Abstract: An optical imaging system including an elongated lightguide having pluralities of first and second light extractors forming respective first and second patterns along the length of the lightguide is described. Light extracted by the first light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction toward a target location, and light extracted by the second light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. The optical imaging system includes a first reflector for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location. The first reflector forms a first virtual image of the second pattern behind the first reflector. The first pattern and the first virtual image are visible to a viewer viewing the optical imaging system from the target location.

Abstract: An optical imaging system (100) including an elongated lightguide (105) having pluralities of first and second light extractors (110) forming respective first and second patterns along the length of the lightguide is described. Light extracted by the first light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction toward a target location (150), and light extracted by the second light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. The optical imaging system includes a first reflector (114) for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location. The first reflector forms a first virtual image (132) of the second pattern behind the first reflector. The first pattern and the first virtual image are visible to a viewer (152) viewing the optical imaging system from the target location.

Abstract: A display system including a lightguide and first and second reflective layers disposed on opposite sides of the lightguide is provided. The lightguide has opposing first and second major surfaces and includes a light extraction pattern for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. Light extracted by the light extraction pattern exits the lightguide through at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the lightguide. Each of the first and second reflective layers has an average specular reflectance of at least 50% in a predetermined wavelength range. The light extraction pattern may be repeatedly imaged by the first and second reflective layers to produce three-dimensional stacked images of the light extraction pattern.

Abstract: A lightguide includes features for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. A first portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a first area of the lightguide having an optical reflectance of at least 30% and an optical transmittance of at least 5% for normally incident light at a wavelength of the extracted light. A second portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a different second area of the lightguide having an optical transmittance of at least 80% for normally incident light at the wavelength of the extracted light.

Abstract: Lightguides that include a plurality of discrete spaced apart light extracting structures are described. Each light extracting structure includes opposing inclined first and second sidewalls extending from a first side of the lightguide toward an optical axis of the light guide and meeting at an elongated peak extending along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and may include opposing first and second endwalls extending between the first and second sidewalls from the first side of the lightguide to the elongated peak to form a notch extending into a core of the lightguide. The first and second sidewalls are adapted to extract light propagating along the lightguide from an opposite second side of the lightguide by reflecting the propagating light toward the second side. The notch may have raised edges along at least a portion of a perimeter of the notch.

Abstract: An optical imaging system (100) including an elongated lightguide (105) having pluralities of first and second light extractors (110) forming respective first and second patterns along the length of the lightguide is described. Light extracted by the first light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction toward a target location (150), and light extracted by the second light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. The optical imaging system includes a first reflector (114) for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location. The first reflector forms a first virtual image (132) of the second pattern behind the first reflector. The first pattern and the first virtual image are visible to a viewer (152) viewing the optical imaging system from the target location.

Abstract: Light guide assemblies including first, second and third light guides, a first optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the first and second light guides, and a second optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the second and third light guides are described. The first optical coupling component is adapted to couple light between the first and second light guides, and the second optical coupling component is adapted to couple light the between second and third light guides. The first light guide, the second light guide and the first optical coupling component are coextensive over a first region of the assembly, and the second light guide, the third light guide and the second optical coupling component are coextensive over a different second region of the assembly.

Abstract: Lightguides including pixelated images, and methods of making the lightguides are provided. The lightguides include an image formed on a major side which is illuminated for directly viewing. The image includes an elongated portion being pixelated into an array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a single light extracting structure adapted to receive the propagating light within the lightguide along the optical axis and extract the received light transversely out of the lightguide.

Abstract: A display system including a lightguide and first and second reflective layers disposed on opposite sides of the lightguide is provided. The lightguide has opposing first and second major surfaces and includes a light extraction pattern for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. Light extracted by the light extraction pattern exits the lightguide through at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the lightguide. Each of the first and second reflective layers has an average specular reflectance of at least 50% in a predetermined wavelength range. The light extraction pattern may be repeatedly imaged by the first and second reflective layers to produce three-dimensional stacked images of the light extraction pattern.

Abstract: A lightguide includes features for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. A first portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a first area of the lightguide having an optical reflectance of at least 30% and an optical transmittance of at least 5% for normally incident light at a wavelength of the extracted light. A second portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a different second area of the lightguide having an optical transmittance of at least 80% for normally incident light at the wavelength of the extracted light.

Abstract: Light guide assemblies including first, second and third light guides, a first optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the first and second light guides, and a second optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the second and third light guides are described. The first optical coupling component is adapted to couple light between the first and second light guides, and the second optical coupling component is adapted to couple light the between second and third light guides. The first light guide, the second light guide and the first optical coupling component are coextensive over a first region of the assembly, and the second light guide, the third light guide and the second optical coupling component are coextensive over a different second region of the assembly.

Abstract: Lightguides that include a plurality of discrete spaced apart light extracting structures are described. Each light extracting structure includes opposing inclined first and second sidewalls extending from a first side of the lightguide toward an optical axis of the light guide and meeting at an elongated peak extending along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and may include opposing first and second endwalls extending between the first and second sidewalls from the first side of the lightguide to the elongated peak to form a notch extending into a core of the lightguide. The first and second sidewalls are adapted to extract light propagating along the lightguide from an opposite second side of the lightguide by reflecting the propagating light toward the second side. The notch may have raised edges along at least a portion of a perimeter of the notch.

Abstract: Lightguides including pixelated images, and methods of making the lightguides are provided. The lightguides include an image formed on a major side which is illuminated for directly viewing. The image includes an elongated portion being pixelated into an array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a single light extracting structure adapted to receive the propagating light within the lightguide along the optical axis and extract the received light transversely out of the lightguide.

Abstract: A sheet comprising: (1) a core member comprising one or more layers and having a first major surface and (2) a slip control layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface, wherein the slip control layer comprises: (i) a footing layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface of the core member, (ii) a binder layer disposed on the footing layer, and (iii) an array of particles disposed in the binder layer and footing layer and protruding therefrom, wherein the average diameter of the particles is greater than the combined thickness of the foot layer and binder layer.

Abstract: An optical film that includes a reflective polarizer and a stretched polymer film is disclosed. The stretched polymer film is laminated to the reflective polarizer, and the stretched polymer film exhibits a refractive index symmetry point at an angle of incidence in air of at least about 60 degrees in a plane of incidence parallel to a direction of greatest stretch.

Abstract: A sheet comprising: (1) a core member comprising one or more layers and having a first major surface and (2) a slip control layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface, wherein the slip control layer comprises: (i) a footing layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface of the core member, (ii) a binder layer disposed on the footing layer, and (iii) an array of particles disposed in the binder layer and footing layer and protruding therefrom, wherein the average diameter of the particles is greater than the combined thickness of the foot layer and binder layer.

Abstract: An optical film that includes a reflective polarizer and a stretched polymer film is disclosed. The stretched polymer film is laminated to the reflective polarizer, and the stretched polymer film exhibits a refractive index symmetry point at an angle of incidence in air of at least about 60 degrees in a plane of incidence parallel to a direction of greatest stretch.

Abstract: A method of slide coating that includes providing a first fluid including at least one solvent and at least one polymer; providing a second fluid, including multi unit polymeric precursors; flowing the first fluid down a first slide surface, to create a first fluid layer on the first slide surface; flowing the second fluid down a second slide surface; coating the substrate with the first and second fluid by flowing the first fluid layer and the second fluid layer from the first slide surface to the substrate; moving the substrate; and curing the first fluid, the second fluid, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of slide coating that includes providing a first fluid, wherein the first fluid includes at least one solvent, at least one single unit polymeric precursor or a combination thereof; providing a second fluid, wherein the second fluid includes multi unit polymeric precursors; flowing the first fluid down a first slide surface, to create a first fluid layer on the first slide surface, the first slide surface being positioned adjacent a substrate; flowing the second fluid down a second slide surface, the second slide surface positioned relative to the first slide surface such that the second fluid flows from the second slide surface to above the first slide surface onto the first fluid layer to create the second fluid layer on the first slide surface; coating the substrate with the first and second fluid by flowing the first fluid layer and the second fluid layer from the first slide surface to the substrate forming first and second coated layers; moving the substrate; and at least partially curing the f