Abstract: An optical stack includes a reflective polarizer including a plurality of interference layers and an absorbing polarizer disposed on the reflective polarizer. The plurality of interference layers transmits at least about 85% of an incident light having a first polarization state, reflects at least about 80% of the incident light having a second polarization state, and transmits less than about 0.1% of the incident light having the second polarization state. The absorbing polarizer has a first transmittance for the first polarization state and a second transmittance for the second polarization state. An average of the first and second transmittances is greater than about 0.46. The second transmittance has a first standard deviation. The optical stack has a transmittance for the second polarization state having a second standard deviation which is less than the first standard deviation by at least about 10%. A display includes the optical stack.

Abstract: An optical stack includes a liquid crystal panel with a color filter array. The liquid crystal panel has a filter side closest to the color filter array and a non-filter side opposite the filter side. An absorbing polarizer is laminated directly to the filter side of the liquid crystal panel, and a reflective polarizer laminated directly to the absorbing polarizer.

Abstract: Optical stacks are disclosed. In particular, optical stacks having a reflective polarizer and an optical compensation film are disclosed.

Abstract: Article comprising a reflective polarizer having a first major surface, and an exposed hardcoat on the first major surface, the hardcoat comprising binder, wherein the hardcoat has a thickness less than 500 nanometers and has a scratch rating of not greater than 1 as determined by the Linear Abrasion Test in the Examples. Articles described herein are useful, for example, for applications benefiting from reflective polarizers having brightness enhancement properties (e.g., use with liquid crystal display (LCD) devices).

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: A height measuring apparatus characterized by having an illumination optical system for illuminating the surface of an object, a pair of imaging optical systems having optical axis arranged symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of all light beam reflected by the object and designed to converging a part of the light beam along the optical axes, a pair of light-detecting optical systems arranged in a converging plane of the imaging optical systems and designed to detect light spots which change in position in accordance with the height of the object, and height calculator for generating spot-position signals from the light-intensity signals supplied from the light-detecting optical systems and calculating the height of the surface of the object from the spot-position signals.

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: An ultrasonic motor comprises a piezoelectric element functioning as a driving source; a rectangular-parallelepipedic elastic body coupled to the piezoelectric element and vibrated by the piezoelectric element; and a driving circuit for generating a driving signal consisting of a burst wave with an envelope having attenuation characteristics in a vibration attenuation period of the elastic body and applying the driving signal to the piezoelectric element, thereby generating an extending/contracting vibration along a longitudinal direction of the elastic body and a bending vibration propagating in the longitudinal direction of the elastic body.

Abstract: An epoxy-resin composition containing, as essential components, (1) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, (2) a solid-dispersing, amine adduct-type latent hardener, and (3) a titanium and/or zirconium alkoxide(s).