OPTICAL ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING VIEWING ANGLE OF POLARIZING FILM USING SAME

摘要

Disclosed is an optical element which is formed of an optically anisotropic layer that contains organic dyes and has three-dimensional refractive indexes that satisfy nx > nz > ny with (nx - nz)/(nx - ny) being 0.2-0.7. The optical element is characterized in that at least one organic dye has a maximum absorption wavelength of 380 nm or more but less than 550 nm and at least one other organic dye has a maximum absorption wavelength of 550-780 nm (inclusive). The optical element has a function as a retardation element. In cases where a polarizing element comprising the optical element is used, black brightness can be uniformly suppressed low regardless of wavelength within the wavelength range of 450-700 nm, light leakage in an oblique direction is reduced, and leaked light is not colored or very little colored.