Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.

Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.

Abstract: Optical films having anti-Moiré and anti-wetout features are described, along with systems and methods for making these optical films. A master used to make optical films is formed using a single axis actuator cutting along a trajectory that is out of plane with the surface of the master. Movement of the cutting tool along the trajectory cuts grooves having variable depth and variable pitch into the surface. Prisms formed from the master have variable depth, variable height prisms that provide anti-wetout and anti-Moiré features.

Abstract: Attachment methods for daylighting sheets and a resulting optical construction enable daylighting microstructures to be secured to a light incident surface, such as a glazing. Applying an adhesive to selected portions of the daylighting microstructures creates a transparent, optical adhesive surface that enables the daylighting microstructures to be oriented outward, facing the incident light, and effectively seals the microstructures against the glazing to prevent ingress of dust and contaminants that would degrade optical efficiency.

Abstract: Attachment methods for daylighting sheets and a resulting optical construction enable daylighting microstructures to be secured to a light incident surface, such as a glazing. Applying an adhesive to selected portions of the daylighting microstructures creates a transparent, optical adhesive surface that enables the daylighting microstructures to be oriented outward, facing the incident light, and effectively seals the microstructures against the glazing to prevent ingress of dust and contaminants that would degrade optical efficiency.

Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.

Abstract: Optical films having anti-Moiré and anti-wetout features are described, along with systems and methods for making these optical films. A master used to make optical films is formed using a single axis actuator cutting along a trajectory that is out of plane with the surface of the master. Movement of the cutting tool along the trajectory cuts grooves having variable depth and variable pitch into the surface. Prisms formed from the master have variable depth, variable height prisms that provide anti-wetout and anti-Moiré features.

Abstract: Optical films having anti-Moiré and anti-wetout features are described, along with systems and methods for making these optical films. A master used to make optical films is formed using a single axis actuator cutting along a trajectory that is out of plane with the surface of the master. Movement of the cutting tool along the trajectory cuts grooves having variable depth and variable pitch into the surface. Prisms formed from the master have variable depth, variable height prisms that provide anti-wetout and anti-Moiré features.

Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.

Abstract: A method for cutting a pattern in a work piece (50), wherein the pattern includes adjacent features (52,53) separated by a pitch spacing P. The method includes providing a cutting tool assembly (74) having a first tool shank with a first cutting tip (22) to create a first feature (52) in the work piece (50) and a second tool shank with a second cutting tip (23) to create a second feature (53) in the work piece (50), wherein a distance Y between the first cutting tip and the second cutting tip is equal to nP, and wherein n is an odd integer greater than 1. The work piece is rotated (C) with respect to the cutting tool assembly (74), and the cutting tool is advanced along a lateral direction (B) with respect to the rotating work piece (50), wherein the cutting tool (74) is advanced along the lateral direction a distance of 2P for each rotation of the work piece (50).

Abstract: Optical films having anti-Moiré and anti-wetout features are described, along with systems and methods for making these optical films. A master used to make optical films is formed using a single axis actuator cutting along a trajectory that is out of plane with the surface of the master. Movement of the cutting tool along the trajectory cuts grooves having variable depth and variable pitch into the surface. Prisms formed from the master have variable depth, variable height prisms that provide anti-wetout and anti-Moiré features.

Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The actuator provides for control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into and out of the work piece in order to make continuous or discontinuous diffractive features in it. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.

Abstract: The invention provides optical articles (11) having a microstructured surface wherein the microstructured surface has randomly distributed recesses (14) thereon and wherein the microstructured surface and the recesses are unitary, that is, the recesses are formed directly in microstructures. Optical displays utilizing the optical articles described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical film having a substrate and microreplicated features on a major surface of the substrate. The features include microreplicated macro-scale features and one or more microreplicated diffractive features on the macro-scale features. The films can be made from work pieces machined with tool tips having diffractive features. The tool tip forms both the macro-scale features and diffractive features while machining the work piece. A coating process can then be used to make the optical films from the machined work piece.

Abstract: A method for machining a workpiece can be used to make prismatic structures in the workpiece. The method involves machining the surface of the workpiece using an FTS actuator to make continuous features in the surface and machining the surface of the workpiece using flycutting to make discontinuous features in the surface through the continuous features. The discontinuous features are machined at a non-parallel angle to the continuous features. The machined workpiece can then be used to make films having particular optical or mechanical properties.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The actuator provides for control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into and out of the work piece in order to make continuous or discontinuous microstructures in it. The machined tool tip provides for microstructures within microstructures. The machined work piece can be used to make microstructured articles such as films having non-adjacent lenslets.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and a shank on the tool post holding at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The tool tip has diffractive features in contact with the work piece in order to machine macro-scale features having nano-scale features. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The actuator provides for control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into and out of the work piece in order to make continuous or discontinuous diffractive features in it. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly having a tool post capable of lateral movement along a work piece to be cut and an actuator with at least one machined tool tip and possibly other tool tips. The actuator provides for control of the movement of the tool tip in an x-direction into and out of the work piece in order to make continuous or discontinuous diffractive features in it. The machined work piece can be used to make articles having diffractive features such as optical films having lenslets.