Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.

Abstract: Retroreflective structures and methods of forming the same comprise a body of material extending along a helical path about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of retroreflective optical elements positioned along the helical path of the body of material, and constructed and arranged to retroreflect electromagnetic energy directed from a range of angular orientations about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.

Abstract: A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof. A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.

Abstract: Retroreflective structures and methods of forming the same comprise a body of material extending along a helical path about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of retroreflective optical elements positioned along the helical path of the body of material, and constructed and arranged to retroreflect electromagnetic energy directed from a range of angular orientations about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In a retroreflective sheeting, and methods of formation thereof, the sheeting comprises a body of material, the body having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of first full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the first surface of the body, the first full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of second full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the second surface of the body, the second full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: In a retroreflective sheeting, and methods of formation thereof, the sheeting comprises a body of material, the body having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of first full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the first surface of the body, the first full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of second full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the second surface of the body, the second full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: In a retroreflective sheeting, and methods of formation thereof, the sheeting comprises a body of material, the body having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of first full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the first surface of the body, the first full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of second full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the second surface of the body, the second full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A method of making and using retroreflective fibers and especially to the making of retroreflective fibers from finely cut strips from a thin sheet of material having a corner cube array formed on one side thereof. Other layers of materials including a second thin sheet of material having a corner cube array may be attached to the first thin sheet of retroreflective material. The thin strips may be further chopped into shorter strips and added to coating compounds, such as paint.

Abstract: A reflective tag apparatus has a top layer having micro apertures therein and having a surface message therein and a second layer having a sub surface message thereon mounted over a reflective layer. The reflective layer may be retroreflective using an array of corner cubes and may be a structure that is diffractive or resonates iridescent colors and may contain coatings, dyes and pigments to provide light control.

Abstract: In a retroreflective sheeting, and methods of formation thereof, the sheeting comprises a body of material, the body having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of first full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the first surface of the body, the first full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of second full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the second surface of the body, the second full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: Optical structures and methods for manufacturing the same includes, in one embodiment, a substrate and a plurality of two-sided optical components disposed along the substrate. Each component includes optical microstructures on each side. At least a portion of one side of at least some of the components is air-backed and the other side of the at least some of the components is substantially wetted-out by a material. Retroreflective optical structures, threads, or fibers and manufacturing methods for forming same are also provided. Optical structures are provided that include a plurality of microstructures enclosed within an outer layer that is formed from a single substrate. An apparatus and method are also provided for forming an optical structure comprising injecting a material into a mold to form the optical structure, forming the optical structure into a desired geometric shape, and sealing ends of the optical structure.

Abstract: A plurality of microstructures is provided, with each microstructure having at least a first side and at least a second side terminating at a peak. At least some of the peaks can include an elevated portion to space the peaks away from adjacent optical sheets, surfaces, films, substrates, or other layers to minimize wet-out, Newton's rings, abrasions, moiré fringes, or other undesirable optical conditions. In other embodiments, an optical film is also provided that includes a first plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, and a second plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, the first side including a first planar surface, and the second side including a second planar surface and a third planar surface.

Abstract: A microstructure-based chemical sensor that can be interrogated by a remote observer. The device acts as an electromagnetic wave filter in the optical region of the spectrum, filtering one or more wavelength bands where the band spectral notch location shifts in response to the accumulation of material on the surface of the microstructure sensor. The apparatus has a substrate having a surface relief structure containing dielectric bodies with one or more physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in an array covering at least a portion of the surface of the substrate. A retro-reflecting structure allows interrogation of the sensor over a wide field of view. The device is particularly useful as a water monitoring device in hard to reach locations, and as a chemical warfare or explosives detector that can be read from a safe distance.

Abstract: A light-redirecting optical structure includes a first side and a second side, the first side including plurality of linear prisms having a visibly random shaped surface on the prisms and a plurality of cross-cut prisms on first side which are oriented at an angle such that it is greater than zero degrees but less than 180 degrees. A backlight wedge includes a stepped structure on a bottom side that decreases in size traversing the wedge away from a light source which is positioned at an end and having a visibly random shaped surface on said wedge.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting and a method for making the same includes a plurality of open-faced cube-corner surfaces formed from a substantially rigid material to keep the cube-corner surfaces from flexing. An optical coating is formed on the surfaces, and a fill layer is attached to at least a portion of the optical coating. A plurality of voids form the open-faced cube-corner surfaces.

Abstract: A waveguide for use in a back lighting device includes a moth-eye structured surface. A back lighting system includes a lighting device, a display panel, and a waveguide for redirecting light generated by the light source toward the display panel. A first light-redirecting film, which can include a plurality of moth-eye structures, can be positioned between the waveguide and the display panel. The first light-redirecting film can also include a plurality of linear prisms. A second light-redirecting film is also provided that can include a plurality of moth-eye structures and a plurality of linear prisms. The second light-redirecting film can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the display panel. A diffuser can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the waveguide and/or between the second light-redirecting film and the display panel.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure is disclosed that has cube corner retroreflective elements. The structure includes a first array of retroreflective elements oriented in a first direction within a plane and a second array of retroreflective elements oriented in a second direction within the plane, wherein said second direction being about 90° to said first direction. The structure further includes a third array of retroreflective elements oriented in a third direction within the plane, wherein said third direction being about 180° to said first direction and a fourth array of retroreflective elements oriented in a fourth direction being about 270° to said first direction. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes the retroreflective elements having cube corner elements having a pitch between elements in the range of between about 0.0035 and 0.0045 inches (0.088 and 0.114 millimeters).

Abstract: A plurality of microstructures is provided, with each microstructure having at least a first side and at least a second side terminating at a peak. At least some of the peaks can include an elevated portion to space the peaks away from adjacent optical sheets, surfaces, films, substrates, or other layers to minimize wet-out, Newton's rings, abrasions, moire fringes, or other undesirable optical conditions. In other embodiments, an optical film is also provided that includes a first plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, and a second plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, the first side including a first planar surface, and the second side including a second planar surface and a third planar surface.

Abstract: An optical structure and method for forming same includes a plurality of first cured portions and a plurality of second cured portions that are formed from a same light-curable material. The first plurality of cured portions is cured to a first amount. The plurality of second cured portions is cured to a second amount. The first amount is sufficiently different than the second amount to result with discontinuities on the surface of the structure. The lenticular layer can include a prism layer having random discontinuities on the peaks. The discontinuities can also be formed on a window side of the prisms.