A novel polarization selective membrane is disclosed. The membrane comprises a
liquid crystal molecule having a helical structure and selectively transmits specific
polarized light and selectively reflects the other polarized light. The helical
axis of the helical structure is practically oriented in the normal direction of
the membrane plane, and the angle between the helical axis of the helical structure
and the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is from 5 to 85.
The membrane may be prepared by using a composition comprising a compound represented
by Formula (I): wherein X represents a group having an optically active site, M
represents a group having at least one aromatic carbocycle or aromatic heterocycle,
Y1 and Y2 independently represent a bivalent group; R1
to R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group,
R represents an alkyl group
##STR1##
