Aligned liquid crystal layer containing onium salts and process for increasing the tilt

Disclosed is a multilayer film comprising a substrate bearing an aligned liquid crystal layer wherein the liquid crystal layer contains an onium salt represented by formula (I): (R)bM+X- I wherein: each R is an independently selected straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group or an aromatic group and b is 2, 3, or 4; M+ is a cation chosen from periodic group Va, VIa, and VIIa of the Periodic Table of Elements; and X- is a counter-ion; provided the salt may be present as an oligomeric or polymeric form of the salt.