Abstract: Optical films are disclosed that include a plurality of interference layers. Each interference layer reflects or transmits light primarily by optical interference. The total number of the interference layers is less than about 1000. For a substantially normally incident light in a predetermined wavelength range, the plurality of interference layers has an average optical transmittance greater than about 85% for a first polarization state, an average optical reflectance greater than about 80% for an orthogonal second polarization state, and an average optical transmittance less than about 0.2% for the second polarization state.

Abstract: Optical films are disclosed that include a plurality of interference layers. Each interference layer reflects or transmits light primarily by optical interference. The total number of the interference layers is less than about 1000. For a substantially normally incident light in a predetermined wavelength range, the plurality of interference layers has an average optical transmittance greater than about 85% for a first polarization state, an average optical reflectance greater than about 80% for an orthogonal second polarization state, and an average optical transmittance less than about 0.2% for the second polarization state.

Abstract: An optical system including one or more optical lenses, at least one retarder layer, a reflective polarizer, and a partial reflector is provided. The at least one retarder layer may include first and second retarder layers having different wavelength dispersion curves. The at least one retarder layer may include a first retarder layer having a non-uniform fast axis orientation and/or a non-uniform retardance.

Abstract: Multi-mode displays are described. In particular, multi-mode displays having an emissive display element, a partial reflector disposed on the emissive display element, a spatial light modulator disposed on the partial reflector, and an absorbing polarizer disposed on the spatial light modulator are described. Multi-mode displays having at least reflective display modes and emissive display modes are described. The display is configured such that switching between these modes happens quickly or even automatically.

Abstract: An optical system includes a partial reflector having an average optical reflectance of at least 30% in a desired plurality of wavelengths, a display panel disposed to emit image light toward the partial reflector, and a multilayer reflective polarizer disposed proximate the partial reflector. The multilayer reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. The image light is transmitted by the multilayer reflective polarizer after it is first reflected by the multilayer reflective polarizer. A quarter wave retarder may be disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector.

Abstract: A display system includes an optical system and a curved display disposed to emit light toward the optical system. The optical system includes at least a first optical lens, a partial reflector and a reflective polarizer. The optical system has an optical axis such that a light ray propagating along the optical axis passes through the first optical lens the partial reflector and the reflective polarizer without being substantially refracted. At least one major surface of the optical system can be rotationally asymmetric about the optical axis. A major surface of the optical system may have a first portion defined by a first equation and a second portion adjacent the first portion defined by a different equation. The first optical lens may have a contoured edge adapted to be placed adjacent an eye of a viewer and substantially conform to the viewer's face.

Abstract: A display system includes a pixelated display being curved about at least one axis and including a plurality of groups of pixels; a plurality of light redirecting elements where each light redirecting element corresponds to a different group of pixels in the plurality of groups of pixels; and an optical lens system adapted to receive light emitted by the pixelated display and transmitted by the plurality of light redirecting elements. The optical lens system transmits at least a portion of the received light. For at least one pixel in the plurality of groups of pixels, the light redirecting element corresponding to the pixel reduces an angle between a central light ray emitted by the pixel and a chief light ray emitted by the pixel.

Abstract: Multi-mode displays are described. In particular, multi-mode displays having an emissive display element, a partial reflector disposed on the emissive display element, a spatial light modulator disposed on the partial reflector, and an absorbing polarizer disposed on the spatial light modulator are described. Multi-mode displays having at least reflective display modes and emissive display modes are described. The display is configured such that switching between these modes happens quickly or even automatically.

Abstract: A folded light path illuminator is provided. The illuminator may include a polarizing beam splitter having an input face, an output face and an imager face, a light source disposed adjacent the input face and defining an input active area on the input face, and an image forming device disposed adjacent the imager face for receiving light emitted from the light source and emitting a patterned light, which may be a converging patterned light. The image forming device may have a largest image area which defines an output active area on the output face. One or both of the input active area and the output active area may be less than about half the largest image area. The polarizing beam splitter may include first and second prisms and the volume of the first prism may be no greater than half the volume of the second prism.

Abstract: Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization.

Abstract: Polymer composites and methods of making wherein the polymer composites include a continuous matrix phase and a reinforcing phase, with varying properties (material and/or physical).

Abstract: Optical films are disclosed that include a plurality of interference layers. Each interference layer reflects or transmits light primarily by optical interference. The total number of the interference layers is less than about 1000. For a substantially normally incident light in a predetermined wavelength range, the plurality of interference layers has an average optical transmittance greater than about 85% for a first polarization state, an average optical reflectance greater than about 80% for an orthogonal second polarization state, and an average optical transmittance less than about 0.2% for the second polarization state.

Abstract: A method may include bonding a deformable bounding element to a structural support element in which the deformable bounding element and a cavity-adjacent side of the structural support element define a cavity. The method may further include filling the cavity with a deformable medium by injecting the deformable medium past a cavity-opposite side of the structural support element and toward the cavity-adjacent side of the structural support element. The method may additionally include sealing an entry point of the injection of the deformable medium into the cavity. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization.

Abstract: A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.

Abstract: Methods of making optical films and optical stacks are described. A method of making an optical lens molded to a first curved optical film includes providing a first optical film including alternating first and second polymeric layers; providing a thermoform tool having a curved surface; heating and conforming the first optical film to the curved surface to form a first curved optical film; and molding an optical lens onto the first curved optical film.

Abstract: A folded light path illuminator is provided. The illuminator may include a polarizing beam splitter having an input face, an output face and an imager face, a light source disposed adjacent the input face and defining an input active area on the input face, and an image forming device disposed adjacent the imager face for receiving light emitted from the light source and emitting a patterned light, which may be a converging patterned light. The image forming device may have a largest image area which defines an output active area on the output face. One or both of the input active area and the output active area may be less than about half the largest image area. The polarizing beam splitter may include first and second prisms and the volume of the first prism may be no greater than half the volume of the second prism.

Abstract: An optical system including one or more optical lenses, at least one retarder layer, a reflective polarizer, and a partial reflector is provided. The at least one retarder layer may include first and second retarder layers having different wavelength dispersion curves. The at least one retarder layer may include a first retarder layer having a non-uniform fast axis orientation and/or a non-uniform retardance.

Abstract: A head mounted display is disclosed. More particularly, a head mounted display including one or more projection light sources, one or more eye-tracking light sources, a polarizing beam splitter, and a second polarizing beam splitter is disclosed. Light from the one or more projection light sources and the one or more projection light sources and the one or more eye-tracking light sources are both at least partially reflected by the polarizing beam splitter. An optical path between the polarizing beam splitter and the second polarizing beam splitter passes through air. A head mounted display that utilizes polarizing beam splitters having certain reflection bandedges over a range of incidence angles is disclosed.

Abstract: A beam expander including a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer curved about two orthogonal axes and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector is described. The beam expander is adapted to receive an input light beam incident on the partial reflector and transmit an expanded output light beam. Illuminators and projection systems including the beam expander are described.