| abstract |
An object of the present invention is to provide an optically anisotropic layer and an optical film having an optically anisotropic layer, a polarizing plate, and an image display device having an excellent surface state capable of producing an image display device having excellent contrast. The optically anisotropic layer of the present invention is obtained by immobilizing a polymerizable liquid crystal composition containing a polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compound exhibiting a smectic liquid crystal state and an additive in a liquid crystal state of a smectic phase, and the optical In the anisotropic layer, the molecular length A of the polymerizable rod-like liquid crystal compound , the interlayer spacing B of the smectic phase of the optically anisotropic layer and the molecular length C of the additive The relationship of the following formula (1-1) is satisfied. 0.5×B≤C≤0.6×A…(1‑1). |