Abstract: An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer device includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers each have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form-birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs having a period less than 400 nm. Another layer, different than the form-birefringent layer, is formed of an optically absorptive material for the ultra-violet spectrum.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a structure comprises a plurality of reflective panels secured to the structure. Each reflective panel has an axis of rotation. A processing element controls an orientation of each reflective panel about its axis of rotation to direct solar energy within the structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a structure comprises a plurality of reflective panels secured to the structure. Each reflective panel has an axis of rotation. A processing element controls an orientation of each reflective panel about its axis of rotation to direct solar energy within the structure.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an article including a nanostructured functional coating disposed on a substrate is described. The functional coating is characterized by both anti-reflection properties and down-converting properties. Related optoelectronic devices are also described.

Abstract: A folded projection display system includes a wire-grid polarizer placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The wire-grid polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder that converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90 degrees from the original polarization direction. The wire-grid polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.

Abstract: A reflection repressed wire-grid polarizer device for polarizing incident visible or infrared light and selectively repressing a reflected polarization includes at least three layers disposed on a substrate. A polarizing wire-grid layer has an array of parallel metal wires with a period less than half the wavelength of the incident light. A reflection-repressing layer or grid includes an inorganic and non-dielectric material which is optically absorptive of visible or infrared light. A dielectric layer or grid includes an inorganic and dielectric material.

Abstract: A folded projection display system includes a wire-grid polarizer placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The wire-grid polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder that converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90 degrees from the original polarization direction. The wire-grid polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.

Abstract: An optical system and method for providing a visible light beam with a desired characteristic includes a visible light source producing a visible light beam defining an optical train. An optical element is disposed in the optical train to create a modified beam, and that is capable of introducing an undesired characteristic that continuously transitions across at least a portion of the modified beam. A wire-grid polarizer is disposed in the optical train, and has a plurality of elongated elements with at least a portion that continuously transitions to a different characteristic. The wire-grid polarizer is positioned and oriented in the optical train with the different characteristic corresponding to the undesired characteristic of the modified beam to obtain a visible light beam with a desired characteristic substantially across the visible light beam.

Abstract: An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer device includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers each have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form-birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs having a period less than 400 nm. Another layer, different than the form-birefringent layer, is formed of an optically absorptive material for the ultra-violet spectrum.

Abstract: An optical data storage system includes a laser diode to produce at least one light beam. An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizing beam splitter is disposable in the light beam to transmit a polarized light beam, and includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs with a pitch of less than 390 nm. A drive carries a disc medium disposed in the polarized light beam to reflect a modified light beam. The grid polarizer is disposable in the modified light beam to separate the modified light beam into a reflected beam and a transmitted beam. A photo-detector is disposable in the reflected or transmitted beam.

Abstract: An optical polarization beam combiner or separator device includes a first optical beam carrier for carrying a first polarized beam and a second optical beam carrier for carrying a second polarized beam whose polarization is orthogonal to the polarization of the first polarized beam. First and second collimating/focusing lenses are positioned between the first and second optical carriers. A third optical beam carrier for carrying a non-polarized beam positioned on the same side of the two collimating/focusing lenses as the first optical beam carrier. An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer is disposed between the first and second collimating/focusing lenses, and includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Adjacent film layers have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs with a pitch of less than 400 nm, and greater than 200 nm.

Abstract: An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer device includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers each have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs having a period less than 400 nm.

Abstract: A projection display or modulation optical system includes a spatial light modulator and an inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer. The spatial light modulator selectively encodes image information on a polarized incident light beam and the inorganic, dielectric grid polarizing beam splitter separates the image information from the beam and produces a polarized image bearing light beam. The grid polarizer includes a stack of film layers disposed over a substrate; each film layer being formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric; adjacent film layers having different refractive indices; and at least one of the film layers being discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs with a period less than approximately 260 nm.

Abstract: A light recycling system includes a light source capable of producing a visible light beam. An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizing beam splitter is disposable in the light beam to separate the light beam into two light beams of orthogonal polarization orientation including a transmitted beam and a reflected beam. The grid polarizer includes a stack of film layers disposed over the substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs with a period less than approximately 260 nm. Light reorientation means is disposable in the transmitted or reflected beam for changing the polarization orientation of the transmitted or reflected beam.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a cube wire-grid polarizing beam splitter with a plate wire-grid polarizer disposed between a pair of prisms secured together to form a cube. A reflective spatial light modulator produces an image bearing color light beam. The cube wire-grid polarizing beam splitter is disposable in the image bearing color light beam to separate the image information and to produce a polarized image bearing color light beam. A pair of continuous film layers is disposed between the plate wire-grid polarizer and a forward prism with a forward layer adjacent the forward prism having a refractive index greater than both i) a refractive index of a rear layer adjacent the plate wire grid polarizer, and ii) a refractive index of the forward prism. A layer of ribs is disposed between the wires and a rear prism, and the ribs being aligned with and supporting the wires.

Abstract: A cube wire-grid polarizing beam splitter includes a pair of prisms secured together to form a cube. An array of parallel conductive wires is disposed between the pair of prisms. A pair of continuous film layers is disposed on one side of the wires between the wires and one of the pair of prisms with an intermediate film layer adjacent the prism having a refractive index greater than both i) a refractive index of a rear film layer adjacent the plate wire grid polarizer, and ii) a refractive index of an adjacent prism. A layer of ribs is disposed on another side of the wires between the wires and another of the pair of prisms, the ribs being aligned with and supporting the array of parallel conductive wires.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sealing and/or protecting containers are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a container sealing and/or protection apparatus may comprise a cover and a sleeve coupled to the cover and configured to fit around at least a portion of a container, wherein the cover and the sleeve are configured to slide onto at least a portion of the container and wherein the sleeve is adapted to constrict upon application of heat to resist detachment of the cover from the container and/or to environmentally seal the container.