Abstract: A linear polarizer layer includes a birefringent aromatic polymer, one or more cationic dyes, and optionally multi-valent cations and optionally iodide anions. Methods of making linear polarizer layer where the linear polarizer layer includes a birefringent aromatic polymer, a cationic dye, and optionally a plurality of iodine ions and optionally a plurality of multivalent cations. Methods of making linear polarizer layer where the linear polarizer layer includes a birefringent aromatic polymer, one or more cationic dyes, iodide anions, and optionally a plurality of multivalent cations. Optical articles that include a linear polarizer layer of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprises a birefringent aromatic polymer. A linear polarizer layer is obtained by shear-coating the polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution on a coatable substrate, and treating the resulting coating layer with a doping-passivation solution containing iodine and multi-valent cations. A linear polarizer includes a birefringent coating layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, and contains birefringent aromatic polymer, iodine anions, and multi-valent cations. An optical article includes an optical retarder layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness and a linear polarizer layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, with an intermediate layer between the linear polarizer layer and the optical retarder layer.

Abstract: A linear polarizer may be formed a blue dichroic dye compound, having a maximum dichroic ratio Kd?12 in an entire visible wavelength range, and a red dichroic dye compound, having a maximum dichroic ratio Kd?16 in the entire visible wavelength range. The linear polarizer has a dichroic ratio Kd?18 and a thickness of less than or equal to 2 micrometers. The linear polarizer may form an achromatic polarizer.

Abstract: Methods of forming optical articles from lyotropic liquid crystal solutions are disclosed. A lyotropic liquid crystal solution is shear-coated on a temporary substrate to form a birefringent coating layer of 4 micrometers or less in thickness. A permanent substrate is adhered to the birefringent coating layer and the temporary substrate is removed. Optical articles formed by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprises a birefringent aromatic polymer. A linear polarizer layer is obtained by shear-coating the polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution on a coatable substrate, and treating the resulting coating layer with a doping-passivation solution containing iodine and multi-valent cations. A linear polarizer includes a birefringent coating layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, and contains birefringent aromatic polymer, iodine anions, and multi-valent cations. An optical article includes an optical retarder layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness and a linear polarizer layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, with an intermediate layer between the linear polarizer layer and the optical retarder layer.

Abstract: A linear polarizer may be formed a blue dichroic dye compound, having a maximum dichroic ratio Kd?12 in an entire visible wavelength range, and a red dichroic dye compound, having a maximum dichroic ratio Kd?16 in the entire visible wavelength range. The linear polarizer has a dichroic ratio Kd?18 and a thickness of less than or equal to 2 micrometers. The linear polarizer may form an achromatic polarizer.

Abstract: A composition includes an aqueous mixture of birefringent small molecules and a birefringent polymer. The birefringent small molecules are of a structure: or a salt thereof. The birefringent polymer is of a structure: or salt thereof, where n is an integer in a range from 25 to 10,000.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retarder plate with adjustable dispersion of retardation. The retarder can form a quarter-wave plate that exhibits a reverse or flat dispersion of retardation.

Abstract: Chromonic mesogens for optical coatings are disclosed. The chromonic mesogens may form a liquid crystal solution and be coated onto an optical element or substrate to form an optical coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of using a lyotropic liquid crystal to detect protein structure; devices that can perform those methods described herein; and compositions that include a biospecimen and a composition that includes a birefringent small molecule or a birefringent polyaramide, where the birefringent small molecule and/or polyaramide coating solution exhibit a lyotropic liquid crystal phase.

Abstract: Provided are liquid crystal articles and methods for forming the same. The liquid crystal articles comprise a substrate and an alignment layer deposited over the substrate. The alignment layer includes a molecular crystalline material formed from a lyotropic liquid crystal material. The liquid crystal device includes a thermotropic liquid crystal layer deposited over the alignment layer.

Abstract: A coatable polymer polarizer may be formed with a composition that includes a rigid rod-like polymer capable of forming a liquid crystal phase in a solvent. The rigid rod-like polymer may form an achromatic polarizer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a retarder plate with adjustable dispersion of retardation. The retarder can form a quarter-wave plate that exhibits a reverse or flat dispersion of retardation.

Abstract: A light guide includes a birefringent polyaramide layer on a major surface of the light guide. The birefringent polyaramide layer has a refractive index greater than 1.55 and a birefringence of at least 0.1.

Abstract: Provided are multilayered touch panel stacks and methods for forming thereof. The stacks include refractive index matching layers to minimize light losses. Specifically, the stacks may comprise a substrate, one, two, three, or four refractive index matching layers deposited on the substrate, and one or two transparent conductive layers such as indium tin oxide electrode layers. The stack may be attached to a light emitting element or be a part of an LCD or OLED displays. The refractive index matching interlayers may be based on a polymer solution having about 0.1%-30% by weight of specific rigid rod-like polymer molecules. The molecules may include various cores, spacers, and side groups to ensure their solubility, viscosity, and cross-linking ability. The refractive index matching interlayer may have a refractive index in between of about 1.60-1.80.

Abstract: Provided are multilayer stacks for backlight units in LCD panels and methods for forming thereof. The stacks include refractive index matching layers and pressure sensitive adhesives to minimize light losses. More particularly, the stacks comprise a reflector, a light guide, a course diffuser, one or more brightness enhancing films, and a fine diffuser. A refractive index matching layer is deposited onto at least one surface of the backlight components. A pressure sensitive adhesive is deposited onto the refractive index matching layers. Alternatively, the stacks comprise two or more refractive index matching layers on each surface of the backlight components and retain an air gap between the backlight components. The refractive index matching interlayers are based on a polymer solution having about 0.1%-30% by weight of specific rigid rod-like polymer molecules. The molecules may include various cores, spacers, and sides groups to ensure their solubility, viscosity, and cross-linking ability.