Abstract: Optical systems are described that include a lighting component, a switchable diffuser adjacent the lighting component, and a low-absorbing optical component disposed adjacent the switchable diffuser opposite the lighting component or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the switchable diffuser or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the display panel. The switchable diffuser is capable of being in either a substantially clear state or in a first hazy state. The low-absorbing optical component provides a collimating effect or a turning effect when the lighting component is illuminated and the switchable diffuser is in the substantially clear state.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and a method of making an electroluminescent device that includes one or more optical spacers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an electroluminescent element on a substrate. The method further includes selectively thermally transferring an optical spacer.

Abstract: Particles having a first region and a second region surrounding the first region where the second region includes a copolymer extending across a thickness of the second region are described. The volume of the second region is at least 75 percent of the volume of the particle. The particles have a composition and a refractive index that each vary across the thickness of the second region.

Abstract: Transfer tapes include an optically transparent adhesive layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, with at least one of the major surfaces including a microstructured pattern that is a permanent feature of the adhesive surface. The microstructured surface alters the direction of light. The optically transparent composition may include a low Tg polymeric component with a Tg of less than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, and a high Tg polymeric component with a Tg of greater than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, such that the functionality of the low Tg polymeric component and the functionality of the high Tg polymeric component form an acid-base interaction when mixed. The transfer tapes can be adhered to substrates to provide a microstructured surface to the substrate surface.

Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.

Abstract: A lighting component including an optical volume and a switchable diffuser disposed at least partially within the optical volume is described. The optical volume includes a light injection region, at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface, and an output major surface. The at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface defines opposing boundaries of the optical volume. The output major surface is adjacent one or more distal edges of the at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface. The switchable diffuser has at least a first state and a second state. The switchable diffuser may have a surface normal that is not parallel to an optical axis of the optical volume. The at least one reflective or transflective outer major surface may have a spatially varying reflective property.

Abstract: Optical systems are described that include a lighting component, a switchable diffuser adjacent the lighting component, and a low-absorbing optical component disposed adjacent the switchable diffuser opposite the lighting component or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the switchable diffuser or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the display panel. The switchable diffuser is capable of being in either a substantially clear state or in a first hazy state. The low-absorbing optical component provides a collimating effect or a turning effect when the lighting component is illuminated and the switchable diffuser is in the substantially clear state.

Abstract: An optical article, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The optical article includes a lightguide, a viscoelastic layer disposed on the light guide and a nanovoided polymeric layer disposed on the viscoelastic layer. The nanovoided polymeric layer comprises a plurality of interconnected nanovoids and at least some of the interconnected nanovoids are connected to one another by hollow passages. The lightguide may be optically coupled to a light source, and the viscoelastic layer and the nanovoided polymeric layer may be used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.

Abstract: A conducting film or device electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode.

Abstract: A solid state area light and spotlight having a solid state light source such as LEDs, tapered light guides, and external thermal guides. The area light includes a flared light guide, and the spotlight includes a light guide with a closed end. The light guides are coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source with the distribution being based in part upon the shape and taper of the light guides. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.

Abstract: An optical article, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The optical article includes a lightguide, a viscoelastic layer disposed on the light guide and a nanovoided polymeric layer disposed on the viscoelastic layer. The nanovoided polymeric layer comprises a plurality of interconnected nanovoids and at least some of the interconnected nanovoids are connected to one another by hollow passages. The lightguide may be optically coupled to a light source, and the viscoelastic layer and the nanovoided polymeric layer may be used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.

Abstract: An optical light redirecting film that can be made by microreplication, and that is suitable for use in an autostereoscopic backlight or display, includes opposed first and second structured surfaces. The first structured surface includes lenticular features and the second structured surface includes prismatic features. In some cases, at least a first prismatic feature has a first prism optical axis that is tilted relative to a thickness axis of the film perpendicular to the film plane. In some cases, at least a first lenticular feature has a first lenticular optical axis that is tilted relative to the thickness axis. In some cases, the film may have a central film caliper (thickness) at a central portion of the film and an edge film caliper at a first edge portion of the film, the central film caliper being greater than the edge film caliper.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A solid state area light and spotlight having a solid state light source such as LEDs, tapered light guides, and external thermal guides. The area light includes a flared light guide, and the spotlight includes a light guide with a closed end. The light guides are coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source with the distribution being based in part upon the shape and taper of the light guides. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.

Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, a light guide having an enclosed interior volume such as a bulb shape without vents, and a thermal guide. The light guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source. The thermal guide is at least partially contained within the interior volume with an air gap between a portion of the thermal guide and the light guide. The thermal guide provides for thermal conduction from the light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light.