Abstract: There is described a method for making visible range dichroic polarizer material comprising a uniaxially stretched film of polyvinyl alcohol stained with iodine and treated with a borating solution containing a zinc salt. The method comprises the steps of staining a uniaxially stretched sheet of polyvinyl alcohol and further stretching the stained sheet while it is being treated with a borating solution containing a zinc salt. High efficiency visible range dichroic polarizer elements having good neutrality, very high extinction and high transmittance can be made according to the method.

Abstract: A light polarizer element comprising a unitary film of molecularly oriented polymeric material exhibiting a pattern of dichroic stained areas, at least one of the pattern areas thereof formed by bleaching a first dichroic dye from the film and then restaining the at least one bleached area with a second, different, dichroic dye.

Abstract: A method of making patterned polarizer elements having areas exhibiting different optical properties comprising removing the dichroic dye from selected areas of a linear, dichroic, light polarizer and restaining these selected areas with a different dichroic dye.

Abstract: A window construction adapted to permit or prevent the transmission of light including first and second fixed polarizer panels, the first of which comprises two adjacent polarizers which are in the same plane, and have their absorption axes perpendicular to each other, and a moveable panel between the fixed panels comprising a wave retarder. The absorption axis of the second polarizer panel is perpendicular to either absorption axis of the polarizers comprising the first panel so that maximum or minimum light transmission through the construction is effected by moving the wave retarder between the fixed polarizer panels. The fixed polarizer panels are generally coincident in size and shape and are positioned in parallel planes.

Abstract: A visible range light polarizer is prepared by staining an oriented film of polyvinyl alcohol with a solution containing iodine and its red light dichroism is enhanced by treating the stained film with a boric acid solution containing a zinc salt.

Abstract: A window construction adapted to permit or prevent light transmission including first and second fixed polarizer panels and a moveable panel between the polarizer panels comprising a polarizer and a wave retarder. The first fixed polarizer panel comprises adjacent polarizers which are in the same plane and have their absorption axes perpendicular to each other. The absorption axes of the polarizer panels are positioned so that maximum or minimum light transmission through the construction is effected by moving the panel including the wave retarder between the fixed polarizer panels.

Abstract: A composite light-polarizing lens comprising a light-polarizing element having coated on each surface thereof a layer which enhances adhesion between in situ formed lens components and inhibits migration of lens constituents between said light-polarizing elements and said in situ polymerized components during formation of said lens.