Abstract: A method for making a wire grid polarizer (WGP) can provide WGPs with high temperature resistance, robust wires, oxidation resistance, and corrosion protection. In one embodiment, the method can comprise: (a) providing an array of wires on a bottom protection layer; (b) applying a top protection layer on the wires, spanning channels between wires; then (c) applying an upper barrier-layer on the top protection layer and into the channels through permeable junctions in the top protection layer. In a variation of this embodiment, the method can further comprise applying a lower barrier-layer before applying the top protection layer. In another variation, the bottom protection layer and the top protection layer can include aluminum oxide. In another embodiment, the method can comprise applying on the WGP an amino phosphonate then a hydrophobic chemical.

Abstract: A WGP 10 can include an array of parallel, elongated rods 14 located over a surface of a transparent substrate 11 with gaps 15 between adjacent rods 14. Each of the rods 14 can include a reflective wire 13 sandwiched between ribs 12. One of the ribs 12 can be a transparent rib and one can be an absorptive rib. The WGP 10 can have high efficiency and high contrast for light entering on the transparent rib side and low Rs for light entering on the absorptive rib side.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) 10 can include a reflective layer 15 sandwiched on each side by a pair of transparent layers (11-12 and 13-14). An index of refraction of each outer transparent layer 11 or 14 can be greater than an index of refraction of the adjacent inner transparent layer 12 or 13, respectively. Material composition of the outer transparent layers 11 and 14 can be the same, material composition of the adjacent inner transparent layers 12 and 13 can be the same. There can be high reflection of one polarization (e.g. Rs1>93% and Rs2>93%) for light incident on either side of the WGP.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can have improved performance due to a high aspect ratio (e.g. >3, >5, >10, >15, >20, or >30), where aspect ratio equals T/W, T is a sum of a thickness of wires of the first array 11 plus a thickness of wires of the second array 12 (i.e. T=Th11+Th12), and W is a maximum width of wires of the first array 11 and/or of the second array 12. Such high aspect ratio can be achieved with two arrays of wires 11 and 12, each capped by a thin film 01 and 02.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can have improved performance due to a high aspect ratio (e.g. >3, >5, >10, >15, >20, or >30), where aspect ratio equals T/W, T is a sum of a thickness of wires of the first array 11 plus a thickness of wires of the second array 12 (i.e. T=Th11+Th12), and W is a maximum width of wires of the first array 11 and/or of the second array 12. Such high aspect ratio can be achieved with two arrays of wires 11 and 12, each capped by a thin film 01 and 02.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) 10 can include a reflective layer 15 sandwiched on each side by a pair of transparent layers (11-12 and 13-14). An index of refraction of each outer transparent layer 11 or 14 can be greater than an index of refraction of the adjacent inner transparent layer 12 or 13, respectively. Material composition of the outer transparent layers 11 and 14 can be the same, material composition of the adjacent inner transparent layers 12 and 13 can be the same. There can be high reflection of one polarization (e.g. Rs1>93% and Rs2>93%) for light incident on either side of the WGP.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include a heat-dissipation layer. The heat-dissipation layer can enable the WGP to be able to endure high temperatures. The heat-dissipation layer can be located (a) over an array of wires and farther from a transparent substrate than the array of wires; or (b) between the array of wires and the transparent substrate. The heat-dissipation layer can be a continuous layer. The heat-dissipation layer can have a high electrical resistivity and a high coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can be durable and have high performance. The WGP can comprise an array of wires 13 on a substrate 11. An overcoat layer 32 can be located at distal ends of the array of wires 13 and can span channels 15 between the wires 13. A conformal-coat layer 61 can coat sides 13s and distal ends 13d of the wires 13 between the wires 13 and the overcoat layer 32. The overcoat layer can comprise aluminum oxide. An antireflection layer 33 can be located over the overcoat layer 32.

Abstract: A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods disposed over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods, each of the rods including a reflective wire sandwiched between two absorptive ribs. A method of making this wire grid polarizer. A use of this wire grid polarizer in an image projection system.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer and method of making a wire grid polarizer can protect delicate wires of the wire grid polarizer from damage. The wire grid polarizer can include a protective-layer located on an array of wires. The array of wires can further be protected by a chemical coating on an inside surface of the air-filled channels, closed ends of the air-filled channels, damaged wires of the array of wires in a line parallel to an edge of the wire grid polarizer, or combinations thereof. The method can include (i) providing the wire grid polarizer, (ii) applying the protective-layer, by physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition but excluding atomic layer deposition, onto the array of wires, (iii) cutting the wire grid polarizer wafer into multiple wire grid polarizer parts, then (iv) protecting the array of wires.

Abstract: A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods disposed over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods, each of the rods including a reflective wire sandwiched between two absorptive ribs. A method of making this wire grid polarizer. A use of this wire grid polarizer in an image projection system.

Abstract: A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods disposed over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods, each of the rods including a reflective wire sandwiched between two absorptive ribs. A method of making this wire grid polarizer. A use of this wire grid polarizer in an image projection system.

Abstract: A WGP 10 can include an array of parallel, elongated rods 14 located over a surface of a transparent substrate 11 with gaps 15 between adjacent rods 14. Each of the rods 14 can include a reflective wire 13 sandwiched between ribs 12. One of the ribs 12 can be a transparent rib and one can be an absorptive rib. The WGP 10 can have high efficiency and high contrast for light entering on the transparent rib side and low Rs for light entering on the absorptive rib side.

Abstract: The invention includes a selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer (WGP) comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods located over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods. Each of the rods can include a reflective wire and two absorptive ribs. The reflective wire can be sandwiched between the two absorptive ribs and the substrate or the two absorptive ribs can be sandwiched between the reflective wire and the substrate. Each of the two absorptive ribs can comprise a different material. Use of multiple absorptive ribs within each rod can increase the effective useful bandwidth of light for selectively absorbing one polarization.

Abstract: A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods disposed over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods, each of the rods including a reflective wire sandwiched between two absorptive ribs. A method of making this wire grid polarizer. A use of this wire grid polarizer in an image projection system.

Abstract: The invention includes a selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer (WGP) comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods located over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods. Each of the rods can include a reflective wire and two absorptive ribs. The reflective wire can be sandwiched between the two absorptive ribs and the substrate or the two absorptive ribs can be sandwiched between the reflective wire and the substrate. Each of the two absorptive ribs can comprise a different material. Use of multiple absorptive ribs within each rod can increase the effective useful bandwidth of light for selectively absorbing one polarization.