Abstract: A polarizer capable of being manufactured in simple steps, and a method of manufacturing the polarizer, as well as a liquid crystal projector are provided. The polarizer includes a substrate having light permeability, and a plurality of linear projections being arranged on the substrate and extending along one direction within a plane thereof. Each of the linear projections having a base layer and a plating layer in the named order from the substrate, the base layer containing a catalyst material for electroless plating process, and the plating layer being deposited by using the base layer as a catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing a polarizing element includes the steps of : forming a coating film of a metal on a glass substrate; forming an island-shaped film composed of a metal halide on the glass substrate by partially removing the coating film and also halogenating the metal; forming needle-shaped particles of the metal halide by stretching the glass substrate through heating to elongate the island-shaped film; and forming needle-shaped metal particles composed of a metal by reducing the metal halide of the needle-shaped particles.

Abstract: A wire-grid polarizer comprising a light-transmitting substrate 14 having a surface on which a plurality of ridges 12 are formed in parallel with one another at a predetermined pitch with flat portions 13 formed between the ridges 12, each of the ridges 12 having a width narrowing from the bottom toward the top; and a metal layer 20 covering at least one side surface of each ridge 12, the maximum covering thickness of the metal layer on a lower half of the ridge being smaller than the maximum covering thickness of the metal layer on an upper half of the ridge; and a process for producing the first metal layer 20 by vapor-depositing a metal from a direction satisfying tan(?R1±10)=(Pp?Dpb/2)/Hp on the first side surface 16 side, and subsequently vapor-depositing the metal from a direction at an angle satisfying ?R1+5??R2??R1+25.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metamaterial is provided, comprising providing a sample of engineered microstructured material that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation and comprises one or more voids, passing through the voids a high pressure fluid comprising a functional material carried in a carrier fluid, and causing the functional material to deposit or otherwise integrate into the engineered microstructured material to form the metamaterial. Many microstructured materials and functional materials can be used, together with various techniques for controlling the location of the integration of the functional material within the microstructured material, so that a wide range of different metamaterials can be produced.

Abstract: New compositions for forming films for use in optical devices are provided. The compositions comprise a cellulose and a crosslinking agent dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. Preferred celluloses are cellulose esters such as cellulose acetates, cellulose triacetates, cellulose acetate phthalates, and cellulose acetate butyrates. Preferred crosslinking agents are triazines such as those derived from melamine and benzoguanamine. The inventive compositions can be used to form, for example, protective and/or compensation films for use in polarizing plates.

Abstract: An isothermal, low pressure-based process of depositing material within a substrate has been developed, and is particularly useful in forming an optical fiber preform results in creating an extremely narrow reaction zone within which a more uniform and efficient deposition will occur. Sets of isothermal plasma operating conditions have been found that create a narrow deposition zone, assuring that the deposited material is clear glass rather than soot particles. The exhaust end of the tube is connected to a vacuum system which is in turn connected to a scrubber apparatus for removal and neutralization of reaction by-products. The operating conditions are selected such that the hot plasma does not transfer a substantial amount of heat to the substrate tube, where the presence of such heat has been found to result in vaporizing the reactant material (creating soot) and developing hot spots.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a latent polarized image having high contrast characteristics with no apparent contours or traces of the image under normal visualization. A polymer solution is prepared in an organic solvent, and then applied onto a light-reflecting substrate. The polymer layer is dried to produce an optically isotropic polymer layer and anisotropic images are formed on the polymer layer. The polymer solution's concentration is from 5 to 30% by weight, and the images are formed by application of micro-lines by thermo-mechanical means, having depths from 1 to 3 ?m and being separated from one another by 4 to 6 ?m at a process rate from 10 to 50 m/min. The thermomechanical means operates at a temperature that is 10 to 60% less than the polymer melting/disintegration temperature and contacts the polymer layer to form micro-lines for 0.015 to 0.650 msec.

Abstract: A method for controlling positive birefringence in an optical compensation film (positive C-plate) having high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm is provided. The method includes selecting polymers with optically anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that exhibit the buttressing effect, wherein the OASUs may be disks, mesogens or aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents. The method further includes processing the polymer by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. These optical compensation films may be used in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: This invention has an object to provide a manufacturing method for light guide plate, from small to relatively large sizes, capable of corresponding to an arbitrary shape and the optical characteristics suitable for the shape and reducing the takt time.

Abstract: A line-and-space structure having a line portion and a space portion is formed by applying a sol-gel coating on a substrate and transferring a structure of a mold to the coating, and an embedded metal portion is formed by filling the space portion with a molten metal. As the metal to be molten, a metal material having a melting point of not higher than 650° C. and showing, after the solidification, an average extinction coefficient of higher than 5.0 or an average extinction coefficient of higher than 4.5 and an average refractive index of less than 1, at a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm, is selected to improve optical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical fiber is coated with a super-hydrophobic carbon nanotube film, or other film containing a nanocomposite material, to increase reliability. The film is formed from a carbon nanotube dispersion, which is in turn formed from a mixture of water, carbon nanotube gel, and a polymer such as single stranded DNA of a repeating sequence of the base pairs GT with a length of 20 base pairs, which is sonicated and then ultracentrifuged.

Abstract: This is directed to a LED light fixture having a shaped light guide array with a CPC reflector for directing light off-axis, and methods for constructing the same. A LED light fixture includes a LED module providing light and an elongated light guide array placed adjacent to the LED module. The elongated light guide array can include a curved outer surface through which light is emitted into an environment. To further control the output of light, and to direct light off-axis, the light guide array can include a CPC reflector disposed around a boundary or periphery of the light guide array. The CPC reflector can be angled such that light is directed at angles above a cut-off angle by which the reflector is rotated about a focus.

Abstract: A grating sheet, a LCD device and methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel are provided. The grating sheet comprises a plurality of primary color gratings in parallel, each of which comprises a red R sub-grating, a green G sub-grating and a blue B sub-grating in parallel, and each sub-grating comprises an opening area and a reflective region disposed around the opening area and corresponds to a pixel unit on a sub-array substrate. The grating sheet, the liquid crystal display panel and methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel may be applicable to a system with a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polarizer which is thin and light as well as has durability, and an optical member capable of forming a liquid-crystalline displaying apparatus for mobiles which is excellent in reliance. According to the present invention, there is provided a polarizer, which comprises a protecting film comprising an epoxy resin as a main component on at least one side of a polarizing film. This polarizer can be produced by a method of coating an uncured epoxy resin composition on at least one side of a polarizing film, and then curing the composition to form a protecting film. Also, an optical member comprising a laminate of the aforementioned polarizer and other optical layer exhibiting the optical function is provided and, further, a liquid crystal displaying apparatus comprising the optical member disposed on one side or both sides of a liquid-crystalline cell is provided.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) projector, an LED projector array, and a method of making the LED projector and LED projector array are provided. In general, an LED is disposed to inject light into an input aperture of a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC), disposed in a molded optical element. At least partially collimated light exits the output aperture of the CPC. The CPC has a portion of the surface free to expand and contract without degrading the performance of the LED projector.

Abstract: A novel optical compensation sheet is disclosed. The sheet comprising a polymer layer formed by coating and, drying a solution comprising a polymer compound and a solvent composition comprising 20% by weight or more of water; and an optically anisotropic layer formed on the surface of the polymer layer by hardening a liquid crystal layer comprising at least one liquid-crystalline compound under irradiation of ionizing radiation at a film surface temperature from 70 to 160° C.; wherein a frontal retardation (Re) value of the optically anisotropic layer is not zero, and the optically anisotropic layer gives substantially equal retardation values for light of a wavelength ? nm coming respectively in a direction rotated by +40° and in a direction rotated by ?40° with respect to a normal direction of a layer plane using an in-plane slow axis as a tilt axis (a rotation axis).

Abstract: A method for producing a laminate comprising a support; and at least two layers provided by coating at least two kinds of coating compositions, respectively, the method comprising: simultaneously coating at least two kinds of coating compositions on a support; and drying the at least two kinds of coating compositions, wherein the at least two kinds of coating compositions each comprises a compound having a polymerizable functional group capable of forming a chemical bond to each other.

Abstract: The current invention is a new glass windshield with a transition-lens type composition layer between the glass substrates for use in vehicles (airplanes, ships, boats, sailboats, steamers, yachts, jets, and cars) or residential and commercial buildings to protect against sun glare and provide an overall cooling effect on the passengers or inhabitants. Rather than permanently tinting the glass of windshields and windows, the current invention works only when needed. It activates in the presence of sunlight. By not darkening unnecessarily, it avoids the consistent darkening of the interior of a vehicle (airplanes, ships, boats, sailboats, steamers, yachts, jets, and cars), viewing panel of an accessory such as a motorcycle or skydiving helmet, or residential and commercial buildings, as is the problem with tinted glass. The new glass windshield can be used as is or as a detachable or attachable unit.

Abstract: An article includes a first substrate, a functional coating deposited over at least a portion of the substrate, and a protective coating deposited over the functional coating. The functional coating and the protective coating define a coating stack. A polymeric material is deposited over at least a portion of the protective coating. The protective coating has a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing lens comprising: polishing in a constant direction one of surfaces of a first mold for forming one of surfaces of a lens; disposing a second mold, for forming the other surface of the lens, opposite the first mold with a prescribed gap therebetween, and forming a cavity by occluding the gap, wherein the two molds are disposed so that the surface that has been polished is positioned within the cavity; casting a lens starting material liquid containing a curable component into the cavity and conducting a reaction to cure the curable component within the cavity to obtain a lens substrate having a surface to which a surface shape of the polished surface has been transferred; and forming a polarizing film on the surface of the lens substrate by coating a coating liquid containing a dichroic dye.

Abstract: A cholesteric reflector (100) includes a substrate (110) and a first cholesteric layer (120) which is disposed over the substrate (110) and reflects a first polarization of light within a design waveband. A second cholesteric layer (140) is disposed over the first cholesteric layer (120) and reflects a second polarization of light within the design waveband.

Abstract: A polarization element according to the invention includes a substrate, a metal layer and an absorber layer formed on the substrate to form a stripe in a plan view and stacked in a thickness direction of the substrate, a first dielectric layer formed on a surface of the metal layer and a second dielectric layer formed on a surface of the absorber layer. The first dielectric layer is made of an oxide of a metal constituting the metal layer, and the second dielectric layer is made of an oxide of a material constituting the absorber layer.

Abstract: Provided is a polyfunctional compound which can be used as an optical recording material in which a large quantity of information data can be recorded optically at a high density, which can be used as an optical waveguide material using a refractive index difference occurring between a light-irradiated part and a part not irradiated with light, and which is capable of forming a film and can be used as a photo-alignment film material having excellent photosensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patterned polarization converter having multiple domains that can be used to convert input linear polarized light to output light with spatially varying polarization states, including domains that produce linearly polarized light and domains that produce circular polarized light based on the patterning of the domains. A patterned polarization converter having multiple domains may be used in a polarization sensor application capable of detecting the polarization state of input light. The present invention further provides patterned radial and azimuthal polarization converters, which have utility in applications such as optical tweezers. Additionally, patterned polarization converters may be used to fabricate more patterned polarization converters having the same pattern using one-step photoalignment to copy the pattern of an existing patterned polarization converter to an unpatterned photoalignment layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a thin polarizing film having an absorption axis oblique to a width direction of the film which comprises the steps of: performing an orientation treatment in two directions in a plane of a support film; applying a solution containing a lyotropic liquid crystal compound onto a surface of the support film; and causing a column-shaped aggregate of the lyotropic liquid crystal compound to be oriented in a direction (orientation direction) equal to the vector sum of a direction of first orientation treatment and a direction of second orientation treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarizer and a method for produce for producing the same, and an LCD device. The polarizer includes a glass substrate and a metal wire grating disposed on the glass substrate. The polarizer disposed on the LCD device can greatly lower cost of the polarizer and the LCD device. Besides, the polarizer does not absorb incident lights so as to greatly reduce energy loss of lights passing through the polarizer and improve the utilization rate of light energy.

Abstract: The ultraviolet shielding compound is highly transparent in the visible light spectrum and shields approximately 100% of ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation. The ultraviolet shielding compound is formed from polyvinyl alcohol (PYA) doped with phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40). Preferably, the ratio of phosphotungstic acid to polyvinyl alcohol is 1. The ultraviolet shielding compound may be formed by first making a polymeric solution of polyvinyl alcohol dissolved in deionized water. Next, phosphotungstic acid is dissolved in deionized water to form an acidic solution. The acidic solution is added to the polymeric solution to form a mixture. The mixture is then thickened and cast. The cast mixture may then be dried to produce the ultraviolet shielding compound in the form of a flexible film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical film laminate including subjecting a laminate including the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate and the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer formed on the non-crystallizable ester type thermoplastic resin substrate to an elevated temperature in-air stretching to form a stretched laminate comprising a stretched intermediate consisting of a molecularly oriented polyvinyl alcohol type resin, impregnating the dichroic material in the stretched laminate to form a dyed laminate including a dyed intermediate comprising a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer having the dichroic material impregnated therein in an oriented state, and stretching the dyed laminate in boric acid solution to form an optical film laminate.

Abstract: A method for producing a polarizer comprises the steps of: (A) stretching a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer to obtain a stretched layer; (B) immersing the stretched layer in a dyeing liquid containing iodine to obtain a dyed layer in which absorbance thereof determined from a tristimulus value Y is from 0.4 to 1.0 (transmittance T=40% to 10%); and (C) removing a part of iodine adsorbed in the dyed layer so that the absorbance of the dyed layer decreases by 0.03 to 0.7, provided that the absorbance of the dyed layer is controlled so that it does not become less than 0.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security screen and a manufacturing method thereof. The security screen comprises: a first film layer; and a blind layer in which shielding partition walls for blocking input images are repeatedly arranged at a distance from each other in parallel or in a lattice configuration at a predetermined angle. The shielding partition walls are constituted by repeatedly printing or transferring a light-absorbing color ink onto one or both surfaces of the first film layer.

Abstract: In the optical plate and a method of manufacturing the optical plate, a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus, an optical plate is formed on a polarizing plate transmitting polarized light of incident light, and includes a phase delaying layer having first and second patterns. The first pattern delays a phase of the polarized light by 3?/4 and the second pattern delays the phase of the polarized light by ?/4. Accordingly, a process of manufacturing the display apparatus may be simplified, and a thickness of the display apparatus may be decreased.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an eyeglass lens comprising a primer layer and a hardcoat layer in this order on a substrate, which comprises coating a waterborne resin composition in which a resin component is dispersed or dissolved in a water-based solvent on the substrate and then removing the water-based solvent to form the primer layer; and directly coating a hardcoat liquid comprising a curable component and a solvent on the primer layer that has been formed and then conducting a curing process to form the hardcoat layer. An exclusion range including solubility parameter SP1 of the waterborne resin composition is set and a solvent having a solubility parameter outside the exclusion range that has been set is utilized for preparing the hardcoat liquid.

Abstract: The wire grid type polarization device includes a substrate, and a metal layer formed on one face of the substrate in a substantially stripe shape in a plan view, a first dielectric layer provided on two side faces opposite to each other among a plurality of side faces of the metal layer and in a top part of the metal layer, and a second dielectric layer provided on the first dielectric layer. A substrate side end portion of the second dielectric layer is located between the one surface of the substrate and the top part of the first metal layer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a polarization device having a plurality of metal layers provided on a substrate in a stripe shape in a plan view, and a dielectric layer provided on a surface of one metal layer among the plurality of metal layers, includes forming the dielectric layer by oxidizing a surface of one of the plurality of meal layers in an oxide gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polarizing dye receiving surface includes bringing the polarizing dye receiving surface into contact with a brushing surface of a brush pad carrying an abrasive material and brushing the polarizing dye receiving surface with the brushing surface in one or more brushing strokes. Each brushing stroke comprises effecting a unidirectional relative motion between the polarizing dye receiving surface and the brushing surface along a brushing path. The polarizing dye receiving surface is separated from the brushing surface after the brushing.

Abstract: Provided are a wire-grid polarizer, which has not only a high degree of polarization, a high p-polarized light transmittance and a high s-polarized light reflectance but also a low angle dependency and a low wavelength dependency in terms of optical properties in a visible light region, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: The light-polarizing solid coating composition which comprises (i) particles of at least one magnetic material suspended in a solvent, is characterized in that it comprises (ii) at least one dichroic dye compound. Application to ophthalmic optics.

Abstract: This invention relates to lead free, cadmium free, bismuth free low melting high durability glass and enamel compositions. The compositions comprise silica, zinc, titanium, and boron oxide based glass frits. The resulting compositions can be used to decorate and protect automotive, beverage, architectural, pharmaceutical and other glass substrates.

Abstract: A conductive polymer film having an antistatic function and an electromagnetic wave shielding function, and also having excellent optical properties such as transparency even if the film is arranged in the interior of LCD. The conductive polymer film comprises a polymer film and a conductive polymer adhered to the surface thereof, wherein the conductive polymer comprises polythiophene or polythiophene derivatives, the polymer film comprises an acetyl cellulose material or a norbornene material, a layer of the conductive polymer has a thickness of 3 ?m or less, and the conductive polymer film has a visible light transmission of 78% or more and a surface resistivity of 103-1012 ?/square.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing member comprising: forming a polarizing film by coating a dichroic dye-containing solution on a substrate; subjecting the polarizing film that has been formed to a treatment to immobilize the dichroic dye in the film; coating a waterborne resin composition containing a resin component and a water-based solvent on the polarizing film after the immobilization treatment, and drying the composition to form a primer layer; and forming a functional film on the primer layer that has been formed; wherein after the immobilization treatment but before the coating of the waterborne resin composition, an article to be coated is subjected to heat treatment.

Abstract: An Si—O containing hydrogenated carbon film as an optical film has a refractive index in a range from at least 1.48 to at most 1.85 for light of 520 nm wavelength and an extinction coefficient of less than 0.15 for light of 248 nm wavelength, wherein the refractive index and the extinction coefficient are decreased with energy beam irradiation. By utilizing such an Si—O containing hydrogenated carbon film, it is possible to provide various types of optical elements and an optical device including the same.

Abstract: An image acquisition system, in particular for automotive applications, includes: a substrate; an image sensor mounted on the substrate and contacted via contact points; an optically transparent sealing compound that covers the image sensor, the contact points, and a portion of the upper substrate side; an optical device being arranged or secured in or on the sealing compound. The optical device can be placed into the sealing compound after shaping of the sealing compound or directly. Furthermore, the optical device can also be arranged directly by shaping the sealing compound. Manufacture of the image acquisition system can be incorporated into a board populating process.

Abstract: Compositions, structures and methods that relate to films having switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity depending on ambient conditions, such as temperature. A film with switchable reflectivity and anti-reflectivity includes a nanostructured first layer having nanopillars associated with nanowells. A hydrogel occupies at least a portion of the nanowells. As the hydrogel moves from a dehydrated state to a hydrated state, the surface of the film switches from being reflective to being anti-reflective in a repeatable and reversible process.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invent features a method, including providing a layer having a plurality of spaced-apart lines of a first material extending along a first direction and forming a line of a second material on opposing surfaces of each line of the first material, the first and second materials being different and adjacent lines of the second material being discontinuous. After forming the lines of the second material, forming pairs of spaced-apart lines of a third material between adjacent pairs of the lines of the second material, wherein each line of the third material is spaced apart from the closest line of the second material and the first and third materials are different.

Abstract: A coating for permanent hydrophilization of surfaces and its use are provided. The coating is made of nano-scale particles having hydrophilic side chains, which can be sintered. The coating may be made of 10 to 90% inorganic structures, 5 to 70% hydrophilic side chains, and 0 to 50% organic side chains having functional groups.

Abstract: An optical device (10) comprising two layers (12, 18), with each layer having a plurality of adjacent and substantially coplanar polarizing layer portions (14, 16), with any two adjacent ones of these polarizing layer portions having orthogonal polarization directions. These two layers are movable relative to one another such that each of the polarizing layer portions from one layer can substantially overlap at least two of the polarizing layer portions from the other layer, with one of these other polarizing layer portions having a substantially identical polarization direction (FIG. 2a) and the other having an orthogonal polarization direction (FIG. 26). In this way, radiation wavelengths passing through the two layers can be selectively blocked and transmitted therethrough by moving the two layers relative to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to polarized and abrasion-resistant article comprising: a) a polarized layer applied to a substrate, said polarized layer including an oriented liquid crystal polymer layer (LCP) including at least one dichroic dye, said liquid crystal layer being coated on a photo-orientation layer, and b) an abrasion-resistant coating applied to the polarized layer on said substrate. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing said articles, and to the use of the above-mentioned article for the manufacturing of optic glasses or lenses.

Abstract: A method for producing a polarizing film comprising the step of dipping a polyvinyl alcohol film in/on which iodine is adsorbed and oriented in an aqueous solution containing boric acid wherein the aqueous solution has an absorbance of 0.13 or less at a wavelength of 450 nm. The produced polarizing film has a high contrast.

Abstract: A textured window film has a prismatic effect that allows a substantial amount of incoming light to pass through a window while refracting the light at random or semi-random angles in a manner that distorts viewed images. The result is a window film that is brighter and more vibrant while also providing visual privacy. The textured window film can therefore better simulate real textured and colored glass.