Abstract: A projection apparatus projects holographic images. The projection apparatus includes, within a housing, a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a diffuser to diffuse the laser beam projected by the laser projection system, a beam diverter/splitter that polarizes the received beam after it has been diffused by the diffuser, and a concave mirror onto which the beam is diverted and which reflects the images to the floating display position that is outside the housing. The apparatus may further include an adjustable lens to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror. Multiple projection apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position to synchronously project the holographic images. A conical mirror may be used with the projection apparatus or with multiple projection apparatuses to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: A projection apparatus projects holographic images. The projection apparatus includes, within a housing, a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a diffuser to diffuse the laser beam projected by the laser projection system, a beam diverter/splitter that polarizes the received beam after it has been diffused by the diffuser, and a concave mirror onto which the beam is diverted and which reflects the images to the floating display position that is outside the housing. The apparatus may further include an adjustable lens to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror. Multiple projection apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position to synchronously project the holographic images. A conical mirror may be used with the projection apparatus or with multiple projection apparatuses to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.

Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.

Abstract: A light control film, comprises a light input surface and alight output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light input surface, a first major surface orthogonal to the light input surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface and forming a converging wedge with the first major surface. The second surface includes a plurality of doublet light extraction features closely-packed or separated by a land feature. Each doublet feature includes a first prism feature having a first shape and a second prism feature having a second shape and the second shape is different than the first shape.

Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between a light input surface and a light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions have a transmission as measured with a spectrophotometer at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 35, 40, 45, or 50% for a wavelength of the range 320-400 nm (UV) and/or at least 65, 70, 75, or 80% for a wavelength of the range 700-1400 nm (NIR). In another embodiment, the absorptive regions block light at the light input surface and light output surface and the maximum surface area that is blocked is less than 20% of the total alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions. Also described are various optical communication systems comprising the light control films described herein and methods.

Abstract: A light control film and display assemblies that includes such a film. The light control film including a substrate defining first and second major surfaces with the first major surface including a plurality louvers spanning in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a normal of the first major surface, and with the second major surface comprises a plurality of linear microstructures spanning in the first direction. In some examples, each louver of the plurality of louvers substantially aligns with a corresponding microstructure of the plurality of microstructures.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light input surface, a first major surface orthogonal to the light input surface, a second major surface opposing the first major, a plurality of discrete light extraction features disposed on the second major surface and a plurality of closely packed prisms disposed along the second major surface. The plurality of discrete light extraction features separate the plurality of closely packed prisms from the second major surface. Each of the closely packed prisms include a first prism surface forming a first angle with the second surface in a range from 80 to 100 degrees or in a range from 85 to 95 degrees or in a range from 87 to 93 degrees.

Abstract: An optical film includes a microstructured surface having a plurality of irregularly arranged planar portions forming greater than about 10% of the microstructured surface. The microstructured surface may be configured such that, when the microstructured surface is placed on an emission surface of a lightguide with a first luminous distribution of light exiting the lightguide from the emission surface in a first plane perpendicular to the emission surface, the light emitted by the lightguide is transmitted by the microstructured surface at a second luminous distribution of the transmitted light in the first plane. The first luminous distribution includes a first peak making a first angle greater than about 60 degrees with a normal to the microstructured surface. The second luminous distribution includes a second peak making a second angle in a range from about 5 degrees to about 35 degrees with the normal to the microstructured surface.

Abstract: An optical film (210) includes a microstructured surface (211) comprising a plurality of prismatic structures (230), the microstructured surface (211) defining a reference plane (241-242) and a thickness direction (243) perpendicular to the reference plane; wherein the plurality of prismatic structures includes a plurality of facets (231), each facet having a facet normal direction forming a polar angle with respect to the thickness direction and an azimuthal angle along the reference plane, and wherein the microstructured surface has a surface azimuthal distribution of the plurality of facets that is substantially uniform, and wherein the microstructured surface has a surface polar distribution of the plurality of facets that has an off-axis peak polar distribution.

Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.

Abstract: Retroreflecting articles are described. In particular, retroreflecting articles including a quarter wave retarder and a retroreflecting layer are described. The retarder is rotationally invariant and the retroreflecting layer is non-depolarizing. Such articles may be useful for sensor-detectable signs, labels, and garments.

Abstract: A light control film and display assemblies that includes such a film. The light control film including a substrate defining first and second major surfaces with the first major surface including a plurality louvers spanning in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a normal of the first major surface, and with the second major surface comprises a plurality of linear microstructures spanning in the first direction. In some examples, each louver of the plurality of louvers substantially aligns with a corresponding microstructure of the plurality of microstructures.

Abstract: An optical system including a light guide and a turning film that includes a first major surface, where the first major surface is substantially smooth and a second major surface including a plurality of asymmetric microstructures each respective asymmetric microstructure including a first side, where the first side is substantially planar, and a second side including a first surface segment defining a substantially planar surface and a second surface segment defining a non-planar surface.

Abstract: Optical system including a lightguide; a turning film, including a first smooth surface perpendicular to a display axis and a first structured surface including a plurality of first microstructures defining a first plurality of parallel grooves, where the turning film is optically coupled to the lightguide, where the turning film outputs light collimated in a first plane parallel to the display axis; and a lenticular diffuser, including a second smooth surface perpendicular to the display axis and a second structured surface comprising a plurality of second microstructures defining a second plurality of parallel grooves extending along a plane perpendicular to the display axis, where the lenticular diffuser is optically coupled to the turning film, where the lenticular diffuser reflects or refracts collimated light toward a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; where the first plurality of parallel grooves is perpendicular to the second plurality of parallel grooves.

Abstract: Backlights are disclosed. More particularly, temporally multiplexed backlights utilizing asymmetric turning films are disclosed. The disclosed backlights are capable of displaying a primary image to on-axis viewers while simultaneously providing a secondary image to off-axis viewers.

Abstract: Optical systems are disclosed. More particularly, optical systems including an asymmetric turning film (110) with at least a first (120) and second light source (130) are disclosed. Selection of geometries for the asymmetric turning film can enable different output viewing angles depending on the selective illumination of the first light source, the second light source, or both. The optical systems disclosed may be suitable in both luminaires and displays.

Abstract: A projection apparatus of reduced size and weight projects holographic images to a floating display position. An apparatus housing includes a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a beam diverter/splitter that receives and polarizes the laser beam, a concave mirror onto which the laser beam is diverted, and an adjustable lens or series of lenses to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror and through the adjustable lens. Rotating mirrors may be used instead of a beam diverter/splitter to draw images onto the concave mirror. Multiple apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position for use as subsystems to synchronously project the holographic images for viewing from a 360° perspective. The multiple apparatuses or an individual apparatus may be used in conjunction with a conical mirror to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: Optical films are described. In particular, optical films that include top and bottom structured surfaces are described. Films that may be suitable for use in backlights as turning films or recycling films are also described. Optical films described may include reflective polarizers and optically birefringent substrates.