Abstract: Methods of forming multilayer reflective polarizers are described. One method includes providing a multilayer polymer film having a plurality of alternating polymeric optical layer pairs, heating the multilayer polymer film to a temperature of about or greater than both polymers layer glass transition temperatures to from a heated multilayer film, and stretching the heated multilayer polymer film in an in-plane direction to form a multilayer reflective polarizer. Each first polymer layer includes a first polyester material and each second polymer layer includes a second polyester material that has a different polymer composition than the first polymer layer composition. The stretching includes a uniaxial stretch.

Abstract: A multilayer optical body is disclosed. The optical body includes an optical film including polyester, a first skin layer is disposed on at least one side of the polyester optical film, and a strippable skin layer is disposed on the first skin layer. In some embodiments, the first skin layer includes a mixture of a polyacrylate and a second polymer. Methods of making such optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical bodies including a first optical film, a second optical film and one or more strippable boundary layers disposed between the first and second optical films. Each major surface of a strippable boundary layer may be disposed adjacent to an optical film or another strippable boundary layer. At least one of the first and second optical films may include a reflective polarizer. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of processing such optical bodies.

Abstract: An optical body including an optical film, a first layer on a first major surface of the optical film, and a second layer on a second major surface of the optical film, wherein at least one of the first and second layers may include an adhesion-promoting layer that comprises a polycarbonate/polyester blend resin or a styrene copolymer. The present disclosure is also directed to an optical body wherein at least one of the first and second layers may include an imprint-resistant layer that comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of crystalline polyesters, copolyesters, olefin homopolymers and olefin copolymers.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polarizing film includes a first phase of a first polymer having a birefringence of at least 0.05 and a second phase of a second polymer disposed within the first phase. The index of refraction difference between the first and second phases is greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and is less than about 0.05 along at least one axis orthogonal to the first axis. The diffuse reflectivity of the first and second phases taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation may be at least about 30%. In some exemplary embodiments, the second phase has a refractive index of about 1.53 to about 1.59. In some exemplary embodiments, the second polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) higher than the Tg of the birefringent first polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical bodies including one or more norbornene-based cyclic olefin film layers and one or more rough strippable skin layers operatively connected to a surface of the norbornene-based cyclic olefin film layer. The rough strippable skin layer comprises a continuous phase and a disperse phase. Methods of producing such optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer operatively connected to a surface of the optical film. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. Alternatively, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.