SMECTIC LIQUID CRYSTAL ELEMENT AND ITS PRODUCTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the response rate of a smectic liquid crystal cell, to reduce electric power consumption and to embody the assignment of intensity levels. SOLUTION: The response rate is improved by introducing a polymer having the spontaneous polarization of the same code as the code of liquid crystals into the liquid crystal layer of a smectic liquid crystal cell (second liquid crystal cell). The driving voltage of the liquid crystals is otherwise lowered by introducing a polymer having the spontaneous polarization of the code opposite to the code of the liquid crystals into the liquid crystals exhibiting a τ-Vmin characteristic the characteristic that the curve (so-called τ-V curve) indicating a relation between a pulse voltage and a pulse width for all of the liquid crystal molecules to be completely switched by this pulse voltage when the monopulse voltage is impressed on the liquid crystal compsn. has the min. value as shown in, for example, Fig.} (a first liquid crystal cell). These polymers are preferably added to the liquid crystal compsn. before injection into the liquid crystal cell. The photopolymerizable monomer is otherwise added to the liquid crystal compsn. and after the liquid crystal compsn. is injected into the liquid crystal cell, the monomer is polymerized by photoirradiation. Further, the liquid crystal cell introduce with the polymer is reheated up to an I phase (phase transition temp. 98 deg.C) and is cooled, by which the embodiment of the assignment of the intensity levels is made possible.