Abstract: Methods for making fiber waveguides include rolling a multilayer structure into a spiral structure and forming the fiber waveguide from the spiral structure. The forming includes drawing a fiber preform derived from the spiral structure.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for drawing fibers that include conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials in intimate contact and prescribed geometries. The resulting fiber exhibits engineered electrical and optical functionalities along extended fiber lengths. The invention provides corresponding processes for producing such fibers, including assembling a fiber preform of a plurality of distinct materials, e.g., of conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials, and drawing the preform into a fiber.

Abstract: A mirror structure includes a plurality of features of a defined size. The features include alternating spatial units of a chalcogenide glass and a thermoplastic polymer, and are specifically arranged in an ordered form so that the structure is highly reflective. Thermally-assisted methods are introduced for forming such structures.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. A second layer having a structured surface, for providing an optical function to light passing therethrough, is attached to the first layer. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: A spiral wound fiber that includes birefringent interfaces is useful in different optical devices. One type of wound fiber includes at least first and second material layers. At least one of the layers is polymeric and at least one of the layers is birefringent. The spiral wound fiber may be used alone, or in an optical device. Such an optical device can include the fiber embedded within a matrix or attached to a substrate. The spiral wound fiber can be made by rolling a stack of at least two layers, by coextruding the two layers or by coating a rotating form.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features an article including a high-power, low-loss fiber waveguide that includes alternating layers of different dielectric materials surrounding a core extending along a waveguide axis, the different dielectric materials including a polymer and a glass.

Abstract: A display system includes a display panel, a backlight and a reinforced reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the backlight. The reinforced reflective polarizer includes a first layer formed from a polymer matrix embedded with inorganic fibers. The reinforced reflective polarizer also includes a second layer attached to the first layer. The second layer comprises a reflective polarizing layer.

Abstract: An optical film has a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers each include fibers embedded within respective polymeric matrices. A third layer having a reflective polarizer layer is mounted between the first and second layers.

Abstract: Microstructured optical films, assemblies of films including at least one microstructured optical film, and (e.g. illuminated) display devices including a single microstructured optical film or assembly.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features an article including a high-power, low-loss fiber waveguide that includes alternating layers of different dielectric materials surrounding a core extending along a waveguide axis, the different dielectric materials including a polymer and a glass.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for drawing fibers that include conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials in intimate contact and prescribed geometries. The resulting fiber exhibits engineered electrical and optical functionalities along extended fiber lengths. The invention provides corresponding processes for producing such fibers, including assembling a fiber preform of a plurality of distinct materials, e.g., of conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials, and drawing the preform into a fiber.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features an article including a high-power, low-loss fiber waveguide that includes alternating layers of different dielectric materials surrounding a core extending along a waveguide axis, the different dielectric materials including a polymer and a glass.

Abstract: A multiple-range omnidirectional reflector includes a plurality of bilayers. Each of the bilayers includes a first layer comprising of a low absorption and low refractive index material and a second layer comprising of a high refractive index and low absorption material. Varying the thickness of one or more of the bilayers produces multiple omnidirectional reflecting ranges.

Abstract: A mirror structure includes a plurality of features of a defined size. The features include alternating spatial units of a chalcogenide glass and a thermoplastic polymer, and are specifically arranged in an ordered form so that the structure is highly reflective. Thermally-assisted methods are introduced for forming such structures.