Disclosed are liquid crystal (LC) phase-retarders and linear polarizers
and methods and apparatus for making the same. The liquid crystal phase-retarder
is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having one or more phase retardation
regions formed therein. Each phase retardation region has an optical axis specified
by the direction and depth of orientation of liquid crystal molecules along the
surface of the liquid crystal film structure. The liquid crystal linear polarizer
is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having a chiral phase region within
which liquid crystal molecules are cholesterically ordered. One or more nematic
phase regions are formed along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure
within which liquid crystal molecules are oriented along a direction and to a surface
depth sufficient to realize one or more phase retardation regions therein having
optical axes along the direction of liquid crystal molecule orientation.
