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.

Abstract: Antireflective films comprising a flexible high refractive index layer that comprises at least 60 wt-% of inorganic nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a refractive index of at least 1.60, dispersed in a crosslinked organic material. Also described are surface treated nanoparticles.

Abstract: Optical constructions use a low index of refraction layer (120) disposed between a low absorption layer (101) and a high absorption layer (103) to increase confinement of light to the low absorption region of the optical constructions. Low index layers can be used in optical constructions that have multi-tiered light confinement. In these constructions, a first tier of reflection is provided when light is reflected at the surface of a low index optical film which is disposed directly or indirectly on a light guide (110). A second tier of reflection occurs at the surface of a light redirecting film having appropriately oriented refractive structures.

Abstract: An adhesive tie layer includes a binder including a multifunctional acrylate and a polyurethane, surface treated nanoparticles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. A volume fraction of interconnected voids in the adhesive tie layer is not less than about 10%.

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: A process and apparatus for producing a gradient nanovoided article, a gradient nanovoided coating, and a gradient low refractive index coating is described. The process includes providing a first solution of a polymerizable material in a solvent, and providing a first environment proximate a first region of the coating and a different second environment proximate an adjacent region of the coating. The process further includes at least partially polymerizing the polymerizable material to form a composition that includes an insoluble polymer matrix and a second solution. The insoluble polymer matrix includes a plurality of nanovoids that are filled with the second solution, and a major portion of the solvent from the second solution is removed. A first volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids proximate the first region of the coating is less than a second volume fraction of the plurality of nanovoids proximate an adjacent of the coating.

Abstract: A gradient optical film and an optical construction including the gradient optical film are described. The gradient optical film includes a binder, a plurality of particles, and a plurality of interconnected voids having a local volume fraction. The local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film. The refractive index of the gradient optical film can also varies along a thickness direction of the gradient optical film, as the refractive index can also depend upon the local volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids.

Abstract: Light sources are disclosed. A disclosed light source includes an optically reflective cavity that includes an input port for receiving light and an output port for transmitting light, a lamp that is disposed at the input port, and an optical stack that is disposed at the output port. The optical stack includes a forward scattering optical diffuser that is disposed at the output port and has an optical haze that is not less than about 20%, and an optical film that is disposed on the optical diffuser. The optical film enhance total internal reflection at the interface between the optical film and the optical diffuser. The optical film has an index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.3 and an optical haze that is not greater than about 5%. The optical stack also includes a reflective polarizer layer that is disposed on the optical film. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical stack are in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: A voided diffuser and an optical construction incorporating the voided diffuser are provided. The voided diffuser includes a plurality of beads and a binder composition in contact with the plurality of beads. The binder composition includes a binder and a plurality of interconnected voids. The optical construction includes the voided diffuser disposed on a substrate.

Abstract: A communication article and system comprising a writing member having a dry erasable front surface and a projection member is disclosed. The projection member includes an asymmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH, and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV. The ratio AH/AV is at least about 2.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes first and second major surfaces (110,120) that face each other and are separated by an air gap (130). The first and second surfaces are susceptible to physically contact each other at a first location (x) in the air gap. The optical construction further includes an optical film (140) that is disposed at the first location to prevent the first and second major surfaces from contacting each other at the first location. The optical film has an effective index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.3.

Abstract: Optical film is disclosed. The optical film includes a binder, a plurality of particles, and a plurality of interconnected voids. The volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids in the optical film is not less than about 20%. The weight ratio of the binder to the plurality of the particles is not less than about 1:2.

Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.

Abstract: A lightguide (3690) is disclosed. The lightguide includes a light guiding layer (3610) for propagating light by total internal reflection, and an optical film (3640) that is disposed on the light guiding layer. The optical film includes a plurality of voids, an optical haze that is not less than about 30%, and a porosity that is not less than about 20%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces (3614, 3642) in the lightguide are in physical contact with each other. The lightguide can be used as blacklight in a display system.

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: Coating compositions are disclosed which include a copolymer prepared from a reaction mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated hydrolysable silane, an ethylenically unsaturated polyoxyalkylene, an ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated polyether and an initiator. The coating composition may also include a curable sol-gel dispersion. The coating compositions can be used to prepare hardcoats.

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: 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: 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.