts and more preferably 5 to 30 mass parts with respect to 100 mass of the content of the dichroic azo dye compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition.

[0563] In order to adjust the color tone of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the content ratio of the first dichroic azo dye compound, the second dichroic azo dye compound, and the third dichroic azo dye compound used as necessary can be arbitrarily set. However, the content ratio of the second dichroic azo dye compound with respect to the first dichroic azo dye compound (second dichroic azo dye compound / first dichroic azo dye compound) is preferably 0.1 to 10 and more preferably 0.2 to 5 and particularly preferably 0.3 to 0.8 in terms of moles. If the content ratio of the second dichroic azo dye compound with respect to the first dichroic azo dye compound is within the above range, the degree of orientation can be improved.

[0564] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the present application can be produced, for example, using a light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition containing the liquid crystal compound and the organic dichroic substance described above.

[0565] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition can contain components other than the liquid crystal compound and the organic dichroic substance. As the components other than the liquid crystal compound and the organic dichroic substance, for example, solvents, vertical alignment agents, polymerizable components, polymerization initiators (for example, radical polymerization initiators), and leveling agents can be given. In this case, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the present application contains solid components other than liquid components (solvents and the like).

[0566] (Polymerizable Component)

[0567] As the polymerizable component, a compound containing an acrylate (for example, an acrylate monomer) can be given. In this case, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the present application contains a polyacrylate obtained by polymerizing the compound containing the acrylate described above.

[0568] As the polymerizable component, for example, the compound described in paragraph 0058 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-122776 can be given.

[0569] In the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition contains the polymerizable component, the content of the polymerizable component is preferably 3 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the organic dichroic substance and the liquid crystal compound described above in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition.

[0570] (Vertical Alignment Agent)

[0571] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition can also contain a vertical alignment agent as necessary. As the vertical alignment agent, a boronic acid compound and an onium salt can be given.

[0572] As the boronic acid compound, a compound represented by formula (30) is preferred.

[0573] Formula (30)

[0574] [Chemical Formula 39]

[0575]

[0576] In formula (30), R 1 and R 2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.

[0577] R 3 represents a substituted group containing a (meth)acryloyl group.

[0578] As specific examples of the boronic acid compound, the boronic acid compounds represented by the general formula (I) described in paragraphs 0023 to 0032 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-225281 can be given.

[0579] As the boronic acid compound, the following exemplified compounds are also preferable.

[0580] [Chemical Formula 40]

[0581]

[0582] As the onium salt, a compound represented by formula (31) is preferable.

[0583] Formula (31)

[0584] [Chemical Formula 41]

[0585]

[0586] In formula (31), ring A represents a quaternary ammonium ion composed of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle. X represents an anion. L 1 represents a divalent linking group. L 2 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Y 1 represents a divalent linking group having a 5- or 6-membered ring as a partial structure. Z represents a divalent linking group having an alkylene group of 2 to 20 as a partial structure. P 1 and P 2 each independently represents a monovalent substituent having a polymerizable ethylenic unsaturated bond.

[0587] As specific examples of the onium salt, the onium salts described in paragraphs 0052 to 0058 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-208397, the onium salts described in paragraphs 0024 to 0055 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-026730, and the onium salts described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-37777 can be given.

[0588] The content of the vertical alignment agent in the composition is preferably 0.1 to 400% by mass, and more preferably 0.5 to 350% by mass, relative to the total mass of the liquid crystalline compound.

[0589] The vertical alignment agent can be used alone, or two or more kinds thereof can be used in combination. In the case where two or more kinds of vertical alignment agents are used, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above range.

[0590] (Flowing agent)

[0591] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition preferably contains a leveling agent. If the composition contains a leveling agent, the planar roughness caused by the drying air applied to the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be suppressed, and the organic dichroic substance is oriented more uniformly in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0592] In addition, the leveling agent can also be used as a so-called surfactant.

[0593] The leveling agent is not particularly limited, and a leveling agent containing a fluorine atom (fluorine-based leveling agent) or a leveling agent containing a silicon atom (silicon-based leveling agent) is preferred, and a fluorine-based leveling agent is more preferred.

[0594] As the fluorine-based leveling agent, fatty acid esters of polycarboxylic acids in which a part of the fatty acid is substituted with a fluoroalkyl group and polyacrylates having a fluoro substituent can be given. In particular, in the case where a rod-shaped compound is used as the dichroic substance and the liquid crystal compound, a leveling agent containing a repeating unit derived from a compound represented by formula (40) is preferred from the aspect of promoting the vertical alignment of the dichroic substance and the liquid crystal compound.

[0595] Formula (40)

[0596] [Chemical Formula 42]

[0597]

[0598] R 0 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a methyl group.

[0599] L represents a divalent linking group. As L, an alkylene group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms is preferred, and any -CH2- in the above alkylene group can be substituted with -O-, -COO-, -CO-, or -CONH-.

[0600] n represents an integer of 1 to 18.

[0601] The leveling agent containing a repeating unit derived from a compound represented by formula (40) can further contain other repeating units.

[0602] As the other repeating unit, a repeating unit derived from a compound represented by formula (41) can be given.

[0603] Formula (41)

[0604] [Chemical Formula 43]

[0605]

[0606] R 11 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a methyl group.

[0607] X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or -N(R 13). R 13 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0608] R 12 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which can have a substituent, or an aromatic group which can have a substituent. The number of carbon atoms of the above-mentioned alkyl group is preferably 1 to 20. The above-mentioned alkyl group can be any one of a linear shape, a branched shape, and a cyclic shape.

[0609] Further, as the substituent which can have the above-mentioned alkyl group, a poly(alkyleneoxy) group and a polymerizable group can be mentioned. The definition of the polymerizable group is as mentioned above.

[0610] In the case where the leveling agent contains the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (40) and the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (41), the content of the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (40) is preferably 10 to 90 mol%, more preferably 15 to 95 mol%, relative to the total repeating units contained in the leveling agent.

[0611] In the case where the leveling agent contains the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (40) and the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (41), the content of the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (41) is preferably 10 to 90 mol%, more preferably 5 to 85 mol%, relative to the total repeating units contained in the leveling agent.

[0612] Further, as the leveling agent, a leveling agent containing the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (42) instead of the repeating unit derived from the compound represented by formula (40) mentioned above can also be mentioned.

[0613] Formula (42)

[0614] [Chemical Formula 44]

[0615]

[0616] R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a methyl group.

[0617] L 2 represents a divalent linking group.

[0618] n represents an integer of 1 to 18.

[0619] As the specific examples of the leveling agent, the compounds exemplified in paragraphs 0046 to 0052 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-331812 and the compounds described in paragraphs 0038 to 0052 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-257205 can be mentioned.

[0620] The leveling agent content in the composition is preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass relative to the total mass of the liquid crystal compound, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by mass.

[0621] Leveling agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more. When using two or more leveling agents, it is preferable that their combined dosage is within the range mentioned above.

[0622] (Polymerization initiator)

[0623] The composition for forming anisotropic light-absorbing layers preferably contains a polymerization initiator.

[0624] There are no particular limitations on the polymerization initiator, but photosensitive compounds, i.e., photopolymerization initiators, are preferred.

[0625] As photopolymerization initiators, a wide variety of compounds can be used without particular limitation. Examples of photopolymerization initiators include α-carbonyl compounds (as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670), azobin ethers (as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic azobin compounds (as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), and combinations of triarylimidazolium dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones (as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,549,367). (e.g., acridine and phenazine compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-105667, US Patent No. 4239850), oxadiazole compounds (US Patent No. 4212970), o-acyl oxime compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-27384

[0065] ), and acylphosphine oxide compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-40799, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-29234, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-95788, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-29997), etc.

[0626] Commercially available products can also be used as photopolymerization initiators, such as IRGACURE-184, IRGACURE-907, IRGACURE-369, IRGACURE-651, IRGACURE-819, IRGACURE-OXE-01, and IRGACURE-OXE-02 manufactured by BASF.

[0627] In the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition contains a polymerization initiator, the content of the polymerization initiator is preferably 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 15 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the total of the above-mentioned dichroic substance and the above-mentioned high-molecular liquid-crystalline compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition. By the content of the polymerization initiator being 0.01 parts by mass or more, the durability of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becomes good, and by being 30 parts by mass or less, the degree of orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becomes better.

[0628] The polymerization initiator can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the case where two or more polymerization initiators are contained, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above-mentioned range.

[0629] (Solvent)

[0630] From the viewpoint of workability and the like, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition preferably has a solvent.

[0631] As the solvent, for example, there can be mentioned ketones (for example, acetone, 2-butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, and the like), ethers (for example, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tetrahydropyran, dioxolane, and the like), aliphatic hydrocarbons (for example, hexane and the like), alicyclic hydrocarbons (for example, cyclohexane and the like), aromatic hydrocarbons (for example, benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, and the like), halogenated hydrocarbons (for example, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, chlorotoluene, and the like), esters (for example, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and the like), alcohols (for example, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, isoamyl alcohol, n-pentanol, diacetone alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and the like), cellosolves (for example, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and the like), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides (for example, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like), amides (for example, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, and the like), and heterocyclic compounds (for example, pyridine, N-methylimidazole, and the like), and water. These solvents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0632] Among these solvents, from the viewpoint of exerting an excellent effect of solubility, ketones (in particular, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone), ethers (in particular, tetrahydrofuran, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tetrahydropyran, dioxolane), and amides (in particular, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone) are preferred.

[0633] When the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition contains a solvent, the content of the solvent is preferably 80 to 99% by mass, more preferably 83 to 97% by mass, and particularly preferably 85 to 95% by mass, relative to the total mass of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition.

[0634] The solvent can be used singly or in combination of two or more. When two or more solvents are used in combination, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above range.

[0635] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have only the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, but can also be a laminate having a layer other than the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, as needed.

[0636] For example, the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application has a light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2, as shown above. Figure 2 As shown above, the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have a barrier layer 1, a liquid crystal layer 3 for orientation, an orientation layer 4, and a TAC film 5, in addition to the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2.

[0637] <Supporting Body>

[0638] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have a supporting body for supporting the light-absorbing anisotropic film. In the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic film has a protective layer for protecting the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the supporting body is preferably disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the protective layer is disposed. Figure 2 In the light-absorbing anisotropic film 101 shown above, the TAC film 5 serves as the supporting body.

[0639] The supporting body is preferably disposed on the surface opposite to the air layer. Further, in the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic film has a protective layer for protecting the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the supporting body is preferably disposed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the protective layer is disposed.

[0640] As the supporting body, a publicly known transparent resin film, a transparent resin plate, a transparent resin sheet, or the like can be used, but is not particularly limited. As the transparent resin film, a cellulose acylate film (e.g., cellulose triacetate film (refractive index 1.48), cellulose diacetate film, cellulose acetate butyrate film, cellulose acetate propionate film), polyethylene terephthalate film, polyether sulfone film, polyacrylic resin film, polyurethane resin film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polysulfone film, polyether film, polymethylpentene film, polyether ketone film, and (meth)acrylonitrile film, or the like can be used.

[0641] Among them, a cellulose acylate film, which is generally used as a protective film of a polarizing plate, is preferred because it has high transparency, small optical birefringence, and is easy to manufacture, and a cellulose triacetate film is particularly preferred.

[0642] The thickness of the supporting body is usually 20 to 100 μm.

[0643] In the present application, it is particularly preferred that the supporting body is a cellulose ester film and the film thickness thereof is 20 to 70 μm.

[0644] <Orientation film>

[0645] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have an orientation film between the support and the light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0646] The orientation film can be any layer as long as the liquid crystal compound of the organic dichroic substance that becomes the main body on the orientation film is set to the angle θA and the angle θB of the orientation direction of the organic dichroic substance described above to be the orientation state of a prescribed angle.

[0647] As the orientation film, for example, a film formed of a multifunctional acrylate compound or polyvinyl alcohol can be used. Polyvinyl alcohol is particularly preferable.

[0648] In the case of a tilted orientation axis, for example, UV irradiation can be performed from the tilt direction to a photo-orientation film such as an azo compound or a cinnamyl compound, as a result of which the center of the transmission axis can be tilted with respect to the normal direction of the film.

[0649] As a preferable orientation film, an orientation liquid crystal layer (orientation liquid crystal layer 3 in Figure 2 ) for orienting the liquid crystal compound that becomes the main body in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the thickness direction to satisfy the angle θA and the angle θB described above can be exemplified.

[0650] Furthermore, the orientation film can also have, in addition to the orientation liquid crystal layer, an orientation layer (orientation layer 4 in Figure 2 ) for orienting the liquid crystal compound constituting the orientation liquid crystal layer in the in-plane direction as needed.

[0651] [Orientation liquid crystal layer]

[0652] As indicated as the orientation liquid crystal layer 3 in Figure 2 , the orientation liquid crystal layer is a liquid crystal layer of a mixed orientation liquid crystal compound in which the orientation direction in the thickness direction continuously changes from the support side toward the air side (the light-absorbing anisotropic layer side). In other words, the orientation liquid crystal layer is a layer of a mixed orientation liquid crystal compound fixed in which the orientation direction in the thickness direction continuously changes from one surface side toward the other surface side. It is preferable that the orientation liquid crystal layer be a layer of a mixed orientation polymerizable liquid crystal compound fixed.

[0653] As a function of the orientation liquid crystal layer, the tilt angle or the direction of tilt of the liquid crystal compound in the interface of the orientation film with the light-absorbing anisotropic layer or other liquid crystal layer provided thereon can be controlled using the tilt angle of the liquid crystal compound in the air side interface of the orientation layer liquid crystal layer.

[0654] In the case where the alignment layer liquid crystal layer is provided in the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application, it is preferable that the kind of the liquid crystal compound in the alignment layer liquid crystal layer and the kind of the liquid crystal compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and other liquid crystal layers provided thereon be the same or similar. In particular, it is preferable that the liquid crystal compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer be a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound used in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer be the same polymerizable liquid crystal compound as that used in the alignment layer.

[0655] Thus, the tilt angle and the pitch direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer or other liquid crystal layers can be controlled more accurately.

[0656] The thickness of the alignment layer is not limited, and is preferably about 0.1 to 2.0 μm in terms of obtaining a good alignment state and the like.

[0657] The alignment film preferably has an alignment layer for aligning the liquid crystal compound contained in the alignment layer liquid crystal layer in the in-plane direction on the support side of the alignment layer liquid crystal layer in addition to the alignment layer.

[0658] That is, as shown in Figure 2 , the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application preferably has an alignment layer on a support, an alignment layer liquid crystal layer on the surface of the alignment layer, and a light-absorbing anisotropic layer on the surface of the alignment layer liquid crystal layer. In addition, the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have any layer as needed between the support and the alignment layer.

[0659] The alignment layer is not limited, and various alignment layers known in the art can be used as long as the liquid crystal compound contained in the alignment layer liquid crystal layer is aligned in the in-plane direction, preferably uniaxially aligned. As an example, a layer obtained by rubbing a resin film composed of a resin such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyimide, and a layer composed of a photoalignment material such as polyvinyl cinnamate and azobenzene compound, which is subjected to UV exposure with an inclination in the incident angle, can be exemplified.

[0660] Among them, a rubbed polyvinyl alcohol and a rubbed polyimide film are preferably used as the alignment layer.

[0661] In addition, as long as the alignment layer can align the liquid crystal compound of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer not only in the in-plane direction but also in the thickness direction, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be formed on the surface of the alignment layer even without the alignment layer.

[0662] <Protective Layer>

[0663] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have a protective layer for protecting the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. As the protective layer, as long as it can protect the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, various layers (films) known in the art can be used, but a barrier layer is preferred.

[0664] Figure 2 The illustrated light-absorbing anisotropic film has a barrier layer 1 on the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2 (the side opposite to the support).

[0665] The barrier layer is also called a gas barrier layer (oxygen barrier layer) and has a function of protecting the polarizing element of the present application from oxygen and the like gas in the atmosphere, moisture, or a compound contained in an adjacent layer.

[0666] As for the barrier layer, for example, the description in

[0014] to

[0054] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-159124,

[0042] to

[0075] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-121721,

[0045] to

[0054] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-115076,

[0010] to

[0061] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-213938, and

[0021] to

[0031] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-169994 can be referred to.

[0667] <Refractive Index Adjustment Layer>

[0668] In the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer described above has a dichroic substance, and thus internal reflection caused by the high refractive index of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can sometimes become a problem.

[0669] In this case, it is preferred that a refractive index adjustment layer be present. The refractive index adjustment layer is a layer disposed so as to be in contact with the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, and has an in-plane average refractive index of 1.55 or more and 1.70 or less at a wavelength of 550 nm. It is preferred that the refractive index adjustment layer be one for performing so-called refractive index matching.

[0670] <Other Layers>

[0671] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have, in addition to the layers described above, layers (films) that exhibit various functions, such as a phase difference layer, an antireflection layer, and various films, as needed.

[0672] In addition, the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application is not limited to Figure 2 the illustrated structure, and various layer structures can be used as long as a light-absorbing anisotropic layer is present.

[0673] For example, the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application can have only the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, can be composed of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and an orientation film, can be composed of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and an orientation liquid crystal layer, or can be composed of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and a barrier layer.

[0674] <Method for forming light-absorbing anisotropic layer>

[0675] The method for forming the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is not particularly limited, and a method sequentially including the following steps can be mentioned: a step of forming a coating film by applying the above-mentioned light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition (hereinafter, also referred to as "coating film-forming step"); and a step of orienting the liquid crystalline component and the dichroic substance contained in the coating film (hereinafter, also referred to as "orientation step").

[0676] In addition, the liquid crystalline component refers to a component including not only the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound, but also a dichroic substance having liquid crystallinity in the case where the above-mentioned dichroic substance has liquid crystallinity.

[0677] [Coating film-forming step]

[0678] The coating film-forming step is a step of forming a coating film by applying the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition. It is preferable that the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition be applied to the surface of the above-mentioned orientation liquid crystal layer.

[0679] The light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is easily applied by using the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition containing the above-mentioned solvent or using a substance that makes the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition into a liquid such as a solution by heating or the like.

[0680] The method of applying the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is specifically, for example, a publicly known method such as roll coating, gravure printing, spin coating, wire bar coating, extrusion coating, direct gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, die coating, spray coating, and inkjet.

[0681] [Orientation step]

[0682] The orientation step is a step of orienting the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film. Thereby, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be obtained.

[0683] The orientation step can have a drying treatment. By the drying treatment, it is possible to remove components such as a solvent from the coating film. The drying treatment can be performed by a method of leaving the coating film at room temperature for a prescribed time (for example, natural drying), or can be performed by a method of performing heating and / or air blowing.

[0684] Herein, the liquid crystalline component contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is sometimes oriented by the above-mentioned coating film-forming process or drying treatment. For example, in a case where the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is prepared as a coating liquid containing a solvent, a coating film having light-absorbing anisotropy (i.e., a light-absorbing anisotropic layer) can be obtained by drying the coating film to remove the solvent from the coating film.

[0685] In a case where the drying treatment is performed at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition temperature at which the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film is converted into a liquid crystal phase, the heating treatment described later can not be performed.

[0686] The transition temperature at which the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film is converted into a liquid crystal phase is preferably 10 to 250°C, and more preferably 25 to 190°C, from the viewpoint of manufacturing suitability and the like.

[0687] The above-mentioned transition temperature is preferably equal to or higher than 10°C, because cooling treatment and the like for lowering the temperature to the temperature range in which the liquid crystalline component is in a liquid crystal phase are not required. Also, the above-mentioned transition temperature is preferably equal to or lower than 250°C, because even in a case where the liquid crystalline component is in an isotropic liquid state at a temperature higher than the temperature range in which the liquid crystalline component is temporarily in a liquid crystal phase, high temperature is not required, and waste of thermal energy and deformation and deterioration of a substrate and the like can be reduced.

[0688] The orientation process preferably has a heating treatment. By this, the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film can be oriented, and thus the coating film after the heating treatment can be preferably used as a light-absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0689] The heating treatment is preferably 10 to 250°C, and more preferably 25 to 190°C, from the viewpoint of manufacturing suitability and the like. Also, the heating time is preferably 1 to 300 seconds, and more preferably 1 to 60 seconds.

[0690] The orientation process can have a cooling treatment performed after the heating treatment. The cooling treatment is a treatment for cooling the heated coating film to around room temperature (20 to 25°C). By this, the orientation of the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film can be fixed. The cooling method is not particularly limited, and can be performed by a publicly known method.

[0691] By the above process, a light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be obtained.

[0692] In the above description, as the orientation process, i.e., a method for orienting the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film, drying treatment and heating treatment and the like can be given, but the orientation process is not limited thereto, and a publicly known orientation treatment can be used.

[0693] [Other Process]

[0694] In the formation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, a step of curing the light-absorbing anisotropic layer (hereinafter, also referred to as "curing step") can be provided after the above orientation step.

[0695] For example, in the case where the light-absorbing anisotropic layer has a cross-linkable group (polymerizable group), the curing step is performed by heating and / or light irradiation (exposure). Among them, the curing step is preferably performed by light irradiation.

[0696] The light used for the curing can use various light (electromagnetic waves) such as infrared rays, visible light, and ultraviolet rays, but is preferably ultraviolet rays. These lights can be performed using a light source that emits light of a specific wavelength (wavelength region), or can be irradiated with transmitted light via a film that transmits only light of a specific wavelength (wavelength region).

[0697] Also, at the time of curing, ultraviolet rays or the like can be irradiated while being heated.

[0698] In the case where the light irradiation is performed while being heated, the heating temperature at the time of light irradiation also depends on the transition temperature of the liquid crystalline component contained in the liquid crystal film to the liquid crystal phase, but is preferably 25 to 140°C.

[0699] Also, the light irradiation can be performed under a nitrogen atmosphere. In the case where the curing of the liquid crystal film is performed by radical polymerization, the inhibition of polymerization by oxygen can be reduced, and thus the light irradiation is preferably performed under a nitrogen atmosphere.

[0700] The thickness of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of miniaturization and weight reduction, it is preferably 100 to 8000 nm, and more preferably 300 to 5000 nm.

[0701] <Patternization of light-absorbing anisotropic layer>

[0702] In the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present application, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having a region A and a region B in the plane and having different transmittance center axes in each region. As long as the light-emitting pixels are controlled by patterning each pixel of the liquid crystal, switching of the view angle center of the narrow view angle can be performed.

[0703] Also, the light-absorbing anisotropic layer used in the present application can be a light-absorbing anisotropic layer having a region C and a region D in the plane and having different transmittance in the region C and the region D in the direction normal to the transmittance center axis in the plane including the transmittance center axis and the normal to the film surface. In this case, it is preferable that the light-absorbing anisotropic layer be one in which the transmittance of the region C in the direction normal to the transmittance center axis is 50% or less and the transmittance of the region D in the direction normal to the transmittance center axis is 80% or more.

[0704] By performing such patterning, it is possible to enhance or weaken the viewing angle dependency in a local region. Thereby, it is also possible to display highly confidential information only in a region in which the viewing angle dependency is enhanced. Further, as a display device controls the viewing angle dependency at each display position, it is also possible to become a design with excellent designability. Furthermore, as long as the light-emitting pixels are controlled by patterning each pixel of the liquid crystal, it is possible to switch between a narrow viewing angle and a wide viewing angle.

[0705] In the following description, such a light absorption anisotropic layer having different two or more regions in-plane is simply referred to as a "patterned light absorption anisotropic layer".

[0706] [Pattern forming method]

[0707] The forming method of the patterned light absorption anisotropic layer is not limited, and for example, various methods known as described in International Publication No. 2019 / 176918 can be utilized. As an example, a method of forming a pattern by changing the irradiation angle of ultraviolet light irradiated to a photoalignment film, a method of controlling the thickness of the patterned light absorption anisotropic layer in-plane, a method of making dichroic substance compounds in the patterned light absorption anisotropic layer biased, a method of post-processing an optically uniform patterned light absorption anisotropic layer, and the like can be given.

[0708] As the method of controlling the thickness of the patterned light absorption anisotropic layer in-plane, a method using photolithography, a method using imprint, a method of forming a patterned light absorption anisotropic layer on a substrate having a concave-convex structure, and the like can be given.

[0709] As the method of making dichroic substance compounds in the patterned light absorption anisotropic layer biased, a method of extracting dichroic substances by solvent immersion (bleaching) can be given.

[0710] Further, as the method of post-processing an optically uniform patterned light absorption anisotropic layer, a method of cutting a part of a flat light absorption anisotropic layer by laser processing or the like can be given.

[0711] The viewing angle control system of the present application has the above-described light absorption anisotropic film and the polarizer of the present application.

[0712] <Polarizer>

[0713] The polarizer used in the viewing angle control system of the present application is not particularly limited as long as it is a member having a function of converting light into a specific linearly polarized light, and a known polarizer can be utilized.

[0714] As the polarizer, an iodine-based polarizer, a dye-based polarizer using a dichroic substance, a polyene-based polarizer, and the like can be used.

[0715] Among iodine-based polarizers and dye-based polarizers, a coated polarizer and a stretched polarizer can be used. As the coated polarizer, a polarizer in which dichroic organic dyes are oriented using the orientation of liquid crystal compounds is preferable. On the other hand, as the stretched polarizer, a polarizer produced by stretching a film in which iodine or dichroic substances are adsorbed on a polyvinyl alcohol film is preferable.

[0716] Further, as a method for obtaining a polarizer by performing stretching and dyeing in a state where a laminated film in which a polyvinyl alcohol layer is formed on a substrate is stretched and dyed, Japanese Patent No. 5048120, Japanese Patent No. 5143918, Japanese Patent No. 5048120, Japanese Patent No. 4691205, Japanese Patent No. 4751481, Japanese Patent No. 4751486 can be cited, and a publicly known technique related to these polarizers can be preferably used.

[0717] Among them, a polarizer containing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (a polymer containing -CH2-CHOH- as a repeating unit. In particular, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) is preferable in terms of easiness of acquisition and excellent degree of polarization.

[0718] In the present application, the thickness of the polarizer is not particularly limited, and is preferably 3 to 60 μm, more preferably 5 to 20 μm, and further preferably 5 to 10 μm.

[0719] In the viewing angle control system of the present application, the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the polarizer can be laminated via an adhesive layer and an adhesive layer or the like, or the above-mentioned orientation film and the light-absorbing anisotropic film can be directly coated on the polarizer to be laminated.

[0720] <Adhesive layer>

[0721] The adhesive layer in the present application is preferably a transparent and optically isotropic adhesive agent which is the same as the adhesive agent used in general image display devices, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive agent is generally used.

[0722] In the adhesive layer in the present application, in addition to a base material (adhesive agent), conductive particles, and thermally expandable particles used as needed, a crosslinking agent (for example, isocyanate-based crosslinking agent, epoxy-based crosslinking agent, and the like), a tackifier (for example, rosin derivative resin, polyterpene resin, petroleum resin, oil-soluble phenol resin, and the like), a plasticizer, a filler, an aging preventive, a surfactant, an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, an antioxidant, and the like can be appropriately added.

[0723] The thickness of the adhesive layer is usually 20 to 500 μm, preferably 20 to 250 μm. When it is less than 20 μm, the desired adhesion or reworkability is sometimes not obtained, and when it exceeds 500 μm, the adhesive sometimes protrudes or oozes out from the peripheral end of the image display device.

[0724] <Adhesive layer>

[0725] The adhesive in the present application exhibits adhesion by drying or reaction after lamination.

[0726] Polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives (PVA-based adhesives) exhibit adhesion by drying and can adhere materials to each other.

[0727] As specific examples of the curable adhesives that exhibit adhesion by reaction, there are active energy ray-curable adhesives such as (meth)acrylate-based adhesives or cationically polymerizing curable adhesives.

[0728] As the curable component in the (meth)acrylate-based adhesives, there are, for example, compounds having a (meth)acryloyl group, compounds having a vinyl group. Also, as the cationically polymerizing curable adhesives, compounds having an epoxy group or an oxetanyl group can be used. The compound having an epoxy group is not particularly limited as long as it has at least two epoxy groups in the molecule, and various curable epoxy compounds known in general can be used. As preferred epoxy compounds, there are, for example, compounds having at least two epoxy groups and at least one aromatic ring in the molecule (aromatic epoxy compounds), or compounds having at least two epoxy groups in the molecule, at least one of which is formed between two adjacent carbon atoms constituting an alicyclic ring (alicyclic epoxy compounds), and the like.

[0729] Among them, from the viewpoint of heat deformation resistance, it is preferred to use an ultraviolet-curable adhesive that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation.

[0730] The adhesive layer and the adhesive layer can be layers imparted with ultraviolet absorption ability by treatment with an ultraviolet absorber such as a salicylate compound, a benzophenol compound, a benzotriazole compound, a cyanoacrylic acid compound, and a nickel complex salt compound.

[0731] The attachment of the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer on the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or the polarizer is appropriately performed by a known method.

[0732] As an example, a method such as the following can be mentioned: a 10 to 40 mass% or so of an adhesive solution of a base polymer or a composition thereof dissolved or dispersed in a suitable solvent such as toluene and ethyl acetate or a solvent composed of a mixture is prepared, and this is directly attached to the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer by a suitable spreading method such as a flow casting method or a coating method.

[0733] Also, as the method of attaching the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer to the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer, a method in which a coating solution containing a base material for forming the adhesive layer and, as necessary, thermally expandable particles, additives, solvents and the like is prepared, and this is directly coated on a support, and the adhesive sheet made by pressure bonding and transferring from the support is prepared by pressure bonding and transferring from a release liner can be used. Also, as the method of attaching the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer to the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer, a method in which the above-mentioned coating solution is coated on a suitable release liner (release paper or the like) to form a thermally expandable adhesive layer, and this is pressure bonded and transferred from the release liner can be used.

[0734] The adhesive layer and the adhesive layer can be provided on one side or both sides of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer as a superimposed layer of different compositions or kinds or the like. Also, in the case of being provided on both sides, the adhesive layer of different compositions or kinds or thicknesses or the like can be made on the front and back surfaces of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer.

[0735] Also, the light-absorbing anisotropic film and / or polarizer can be subjected to surface modification treatment for the purpose of improving adhesion or the like before the attachment of the adhesive or the adhesive. As a specific treatment, a corona treatment, a plasma treatment, a primer treatment, a saponification treatment or the like can be mentioned.

[0736] The image display device of the present application is provided with the viewing angle control system of the present application on at least one main surface of the display panel.

[0737] In the image display device of the present application, the angle φ formed by the plane of the central axis of the transmittance of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the absorption axis of the polarizer is preferably 45° to 90°, more preferably 80° to 90°, and further preferably 88° to 90°.

[0738] The closer the angle φ is to 90°, the more the luminance contrast between the direction in which the displayed image based on the image display device is easily observed and the direction in which it is difficult to observe can be imparted.

[0739] <DISPLAY PANEL>

[0740] The display panel used in the image display device of the present application is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a liquid crystal cell, an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter, referred to as "EL") display panel, a plasma display panel, and the like. Among them, a liquid crystal cell or an organic EL display panel is preferred. That is, the image display device of the present application is preferably a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal cell as a display panel, or an organic EL display device using an organic EL display panel as a display panel.

[0741] The liquid crystal display device as an example of the image display device of the present application is a liquid crystal display device having the viewing angle control system (light absorbing anisotropic film and polarizer) of the present application and a liquid crystal cell.

[0742] In addition, in the present application, as the polarizing element on the front side or the rear side among the polarizing elements provided on both sides of the liquid crystal cell, the polarizer of the viewing angle control system of the present application is preferably used, and as the polarizing element on the front side and the rear side, the polarizer of the viewing angle control system of the present application can also be used.

[0743] In the display panel, thin and capable of being shaped on a curved surface. The light absorbing anisotropic film of the present application is thin and easily folded, and thus can also be preferably applied to an image display device in which the display surface is curved.

[0744] Further, in the display panel, the pixel density exceeds 250 ppi, and high-definition display can be performed. The light absorbing anisotropic film of the present application does not generate interference moire, and thus can also be preferably applied to such a high-definition display panel.

[0745] Hereinafter, the liquid crystal cell constituting the liquid crystal display device will be described in detail.

[0746] < Liquid Crystal Cell >

[0747] The liquid crystal cell used in the liquid crystal display device is preferably a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode, an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, or a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, but is not limited thereto.

[0748] In the liquid crystal cell of the TN mode, the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is substantially horizontally oriented when no voltage is applied, and further twisted and oriented at 60 to 120°. The liquid crystal cell of the TN mode is most commonly used as a color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal display device, and is described in a plurality of documents.

[0749] In the liquid crystal cell of the VA mode, the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is oriented substantially vertically in the absence of an applied voltage. In the liquid crystal cell of the VA mode, in addition to the liquid crystal cell of the narrow sense of the VA mode (1) in which the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is oriented substantially vertically in the absence of an applied voltage and is oriented substantially horizontally in the presence of an applied voltage (described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-176625), there are (2) a liquid crystal cell of the MVA mode (described in SID 97, Digest of tech. Papers 28 (1997) 845) in which the VA mode is multi-domainized in order to expand the viewing angle, (3) a liquid crystal cell of the n-ASM mode (described in Proceedings of the Japan Liquid Crystal Discussion Meeting 58-59 (1998)) in which the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is oriented substantially vertically in the absence of an applied voltage and is twisted multi-domain oriented in the presence of an applied voltage, and (4) a liquid crystal cell of the SURVIVAL mode (presented in LCD International 98).

[0750] Further, the liquid crystal cell can be any one of a PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) type, an optical alignment type, and a PSA (Polymer-Sustained Alignment) type. Details of these modes are described in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-215326 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-538819.

[0751] In the liquid crystal cell of the IPS mode, the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is oriented substantially in parallel with respect to the substrate, and the liquid crystal compound is made to respond in the plane by applying an electric field in parallel with the substrate plane. In the IPS mode, black is displayed in the state where no electric field is applied, and the absorption axes of the pair of polarizing plates above and below are orthogonal to each other. In the IPS mode, a method of using an optical compensation sheet to reduce light leakage when displaying black in the diagonal direction and to improve the viewing angle is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-54982, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-202323, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-292522, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-133408, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-305217, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-307291, and the like.

[0752] In the image display device of the present application, in the case where the display cell and the viewing angle control system of the present application need to be attached, the attachment is performed by using a known method such as the method of the attachment agent exemplified in the attachment of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the polarizer in the viewing angle control system described above.

[0753] Example

[0754] The present application will be further specifically described below by citing examples. The materials, reagents, amounts, and proportions of the materials, and operations shown in the following examples can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present application. Therefore, the scope of the present application is not limited to the following specific examples.

[0755] [Example 1]

[0756] A light-absorbing anisotropic film having a light-absorbing anisotropic layer with oblique alignment of an organic dichroic substance was produced as follows.

[0757] <Production of transparent support 1>

[0758] The surface of a cellulose acylate film 1 (TAC base material; TG40 FUJIFILM Co., Ltd., thickness 40 μm) was subjected to saponification with an alkali solution, and the following orientation layer-forming coating liquid 1 was applied thereto by a wire bar. The support on which the coating film was formed was dried under a warm air at 60°C for 60 seconds, and further dried under a warm air at 100°C for 120 seconds, to form an orientation layer 1, and a TAC film with an orientation layer was obtained.

[0759] The film thickness was 0.5 μm.

[0760] The TAC film with an orientation layer produced was used after the orientation film surface was subjected to rubbing treatment.

[0761]

[0762]

[0763] Modified polyvinyl alcohol

[0764] [Chemical Formula 45]

[0765]

[0766] <Production of orientation liquid crystal layer>

[0767] The following orientation liquid crystal layer-forming composition T1 was applied to the orientation film of the TAC film with an orientation layer produced using a wire bar, to produce a coating layer T1.

[0768] Next, the orientation liquid crystal layer coating layer T1 was heated at 120°C for 30 seconds, and the coating layer T1 was cooled to become room temperature (23°C). Further, it was heated at 80°C for 60 seconds, and cooled again to become room temperature.

[0769] Then, using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm), irradiation was performed for 1 second under irradiation conditions of illuminance 200 mW / cm 2 , to produce an orientation liquid crystal layer T1 on the orientation layer 1.

[0770] The film thickness of the alignment liquid crystal layer Tl was 0.25 μm, and the surface energy was 35.0 mN / m.

[0771]

[0772] Polymer liquid crystal compound P-1

[0773] [Chemical Formula 46]

[0774]

[0775] Low molecular liquid crystal compound M-1

[0776] [Chemical Formula 47]

[0777]

[0778] Surfactant F-1

[0779] [Chemical Formula 48]

[0780]

[0781] <Formation of the light absorbing anisotropic layer P1>

[0782] The following light absorbing anisotropic layer forming composition P1 was coated on the obtained alignment liquid crystal layer Tl using a wire bar to form a coated layer P1.

[0783] Next, the coated layer P1 was heated at 120°C for 30 seconds, and the coated layer P1 was cooled to become room temperature (23°C).

[0784] Next, heated at 80°C for 60 seconds, and cooled again to become room temperature.

[0785] Then, using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm), irradiation was performed for 1 second under irradiation conditions of illuminance 200 mW / cm 2 to produce a light absorbing anisotropic layer P1 on the alignment layer 1. The film thickness of the light absorbing anisotropic layer P1 was 1.4 μm, and the surface energy was 26.5 mN / m.

[0786]

[0787]

[0788] Dichroic substance D-1

[0789] [Chemical Formula 49]

[0790]

[0791] Dichroic substance D-2

[0792] [Chemical Formula 50]

[0793]

[0794] Dichroic substance D-3

[0795] [Chemical Formula 51]

[0796]

[0797] Surfactant F-2

[0798] [Chemical Formula 52]

[0799]

[0800] <Formation of Barrier Layer B1>

[0801] The following barrier layer forming composition B1 is applied onto the prepared light-absorbing anisotropic layer P1 using a wire rod and dried at 80°C for 5 minutes to form the barrier coating layer B1.

[0802] Next, under conditions of 100 ppm oxygen concentration and 60°C temperature, LED lights (center wavelength 365 nm) were used at an illuminance of 150 mW / cm². 2 The barrier coating layer B1 was irradiated for 2 seconds under the specified irradiation conditions, thereby forming the barrier layer B1 on the light-absorbing anisotropic layer P1. The thickness of the barrier layer B1 is 1.0 μm. It is used as the light-absorbing anisotropic thin film P1.

[0803]

[0804] Modified polyvinyl alcohol

[0805] [Chemical Formula 53]

[0806]

[0807] <Determination of the Orientation Anisotropy Layer for Light Absorption>

[0808] The Mueller matrix of the fabricated anisotropic light-absorbing thin film P1 was measured at a wavelength of 550 nm using an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Opto Science, Inc.).

[0809] Specifically, firstly, using AxoScan OPMF-1, the azimuth angle of the transmittance center axis tilt was initially located.

[0810] Next, the transmittance of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was derived from the Mueller matrix actually measured at a wavelength of 550 nm while changing the polar angle as the angle with respect to the normal direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer from -70 to 70° at every 1° in a plane including the surface along the normal direction of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the azimuthal angle, that is, in a plane including the transmittance central axis and orthogonal to the main surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. From the results, the direction having the highest transmittance was taken as the transmittance central axis.

[0811] In addition, the transmittance central axis refers to a direction in which the absorption axis (molecular long axis direction) of the dichroic substance contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is inclined.

[0812] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a slice 43 having a thickness of 2 μm was collected in parallel with a plane including the transmittance central axis and the normal 42 of the film. Figure 6

[0813] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a slice 43 having a thickness of 2 μm was collected in parallel with a plane including the transmittance central axis and the normal 42 of the film. Figure 7

[0814] The angle θA of the orientation direction of the light-absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance near the interface of the support side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer from the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer obtained by this observation was 30°. Further, the angle θB of the orientation direction of the light-absorption axis of the organic dichroic substance near the interface of the air side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer from the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was 17°.

[0815] Regarding the measurement of the angle θA and the angle θB, three slices were cut (n = 3), and the average thereof was taken as the angle θA and the angle θB in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. In this regard, the same applies to other examples and comparative examples.

[0816] In addition, regarding the measurement of the angle θA and the angle θB, as shown in FIG. 7, the measurement was performed at a position 0.2 μm inside from both interfaces. Figure 5

[0817] Further, in the following examples, the measurement of the angle θA and the angle θB of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was also performed in the same manner as in this example.

[0818] <Production of the Layered Body A1>

[0819] A polarizing plate 1 in which the thickness of the polarizer was 8 μm and one side surface of the polarizer was exposed was produced by the same method as the polarizing plate 02 with one-side surface protective film described in International Publication No. 2015 / 166991. ​​​

[0820] The surface of the polarizer-exposed surface of the polarizing plate 1 and the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film 1 produced above were subjected to corona treatment, and were bonded using the PVA adhesive 1 described below to produce a laminate Al. At this time, the angle formed by the transmission axis 22 (polar angle θ) of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the plane of the normal 23 of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 2 (light-absorbing anisotropic film) and the absorption axis 24 of the polarizer 21 was 90°. Figure 4

[0821] (PVA adhesive 1 production)

[0822] A hydroxymethyl melamine 20 parts was dissolved in pure water at a temperature of 30°C with respect to 100 parts of an acetoacetyl-containing polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (average degree of polymerization: 1200, saponification degree: 98.5 mol%, acetoacetyl degree: 5 mol%) to produce an aqueous solution adjusted to a solid content concentration of 3.7%.

[0823] <Production of image display device B1>

[0824] An iPad Air (registered trademark, hereinafter the same.) Wi-Fi model 16 GB (manufactured by APPLE INC.) as an IPS mode liquid crystal display device was disassembled, and the liquid crystal cell was removed. The laminate Al produced above was bonded to the surface of the visual recognition side polarizing plate peeled from the liquid crystal cell using the adhesive sheet 1 described below so that the polarizing plate 1 side became the liquid crystal cell side. At this time, the direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing plate 1 was made to be the length direction of the liquid crystal screen. After bonding to the liquid crystal cell, reassembly was performed to produce an image display device B1.

[0825] <Production of adhesive sheet 1>

[0826] An acrylate-based polymer was produced according to the following procedure.

[0827] An acrylate-based polymer Al having an average molecular weight of 2 million and a molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of 3.0 was obtained by solution polymerization of butyl acrylate 95 parts by weight and acrylic acid 5 parts by weight in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a nitrogen introduction tube, a thermometer, and a stirring device.

[0828] ​Next, in addition to the obtained acrylic ester-based polymer Al (100 parts by mass), CORONATE L (75% by mass ethyl acetate solution of trimethylolpropane adduct of tolylene diisocyanate, isocyanate group number in 1 molecule: 3, manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.) (1.0 part by mass) and silane coupling agent KBM-403 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) (0.2 part by mass) were mixed, and finally ethyl acetate was added so that the total solid content concentration became 10% by mass, to prepare an adhesive forming composition. This composition was coated on a separation film on which a silicone-based releasing agent was applied using a die coater, and dried at 90°C for 1 minute to obtain an acrylic ester-based adhesive sheet. The film thickness was 25 μm, and the storage modulus was 0.1 MPa.

[0829] [Example 2]

[0830] The thickness of the alignment liquid crystal layer was set to 0.33 μm, and otherwise, the light-absorbing anisotropic film P2, the laminate A2, and the image display device B2 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0831] The surface energy of the alignment liquid crystal layer was 36.1 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 24°, and the angle θB was 18°.

[0832] [Example 3]

[0833] The thickness of the alignment liquid crystal layer was set to 0.46 μm, and otherwise, the light-absorbing anisotropic film P3, the laminate A3, and the image display device B3 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0834] The surface energy of the alignment liquid crystal layer was 37.5 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 19°, and the angle θB was 18°.

[0835] [Example 4]

[0836] In the formation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the composition of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer forming composition was set to the composition of the following light-absorbing anisotropic layer forming composition P2, and the film thickness of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was set to 4.0 μm, and otherwise, the light-absorbing anisotropic film P4, the laminate A4, and the image display device B4 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0837] Here, using a microscope hot stage (manufactured by METTLER TOLEDO.) and a polarizing microscope, observation of liquid crystal phases was performed while changing the temperature, and it was confirmed in advance that the low-molecular liquid crystal compounds M-2 and M-3 exhibit a smectic phase.

[0838] The surface energy of the alignment liquid crystal layer was 35.0 mN / m, the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 35°, and the angle θB was 27°.

[0839]

[0840] Low-molecular liquid crystal compound M-2

[0841] [Chemical Formula 54]

[0842]

[0843] Low-molecular liquid crystal compound M-3

[0844] [Chemical Formula 55]

[0845]

[0846] [Example 5]

[0847] In the formation of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the composition of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition was set as the composition of the following light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition P3, the film thickness of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was set to 4.0 μm, and otherwise, in the same manner as in Example 1, a light-absorbing anisotropic film P5, a laminate A5, and an image display device B5 were produced.

[0848] Here, using a microscope hot stage (manufactured by METTLER TOLEDO.) and a polarizing microscope, observation of liquid crystal phases was performed while changing the temperature, and it was confirmed in advance that the low-molecular liquid crystal compounds M-4 and M-5 exhibit a smectic phase.

[0849] The surface energy of the alignment liquid crystal layer was 35.5 mN / m, the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 34°, and the angle θB was 26°.

[0850]

[0851] Low-molecular liquid crystal compound M-4

[0852] [Chemical Formula 56]

[0853]

[0854] Low-molecular liquid crystal compound M-5

[0855] [Chemical Formula 57]

[0856]

[0857] [Example 6]

[0858] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 34.9 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 30°, and the angle θB was 17°.

[0859] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 34.9 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 30°, and the angle θB was 17°.

[0860]

[0861] [Example 7]

[0862] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 35.1 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 31°, and the angle θB was 17°.

[0863] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 35.1 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 31°, and the angle θB was 17°.

[0864]

[0865] [Example 8]

[0866] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 35.0 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 31°, and the angle θB was 18°.

[0867] The orientation liquid crystal layer had a surface energy of 35.0 mN / m, and the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 31°, and the angle θB was 18°.

[0868]

[0869]

[0870] [Comparative Example 1]

[0871] The orientation liquid crystal layer was not provided, and the light-absorbing anisotropic layer forming composition was directly coated on the rubbed PVA orientation layer, and the light-absorbing anisotropic layer film thickness was provided, and the light-absorbing anisotropic layer film thickness was set to 3.0 μm. Other than this, the light-absorbing anisotropic film P10, the laminate A10, and the image display device B10 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0872] The angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 80°, and the angle θB was 50°.

[0873] [Comparative Example 2]

[0874] The thickness of the orientation liquid crystal layer was set to 0.10 μm, and the thickness of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer was set to 1.7 μm. Other than this, the light-absorbing anisotropic film P11, the laminate A11, and the image display device B11 were produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0875] The surface energy of the orientation liquid crystal layer was 34.0 mN / m, the angle θA of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the light-absorbing anisotropic film was 45°, and the angle θB was 28°.

[0876] [Performance Evaluation]

[0877] (1) Evaluation of Maximum Transmittance

[0878] Using the produced light-absorbing anisotropic film, the Mueller matrix of the light-absorbing anisotropic film at a wavelength of 550 nm was measured at every 1° of the polar angle between -70° and 70° in AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Opto Science, Inc.). From this measurement result, the maximum transmittance Tmax in the angle θ at which the transmittance becomes maximum was determined.

[0879] The image display devices produced in each of the examples and comparative examples were observed from the angle θ calculated from the above, and were evaluated in accordance with the following criteria.

[0880] AAA: The image is bright and is very easy to visually recognize (transmittance is 0.8 or more)

[0881] AA: The image is bright and is easy to visually recognize (transmittance is 0.7 or more and less than 0.8)

[0882] A: The image is slightly bright and is easy to visually recognize (transmittance is 0.6 or more and less than 0.7)

[0883] B: The image is slightly dark and is difficult to visually recognize (transmittance is 0.5 or more and less than 0.6)

[0884] C: image is dark and difficult to visually recognize (transmittance is 0.4 or more and less than 0.5)

[0885] D: image is dark and very difficult to visually recognize (transmittance is less than 0.4)

[0886] (2) Evaluation of reflected glare of image on window glass

[0887] By the above procedure, the image display devices B1 to B8 produced were fixed in an upright state so that the screen of the display was perpendicular to the floor. Further, a glass plate having a thickness of 2 mm was disposed on the side opposite to the direction of the transmittance central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, at an angle perpendicular to the screen of the display and the floor. Further, the room was set as a dark room, a sample image was displayed in the display, and the reflected glare of the image on the glass and the brightness of the image when viewed from the transmittance central axis direction were visually evaluated in the dark room.

[0888] AAA: reflected glare on the glass was not visually recognized

[0889] AA: reflected glare on the glass was hardly visually recognized

[0890] A: reflected glare on the glass was difficult to visually recognize

[0891] B: reflected glare on the glass was slightly visually recognized

[0892] C: reflected glare on the glass was visually recognized

[0893] D: reflected glare on the glass was strongly visually recognized

[0894] The results of each of the examples and comparative examples are shown in Table 1.

[0895] [Table 1]

[0896]

[0897] As shown in the above table, as the difference between the angle θA of the orientation direction of the light-absorbing axis of the organic dichroic substance in the interface of the support side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the angle θB of the orientation direction of the light-absorbing axis of the dichroic substance in the interface of the air side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer becomes smaller, the visibility of the screen from the observer (maximum transmittance) becomes higher, and at the same time, the reflected glare on the window glass also becomes less. In particular, as shown in Example 3, in the region where the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is 2° or less, both the visibility from the observer and the reflected glare on the window glass become very good levels.

[0898] Also, as shown in Examples 1 to 6 and Examples 7 and 8, the higher the content of the dye in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer in the region, the more the ease of visual recognition from the observer and the less the reflected glare on the window glass tend to improve. This is inferred as a result of obtaining high orientation as the dye in the film increases.

[0899] In contrast, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in which the angle θA is 45° or more and the difference between the angle θA and the angle θB exceeds 15°, the visibility of the image is poor, and further, the reflected glare of the image on the window glass is also much.

[0900] Explanation of Symbols

[0901] 100 - liquid crystal display device, 101 - light-absorbing anisotropic film, 102 - visual recognition side polarizer, 103 - liquid crystal cell, 104 - back light side polarizer, 105 - back light, 1 - barrier layer, 2 - light-absorbing anisotropic layer, 3 - orientation liquid crystal layer, 4 - orientation layer, 5 - TAC film, 11 - liquid crystal compound, 13 - dichroic substance D-1, 14 - dichroic substance D-2, 15 - dichroic substance D-3, 21 - polarizer, 22 - direction of the central axis of the transmittance (polar angle θ), 23 - normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, 24 - direction of the absorption axis of the polarizer, 31 - air side interface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, 32 - support body side interface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, 33 - angle (θB), 34 - angle (θA), 35 - normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, 42 - direction of the normal line of the light-absorbing anisotropic film, 43 - section of the light-absorbing anisotropic film.

Claims

1. A light-absorbing anisotropic thin film, comprising a light-absorbing anisotropic layer and an alignment liquid crystal layer adjacent to the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, wherein, The light-absorbing anisotropic layer contains liquid crystal compounds and organic dichroic substances. The alignment liquid crystal layer is formed by fixing a polymeric liquid crystal compound with a mixed orientation in which the alignment direction in the thickness direction continuously changes from one surface side to another. The thickness of the alignment liquid crystal layer is 0.1–2.0 μm. When the angle between the orientation direction of the light absorption axis of the organic dichroic material on one surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set as θA, and the angle between the orientation direction of the light absorption axis of the dichroic material on the other surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer and the normal of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is set as θB, The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is less than 15°, and the angle θA is greater than 5° and less than 45°.

2. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1, wherein, The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is less than 5°.

3. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The difference between the angle θA and the angle θB is less than 2°.

4. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ratio of the organic dichroic material to the total solid content of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is 5% by mass or more.

5. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ratio of the organic dichroic material to the total solid content of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is 15% by mass or more.

6. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The organic dichroic substance is formed by a mixture of three or more organic dichroic substances with different absorption peak wavelengths.

7. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The liquid crystal compound comprises a high molecular weight liquid crystal compound.

8. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The liquid crystal compound is a polymer of a polymeric liquid crystal compound.

9. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 8, wherein, The polymerizable liquid crystal compound comprises rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds.

10. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 8, wherein, The polymerizable liquid crystal compound comprises a liquid crystal compound exhibiting a smectic phase.

11. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The liquid crystal compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is a polymer of a polymeric liquid crystal compound. The polymeric liquid crystal compound used in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is the same polymeric liquid crystal compound used in the alignment liquid crystal layer.

12. The light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, An alignment layer, which is adjacent to the side opposite to the light-absorbing anisotropic layer of the alignment liquid crystal layer, and is formed of polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide.

13. A viewing angle control system comprising a polarizer and a light-absorbing anisotropic thin film according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An image display device having a viewing angle control system as claimed in claim 13 disposed on at least one main surface of a display panel.

Images