JP2024080581A - Laminate and organic EL display device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a laminate which can suppress generation of a hue at the time of black display of a display device, even when being exposed to humid and hot environment.SOLUTION: A laminate has a light absorption anisotropic layer obtained from a liquid crystal composition, a bonding layer and a polarizer, wherein the polarizer contains a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, iodine and boron. The light absorption anisotropic layer contains one or more kinds of dichroic dyes and satisfies the following expressions (1) to (3). The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystalline compound and a polymerization initiator, and the polymerization initiator is at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound. Expression (1): Az>(Ax+Ay)/2. Expression (2): 0.001≤Ax≤0.10. Expression (3): Ax(z=60°)/Ax≥2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a laminate and an organic EL display device.

In organic electroluminescence (EL) display devices, it is known to use an optical film having a vertically aligned liquid crystal cured film containing a dichroic dye in order to provide a function for preventing peeping and to reduce the hue difference between the front hue and oblique hue of the emitted color (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2016-27387 A JP 2020-76920 A

Organic EL display devices are sometimes used as flexible display devices that can be folded or rolled. In order to realize a display device with good flexibility, it is necessary to make the optical film applied to the display device thinner. When an optical film having a vertically aligned liquid crystal cured film containing a dichroic dye is made thinner, a color may be felt when the display device is exposed to a humid and hot environment and displays black.

The present invention aims to provide a laminate that can suppress the occurrence of color tinge when the display device displays black even when exposed to a humid and hot environment, and an organic EL display device that includes the laminate.

The present invention provides the following laminate and organic EL display device.
[1] A laminate having, in this order, a light absorption anisotropic layer obtained from a liquid crystal composition, an attachment layer, and a polarizer,
the polarizer contains a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, iodine, and boron;
The light absorption anisotropic layer contains one or more dichroic dyes and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3):
The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound and a polymerization initiator,
The laminate, wherein the polymerization initiator is at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound.
Az>(Ax+Ay)/2 (1)
0.001≦Ax≦0.10 (2)
Ax(z=60°)/Ax≧2 (3)
[In formula (1) to formula (3),
Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively.
Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y-axis as the rotation axis.
Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer,
the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer,
The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis.
[2] The laminate according to [1], wherein the optically absorptive anisotropic layer has a thickness of 0.2 μm or more and 3.5 μm or less.
[3] The laminate according to [1] or [2], further comprising a protective layer on the opposite side of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to the attachment layer.
[4] The laminate according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the liquid crystal compound includes a polymerizable liquid crystal compound.
[5] The laminate according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the liquid crystalline compound is a compound that forms a smectic liquid crystal phase.
[6] The laminate according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the dichroic dye is an azo compound.
[7] The polarizer further includes a retardation layer on an opposite side to the attachment layer side, the retardation layer satisfying the following formulas (4) and (5):
The laminate according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the retardation layer is a cured layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound.
120 nm≦Re(550)≦160 nm (4)
Re(450)/Re(550)≦1.00 (5)
[In formulas (4) and (5), Re(λ) represents an in-plane retardation value of the retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm].]
[8] The laminate according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the distance L1 between the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer facing the bonding layer and the surface of the polarizer facing the bonding layer is 20.0 μm or less.
[9] Further, a protective layer is provided on the side of the light absorption anisotropic layer opposite to the attachment layer,
The laminate according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein a distance L2 between a surface of the protective layer opposite the light absorption anisotropic layer side and a surface of the polarizer opposite the bonding layer side is 85.0 μm or less.
[10] An organic electroluminescence display device, comprising the laminate according to any one of [1] to [9] laminated on a display element via a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

The present invention provides a laminate that can suppress the occurrence of color tinge when the display device displays black, even when exposed to a humid and hot environment.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a laminate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Below, preferred embodiments of the laminate and the organic EL display device will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a schematic of a laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the laminate 1, 2 has a light absorbing anisotropic layer 11, a bonding layer 15, and a polarizer 12 in this order. The light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is obtained from a liquid crystal composition and contains one or more first dichroic dyes (dichroic dyes). The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound and a polymerization initiator. The bonding layer 15 is at least one of an adhesive layer and an adhesive layer, and may contain an adhesive layer and an adhesive layer. The polarizer 12 contains a polyvinyl alcohol resin, iodine, and boron. The polarizer 12 has a structure in which iodine is adsorbed and aligned in the polyvinyl alcohol resin layer and is crosslinked by boron (a crosslinked structure of borate ester). In the laminate 1, 2, the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 and the bonding layer 15 are preferably in direct contact with each other. In the laminate 1, 2, the bonding layer 15 and the polarizer 12 are preferably in direct contact with each other. The laminates 1 and 2 are usually arranged so that the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is on the viewing side rather than the polarizer 12.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the laminates 1 and 2 may have a protective layer 21 on the side opposite to the laminating layer 15 side of the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11. The light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 and the protective layer 21 may be laminated via a laminating layer (adhesive layer and/or adhesive layer) or may be laminated in direct contact. Alternatively, a first alignment layer that regulates the alignment of the liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition may be present between the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 and the protective layer 21. When the laminates 1 and 2 have a first alignment layer, the first alignment layer and the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 are usually in direct contact.

The laminates 1 and 2 may have protective films on both sides of the polarizer 12 to protect the polarizer 12. The protective films and the polarizer may be in direct contact with each other, or may be laminated via an attachment layer (adhesive layer and/or adhesive layer). It is preferable that the laminates 1 and 2 have a protective film on the side of the polarizer 12 opposite the attachment layer 15, and do not have a protective film on the attachment layer 15 side of the polarizer 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the laminate 2 may have a retardation film 13 including one or more retardation layers on the side opposite the bonding layer 15 side of the polarizer 12. In the laminate 2, the polarizer 12 and the retardation film 13 may form an anti-reflection film that functions as an elliptical polarizing plate.

The light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is a liquid crystal film obtained from a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound. In this specification, the liquid crystal film refers to a film obtained from a composition containing a liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal film may contain a liquid crystal compound, or may contain a polymer of the liquid crystal compound. The polymer of the liquid crystal compound may or may not exhibit liquid crystallinity.

The liquid crystal composition for forming the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 contains a liquid crystal compound and a polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound. As described below, the liquid crystal composition may contain a second dichroic dye that becomes the first dichroic dye contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11. The liquid crystal composition may contain a polymerizable liquid crystal compound as the liquid crystal compound, or may contain a dichroic dye having a polymerizable group as the second dichroic dye. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a compound that has a polymerizable group and has liquid crystal properties.

The optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 contains one or more first dichroic dyes, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3).
Az>(Ax+Ay)/2 (1)
0.001≦Ax≦0.10 (2)
Ax(z=60°)/Ax≧2 (3)
[In formula (1) to formula (3),
Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 at the maximum absorption wavelengths in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively.
Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance of the above-mentioned maximum absorption wavelength of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 is rotated 60° around the y-axis as the rotation axis.
Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11,
The y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11,
The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis.

The first dichroic dye contained in the light absorption anisotropic layer 11 may be a non-polymerized dichroic dye or a polymer of the dichroic dye. The polymer of the dichroic dye may be a polymer of dichroic dyes having polymerizable groups, or a polymer of a dichroic dye having a polymerizable group and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

Even when exposed to a humid and hot environment, the laminates 1 and 2 can suppress the occurrence of coloring when the display device to which the laminates 1 and 2 are applied displays black. The reason for this is presumed to be as follows. A small amount of polymerization initiator may remain in the light absorption anisotropic layer 11 obtained from a liquid crystal composition containing a polymerization initiator. A small amount of polymerization initiator remaining in the light absorption anisotropic layer 11 may migrate to the polarizer 12 in which iodine is adsorbed and aligned in the polyvinyl alcohol resin layer under a humid and hot environment. The light absorption anisotropic layer 11 of the laminates 1 and 2 is formed from a liquid crystal composition containing at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound as a polymerization initiator. Since these compounds are not basic or acidic, even if these compounds migrate from the light absorption anisotropic layer 11 to the polarizer 12 under a humid and hot environment, hydrolysis of the structure crosslinked by boron contained in the polarizer 12 (crosslinked structure of borate ester) is not easily promoted. Therefore, it is believed that iodine is less likely to be eliminated and discoloration of the polarizer 12 is less likely to occur, and it is speculated that in a display device using the laminates 1 and 2, the occurrence of coloring during black display in a humid and hot environment can be suppressed. On the other hand, compared to oxime ester compounds and α-hydroxyketone compounds, aminoketone compounds known as polymerization initiators are more likely to promote hydrolysis of the crosslinked structure of the borate ester contained in the polarizer, and therefore more likely to eliminate iodine. As a result, it is speculated that discoloration of the polarizer is more likely to occur, and coloring is more likely to occur during black display in a humid and hot environment.

The laminates 1 and 2 can further suppress the occurrence of a hue difference between the hue when viewed from the front and the hue when viewed from an oblique direction when the display device to which the laminates 1 and 2 are applied displays white, even when exposed to a humid and hot environment.

In the laminates 1 and 2, the distance L1 between the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 on the bonding layer 15 side and the surface of the polarizer 12 on the bonding layer 15 side is preferably 20.0 μm or less, may be 18.0 μm or less, may be 16.0 μm or less, may be 10.0 μm or less, may be 5.0 μm or less, may be 1.0 μm or less, and is usually 0.01 μm or more. Even if the distance between the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 and the polarizer 12 in the stacking direction of the laminates 1 and 2 is small, as in the case where the distance L1 is within the above range, by using the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 obtained from the liquid crystal composition containing the above-mentioned polymerization initiator, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coloring during black display in a humid and hot environment on a display device to which the laminates 1 and 2 are applied.

When the laminates 1 and 2 have a protective layer 21, the distance L2 between the surface of the protective layer 21 opposite the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 side and the surface of the polarizer 12 opposite the bonding layer 15 side is preferably 85.0 μm or less, may be 70.0 μm or less, may be 60.0 μm or less, and is usually 30.0 μm or more. Even when the laminates 1 and 2 are thin, such as when the distance L2 is within the above range, by using the light absorbing anisotropic layer 11 obtained from the liquid crystal composition containing the above-mentioned polymerization initiator, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coloring during black display in a humid and hot environment on a display device to which the laminates 1 and 2 are applied.

Each layer of the laminates 1 and 2 will be described in detail below.
(Light Absorption Anisotropic Layer)
The light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is a layer containing one or more first dichroic dyes and is obtained from a liquid crystal composition. The light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 may contain two or more first dichroic dyes. At least one of the first dichroic dyes contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is preferably an azo compound. The first dichroic dye and the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition will be described later.

The optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 satisfies the above formulas (1) to (3). Since the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 that satisfies the formulas (1) to (3) is considered to have the absorption axis of the first dichroic dye oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 can effectively transmit light from the front direction and effectively absorb light from oblique directions.

The absorbance Az in the z direction in the above formula (1) is difficult to measure because it is measured by irradiating light from the side of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11. Therefore, when the angle between the vibration plane of the linearly polarized light (measurement light) and the x-y plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 is set to 90°, the absorbance Az in the z direction can be estimated by measuring the x-y plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 at an angle of 30° and 60° to the direction of incidence of the linearly polarized light relative to this vibration plane.

Specifically, it can be estimated by the following methods.
With the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 rotated 30° and 60° about the y-axis as the axis of rotation, the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ax is incident, thereby measuring the absorbance Ax (z=30°) and the absorbance Ax (z=60°), respectively. Similarly, with the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 rotated 30° and 60° about the x-axis as the axis of rotation, the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ay is incident, thereby measuring the absorbance Ay (z=30°) and the absorbance Ay (z=60°), respectively.
In this case, if Ax(z=30°)<Ax(z=60°) and Ay(z=30°)=Ay(z=60°), then Ax(z=30°)<Ax(z=60°)<Ax(z=90°)=Az, and if Ay(z=30°)<Ay(z=60°) and Ax(z=30°)=Ax(z=60°), then Ay(z=30°)<Ay(z=60°)<Ay(z=90°)=Az, and therefore it can be said that the relationship of formula (1) is necessarily satisfied.
Here, Ax (z=90°) is the absorbance measured by rotating the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 by 90° about the y-axis as the axis of rotation and then incidenting the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ax. Ay (z=90°) is the absorbance measured by rotating the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 by 90° about the x-axis as the axis of rotation and then incidenting the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ax.

In particular, when there is no absorption anisotropy in the x-y plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11, i.e., when Ax and Ay are equal, Ax(z=30°)=Ay(z=30°) and Ax(z=60°)=Ay(z=60°). Here, Ax(z=30°)=Ay(z=30°)=A(z=30°), Ax(z=60°)=Ay(z=60°)=A(z=60°), and Ax(z=90°)=Ay(z=90°)=A(z=90°). Then, if A(z=30°)<A(z=60°), the relationship A(z=30°)<A(z=60°)<A(z=90°)=Az is satisfied. Furthermore, if A(z=30°)>(Ax+Ay)/2, then Az necessarily satisfies formula (1).

In the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11, it is preferable that Ax and Ay have the same value. If Ax and Ay are different, the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 will have anisotropic absorption within its plane, and when the laminates 1 and 2 are applied to a display device, there is a tendency for coloring to the front hue to become greater.

The absorbance Ax in the above formulas (1) to (3) can be measured by irradiating linearly polarized light that vibrates in the x-axis direction from the z-axis direction toward the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11. The absorbance Ax means the absorbance in the front direction in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11. The smaller the value of the absorbance Ax, the more precisely the first dichroic dye is oriented in the vertical direction relative to the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11. From this, it can be said that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 that satisfies the relationship of the above formula (2) has the absorption axis of the first dichroic dye oriented in the vertical direction with high precision. When the absorbance Ax exceeds 0.10, the coloring in the front direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 11 becomes strong, and the front hue tends to be inferior when applied to an organic EL display device in combination with a retardation layer described later. Therefore, the absorbance Ax in formula (2) is preferably 0.001 to 0.07, and more preferably 0.001 to 0.05.

If the value of Ax(z=60°)/Ax in the above formula (3) is less than 2, it is difficult to obtain good absorption anisotropy. Ax(z=60°)/Ax is preferably 2.5 or more, and more preferably 3.0 or more. Ax(z=60°)/Ax is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 30 or less, and even more preferably 20 or less.

The optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 that satisfies the relationships of the above formulas (1) to (3) can be adjusted, for example, by the thickness of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11, the conditions of the manufacturing process of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 (described later), and the types or contents of the dichroic dye and liquid crystal compound contained in the first composition for obtaining the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11.

The thickness of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is preferably 0.2 μm to 3.5 μm, more preferably 0.5 μm to 3.3 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 3.0 μm, and particularly preferably 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm. When the thickness of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 is small, the content of the first dichroic dye increases to express the desired optical characteristics, and the transmission characteristics in the front direction tend to decrease due to the first dichroic dye that cannot be fully oriented, and when the thickness is large, the orientation of the liquid crystal compound and the first dichroic dye tends to be disturbed, so that the transmission characteristics in the front direction tend to decrease. In addition, when a hard layer such as an adhesive layer is laminated on the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 as the attachment layer 15, the larger the thickness of the attachment layer 15 and the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11, the more likely these layers are to undergo cohesive failure. Such cohesive failure tends to be prominent in the optically absorbing anisotropic layer 11 using a liquid crystal compound that forms a smectic liquid crystal phase.

(First dichroic dye)
The light absorption anisotropic layer contains one or more first dichroic dyes. In this specification, the dichroic dye refers to a dye having different absorbance in the long axis direction of the molecule and absorbance in the short axis direction of the molecule. As described above, the first dichroic dye may be a non-polymerized dichroic dye, or a polymer in which a dichroic dye having a polymerizable group is polymerized alone or with a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The first dichroic dye preferably has a property of absorbing visible light, and more preferably has a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) in the wavelength range of 380 to 680 nm.

Examples of such a first dichroic dye include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes, among which azo dyes are preferred. Examples of azo dyes include monoazo dyes, bisazo dyes, trisazo dyes, tetrakisazo dyes, and stilbene azo dyes, among which bisazo dyes and trisazo dyes are preferred. The dichroic dyes may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds, but it is preferable to use two or more kinds in combination depending on the wavelength range in which light absorption anisotropy is required in the light absorption anisotropic layer.

The azo dye includes, for example, a compound represented by formula (I).
T ¹ -A ¹ (-N=N-A ² ) _p -N=N-A ³ -T ² (I)
[In formula (I),
A ¹ , A ² , and A ³ each independently represent a 1,4-phenylene group which may have a substituent, a naphthalene-1,4-diyl group which may have a substituent, a benzoic acid phenyl ester group which may have a substituent, a 4,4′-stilbenylene group which may have a substituent, or a divalent heterocyclic group which may have a substituent;
^T1 and ^T2 each represent an electron withdrawing group or an electron releasing group, and are positioned at substantially 180° to the plane of the azo bond.
p represents an integer of 0 to 4, and when p is 2 or more, each A ² may be the same or different.
The -N=N- bond may be replaced with a -C=C-, -COO-, -NHCO-, or -N=CH- bond as long as absorption in the visible light region is exhibited.]

The content of the first dichroic dye in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, and may be 0.5 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, or 1 part by mass or more and 5 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. The content ratio of the first dichroic dye in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be calculated as the ratio of the dichroic dye to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the liquid crystal composition used to form the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. When the light-absorbing anisotropic layer contains two or more first dichroic dyes, the content of the first dichroic dye refers to the total amount of the two or more dichroic dyes. When the liquid crystal composition contains a solvent, the solid content of the liquid crystal composition refers to the total amount of the components excluding the solvent from the liquid crystal composition.

(Liquid Crystal Composition)
The liquid crystal composition is used to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic layer. The light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be formed by, for example, applying the liquid crystal composition onto a first base layer to form a coating layer, and then drying the coating layer. As described above, the liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystalline compound and a polymerization initiator. The liquid crystal composition can further contain one or more second dichroic dyes. The second dichroic dye becomes the first dichroic dye contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11.

The liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition is used to align the second dichroic dye by host-guest interaction. The liquid crystal compound may be a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound or a high molecular weight liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal compound may be a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal compound is preferably a compound that forms a smectic liquid crystal layer.

The polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a compound having a polymerizable group and liquid crystallinity. The polymerizable group means a group involved in a polymerization reaction, and is preferably a photopolymerizable group. Here, the photopolymerizable group means a group that can be involved in a polymerization reaction by an active radical or an acid generated from a photopolymerization initiator described later. Examples of the polymerizable group include a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among them, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group are preferred, and a methacryloyloxy group or an acryloyloxy group is more preferred. The liquid crystallinity may be thermotropic or lyotropic, but when mixed with the above-mentioned dichroic dye, a thermotropic liquid crystal is preferred.

When the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a thermotropic liquid crystal, it may be a thermotropic liquid crystal compound exhibiting a nematic liquid crystal phase, or a thermotropic liquid crystal compound exhibiting a smectic liquid crystal phase. When the light absorption anisotropy characteristic is expressed as a liquid crystal cured film (liquid crystal film) by a polymerization reaction, the liquid crystal state exhibited by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is preferably a smectic phase, and a high-order smectic phase is more preferable from the viewpoint of high performance. Among them, a high-order smectic liquid crystal compound that forms a smectic B phase, a smectic D phase, a smectic E phase, a smectic F phase, a smectic G phase, a smectic H phase, a smectic I phase, a smectic J phase, a smectic K phase, or a smectic L phase is more preferable, and a high-order smectic liquid crystal compound that forms a smectic B phase, a smectic F phase, or a smectic I phase is even more preferable. When the liquid crystal phase formed by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a high-order smectic phase, a light-absorption anisotropic layer with higher light-absorption anisotropic properties can be manufactured. Such a light-absorption anisotropic layer with high light-absorption anisotropic properties is one in which a Bragg peak derived from a high-order structure such as a hexatic phase or a crystalline phase is obtained in X-ray diffraction measurement. The Bragg peak is a peak derived from the periodic structure of molecular orientation, and the light-absorption anisotropic layer can have a periodic interval of 3 to 6 Å. It is preferable that the light-absorption anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound oriented in a smectic phase state, from the viewpoint of obtaining higher light-absorption anisotropic properties.

The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be a monomer, an oligomer in which a polymerizable group is polymerized, or a polymer. Such polymerizable liquid crystal compounds may be known, and examples of such compounds include those described in JP-A-2020-76920 and JP-A-6728581.

When the liquid crystal compound is a polymeric liquid crystal compound as described above, known liquid crystal compounds can be used, such as those described in JP-A-2011-237513.

The liquid crystal compound may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the liquid crystal compound is preferably 40 parts by mass or more and 99.9 parts by mass or less, and may be 60 parts by mass or more and 99 parts by mass or less, or may be 70 parts by mass or more and 99 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the liquid crystal composition. When the content of the liquid crystal compound is within the above range, the alignment of the liquid crystal compound tends to be high when the light absorption anisotropic layer is formed. When the liquid crystal composition contains two or more types of liquid crystal compounds, the content of the liquid crystal compound refers to the total amount of the two or more types of liquid crystal compounds.

The polymerization initiator contained in the liquid crystal composition is at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound. The polymerization initiator is a compound that can initiate a polymerization reaction of a polymerizable component, such as a polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition, a dichroic dye having a polymerizable group, or a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group (described later). The polymerization initiator is preferably an oxime ester compound or an α-hydroxyketone compound. The liquid crystal composition may contain a polymerization initiator other than an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound.

Examples of oxime ester compounds include 1,2-octanedione, 1-[4-(phenylthio)-, 2-(O-benzoyloxime)] (trade name: Irgacure OXE-01, manufactured by BASF), ethanone, 1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-, 1-(o-acetyloxime) (trade name: Irgacure OXE-02, manufactured by BASF), methanone, ethanone, 1-[9-ethyl-6-(1,3-dioxolane, 4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]-, 1-(o-acetyloxime) (trade name: ADEKA OPT-N-1919, manufactured by ADEKA Corporation).

Examples of α-hydroxyketone compounds include 2-hydroxy-1-{4-[4-(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionyl)-benzyl]-phenyl}-2-methyl-propan-1-one (e.g., trade name: Irgacure 127, manufactured by BASF, etc.), 2-hydroxy-4'-hydroxyethoxy-2-methylpropiophenone (e.g., trade name: Irgacure 2959, manufactured by BASF, etc.), 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (e.g., trade name: Irgacure 184, manufactured by BASF, etc.), and oligomers of 2-hydroxy-1-(4-isopropenylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-one (e.g., trade name: ESACURE ONE, manufactured by IGM Resins B.V., etc.).

The content of the polymerization initiator in the liquid crystal composition can be adjusted appropriately depending on the type and amount of the polymerizable component. When the polymerizable component in the liquid crystal composition is a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the content is usually 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass, and more preferably 0.5 to 8 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. When the content of the polymerization initiator is within the above range, polymerization can be carried out without disturbing the alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

Other polymerization initiators that may be included in the liquid crystal composition include photopolymerization initiators and thermal polymerization initiators, with photopolymerization initiators being preferred. Photopolymerization initiators are polymerization initiators that generate active radicals under the action of light. Specifically, photopolymerization initiators that can generate active radicals or acids under the action of light are included, and among these, photopolymerization initiators that generate radicals under the action of light are preferred. Photopolymerization initiators can be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The photopolymerization initiator that generates active radicals and may be used as another polymerization initiator is one that is neither acidic nor basic, and specifically,
Self-cleaving benzoin compounds, acetophenone compounds, acylphosphine oxide compounds, etc.,
Examples of hydrogen abstraction type compounds include benzophenone compounds, alkylphenone compounds, benzoin ether compounds, benzil ketal compounds, dibenzosuberone compounds, anthraquinone compounds, xanthone compounds, halogenoacetophenone compounds, and dialkoxyacetophenone compounds.

The second dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal composition may be the first dichroic dye contained in the light absorbing anisotropic layer, and when the first dichroic dye contained in the light absorbing anisotropic layer is a polymer, the second dichroic dye may be a dichroic dye having a polymerizable group for obtaining the first dichroic dye. Examples of the second dichroic dye include the dyes exemplified as the first dichroic dye.

The content of the second dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal composition is usually 1 to 60 parts by mass, preferably 1 to 40 parts by mass, and more preferably 1 to 20 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound, from the viewpoint of obtaining good light absorption characteristics. If the content of the second dichroic dye is less than this range, light absorption will be insufficient and sufficient light absorption anisotropy characteristics will not be obtained, and if it is more than this range, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal compound may be hindered. When the liquid crystal composition contains two or more first dichroic dyes, the content of the second dichroic dye refers to the total amount of the two or more dichroic dyes.

The liquid crystal composition may further contain a solvent. Generally, liquid crystal compounds have high viscosity, so dissolving them in a solvent to form a liquid crystal composition containing the solvent often makes it easier to apply to the first base layer, and as a result, makes it easier to form a light absorption anisotropic layer. The solvent is preferably one that can completely dissolve the liquid crystal compound, and is preferably a solvent that is inactive to the polymerization reaction of the liquid crystal compound. Examples of the solvent include alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether; ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, γ-butyrolactone, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, and ethyl lactate; ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, 2-heptanone, and methyl isobutyl ketone; aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene and xylene; nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile; ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; chlorine-containing solvents such as chloroform and chlorobenzene; and amide solvents such as dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The content of the solvent in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 50 to 98% by mass relative to the total amount of the liquid crystal composition. In other words, the content of the solids in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 2 to 50% by mass, more preferably 5 to 30% by mass. If the content of the solids is 50% by mass or less, the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition is low, making it easier to form the optically absorptive anisotropic layer with a substantially uniform thickness, and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer tends to be less prone to unevenness. The content of the solids can be determined taking into consideration the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to be manufactured.

The liquid crystal composition may further contain additives such as a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, a leveling agent, an antioxidant, a photosensitizer, etc. When the liquid crystal composition is applied directly to the surface of the first substrate layer (when the first alignment layer is not used), it is preferable that the liquid crystal composition further contains an alignment promoter.

A non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "non-liquid crystal compound") is a compound that has a polymerizable group and does not have liquid crystallinity. Examples of the polymerizable group of a non-liquid crystal compound include a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among these, preferred polymerizable groups are a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group, more preferred polymerizable groups are a (meth)acryloyl group and a (meth)acryloyloxy group, and even more preferred polymerizable groups are a (meth)acryloyloxy group. The polymerizable group in the non-liquid crystal compound may be one type or a combination of two or more types, but it is preferable that the polymerizable group is the same as the polymerizable group of the dichroic dye or the liquid crystal compound.

The number of polymerizable groups that the non-liquid crystal compound has is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 1 to 20, but from the viewpoint of making it easier to increase the film strength of the light absorption anisotropic layer, it is preferably 2 to 10, and more preferably 3 to 6. When the non-liquid crystal compound has two or more polymerizable groups, the polymerizable groups may be the same or different.

Examples of non-liquid crystal compounds having a polymerizable group include monofunctional (meth)acrylates and polyfunctional (meth)acrylates. Since monofunctional acrylates and polyfunctional acrylates as non-liquid crystal compounds having a polymerizable group are non-liquid crystal, those that do not have a mesogen structure are preferred. The monofunctional acrylates and polyfunctional acrylates may contain a urethane structure, an amino structure, an epoxy structure, an ethylene glycol structure, and/or a polyester structure in the molecule.

A leveling agent is an additive that has the function of adjusting the fluidity of the liquid crystal composition and making the film obtained by applying the liquid crystal composition flatter. Examples of leveling agents include organic modified silicone oil-based, polyacrylate-based, and perfluoroalkyl-based leveling agents. Among them, polyacrylate-based and perfluoroalkyl-based leveling agents are preferred.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a leveling agent, the amount is preferably 0.01 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 3 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound. When the amount of the leveling agent is within the above range, the liquid crystal compound is easily aligned, and the resulting light absorption anisotropic layer tends to be smoother. When the amount of the leveling agent relative to the liquid crystal compound exceeds the above range, the resulting light absorption anisotropic layer tends to be uneven. The liquid crystal composition may contain two or more types of leveling agents.

The liquid crystal composition can be obtained by stirring a liquid crystal compound, a polymerization initiator, a second dichroic dye, a solvent, and additives such as a non-liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent.

A method for obtaining an optically absorbing anisotropic layer using a liquid crystal composition includes a method including a step of applying the liquid crystal composition onto a first substrate layer. The above method may include a step of performing a drying process or the like for removing the solvent or the like from the coating layer formed by applying the liquid crystal composition onto the first substrate layer. When the liquid crystal composition includes a polymerizable liquid crystal compound as a polymerizable component, the coating layer after the drying process may be irradiated with active energy rays or the like to polymerize the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, thereby forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer as a cured layer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal composition may be applied to the surface of the first substrate layer, or may be applied to the surface of the first alignment layer formed on the surface of the first substrate layer.

Methods for applying the liquid crystal composition to the first substrate layer include known methods such as coating methods such as spin coating, extrusion, gravure coating, die coating, bar coating, and applicator methods, and printing methods such as flexography.

It is preferable to perform a drying process on the coating layer of the liquid crystal composition formed on the first substrate layer. When the liquid crystal composition contains a solvent, the solvent in the coating layer can be removed by drying the coating layer. The drying method may be one or more of known methods, such as natural drying, heat drying, ventilation drying, and reduced pressure drying.

The drying conditions in the drying process can be appropriately determined depending on the components contained in the liquid crystal composition. For example, the drying temperature in the drying process is from 50°C to 150°C, and may be from 60°C to 120°C. The drying time in the drying process is from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, and may be from 0.5 minutes to 5 minutes.

When a heat treatment is performed in the drying process, the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the liquid crystal phase transition temperature at which the liquid crystal compound undergoes a phase transition, thereby removing the solvent in the coating layer and orienting the liquid crystal compound. This allows the liquid crystal compound to be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the light absorption anisotropic layer, and the dichroic dye can also be oriented in conjunction with the orientation of the liquid crystal compound.

Alternatively, when a first alignment layer is provided on the surface of the first substrate layer, the liquid crystal compound and dichroic dye in the coating layer may be aligned by the alignment control force of the first alignment layer.

When the liquid crystal composition contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the coating layer formed on the first substrate layer is dried, and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the second dichroic dye are oriented, and then active energy rays are irradiated to polymerize and harden the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, thereby forming a light absorbing anisotropic layer in which the liquid crystal compound and the first dichroic dye are oriented.

As a method for polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, photopolymerization is preferred. Photopolymerization is performed by irradiating with active energy rays a laminated structure including a coating layer in which a liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound is applied on a first substrate layer or a first alignment layer. The active energy rays to be irradiated are appropriately selected according to the type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the coating layer (particularly, the type of photopolymerizable functional group possessed by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound), the type of photopolymerization initiator if a photopolymerization initiator is included, and the amount thereof. Specifically, one or more types of light selected from the group consisting of visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-rays, α rays, β rays, and γ rays can be mentioned. Among them, ultraviolet light is preferred because it is easy to control the progress of the polymerization reaction and photopolymerization devices widely used in this field can be used, and it is preferable to select the type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound so that it can be photopolymerized by ultraviolet light.

Examples of light sources for active energy rays include low-pressure mercury lamps, medium-pressure mercury lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, xenon lamps, halogen lamps, carbon arc lamps, tungsten lamps, gallium lamps, excimer lasers, LED light sources emitting light in the wavelength range of 380 to 440 nm, chemical lamps, black light lamps, microwave-excited mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps.

The ultraviolet irradiation intensity is usually 10 mW/cm ² to 3,000 mW/cm ^2. The ultraviolet irradiation intensity is preferably an intensity in a wavelength region effective for activating a cationic polymerization initiator or a radical polymerization initiator. The time for irradiating light is usually 0.1 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably 1 second to 5 minutes, more preferably 5 seconds to 3 minutes, and even more preferably 10 seconds to 1 minute. When irradiating once or a plurality of times with such ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the accumulated light amount is 10 mJ/cm ² to 3,000 mJ/cm ² , preferably 50 mJ/cm ² to 2,000 mJ/cm ² , and more preferably 100 mJ/cm ² to 1,000 mJ/cm ^2. When the accumulated light amount is below this range, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is insufficiently cured, and good transferability may not be obtained when transferring the light absorption anisotropic layer to an adherend. On the other hand, if the integrated light amount is greater than this range, the light absorption anisotropic layer may become colored.

The first alignment layer facilitates the alignment of the liquid crystals of the liquid crystal compound. The state of liquid crystal alignment varies depending on the properties of the first alignment layer and the liquid crystal compound, and the combination can be selected arbitrarily.

When the first alignment layer is made of an alignment polymer, the alignment control force can be adjusted as desired by changing the surface condition and rubbing conditions. When the first alignment layer is made of a photoalignment polymer, the alignment control force can be adjusted as desired by changing the polarized light irradiation conditions, etc. In addition, the liquid crystal alignment can be controlled by selecting the physical properties of the liquid crystal compound, such as the surface tension and liquid crystallinity.

The first alignment layer formed between the first substrate layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably insoluble in the solvent used to form the optically absorptive anisotropic layer on the first alignment layer, and is heat resistant to the heat treatment for removing the solvent and for orienting the liquid crystal. Examples of the first alignment layer include a polymer alignment layer made of an orientable polymer, a photoalignment layer, a groove alignment layer, and a stretched film stretched in the alignment direction. When applied to a long rolled film, a photoalignment layer is preferred because the alignment direction can be easily controlled.

The thickness of the first alignment layer is usually in the range of 10 nm to 5000 nm, preferably in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm, and more preferably in the range of 30 to 300 nm.

Examples of the alignment polymers used in the rubbing alignment layer include polyamides and gelatins having amide bonds in the molecule, polyimides having imide bonds in the molecule, and their hydrolyzates such as polyamic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, alkyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, polyoxazole, polyethyleneimine, polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, and polyacrylic acid esters. Among these, polyvinyl alcohol is preferred. These alignment polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

One method of rubbing is to apply an oriented polymer composition to a first substrate layer, anneal the layer, and then bring the layer into contact with a rotating rubbing roll wrapped with a rubbing cloth.

The photo-alignment layer is made of a polymer, oligomer, or monomer having a photoreactive group. The photo-alignment layer is formed by applying polarized light to a coating layer in which a composition for forming the photo-alignment layer is applied to a first substrate layer. The photo-alignment layer is more preferable in that the direction of the alignment force can be freely controlled by selecting the polarization direction of the irradiated polarized light.

The photoreactive group is a group that generates liquid crystal alignment ability by irradiation with light. Specifically, it is a group that generates a photoreaction that is the origin of liquid crystal alignment ability, such as molecular alignment induction caused by irradiation with light, or an isomerization reaction, a dimerization reaction, a photocrosslinking reaction, or a photodecomposition reaction. Among the photoreactive groups, those that cause a dimerization reaction or a photocrosslinking reaction are preferred in terms of excellent alignment ability. As photoreactive groups that can generate the above-mentioned reactions, those having an unsaturated bond, especially a double bond, are preferred, and groups having at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C bond), a carbon-nitrogen double bond (C=N bond), a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond (N=N bond), and a carbon-oxygen double bond (C=O bond) are more preferred.

Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=C bond include vinyl groups, polyene groups, stilbene groups, stilbazolyl groups, stilbazolium groups, chalcone groups, and cinnamoyl groups. From the viewpoint of easy control of reactivity and the expression of alignment control force during photoalignment, chalcone groups and cinnamoyl groups are preferred. Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=N bond include groups having structures such as aromatic Schiff bases and aromatic hydrazones. Examples of photoreactive groups having an N=N bond include azobenzene groups, azonaphthalene groups, aromatic heterocyclic azo groups, bisazo groups, and formazan groups, as well as groups having an azoxybenzene basic structure. Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=O bond include benzophenone groups, coumarin groups, anthraquinone groups, and maleimide groups. These groups may have substituents such as alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, aryl groups, allyloxy groups, cyano groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, hydroxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, and halogenated alkyl groups.

The polarized light may be irradiated directly from the film surface of the coating layer of the composition for forming the photo-alignment layer, or may be irradiated from the first base layer side and then transmitted through the film. It is particularly preferable that the polarized light is substantially parallel light. The wavelength of the polarized light to be irradiated is preferably in a wavelength range in which the photoreactive group of the polymer or monomer having a photoreactive group can absorb light energy. Specifically, UV (ultraviolet light) in the wavelength range of 250 to 400 nm is particularly preferable. Examples of light sources used for the polarized light irradiation include xenon lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, and ultraviolet lasers such as KrF and ArF, and high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps are more preferable. These lamps are preferable because they have a high emission intensity of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 313 nm. Polarized light can be irradiated by irradiating the light from the above-mentioned light source through an appropriate polarizing element. As such a polarizing element, a polarizing filter, a polarizing prism such as Glan-Thompson or Glan-Taylor, or a wire grid type polarizing element can be used.

(First Base Layer)
The first substrate layer is a substrate on which a liquid crystal composition for obtaining an optically absorptive anisotropic layer is applied, and can support the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. The first substrate layer can be used as a protective layer that the laminate may have. Examples of the first substrate layer include a glass substrate and a film substrate, and a film substrate is preferable.

Examples of resins constituting the film substrate include olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; cyclic olefin resins having a cyclo- or norbornene structure; polyvinyl alcohol; polyethylene terephthalate; poly(meth)acrylic acid esters; cellulose ester resins such as triacetyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate propionate; polyethylene naphthalate; polycarbonate; polysulfone; polyether sulfone; polyether ketone; polyphenylene sulfide; polyphenylene oxide, etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of transparency when used in optical film applications, a film substrate selected from triacetyl cellulose, cyclic olefin resins, polymethacrylic acid esters, and polyethylene terephthalate is more preferable. (Meth)acrylic means at least one of acrylic and methacrylic. The same applies to the notation (meth)acryloyl, etc.

As the film substrate, a commercially available cellulose ester resin substrate may be used. Examples of such cellulose ester resin substrates include "FUJITAC FILM" (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.); "KC8UX2M", "KC8UY" and "KC4UY" (all manufactured by Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.).

Commercially available cyclic olefin resins may be used as the cyclic olefin resin constituting the film substrate. Examples of such cyclic olefin resins include "Topas" (registered trademark) (manufactured by Ticona (Germany)), "Arton" (registered trademark) (manufactured by JSR Corporation), "ZEONOR" (registered trademark), "ZEONEX" (registered trademark) (all manufactured by Zeon Corporation), and "Apel" (registered trademark) (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.). These cyclic olefin resins can be made into film substrates by forming films by known means such as solvent casting and melt extrusion.

Commercially available cyclic olefin resin substrates may be used as the film substrate. Examples of such cyclic olefin resin substrates include "ESCINA" (registered trademark), "SCA40" (registered trademark) (both manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), "ZEONOR FILM" (registered trademark) (manufactured by Optes Co., Ltd.), and "ARTON FILM" (registered trademark) (manufactured by JSR Corporation).

When the film substrate is used as the protective layer that the laminate may have, it is preferable to use a film substrate that is difficult to pass water vapor in order to easily suppress the occurrence of color when the display device displays black in a humid and hot environment. The moisture permeability of the film substrate is preferably 500 g/m ² /24 hours or less, more preferably 150 g/m ² /24 hours or less, and even more preferably 20 g/m ² /24 hours or less. The lower limit of the moisture permeability of the film substrate is not particularly limited, but is usually 1 g/m ² /24 hours or more, preferably 5 g/m ² /24 hours or more. The moisture permeability of the film substrate is the moisture permeability at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, and can be measured by the cup method specified in JIS Z 0208. An olefin-based resin film substrate can be suitably used as a film substrate with low moisture permeability.

As the first substrate layer, a film with a surface coating layer in which a surface coating layer is formed on one or both sides of a film substrate, a film with a protective film in which a protective film is laminated on the surface of the film substrate opposite the light absorption anisotropic layer, or a film in which a surface coating layer is formed on one surface of a film substrate and a protective film is laminated on the other surface may be used.

Examples of the surface coating layer constituting the film with a surface coating layer include a layer formed by applying a hard coating agent, an easy-adhesion composition, or a coupling agent to the surface of the film substrate, and a layer formed by applying a reactive monomer or a reactive polymer to the surface of the film substrate and then graft-polymerizing the reactive monomer or polymer by irradiating the reactive monomer or polymer with active energy rays. As the film with a surface coating layer, for example, a hard coat film having a hard coat layer as the surface coating layer is preferable. When the first substrate layer is a hard coat film, a light absorbing anisotropic layer may be laminated on the hard coat layer side, or a light absorbing anisotropic layer may be laminated on the film substrate side.

The hard coat layer is preferably a cured layer of a curable composition containing an active energy ray-curable resin, and more preferably a cured layer of a composition containing an ultraviolet ray-curable resin. The curable composition containing an ultraviolet ray-curable resin preferably contains a (meth)acrylic compound as a curable component. The (meth)acrylic compound is a compound having at least one (meth)acryloyl group, and may be a monomer, oligomer, or polymer.

Examples of (meth)acrylic compounds include (meth)acrylate compounds such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate compounds and polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compounds; urethane (meth)acrylate compounds such as polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate compounds; epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds such as polyfunctional epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds; carboxyl group-modified epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds; polyester (meth)acrylate compounds, etc. One or more of these can be used. Among these, polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compounds or urethane (meth)acrylate compounds are preferred, and a combination of a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound and a urethane (meth)acrylate is more preferred.

The content of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound is preferably 50 parts by mass or more and 100 parts by mass or less, more preferably 60 parts by mass or more and 95 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 70 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the curable composition. In this specification, the solid content of the curable composition refers to the total amount of the components excluding the solvent from the curable composition when the curable composition contains a solvent.

The curable composition may contain a polymerization initiator in addition to the curable component. Examples of the polymerization initiator include a photopolymerization initiator and a radical polymerization initiator, and any known polymerization initiator may be used.

The curable composition can be applied to a film substrate and then irradiated with active energy rays to polymerize the curable components, such as the (meth)acrylic compound, and cure the composition.

The hard coat layer preferably exhibits a value of 8B or harder in the pencil hardness test (measured by placing the first substrate layer on a glass plate) specified in JIS K 5600-5-4:1999 "General test methods for paints - Part 5: Mechanical properties of coatings - Section 4: Scratch hardness (pencil method)" and may exhibit a value of 5B or harder.

A release agent or the like may be applied to the surface of the film substrate on which a surface coating layer such as a hard coat layer is formed to perform a release treatment. The first substrate layer may be incorporated together with the optically absorbing anisotropic layer when the optically absorbing anisotropic layer is incorporated into a laminate, but it can also be peeled off and removed. By performing a release treatment on the surface of the film substrate as described above, when the optically absorbing anisotropic layer is applied to a display device, the film substrate constituting the first substrate layer can be peeled off and removed, and the surface coating layer and the optically absorbing anisotropic layer can be incorporated.

The protective film constituting the film with protective film is provided releasably on the film substrate constituting the first substrate layer. The protective film may have a multilayer structure of a resin film and an adhesive layer, or may be a self-adhesive film made of a resin film with a single layer structure. Examples of the resin film used in the protective film having a multilayer structure include films formed from the resins exemplified as the resins constituting the film substrate. Examples of the self-adhesive film include films using polypropylene-based resins and polyethylene-based resins. The protective film is usually removed after the light-absorbing anisotropic layer is applied to the display device.

The surface of the first substrate layer on which the light absorption anisotropic layer is formed may be subjected to a surface treatment. Examples of the surface treatment method include a method of subjecting the surface of the film substrate to corona treatment or plasma treatment under an atmosphere from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, a method of laser treatment, a method of ozone treatment, a method of flame treatment, a method of saponifying the surface of the first substrate layer, and the like.

The thickness of the first substrate layer is preferably thin in terms of the mass being practically manageable, but if it is too thin, the strength decreases and the processability tends to be poor. From this viewpoint, the thickness of the first substrate layer is preferably 30 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and may be 40 μm or more and 150 μm or less, 50 μm or more and 140 μm or less, 60 μm or more and 130 μm or less, or 70 μm or more and 120 μm or less.

(Protective Layer)
The protective layer may be laminated on the side opposite to the lamination layer of the light absorbing anisotropic layer. The protective layer may be laminated directly on the light absorbing anisotropic layer, may be laminated via the first alignment layer, or may be laminated via the lamination layer (adhesive layer and/or adhesive layer). The protective layer may be formed using the material exemplified as the first substrate layer, and may be the first substrate layer.

In order to easily suppress the occurrence of coloring when the display device displays black in a humid and hot environment, it is preferable to reduce the moisture permeability of the protective layer. The transparency of the protective layer is preferably 500 g/m ² /24 hours or less, more preferably 150 g/m ² /24 hours or less, and even more preferably 20 g/m ² /24 hours or less. The lower limit of the moisture permeability of the protective layer is not particularly limited, but is usually 1 g/m ² /24 hours or more, preferably 5 g/m ² /24 hours or more. The moisture permeability of the protective layer is the moisture permeability at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, and can be measured by the cup method specified in JIS Z 0208.

(Polarizer)
The polarizer has a property of transmitting linearly polarized light having a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis when unpolarized light is incident on the polarizer. The polarizer contains a polyvinyl alcohol resin, iodine, and boron. The polarizer has a structure in which iodine is adsorbed and aligned in a polyvinyl alcohol resin layer and crosslinked by boron (a crosslinked structure of borate ester).

The polarizer can be obtained through a process of uniaxially stretching a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "PVA-based film"), a process of dyeing the PVA-based film with iodine to allow the iodine to be absorbed, a process of treating the PVA-based film with the iodine absorbed therein with an aqueous boric acid solution, and, if necessary, a process of washing the film with water after the treatment with the aqueous boric acid solution.

The thickness of the polarizer is usually 30 μm or less, preferably 18 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or less, and even more preferably 10 μm or less. The thickness is usually 1 μm or more, for example, 5 μm or more.

The uniaxial stretching of the PVA-based film can be performed before, simultaneously with, or after dyeing with iodine. When the uniaxial stretching is performed after dyeing, it may be performed before or during the boric acid treatment. Of course, the uniaxial stretching can be performed in the multiple stages shown here. For the uniaxial stretching, a method of uniaxially stretching in the film transport direction between rolls with different peripheral speeds, a method of uniaxially stretching in the film transport direction using a heated roll, or a method of stretching in the width direction using a tenter can be used. The uniaxial stretching may be performed by dry stretching in the air, or by wet stretching in a swollen state of the PVA-based film using a solvent such as water. The stretching ratio is usually about 3 to 8 times. In addition, an aqueous solution containing polyvinyl alcohol may be applied to the thermoplastic resin film, followed by drying, and then stretched together with the thermoplastic resin film by the above method.

Dyeing of PVA-based film with iodine can be carried out, for example, by immersing the PVA-based film in an aqueous solution containing iodine.

The polarizer may be obtained by preparing a substrate film, applying a solution of a resin such as a polyvinyl alcohol resin onto the substrate film, and performing a process of removing the solvent to form a resin layer on the substrate film. Next, the amount of solvent such as water in the resin layer is adjusted as necessary, and then the substrate film and the resin layer are uniaxially stretched, and then the resin layer is dyed with iodine to adsorb and align iodine in the resin layer. Next, if necessary, the resin layer with iodine adsorbed and oriented is treated with an aqueous boric acid solution, and then a washing process is performed to wash off the aqueous boric acid solution. This produces a resin layer with iodine adsorbed and oriented, that is, a polarizer. The substrate film may be incorporated together with the polarizer when the polarizer is incorporated into the laminate, but it can also be peeled off and removed. When the substrate film is incorporated together with the polarizer, the substrate film can be used as a protective film for the polarizer. Examples of the substrate film include thermoplastic resin films exemplified as protective films used in polarizing plates described later.

(Polarizer)
The polarizing plate is a linear polarizing plate having a protective film on one or both sides of a polarizer. A thermoplastic resin film can be used as the protective film. The thermoplastic resin film may be subjected to a surface treatment (e.g., corona treatment, etc.) in order to improve adhesion with the polarizer, and a thin layer such as a primer layer (also called an undercoat layer) may be formed on the thermoplastic resin film. The polarizer and the protective film may be in direct contact with each other, or may be laminated via an attachment layer (adhesive layer and/or adhesive layer).

The thermoplastic resin constituting the thermoplastic resin film is preferably a transparent film, and examples thereof include cellulose resins such as triacetyl cellulose; polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate; polyethersulfone resins; polysulfone resins; polycarbonate resins; polyamide resins such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; polyimide resins; polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; cyclic polyolefin resins having cyclo- and norbornene structures (also called norbornene-based resins); (meth)acrylic resins; polyarylate resins; polystyrene resins; polyvinyl alcohol resins, and the like. Among these, the thermoplastic resin film is preferably a cyclic polyolefin-based resin film, a cellulose ester-based resin film, a polyester-based resin film, or a (meth)acrylic-based resin film.

The protective film may be a thermoplastic resin film having a hard coat layer formed thereon. The hard coat layer may be formed on one side of the thermoplastic resin film, or on both sides. By providing the hard coat layer, the thermoplastic resin film can be improved in hardness and scratch resistance. The hard coat layer is, for example, a cured layer of an active energy ray curable resin, preferably an ultraviolet ray curable resin. Examples of ultraviolet ray curable resins include (meth)acrylic resins, silicone resins, polyester resins, urethane resins, amide resins, and epoxy resins. The hard coat layer may contain additives to improve strength. The additives are not particularly limited, and examples include inorganic fine particles, organic fine particles, and mixtures thereof.

The thickness of the protective film is preferably 5 μm or more and 150 μm or less, and may be 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less, or may be 10 μm or more and 80 μm or less.

(Retardation film)
The laminate 2 may have a retarder 13 including one or more retardation layers on the side opposite to the bonding layer 15 side of the polarizer 12. The retarder 13 preferably includes one or more retardation layers having an in-plane retardation, and may further include a retardation layer having a retardation in the thickness direction.

When the polarizer 12 and the retarder 13 function as anti-reflection films in the laminate, from the viewpoint of achieving a high level of anti-reflection function, it is preferable that the retarder 13 contains a λ/4 retardation layer having a λ/4 plate function (i.e., a π/2 retardation function) in the entire visible light range as a retardation layer having an in-plane retardation. The λ/4 retardation layer is preferably a λ/4 retardation layer with reverse wavelength dispersion. As a retardation layer having an in-plane retardation, a combination of a retardation layer having a λ/2 plate function with positive wavelength dispersion (λ/2 retardation layer) and a λ/4 retardation layer with positive wavelength dispersion may be used.

When the polarizer 12 and the retarder 13 function as an anti-reflection film, from the viewpoint of compensating for the anti-reflection function in oblique directions, the retarder can include a positive C plate as a retardation layer having a phase difference in the thickness direction in addition to a retardation layer having an in-plane phase difference.

When the retarder 13 includes a retardation layer having an in-plane retardation and a retardation layer having a retardation in the thickness direction, the order of lamination is not particularly limited, and the retardation layer may have, in order from the polarizer 12 side, a retardation layer having an in-plane retardation and a retardation layer having a retardation in the thickness direction, or vice versa. An attachment layer may be provided between the retardation layers constituting the retarder 13. The attachment layer is a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and/or an adhesive layer.

The retarder 13 preferably has a first retardation layer (retardation layer) that satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (4) and (5).
120 nm≦Re(550)≦160 nm (4)
Re(450)/Re(550)≦1.0 (5)
[In formulas (4) and (5), Re(λ) represents an in-plane retardation value of the first retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm].]

The Re(550) of the first retardation layer may be 125 nm or more and 155 nm or less, 130 nm or more and 150 nm or less, or 135 nm or more and 145 nm or less. When the Re(550) of the first retardation layer is within the above range, the first retardation layer can function favorably as a λ/4 retardation layer.

If "Re(450)/Re(550)" in the above formula (5) exceeds 1.0, when the first retardation layer and the polarizer 12 constitute an anti-reflection film (elliptical polarizing plate), the light leakage on the short wavelength side becomes large. "Re(450)/Re(550)" is preferably 0.7 or more and 1.0 or less, more preferably 0.80 or more and 0.95 or less, even more preferably 0.80 or more and 0.92 or less, and particularly preferably 0.82 or more and 0.88 or less. When a polymerizable liquid crystal compound is used to obtain the first retardation layer, the value of "Re(450)/Re(550)" can be arbitrarily adjusted by adjusting the mixing ratio of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

The Re(450) of the first retardation layer may be 110 nm or more and 150 nm or less, 115 nm or more and 140 nm or less, or 120 nm or more and 130 nm or less.

The in-plane retardation value of the first retardation layer can be adjusted by the thickness of the first retardation layer. The in-plane retardation value is determined by the following formula.
Re(λ)=d1×Δn(λ)
[Wherein,
Re(λ) represents the in-plane retardation value of the first retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm];
d1 represents the thickness of the first retardation layer,
Δn(λ) represents the birefringence of the first retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm].

As can be seen from the above formula, in order to obtain a desired in-plane retardation value (Re(λ)) of the first retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm], Δn(λ) and thickness d1 can be adjusted. The thickness of the first retardation layer is preferably 0.5 μm to 5 μm, and more preferably 1 μm to 3 μm. The thickness can be measured using an interference thickness meter, a laser microscope, or a stylus thickness meter. When a polymerizable liquid crystal compound is used to obtain the first retardation layer, Δn(λ) depends on the molecular structure of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

As described above, the retarder can include a retardation layer (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "second retardation layer") having a retardation in the thickness direction. The second retardation layer is, for example, a positive C plate. The retardation value Rth(550) in the thickness direction at a wavelength of 550 nm of the positive C plate is usually in the range of -170 nm or more and -10 nm or less, preferably -150 nm or more and -20 nm or less, and more preferably -100 nm or more and -40 nm. If the retardation value in the thickness direction of the positive C plate is in this range, when the retarder 13 and the polarizer 12 constitute an anti-reflection film (elliptical polarizing plate), the anti-reflection characteristics from oblique directions can be further improved. The retardation value Rth(550) can be measured by a retardation measuring device.

When the retardation layers (first retardation layer, second retardation layer, etc.) constituting the retardation body include a liquid crystal film, the retardation layers may be incorporated into the laminate in a state where they are laminated with a base layer (a second base layer described later) that supports them. The retardation layers and the base layer may be in direct contact with each other.

The retardation layer included in the retardation body may be a stretched film or a liquid crystal film including a liquid crystal membrane, but is preferably a liquid crystal film.

When the retardation layer is a stretched film, the stretched film may be a conventionally known film, and may be a resin film that has been uniaxially or biaxially stretched to impart retardation. Examples of resin films that may be used include, but are not limited to, cellulose films such as triacetyl cellulose and diacetyl cellulose, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, acrylic resin films such as polymethyl (meth)acrylate and polyethyl (meth)acrylate, polycarbonate films, polyethersulfone films, polysulfone films, polyimide films, polyolefin films, and polynorbornene films.

When the retardation layer is a stretched film, the thickness of the retardation layer is usually 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and more preferably 40 μm or less.

When the retardation layer is a liquid crystal film, the liquid crystal film can include a liquid crystal film formed by applying a composition containing a compound having liquid crystallinity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second composition") to the second substrate layer.

The second substrate layer may be one described for the first substrate layer. The second substrate layer may be peeled off when incorporated into the laminate, or may be used as a protective layer for the retardation layer without being peeled off. As the liquid crystal compound, a polymerizable liquid crystal compound that is a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, particularly a photopolymerizable group, may be used. As the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, for example, a polymerizable liquid crystal compound conventionally known in the field of retardation films may be used. The photopolymerizable group refers to a group that can participate in a polymerization reaction by a reactive species generated from a photopolymerization initiator, such as an active radical or an acid. As the photopolymerizable group, a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, an oxetanyl group, and the like may be used. Among them, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group are preferred, and an acryloyloxy group is more preferred. The liquid crystal may be either thermotropic or lyotropic, but thermotropic liquid crystal is preferred because it allows precise control of the film thickness. The phase order structure in the thermotropic liquid crystal may be either nematic or smectic. It may also be rod-shaped or discotic. The polymerizable liquid crystal compounds may be used alone or in combination.

［式（ＩＩ）中、
Ａｒは置換基を有していてもよい二価の芳香族基を表す。該二価の芳香族基中には窒素原子、酸素原子、硫黄原子のうち少なくとも１つ以上が含まれることが好ましい。二価の基Ａｒに含まれる芳香族基が２つ以上である場合、２つ以上の芳香族基は互いに単結合、－ＣＯ－Ｏ－、－Ｏ－等の二価の結合基で結合していてもよい。
Ｇ^１及びＧ^２はそれぞれ独立に、二価の芳香族基又は二価の脂環式炭化水素基を表す。ここで、該二価の芳香族基又は二価の脂環式炭化水素基に含まれる水素原子は、ハロゲン原子、炭素数１～４のアルキル基、炭素数１～４のフルオロアルキル基、炭素数１～４のアルコキシ基、シアノ基又はニトロ基に置換されていてもよく、該二価の芳香族基又は二価の脂環式炭化水素基を構成する炭素原子が、酸素原子、硫黄原子又は窒素原子に置換されていてもよい。
Ｌ^１、Ｌ^２、Ｂ^１及びＢ^２はそれぞれ独立に、単結合又は二価の連結基である。
ｋ、ｌは、それぞれ独立に０～３の整数を表し、１≦ｋ＋ｌの関係を満たす。ここで、２≦ｋ＋ｌである場合、Ｂ^１及びＢ^２、Ｇ^１及びＧ^２は、それぞれ互いに同一であってもよく、異なっていてもよい。
Ｅ^１及びＥ^２はそれぞれ独立に、炭素数１～１７のアルカンジイル基を表し、ここで、アルカンジイル基に含まれる水素原子は、ハロゲン原子で置換されていてもよく、該アルカンジイル基に含まれる－ＣＨ_２－は、－Ｏ－、－Ｓ－、－ＣＯＯ－で置換されていてもよく、－Ｏ－、－Ｓ－、－ＣＯＯ－を複数有する場合は互いに隣接しない。
Ｐ^１及びＰ^２は互いに独立に、重合性基又は水素原子を表し、少なくとも１つは重合性基である。］ When the first retardation layer (lambda / 4 retardation layer) is a liquid crystal film containing a liquid crystal cured film (liquid crystal film) obtained by polymerizing and curing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, it is preferable to contain a liquid crystal film in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is aligned in the horizontal direction.As the polymerizable liquid crystal compound used to obtain the first retardation layer, it is preferable to use a liquid crystal having a T-shaped or H-shaped mesogen structure that has further birefringence in the direction perpendicular to the molecular long axis direction from the viewpoint of reverse wavelength dispersion expression, and it is more preferable to use a T-shaped liquid crystal from the viewpoint of obtaining a stronger dispersion, and the structure of the T-shaped liquid crystal can be specifically exemplified by the compound represented by the following formula (II).

[In the formula (II),
Ar represents a divalent aromatic group which may have a substituent. The divalent aromatic group preferably contains at least one of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom. When the divalent group Ar contains two or more aromatic groups, the two or more aromatic groups may be bonded to each other via a divalent bonding group such as a single bond, -CO-O-, or -O-.
G ¹ and G ² each independently represent a divalent aromatic group or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, wherein a hydrogen atom contained in the divalent aromatic group or the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group, and a carbon atom constituting the divalent aromatic group or the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a nitrogen atom.
L ¹ , L ² , B ¹ and B ² each independently represent a single bond or a divalent linking group.
k and l each independently represent an integer of 0 to 3, and satisfy the relationship 1≦k+l, where, when 2≦k+l, B ¹ and B ² , G ¹ and G ² may be the same as or different from each other.
^E1 and ^E2 each independently represent an alkanediyl group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, in which a hydrogen atom contained in the alkanediyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom, and _-CH2- contained in the alkanediyl group may be substituted with -O-, -S- or -COO-, and when there are a plurality of -O-, -S- or -COO-, they are not adjacent to each other.
P ¹ and P ² each independently represent a polymerizable group or a hydrogen atom, and at least one of them is a polymerizable group.

G ¹ and G ² are each independently preferably a 1,4-phenylenediyl group which may be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a 1,4-cyclohexanediyl group which may be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a 1,4-phenylenediyl group substituted with a methyl group, an unsubstituted 1,4-phenylenediyl group, or an unsubstituted 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediyl group, and particularly preferably an unsubstituted 1,4-phenylenediyl group, or an unsubstituted 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediyl group.
At least one of a plurality of ^G1 and ^G2 is preferably a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, and more preferably at least one of ^G1 and ^G2 bonded to ^L1 or ^L2 is a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

L ¹ and L ² are each independently preferably a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -O-, -S-, -R ^a1 OR ^a2 -, -R ^a3 COOR ^a4 -, -R ^a5 OCOR ^a6 -, R ^a7 OC=OOR ^a8 -, -N=N-, -CR ^c =CR ^d -, or C≡C-. Here, R ^a1 to R ^a8 each independently represent a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ^c and R ^d represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom. L ¹ and L ² are each independently more preferably a single bond, -O ^Ra2-1 -, -CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -COOR ^a4-1 -, or OCOR ^a6-1 -. Here, R ^a2-1 , R ^a4-1 and R ^a6-1 each independently represent a single bond, -CH ₂ - or -CH 2 CH _{2 -} , and L ¹ and L ² each independently preferably represent a single bond, -O-, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -COO-, -COOCH ₂ CH ₂ - or OCO-.

B ¹ and B ² are each independently preferably a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -O-, -S-, -R ^a9 OR ^a10 -, -R ^a11 COOR ^a12 -, -R ^a13 OCOR ^a14 -, or R ^a15 OC═OOR ^a16 -. Here, R ^a9 to R ^a16 are each independently a single bond, or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. B ¹ and B ² are each independently more preferably a single bond, -OR ^a10-1 -, -CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -COOR ^a12-1 -, or OCOR ^a14-1 -. Here, R ^a10-1 , R ^a12-1 and R ^a14-1 each independently represent a single bond, -CH ₂ - or -CH ₂ CH ₂ -. B ¹ and B ² each independently represent more preferably a single bond, -O-, -CH ₂ CH ₂ -, -COO-, -COOCH ₂ CH ₂ -, -OCO- or OCOCH ₂ CH ₂ -.

From the viewpoint of expressing reverse wavelength dispersion, k and l are preferably in the range of 2≦k+l≦6, preferably k+l=4, and more preferably k=2 and l=2. k=2 and l=2 are preferable because they result in a symmetrical structure.

E ¹ and E ² each independently preferably represent an alkanediyl group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkanediyl group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Examples of the polymerizable group represented by ^P1 or ^P2 include an epoxy group, a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among these, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group are preferred, and an acryloyloxy group is more preferred.

It is preferable that Ar has at least one selected from an aromatic hydrocarbon ring which may have a substituent, an aromatic heterocycle which may have a substituent, and an electron-withdrawing group. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon ring include a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, and an anthracene ring, and a benzene ring and a naphthalene ring are preferable. Examples of the aromatic heterocycle include a furan ring, a benzofuran ring, a pyrrole ring, an indole ring, a thiophene ring, a benzothiophene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazole ring, a triazine ring, a pyrroline ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrazole ring, a thiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, a thienothiazole ring, an oxazole ring, a benzoxazole ring, and a phenanthroline ring. Among them, it is preferable that Ar has a thiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, or a benzofuran ring, and it is more preferable that Ar has a benzothiazole group. In addition, when Ar contains a nitrogen atom, it is preferable that the nitrogen atom has π electrons.

In formula (II), the total number Nπ of π electrons contained in the divalent aromatic group represented by Ar is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 14 or more, and particularly preferably 16 or more. It is also preferably 30 or less, more preferably 26 or less, and even more preferably 24 or less.

［式（Ａｒ－１）～式（Ａｒ－２３）中、
＊印は連結部を表し、
Ｚ^０、Ｚ^１及びＺ^２は、それぞれ独立に、水素原子、ハロゲン原子、炭素数１～１２のアルキル基、シアノ基、ニトロ基、炭素数１～１２のアルキルスルフィニル基、炭素数１～１２のアルキルスルホニル基、カルボキシル基、炭素数１～１２のフルオロアルキル基、炭素数１～６のアルコキシ基、炭素数１～１２のアルキルチオ基、炭素数１～１２のＮ－アルキルアミノ基、炭素数２～１２のＮ，Ｎ－ジアルキルアミノ基、炭素数１～１２のＮ－アルキルスルファモイル基又は炭素数２～１２のＮ，Ｎ－ジアルキルスルファモイル基を表す。
Ｑ^１及びＱ^２は、それぞれ独立に、－ＣＲ^２’Ｒ^３’－、－Ｓ－、－ＮＨ－、－ＮＲ^２’－、－ＣＯ－又はＯ－を表し、Ｒ^２’及びＲ^３’は、それぞれ独立に、水素原子又は炭素数１～４のアルキル基を表す。
Ｊ^１及びＪ^２は、それぞれ独立に、炭素原子、又は窒素原子を表す。
Ｙ^１、Ｙ^２及びＹ^３は、それぞれ独立に、置換されていてもよい芳香族炭化水素基又は芳香族複素環基を表す。
Ｗ^１及びＷ^２は、それぞれ独立に、水素原子、シアノ基、メチル基又はハロゲン原子を表す。
ｍは０～６の整数を表す。］ Suitable examples of the aromatic group represented by Ar include the following groups.

[In formula (Ar-1) to formula (Ar-23),
* indicates the connection part.
Z ⁰ , Z ¹ and Z ² each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkylsulfonyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a carboxyl group, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an N-alkylamino group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an N,N-dialkylamino group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an N-alkylsulfamoyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms.
Q ¹ and Q ² each independently represent -CR ^{2 '} R ^{3 '} -, -S-, -NH-, -NR ^{2 '} -, -CO- or O-, and R ² ' and R ^{3 '} each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
J ¹ and J ² each independently represent a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom.
Y ¹ , Y ² and Y ³ each independently represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group which may be substituted.
W ¹ and W ² each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a methyl group or a halogen atom.
m represents an integer of 0 to 6.

Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group in ^Y1 , ^Y2 , and ^Y3 include aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a phenanthryl group, and a biphenyl group, of which a phenyl group and a naphthyl group are preferred, and a phenyl group is more preferred. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include aromatic heterocyclic groups having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and containing at least one heteroatom, such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, such as a furyl group, a pyrrolyl group, a thienyl group, a pyridinyl group, a thiazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group, of which a furyl group, a thienyl group, a pyridinyl group, a thiazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group are preferred.

^Y1 , ^Y2 and ^Y3 may each independently be an optionally substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group refers to a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or a group derived from an aromatic ring assembly. The polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group refers to a condensed polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group or a group derived from an aromatic ring assembly.

Z ⁰ , Z ¹ and Z ² are each preferably independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, Z ⁰ is more preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a cyano group, and Z ¹ and Z ² are more preferably a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a methyl group, or a cyano group.

^Q1 and ^Q2 are preferably -NH-, -S-, ^-NR2'- or -O-, and R2 ^' is preferably a hydrogen atom. Among these, -S-, -O- or -NH- is particularly preferred.

Among the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-1) to (Ar-23), the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-6) and (Ar-7) are preferred from the viewpoint of molecular stability.

In the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-16) to (Ar-23), Y ¹ may form an aromatic heterocyclic group together with the nitrogen atom to which it is bonded and Z ^0. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include those described above as aromatic heterocyclic rings that Ar may have, such as a pyrrole ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrroline ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, an indole ring, a quinoline ring, an isoquinoline ring, a purine ring, and a pyrrolidine ring. This aromatic heterocyclic group may have a substituent. In addition, Y ¹ may be, together with the nitrogen atom to which it is bonded and Z ⁰ , the aforementioned polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group which may be substituted. Examples include a benzofuran ring, a benzothiazole ring, and a benzoxazole ring.

Among the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds, compounds having a maximum absorption wavelength of 300 to 400 nm are preferred. When a photopolymerization initiator is contained in the second composition containing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the polymerization reaction and gelation of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound may progress during long-term storage. However, if the maximum absorption wavelength of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is 300 to 400 nm, even if the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is exposed to ultraviolet light during storage, the generation of reactive species from the photopolymerization initiator and the polymerization reaction and gelation of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound caused by the reactive species can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, it is advantageous in terms of long-term stability of the second composition, and the alignment property and film thickness uniformity of the liquid crystal cured film contained in the first retardation layer can be improved. The maximum absorption wavelength of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be measured using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer in a solvent. The solvent is a solvent that can dissolve the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and examples of the solvent include chloroform.

The content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the second composition is, for example, 70 to 99.5 parts by mass, preferably 80 to 99 parts by mass, more preferably 85 to 98 parts by mass, and even more preferably 90 to 95 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the second composition. If the content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is within the above range, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of the alignment of the obtained liquid crystal cured film. In this specification, the solid content of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition means all components of the second composition excluding volatile components such as organic solvents.

The retardation layer (first retardation layer or second retardation layer) which is a liquid crystal film may include a second alignment layer in addition to the liquid crystal film. The second alignment layer may be selected according to the direction in which the liquid crystal compound is aligned, and may be a vertical alignment layer or a horizontal alignment layer. If the second alignment layer is a material that exhibits horizontal alignment as an alignment control force, the liquid crystal compound can form a horizontal alignment or a hybrid alignment, and if the second alignment layer is a material that exhibits vertical alignment, the liquid crystal compound can form a vertical alignment or an inclined alignment. The expressions horizontal, vertical, and the like represent the direction of the long axis of the aligned liquid crystal compound when the plane of the retardation layer is used as a reference. For example, vertical alignment means that the long axis of the aligned liquid crystal compound is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the retardation layer. The term "vertical" here means 90°±20° with respect to the plane of the retardation layer. Examples of the second alignment layer include those described for the first alignment layer.

The thickness of the liquid crystal film is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

(Laminating layer)
The lamination layer is at least one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an adhesive layer, and may include both a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an adhesive layer. In addition to the lamination layer 15 disposed between the light absorption anisotropic layer 11 and the polarizer 12, the laminates 1 and 2 may include lamination layers for laminating the layers included in the laminates 1 and 2.

When the pasting layer is an adhesive layer, it is an adhesive layer formed using an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition or the reaction product of the adhesive composition exhibits adhesive properties when it is attached to an adherend, and is known as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In addition, the adhesive layer formed using the active energy ray-curable adhesive composition described below can be irradiated with active energy rays to adjust the degree of crosslinking and adhesive strength.

As the adhesive composition, any adhesive having excellent optical transparency that has been known in the art can be used without any particular restrictions. For example, an adhesive composition containing a base polymer such as an acrylic polymer, a urethane polymer, a silicone polymer, or a polyvinyl ether can be used. The adhesive composition may be an active energy ray curable adhesive composition or a heat curable adhesive composition. Among these, an adhesive composition having an acrylic resin as a base polymer, which is excellent in transparency, adhesive strength, removability (reworkability), weather resistance, heat resistance, etc., is preferable. The adhesive layer is preferably composed of a reaction product of an adhesive composition containing a (meth)acrylic resin, a crosslinking agent, and a silane compound, and may contain other components.

The adhesive composition for forming the adhesive layer may contain a base polymer such as an acrylic polymer, a urethane polymer, a silicone polymer, or a polyvinyl ether. The adhesive composition may be an active energy ray curable adhesive, a heat curable adhesive, or the like. Among these, an adhesive having a (meth)acrylic resin as a base polymer, which is excellent in transparency, adhesive strength, removability (reworkability), weather resistance, heat resistance, and the like, is preferred. The adhesive layer is preferably composed of a reaction product of an adhesive containing a (meth)acrylic resin, a crosslinking agent, and a silane compound, and may contain other components.

The adhesive layer may be formed using an active energy ray curable adhesive. The active energy ray curable adhesive is prepared by blending an ultraviolet-curable compound such as a multifunctional acrylate with the above-mentioned adhesive composition, forming an adhesive layer, and then curing the adhesive layer by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, thereby forming a harder adhesive layer. The active energy ray curable adhesive has the property of being cured by irradiation with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams. The active energy ray curable adhesive has adhesiveness even before irradiation with energy rays, and therefore has the property of being able to adhere to the adherend and to be cured by irradiation with energy rays to adjust the adhesion.

The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is usually 5 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and may be 10 μm or more and 250 μm or less, 15 μm or more and 100 μm or less, or 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

When the lamination layer is an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer can be formed using an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition for forming the adhesive layer is an adhesive other than a pressure-sensitive adhesive (adhesive), such as a water-based adhesive or an active energy ray-curable adhesive.

An example of a water-based adhesive is an adhesive in which polyvinyl alcohol resin is dissolved or dispersed in water. There are no particular limitations on the drying method when using a water-based adhesive, but for example, a drying method using a hot air dryer or an infrared dryer can be used.

The lamination layer is preferably a layer formed from a resin composition containing a water-soluble polymer as a water-based adhesive (hereinafter also referred to as a "water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition"). The water-soluble polymer has a polarity significantly different from that of the dichroic dye, and therefore can prevent the diffusion of the dichroic dye contained in the light absorption anisotropic layer. Examples of such water-soluble polymers include polyacrylamide-based polymers; vinyl alcohol-based polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, and (meth)acrylic acid or its anhydride-vinyl alcohol copolymers; carboxyvinyl-based polymers; polyvinylpyrrolidone; starches; sodium alginate; polyethylene oxide-based polymers, and the like. These polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the lamination layer is a layer formed from a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition, the content of the water-soluble polymer in the layer is preferably 75% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 85% by mass or more.

When the lamination layer is a layer formed from a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition, a crosslinking structure may be introduced using a crosslinking agent in order to increase the density of the layer and improve the diffusion prevention function of the dichroic dye contained in the light absorption anisotropic layer. Examples of such crosslinking agents include water-soluble crosslinking agents such as ionic crosslinking agents such as glyoxylate salts and epoxy crosslinking agents, as well as hydrophobic crosslinking agents such as isocyanate crosslinking agents, polyaldehyde crosslinking agents such as glyoxal and glyoxal derivatives, and metal compound crosslinking agents such as zirconium chloride or titanium lactate for the purpose of imparting water resistance.

When a crosslinking agent is used to introduce a crosslinked structure into the lamination layer, the amount of the crosslinking agent added may be appropriately determined depending on the type of crosslinking agent used, etc. For example, the amount may be 0.1 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight, and more preferably 10 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the water-soluble polymer. By setting the content of the crosslinking agent within the above range, the lamination layer tends to become dense, and the anti-diffusion function of the dichroic dye contained in the light-absorption anisotropic layer tends to be improved.

The water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition capable of forming the lamination layer is usually prepared as a solution in which the water-soluble polymer is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent may be selected according to the water-soluble polymer used, but typically includes water, alcohol, a mixture of water and alcohol, etc., with water being preferred.

Examples of active energy ray-curable adhesives include solvent-free active energy ray-curable adhesives that contain a curable compound that cures when exposed to active energy rays such as ultraviolet light, visible light, electron beams, and X-rays. By using a solvent-free active energy ray-curable adhesive, it is possible to improve the adhesion between layers.

When the lamination layer is an adhesive layer, the thickness is preferably 0.05 μm or more, more preferably 0.1 μm or more, and preferably 10 μm or less, more preferably 5 μm or less, and even more preferably 1 μm or less.

In the laminates 1 and 2, when the attachment layer 15 includes one adhesive layer and one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the adhesive layer, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and polarizer 12 may be arranged in this order from the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 side, or the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, adhesive layer, and polarizer 12 may be arranged in this order from the light-absorbing anisotropic layer 11 side.

(Organic EL display device)
The organic EL display device is a device in which the above-mentioned laminate is laminated on a display element via an adhesive layer. In the organic EL display device, the laminate is assembled so that the light absorption anisotropic layer side is the viewing side. The adhesive layer may be the adhesive layer described as the attachment layer.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples and comparative examples, "%" and "parts" are by mass % and parts by mass unless otherwise specified.

[Preparation of base layer]
(Base layer (1): TAC film)
A triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film (KC4UY-TAC, manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc.) was prepared as the base layer (1). The thickness of the base layer (1) was 40 μm.

(Base layer (2): PET film)
A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (Diafoil T140E25, manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.) was prepared as the base layer (2). The thickness of the base layer (2) was 38 μm.

(Substrate layer (3): HC layer/COP film)
A hard coat layer-forming composition containing an ultraviolet absorber was prepared by mixing 70 parts of a polyfunctional acrylate ("A-DPH-12E": manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.), 30 parts of a urethane acrylate ("UV-7650B": manufactured by Nippon Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), 3 parts of a polymerization initiator ("NCI-730": manufactured by ADEKA Corporation), 2 parts of a compound represented by the following formula (UVA-04), and 34 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. The compound represented by the formula (UVA-04) was synthesized with reference to the description of Synthesis Example 4 in JP-A-2017-120430.

Next, one side of a COP film (G+, manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was subjected to corona treatment, and a hard coat layer-forming composition was applied with a bar coater to form a coating layer. Dry air at a temperature of 100°C was passed through the coating layer on the COP film at a flow rate of 0.5 m/s for 90 seconds to evaporate the solvent, and ultraviolet rays were irradiated in a nitrogen atmosphere (oxygen concentration 200 ppm or less) so that the integrated light amount was 400 mJ/ ^cm2 to form a hard coat layer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "HC layer") containing an ultraviolet absorber with a thickness of 5 μm, which was used as the substrate layer (3). The substrate layer (3) had a layer structure of HC layer/COP film and a thickness of 30 μm.

(Base layer (4): COP film)
A cycloolefin polymer (COP) film (ZF-14-50, manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was prepared as the substrate layer (4). The thickness of the substrate layer (4) was 50 μm.

[Preparation of lamination layer]
(Preparation of Adhesive Layer (1))
As the adhesive layer (1), an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (manufactured by Lintec Corporation) having a thickness of 15 μm was prepared.

(Preparation of Adhesive Layer (2))
As the adhesive layer (2), an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (manufactured by Lintec Corporation) having a thickness of 20 μm was prepared.

(Preparation of Water-Based Adhesive)
A water-based adhesive was prepared by adding 3 parts of a carboxyl group-modified polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Poval KL318, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) and 1.5 parts of a water-soluble polyamide epoxy resin (Sumirez Resin 650 (aqueous solution with a solids concentration of 30%), manufactured by Sumika Chemtex Co., Ltd.) to 100 parts of water.

[Preparation of polarizing plate]
(Preparation of Polarizer)
A polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film having an average degree of polymerization of about 2,400 and a thickness of 30 μm and a saponification degree of 99.9 mol% or more was immersed in pure water at a temperature of 30° C., and then immersed in an aqueous solution having a weight ratio of iodine/potassium iodide/water of 0.02/2/100 at a temperature of 30° C. to perform iodine dyeing (iodine dyeing step). The polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film that had undergone the iodine dyeing step was immersed in an aqueous solution having a weight ratio of potassium iodide/boric acid/water of 12/5/100 at a temperature of 56.5° C. to perform boric acid treatment (boric acid treatment step). The polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film that had undergone the boric acid treatment step was washed with pure water at a temperature of 8° C., and then dried at a temperature of 65° C., and iodine was adsorbed and aligned in the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin film, and a polarizer (thickness 12 μm after stretching) having a structure crosslinked by boron (crosslinked structure of borate ester) was obtained. In this case, the film was stretched in the iodine dyeing step and the boric acid treatment step, and the total stretching ratio in this stretching was 5.3 times.

(Preparation of Polarizing Plate)
The substrate layer (1) prepared above was used as a protective film. The polarizer prepared above and the saponified substrate layer (1) were bonded together by nip rolls via the aqueous adhesive. The resulting laminate was dried at 60° C. for 2 minutes while applying tension to obtain a polarizing plate having the substrate layer (1) on one side of the polarizer. The polarizing plate had a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/adhesive layer/polarizer.

The optical properties of the polarizing plate were measured using a spectrophotometer (V7100, JASCO Corporation) with the polarizer surface of the polarizing plate as the incident surface, and the luminous efficiency-corrected single transmittance was 42.7%, and the luminous efficiency-corrected polarization degree was 99.991%.

[Preparation of Retardation Layer]
(Preparation of Retardation Layer (1))
A composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer was prepared by mixing 5 parts of a photoalignment material (weight average molecular weight: 30,000) having the structure shown below with 95 parts of cyclopentanone (solvent) and stirring the resulting mixture at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour.

重合性液晶化合物（２）：

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1) and polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2) having the structures shown below were prepared. Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1) was produced according to the method described in JP-A-2010-31223. Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2) was produced according to the method described in JP-A-2009-173893.
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1):

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2):

A solution was obtained by dissolving 1 mg of polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1) in 50 mL of tetrahydrofuran. The obtained solution was placed in a measurement cell with an optical path length of 1 cm, and the measurement sample was placed in an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-2450, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) to measure the absorption spectrum. The wavelength at which the maximum absorbance was obtained was read from the obtained absorption spectrum, and the maximum absorption wavelength λmax in the wavelength range of 300 to 400 nm was 350 nm.

The polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1) and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2) were mixed in a mass ratio of 90:10 to obtain a mixture.
To the mixture were added 0.1 parts of 2-dimethylamino-2-benzyl-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one (Irgacure (registered trademark) 369 (Irg369), manufactured by BASF Japan Ltd.) as a photopolymerization initiator. Furthermore, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was added so that the solid content concentration was 13%. The mixture was stirred at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 hour to prepare a second composition for forming a liquid crystal film.

After subjecting the base layer (4) to a corona treatment, the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer prepared above was applied using a bar coater, dried at a temperature of 80° C. for 1 minute, and exposed to polarized UV light at a wavelength of 313 nm with an integrated light amount of 100 mJ/cm ² using a polarized UV irradiation device (SPOT CURE SP-9, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) to form a horizontal alignment layer. The thickness of the horizontal alignment layer was measured with an ellipsometer and found to be 200 nm.

Next, the second composition prepared above was applied onto the horizontal alignment layer using a bar coater, and heated at a temperature of 120° C. for 60 seconds. Then, ultraviolet light was irradiated from the surface onto which the second composition was applied using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Unicur VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) (under a nitrogen atmosphere, cumulative light amount at a wavelength of 365 nm: 500 mJ/cm ² ), thereby forming a liquid crystal film (cured liquid crystal film) which is a cured layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and forming a retardation layer (1) having a layer structure of a horizontal alignment layer and a cured liquid crystal film. As a result, a substrate-attached retardation layer having a layer structure of a substrate layer (4)/retardation layer (1) (horizontal alignment layer/cured liquid crystal film) was obtained.

After confirming that the substrate layer (4) had no phase difference, the in-plane phase difference values of the substrate-attached phase difference layer at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm were measured using a phase difference measuring device (KOBRA-WPR, manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.), and the in-plane phase difference values Re(450) and Re(550) of the phase difference layer (1) at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm were calculated. As a result, the Re(550) of the phase difference layer (1) was 142 nm, the Re(450) was 121 nm, and Re(450)/Re(550) was 0.85.

(Retardation Layer (2))
A retardation layer (2) was obtained by transversely uniaxially stretching an unstretched film made of a norbornene-based resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 125° C. in an atmosphere at a temperature of 128° C. The uniaxial stretching was performed using a tenter-type stretching machine.

Using a retardation measuring device (KOBRA-WPR, manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.), the in-plane retardation values of the retardation layer (2) at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm were measured, and the in-plane retardation values Re(450) and Re(550) of the retardation layer (2) at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm were calculated. As a result, the Re(550) of the retardation layer (2) was 142 nm, the Re(450) was 143 nm, and Re(450)/Re(550) was 1.01. The direction of the slow axis of the retardation layer (2) was 90° to the longitudinal direction of the film (stretching direction).

Example 1
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (1))
The components shown below were mixed and stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour to obtain a liquid crystal composition (1).
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (3): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (4): 25 parts Dichroic dye (1): 1 part Polymerization initiator (1) [2-hydroxy-1-(4-isopropenylphenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-one oligomer (Esacure ONE; α-hydroxyketone compound), manufactured by IGM Resins B.V.]: 1.5 parts Non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group (dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (6 functional)): 1.5 parts Leveling agent (F-556, manufactured by DIC): 0.25 parts Solvent (o-xylene): 300 parts

・重合性液晶化合物（４）：

The polymerizable liquid crystal compounds (3) and (4) have the structures shown below and were synthesized according to the method described in Lub et al., Recl. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 115, 321-328 (1996).
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (3):

Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (4):

The dichroic dye (1) used was an azo-based dye having the structure shown below and described in the Examples of JP-A-2013-101328. The maximum absorption wavelength of the dichroic dye (1) measured in a chloroform solution was 600 nm.
Dichroic dye (1):

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (a) with Substrate)
The substrate layer (1) was cut into a square shape and subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under the conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m/min. The liquid crystal composition (1) was applied to the corona-treated surface of the cut substrate layer (1) using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at a temperature of 100°C. Next, a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) was used to irradiate ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, accumulated light amount at a wavelength of 365 nm: 500 mJ/cm ² ) to form a light absorption anisotropic layer (1) in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye were aligned perpendicular to the coating film plane. As a result, a light absorption anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (1) was obtained.

(Preparation of Laminate (1))
The light absorption anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate, the polarizing plate, and the retardation layer with a substrate prepared above were used to subject the light absorption anisotropic layer (1) and the retardation layer (1) to corona treatment, and these were attached to the adhesive layer (1) to obtain a laminate (1). The laminate (1) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (1)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). In the laminate (1), the angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer and the slow axis of the retardation layer (1) is 45°. The substrate layer (1) serves as a protective layer for the light absorption anisotropic layer (1), and the adhesive layer (1) between the light absorption anisotropic layer (1) and the polarizing plate serves as a bonding layer.

[Examples 2 and 3]
(Preparation of substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layers (b) and (c))
Except for changing the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to the thickness shown in Table 1, the same procedure as for producing the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate was followed to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (b) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2), and an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (c) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (3).

(Preparation of Laminates (2) and (3))
Except for changing the light absorption anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate to the light absorption anisotropic layer (b) with a substrate and the light absorption anisotropic layer (c), the laminates (2) and (3) were obtained according to the procedure for preparing the laminate (1). The laminate (2) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (2)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). The laminate (3) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (3)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 4
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (2))
A liquid crystal composition (2) was obtained according to the same procedure as for preparing the liquid crystal composition (1), except that 1.5 parts of the polymerization initiator (1) was changed to 2.0 parts of the polymerization initiator (2) shown below.
Polymerization initiator (2) [Irgacure OXE-01 (oxime ester compound), manufactured by BASF]: 2.0 parts

(Preparation of substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d))
A substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d) having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (4) was obtained according to the same procedure for preparing the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a), except that the liquid crystal composition (1) was changed to the liquid crystal composition (2).

(Preparation of Laminate (4))
A laminate (4) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (1), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate was changed to an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d) with a substrate. The laminate (4) has a layer structure of a substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (4)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

[Examples 5 and 6]
(Preparation of substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layers (e) and (f))
Except for changing the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to the thickness shown in Table 1, the same procedure as for producing the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d) with a substrate was followed to produce an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (e) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (5), and an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (f) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (6).

(Preparation of Laminates (5) and (6))
Except for changing the light absorption anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate to the light absorption anisotropic layer (e) with a substrate and the light absorption anisotropic layer (f), the laminates (5) and (6) were obtained according to the procedure for preparing the laminate (4). The laminate (5) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (5)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). The laminate (6) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (6)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 7
(Preparation of Laminate (7))
A laminate (7) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (1), except that the retardation layer with the substrate was changed to the retardation layer (2). The laminate (7) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (1)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (2).

Example 8
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (3))
A liquid crystal composition (3) was obtained according to the same procedure as for preparing the liquid crystal composition (1), except that 1.5 parts of the polymerization initiator (1) was changed to 3.0 parts of the polymerization initiator (3) shown below.
Polymerization initiator (3) [Irgacure 184 (α-hydroxyketone compound), manufactured by BASF]: 3.0 parts

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (g) with Substrate)
A substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (g) having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (7) was obtained according to the procedure for preparing the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a), except that the liquid crystal composition (1) was changed to the liquid crystal composition (3).

(Preparation of Laminate (8))
A laminate (8) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (1), except that the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) was changed to a substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (g). The laminate (8) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (7)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 9
(Preparation of composition for forming alignment layer)
A composition for forming an alignment layer was obtained by adding 27.7 parts of propylene glycol monomethyl ether to 0.3 parts (solid content concentration 1.0%) of an alignment polymer Sunever (registered trademark) SE-610 (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The solid content concentration of the alignment polymer was calculated from the concentration of the solid content amount described in the delivery specification.

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (h) with Substrate)
The COP film surface of the base layer (3) was subjected to a corona treatment once at an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m/min using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) The composition for forming an alignment layer was applied to the corona-treated surface of the base layer (3) using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at a temperature of 120° C. to obtain an alignment layer.

A light-absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (3) (HC layer/COP film)/alignment layer/light-absorptive anisotropic layer (4) was obtained in accordance with the procedure for preparing light-absorptive anisotropic layer (d) with a substrate, except that the liquid crystal composition (2) was applied on the alignment layer obtained above, rather than on the substrate layer (1).

(Preparation of Laminate (9))
The light absorption anisotropic layer (4) of the light absorption anisotropic layer (h) with the substrate prepared above was subjected to corona treatment. While tension was applied to the light absorption anisotropic layer (h) with the substrate and the polarizing plate prepared above, the light absorption anisotropic layer (4) side of the light absorption anisotropic layer (h) with the substrate and the polarizer side of the polarizing plate were bonded together via a water-based adhesive, and dried at a temperature of 80 ° C. for 2 minutes to form an adhesive layer (lamination layer). As a result, a laminated structure (x) of the substrate layer (1) / light absorption anisotropic layer (4) / adhesive layer / polarizing plate (polarizer / substrate layer (1)) was obtained. The retardation layer (1) of the retardation layer with the substrate was subjected to corona treatment, and the retardation layer (1) side of the retardation layer with the substrate was laminated on the polarizing plate side of the laminated structure (x) via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1) to obtain a laminate (9). The laminate (9) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (3) (HC layer/COP film)/alignment layer/light absorption anisotropic layer (4)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). The cross section of the laminate (9) was observed with a laser microscope, and the thickness of the adhesive layer was determined to be 0.5 μm.

Example 10
(Preparation of Laminate (10))
A laminate (10) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (9), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate was changed to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate. The laminate (10) has a layer structure of a substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 11
(Preparation of Laminate (11))
A laminate (11) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (9), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate was changed to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d) with a substrate. The laminate (11) has a layer structure of a substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (4)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 12
(Preparation of Laminate (12))
The optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate was prepared by the above-mentioned preparation procedure, and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) was subjected to a corona treatment. A water-based adhesive was applied to the corona-treated surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate using a bar coater, and then dried for 2 minutes in a drying oven set at a temperature of 80 ° C. to form an adhesive layer. Thereafter, the polarizer side of the polarizing plate was attached to the adhesive layer formed on the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1). This resulted in a laminated structure (y) of the substrate layer (1) / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) / adhesive layer / pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1) / polarizing plate (polarizer / substrate layer (1)). The retardation layer (1) of the retardation layer with a substrate was subjected to a corona treatment, and the retardation layer (1) side of the retardation layer with a substrate was laminated to the polarizing plate side of the laminated structure (y) via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1) to obtain a laminate (12). The laminate (12) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/light absorption anisotropic layer (1)/adhesive layer/pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). The cross section of the laminate (11) was observed with a laser microscope, and the thickness of the adhesive layer was determined to be 0.5 μm.

Example 13
(Preparation of Laminate (13))
A laminate (13) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (12), except that the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) was changed to a substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d). The laminate (13) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (4)/adhesive layer/pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 14
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (4))
A liquid crystal composition (4) was obtained according to the preparation procedure of liquid crystal composition (1), except that 1 part of dichroic dye (1) was changed to 1 part of dichroic dye (2). As the dichroic dye (2), an azo dye having the structure shown below and described in the examples of JP-A-2013-101328 was used. The maximum absorption wavelength of dichroic dye (2) measured in a chloroform solution was 488 nm.
Dichroic dye (2):

(Preparation of substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (i))
An optically absorptive anisotropic layer (i) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (8) was obtained according to the procedure for preparing the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate, except that the liquid crystal composition (1) was changed to the liquid crystal composition (4).

(Preparation of Laminate (14))
A laminate (14) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (9), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate was changed to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (i) with a substrate. The laminate (14) has a layer structure of a substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (8)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 15
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (5))
A liquid crystal composition (5) was obtained according to the preparation procedure of liquid crystal composition (1), except that 1 part of dichroic dye (1) was replaced with 1 part of dichroic dye (3). As the dichroic dye (3), an azo dye having the structure shown below and described in the examples of JP2013-101328A was used. The maximum absorption wavelength of the dichroic dye (3) measured in a chloroform solution was 445 nm.
Dichroic dye (3):

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (j) with Substrate)
An optically absorptive anisotropic layer (j) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (9) was obtained according to the procedure for preparing the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) with a substrate, except that the liquid crystal composition (1) was changed to the liquid crystal composition (5).

(Preparation of Laminate (15))
A laminate (15) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (9), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate was changed to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (j) with a substrate. The laminate (15) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (9)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Example 16
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (6))
A liquid crystal composition (6) was obtained according to the preparation procedure of the liquid crystal composition (1), except that 1 part of the dichroic dye (1) was changed to 1 part of the dichroic dye (1) and 2 parts of the dichroic dye (2).

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (k) with Substrate)
Except for changing the liquid crystal composition (1) to the liquid crystal composition (6), the same procedure as for preparing the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) was followed to obtain a substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (k) having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (10).

(Preparation of Laminate (16))
A laminate (16) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (9), except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (h) with a substrate was changed to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (k) with a substrate. The laminate (16) has a layer structure of a substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (10)/adhesive layer/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

Comparative Example 1
(Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition (7))
A liquid crystal composition (7) was obtained according to the preparation procedure for liquid crystal composition (1), except that the components were changed as shown below.
Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (3): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (4): 25 parts Dichroic dye (1): 2.8 parts Polymerization initiator (4) [Irgacure 369 (aminoketone compound), manufactured by BASF]: 6.0 parts Leveling agent (BYK-361N (polyacrylate compound), manufactured by BYK-Chemie)): 0.3 parts Solvent (o-xylene): 300 parts

(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (m) with Substrate)
The substrate layer (2) was cut into a square shape and subjected to a corona treatment once at an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m/min using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) The composition for forming the alignment layer prepared above was applied to the corona-treated surface of the cut substrate layer (2) using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at a temperature of 120° C. to obtain an alignment layer.

A liquid crystal composition (7) was applied onto the alignment layer using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at a temperature of 100° C. Next, a high-pressure mercury lamp (Unicur VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) was used to irradiate with ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, integrated light amount at wavelength 365 nm: 1000 mJ/cm ² ) to form an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (11) in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye were aligned perpendicular to the coating plane. This resulted in a substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (m) having a layer structure of substrate layer (2)/alignment layer/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (11).

(Preparation of Laminate (17))
The light absorption anisotropic layer (m) with a substrate, the polarizing plate, and the retardation layer with a substrate prepared above were used to subject the light absorption anisotropic layer (11) and the retardation layer (1) to corona treatment, and these were attached to the adhesive layer (2) to obtain a laminate (17). The laminate (17) has a layer structure of the substrate layer (2)/orientation layer/light absorption anisotropic layer (11)/adhesive layer (2)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (2)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4). In the laminate (17), the angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer and the slow axis of the retardation layer (1) is 45°.

Comparative Example 2
(Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (n) with Substrate)
Except for changing the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to that shown in Table 3, the same procedure as for producing the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (d) with a substrate was followed to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (n) with a substrate having a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (12).

(Preparation of Laminate (18))
A laminate (18) was obtained according to the procedure for producing the laminate (1), except that the substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (a) was changed to a substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (n). The laminate (18) has a layer structure of substrate layer (1)/optically absorptive anisotropic layer (12)/adhesive layer (1)/polarizing plate (polarizer/substrate layer (1))/adhesive layer (1)/retardation layer (1) (liquid crystal cured film/horizontal alignment layer)/substrate layer (4).

[Measurement of Phase Transition Temperature of Polymerizable Liquid Crystal Compound]
While the polymerizable liquid crystal compound was heated on the glass substrate on which the alignment layer was formed, the phase transition temperature was confirmed by observing the texture with a polarizing microscope (BX-51, manufactured by Olympus Corporation).

When the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (3) was heated, it exhibited a smectic A phase from a crystalline phase at a temperature of 95°C, a phase transition to a nematic phase at a temperature of 111°C, and a phase transition to an isotropic liquid phase at a temperature of 113°C. When the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (3) was heated, it was confirmed that it exhibited a phase transition to a nematic phase at a temperature of 112°C, a phase transition to a smectic A phase at a temperature of 110°C, and a phase transition to a smectic B phase at a temperature of 94°C.

When the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (4) was heated, it exhibited a smectic A phase from a crystalline phase at a temperature of 81°C, transitioned to a nematic phase at a temperature of 121°C, and transitioned to an isotropic liquid phase at a temperature of 137°C. When the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (4) was heated, it was confirmed that it transitioned to a nematic phase at a temperature of 133°C, to a smectic A phase at a temperature of 118°C, and to a smectic B phase at a temperature of 78°C.

For reference, the textures of BASF's thermotropic nematic liquid crystal LC242 and polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1) were observed in the same manner. These showed only a nematic phase and did not show a clear smectic phase.

[Measurement of absorbance of optically absorptive anisotropic layer]
(Preparation of Optically Absorbing Anisotropic Layer)
An optically absorbing anisotropic layer (1) was formed on a substrate-attached optically absorbing anisotropic layer (a) according to the procedure for preparing the substrate-attached optically absorbing anisotropic layer (a) on the substrate layer (4), except that the substrate layer (1) was changed to the substrate layer (4). The optically absorbing anisotropic layer (1) side of the substrate layer (4) was attached to a piece of glass having a size of 4 cm x 4 cm and a thickness of 0.7 mm via the adhesive layer prepared above, to prepare a measurement sample (1). Measurement samples (2) to (7) were prepared in the same manner as the measurement sample (1), except that the liquid crystal composition (1) was changed to liquid crystal compositions (2) to (7).

(Measurement of absorbance)
The measurement sample prepared above was set in an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (UV-2450, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) to measure the absorbance, and the absorbances Ax, Ay, Ax (z = 30 °), Ax (z = 60 °), Ay (z = 30 °), and Ay (z = 60 °) at the maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) in the wavelength range of 380 to 780 nm were measured. In the measurement, the measurement sample was set in the ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, and the absorbance at a wavelength of 800 nm was corrected to be zero, and then Ax was measured. Similarly, Ax (z = 30 °), Ax (z = 60 °), Ay (z = 30 °), and Ay (z = 60 °) were also set in a state inclined at 30 ° or 60 °, and the absorbance at a wavelength of 800 nm was corrected to be zero, and then measured. Ax and Ax(z=60°) are as explained in the above formulas (1) to (3). Ay, Ax(z=30°), Ay(z=30°), and Ay(z=60°) are as explained in the method for estimating absorbance Az in formula (1). The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

The satisfaction of the relationship of the above formula (1) was determined by the following procedure.
With the measurement sample rotated 30° and 60° so as to include the y-axis, Ax(z=30°) and Ax(z=60°) were measured by incidenting the same linearly polarized light as used to measure Ax. Similarly, with the measurement sample rotated 30° and 60° so as to include the x-axis, Ay(z=30°) and Ay(z=60°) were measured by incidenting the same linearly polarized light as used to measure Ay.
When there is no absorption anisotropy in the xy plane, i.e., when Ax and Ay are equal, Ax(z=30°)=Ay(z=30°) and Ax(z=60°)=Ay(z=60°), so Ax(z=30°) and Ay(z=30°) were defined as A(z=30°), Ax(z=60°) and Ay(z=60°) were defined as A(z=60), and Ax(z=90°) and Ay(z=90°) were defined as A(z=90).
When the relationship A(z=30°)<A(z=60°) holds, the relationship A(z=30°)<A(z=60°)<A(z=90°)=Az is satisfied, and therefore it was determined that if A(z=30°)>(Ax+Ay)/2 or A(z=60°)>(Ax+Ay)/2 holds, the relationship of the above formula (2) is satisfied.

[Measurement of thickness of optically absorptive anisotropic layer]
The thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer was measured by an ellipsometer (M-220 manufactured by JASCO Corporation). The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[Appearance evaluation of laminate (1)]
(Evaluation of Appearance of Initial Laminate (1))
The base layer (4) was peeled off from the laminates prepared in the examples and comparative examples other than Example 7, and the laminates were attached to alkali-free glass having a thickness of 0.7 mm via the adhesive layer (2) prepared above to prepare evaluation samples. The laminates prepared in Example 7 were attached to alkali-free glass having a thickness of 0.7 mm via the adhesive layer (2) prepared above to prepare evaluation samples. The front glass and polarizing plate were removed from SAMSUNG's "Galaxy S5" to remove the display device. The evaluation sample was placed on the removed display device through water so that the light absorption anisotropic layer side was the viewing side rather than the polarizer (so that the alkali-free glass side of the evaluation sample was the display device side). Thereafter, the display device was turned off (black display), and the color of the reflected hue when viewed from the front direction was confirmed, and evaluated according to the evaluation criteria shown below, which was the initial evaluation. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.
<Evaluation criteria>
A: I can barely sense any color.
B: There is a slight color.
C: I can feel the color.
D: Color is perceived and reflectance is perceived to be particularly high.

(Appearance Evaluation of Laminate after Moisture and Heat Resistance Test (1))
The above evaluation samples were subjected to a moist heat resistance test in which they were placed in an environment of 80° C. and 90% RH for 48 hours. After the moist heat resistance test, the evaluation samples were evaluated by checking the color tone of the reflected hue according to the procedure and evaluation criteria described in the initial laminate appearance evaluation (1), and this was used as the evaluation after the moist heat resistance test. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[Appearance evaluation of laminate (2)]
(Evaluation of Appearance of Initial Laminate (2))
The evaluation sample was placed on the display device according to the procedure described in (1) for evaluating the initial appearance of the laminate. The display device was then turned on, and the luminance was maximized. All settings for changing the screen display color, such as blue light cut function and color balance change, were turned off, and the hue from the front and from an oblique direction when the white screen was displayed (the state in which the HTML color code #FFFFFF was displayed) was confirmed with the naked eye. The hue and hue difference in each direction at that time were evaluated according to the evaluation criteria shown below, and this was taken as the initial evaluation. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.
<Evaluation criteria>
A: Almost no difference in hue is noticeable.
B: The color is slightly noticeable when viewed from the front or from an oblique angle, but the difference in hue between the front and oblique angles is not noticeable.
C: A difference in hue is felt.

(Appearance Evaluation of Laminate after Moisture and Heat Resistance Test (2))
The evaluation samples were subjected to the moist heat resistance test according to the procedure described in (1) Appearance evaluation of laminate after moist heat resistance test, and the hue from the front and the hue from an oblique direction when white was displayed were confirmed and evaluated according to the procedure and evaluation criteria described in (2) Appearance evaluation of initial laminate. This was the evaluation after the moist heat resistance test. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[Evaluation of Film Strength of Optically Absorbing Anisotropic Layer]
Evaluation of initial laminate appearance (1) The laminate side surface of the evaluation sample prepared by the procedure described above was cut with a cutter blade to form 10 squares x 10 squares (total of 100 squares). Cellophane tape manufactured by Nichiban was attached to the cut surface, and then peeled off in a 90° direction. The film strength of the light absorption anisotropic layer was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.
<Evaluation criteria>
A: No destruction of the light absorbing anisotropic layer is observed.
B: No destruction was observed in the light absorption anisotropic layer in 50 or more of 100 squares.
C: Destruction of the light absorbing anisotropic layer was observed in 51 or more of 100 squares.

1, 2 laminate, 11 light absorbing anisotropic layer, 12 polarizer, 13 retardation film, 15 bonding layer, 21 protective layer.

Claims (10)

A laminate having, in this order, a light absorption anisotropic layer obtained from a liquid crystal composition, an attachment layer, and a polarizer,
the polarizer contains a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, iodine, and boron;
The light absorption anisotropic layer contains one or more dichroic dyes and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3):
The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound and a polymerization initiator,
The laminate, wherein the polymerization initiator is at least one of an oxime ester compound and an α-hydroxyketone compound.
Az>(Ax+Ay)/2 (1)
0.001≦Ax≦0.10 (2)
Ax(z=60°)/Ax≧2 (3)
[In formula (1) to formula (3),
Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively.
Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y-axis as the rotation axis.
Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer,
the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer,
The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer is 0.2 μm or more and 3.5 μm or less. The laminate according to claim 1, further comprising a protective layer on the side of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer opposite the lamination layer. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal compound includes a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal compound is a compound that forms a smectic liquid crystal phase. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the dichroic dye is an azo compound. The polarizer further includes a retardation layer on the opposite side to the attachment layer, the retardation layer satisfying the following formulas (4) and (5):
The laminate according to claim 1 , wherein the retardation layer is a cured layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound.
120 nm≦Re(550)≦160 nm (4)
Re(450)/Re(550)≦1.00 (5)
[In formulas (4) and (5), Re(λ) represents an in-plane retardation value of the retardation layer at a wavelength λ [nm].] The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the distance L1 between the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer facing the bonding layer and the surface of the polarizer facing the bonding layer is 20.0 μm or less. Further, a protective layer is provided on the side of the light absorption anisotropic layer opposite to the bonding layer,
2 . The laminate according to claim 1 , wherein a distance L2 between a surface of the protective layer opposite to the light absorption anisotropic layer side and a surface of the polarizer opposite to the bonding layer side is 85.0 μm or less. 10. An organic electroluminescence display device comprising the laminate according to claim 1 laminated on a display element via a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

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