Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Optical Laminate Uniform Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing optical laminates using lyotropic liquid crystalline compounds result in films with significant thickness variations, making them unsuitable for optical applications due to poor optical uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a solution with a lyotropic liquid crystalline compound at a concentration below the isotropic phase-liquid crystal phase transition concentration, allowing for uniform film formation and orientation, thereby reducing thickness variations and enhancing optical uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a solution of lyotropic liquid crystalline compound is applied on a base material to form a thin film, then the film thickness can be reduced compared to polymer films, but the film exhibits large thickness variation and poor optical uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound solution from above the isotropic phase-liquid crystal phase transition concentration to below this transition concentration. This parameter change transforms the solution from a liquid crystal phase state to an isotropic phase state, fundamentally altering the solution's properties to enable uniform application while maintaining the ability to form oriented films after drying.
2Ease of manufacture
If the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound concentration is increased to ensure proper orientation, then the solution viscosity increases making uniform application difficult, but lowering the concentration improves applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound solution in an isotropic phase state (below transition concentration) as a preliminary step before drying. The orientation function is then activated during the drying process, where the solvent evaporates and the concentration increases, triggering the phase transition to liquid crystal state and subsequent orientation on the base material. This separates the application and orientation functions in time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces optical laminates with extremely small thickness variations, making them suitable for optical usage, such as polarizing and retardation elements, by ensuring uniform application and orientation of the lyotropic liquid crystalline compounds.
Implementation Method 1
the concentration of the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound in the solution is lower than the isotropic phase-liquid crystal phase transition concentration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of producing an optical laminate that can produce an optical laminate including an applied film containing a lyotropic liquid crystalline compound so that the thickness of the applied film will be approximately uniform. A method of producing an optical laminate having a base material and an applied film, comprising the step of applying a solution containing at least one kind of lyotropic liquid crystalline compound on the base material so as to form the applied film, wherein the concentration of the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound in the solution is lower than the isotropic phase—liquid crystal phase transition concentration. For example, the concentration of the lyotropic liquid crystalline compound in the solution is from (CIN−18)% by mass to (CIN−1)% by mass, where CIN represents the isotropic phase-liquid crystal phase transition concentration.