LIQUID CRYSTAL ELEMENT AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a contrast ratio in a frontal direction in a liquid crystal element that uses transition between two alignment states.SOLUTION: The liquid crystal element includes: a first substrate 1 and a second substrate 2 each subjected to an alignment treatment on one surface; a liquid crystal layer 3 disposed between the one surface of the first substrate and the one surface of the second substrate by using a liquid crystal material having negative dielectric anisotropy; and a polymer network 3b disposed in the liquid crystal layer 3. Directions of the alignment treatment on the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 are set to induce a first alignment state in which liquid crystal molecules 3a in the liquid crystal layer are twisted in a first direction. The liquid crystal layer 3 contains a chiral material having such a property that induces a second alignment state in which the liquid crystal molecules 3a is twisted in a second direction opposite to the first direction.