Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: Optical films used for 3D autostereoscopic displays include lenses on one surface of the optical film that are registered to prisms on the opposing surface of the optical film. The lenses may be a-cylindrical lenses or cylindrical, and the rotation of the lenses can vary with position on the surface of the optical film. The prisms may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The prisms of the optical film can have a pitch that is different from a pitch of the lenses, or the prism pitch can be substantially the same as the pitch of the lenses.

Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.

Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.

Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display is described. The autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a backlight having opposing first and second light input surfaces and a light transmission surface extending between the opposing first and second light input surfaces and a right eye light source located to provide light into the first light input side and a left eye light source located to provide light into the second light input side, wherein the left eye light source and the right eye light source are configured to be modulated between the left eye light source and the right eye light source at a rate of at least 90 hertz. A double sided prism film is adjacent to the light transmission surface. The double sided prism film has a plurality of linear prism features on a first major surface and a plurality of lenticular features on a second major surface. The first major surface opposes the second major surface. The double sided prism film is disposed between the light transmission surface and a Fresnel lens element.

Abstract: An article for use in light spreading includes a body having first and second surfaces, and 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 axes in a thickness direction of the body. A portion of the first surface is a birefringent structured surface. The portion is structured such that, when the article receives a light signal within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals. The article can be used for color mixing such as in a cavity providing a backlight for LCD devices or other display devices requiring a backlight.

Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed along only one of the first side or second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from either the first side or second side. Each segment light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display is described. The autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a backlight having opposing first and second light input surfaces and a light transmission surface extending between the opposing first and second light input surfaces and a right eye light source located to provide light into the first light input side and a left eye light source located to provide light into the second light input side, wherein the left eye light source and the right eye light source are configured to be modulated between the left eye light source and the right eye light source at a rate of at least 90 hertz. A double sided prism film is adjacent to the light transmission surface. The double sided prism film has a plurality of linear prism features on a first major surface and a plurality of lenticular features on a second major surface. The first major surface opposes the second major surface. The double sided prism film is disposed between the light transmission surface and a Fresnel lens 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: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display is described. The autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a backlight having opposing first and second light input surfaces and a light transmission surface extending between the opposing first and second light input surfaces and a right eye light source located to provide light into the first light input side and a left eye light source located to provide light into the second light input side, wherein the left eye light source and the right eye light source are configured to be modulated between the left eye light source and the right eye light source at a rate of at least 90 hertz. A double sided prism film is adjacent to the light transmission surface. The double sided prism film has a plurality of linear prism features on a first major surface and a plurality of lenticular features on a second major surface. The first major surface opposes the second major surface. The double sided prism film is disposed between the light transmission surface and a Fresnel lens 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: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide having a light emission surface and an opposing light extraction surface, a first side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, and a second side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, the second side opposing the first side. A centerline extends parallel to the first side and second side and is equidistant from the first side and the second side. A center elongated prism extends along the centerline and forms a portion of the light extraction surface. A plurality of elongated prisms extend parallel to the center elongated prism wherein the prisms are progressively more canted for each subsequent elongated prism further from the center elongated prism. A plurality of light sources disposed along the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A method of designing a backlight light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display includes specifying a backlight having a light guide thickness and extractor angle and a light transmission surface having a predetermined width value and a predetermined length value. Then, the method includes selecting a plurality of design parameter value pairs, where each parameter value pairs includes a light guide thickness value and a prism angle value, and each design parameter value pair is different from each other. Then the method includes executing an ray tracing optical model on the light guide for each parameter value pair to calculate output data for each parameter value pair, the output data including a single pass light extraction efficiency value, an average minimum light angle value emitted from the second surface, and a maximum flux/minimum flux value emitted from the second surface; and selecting a parameter value pair based on the output data to manufacture the light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical bonding composition that may be used in optical applications. An LED light source that utilizes the composition is also disclosed, as well as a method of making it. The LED light source may comprise: an LED die; an optical element optically coupled to the LED die; and a bonding layer comprising surface-modified metal oxide nanoparticles in an amorphous silicate network, the bonding layer bonding the LED die and the optical element together. Efficiency of the LED light source may be increased when using an optical extractor as the optical element.

Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.

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 method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.