Liquid crystal light-modulating device imparted with memory effect and display unit utilizing same.

摘要

There are disclosed a ferroelectric liquid crystal light-modulating device comprising a pair of base plates each provided with an electrode, at least one of which is transparent, and a light-polarizing means, said base plates being arranged with a gap therebetween to form a cell which contains a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition, which device is characterized by being such that said ferroelectric liquid crystal composition exhibits a phase sequence in which a smectic A (SA) phase is in the higher temperature side of an adjacent ferroelectric phase [smectic C* (SC*) phase] and either (a) the elastic constant (B1) in deformation of C-director in the liquid crystal layer conforms to the formula, B1 > 1.0 x 10<-><1><0> N or (b) said liquid crystal composition has a spontaneous polarization larger than 3.2 x 10<-><4> C/m<2>; and a display device using said ferroelectric liquid crystal light-modulating device.