Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

Abstract: An optical system includes a lightguide having opposing top and bottom major surfaces. A round through opening extends between the two surfaces of the lightguide. An elongated channel is formed in one of the surfaces and at least partially surrounds and is substantially concentric with the opening. The channel has a depth (d) that varies along its length. Light extractors extract light that would otherwise propagate within and along the lightguide. The features of the lightguide can be varied to optimize performance of the lightguide for various purposes.

Abstract: A unitary lightguide including a first lightguide section extending along a first direction and a second lightguide section extending along a second direction is described. The second lightguide section includes a plurality of light extractors for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section. The unitary lightguide includes a boundary region disposed between and joining the first and second lightguide sections and including a plurality of spaced apart light redirecting features. Each light redirecting feature includes a first portion extending substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion extending from proximate the first end of the first portion toward the second lightguide section and making an angle with the first portion in a range from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.

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: An optical system comprises a lightguide having an elongated recess formed therein. The recess divides the lightguide into a first lightguide section a second larger lightguide section. Light extractors are disposed in the second, but not the first, lightguide section for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section via total internal reflection (TIR). The depth of the recess varies along its length. The inclusion of a recess having a depth that varies along its length provides design flexibility in the number and location of light source(s) used by the optical system.

Abstract: A unitary lightguide including a first lightguide section extending along a first direction and a second lightguide section extending along a second direction is described. The second lightguide section includes a plurality of light extractors for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section. The unitary lightguide includes a boundary region disposed between and joining the first and second lightguide sections and including a plurality of spaced apart light redirecting features. Each light redirecting feature includes a first portion extending substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion extending from proximate the first end of the first portion toward the second lightguide section and making an angle with the first portion in a range from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.

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: An optical system includes a lightguide having opposing top and bottom major surfaces. A round through opening extends between the two surfaces of the lightguide. An elongated channel is formed in one of the surfaces and at least partially surrounds and is substantially concentric with the opening. The channel has a depth (d) that varies along its length. Light extractors extract light that would otherwise propagate within and along the lightguide. The features of the lightguide can be varied to optimize performance of the lightguide for various purposes.

Abstract: A unitary lightguide including a first lightguide section extending along a first direction and a second lightguide section extending along a second direction is described. The second lightguide section includes a plurality of light extractors for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section. The unitary lightguide includes a boundary region disposed between and joining the first and second lightguide sections and including a plurality of spaced apart light redirecting features. Each light redirecting feature includes a first portion extending substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion extending from proximate the first end of the first portion toward the second lightguide section and making an angle with the first portion in a range from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a lightguide having an elongated recess formed therein. The recess divides the lightguide into a first lightguide section a second larger lightguide section. Light extractors are disposed in the second, but not the first, lightguide section for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section via total internal reflection (TIR). The depth of the recess varies along its length. The inclusion of a recess having a depth that varies along its length provides design flexibility in the number and location of light source(s) used by the optical system.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

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: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

Abstract: A unitary lightguide including a first lightguide section extending along a first direction and a second lightguide section extending along a second direction is described. The second lightguide section includes a plurality of light extractors for extracting light that would otherwise propagate within and along the second lightguide section. The unitary lightguide includes a boundary region disposed between and joining the first and second lightguide sections and including a plurality of spaced apart light redirecting features. Each light redirecting feature includes a first portion extending substantially parallel to the first direction, and a second portion extending from proximate the first end of the first portion toward the second lightguide section and making an angle with the first portion in a range from about 10 degrees to about 70 degrees.

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: Optical film is disclosed. The optical film includes a binder, a plurality of particles, and a plurality of interconnected voids. The volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids in the optical film is not less than about 20%. The weight ratio of the binder to the plurality of the particles is not less than about 1:2.

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.