Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising: a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical compensation film includes coating one or more first layers and one or more second layers onto a carrier substrate, and stretching the first layers and second layers simultaneously. The one or more first layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence (?nth) not more negative than ?0.005 and not more positive than +0.005, and the one or more second layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the optical compensation film is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the optical compensation film is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light redirecting article for redirecting light toward a target angle, the light redirecting article comprising: an input surface comprising a plurality of light redirecting structures. Each light redirecting structure has (i) a near surface having two slopes, sloping away from normal in one direction as defined by a first inclination base angle ?1, a second inclination angle ?2, and a first half apex angle ?2, for accepting incident illumination over a range of incident angles and (ii) a far surface sloping away from normal, in the opposite direction relative to the input surface, as defined by a second base angle ?1 and a second half apex angle ?1. In addition, light redirecting structures has (b) an output surface opposing to the input surface, wherein the near and far surfaces are opposed to each other at an angle (?1+?2), and the base angle ?1 is greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

Abstract: A reflective polarizer contains: (a) a light-entrance medium having a light-entrance surface and a microstructured surface with a series of prismatic structures, wherein first and second sidewalls of each prismatic structure have an inclination angle of more than 53 degrees with respect to the light-entrance surface; (b) a polarization-selective thin film optical coating on the series of prismatic structures, for transmitting a first polarization of light and reflecting a second polarization; and (c) a light-exit medium on the polarization-selective thin film optical coating that provides a smooth light-exit surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising: a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer having a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite light guiding plate comprising a light guiding layer comprising an incident face for receiving light from at least one light source, a light guiding output surface that is also generally orthogonal to the incident face, a featured surface, opposite the light-guiding output surface and generally orthogonal to the input face for redirecting light through the light guiding output surface. Further, the featured surface comprises a plurality of rows of linear prismatic structures extended in a length direction that is substantially perpendicular to the incident face and having height and width dimensions of 10 to 200 microns and wherein the length-to-width aspect ratio of the linear prismatic structures is greater than 100:1 the thickness of the light guiding layer is less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence between ?0.005 and +0.005. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence that is either less than ?0.005 or greater than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm, and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The amorphous polymer of the second layer(s) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that 110° C.?Tg?180° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm, and 100° C.?Tg?160° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A light redirecting article for redirecting light toward comprises: a light exit surface with features meeting certain requirements; wherein first and second surfaces of the features are opposed to each other at an angle ? that is in the range from 35 to 55 degrees; wherein the light redirecting article is formed from a material having an index of refraction less than 1.60; and wherein the target angle is from 5 to 25 degrees.

Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.

Abstract: A process for making a multiphase birefringent film and resulting shaped article comprise (a) a first polymeric material forming a continuous phase in all directions and (b) a second polymeric material that is continuous in only one direction disposed within the first phase, the second polymeric material being predominately curvilinear in shape and substantially extending the length of the film, at least one of the phases being birefringent and the two phases being substantially matched in refractive index in at least one direction The shaped article and process for making provides a diffusely reflecting polarizer.

Abstract: A light redirecting optical device comprises a polymeric film containing a light entry and a light exit surface and bearing on the light exit surface convex macrostructures that have a length, diameter, or other major dimension of at least 25 micrometers, wherein a major portion of the macrostructure surfaces is covered with nano-nodules having an average maximum cord length in a plane perpendicular to the direction of light travel of less than 1200 nm

Abstract: The invention relates to a film comprising microstructures on at least one surface thereof, the film comprising a polysulfone polymer. Such a film exhibits improved heat stability, light recycling capability, and faithful replication.

Abstract: A reflective polarizer contains: (a) a light-entrance medium having a light-entrance surface and a microstructured surface with a series of prismatic structures, wherein first and second sidewalls of each prismatic structure have an inclination angle of more than 53 degrees with respect to the light-entrance surface; (b) a polarization-selective thin film optical coating on the series of prismatic structures, for transmitting a first polarization of light and reflecting a second polarization; and (c) a light-exit medium on the polarization-selective thin film optical coating that provides a smooth light-exit surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising: a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composite, particularly an optical film, comprising a water insoluble polymer having dispersed therein inorganic nanoparticles modified on their surface with a monolayer of a silane of Formula 1. X—SiR1R2Y??(I) wherein X is Cl or an alkoxy group; R1 and R2 are independently Cl, an alkoxy group, or 13 CnH2n+1; and Y is an organic functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical film with controlled birefringence dispersion that is useful in the field of display and other optical applications. The optical film comprises at least a plurality of negative birefringence polymeric layers and a plurality of positive birefringence polymeric layers, wherein each layer is independently 200 nm or less in thickness and the negative birefringent layers alternate with the positive birefringent layers.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical compensation film includes coating one or more first layers and one or more second layers onto a carrier substrate, and stretching the first layers and second layers simultaneously. The one or more first layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence (?nth) not more negative than ?0.005 and not more positive than +0.005, and the one or more second layers include a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the optical compensation film is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the optical compensation film is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence between ?0.005 and +0.005. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence that is either less than ?0.005 or greater than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm, and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The amorphous polymer of the second layer(s) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that 110° C.?Tg?180° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm, and 100° C.?Tg?160° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more positive than +20 nm.