Abstract: An optical stack includes an intrinsic polarizer, such as a K-type or thin KE polarizer sheet. Optically functional coatings are disposed on one or both of the surfaces of the intrinsic polarizer. The optically functional coatings include a hardcoat, a transflector coating, a reflector coating, an antireflection film, a liquid crystal polymer retarder coating, a diffusion coating, an antiglare film, a wide view film, and an electrode. An optical stack including an intrinsic polarizer and an optically functional coating may have a thickness of less than 25 microns.

Abstract: A light polarizing film and method of making same includes a linear polarizer having a first surface and a second surface and having a polarization direction, an optical retarder comprising a simultaneously biaxially oriented polypropylene film disposed adjacent to the first surface of the linear polarizer and having an axis oriented at an angle with respect to the polarization direction, and an adhesive layer disposed between the first surface of the linear polarizer and the optical retarder and having a minimum adhesion strength of about 25 grams per inch.

Abstract: A projection system including an intrinsic polarizer is disclosed. The projection system includes a light source producing illumination light, an imager disposed to receive the illumination light, and a projection lens disposed to receive the illumination light from the imager. The imager includes an intrinsic polarizer. An intrinsic polarizer stack including a U.V. curable adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an intrinsic polarizer, referred to as a K-type polarizer, includes stretching a polymeric film a first stretching step. The polymeric film comprises a hydroxylated linear polymer which is converted after the first stretching step to form dichroic, copolymer polyvinylene blocks aligned in the polymeric film. The polymeric film is stretched in a second stretching step while converting the hydroxylated linear polymer. This method produces an improved K-type polarizer with excellent polarizing and color characteristics. For example, the dichroic ratio is higher than 100, the color shift for light passed through the polarizer in a crossed configuration is low, and the absorption of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum is more than one half of the absorption for light in the middle of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An enhanced K-type polarizer includes a molecularly oriented sheet of polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylene block copolymer material having polyvinylene blocks formed by molecular dehydration of a sheet of polyvinylalcohol wherein the molecularly oriented sheet comprises light-polarizing molecules of polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylene block copolymer material varying in length, n, of conjugated repeating vinylene unit of the polyvinylene block, wherein an absorption concentration of each of the polyvinylene blocks in the range of n=19 to 25 is not less than approximately 65% of the absorption concentration of any of the polyvinylene blocks in the range of n=14 or 15, wherein the absorption concentration is determined by absorption of wavelengths from about 200 nm to about 700 nm by the polyvinylene blocks, and wherein the molecularly oriented sheet exhibits a photopic dichroic ratio, RD, of at least approximately 75.