Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a nanovoided article, a nanovoided coating, and a low refractive index coating is described. The process includes providing a first solution of a polymerizable material in a solvent; at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable material to form a composition that includes an insoluble polymer matrix and a second solution, wherein the insoluble polymer matrix includes a plurality of nanovoids that are filled with the second solution; and removing a major portion of the solvent from the second solution. An apparatus for the process is also described, and includes a webline, a coating section, a partial polymerization section, and a solvent removal section.

Abstract: An article includes a patterned substrate including a substrate surface with an inorganic electro-conductive trace adjacent thereto (wherein the substrate and the inorganic material of the trace each has an index of refraction), and a layer including a polymerized acrylate matrix adjacent to at least a portion of the surface of the substrate and the inorganic electro-conductive trace, wherein the layer has an index of refraction that is within ±10% of the average of the indices of refraction of the substrate and the inorganic material of the trace.

Abstract: A light extraction film having nanoparticles with engineered periodic structures. The light extraction film includes a substantially transparent substrate, low index one-dimensional or two-dimensional periodic structures on the substrate, and a high index planarizing backfill layer applied over the periodic structures. Light scattering nanoparticles are either applied in a layer over the periodic structures or included in the backfill layer.

Abstract: Presently described are articles, such as optical displays and protective films, comprising a (e.g. light transmissive) substrate having a surface layer comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising a non-fluorinated binder precursor (e.g. of a hardcoat composition) and at least one polymerizable perfluoropolyether polymer. The resulting cured surface layer can advantageously exhibit low lint attraction in combination with low surface energy. Also described are one-step and two-step methods of synthesizing perfluoropolyether polymers having polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Abstract: This application describes a back-lit transmissive display including a transmissive display (620) and a variable index light extraction layer (640) optically coupled to a lightguide (630). The variable index light extraction layer has first regions (140) of nanovoided polymeric material and second regions (130) of the nanovoided polymeric material and an additional material. The first and second regions are disposed such that for light being transported at a supercritical angle in the lightguide, the variable index light extraction layer selectively extracts the light in a predetermined way based on the geometric arrangement of the first and second regions. The transmissive display may be a transmissive display panel or a polymeric film such as a graphic.

Abstract: Antireflective films are described comprising a light transmissive substrate and a low refractive index layer disposed on the light transmissive substrate. The low refractive index layer comprises the reaction product of polymerizable resin composition comprising at least 20 wt-% fumed silica. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin is ethylenically unsaturated. In a favored embodiment, the low refractive index layer increases in porosity from the light transmissive substrate interface to an opposing porous surface.

Abstract: Presently described are articles, such as optical displays and protective films, comprising a (e.g. light transmissive) substrate having a surface layer comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising a non-fluorinated binder precursor (e.g. of a hardcoat composition) and at least one polymerizable perfluoropolyether polymer. The resulting cured surface layer can advantageously exhibit low lint attraction in combination with low surface energy. Also described are one-step and two-step methods of synthesizing perfluoropolyether polymers having polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor having a substrate RF bias that is capable of control of the RF phase difference between the ICP source (a first RF source) and the substrate bias (a second RF source) for plasma processing reactors used in the semiconductor industry. Control of the RF phase difference provides a powerful knob for fine process tuning. For example, control of the RF phase difference may be used to control one or more of average etch rate, etch rate uniformity, etch rate skew, critical dimension (CD) uniformity, and CD skew, CD range, self DC bias control, and chamber matching.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles, methods for making and using the same, and high index of refraction films made therefrom. The provided zirconia nanoparticles are surface modified with ligands that include N-hydroxyurea functionalities. The provided ligands also can contain compatibilizing groups that allow the provided surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles to be incorporated into an organic matrix. High index of refraction films can be made using these organic matrices.

Abstract: Optical films for enhancing light extraction from self-emissive light sources such as bottom-emitting or top-emitting OLEDs are disclosed. The extraction films typically include a flexible carrier film, and a first and second layer carried by the carrier film. The first or second layer has a nanovoided morphology and includes a polymer binder, and may also have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. An embedded structured surface of light extraction elements is formed between the first and second layers. The light extraction elements may be primarily diffractive elements adapted to be disposed within an evanescent zone of the OLED, or they may be primarily refractive elements adapted to be disposed outside the evanescent zone. The extraction film may also include a third layer, and a second embedded structured surface may be formed between the third layer and the first layer.

Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: A light extraction film having internal nanostructures and external microstructures for organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. The light extraction film includes a flexible substantially transparent film, a low index nanostructured layer applied to the film, and a high index planarizing backfill layer applied over the nanostructured layer. External optical microstructures are applied to the flexible substantially transparent film on a side opposite the nanostructured layer to enhance light extraction from the OLED devices while providing for a more uniform luminance distribution.

Abstract: An optical article includes an optical element and a low refractive index layer disposed on the optical element. The low refractive index layer having an effective refractive index of 1.3 or less and including a binder, a plurality of metal oxide particles dispersed in the binder and a plurality of interconnected voids. The low refractive index layer has a haze value of at least 30%.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic films (200, 400) are disclosed. More particularly, durable superhydrophobic films (200, 400) having discrete flat faces (206, 406) spaced apart by valleys (208, 408) where the valleys and faces are covered by nanostructures or nanoparticles (424) are disclosed. Various methods of making such films are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles, methods for making and using the same, and high index of refraction films made therefrom. The provided zirconia nanoparticles are surface modified with ligands that include N-hydroxyurea functionalities. The provided ligands also can contain compatibilizing groups that allow the provided surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles to be incorporated into an organic matrix. High index of refraction films can be made using these organic matrices.

Abstract: An optical article includes an optical element, a low refractive index layer disposed on the optical element having an effective refractive index of 1.3 or less and a polymeric protective layer disposed on the low refractive index layer. The low refractive index layer includes a binder, a plurality of metal oxide particles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. The polymeric protective layer does not increase an effective refractive index of the optical article by greater than 10%.

Abstract: Optical films for enhancing light extraction from self-emissive pixelated OLEDs, without introducing significant pixel blur, are disclosed. The extraction films include a flexible carrier film, and a first and second layer carried by the carrier film. The first layer has a nanovoided morphology, includes a polymer binder, and may have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. An embedded structured surface of light extraction elements is formed between the first and second layers. The extraction film includes a major coupling surface for attachment to an outer surface of the light source. The film is configured such that a land portion between the structured surface and the major coupling surface is thinner than a specified amount, e.g., less than 50, 25, or 10 microns, or less than a thickness of the carrier film.

Abstract: A light extraction film laminated to a glass substrate for organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. The light extraction film includes a flexible substantially transparent film, a low index nanostructured layer applied to the film, and a high index planarizing backfill layer applied over the nanostructured layer. A glass substrate is laminated to the flexible substantially transparent film on a side opposite the nanostructured layer and including an ultra-low index region between the film and the glass substrate. The ultra-low index region is used to reduce optical losses occurring with the glass substrate.

Abstract: A microstructured article includes a nanovoided layer having opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being microstructured to form prisms, lenses, or other features. The nanovoided layer includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of interconnected voids, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer, which may include a viscoelastic layer or a polymeric resin layer, is disposed on the first or second major surface. A related method includes disposing a coating solution onto a substrate. The coating solution includes a polymerizable material, a solvent, and optional nanoparticles. The method includes polymerizing the polymerizable material while the coating solution is in contact with a microreplication tool to form a microstructured layer. The method also includes removing solvent from the microstructured layer to form a nanovoided microstructured article.

Abstract: Surface-modified adhesives may be prepared by contacting an adhesive layer to an at least partially discontinuous layer on a releasing substrate and removing the adhesive layer such that at least a portion of the at least partially discontinuous layer adheres to the adhesive surface. The modified adhesive surface remains an adhesive surface. The modified adhesive layer can be used to prepare adhesive articles, including articles containing multiple surface-modified adhesive layers.