Abstract: This invention relates to an optical film comprising a first component having a birefringence dispersion of D1>1 and a second component having a birefringence dispersion of D2<1, wherein the birefringence ratio of the first and second component is delta n1/delta n2>0, wherein the optical film has a reverse birefringence dispersion of D<1.

Abstract: An illumination device comprising in order from bottom to top (a) a solid transparent light transmission plate having a bottom and top surface, and (b) a light extraction unit having a light entry and a light extraction surface separated from the transmission plate by one or more optical interfaces, said light transmission plate comprising at least one cavity/light source unit comprising a cavity containing a light source and air or other material of refractive index less than the light transmission plate, wherein the light plate includes a surface for restricting the angle at which at least some of the light from the light source leaves the cavity, wherein the light extraction unit includes (1) a light polarizer (2) a light-scatterer, or (3) a light redirector.

Abstract: A system for laser light delivery from an organic fiber laser, including a multi-layered vertical cavity film structure, wherein the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure is excited by an energy source; and an optical fiber integrated with the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure, such that the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure is deposited on the optical fiber; and wherein the delivery of laser light occurs at an end of the optical fiber as emitted laser

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide comprising a transparent polymeric central core clad externally with one or more polymeric layers, at least one of the core or clad layer containing layered particles disposed in a polymeric binder, wherein a majority of the particles have a lateral dimension less than 1 micrometer.

Abstract: A system for laser light delivery from an organic fiber laser, including a multi-layered vertical cavity film structure, wherein the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure is excited by an energy source; and an optical fiber integrated with the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure, such that the multi-layered vertical cavity film structure is deposited on the optical fiber; and wherein the delivery of laser light occurs at an end of the optical fiber as emitted laser

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide comprising a transparent polymeric central core clad externally with one or more polymeric layers, at least one of the core or clad layer containing layered particles disposed in a polymeric binder, wherein a majority of the particles have a lateral dimension less than 1 micrometer.

Abstract: Thermally developable materials include an imaging layer containing a non-photosensitive source of reducible silver ions. Disposed over the imaging layer is a barrier layer that comprises inorganic filler particles that are intercalated or exfoliated with a hydrophilic or water-dispersible polymer. The particles have a length to thickness ratio of from about 10 to about 1000. The barrier layer can prevent migration of diffusible imaging components and by-products resulting from high temperature imaging and/or development. These thermally developable materials include both thermographic and photothermographic materials.

Abstract: Thermographic and photothermographic materials comprise a barrier layer to provide physical protection and to prevent migration of diffusible imaging components and by-products resulting from high temperature imaging and/or development. The barrier layer comprises a film-forming acrylic or methacrylic acid ester or amide polymer(s) that has a molecular weight of at least 8000 g/mole and comprises hydroxy functionality in from about 15 to 100 mole % of the acrylic or methacrylic acid ester or amide recurring units. This barrier layer is capable of retarding diffusion of mobile chemicals such as fatty carboxylic acids, developers, and toners. This barrier layer can also include at least one other film-forming polymer to provide a clear and scratch-resistant surface.

Abstract: Thermographic and photothermographic materials comprise a barrier layer to provide physical protection and to prevent migration of diffusible imaging components and by-products resulting from high temperature development. The barrier layer comprises a film-forming, water-insoluble aromatic polyester that has a molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mole and is capable of retarding diffusion of mobile chemicals such as fatty acids, developers and toners. This polymer can also be present in admixture with another film-forming polymer to provide a clear and scratch-resistance surface.

Abstract: Thermographic and photothermographic materials comprise a surface barrier layer to provide physical protection and to prevent migration of diffusible imaging components and by-products resulting from high temperature development. The barrier layer comprises a film-forming acrylate or methacrylate polymer(s) that has a molecular weight of at least 8000 g/mole and comprises epoxy functionality and is capable of retarding diffusion of mobile chemicals such as fatty acids. This polymer is preferably present in admixture with at least one other film-forming polymer to provide a clear and scratch-resistance surface film.