Abstract: A projection screen providing an improved contrast between projected light and ambient light, which projection screen includes a light-absorbing layer and an active layer located in front of said light-absorbing layer. The active layer is transparent to light having a first direction of polarization and reflective to light having a second direction of polarization. The reflecting polarizing layer may be provided between the active layer and the light-absorbing layer.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing polarized light to, e.g. a LCD, is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a substrate (201) and a top layer (202). The substrate (201) is preferably optically anisotropic and the top layer (202) is either isotropic or anisotropic. The respective indices of refraction are chosen such that polarization separation occurs at the interface (214) between the substrate (201) and the top layer (202). Furthermore, the indices of refraction are chosen such that there are no restrictions on the angle of incidence (&thgr;i) of the incoming light (L), and hence obviating the need for collimation of the incoming light (L). The top layer (202) comprises light outcoupling structures, internally or externally.

Abstract: The invention describes a liquid crystal color picture screen with an improved luminous efficacy and an improved viewing angle. The liquid crystal color picture screen comprises a photoluminescent layer (7) which contains a dichroically absorbing color agent and an isotropically emitting color agent.

Abstract: A polarized light-emitting waveguide for use in an edge-lit lighting arrangement has polarization-selective outcoupling means including at least a volume hologram for selectively diffracting waveguided light towards the exit surface of the waveguide with high contrast and efficiency. The light emitted by the waveguide is selectively emitted to one side thereof, highly polarized, highly collimated and may be homogeneously distributed across the exit surface. Also, light emission may be normal or near-normal to the exit surface. If combined with light recycling means the contrast, brightness and/or efficiency of the edge-lit illumination arrangement may be further increased.

Abstract: Transflective display device provided with an optical waveguide which splits light coming in from aside into two light beams having a mutually opposite circular polarization. Polarization splitting is achieved at the interface of areas in the optical waveguide having a chiral nematic structure.

Abstract: A multi-layered arrangement according to the invention provide emission of polarized light. At least one of the interfacing surfaces between the layers is provided with a microstructure. In one embodiment, a first layer in the form of a lightguide substrate (401) receives unpolarized light from a lamp (420). A birefringent second layer (402) is provided with a microstructure (410) in the form of parallel grooves. On top of the birefringent layer a third layer (403), i.e. a coating layer, is located. Light is outcoupled by way of selective Total Internal Reflection, TIR, at the micro-structured surface of the birefringent layer, yielding a highly linearly polarized emission at near normal angles. The polarized light may be emitted out through the coating or in an opposite direction through the lightguide, which in an advantageous manner allow any configuration of transmissive (backlight), transflective (backlight) or reflective (frontlight) display arrangement.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display laminate comprises a liquid crystal layer and a single substrate for confining that layer, allowing the liquid crystal layer to be provided using a wet deposition method such as printing or coating. To improve mechanical stability and provide protection and keep the liquid crystal layer in place, a cover layer may be provided on the liquid crystal layer. The cover layer and liquid crystal layer may together form a stratified-phase-separated composite in which case the liquid crystal layer and the cover layer are provided simultaneously. The display laminate is very thin and light weight. The display laminate may include or be combined with further layers such as orientation layers, electrode layers, polarizers and/or retarders layer to form a fully functional, high contrast display device.

Abstract: A stratified-phase-separated composite comprising a polymeric layer and a liquid layer is obtained by photo-polymerizing a composition comprising a liquid and a photo-polymerizable monomer. In order to obtain well-stratified composites which may contain liquid which does not absorb radiation used to photo-polymerize, the composition and composite comprises a dye which is adapted to absorb radiation used to carry out the photo-polymerization and which selectively accumulates in the polymeric layer.

Abstract: A stratified-phase-separated composite comprises a liquid layer, such as a liquid crystal layer, and a polymeric layer. In order to obtain a more complete stratification resulting in less liquid being present in the polymeric layer, the polymeric layer is crosslinked. The stratified composite is preferably obtained by photo-polymerization induced phase-separation of a phase-separable composition provided on a single substrate or dispersed between two opposite substrates.

Abstract: Display device having a display panel with an active part on which pictures are displayed, a stratified (LC) light modulator element (e.g. a shutter or a switch) of a size corresponding to the size of the active part of the display panel being arranged in front of the display panel, the light modulator element being provided with transparent electrode means for energizing the LC light modulator element.

Abstract: Picture display device having a display panel with an active part on which pictures are displayed, an LC shutter of a size corresponding to the size of the active part of the display panel being arranged in front of the display panel, electrode means being provided for energizing the LC shutter, wherein the energizing being effected in accordance with the on/off operation of the display device, the LC shutter includes an LC cell, the LC cell comprises an LC-gel which can be switched between a light-transmissive state and an opaque, particularly scattering, state, and the LC shutter is fixed to the surface of the display panel by means of an adhesive. The LC shutter becomes transparent in the case of electric breakdown.

Abstract: A display device (1) is provided with a means (15) for selectively transmitting and blocking light from specific areas of the image. The means for blocking comprises an LCD cells or a number of LCD cells, which cells comprises an oriented polymer network, an LC material with negative &Dgr;&egr; and a pleochroic dye.

Abstract: Display device based on the scanning window principle, in which light loss in segments of the optical shutter element (21) is prevented by using reflective polarizers (35, 36).

Abstract: A light valve (1) for controlled transmission of light comprises a first (4, 5, 6) and a second (8, 9) element at least one (8, 9) of which two elements is controllably movable into optical contact with the other element (4, 5, 6). Each facing side of the elements is provided with an interference filter layer (6, 8), which interference filter layers (6, 8), when being in optical contact with each other, have a transmission for light projected onto the light valve in a wavelength range determined by the interference filter layers (6, 8), which transmission differs from the transmission in the case where the interference filter layers (6, 8) are not in optical contact with each other. Such light valves (1) are used in devices comprising a light source (3) and for displaying signals that are present in an electronic form. The light valve (1) is used to control the transmission of light emitted by the light source (3) based on signals which are present in an electronic form.

Abstract: An assembly is provided suitable for use in visual display devices, such as Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) and Plasma Display Panels (PDPs) comprising a set of polarizers comprising reflective polarizer means and absorbing polarizer means, and optionally a quarter wave retardation means, which enhances the luminance-contrast performance of said visual display devices, wherein said reflective polarizer means is comprised of birefringent inorganic thin-film material, e.g. silica. This inorganic polarizer material is preferably arranged at the inner side of the display and resists the manufacturing and operating conditions in a display device. Light emitted by the phosphor dots becomes polarized with an efficiency between 50 and 100%. This polarized light is fully transmitted by the dichroic polarizer whereas incident daylight is absorbed for more than 50%. Also claimed are visual display devices comprising said assembly, and methods of manufacturing said assembly and said visual display devices.

Abstract: Display device based on the scanning window principle in which uniform light segments (30) are obtained via light sources, or backlights, (12, 40) which introduce light into a side (10) of a waveguide (15). Segments are defined via liquid crystal switches, or shutters, (21) or parts of a row of LEDs (40).

Abstract: Transflective display device provided with an optical waveguide which splits light coming in from aside into two light beams having a mutually opposite circular polarization. Polarization splitting is achieved at the interface of areas in the optical waveguide having a chiral nematic structure.

Abstract: The invention describes a liquid crystal color picture screen with an improved luminous efficacy and an improved viewing angle. The liquid crystal color picture screen comprises a photoluminescent layer (7) which contains a dichroically absorbing color agent and an isotropically emitting color agent. FIG.

Abstract: A projection screen providing an improved contrast between projected light and ambient light, which projection screen comprises a light-absorbing layer and an active layer located in front of said light-absorbing layer. The active layer is transparent to light having a first direction of polarization and reflective to light having a second direction of polarization. The reflecting polarizing layer may be provided between the active layer and the light-absorbing layer.

Abstract: A display device (1) is provided with a means (15) for selectively transmitting and blocking light from specific areas of the image. The means for blocking comprises an LCD cells or a number of LCD cells, which cells comprises an oriented polymer network, an LC material with negative &Dgr;&egr; and a pleochroic dye.