Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article that may be used to protect the exposed viewing surface of a display device. The optical article comprises: a light transmissive substrate; and a hardcoat layer disposed on the light transmissive substrate, the hardcoat layer comprising: a (meth)acrylate-functionalized metal oxide having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm, a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, and a cationic copolymer comprising from about 25 to about 60 wt. % of a cationic monomer comprising a quaternary amine group, about 5 to 30 wt. % of a tertiary amine monomer comprising a tertiary amine group, and about 10 to 60 wt. % of a hydrophobic monomer comprising an alkyl group having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article having: (a) a light transmissive substrate; (b) a hardcoat layer disposed on the light transmissive substrate and including a (meth)acrylate-functionalized metal oxide having an average particle size of less than about 100 nm, and a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer; and (c) a fluorochemical surface layer disposed on the hardcoat layer opposite the light transmissive substrate and including a fluorinated (meth)acryl monomer, a non-fluorinated crosslinking agent, and from about 25 to about 60 wt. % of conducting metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein the fluorochemical surface layer exhibits little or no color change with respect to the fluorochemical surface layer without the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Reflective polarizing films comprising a preferably durable high refractive index layer.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described having a surface layer comprising a the reaction product of a polymerizable low refractive index composition comprising at least one fluorinated free-radically polymerizable material and surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. A high refractive index layer is coupled to the low refractive index layer. In one emboidiment, the high refractive index layer comprises surface modified inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. The antireflective film is preferably durable, exhibiting a haze of less than 1.0% after 25 wipes with steel wool using a 3.2 cm mandrel and a mass of 1000 grams.

Abstract: Reflective polarizing films and brightness enhancing films comprising a preferably durable antireflective film.

Abstract: A cured coating for a siliceous material, preferably an optical fiber, comprises a thermally cured polyorganosilsesquioxane having an oxide powder dispersed therein. The oxide powder has a refractive index from about 1.2 to about 2.7 and includes particles having a particle size less than about 100 nanometers. The cured coating has adhesion to the siliceous material and is transparent to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A sprayable coating composition for a bare portion of an optical fiber that includes a refractive index grating having a characteristic wavelength response. A coating composition comprises a curable composition having a viscosity from about 0.05 Pa-sec to about 0.30 Pa-sec for spray application to cover the bare portion of the optical fiber, to protect the refractive index grating. A photoinitiator reacts with actinic radiation in the presence of oxygen to cure the curable composition covering the bare portion of the optical fiber. The characteristic wavelength response of the grating exhibits substantially linear variation between a lower limit of temperature and an upper limit of temperature when the curable composition has a glass transition temperature either above the upper limit of temperature or less than about 30° C. above the lower limit of temperature.

Abstract: A curable coating composition that may be converted to a cured coating for an optical fiber during a continuous fiber coating process. The curable coating composition comprises an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, an alkenyl functional polysiloxane, and an ultraviolet radiation absorbing hydrosilation photocatalyst in an amount for crosslink formation between the organohydrogenpolysiloxane and the alkenyl functional polysiloxane. The curable coating composition crosslinks under the influence of ultraviolet radiation to provide a cured coating having a high level of transparency to ultraviolet radiation. Application of heat to the curable coating composition accelerates the rate of cured coating formation. The high level of transparency of the cured coating allows from about 70% to about 99% of radiation of wavelengths from about 240 nm to about 275 nm to pass through the coating for writing a refractive index grating to produce an optical fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: A GGP fiber is provided which resists strength degradation upon exposure to high temperature/high humidity environments. The fiber comprises a polymeric coating, or P-coat, which is cured with a photoinitiator such as an iodonium methide salt which does not hydrolyze to release HF or fluoride ion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool.

Abstract: A filament coating apparatus comprising a frame for releasably securing a filament, and a carriage mounted on the frame to oscillate between a first position and a second position. There is a first filament holding fixture mounted on the carriage and a second filament holding fixture also mounted on the carriage in axial alignment with the first filament holding fixture to secure a measured filament portion, preferably of an optical fiber, including a bare portion thereof, located inside a first boundary and a second boundary, between the first filament holding fixture and the second filament holding fixture. At least one spray head is attached to the frame at the first position with at least one radiation source attached to the frame at the second position.