Abstract: The present invention provides polishing pad for electrochemical mechanical polishing. The pad comprises a cellular polymeric layer overlying a conductive substrate, the cellular polymeric layer having a thickness less than 1.5 mm.

Abstract: A backlight unit comprises: (1) a light source; (2) a light guide plate (LGP) having an incident face toward the light source and having a refractive index nLGP; (3) a reflective polarizer having formed birefringence in optical contact with the LGP including a layer having parameters of the reflective polarizer selected to provide R0>0.8 for one polarization state and T90>0.8 for the orthogonal polarization state, for light of wavelength of 550 nm, for least one reflective polarizer angle of light incidence ?a.

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: 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: 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: A brightness enhancement article and illumination system provides light from a two-dimensional surface. The brightness enhancement article has a plurality of light collecting structures wherein each light collecting structure is longitudinally extended in a length direction along the surface. The structures may have various lengthwise shapes such as being curved, concentric, radial, or of varying thickness.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad, comprising a tank with polymeric materials, a storage silo with microspheres, a isocyanate storage tank with isocyanates and a premix prep tank for forming a pre-mixture of the polymeric materials and the microspheres. The invention further provides a premix run tank for storing the pre-mixture, a mixer for forming a mixture of the pre-mixture and the isocyanates, a closed mold for reaction-injection molding the mixture and a vacuum for degassing at least one of the tank, isocyanate storage tank or the mold.

Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.

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: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a porous chemical mechanical polishing pad comprising focusing a laser beam from a laser into a sintering nozzle and injecting the fluidized thermoplastic particles into the sintering nozzle via an injection port. The method further provides sintering the thermoplastic particles with the laser beam and selectively depositing the sintered thermoplastic particles onto a table to form the polishing pad.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises a solid lightguide comprising opposite TIR surfaces, containing a desired pattern of light redirecting surface features located between the TIR surfaces and interrupting one of the TIR surfaces, the features having a refractive index differing from that of the solid material of the light guide. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element including a substrate, a wire grid on one side of said substrate, and prismatic light collimating features on the other side of said substrate

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of making a solid film. Viscous material (163) is input into a nip between a patterned roller (165) and a belt (167). The nip between the patterned roller (165) and belt (167) is facilitated by a compliant roller (169). Accordingly, a film may be produced that has discrete optical elements and a smooth backside.

Abstract: A compliant pressure roller (10) for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprises a stationary inner core (12). A plurality of shoes (14) is pivotally mounted to the stationary inner core. Dividers (16) create a plurality of annular chambers (18) wherein each of the shoes occupies one of the chambers. A non-Newtonian fluid (70) fills each of the chambers. A plurality of actuators is connected to at least one of the shoes. A thin, rotatable shell surrounds the plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, such features having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein either the length of at least some of the features is less than the width of the film or the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad comprising providing a polymeric matrix with fluid-filled unexpanded microspheres, curing the polymeric matrix and heating the polymeric matrix and the microspheres to expand the microspheres.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a wire grid polarizer includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25. In another example embodiment, a display system includes a light source and a light-valve. The display system also includes a wire grid polarizer that includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad comprising, providing a tank with polymeric materials, providing a storage silo with microspheres and providing an isocyanate storage tank with isocyanates. The invention further provides delivering the polymeric materials and the microspheres to a premix prep tank, forming a pre-mixture of the polymeric materials and the microspheres, delivering the pre-mixture to a premix run tank and forming a mixture of the pre-mixture and the isocyanates. Further the invention provides injecting the mixture into a closed mold, curing the polishing pad in the mold and degassing at least one of the tank, isocyanate storage tank and the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad, comprising providing a tank with polymeric materials and providing a storage hopper with microspheres having an initial bulk density, wherein the storage hopper further comprises a porous membrane provided over a plenum. The method further provides the steps of connecting a fluidizing gas source to the plenum through a gas inlet line and fluidizing the microspheres and reducing the initial bulk density by feeding gas into the plenum. In addition, the method further provides the steps of providing a delivery system for delivering the polymeric materials and the microspheres to a mixer, forming a mixture of the polymeric materials and the microspheres, pouring the mixture into a mold to form a molded product and cutting the molded product into the polishing pad.