| abstract |
Disclosed is a retardation element which has excellent heat resistance, undergoes little change in retardation values under high temperature atmospheres, and can keep steady optical performance. The retardation element is characterized by comprising at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a compound represented by formula (1), a compound represented by formula (2) and a compound represented by formula (3) and a liquid crystalline compound. In formula (1), n represents an integer of 3 to 10, and R2 represents a group -CH2-CH2-, a group -CH2-CH(CH3)- or a group -CH2-CH2-CH2-. In formula (2), R3 represents a group -(CH2)p- or a phenylene group, and p represents an integer of 4 to 8. In formula (3), R4 represents a substituted phenylene group. In formulae (1) to (3), R1-1, R1-2 and R1-3 independently represent an alkyl group having a branched structure carrying 5 or more carbon atoms, and R1-1, R1-2 and R1-3 may be the same as or different from one another. |