A process for alignment of rod-like liquid crystal molecules comprises the steps of: forming an orientation layer for vertical alignment on a support; and forming a liquid crystal layer containing rod-like liquid crystal molecules on the orientation layer to align the rod-like liquid crystal molecules at an average inclined angle of 50 to 90°. The liquid crystal layer further contains a compound represented by the formula (I):
(Hb-L
1
-Cy
1
-L
2
-)
n
Cy
2
(I)
wherein Hb is an aliphatic group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms or an siloxanoxy group substituted with an aliphatic group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, each of L
1
and L
2
is a single bond or a divalent linking group, Cy
1
is a divalent aromatic group or a divalent heterocyclic group, n is 2, 3 or 4, and Cy
2
is an n-valent aromatic group or an n-valent heterocyclic group.
一种用于排列棒状液晶分子的过程,包括以下步骤:在支撑物上形成垂直排列的取向层;在取向层上形成含有棒状液晶分子的液晶层,以将棒状液晶分子排列成平均倾斜角度为50至90°。液晶层进一步含有以下化合物(I)的化合物:(Hb-L1-Cy1-
L2-)nCy2(I),其中,Hb是具有6至40个碳原子的脂肪基或被具有6至40个碳原子的脂肪基取代的
硅氧烷基,L1和
L2各自是单键或二价连接基,Cy1是二价芳香族基或二价杂环基,n为2、3或4,Cy2是n价芳香族基或n价杂环基。