Abstract: A polarization converting system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The polarization converting system includes a polarization splitting unit splitting incident unpolarized light into two orthogonal polarizations and a polarization converting unit converting incident light into specific polarized light. The polarization converting unit has first and second regions that correspond to the polarization splitting unit and are different in a polarization converting extent from each other.

Abstract: A polarized light emitting light guide plate includes: a transparent substrate of optically isotropic material, in which the light incident through a lateral side thereof travels; an anisotropic liquid crystal polymer layer formed on an upper surface of the substrate and having first and second refractive indices with respect to first and second perpendicular polarization components; and a polarization separation microstructure formed at an interface between the transparent substrate and the liquid crystal polymer layer, which refracts or reflects the first polarization component and transmits the second polarization component. The refractive index of the polarization separation microstructure is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate; the first refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer is greater than the refractive index of the substrate, and the second refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer light is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate.

Abstract: A double-side illumination apparatus includes a light source, an isotropic light guide plate including an incident plane on which light emitted from the light source is incident, an opposite plane facing the incident plane, and upper and lower surfaces through which the light is out-coupled. Isotropic micro-structures are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the isotropic light guide plate, respectively, and first and second anisotropic layers are respectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the isotropic light guide plate so as to completely cover the isotropic micro-structures. Herein, the first and second anisotropic layers have different refractive indices with respect to light having first and second polarization components that are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: An illumination system for a flat panel display device includes: a light guide plate made of an optically isotropic material; a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate; an upper layer disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and made of an optically anisotropic material; and a polarization selection emitting structure which is disposed at an interface of the light guide plate and the upper layer. The upper layer has two different refractive indices and one of the two refractive indices is the same as a refractive index of the light guide plate. In the polarization selection emitting structure differently polarized light is differently refracted, reflected, diffracted, or scattered based on polarization direction.

Abstract: Provided is a backlight device that includes: a light guide panel having a diffraction pattern for emitting light through an emission surface of the light guide panel by diffracting light entering the light guide panel; and a chromatic dispersion compensation member that is an optical transmitting member located on a light emission side of the light guide panel and has a lattice pattern having a depth in a direction vertical to the emission surface of the light guide panel.

Abstract: Provided is a backlight device that includes: a light guide panel having a diffraction pattern for emitting light through an emission surface of the light guide panel by diffracting light entering the light guide panel; and a chromatic dispersion compensation member that is an optical transmitting member located on a light emission side of the light guide panel and has a lattice pattern having a depth in a direction vertical to the emission surface of the light guide panel.

Abstract: A double-side illumination apparatus includes a light source, an isotropic light guide plate including an incident plane on which light emitted from the light source is incident, an opposite plane facing the incident plane, and upper and lower surfaces through which the light is out-coupled. Isotropic micro-structures are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the isotropic light guide plate, respectively, and first and second anisotropic layers are respectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the isotropic light guide plate so as to completely cover the isotropic micro-structures. Herein, the first and second anisotropic layers have different refractive indices with respect to light having first and second polarization components that are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A high-output light guide panel and a backlight unit and display device using the high-output light guide panel are provided. The light guide panel includes a first layer having an incidence surface on which light is incident from at least one light source, an opposite surface disposed opposite the incidence surface, and an emission surface from which light is emitted; a second layer disposed on the first layer and having an emission unit in which prisms are serially and repetitively arranged; and a third layer disposed on the second layer and formed of an anisotropic material. The light guide panel also includes a plurality of light distribution controllers disposed in the second layer which totally reflect light transmitted through the first layer toward the first layer, such that the amount of totally reflected light gradually decreases from a region near the light source toward a region far from the light source.

Abstract: A polarization separating film is provided, including an isotropic layer having a refractive index which is the same with respect to light having a first polarization and with respect to light having a second polarization, perpendicular to the first polarization; an anisotropic layer disposed on an upper surface of the isotropic layer and having a first refractive index with respect to light having the first polarization and a second refractive index, different from the first refractive index, with respect to light having the second polarization; a first micropattern disposed on a lower surface of the isotropic layer which changes an optical path of incident light; and a second micropattern, disposed on an interface between the isotropic layer and the anisotropic layer, which totally reflects light having the first polarization and which transmits light having the second polarization.

Abstract: Provided are a high output light guide panel and a backlight unit employing the same. The light guide panel includes a first layer having an incident surface on which light emitted from a light source is incident, a surface opposite the incident surface, and an upper surface through which the light exists. A second layer is disposed on the first layer and includes a continuous and periodic array of exit units and planar portions formed between the exit units, each exit unit having a first prism and a second prism which is equal to or larger than the first prism. A third layer is formed of an anisotropic material and is disposed on the second layer.

Abstract: A polarized light emitting light guide plate includes: a transparent substrate of optically isotropic material, in which the light incident through a lateral side thereof travels; an anisotropic liquid crystal polymer layer formed on an upper surface of the substrate and having first and second refractive indices with respect to first and second perpendicular polarization components; and a polarization separation microstructure formed at an interface between the transparent substrate and the liquid crystal polymer layer, which refracts or reflects the first polarization component and transmits the second polarization component. The refractive index of the polarization separation microstructure is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate; the first refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer is greater than the refractive index of the substrate, and the second refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer light is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate.

Abstract: An illuminator for a flat panel display device is provided. The illuminator includes a light source generating light; a light guide plate that guides and distributes the light generated by the light source and is made of optically isotropic material; a collimator that is disposed between an end of the light guide plate and the light source and guides the light from the light source onto the light guide plate with a predetermined incident angle; a polarization separation layer that is made of optically anisotropic material having two refractive indices and formed on the light guide plate to transmit first polarized light from the light guide plate and reflect second polarized light from the light guide plate; and a beam out-coupling layer that is formed on the polarization separation layer and out-couples the light incident from the polarization separation layer.

Abstract: An illumination system for a flat panel display device includes: a light guide plate made of an optically isotropic material; a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate; an upper layer disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and made of an optically anisotropic material; and a polarization selection emitting structure which is disposed at an interface of the light guide plate and the upper layer. The upper layer has two different refractive indices and one of the two refractive indices is the same as a refractive index of the light guide plate. In the polarization selection emitting structure differently polarized light is differently refracted, reflected, diffracted, or scattered based on polarization direction.

Abstract: A polarization converting system and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The polarization converting system includes a polarization splitting unit splitting incident unpolarized light into two orthogonal polarizations and a polarization converting unit converting incident light into specific polarized light. The polarization converting unit has first and second regions that correspond to the polarization splitting unit and are different in a polarization converting extent from each other.