Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. A second layer having a structured surface, for providing an optical function to light passing therethrough, is attached to the first layer. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. A second layer having a structured surface, for providing an optical function to light passing therethrough, is attached to the first layer. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.

Abstract: A display system includes a display panel, a backlight and a reinforced reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the backlight. The reinforced reflective polarizer includes a first layer formed from a polymer matrix embedded with inorganic fibers. The reinforced reflective polarizer also includes a second layer attached to the first layer. The second layer comprises a reflective polarizing layer.

Abstract: An optical film has a first layer and a second layer. The first and second layers each include fibers embedded within respective polymeric matrices. A third layer having a reflective polarizer layer is mounted between the first and second layers.

Abstract: A display includes a liquid crystal display panel, an optical cavity producing substantially collimated light and a birefringent reflective polarizer.

Abstract: A display includes a liquid crystal display panel, an optical cavity producing substantially collimated light and a birefringent reflective polarizer.

Abstract: Optical bodies, for example optical films, are formed with inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the refractive indices of the inorganic fibers and the polymer matrix are matched. There need be no bonding agent between the fibers and the polymer matrix. The inorganic fibers may be glass fibers, ceramic fibers, or glass-ceramic fibers. A structure may be provided on the surface of the optical body, for example to provide optical power to light passing through the optical body. The body may be formed using a continuous process, with a continuous layer of the inorganic fibers being embedded within the matrix which is then solidified.

Abstract: Optical bodies, for example optical films, are formed with inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the refractive indices of the inorganic fibers and the polymer matrix are matched. There need be no bonding agent between the fibers and the polymer matrix. The inorganic fibers may be glass fibers, ceramic fibers, or glass-ceramic fibers. A structure may be provided on the surface of the optical body, for example to provide optical power to light passing through the optical body. The body may be formed using a continuous process, with a continuous layer of the inorganic fibers being embedded within the matrix which is then solidified.

Abstract: Optical bodies, for example optical films, are formed with inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the refractive indices of the inorganic fibers and the polymer matrix are matched. There need be no bonding agent between the fibers and the polymer matrix. The inorganic fibers may be glass fibers, ceramic fibers, or glass-ceramic fibers. A structure may be provided on the surface of the optical body, for example to provide optical power to light passing through the optical body. The body may be formed using a continuous process, with a continuous layer of the inorganic fibers being embedded within the matrix which is then solidified.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.

Abstract: An article, such as a film, comprising a body portion and a surface portion is provided. The body portion has (i) a first and a second surface, and (ii) first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axis in a thickness direction of the body. The surface portion comprises a linear geometric feature disposed on the first surface of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the first in-plane axis of the polymeric body. The article has (i) a first index of refraction (n1) along the first in-plane axis, (ii) a second index of refraction (n2) along the second in-plane axis, and (iii) a third index of refraction (n3) along the third axis, wherein n2 and n3 are substantially the same but substantially different from n1; and wherein the uniaxially oriented polymeric film has a relative birefringence of 0.

Abstract: An optical element is formed by co-extruding to have an arrangement of polymer scattering fibers within a polymer matrix. The scattering fibers lie substantially parallel to a first axis. The scattering fibers are arranged at positions across the cross-section of the polymer matrix to scatter light transversely incident on the optical element in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The positions of the scattering fibers across the cross-section of the optical element may be selected so as to form a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure for light transversely incident on the optical element.

Abstract: A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.

Abstract: A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

Abstract: An optical element is formed by co-extruding to have an arrangement of polymer scattering fibers within a polymer matrix. The scattering fibers lie substantially parallel to a first axis. The scattering fibers are arranged at positions across the cross-section of the polymer matrix to scatter light transversely incident on the optical element in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The positions of the scattering fibers across the cross-section of the optical element may be selected so as to form a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure for light transversely incident on the optical element.

Abstract: A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

Abstract: Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.

Abstract: Uniaxially Oriented Articles Having Structured Surface A process for uniaxially stretching films is having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching. Structured surface articles are also described. The articles have substantially the same uniaxial orientation throughout the film, including the geometric structure. Uniaxially oriented articles having structured surfaces are described.