Abstract: Optical adhesives that also diffuse visible light include a blend of an adhesive matrix which is an optical adhesive and a block copolymer. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive and contains either acid or basic functionality. The block copolymer, which may be a diblock copolymer, contains a high Tg block and a functional block, the functionality of the functional block is complimentary to the functionality of the adhesive matrix to form an acid-base interaction. The adhesive may also contain a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Optical adhesives that also diffuse visible light include a blend of an adhesive matrix which is an optical adhesive and a block copolymer. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive and contains either acid or basic functionality. The block copolymer, which may be a diblock copolymer, contains a high Tg block and a functional block, the functionality of the functional block is complimentary to the functionality of the adhesive matrix to form an acid-base interaction. The adhesive may also contain a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: This application describes a front-lit reflective display assembly including a reflective display and an illumination article for front-lighting the display when the article is optically coupled to a light source. The illumination article includes a variable index light extraction layer optically coupled to a lightguide. The variable index light extraction layer has first and second regions, the first region comprising nanovoided polymeric material, the second region comprising the nanovoided polymeric material and an additional material, the first and second regions being 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. Front-lit reflective display devices including the front-lit reflective display assembly optically coupled to a light source are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The optical device may have a “front lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and retroreflected by the film toward a viewer. The optical device may have a “back lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and transmitted through the film toward a viewer. The retroreflective film may comprise beaded retroreflective sheeting such as that used in traffic signs and markings.

Abstract: Illumination device having a viscoelastic lightguide and a flexible light source is described. The flexible light source includes a plurality of electrically interconnected light emitting diodes disposed on a flexible mat and optically coupled to the viscoelastic lightguide.

Abstract: Heat de-bondable optical articles include two optical substrates and a heat de-bondable adhesive article disposed between them. The adhesive article includes a heat-shrinkable substrate and an optically clear adhesive proximate to the heat-shrinkable substrate. Optical articles can be prepared by disposing the heat-shrinkable substrate and the optically clear adhesive between two optical substrates. The optically clear adhesive covers a majority of the surface area of the optical substrates, and the heat-shrinkable substrate is located near the edge of the optical substrates.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Abstract: Heat de-bondable adhesive articles include a heat-shrinkable optical substrate with optically clear adhesive disposed on the two major surfaces of the heat-shrinkable substrate. Optical articles can be prepared by disposing the heat de-bondable adhesive articles between two optical substrates. Other optical articles can be prepared by disposing an optically clear adhesive layer and a heat-shrinkable optical substrate on an optical substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The optical device may have a “front lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and retroreflected by the film toward a viewer. The optical device may have a “back lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and transmitted through the film toward a viewer. The retroreflective film may comprise beaded retroreflective sheeting such as that used in traffic signs and markings.

Abstract: Variable index light extraction layers that contain a first region with a first material and a second region including a second material are described, where the first region has a lower effective index of refraction than the second region. Optical films and stacks may use the variable index light extraction layers in front lit or back lit display devices and luminaires.

Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Abstract: Optical devices include a light source and an optical article, where the optical article is an acid-free, non-yellowing pressure sensitive adhesive light guide. The light source is optically coupled to the light guide such that light emitted by the light source enters the light guide and is transported within the light guide by total internal reflection. The light guide includes a plurality of features oriented to extract light being transported within the light guide.

Abstract: Variable index light extraction layers (100) that contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120) are described. The variable index light extraction layers contain a plurality of microreplicated posts (120), a first region including a first lower-index substance (130) and a second region including a second higher-index substance (140). Optical films can use the variable index light extraction layers (100) in front lit or back lit display devices.

Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.

Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed, having a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat.

Abstract: Optical articles that include adhesive lightguides having resonant circuits and one or more light sources are described. More particularly, optical articles having resonant circuits that, upon a triggering event, cause the one or more light source to emit light into the adhesive lightguide such that light is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection are described. Additionally, applications and embodiments that include such optical articles are described.

Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed, having a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat.