Abstract: The present invention provides an optical diffuser element comprising a core layer and outer layers joined to the core layer, at least one of the outer layers comprising linear domains of varying diffusion and a continuous layer of uniform diffusion, and wherein at least one of the outer layers further comprises a microstructure pattern on its exterior surface opposite the core layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical diffuser element comprising: a) inserting striping shims in at least one flow passage of a multi-manifold extrusion die; b) extruding a first layer of polymer with light scattering particles through the flow passage with the striping shim to create linear domains of varying diffusion; c) extruding a second layer of polymer with less diffusion than the linear domains of varying diffusion through the manifold without a striping shim; and d) extruding the first and second layers of polymer into a dual roller nip with microstructure engravings in at least one roller.

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: An inkjet recording element comprising a support extrusion coated with a porous hydrophilic material. The composition comprises a hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer and blends thereof. Also disclosed are methods for making and a method of printing on the inkjet recording element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction light redirecting film for a liquid crystal display comprising at least one base thermoplastic polymer optical layer having a top surface with a plurality of optical features. The film further provides at least one co-extrudable surface thermoplastic polymer optical layer adjacent the base thermoplastic polymer optical layer, wherein the at least one co-extrudable surface has a pencil hardness of at least 1 H.

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 an optical diffuser film with linear domains of varying diffusion, the linear domains comprising light scattering particles located on at least one surface of the film, wherein the linear domains are tapered such that the thickness at a center of a cross section of the linear domain is thicker than that at an edge of the linear domain.

Abstract: An optical element comprises at least one optical film wherein at least a portion of the optical film is maintained dimensionally stable by the presence of a mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force to the film wherein the tensile force is applied through a tensioning mechanism protruding through holes or slots in the optical film.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a stack of at least three juxtaposed films with at least one inner optical film and two outer transparent films exhibiting high dimensional stability, wherein a controlled tensile force is applied in at least one direction to the two outer films but not the at least one inner film.

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: The invention provides an optical element comprising at least one optical film wherein at least a portion of the optical film is maintained dimensionally stable by the presence of a mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force to the film. The mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force uses a crimping frame in association with a cantilevered spring which effectively maintains flatness of the film or films.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element having an optical film, the optical element comprising a support frame having a shaft therein, the support frame being provided around a perimeter of the optical element and the optical film having slots on a periphery thereon, the periphery of the optical film being provided on the support frame. The invention further provides a pin provided in each of the slots and protruding into the support frame and slidable on the shaft by a controlled tensile force and a spring mechanism that is slidable on the shaft for providing the controlled tensile force to the optical film, wherein the optical film is an asymmetric diffuser.

Abstract: A voided semi-crystalline polymeric integrated optical diffuser film is provided with surface beads. The film is useful when incorporated into a display device such as an LC display.

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 assembly comprises a light source, an optically transmissive self- supporting substrate, and coupled with but unattached to the substrate, a voided high Tg semi-crystalline polymeric optical diffuser film that shrinks less than 1% as a result of thermal shrinkage testing.

Abstract: An optical element comprises at least one optical film wherein at least a portion of the optical film is maintained dimensionally stable by the presence of a mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force via an elastic material bonded to the perimeter of the film.

Abstract: An optical element comprises at least one optical film wherein at least a portion of the optical film is maintained dimensionally stable by the presence of a mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force to the film wherein the tensile force is applied through a tensioning mechanism protruding through holes or slots in the optical film.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a stack of at least three juxtaposed films with at least one inner optical film and two outer transparent films exhibiting high dimensional stability, wherein a controlled tensile force is applied in at least one direction to the two outer films but not the at least one inner film.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a direct backlight and an optical element comprising an arrangement of one or more optical films confined between two integrally bound optically transmissive substrates that together are self-supporting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light diffuser comprising a thermoplastic layer containing thermoplastic polymeric material and microvoids having a substantially circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of light travel and having a diffuse light transmission efficiency of at least 65%.