Abstract: There is provided a composite retardation plate (10) comprising a first retardation plate (11)/a primer layer (12)/a second retardation plate (14)/a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (19) which are laminated in this order, in which the second retardation plate (14) is obtained by evaporating an organic solvent from a coating liquid containing an organic modified clay complex and a binder resin in an organic solvent. The composite retardation plate (10) of the present invention can effectively suppress light leakage attributed to the cracking of the second retardation plate (14), liable to occur because of an external physical force, when laminated on a liquid crystal cell, because the first retardation plate (11) and the second retardation plate (14) are laminated on each other through the primer layer (12). Thus, it becomes possible to provide a sufficient display condition.

Abstract: A polarizer includes a first, second and third support layers, a first polarizing element disposed between the first support layer and the second support layer and the second polarizing element disposed between the second support layer and the third support layer. During the process of manufacturing the polarizer, the polarizer is stretched in the direction of length until the width of the polarizer after stretching is not less than half of the width of the polarizer before stretching.

Abstract: Disclosed is a negative C-type retardation compensator for a liquid crystal display. The negative C-type retardation compensator for the liquid crystal display includes polyarylate having a thio group or a sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof. Accordingly, the retardation compensator has an absolute value of negative retardation that is larger in a thickness direction than a retardation compensator which includes polyarylate having no thio group or sulfur oxide group in a polymer main chain thereof even though the retardation compensator having the thio group or sulfur oxide group and the retardation compensator having no thio group or sulfur oxide group are the same as each other in thickness. Thereby, the negative C-type retardation compensator for liquid crystal displays is capable of being desirably applied to the liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film that has: an in-plane retardation Re and a retardation Rth in a thickness direction at a wavelength of 590 nm, which are satisfied with ranges of expressions (I) to (III); a coefficient of a thermal expansion of from 20 ppm/° C. to 100 ppm/° C.; and a haze of from 0.01 to 0.8, and a polarizing plate and a display device using the same. 20?Re?50??Expression (I) 70?Rth?200??Expression (II) 1.0?Rth/Re?3.0??Expression (III) In the foregoing expressions, each of Re and Rth is a value at 25° C. and 60% RH, and has a unit of nm.

Abstract: A rigid optical sheet manufacturing method capable of manufacturing an optical sheet at high productivity and low manufacturing costs, and an optical sheet are provided. An optical sheet 1 includes a transparent thermoplastic resin base 2 formed of a thermoplastic resin that is rigid at temperatures not higher than its glass transition point, and a first optical structure 3 formed on one of the surfaces of the thermoplastic resin base 2. The first optical structure 3 is formed by pressing a material for forming the first optical structure 3 together with the flexible thermoplastic resin base 2 having a surface temperature not higher than the glass transition point and an internal temperature not lower than the glass transition point by a radiation-curable resin shaping roller 14. Preferably, the material forming the first optical structure 3 is a radiation-curable resin.

Abstract: The lighting apparatus includes a light source, a housing that contains the light source inside and has an exit port for outputting light from the light source, and an optical sheet that is placed in the exit port. The optical sheet includes a lens structure that is placed at a light exit side and aligns an output direction of incident light from the light source, a reflector that is placed at a light incident side and reflects light emitted by the light source, and a light transmitting opening that exists in the reflector and transmits incident light from the light source. The light transmitting opening is placed in a position deviated from an optical axis of the lens structure. The display apparatus includes the lighting apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a very thin elliptically polarizing plate having broadband and wide viewing angle, a simple method of producing the same, and an image display apparatus using the elliptically polarizing plate. An elliptically polarizing plate of the present invention includes a polarizer, a protective layer formed on one side of the polarizer, a first birefringent layer serving as a ?/2 plate, and a second birefringent layer serving as a ?/4 plate in the stated order. In the plate, an absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the first birefringent layer form an angle ? of one of 10° to 20° and ?10° to ?20°, and the absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the second birefringent layer form an angle ? of one of 65° to 85° and 5° to 25°.

Abstract: The method of producing a film includes the steps of: casting a dope prepared by dissolving a macromolecular material in a solvent on a casting band; stripping the cast dope from the casting band to form a film; subjecting the stripped film to tentering to stretch or regulate the same in its width direction; and subjecting the tentered film to roll drying to dry the film while conveying the same in such a manner that it engages with a plurality of rolls, the method being characterized in that the solvent content in the film at the beginning of roll drying after tentering is kept within the range of 3 to 8% by weight, the surface temperature of the film during the roll drying is kept within the range of the film's Tg (glass transition temperature) ?15° C. to the Tg, and the rate of the film expansion in the film conveying direction is kept within the range of ?2% to 3%.

Abstract: A polarizing plate including a polarizing layer having a thickness of about 20 nm to about 1500 nm formed by rubbing at least one surface of a substrate, coating the rubbed surface of the substrate with an aqueous solution containing a dye having a tabular molecular shape, and drying the solution. This polarizing plate is a thinner polarizing plate with a high degree of polarization and suitably applicable to portable electronic equipment such as cellular phones, portable information terminals, smart cards and IC cards.

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: The present invention provides an illumination device including a cylindrical light source and a curved mirror for reflecting light radiated from the cylindrical light source, wherein the curved mirror has a light reflection surface which has a shape of a portion of an elliptic curve having a first focal point and a second focal point on a reference axis of the curved surface, in a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the light source, and the cylindrical light source is disposed on the reference axis at a position between the first focal point and the second focal point, a light irradiation apparatus including the illumination device, and a method for producing a photoreaction product sheet using the irradiation apparatus.

Abstract: Anti-glare film including anti-glare layer. The anti-glare film is obtained by coating or casting a liquid composition containing a polymer, a curable resin precursor, and a solvent on a transparent plastic film, evaporating the solvent, forming a phase separation structure by spinodal decomposition, and curing the curable resin precursor by irradiation with light. The disclosed anti-glare film prevents reflection of surrounding scenery and dazzle in a display surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to eliminate drawbacks of conventional multi-layered antireflection films, that is, that a lot of time is required in the formation of a transparent conductive thin film and a low-refractive index layer leading to low processing speed, the corrosion resistance of the transparent conductive thin film is unsatisfactory, and the reflectance over the whole visible light region is not constant.

Abstract: A polarizing sheet having a transparent substrate on both surfaces of a polarizing film containing a polarizer, wherein exposed portions of the polarizing film not covered by the transparent substrate are covered with a sealing material.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical sheet for a plasma display panel, a method for manufacturing the same and a plasma display panel employing the same. More particularly, provided are an optical sheet for a plasma display panel to improve a contrast ratio and a method for manufacturing the same. The optical sheet for a plasma display panel comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of light-transmitting structures arranged on the transparent substrate, a reflective film arranged on the side of each of the light-transmitting structures, a black matrix arranged on the reflective film, and a cover part arranged on the black matrix.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polarizer of the invention, wherein the polarizer comprises a film that comprises: a matrix made of an optically-transparent resin containing a dichroic absorbing material; and minute domains that are made of an energy ray-curable birefringent material having liquid crystalline properties and are aligned and dispersed in the matrix; and comprising a process of applying energy rays for fixing the alignment of the birefringent material having liquid crystalline properties. A polarizer obtained by the method has a high transmittance and a high polarization degree, and being able to control unevenness of the transmittance in the case of black viewing.

Abstract: A retardation film comprising a cellulose derivative and a plasticizer, wherein a total haze, Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: 0.1%?Htotal?0.4%; and a ratio of a internal haze, Hi, to the total haze, Hi/Htotal, of the retardation film meets the following condition: Hi/Htotal?0.5.

Abstract: A method of making a polarizing sheet and a related method of lamination are disclosed. The method of making a polarizing sheet includes steps of forming a surface-modified polarizer having carboxylic groups from a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film, and then performing a thermocompression lamination to laminate the polarizer with at least one protective film having hydroxyl groups on a surface thereof to form a polarizing sheet.

Abstract: An optical laminate produced by a process for producing an anti-dazzling laminate comprising a light transparent base material and an anti-dazzling layer provided on the light transparent base material. The process includes providing the light transparent base material and forming the anti-dazzling layer having a concavoconvex shape on the light transparent base material, wherein the concavoconvex shape of the anti-dazzling layer satisfies the following requirements: Sm is not less than 100 ?m and not more than 600 ?m, ?a is not less than 0.1 degree and not more than 1.2 degrees, and Rz is more than 0.2 ?m and not more than 1 ?m, wherein Sm represents the average spacing of concavoconvexes or profile irregularities in the anti-dazzling layer; ?a represents the average inclination angle of the concavoconvexes or profile irregularities; and Rz represents the average roughness of the concavoconvexes or profile irregularities.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical bodies including a first optical film, a second optical film and one or more strippable boundary layers disposed between the first and second optical films. Each major surface of a strippable boundary layer may be disposed adjacent to an optical film or another strippable boundary layer. At least one of the first and second optical films may include a reflective polarizer. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of processing such optical bodies.

Abstract: A mold structure and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The mold structure is comprised of: an axle; a roller, axially ensheathing the axle; and a mold having a specific imprint pattern of microstructures formed thereon, being arranged to mount on the periphery of the roller while connecting to the axle; wherein a pulling force is exerted on the mold by the axle for stretching the mold while enabling the same to tensely adhere upon the periphery of the roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display comprising a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a discontinuous population of adherent beads bonded to the structured surface.

Abstract: A display comprises a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a polymeric coating over at least part of the structured surface wherein the coating exhibits a variable thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polarizer, a method for fabricating the same, and a liquid crystal display having the same. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel and a polarizer attached to the liquid crystal panel. The polarizer includes a polarizing film, a first support film, and a second support film. The first support film has optical anisotropy and is attached to the polarizing film. The first support film has a first thickness. The second support film is attached to the polarizing film while facing the first support film and has a second thickness, which is greater than the first thickness. The polarizer is fabricated by evaporating a solvent from a solution including polymer resin to form an optical film and then elongating the optical film.

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: The present invention relates to a grating image (12) for depicting at least one unscreened halftone image having multiple brightness levels, the grating image exhibiting multiple grating fields (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) that include in each case an electromagnetic-radiation-influencing grating pattern composed of a plurality of grating lines and that, when illuminated, produce in each case an areal region of the halftone image having the same brightness level.

Abstract: An illumination device (1) for illuminating a display (2) with polarized light, the illumination device including a waveguide (3) for guiding light and an anisotropic layer (10) comprising a first surface (5) arranged to face towards the waveguide and a second surface (7) arranged to lace away from the waveguide, wherein the first surface is provided with an outcoupling means (6) for outcoupling light having a predetermined polarization from the waveguide and the second surface is provided with a collimating means (8) for collimating the light outcoupled from the waveguide in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarizing film obtained by stretching a polyvinyl alcohol resin film containing iodine, an iodide a cross-linking agent and/or waterproofing agent and then treating the film with a solution containing 0.0001 to 5.0 wt % of inorganic acid except for boric acid or a salt thereof and/or organic acid and having a pH of preferably 2?pH?5, more preferably 2.2?pH?5. Said polarizing film is excellent in wet heat durability and shows less decrease in polarization characteristics in wet heat test and said polarizing film obtained in a further preferable embodiment is also excellent in dry heat durability.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an optical film product that is configured such that the direction of an optical axis can be easily recognized and that markings do not interfere with a defect inspection and to provide a method for producing such an optical film product. The invention is directed to an optical film product, including: an optical film layer having an optical axis; a surface protection film that is laminated on the optical film layer to protect the surface of the optical film layer; and an optical axis information part that shows information about the optical axis and is interposed between the optical film layer and the surface protection film.

Abstract: An optical film is disclosed having minimal curl, minimal coating unevenness and no cracks. The optical film is obtained by casting a dope comprising a cellulose ester and a non-chlorinated solvent on a metal support, the cellulose ester having a total acyl substitution degree of 2.6 to 2.85 and having a ratio of a weight-average molecular weight to a number-average molecular weight of 1:1 to 3:1; drying the cast dope on the metal support so as to obtain a cellulose ester film; peeling the cellulose ester film from the metal support; further drying the cellulose ester film while providing a longitudinal stretch or a lateral stretch to the cellulose ester film; and providing a metal oxide layer on the cellulose ester film.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a thermoplastic resin composition which is inhibited from suffering phase separation and from which an optical film having excellent transparency is readily obtained, an optical film containing the composition as a main component, a retardation film which is a film obtained by stretching the optical film and exhibits positive wavelength dependence and has a small coefficient of photoelasticity and transparency, and a process for producing the retardation film.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polarizing plate, a method of fabricating the polarizing plate, and a liquid crystal display including the polarizing plate. The polarizing plate includes a polarizing film and a supporting film arranged on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the polarizing film. At least one of the polarizing film and the supporting film includes a light absorbing material that partially absorbs the light polarized by the polarizing film. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate including the light absorbing material. The liquid crystal panel includes first and second substrates facing each other and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates. The polarizing plate is attached to the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A method for producing a cellulose acylate film is provided and includes: casting a cellulose acylate solution onto a support to form a cellulose acylate film; peeling the cellulose acylate film from the support; and stretching the cellulose acylate film, the cellulose acylate film in the stretching having a temperature of 140 to 250° C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plastic part having a three-dimensional image and visual effect. A plastic part having a three-dimensional graphical surface and a flat plane is formed. Subsequently, a thin film layer is formed on the plastic part to provide three-dimensional image and visual effect to the plastic part, where the three-dimensional graphical surface provides the three-dimensional image and the thin film layer provides the visual effect.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a polarizing plate includes: providing a polarizing roll film having transmission axes; and cutting the polarizing roll film with a knife having a plurality of openings each having a rectangular shape to form a plurality of polarizing plates, the plurality of openings parallel to the transmission axes.

Abstract: An optical film satisfies the following formulae (1) to (6): 150?Re(550)?400 ??(1) ?100?Rth(550)?100 ??(2) 0.1<Re(450)/Re(550)<0.95 ??(3) 1.03<Re(650)/Re(550)<1.93 ??(4) 0.4<(Re(450)/Rth(450))/(Re(550)/Rth(550))<0.95 ??(5) 1.05<(Re(650)/Rth(650))/(Re(550)/Rth(550))<1.90, ??(6) wherein Re(450), Re(550) and Re(650) are an in-plane retardation value (unit: nm) measured with light at a wavelength of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm, respectively, and Rth(450), Rth(550) and Rth(650) are a retardation value in a thickness-direction (unit: nm) measured with light at a wavelength of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm, respectively.

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: A process of readily producing a patterned birefringent product excellent in resolution and heat-resistance is provided. Said process comprises at least the following steps [1] to [3] in order: [1] preparing a birefringence pattern builder which comprises an optically anisotropic layer comprising a polymer, and said optically anisotropic layer has a retardation disappearance temperature in the range higher than 20° C., at said retardation disappearance temperature in-plane retardation becomes 30% or lower of the retardation at 20° C. of the same optically anisotropic layer, and said retardation disappearance temperature rises by light exposure; [2] subjecting the birefringence pattern builder to patterned light exposure; [3] heating the laminated structure obtained after the step [2] at 50° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower.

Abstract: A micro-optical grid structure is produced on a surface layer of a substrate by an embossing device and method. The embossing device includes an embossing member and a backing member, a temperature adjuster for adjusting the embossing temperature and a pressure adjuster for adjusting the pressure exerted by the embossing member and the backing member to the surface layer of the substrate. An optical measuring device is arranged to produce a diffraction signal dependent on the intensity of light diffracted from the surface of the substrate. The embossing pressure and/or temperature is/are adjusted on the basis of the diffraction signal to produce an optimal and even pattern depth of the grid structure. With the adjustment based on the diffraction signal, it is possible to avoid the sticking of the surface of the substrate to the embossing member due to too high an embossing temperature. When the pattern depth is optimal, collapse of the substrate caused by the too high embossing pressure is avoided.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate (20) includes a transparent layer (21) and a light diffusion layer (22). The transparent layer includes a light input interface (211), a light output surface (212) opposite to the light input interface, and a plurality of V-shaped protrusions (213) protruding out from the light output surface. The light diffusion layer is integrally formed with the transparent layer adjacent to the light input interface. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resins (221) and a plurality of diffusion particles (223) dispersed in the transparent matrix resins. A method for making the optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: A polarizer of the present invention is characterized by containing at least one species of a photochromic dye in a resin. Preferably, the photochromic dye is used as a dichroic dye and aligned in one direction in the resin. A circular polarizing filter of the present invention has the polarizer and a retardation plate. In the polarizer of the present invention, the photochromic dye is colored by ultraviolet light irradiation and discolored by visible light irradiation or heat after being colored. By this photochromic property, the polarizer takes out linearly polarized light in being used in an environment of intense ultraviolet light, and on the other hand, the polarizer transmits light in an environment of weak ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An optical film includes a multi-layer sheet having a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate polymer layers, the polymer layers having a first refraction index in a first direction parallel to a plane of the polymer layers and a second refraction index in a second direction parallel to the plane of the polymer layers, and a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate copolymer layers, the copolymer layers having a third refraction index in both the first and second directions, and a protection sheet directly on at least one side of the multi-layer sheet.

Abstract: It is to provide a reflective polarizer which can be made easily and which is of high performance. The polarizer includes a translucent substrate 8; a diffraction grating 12 which is formed on the translucent substrate 8 and which has a plurality of convex portions 9 that are aligned so as to have a frequency which is equal to or less than a wavelength of light to be used, and in which each of the plurality of convex portions 9 includes the alternating layer formed of high-refractive-index layers 10 and low-refractive-index layers 11; and an intermediate-refractive-index region 14 which is formed at a position between the convex portions 9 that are adjacent to each other in the diffraction grating 12, so as to have a portion buried in the translucent substrate 8 and which has a refractive index which is higher than a refractive index of the low-refractive-index layer 11 and which is lower than a refractive index of the high-refractive-index layer 10.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical filter capable of removing an unnecessary component of incident light. The optical filter has a transparent body of a flat plate-like shape. A plural number of filtering layers, each with a function of separating an unnecessary polarization component of incident light from a necessary polarization component, are formed internally of the transparent body in series and at uniform intervals with an angle inclination relative to the travel direction of incident light, and a plural number of light-absorptive means are formed internally of the transparent body in series and at uniform intervals correspondingly between the filtering layers thereby to absorb an unnecessary component reflected off the filtering layers.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film includes stretching a polymer film in first draw gap of a first length along a machine direction, at a first draw ratio; and further stretching the polymer film in second draw gap along a machine direction, wherein the step of stretching in the first draw gap is isolated from the step of stretching in the second draw gap.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film results in a film having a useful central 60% portion with a caliper variation of about 5% or less of an average thickness of the film. The method includes selecting a draw ratio ? in a first in-plane stretch direction, setting an effective draw gap defined by a length L and a width W, and stretching a polymer film at the draw ratio and effective draw gap. The effective draw gap is set such that the stretching step fits into one of two regimes, the first regime referred to as a uniaxial regime and characterized by a ? equal to or less than about 1.0; and the second regime referred to as a planar extension regime and characterized by a ? equal to or greater than about 10.0. The disclosure also describes an optical film formed by the method.

Abstract: A method for making an optical element includes the steps of: coating a curable resin on a substrate so as to form a curable resin layer on the substrate; embossing the curable resin layer so as to form a plurality of micro-protrusions thereon; and exposing the curable resin layer directly to a power source so as to cure the curable resin layer.

Abstract: A light polarizing film and method of making same includes a linear polarizer having a first surface and a second surface and having a polarization direction, an optical retarder comprising a simultaneously biaxially oriented polypropylene film disposed adjacent to the first surface of the linear polarizer and having an axis oriented at an angle with respect to the polarization direction, and an adhesive layer disposed between the first surface of the linear polarizer and the optical retarder and having a minimum adhesion strength of about 25 grams per inch.

Abstract: An optical film includes at least one kind of humidity dependency improver that improves ?Re, wherein the optical film has a ratio of Re/Rth which is larger as a wavelength is longer in the visible wavelength region; and Re which is larger as a wavelength is longer in the visible wavelength region, wherein Re represents an in-plane retardation (unit: nm) of the optical film; Rth represents a retardation (unit: nm) in a thickness direction of the optical film; and ?Re represents a humidity dependency of Re defined by the following formula (1): ?Re=|Re(550)10%RH?Re(550)80%RH|,: ??Formula (1) wherein Re(550)10%RH represents Re at a wavelength of 550 nm, at a temperature of 25° C. and at a relative humidity of 10%; and Re(550)80%RH represents Re at a wavelength of 550 nm, at a temperature of 25° C. and at a relative humidity of 80%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarizing plate protective film, comprising: preparing a mixture containing a cellulose ester, a phenyl benzoate ester compound, a phenol compound and a compound represented by Formula (L); heating and melting the mixture; and casting the melted mixture on a support to form the polarizing plate protective film on the support.