Laminate, antireflection film, polarizing plate, and display device

Abstract

Provided are a laminate, an antireflection film or polarizing plate including the laminate, and a display device including any of the laminate and the antireflection film or polarizing plate, the laminate having a liquid crystal layer A containing a dye and a liquid crystal layer B placed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer A. An extraordinary refractive index ne (A) of the liquid crystal layer A and an extraordinary refractive index ne (B) of the liquid crystal layer B satisfy the following formula (1).　Formula (1): ne (A) > ne (B)

Description

Laminate, anti-reflection film, polarizing plate, and display device

[0001] The present invention relates to a laminate, an antireflection film, a polarizing plate, and a display device.

[0002] Organic electroluminescence (OLED) display devices are devices that display images by utilizing the spontaneous emission of OLED elements. Therefore, compared to various display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and plasma display devices, they have advantages such as a high contrast ratio, excellent color reproducibility, a wide viewing angle, fast response, and the possibility of being thin and lightweight. In addition to these advantages, OLED display devices are also being actively researched and developed as next-generation display devices due to their flexibility.

[0003] Various films for use on the surface of display devices have also been developed. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a technology is known in which a vertically aligned dye film in which a dichroic dye is vertically aligned is provided to absorb light from oblique directions. According to this technology, when a display device is viewed from the normal direction to the light-emitting surface (hereinafter also referred to as the "front direction"), the dye in the vertically aligned dye film does not absorb light and exhibits high transmittance. However, when viewed from an oblique direction to the light-emitting surface (i.e., a direction tilted by a predetermined angle from the normal direction; hereinafter also referred to as the "oblique direction"), the dye in the vertically aligned dye film absorbs light. Because external light reflection mainly originates from oblique directions, applying this technology can effectively prevent external light reflection.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-120746

[0005] On the other hand, when a vertically aligned dye film in which a dichroic dye is vertically aligned, as described in Patent Document 1, etc., is attached to an adherend such as a surface film with an optically isotropic adhesive layer, among the external light reflections at the interface between the vertically aligned dye film and the adhesive layer, the interfacial reflection in the front direction can be suppressed by index matching, but index matching is difficult for the interfacial reflection in oblique directions, resulting in a problem of increased interfacial reflection. Furthermore, even when a horizontally aligned dye film in which a dichroic dye is horizontally aligned and a liquid crystal film containing a dye that does not exhibit dichroism are attached to an adherend, the problem of interfacial reflection in oblique directions occurs, as with the vertically aligned dye film.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a laminate containing a liquid crystal layer containing a dye, which can effectively suppress interfacial reflection in both the front direction and oblique directions when attached to an adherend, an anti-reflection film or polarizing plate containing the laminate, and a display device containing either of these.

[0007] As a result of intensive research conducted by the present inventors in light of the above-mentioned problems, it was found that by providing a liquid crystal layer having a lower extraordinary refractive index ne than the liquid crystal layer as an index matching layer (IM layer) on the surface of the liquid crystal layer containing a dye, the difference in refractive index in oblique directions can be reduced when the liquid crystal layer is attached to an adherend via this IM layer, thereby suppressing interfacial reflection in oblique directions. The present invention was completed after further research based on this finding.

[0008] That is, the above-mentioned problems have been solved by the following means. <1> A laminate comprising a liquid crystal layer A containing a dye and a liquid crystal layer B disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer A, wherein the extraordinary refractive index ne(A) of the liquid crystal layer A and the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B satisfy the following formula (1): ne(A)>ne(B) Formula (1) <2> The laminate according to <1>, wherein the dye is a dichroic dye. <3> The laminate according to <1> or <2>, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on the side of the liquid crystal layer B opposite to the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer A, wherein ne(B) and the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer satisfy the following formula (2): ne(B)>n(C) Formula (2) <4> The laminate according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both vertical alignment. <5> The laminate according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both horizontal alignment. <6> An antireflection film comprising the laminate according to <4>. <7> A polarizing plate comprising the laminate according to <5>. <8> A display device comprising the laminate according to any one of <1> to <5>, the antireflection film according to <6>, or the polarizing plate according to <7>.

[0009] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the components contained in each layer constituting the laminate (such as the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B, and the optional adhesive layer C) and the components in the composition used to form each layer may each be contained in one type or two or more types in each layer constituting the laminate. Furthermore, in the present invention, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range including the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. In the present invention, the term "composition" encompasses not only mixtures in which the component concentrations are constant (in which the components are uniformly dispersed), but also mixtures in which the component concentrations vary within a range that does not impair the intended function. In the present invention, angles (e.g., angles such as "90°") and their relationships (e.g., "vertical," "horizontal," "front," and "diagonal") are intended to include the range of error acceptable in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. For example, the acceptable range of error means a range of ±10° from the exact angle, and the error from the exact angle is preferably 5° or less, more preferably 3° or less. In the present invention, the extraordinary refractive index ne and the ordinary refractive index no of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are values ​​at 550 nm at 25°C measured using a spectroscopic ellipsometer such as the M-2000U or RC2 manufactured by Woollam, or the SE-2000 manufactured by Semilab (both trade names). Details are as described in the Examples below. In addition, in the present invention, the refractive index n of the adhesive layer is a value at 589 nm at 25°C measured using an Abbe refractometer such as the NAR-4T (trade name, manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.). In the present invention, the degree of alignment S(A) of the liquid crystal layer A is a value measured and calculated from the angle dependence of absorbance. When the liquid crystal layer A is vertically aligned, the degree of alignment S(A) is a value measured and calculated by Mueller matrix measurement using a Mueller matrix measurement device such as the AxoScan (trade name, manufactured by Axometrics). When the liquid crystal layer A is horizontally aligned, the degree of alignment S(A) is a value calculated by measuring absorbance using an optical microscope such as ECLIPSE E600 POL (trade name, manufactured by Nikon Corporation) and a multichannel spectrometer such as QE65000 (trade name, manufactured by Ocean Optics). Details of both are as described in the Examples below.In the present invention, the degree of orientation S(B) of the liquid crystal layer B is a value measured and calculated by Raman spectroscopy using a microscopic Raman spectrometer such as Nanofinder 30 (trade name, manufactured by Tokyo Instruments Inc.). Details are as described in the Examples below. In the present invention, when there are multiple substituents or linking groups (hereinafter referred to as "substituents") represented by a specific symbol or formula, or when multiple substituents are simultaneously specified, unless otherwise specified, the respective substituents may be the same or different from each other. This also applies to the specification of the number of substituents. In addition, when multiple substituents are adjacent (especially when adjacent), they may be linked to each other to form a ring unless otherwise specified. In addition, unless otherwise specified, rings such as alicyclic rings, aromatic rings, and heterocyclic rings may be further condensed to form a condensed ring. In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, when double bonds exist in a molecule, they may be either E-type or Z-type, or a mixture thereof. In the present invention, the expression "compound" (including complex) is used to mean not only the compound itself, but also its salts and ions. It also means that compounds with partially modified structures are included as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Furthermore, for compounds that are not specified as substituted or unsubstituted, it means that any substituent may be included as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. The same applies to substituents and linking groups. In the present invention, when the number of carbon atoms of a certain group is specified, this carbon number means the number of carbon atoms of the entire group, unless otherwise specified. In other words, when this group further has a substituent, it means the total number of carbon atoms including the substituent.

[0010] The laminate of the present invention is a laminate containing a liquid crystal layer containing a dye, and when attached to an adherend, can effectively suppress interfacial reflection in both the front direction and oblique directions. Furthermore, the antireflection film, polarizing plate, and display device of the present invention include the laminate of the present invention and can suppress interfacial reflection in both the front direction and oblique directions.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of one embodiment of a display device of the present invention. Note that hatching indicating a cross section is omitted. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of another embodiment of a display device of the present invention. Note that hatching indicating a cross section is omitted.

[0012] <Laminate> The laminate of the present invention has a dye-containing liquid crystal layer A and a liquid crystal layer B disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer A, in which the extraordinary refractive index ne(A) of the liquid crystal layer A and the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B satisfy the following formula (1): ne(A)>ne(B) Formula (1) The laminate of the present invention comprises a liquid crystal layer B (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid crystal layer A") containing a dye, the liquid crystal layer B having an extraordinary refractive index ne(B) smaller than the extraordinary refractive index ne(A) of the dye-containing liquid crystal layer A, disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer A. Therefore, the difference in refractive index between the liquid crystal layer A and an adhesive layer (hereinafter also referred to as "adhesive layer C"), which generally has a refractive index n(C) smaller than the ne(A) of the liquid crystal layer A, when viewed from an oblique direction can be kept small by the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B, thereby suppressing interfacial reflection from an oblique direction. In the present invention, "disposed adjacent to" means disposed in direct contact with each other. That is, in the laminate of the present invention, the dye-containing liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are laminated in a state of direct contact with each other without an adhesive layer or the like described below.

[0013] From the viewpoint of further suppressing interfacial reflection in oblique directions, the laminate of the present invention preferably has an adhesive layer C on the side of the liquid crystal layer B opposite to the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer A, and the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B and the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer C satisfy the following formula (2): ne(B)>n(C) Formula (2) The difference between ne(A) and ne(B) in the above formula (1), (ne(A)-ne(B)), and the difference between ne(B) and n(C) in the above formula (2), (ne(B)-n(C)), are preferably 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.10 or less. In particular, the difference between ne(A) and ne(B) in the above formula (1), and the difference between ne(B) and n(C) in the above formula (2) are both preferably 0.15 or less, more preferably 0.10 or less.

[0014] In the laminate of the present invention, the ordinary refractive index no(A) of the liquid crystal layer A and the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer C are preferably values ​​within a range of no(B)±0.10, more preferably no(B)±0.05, relative to the ordinary refractive index no(B) of the liquid crystal layer B. It is also preferable that the following formula (4A) or (4B) is satisfied: no(A)≦no(B)≦n(C) Equation (4A) no(A)≧no(B)≧n(C) Equation (4B) In the laminate of the present invention, the ordinary light refractive index no(A) of liquid crystal layer A, the ordinary light refractive index no(B) of liquid crystal layer B, and the refractive index n(C) of adhesive layer C satisfy the above-mentioned preferred relationship (a relationship in which no(A) and n(C) are values ​​within the range of no(B)±0.10 (more preferably no(B)±0.05), or in addition to this relationship, the relationship shown in the above equation (4A) or (4B)), thereby making it possible to further suppress interfacial reflection in the front direction and furthermore to more effectively exhibit the suppression of interfacial reflection in oblique directions due to the relationship of the above equation (1).

[0015] Hereinafter, the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B constituting the laminate of the present invention, as well as the adhesive layer C, the substrate, the surface film, etc. that the laminate of the present invention may have will be described in detail, except for the configurations specified above.

[0016] [Liquid Crystal Layer A] The liquid crystal layer A is a liquid crystal layer containing a dye, and is formed using a composition containing a dye and a liquid crystalline compound, as described below. The dye contained in the liquid crystal layer A is not particularly limited, and a commonly used dye can be applied. In particular, when the dye is a dichroic dye as described below, it is possible to impart light absorption properties to the liquid crystal layer A depending on the alignment direction of the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer A, and it is preferable in that the laminate of the present invention can be made into a laminate having specific functions such as an antireflection film or a polarizing plate as described below.

[0017] The liquid crystal layer A preferably has an absorption axis in the thickness direction. Here, "having an absorption axis in the thickness direction" means that the absorbance in the thickness direction is higher than the absorbance in any direction other than the thickness direction. Furthermore, the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer A is preferably substantially parallel to the thickness direction. In other words, the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer A is preferably aligned perpendicular to the surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal layer A. Here, "substantially parallel to the thickness direction" means that the angle between the absorption axis and the thickness direction is 0 to 10 degrees.

[0018] In order to make the liquid crystal layer A have an absorption axis in the thickness direction, the dichroic dye may be vertically aligned. In other words, the dichroic dye may be aligned so that the long axis direction of the dichroic dye is approximately parallel to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer A. The definition of approximately parallel is as described above.

[0019] It is also preferable that the liquid crystal layer A has an absorption axis in the in-plane direction. Here, "having an absorption axis in the in-plane direction" means that the absorbance in the in-plane direction (the maximum absorbance in any direction in the plane) is higher than the absorbance in any direction other than the in-plane direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer A is substantially parallel to the in-plane direction. In other words, it is preferable that the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer A is aligned horizontally with respect to the surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal layer A. Here, "substantially parallel to the in-plane direction" means that the angle between the absorption axis and the in-plane direction (surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal layer A) is 0 to 10 degrees.

[0020] In order to make the liquid crystal layer A have an absorption axis in the in-plane direction, the dichroic dye may be horizontally aligned. In other words, the dichroic dye may be aligned so that the long axis direction of the dichroic dye is approximately parallel to the in-plane direction of the liquid crystal layer A. The definition of "approximately parallel" is as described above.

[0021] The components contained in the composition containing the dye and the liquid crystal compound used to form the liquid crystal layer A will be described in detail below.

[0022] (Dye) The dye is not particularly limited, and commonly used dyes can be used. Among them, a dichroic dye having different absorbance in the long axis direction of the molecule and absorbance in the short axis direction is preferred. In addition, the dichroic dye may be a rod-shaped dichroic dye or a disc-shaped dichroic dye based on its molecular shape, and a rod-shaped dichroic dye is preferred. The maximum absorption wavelength of the dichroic dye is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected depending on the use form of the laminate of the present invention.

[0023] Examples of dichroic dyes include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes, with azo dyes being preferred. Examples of azo dyes include monoazo dyes, bisazo dyes, trisazo dyes, tetrakisazo dyes, and stilbene azo dyes, with bisazo dyes or trisazo dyes being preferred. Compounds described in JP-A-2018-53167 are also preferred.

[0024] The dichroic dye preferably has a polymerizable group. By having a dichroic dye with a polymerizable group, the degree of crosslinking of the liquid crystal layer A does not decrease even when a large amount of the dichroic dye is used, and a liquid crystal layer A can be formed that exhibits high selective wavelength absorption even when thin and has excellent durability. Examples of the polymerizable group include polymerizable groups having an ethylenically unsaturated bond such as a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a styryl group, a p-(2-phenylethenyl)phenyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an acryloyloxy group, and a methacryloyloxy group; an epoxy group; and an oxetanyl group. The dichroic dye preferably has an aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic ring include an aromatic hydrocarbon ring and an aromatic heterocycle. Among these, an aromatic hydrocarbon ring is preferred, and a benzene ring is more preferred.

[0025] The azo dye is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (10): １ (-N=N-A ２ ) ｐ -N=N-A ３ In formula (10), A １ and A ３ A each independently represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or a monovalent heterocyclic group which may have a substituent. ２ represents an optionally substituted 1,4-phenylene group, an optionally substituted naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, or an optionally substituted divalent heterocyclic group. p represents an integer of 1 to 4. When p is an integer of 2 or more, a plurality of A ２ may be the same or different from each other.

[0026] Examples of monovalent heterocyclic groups include groups in which one hydrogen atom has been removed from a heterocyclic compound such as quinoline, thiazole, benzothiazole, thienothiazole, imidazole, benzimidazole, oxazole, and benzoxazole. Examples of divalent heterocyclic groups include groups in which two hydrogen atoms have been removed from the above heterocyclic compounds.

[0027] A １ and A ３A phenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a monovalent heterocyclic group in ２ Examples of the substituents that the 1,4-phenylene group, naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, and divalent heterocyclic group in the formula (I) may optionally have include alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, and butyl; alkoxy groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, and butoxy; fluorinated alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as trifluoromethyl; cyano group; nitro group; hydroxyl group; halogen atoms, such as chlorine and fluorine; and substituted or unsubstituted amino groups, such as amino, diethylamino, and pyrrolidino groups (a substituted amino group means an amino group having one or two alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an amino group in which two substituted alkyl groups are bonded to each other to form an alkanediyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. An unsubstituted amino group is an amino group represented by -NH ２ Examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a hexyl group. Examples of the alkanediyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms include an ethylene group, a propane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-1,4-diyl group, a pentane-1,5-diyl group, a hexane-1,6-diyl group, a heptane-1,7-diyl group, and an octane-1,8-diyl group.

[0028] Also, A １ and A ３ As the substituent that the phenyl group, naphthyl group, and monovalent heterocyclic group in the formula (11) have, a substituent containing a polymerizable group is preferred. As the substituent containing a polymerizable group, a group represented by formula (11) is preferred. Formula (11) P-Sp １ - (L １ -A １ ) ｎ -L ２ *P represents a polymerizable group. The definition of the polymerizable group is as described above. Sp １ represents an alkylene group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and in the alkylene group, non-adjacent —CH ２ - may be substituted with -CO- or -O-. １ and L ２each independently represents a single bond, —O—, —OCO—, —COO—, or —OCOO—. １ represents a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,3-phenylene group, a 1,4-naphthylene group, or a 1,5-naphthylene group, each of which may have a substituent, and n is an integer of 0 to 3.

[0029] Specific examples of the dichroic dye include the dichroic substances described in paragraphs 0038 to 0039 of Japanese Patent No. 7013577.

[0030] The content of the dye in the composition is preferably 70 to 130 parts by mass, more preferably 80 to 120 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound in the composition, which will be described later. The dye may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. When two or more kinds of dyes are used, it is preferable that the total amount thereof is in the above range.

[0031] (Liquid Crystal Compound) The liquid crystal compound preferably has a polymerizable group. That is, the composition preferably contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The definition of the polymerizable group is as explained in the section on dichroic dyes. The liquid crystal compound preferably has an aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic ring include an aromatic hydrocarbon ring and an aromatic heterocycle, and among these, an aromatic hydrocarbon ring is preferred, and a benzene ring is more preferred.

[0032] Examples of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds include low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compounds having a polymerizable group and polymeric liquid crystal compounds having a polymerizable group. Here, "low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound that does not have a repeating unit in its chemical structure. Furthermore, "polymeric liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound that has a repeating unit in its chemical structure, and may be a homopolymer or a copolymer. Among polymeric liquid crystal compounds, copolymers having a repeating unit may be any polymer, such as a random polymer, a block polymer, a graft polymer, or a star polymer. Examples of low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compounds include the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0072] to

[0088] of JP 2013-228706 A and the low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compounds among the liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0140] of WO 2022 / 014340 A, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Among these, liquid crystal compounds exhibiting smectic properties are preferred. Examples of the polymeric liquid crystalline compound include the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer described in JP-A-2011-237513, the polymeric liquid crystalline compound described in paragraphs

[0012] to

[0042] of WO 2018 / 199096, and the polymeric liquid crystalline compound described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0140] of WO 2022 / 014340. These descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The content of the liquid crystal compound in the composition is preferably 10 to 20% by mass, more preferably 12 to 18% by mass, based on the total solid content of the composition. The liquid crystal compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more, or a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound and a high molecular weight liquid crystal compound may be used in combination. When two or more liquid crystal compounds are used, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above range. The solid content refers to the components in the composition excluding the solvent. Even if the above components are in a liquid state, they are calculated as solid content.

[0034] The composition may contain components other than the dye and the liquid crystal compound.

[0035] (Vertical Alignment Agent) When forming a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer A, the composition preferably contains a vertical alignment agent. When the composition contains a vertical alignment agent, the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal compound can be aligned more vertically, and the degree of alignment order can be increased. Examples of the vertical alignment agent include boronic acid compounds and onium salts.

[0036] The boronic acid compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (30):

[0037] Formula (30)

[0038] In formula (30), R １ and R ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. ３ represents a substituent containing a (meth)acrylic group. Specific examples of the boronic acid compound include the boronic acid compound represented by general formula (I) described in paragraphs 0023 to 0032 of JP-A 2008-225281 and the boronic acid compound described in paragraph 0076 of Japanese Patent No. 7013577.

[0039] Examples of onium salts include those described in paragraphs 0024 to 0055 of JP-A No. 2008-026730, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Among these, quaternary ammonium salts represented by general formula (I) described in paragraph 0027 of JP-A No. 2008-026730 are preferred.

[0040] The content of the vertical alignment agent in the composition is preferably 0.1 to 400 parts by mass, more preferably 0.5 to 350 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound. The vertical alignment agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. When two or more kinds of vertical alignment agents are used, it is preferable that the total amount thereof is in the above range.

[0041] (Cleavage-Type Surfactant Polymer) The composition preferably contains a cleavage-type surfactant polymer. A cleavage-type surfactant polymer is a polymer having a repeating unit containing a cleavage group (hereinafter also referred to as a "repeating unit containing a cleavage group") that decomposes under the action of at least one of light, heat, acid, and base to generate a polar group, and the surface (interface) of the liquid crystal layer is activated by the generated polar group. When the composition contains a cleavage-type surfactant polymer, surface roughness caused by dry air blown onto the surface of the liquid crystal layer A is suppressed, the dichroic dye is more uniformly aligned, and further, the laminate of the present invention can be obtained in which a vertically or horizontally aligned liquid crystal layer B is directly laminated on the liquid crystal layer A without a photo-alignment film. For example, when a cleavable surfactant polymer has a repeating unit containing a cleavable group that decomposes under the action of acid to generate a polar group, the cleavable surfactant polymer unevenly distributed on the coating surface of the liquid crystal layer A can be irradiated with light (ultraviolet light) after the coating is cured, whereby an acid is generated from the photoacid generator, and the detached moiety in the cleavable surfactant polymer is cleaved and detached by the generated acid. As a result, the surface energy of the liquid crystal layer A (cured film) is increased, improving the coatability of the composition for forming a vertically or horizontally aligned liquid crystal layer B. Furthermore, the hydroxyl group or ketone group present in the detached moiety in the cleavable surfactant polymer chemically interacts with the vertical alignment agent contained in the composition for forming the vertically aligned liquid crystal layer B, thereby functioning as a vertical alignment film for the liquid crystal layer B. Furthermore, by irradiating with polarized light, it can also function as a horizontal alignment film for the liquid crystal layer B. As a result, the laminate of the present invention can be obtained, in which a vertically or horizontally aligned liquid crystal layer B is directly laminated on the liquid crystal layer A without the interposition of a bonding layer, a photo-alignment film, or the like, described below. The cleavable surface-active polymer may contain repeating units containing a cleavable group that decomposes to generate a polar group upon the action of at least one of light, heat, acid, and base, as well as other repeating units such as a repeating unit containing a photoalignable group. When the cleavable surface-active polymer is a copolymer, it may be any of a random polymer, block polymer, graft polymer, star polymer, etc., and is preferably a random polymer or a block polymer. Each repeating unit will be described in detail below.

[0042] (Repeating unit containing a cleavage group) The repeating unit containing a cleavage group possessed by the cleavage-type surface-active polymer has a cleavage group in the side chain that decomposes to generate a polar group by the action of at least one of light, heat, acid and base. It is preferable that the repeating unit has a fluorine atom or silicon atom at the end of the cleavage group in the side chain, and more preferably a repeating unit having a fluorine atom at the end of the cleavage group in the side chain. In addition, examples of repeating units having a polar group obtained by decomposing a repeating unit containing a cleavage group by the action of at least one of light, heat, acid and base include "hydroxyl group-containing repeating units" and "ketone group-containing repeating units" described in paragraphs

[0048] to

[0059] of WO 2021 / 166619, and this description is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of repeating units containing a cleavage group include "repeating units A containing a cleavage group that decomposes to generate a polar group upon the action of at least one selected from the group consisting of light, heat, acid, and base" as described in paragraphs

[0014] to

[0049] of WO 2018 / 216812, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Specific examples include the repeating units described in paragraphs

[0037] and

[0038] of WO 2018 / 216812. Furthermore, such repeating units are preferably repeating units containing a cleavage group that generates a polar group upon the action of acid, such as "repeating units having a group represented by formula (1)" and "repeating units having a group represented by formula (2)" as described in paragraphs

[0065] to

[0072] of WO 2021 / 166619, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Specific examples of repeating units containing a cleavage group that generates a polar group upon the action of acid include the following.

[0043]

[0044] (Repeating unit containing a photo-alignable group) When the cleavable surface-active polymer has a repeating unit containing a photo-alignable group, the repeating unit containing a photo-alignable group that may be included includes, for example, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (A) (hereinafter also abbreviated as "repeating unit A").

[0045] In the above formula (A), R １ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, L １ represents a divalent linking group, and A represents a photoalignable group.

[0046] Next, R in the above formula (A) １ In the above formula (A), the hydrogen atom or substituent represented by R １ The substituent represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) is preferably a halogen atom, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a branched or cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a linear halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or an amino group.

[0047] Next, L in the above formula (A) １ The divalent linking group is preferably a divalent linking group formed by combining at least two or more groups selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted linear alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted branched or cyclic alkylene group having 3 to 18 carbon atoms, an optionally substituted arylene group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, an ether group (—O—), a carbonyl group (—C(═O)—), and an optionally substituted imino group (—NH—), for the reason that the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described below is favorable.

[0048] Here, examples of the substituent that the alkylene group, arylene group, and imino group may have include a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a carboxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, and a hydroxyl group. Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom, and among these, a fluorine atom and a chlorine atom are preferred. Furthermore, the alkyl group preferably has 1 to 18 carbon atoms, the alkoxy group preferably has 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and the aryl group preferably has 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0049] In the present invention, the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described later is improved by adjusting the L １ preferably represents a divalent linking group containing a cycloalkane ring, and more preferably represents a divalent linking group containing a nitrogen atom and a cycloalkane ring. In this preferred embodiment, some of the carbon atoms constituting the cycloalkane ring may be substituted with a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In addition, when some of the carbon atoms constituting the cycloalkane ring are substituted with nitrogen atoms, there may be no nitrogen atom separate from the cycloalkane ring. Here, the cycloalkane ring is preferably a cycloalkane ring having 6 or more carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include a cyclohexane ring, a cycloheptane ring, a cyclooctane ring, a cyclododecane ring, and a cyclodocosane ring.

[0050] In the present invention, the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described later is improved by adjusting the L １ is preferably a divalent linking group represented by any one of the following formulas (3) to (12).

[0051] In the above formulas (3) to (12), *1 represents R in the above formula (A). １ and *2 represents the bonding position with A in the above formula (A).

[0052] Among the divalent linking groups represented by any of the above formulas (3) to (12), a divalent linking group represented by any of the above formulas (4), (5), (9) and (10) is preferred because it provides a good balance between the solubility in a solvent used in forming the optically anisotropic layer and the solvent resistance of the resulting optically anisotropic layer.

[0053] Next, the photo-alignable group represented by A in the above formula (A) will be described. The photo-alignable group is preferably a group that undergoes at least one of dimerization and isomerization upon the action of light, because this improves the thermal and / or chemical stability of the monomer having the photo-alignable group. Specific examples of groups that dimerize upon the action of light include groups having a skeleton of at least one derivative selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarin derivatives, chalcone derivatives, maleimide derivatives, and benzophenone derivatives. On the other hand, specific examples of groups that isomerize upon the action of light include groups having a skeleton of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of azobenzene compounds, stilbene compounds, spiropyran compounds, cinnamic acid compounds, and hydrazono-β-ketoester compounds.

[0054] Of these photoalignable groups, a group having a skeleton of at least one derivative or compound selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarin derivatives, chalcone derivatives, maleimide derivatives, azobenzene compounds, stilbene compounds, and spiropyran compounds is preferred, and among these, a group having a skeleton of a cinnamic acid derivative or an azobenzene compound is more preferred, for the reason that this improves the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described below, and a group having a skeleton of a cinnamic acid derivative (hereinafter also abbreviated as "cinnamoyl group") is even more preferred.

[0055] In the present invention, the photo-aligning group is preferably a photo-aligning group described in paragraphs

[0036] to

[0040] of WO 2020 / 179864. Examples of the repeating unit A represented by the above formula (A) include the repeating units described in paragraphs

[0041] to

[0049] of WO 2020 / 179864.

[0056] (Repeating unit B) The cleavable surface-active polymer may have a repeating unit having a polymerizable group (hereinafter also referred to as "repeating unit B") in addition to the repeating unit containing the cleavable group and the repeating unit containing a photoalignable group described above. Examples of the repeating unit B include the repeating units B described in paragraphs

[0050] to

[0055] of WO 2020 / 179864, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0057] The content of the repeating unit containing a cleavage group in the cleavage-type surface-active polymer is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of improving the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described below, it is preferably 1 mol% or more, more preferably 10 mol% or more, and even more preferably 20 mol% or more, relative to the total repeating units of the cleavage-type surface-active polymer. It is preferable that the cleavage-type surface-active polymer contains a repeating unit other than the repeating unit containing a cleavage group. In this case, the content of the repeating unit containing a cleavage group relative to the total repeating units of the cleavage-type surface-active polymer is preferably 1 to 70 mol%, more preferably 10 to 60 mol%, and even more preferably 20 to 50 mol%. When the cleavage-type surface-active polymer contains a repeating unit containing a photo-alignable group, the content of the repeating unit containing a photo-alignable group in the cleavage-type surface-active polymer is not particularly limited, and from the viewpoint of improving the alignment of the liquid crystal layer B described below, it is preferably 5 to 70 mol%, more preferably 10 to 60 mol%, and even more preferably 15 to 50 mol%, relative to the total repeating units of the cleavage-type surface-active polymer. When the cleavable surface-active polymer contains the repeating unit B, the content of the repeating unit B in the cleavable surface-active polymer is not particularly limited, and is, for example, preferably 20 to 99 mol %, more preferably 30 to 90 mol %, and even more preferably 40 to 70 mol %, based on the total repeating units of the cleavable surface-active polymer.

[0058] The cleavable surface-active polymer may also have repeating units other than the repeating units described above. Examples of the monomers (radical polymerizable monomers) that form the other repeating units include acrylic ester compounds, methacrylic ester compounds, maleimide compounds, acrylamide compounds, acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, styrene compounds, and vinyl compounds.

[0059] The synthesis method of the cleavable surface-active polymer is not particularly limited, and for example, the polymer can be synthesized by mixing any monomers selected from the monomers constituting the repeating unit containing the above-mentioned cleavable group, the monomers constituting the repeating unit containing the photoalignable group, the monomers constituting the repeating unit B, and the monomers constituting the other repeating units, and polymerizing the mixture in an organic solvent using a radical polymerization initiator.

[0060] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the cleavable surface-active polymer is not particularly limited, and is preferably 10,000 to 500,000, more preferably 10,000 to 300,000, and even more preferably 30,000 to 150,000. Here, the weight average molecular weight in the present invention is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) under the following conditions. Solvent (eluent): THF (tetrahydrofuran) Apparatus name: TOSOH HLC-8320GPC Column: Three TOSOH TSKgel Super HZM-H (4.6 mm x 15 cm) connected together Column temperature: 40°C Sample concentration: 0.1% by mass Flow rate: 1.0 ml / min Calibration curve: A calibration curve using seven samples of TSK standard polystyrene manufactured by TOSOH with Mw = 2,800,000 to 1,050 (Mw / Mn = 1.03 to 1.06) was used.

[0061] (Photoacid Generator) The composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer preferably contains a photoacid generator. The photoacid generator is not particularly limited, and is preferably a compound that responds to actinic rays with a wavelength of 300 nm or more, preferably 300 to 450 nm, and generates an acid. Photoacid generators that are not directly sensitive to actinic rays with a wavelength of 300 nm or more can also be used in combination with a sensitizer, as long as they respond to actinic rays with a wavelength of 300 nm or more and generate an acid when used in combination with a sensitizer. Photoacid generators that generate acids with a pKa of 4 or less are preferred, photoacid generators that generate acids with a pKa of 3 or less are more preferred, and photoacid generators that generate acids with a pKa of 2 or less are even more preferred. In the present invention, pKa basically refers to the pKa in water at 25°C. For compounds that cannot be measured in water, the pKa is measured after changing to a solvent suitable for measurement. Specifically, pKa values ​​listed in a chemistry handbook or similar publication can be used as a reference. The acid having a pKa of 3 or less is preferably a sulfonic acid or a phosphonic acid, more preferably a sulfonic acid.

[0062] Examples of photoacid generators include onium salt compounds, trichloromethyl-s-triazines, sulfonium salts, iodonium salts, quaternary ammonium salts, diazomethane compounds, imide sulfonate compounds, and oxime sulfonate compounds. Among these, onium salt compounds, imide sulfonate compounds, and oxime sulfonate compounds are preferred, and onium salt compounds and oxime sulfonate compounds are more preferred. The photoacid generators can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0063] (Polymerization initiator) The composition may contain a polymerization initiator. The type of polymerization initiator is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include photopolymerization initiators and thermal polymerization initiators. Photopolymerization initiators capable of initiating a polymerization reaction upon irradiation with ultraviolet light are preferred. The polymerization initiator may be either a radical polymerization initiator or a cationic polymerization initiator. Examples of photopolymerization initiators include α-carbonyl compounds (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670), acyloin ethers (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), and combinations of triarylimidazole dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones. Examples of suitable polymerization initiators include methyl methyl acrylate (described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367), acridine and phenazine compounds (described in JP-A-60-105667 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850), oxadiazole compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970), and acylphosphine oxide compounds (described in JP-B-63-040799, JP-B-5-029234, JP-A-10-095788, and JP-A-10-029997). When the 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, per 100 parts by mass of the total of the dye and the liquid crystal compound in the composition. The polymerization initiator may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. When two or more types of polymerization initiators are used, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above-mentioned range.

[0064] (Solvent) From the viewpoint of workability, the composition preferably contains a solvent. Examples of solvents include ketones, ethers, aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane), alicyclic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols, cellosolves, cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides, amides, and organic solvents of heterocyclic compounds, as well as water. When the composition contains a solvent, the content of the solvent in the liquid crystal composition (total of all components) is preferably 80 to 99% by mass, more preferably 83 to 97% by mass. The solvent may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. When two or more solvents are used, the total amount thereof is preferably within the above range.

[0065] The film thickness of the liquid crystal layer A can be, for example, 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably 0.5 to 5 μm, and more preferably 1 to 5 μm. The extraordinary refractive index ne(A) of the liquid crystal layer A can be, for example, 1.40 to 2.0, preferably 1.50 to 1.80, and more preferably 1.55 to 1.75. The ordinary refractive index no(A) can be, for example, 1.40 to 1.70, preferably 1.45 to 1.65, and more preferably 1.50 to 1.60.

[0066] (Method for forming liquid crystal layer A) The method for forming liquid crystal layer A using the above-described composition (hereinafter also referred to as "composition for forming liquid crystal layer A") is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method comprising, in this order, a step of applying the above-described composition to a predetermined substrate to form a coating film (hereinafter also referred to as "coating film forming step"), a step of orienting the liquid crystal component contained in the coating film (hereinafter also referred to as "alignment step"), and a step of curing the coating film (hereinafter also referred to as "curing step"). Note that the liquid crystal component is a component that includes not only the above-described liquid crystal compound, but also the dichroic dye having liquid crystallinity, if the above-described dichroic dye has liquid crystallinity. Each of the above steps will be described in detail below.

[0067] The coating film forming step is a step of applying a composition to a predetermined substrate to form a coating film. The type of substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a transparent support and a laminate having an alignment film disposed on a transparent support. The substrate may be incorporated directly into the display device of the present invention, for example, as substrates 19 and 49 in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Examples of materials for forming the transparent support include polycarbonate-based polymers; polyester-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate; acrylic polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate; styrene-based polymers such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin); polyolefin-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymer; vinyl chloride-based polymers; amide-based polymers such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; imide-based polymers; sulfone-based polymers; polyethersulfone-based polymers; polyetheretherketone-based polymers; polyphenylene sulfide-based polymers; vinylidene chloride-based polymers; vinyl alcohol-based polymers; vinyl butyral-based polymers; arylate-based polymers; polyoxymethylene-based polymers; and epoxy-based polymers. Thermoplastic norbornene-based resins are also preferred as materials for forming the transparent support. Examples of thermoplastic norbornene-based resins include Zeonex and Zeonor manufactured by Nippon Zeon Corporation, and Arton manufactured by JSR Corporation. Furthermore, as a material for forming the transparent support, a cellulose-based polymer, typified by triacetyl cellulose (TAC), is also preferred. These transparent supports may be hydrophilized by any of glow discharge treatment, corona discharge treatment, alkaline saponification treatment, or the like. The thickness of the transparent support is not particularly limited, and is preferably 100 μm or less, more preferably 80 μm or less, and even more preferably 10 to 80 μm. In the present invention, "transparent" refers to a visible light transmittance of 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more.

[0068] Alignment films generally contain a polymer as the main component. Alignment film polymers are described in numerous literature and are commercially available, and any of these can be used without particular limitations. The polymer used is preferably polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyimide, or a derivative thereof. The alignment film is preferably a film that has undergone a known rubbing treatment. Alternatively, a photoalignment film may be used. The photoalignment film can be produced by irradiating a photoalignment compound with linearly polarized or unpolarized light. The photoalignment treatment for forming the photoalignment film can be described later. The photoalignment compound is preferably a photosensitive compound having a photoreactive group that undergoes at least one of dimerization and isomerization upon the action of light. Furthermore, the photoreactive group preferably has a skeleton of at least one derivative or compound selected from cinnamic acid derivatives, coumarin derivatives, chalcone derivatives, maleimide derivatives, azobenzene compounds, polyimide compounds, stilbene compounds, and spiropyran compounds. The thickness of the alignment film is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm.

[0069] In the above, a laminate including a transparent support and an alignment film has been described as the substrate, but the substrate is not particularly limited to this form, and for example, a transparent support whose surface has been subjected to a rubbing treatment may also be used.

[0070] Examples of methods for applying the composition include roll coating, gravure printing, spin coating, wire bar coating, extrusion coating, direct gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, die coating, spraying, and inkjet printing.

[0071] The alignment step is a step of orienting the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film. The alignment step may include a drying treatment. Components such as the solvent can be removed from the coating film by the drying treatment. The drying treatment may be carried out by leaving the coating film at room temperature (20 to 25°C) for a predetermined time (e.g., natural drying), or by heating and / or blowing air. Here, the liquid crystalline component contained in the composition may be aligned by the above-mentioned coating film formation step or drying treatment. When the drying treatment is carried out at a temperature equal to or higher than the transition temperature to a liquid crystal phase of the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film, the heat treatment described below does not need to be carried out. The transition temperature to a liquid crystalline phase of the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film is preferably 10 to 250°C, more preferably 25 to 190°C, from the viewpoint of manufacturability, etc.

[0072] The orientation step preferably includes a heat treatment, which allows the liquid crystalline component contained in the coating film to be oriented. The heating temperature during the heat treatment is preferably 10 to 250°C, more preferably 25 to 190°C, from the viewpoint of manufacturability, etc. The heating time is preferably 1 to 300 seconds, more preferably 1 to 90 seconds.

[0073] The alignment step may include a cooling treatment carried out after the heating treatment. The cooling treatment is a treatment in which the coated film after heating is cooled to about room temperature (20 to 25°C). This allows the alignment of the liquid crystalline component contained in the coated film to be fixed. The cooling means is not particularly limited and can be carried out by a known method.

[0074] The curing step is carried out by, for example, heating and / or light irradiation (exposure). Among these, the curing step is preferably carried out by light irradiation. As described above, light irradiation generates acid from the photoacid generator (hereinafter also referred to as "acid generation step"), and the cleaved moiety in the cleavage-type surface-active polymer is cleaved and cleaved by the generated acid, thereby forming a liquid crystal layer B exhibiting alignment directly on the liquid crystal layer A. Examples of light used for curing include infrared light, visible light, and ultraviolet light, with ultraviolet light being preferred. Note that ultraviolet light may be irradiated while heating during curing, or ultraviolet light may be irradiated through a filter that transmits only specific wavelengths. The exposure dose when irradiating light is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 2000 mJ / cm. ２ is preferred, and from the viewpoint of providing the liquid crystal layer A with superior durability, it is preferred that the light intensity is 200 to 1000 mJ / cm ２ When the exposure is carried out while heating, the heating temperature during exposure is preferably 25 to 140° C. Furthermore, the exposure may be carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere.

[0075] The curing step and the acid generating step may be carried out after the curing step, or may be carried out simultaneously. In particular, when the photoacid generator and the polymerization initiator in the composition are photosensitive to light of the same wavelength, it is preferable from the viewpoint of productivity to carry out the steps simultaneously.

[0076] A photo-alignment film may be formed on the surface of the liquid crystal layer A obtained as described above by irradiating the surface of the liquid crystal layer A with polarized light or non-polarized light from an oblique direction.

[0077] In the photo-alignment treatment, the polarized light to be irradiated is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include linearly polarized light, circularly polarized light, and elliptically polarized light, with linearly polarized light being preferred. The "oblique direction" in which unpolarized light is irradiated is not particularly limited as long as it is a direction tilted at a polar angle θ (0<θ<90°) with respect to the normal direction of the liquid crystal layer A, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, with θ being preferably 20 to 80°.

[0078] The wavelength of the polarized or unpolarized light is not particularly limited as long as it is light to which the photo-alignable group is photosensitive, and examples thereof include ultraviolet (UV) light, near-ultraviolet light, and visible light, with near-ultraviolet light of 250 to 450 nm being preferred. Light sources for irradiating polarized or unpolarized light include, for example, xenon lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps. The wavelength range of the irradiated ultraviolet or visible light obtained from such light sources can be limited by using an interference filter or color filter. Furthermore, linearly polarized light can be obtained by using a polarizing filter or polarizing prism on the light from these light sources.

[0079] The integrated amount of polarized or unpolarized light is not particularly limited, and is 1 to 300 mJ / cm ２ is preferred, and 5 to 100 mJ / cm ２ The illuminance of polarized or unpolarized light is not particularly limited, and is 0.1 to 300 mW / cm ２ is preferred, and 1 to 100 mW / cm ２ is more preferred.

[0080] [Liquid Crystal Layer B] The liquid crystal layer B is formed using a composition containing a liquid crystal compound. The composition containing a liquid crystal compound used to form the liquid crystal layer B (hereinafter also referred to as the "liquid crystal layer B-forming composition") can be similar to the description of the composition containing a dye and a liquid crystal compound used to form the liquid crystal layer A. The dye and cleavable surfactant polymer are optional components of the liquid crystal layer B, and although they may be contained, they are preferably not contained. The liquid crystal layer B is disposed adjacent to (i.e., in direct contact with) the liquid crystal layer A. Therefore, the method for forming the liquid crystal layer B can be similar to the description of the method for forming the liquid crystal layer A, except that the "liquid crystal layer A" is used instead of the "substrate" in the description of the method for forming the liquid crystal layer A, and the "liquid crystal layer B-forming composition" is used instead of the "composition for forming the liquid crystal layer A (liquid crystal layer A-forming composition)."

[0081] When the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are prepared from compositions capable of exhibiting similar liquid crystallinity, such as compositions containing the same liquid crystal compound, in order to satisfy the above formula (1), it is preferable to prepare the liquid crystal layers so that the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are the same and the degrees of alignment of the respective layers satisfy the following formula (3), and it is more preferable to prepare the liquid crystal layers so that the degrees of alignment satisfy the following formula (3A). The degrees of alignment can be appropriately adjusted by a conventional method, such as adjusting the degree of alignment aging. S(A)>S(B) Formula (3) S(A)>S(B)+0.3 Formula (3A) In the above formulas, S(A) represents the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal layer A, and S(B) represents the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal layer B. The degree of alignment S(A) of the liquid crystal layer A can be 0.10 to 1.00, preferably 0.50 to 1.00, and more preferably 0.80 to 1.00. The degree of orientation S(B) of the liquid crystal layer B can be set to 0.10 to 0.99, preferably 0.20 to 0.90, and more preferably 0.20 to 0.60.

[0082] The film thickness of the liquid crystal layer B can be, for example, 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably 0.3 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 3 μm. The extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B can be, for example, 1.40 to 1.79, preferably 1.45 to 1.70, and more preferably 1.50 to 1.65. The ordinary refractive index no(B) can be, for example, 1.40 to 1.70, preferably 1.45 to 1.65, and more preferably 1.50 to 1.60.

[0083] [Adhesive Layer C] The laminate of the present invention also preferably has an adhesive layer C on the side of the liquid crystal layer B opposite to the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer A. The adhesive layer C can be a layer made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive commonly used when bonding the liquid crystal layer A to a film such as a surface film, without any particular limitation. Preferred examples include layers having the same functions as the bonding layers D21 and 51 described below. The adhesive layer C is more preferably transparent and optically isotropic. Typically, the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer C is 1.4 to 1.6.

[0084] The adhesive used in the adhesive layer C is preferably a transparent, optically isotropic adhesive, such as an acrylic adhesive, and typically a pressure-sensitive adhesive is used. When the adhesive layer C is a layer made of an adhesive, in addition to the base material (adhesive), the adhesive layer C may contain appropriate additives such as conductive particles, thermally expandable particles, crosslinking agents (e.g., isocyanate-based crosslinking agents, epoxy-based crosslinking agents, etc.), tackifiers (e.g., rosin derivative resins, polyterpene resins, petroleum resins, oil-soluble phenolic resins, etc.), plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, surfactants, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, and antioxidants. An example of an adhesive constituting the adhesive layer C is SK2057 (trade name, acrylic adhesive, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.).

[0085] The adhesive used in the adhesive layer C is preferably a transparent, optically isotropic adhesive that develops adhesiveness upon drying and / or reaction after lamination. Polyvinyl alcohol-based adhesives (PVA-based adhesives) develop adhesiveness upon drying, enabling them to bond materials together. Specific examples of curable adhesives that develop adhesiveness through a reaction include active energy ray-curable adhesives such as (meth)acrylate-based adhesives and cationic polymerization-curable adhesives. Note that (meth)acrylate refers to acrylate and / or methacrylate. Examples of curable components in (meth)acrylate-based adhesives include compounds having a (meth)acryloyl group and compounds having a vinyl group. Furthermore, compounds having an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or the like can also be used as cationic polymerization-curable adhesives. The epoxy group-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it has at least two epoxy groups in the molecule, and various commonly known curable epoxy compounds can be used. Examples of preferred epoxy compounds include compounds having at least two epoxy groups and at least one aromatic ring in the molecule (aromatic epoxy compounds), 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), etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of thermal deformation resistance, ultraviolet-curable adhesives that are cured by ultraviolet irradiation are preferably used.

[0086] The thickness of the adhesive layer C can be, for example, 0.1 to 50 μm, preferably 0.3 to 30 μm, and more preferably 3 to 28 μm.

[0087] [Surface Film] The laminate of the present invention preferably has a surface film on the side of the adhesive layer C opposite to the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer B. The surface film can be any surface film commonly used in display devices without any particular limitations. For example, a film containing (or having as its main component) at least one of cellulose ester resin, acrylic resin, cyclic olefin resin, and polyethylene terephthalate resin can be preferably used. The surface film is preferably an optically isotropic film having a refractive index n close to the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer C, for example, Fujitac TG60UL (trade name, manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation). The thickness of the surface film can be, for example, 10 to 200 μm, preferably 15 to 120 μm, and more preferably 20 to 100 μm.

[0088] In the laminate of the present invention, it is preferable that the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both vertically aligned. In this case, the laminate of the present invention can be suitably used as an anti-reflection film in which the liquid crystal layer A transmits light in the front direction and absorbs light in the oblique direction, thereby suppressing external light reflection. Note that "vertically aligned" means that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is within a range of ±10° with respect to the film thickness direction of each liquid crystal layer, preferably within a range of ±5°, and more preferably within a range of ±3°. Furthermore, "alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer" means "the alignment direction of the liquid crystal compound constituting the liquid crystal layer." In the liquid crystal layer A, the "alignment direction of the liquid crystal compound constituting the liquid crystal layer" is synonymous with the alignment direction of the dye contained in the liquid crystal layer A. As shown in Figure 1, when incorporated into the display device 1A of the present invention, the vertically aligned liquid crystal layer A is the vertically aligned dye layer 17, and the vertically aligned liquid crystal layer B is the vertically aligned IM layer 15, and they are arranged, for example, via an adhesive layer D21 and a substrate 19, relative to a display device P101 having an image display function, in the order of the vertically aligned dye layer 17 and the vertically aligned IM layer 15 from the side closest to the display device P101.

[0089] In addition, in the laminate of the present invention, it is also preferable that the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both horizontally aligned. In this case, the laminate of the present invention can be suitably used as a polarizing plate in which the liquid crystal layer A functions as a linear polarizer that absorbs light in the x-direction and transmits light in the y-direction along the orthogonal x-y axes in which the liquid crystal layer A is horizontally aligned. Note that "horizontally aligned" means that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer is within a range of ±10° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the film thickness direction of each liquid crystal layer, preferably within a range of ±5°, and more preferably within a range of ±3°. As shown in FIG. 2, when incorporated into the display device 1B of the present invention, the horizontally aligned liquid crystal layer A is the horizontally aligned dye layer 47, and the horizontally aligned liquid crystal layer B is the horizontally aligned IM layer 45. These are arranged, for example, via a bonding layer D51 and a substrate 49, in the order of the horizontally aligned dye layer 47 and the horizontally aligned IM layer 45 from the side closest to the display device P101, with respect to the display device P101 having an image display function.

[0090] [Display Device] The display device of the present invention is a display device including the laminate of the present invention. The display device of the present invention is preferably configured to include the laminate of the present invention on the front (viewer side) of a display device with an image display function. As long as the display device of the present invention includes the laminate of the present invention, other configurations of commonly used display devices can be used without particular limitation. The manufacturing method of the display device of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples include a method of laminating the laminate of the present invention and a display device with an image display function. Furthermore, when laminating the two, an attachment layer may be disposed between the self-luminous display element of the display device and the liquid crystal layer A of the laminate of the present invention, and the two may be attached to each other. For example, the display device 1A of FIG. 1 includes the laminate of the present invention (the anti-reflection film of the present invention) formed by laminating a substrate 19, a vertically aligned dye layer 17, a vertically aligned IM (index matching) layer 15, an adhesive layer C13, and a surface film 11 in this order. The display device 1A of FIG. 1 has a configuration in which the substrate 19 of the laminate of the present invention is attached to a display device P101 with an image display function via an attachment layer D21. Note that, although not shown, an alignment film layer and / or a photo-alignment film may be present between the substrate 19 and the vertical alignment dye layer 17 in FIG. 1 . The display device 1B in FIG. 2 includes a laminate (polarizing plate) of the present invention, which is formed by laminating a substrate 49, a photo-alignment film 48, a horizontal alignment dye layer 47, a horizontal alignment IM (index matching) layer 45, an adhesive layer C43, and a surface film 41 in this order. The display device 1B in FIG. 2 has a configuration in which the substrate 49 in the laminate of the present invention is bonded to a display device P101 having an image display function via a bonding layer D51. Note that, although not shown, an alignment film layer may be present between the substrate 49 and the photo-alignment film 48 in FIG. 2 . The bonding layers D21 and D51 can be made of various known materials as long as they can bond the display device P101 having an image display function to the laminate of the present invention. For example, the layer may be a layer made of an adhesive (adhesive layer) that has fluidity when bonded and then becomes solid, a layer made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (adhesive layer) that is a soft solid in a gel (rubber-like) state when bonded and does not change to a gel state thereafter, or a layer made of a material that has the characteristics of both an adhesive and a pressure-sensitive adhesive.Specific examples of the laminating layer include an optically transparent adhesive, an optically transparent double-sided tape, and an ultraviolet-curable resin. Note that, instead of laminating using the laminating layers D21 and 51, the display device P101 having an image display function and the laminate of the present invention may be laminated and held by a frame, a jig, or the like to constitute the display device 1A or 1B of the present invention.

[0091] In the display device of the present invention, examples of the display device P101 having an image display function include an organic electroluminescence display device (OLED display device), an inorganic electroluminescence display device, and a liquid crystal display device.

[0092] [OLED Display Device] The OLED display device of the present invention can be configured without any particular limitations, as long as it includes the laminate of the present invention, and other components of the OLED display device can be the same as those of commonly used OLED display devices. The configuration of the OLED display device of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a display device including, in order from the side opposite to external light, glass, a layer containing a TFT (thin film transistor), an OLED display element, a barrier film, a color filter, glass, an attachment layer, a liquid crystal layer A, a liquid crystal layer B, an adhesive layer C, and a surface film. In the above configuration, a laminate consisting of the attachment layer, the liquid crystal layer A, the liquid crystal layer B, the adhesive layer C, and the surface film can be used as the laminate of the present invention, for example. The OLED display element has a configuration in which an anode electrode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode electrode are stacked in this order. In addition to the light-emitting layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, etc. are included between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. For example, the description of JP 2014-132522 A can also be referenced. As long as the OLED display element has a light-emitting diode as a light source, it may be blue or may use the three primary colors of blue, green, and red. Furthermore, as the color filter, in addition to a normal color filter, a color filter with a quantum dot layer laminated thereon can also be used. Instead of the glass, a resin film can also be used.

[0093] The OLED color image forming method applicable to the OLED display device of the present invention can be any of the following: a three-color R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color-coding method, a color conversion method using quantum dots (QDs), and a color filter method. Furthermore, as the OLED display element, a display element combining quantum dots (QDs) and an OLED, such as a QD-OLED, can also be used. Examples of such an OLED include a blue OLED as a light source and a structure that further emits red and green colors using red and green quantum dots and color filters. For details of QD-OLEDs, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-78975.

[0094] The laminate of the present invention can also be preferably used in micro light-emitting diode (micro LED) display devices and mini light-emitting diode (mini LED) display devices. Mini LED refers to an LED with a chip size of approximately 100 to 200 μm square, while micro LED refers to an LED with a chip size of less than 100 μm square. Preferred examples of micro LEDs include the micro LEDs described in International Publication No. WO 2014 / 204694.

[0095] [Inorganic Electroluminescent Display Device] As long as the inorganic EL display device of the present invention includes the laminate of the present invention, the other configurations of commonly used inorganic EL display devices can be used without any particular limitation. For example, the inorganic EL element and inorganic electroluminescent display device described in JP-A-2005-338640 can be preferably applied.

[0096] [Liquid Crystal Display Device] As long as the liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes the laminate of the present invention, the configuration of a commonly used liquid crystal display device can be used as the other configuration without any particular limitation. For example, the IPS (In Plane Switching) mode liquid crystal display device described in paragraphs

[0128] to

[0136] of JP2010-102296A is preferred as the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, except that it uses the laminate of the present invention.

[0097] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples. The materials, amounts used, ratios, treatment contents, treatment procedures, etc. shown in the following examples can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples shown below. Note that room temperature means 25°C.

[0098] Example 1 Antireflection Film (1) Formation of Alignment Film Layer The following composition for forming an alignment film 1 was applied to the surface of a commercially available cellulose acylate film (manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation, product name: Fujitac TG60UL) using a wire bar. The support on which the coating film had been formed was dried with hot air at 140°C for 120 seconds to form an alignment film AL1, thereby obtaining an alignment film-coated cellulose acylate film 1. The thickness of the alignment film AL1 was 1 μm.

[0099] ------------------------------------------------------------------ Composition 1 for forming alignment film -------------------------------------------------- Polymer PA-1 100.00 parts by mass Acid generator PAG-1 8.25 parts by mass Stabilizer DIPEA 0.6 parts by mass Butyl acetate 1001.42 parts by mass Methyl ethyl ketone 250.36 parts by mass ------------------------------------------------------------------

[0100] Polymer PA-1: A polymer represented by the following formula: In the formula, the numerical value for each repeating unit indicates the content ratio (unit: mass %) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units.

[0101] Acid Generator PAG-1:

[0102] Stabilizer DIPEA:

[0103] (2) Formation of Vertical Alignment Dye Layer A composition A1 for forming a vertical alignment dye layer shown below was applied to the alignment film AL1 of the obtained alignment film-attached cellulose acylate film 1 using a bar coater to form a coating film. The coating film was dried at room temperature for 30 seconds, heated to 120°C and held there for 60 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature. Next, the coating film cooled to room temperature was heated at 85°C for 60 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. Thereafter, the coating film was irradiated with ultraviolet light (exposure amount: 500 mJ / cm ２ The alignment was fixed using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) to form a vertical alignment dye layer. The film thickness of the vertical alignment dye layer was 4.5 μm. The F part (fluorine-containing elimination part) of the F part cleavage-type surface-active polymer F1 was cleaved by further heating at 130° C. for 1 minute.

[0104] ----------------------------------------------- Composition A1 for forming vertical alignment dye layer ------------------------------------------------ Polymerizable liquid crystalline polymer P-1 8.67 parts by mass Dichroic dye B1 0.69 parts by mass Dichroic dye B2 0.17 parts by mass Dichroic dye B3 1.13 parts by mass Vertical alignment agent E1 0.16 parts by mass Vertical alignment agent E2 0.16 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compound RA 1.65 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compound RB 0.28 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystal compound RC 0.04 parts by mass Photoacid generator B-3 3.0 parts by mass IRGACURE OXE-02 (trade name, manufactured by BASF) 0.20 parts by mass F-part cleavage type surface active polymer F1 3.0 parts by mass Solvent (cyclopentanone) 72.77 parts by mass Solvent (benzyl alcohol) 8.09 parts by mass

[0105] Polymerizable liquid crystal polymer P-1: a polymer represented by the following formula. In the formula, the number attached to each repeating unit indicates the content ratio (unit: mol%) of each repeating unit in all repeating units. However, the number attached to the ethyleneoxy group indicates the number of repeats.

[0106] Dichroic dye B1:

[0107] Dichroic dye B2:

[0108] Dichroic dye B3:

[0109] Vertical alignment agent E1:

[0110] Vertical alignment agent E2:

[0111] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound:

[0112] Photoacid generator B-3:

[0113] F part cleavage type surface active polymer F1: a polymer represented by the following formula: In the formula, the numerical value assigned to each repeating unit indicates the content ratio (unit: mol %) of each repeating unit to all repeating units.

[0114] It is presumed that the repeating unit on the right side of the F part cleavage-type surface-active polymer F1 is converted into the repeating unit shown below by cleavage and elimination of the fluorine-containing elimination part due to the acid generated from the photoacid generator.

[0115] (3) Formation of vertically aligned IM layer On the obtained vertically aligned dye layer, the vertically aligned IM layer forming composition B1 shown below was applied using a bar coater to form a coating film. The coating film was dried at room temperature for 30 seconds, heated to 120°C and held for 20 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature. Next, the coating film cooled to room temperature was irradiated with ultraviolet light (exposure amount: 500 mJ / cm ２The alignment was fixed by irradiating the liquid crystal with a high-pressure mercury lamp (using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to prepare Film No. 101 having a vertically aligned IM layer. The thickness of the vertically aligned IM layer was 1.5 μm.

[0116] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Composition B1 for forming vertically aligned IM layer ---------------------------------------------------------------- Polymerizable liquid crystalline polymer P-1 8.67 parts by mass Vertical alignment agent E1 0.16 parts by mass Vertical alignment agent E2 0.16 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RA 1.65 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RB 0.28 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RC 0.04 parts by mass IRGACURE OXE-02 (trade name, manufactured by BASF) 0.20 parts by mass Solvent (cyclopentanone) 79.96 parts by mass Solvent (benzyl alcohol) 8.88 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0117] The details of each component in the vertically aligned IM layer-forming composition B1 are as described above.

[0118] (4) Preparation of Laminate

[0063] A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet (product name: SK2057, manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.) was used as pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 1 (adhesive layer C) on the vertically aligned IM layer side of film No. 101 having the vertically aligned IM layer, and the film was bonded to the non-AR (Anti-Reflection) side of AR film DSG-17 (product name: manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.), and further a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet identical to pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 1 was bonded as pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 2 to the support side of film No. 101 (the side opposite to the vertically aligned IM layer) to prepare laminate No. 101.

[0119] Laminate No. 102 was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of Laminate No. 101, except that the vertically aligned IM layer was formed by heating at 120°C, cooling to room temperature, and then further heating at 100°C for 60 seconds, thereby changing the degree of orientation of the vertically aligned IM layer. Furthermore, Laminate No. c11 was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of Laminate No. 101, except that the vertically aligned IM layer was not provided. Laminate Nos. 101 and 102 are laminates of the present invention, and Laminate No. c11 is a laminate for comparison.

[0120] Example 2 Linearly Polarizing Film (1) Formation of Alignment Layer The alignment layer AL1 side of the alignment layer-attached cellulose acylate film 1 prepared in Example 1 was irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light (10 mJ / cm) polarized at 45° to the longitudinal direction using a wire grid polarizer. ２ , using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to form a photo-alignment layer PA1, thereby obtaining a cellulose acylate film PA1 with a photo-alignment layer.

[0121] (2) Formation of horizontal alignment dye layer Onto the photo-alignment layer PA1 of the obtained cellulose acylate film PA1 with a photo-alignment layer, the composition A2 for forming a horizontal alignment dye layer shown below was applied using a bar coater to form a coating film. The coating film was dried at room temperature for 30 seconds, heated to 140°C and held there for 20 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature. Next, it was heated at 90°C for 60 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. The coating film cooled to room temperature was irradiated with ultraviolet light (exposure amount: 500 mJ / cm ２ The alignment was fixed by using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) to form a horizontal alignment dye layer. The film thickness of the horizontal alignment dye layer was 1.5 μm.

[0122] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Composition A2 for forming horizontal alignment dye layer ---------------------------------------------------------------- Polymerizable liquid crystalline polymer P-1 3.58 parts by mass Dichroic dye B1 0.36 parts by mass Dichroic dye B2 0.53 parts by mass Dichroic dye B3 0.31 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RA 1.65 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RB 0.28 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RC 0.04 parts by mass Photoacid generator B-3 3.0 parts by mass IRGACURE OXE-02 (trade name, manufactured by BASF) 0.20 parts by mass F-part cleavage type surface active polymer F2 3.0 parts by mass Solvent (cyclopentanone) 78.35 parts by mass Solvent (benzyl alcohol) 8.71 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0123] F-part cleavage type surface-active polymer F2: a polymer represented by the following formula: In the formula, the numerical value assigned to each repeating unit indicates the content ratio (unit: mol %) of each repeating unit to all repeating units.

[0124] Among the repeating units of the F part cleavage-type surface-active polymer F2, the repeating unit (mC-1) shown on the left side is presumably converted into the repeating unit (C-1) shown below by cleavage and elimination of the fluorine-containing leaving part by the acid generated from the photoacid generator in the following step (3).

[0125] The details of the other components in the composition A2 for forming a horizontal alignment dye layer are as described above.

[0126] (3) Formation of horizontally aligned IM layer The obtained horizontally aligned dye layer was heated at 130°C for 1 minute to cleave the F part (fluorine-containing cleavage part) of the F part cleavage type surface active polymer F2. Thereafter, the temperature was lowered to room temperature, and UV light (ultra-high pressure mercury lamp; UL750; manufactured by HOYA) polarized at 45° to the longitudinal direction using a wire grid polarizer was irradiated on the horizontally aligned dye layer side at 7.9 mJ / cm. ２ The photo-alignment treatment was carried out by irradiating the film with ultraviolet light (wavelength: 313 nm). The horizontally aligned IM layer-forming composition B2 shown below was applied to the photo-alignment treatment side using a bar coater to form a coating film. The coating film was dried at room temperature for 30 seconds, then heated to 120°C and held there for 20 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature. Next, the coating film cooled to room temperature was irradiated with ultraviolet light (exposure amount: 500 mJ / cm ２ The alignment was fixed by irradiating the liquid crystal with an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp (using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to prepare Film No. 201 having a horizontally aligned IM layer. The thickness of the horizontally aligned IM layer was 1.5 μm.

[0127] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Composition B2 for forming horizontal alignment IM layer ---------------------------------------------------------------- Polymerizable liquid crystalline polymer P-1 8.67 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RA 1.65 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RB 0.28 parts by mass Polymerizable liquid crystalline compound RC 0.04 parts by mass IRGACURE OXE-02 (trade name, manufactured by BASF) 0.20 parts by mass Solvent (cyclopentanone) 84.83 parts by mass Solvent (benzyl alcohol) 9.43 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0128] The details of the other components in the composition B2 for forming a horizontally aligned IM layer are as described above.

[0129] (4) Preparation of Laminate Laminate No. 201 was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of Laminate No. 101 of Example 1, except that in the preparation of Laminate No. 101 of Example 1, Film No. 201 having a horizontally aligned IM layer was used instead of Film No. 101 having a vertically aligned IM layer, and AR film DSG-17 (product name: manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.) was attached to the horizontally aligned IM layer side using the above-mentioned pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 1 (adhesive layer C).

[0130] Laminate No. 202 was prepared in the same manner as laminate No. 201, except that the horizontally aligned IM layer was formed by heating at 120°C, cooling to room temperature, and then further heating at 100°C for 60 seconds, thereby changing the degree of orientation of the horizontally aligned IM layer. Furthermore, laminate No. c21 was prepared in the same manner as laminate No. 201, except that the horizontally aligned IM layer was not provided. Laminate Nos. 201 and 202 are laminates of the present invention, and laminate No. c21 is a laminate for comparison.

[0131] <Evaluation> The laminates Nos. 101 to 102, 201 to 202, c11, and c21 prepared above were evaluated as follows. The results are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0132] (Measurement of extraordinary refractive index ne and ordinary refractive index no) The extraordinary refractive index ne(A) and ordinary refractive index no(A) of the vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer in each laminate prepared above, and the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) and ordinary refractive index no(B) of the vertically or horizontally aligned IM layer were measured and determined as follows. The refractive indexes of the vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer and the vertically or horizontally aligned IM layer in each laminate prepared above were measured at 25 ° C. using a spectroscopic ellipsometer M-2000U or RC2 manufactured by Woollam, or a spectroscopic ellipsometer SE-2000 manufactured by Semilab (both trade names). Specifically, at 550 nm, the direction in which the in-plane refractive index is maximum is the x-axis, the direction perpendicular to this x-axis in the plane is the y-axis, and the normal direction to the plane is the z-axis. The refractive index in the x-axis direction is defined as Nx550, the refractive index in the y-axis direction is defined as Ny550, and the refractive index in the z-axis direction is defined as Nz550. In the case of vertical alignment, Nz550 is the extraordinary refractive index ne, and Nx550 and Ny550 are usually the same value, which is the ordinary refractive index no. In the case of horizontal alignment, Nx550 is the extraordinary refractive index ne, and Ny550 and Nz550 are usually the same value, which is the ordinary refractive index no.

[0133] (Measurement of refractive index n) The refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer C in each of the laminates prepared above was measured at 25°C using an Abbe refractometer (NAR-4T, manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.) and a sodium lamp (λ = 589 nm) as a light source.

[0134] (Measurement of Orientation Degree S(A)) The orientation degree S(A) of the vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer was measured and calculated from the angle dependence of absorbance as follows. (Measurement of Orientation Degree of Vertically Aligned Dye Layer) The orientation degree of the vertically aligned dye layer was measured and calculated using the following method. Specifically, using an AxoScan (trade name, manufactured by Axometrics), the Mueller matrix was measured at 5° intervals in the polar angle range of -70 to 70° in the in-plane slow axis direction, and kx(λ), ky(λ), and kz(λ) were determined by fitting. Next, the absorption anisotropies Ao(λ) and Ae(λ) were determined according to the following formulas (A) to (D), and the orientation degree S was calculated according to the following formula (E). To(λ)=EXP{-4×π×((kx(λ)+ky(λ)) / 2)×d / λ} (A) Te(λ)=EXP{-4×π×kz(λ)×d / λ} (B) Ao(λ)=-log(To(λ)) (C) Ae(λ)=-log(Te(λ)) (D) Degree of orientation S(λ)=[(Ao(λ) / Ae(λ))-1] / [(Ao(λ) / Ae(λ))+2] (E) Here, d represents the film thickness (nm) of the vertically aligned dye layer, To(λ) represents the transmittance in the direction showing the highest transmittance at wavelength λ, Te(λ) represents the transmittance in the direction showing the lowest transmittance at wavelength λ in the direction perpendicular to To(λ), Ao(λ) represents the value obtained by converting To(λ) to absorbance, and Ae(λ) represents the value obtained by converting Te(λ) to absorbance. In the case of vertical alignment, To(λ) is usually the transmittance in the direction perpendicular to the sample surface, and Te(λ) is the transmittance in the direction parallel to the sample surface. (Measurement of Orientation Degree of Horizontally Aligned Dye Layer) With a linear polarizer inserted on the light source side of an optical microscope (Nikon Corporation, product name "ECLIPSE E600 POL"), the laminate was set on a sample stage, and the absorbance of the laminate was measured using a multichannel spectrometer (Ocean Optics, product name "QE65000"), and the orientation degree S was calculated using the following formula: Orientation degree S = [(Az0 / Ay0) - 1] / [(Az0 / Ay0) + 2] In the above formula, Az0 represents the absorbance for polarized light in the absorption axis direction of the horizontally aligned dye layer, and Ay0 represents the absorbance for polarized light in the transmission axis direction of the horizontally aligned dye layer.

[0135] (Measurement of Orientation Degree S(B)) The orientation degree S(B) of the vertically or horizontally aligned IM layer was measured and calculated by Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy was performed using a nanofinder 30 (trade name) manufactured by Tokyo Instruments Inc., under the conditions of an incident laser wavelength of 785 nm and an objective lens of 20x magnification. The orientation degree was calculated using the wave number derived from the liquid crystal structure of the IM layer. A film having an IM layer was used as the measurement sample, which was cut obliquely at an angle of about 0.5° relative to the film surface, and measurements were performed on the portion of the cut surface corresponding to the IM layer. The angle between the direction of the sample and the polarization direction of the laser was defined as the sample azimuth angle β, and the sample was rotated from 0° to 180° to measure Raman scattering. At that time, the direction of the analyzer was set parallel to the polarization plane of the incident laser (I || (β)) and vertical (I ⊥ (β)), and the polarized Raman spectrum was measured for each. Furthermore, measurements were taken from directions where the laser incident direction was tilted by 45° and −45° with respect to the normal direction of the film surface. || (β) and I ⊥ The ratio of (β) was calculated, and the degree of orientation S(B) was calculated by least squares fitting using a theoretical formula.

[0136] (Suppression of Interfacial Reflection) The laminate prepared above was observed and evaluated for interfacial reflection in the front direction and in an oblique direction (a direction tilted 60° from the normal direction to the light-emitting surface) by the following method. An XRJ-55A95K (trade name, OLED television manufactured by Sony Corporation) was used as the evaluation display. The surface film of the display section of the XRJ-55A95K was peeled off, and the laminate was attached to the exposed glass surface by peeling off the laminated sheet of the adhesive layer 2 of the laminate. White light was irradiated from a direction tilted 8° from the normal direction to the light-emitting surface using a three-wavelength fluorescent lamp (trade name: FL20SS-EX-N / 18, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation) as a light source, and the reflected light was measured in a direction tilted 8° from the normal direction in the direction opposite to the light source using a spectroradiometer SR-UL1R (trade name, manufactured by Topcon Technohouse Corporation), and the value was taken as the reflected light in the front direction. The values ​​measured in the same manner as for the frontal measurement, except that the angles from the normal direction of the light source and the spectroradiometer were each 60°, were taken as the values ​​of reflected light from oblique directions. The Y value of the obtained measurements was compared with the Y value (Y0) measured for a standard white plate, and the reflectance was calculated using the following formula: (Reflectance) = (Y / Y0) x 100 [%]

[0137]

[0138] (Notes for the table) ne(A), no(A), ne(B), no(B), n(C), S(A) and S(B) are values ​​measured by the method described above. "-" means that the corresponding layer is not present.

[0139] The results in Table 1 above reveal the following. Comparative laminates Nos. c11 and c21, which did not contain a vertically or horizontally aligned IM layer corresponding to the liquid crystal layer B defined in the present invention and which were formed by directly bonding a vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer corresponding to the liquid crystal layer A defined in the present invention to an AR (anti-reflection) film via an adhesive layer C, exhibited interfacial reflection in oblique directions. In contrast, laminates Nos. 101-102 and 201-202 of the present invention, which were formed by laminating a vertically or horizontally aligned IM layer corresponding to the liquid crystal layer B defined in the present invention and an adhesive layer C, in this order, from the vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer side of the vertically or horizontally aligned dye layer corresponding to the liquid crystal layer A defined in the present invention, and then bonding the layer to an AR (anti-reflection) film via the adhesive layer C, were able to suppress interfacial reflection in both the front direction and oblique directions.

[0140] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-170300, filed on September 29, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as part of the present specification.

[0141] 1A, 1B Display device 11 Surface film 13 Adhesive layer C 15 Vertical alignment IM (index matching) layer 17 Vertical alignment dye layer 19 Substrate 21 Bonding layer D 41 Surface film 43 Adhesive layer C 45 Horizontal alignment IM (index matching) layer 47 Horizontal alignment dye layer 48 Photo-alignment film 49 Substrate 51 Bonding layer D 101 Display device P

Claims

1. A laminate having a liquid crystal layer A containing a dye and a liquid crystal layer B disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal layer A, in which the extraordinary refractive index ne(A) of the liquid crystal layer A and the extraordinary refractive index ne(B) of the liquid crystal layer B satisfy the following formula (1): ne(A)>ne(B) Formula (1) 2. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein said dye is a dichroic dye.

3. The laminate according to claim 1, which has an adhesive layer on the side of the liquid crystal layer B opposite to the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer A, and the ne(B) and the refractive index n(C) of the adhesive layer satisfy the following formula (2): ne(B)>n(C) Formula (2) 4. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both vertical alignment.

5. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the alignment directions of the liquid crystal layer A and the liquid crystal layer B are both horizontal alignment.

6. An anti-reflective film comprising the laminate according to claim 4.

7. A polarizing plate comprising the laminate according to claim 5.

8. A display device comprising the laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the antireflection film according to claim 6, or the polarizing plate according to claim 7.

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