Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of polymeric layers shaped along orthogonal first and second directions. A first curve being an intersection of the optical film with a first plane orthogonal to the second direction and to a reference plane has a best-fit first circular arc subtending a first angle at a center of curvature of the first circular arc of greater than 180 degrees where the optical film has a maximum projected area in the reference plane. A second curve being an intersection of the optical film with a second plane orthogonal to the first direction and to the reference plane has a best-fit second circular arc subtending a second angle at a center of curvature of the second circular arc of at least 30 degrees. Reflectance and transmittance of the optical film are described.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes an integral lens assembly having one or more lenses bonded to each other with spaced apart major first and second lens surfaces. First and second optical films are bonded to respective major first and second lens surfaces. The first and second optical films includes a plurality of polymeric layers. Each of the polymeric layers have an average thickness of less than about 500 nm. For a substantially normally incident light and a visible wavelength range the plurality of polymeric layers in the first optical film has an average optical transmittance and an average optical reflectance of greater than about 70% for a first polarization state and an orthogonal second polarization state, respectively. The plurality of polymeric layers in the second optical film has an average optical transmittance of greater than about 70% for at least one of the first and second polarization states.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical assembly includes providing a first mold having a first curved mold surface; placing a substantially flat reflective polarizer; on the first curved mold surface and applying at least one of pressure and heat to at least partially conform the reflective polarizer to the first curved mold surface; providing a second mold comprising a second mold surface, the first and second mold surfaces defining a mold cavity therebetween; substantially filling the mold cavity with a flowable material having a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the reflective polarizer; and solidifying the flowable material to form a solid optical element bonded to the reflective polarizer. A maximum variation of an orientation of a pass polarization state across the bonded reflective polarizer is within about 3 degrees of a maximum variation of the orientation of the pass polarization state across the substantially flat reflective polarizer.

Abstract: A curved reflective has at least one location having a radius of curvature in a range from about 6 mm to about 1000 mm. Each location on the reflective polarizer has a maximum reflectance greater than about 70% for a block polarization state, a maximum transmittance greater than about 70% for an orthogonal pass polarization state, and a minimum transmittance for the block polarization state. For a continuous first portion of the reflective polarizer extending between different first and second edges of the reflective polarizer and defining disjoint second and third portions of the reflective polarizer, the minimum transmittance of the reflective polarizer for the block polarization state is higher at each location in at least 70% of the first portion than at each location in at least 70% of the second portion and at each location in at least 70% of the third portion.

Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.

Abstract: Shaped optical films and methods of shaping optical films are described. The method includes securing at least portions of a perimeter of the optical film in a first plane so that the secured portions do not move relative to one another; and stretching the optical film by displacing a portion of the optical film along at least a first direction perpendicular to the first plane such that one of a radial and circumferential stretching of the optical film is substantially constant from a center to the perimeter of the optical film, and the other one of the radial and circumferential stretching of the optical film substantially changes from the center to the perimeter of the optical film. The optical film is a reflective polarizer including a plurality of alternating polymeric layers.

Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.

Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of polymeric layers shaped along orthogonal first and second directions. A first curve being an intersection of the optical film with a first plane orthogonal to the second direction and to a reference plane has a best-fit first circular arc subtending a first angle at a center of curvature of the first circular arc of greater than 180 degrees where the optical film has a maximum projected area in the reference plane. A second curve being an intersection of the optical film with a second plane orthogonal to the first direction and to the reference plane has a best-fit second circular arc subtending a second angle at a center of curvature of the second circular arc of at least 30 degrees. Reflectance and transmittance of the optical film are described.

Abstract: Optical films having a curved shaped and methods of shaping optical films are described. A method of shaping an optical film includes the steps of disposing the optical film adjacent first and second rollers spaced apart along a first direction, securing opposing first and second ends of the optical film, providing a curved mold surface, and shaping the optical film by contacting the optical film with the curved mold surface while stretching the optical film along the first direction and keeping a threshold distance between closest points on the optical film contacting the first roller and contacting the curved mold surface less than the width of the optical film to reduce buckling of the optical film.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical assembly includes providing a first mold having a first curved mold surface; placing a substantially flat reflective polarizer; on the first curved mold surface and applying at least one of pressure and heat to at least partially conform the reflective polarizer to the first curved mold surface; providing a second mold comprising a second mold surface, the first and second mold surfaces defining a mold cavity therebetween; substantially filling the mold cavity with a flowable material having a temperature greater than a glass transition temperature of the reflective polarizer; and solidifying the flowable material to form a solid optical element bonded to the reflective polarizer. A maximum variation of an orientation of a pass polarization state across the bonded reflective polarizer is within about 3 degrees of a maximum variation of the orientation of the pass polarization state across the substantially flat reflective polarizer.

Abstract: Electrical conductors are disclosed. More particularly, undulating electrical conductors are disclosed. Certain disclosed electrical conductors may be suitable to be disposed on flexible or stretchable substrates.

Abstract: Optical systems for displaying an image are described. The optical systems include spaced apart first and second optical lenses. A partial reflector is disposed on and conforms to a major surface of the first optical lens where the major surface can have a best-fit spherical radius of curvature in a range from 20 mm to 200 mm. A reflective polarizer is disposed on and conforms to a major surface of the second optical lens where the major surface can have a best-fit spherical radius of curvature in a range from 14 mm to 250 mm. A retarder layer is disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector. The first optical lens can have an optical birefringence of less than 15 nm/cm and the second optical lens can have an optical birefringence of greater than 15 nm/cm. A method of fabricating an optical assembly is described.

Abstract: A display system includes an optical system and a curved display disposed to emit light toward the optical system. The optical system includes at least a first optical lens, a partial reflector and a reflective polarizer. The optical system has an optical axis such that a light ray propagating along the optical axis passes through the first optical lens the partial reflector and the reflective polarizer without being substantially refracted. At least one major surface of the optical system can be rotationally asymmetric about the optical axis. A major surface of the optical system may have a first portion defined by a first equation and a second portion adjacent the first portion defined by a different equation. The first optical lens may have a contoured edge adapted to be placed adjacent an eye of a viewer and substantially conform to the viewer's face.

Abstract: Optical films having a curved shaped and methods of shaping optical films are described. A method of shaping an optical film includes the steps of disposing the optical film adjacent first and second rollers spaced apart along a first direction, securing opposing first and second ends of the optical film, providing a curved mold surface, and shaping the optical film by contacting the optical film with the curved mold surface while stretching the optical film along the first direction and keeping a threshold distance between closest points on the optical film contacting the first roller and contacting the curved mold surface less than the width of the optical film to reduce buckling of the optical film.

Abstract: A lamination transfer article includes an elastomeric layer with a first major surface including an array of discrete microstructures separated by land areas, wherein the microstructures in the array have a top surface; a first tie layer overlying at least some of the top surfaces of the microstructures of the elastomeric layer, wherein the land areas on the first major surface are uncovered by the first tie layer; and a second layer on a second major surface of the elastomeric layer, wherein the second layer is chosen from a second tie layer and a polymeric carrier film.

Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.

Abstract: Shaped optical films and methods of shaping optical films are described. The method includes securing at least portions of a perimeter of the optical film in a first plane so that the secured portions do not move relative to one another; and stretching the optical film by displacing a portion of the optical film along at least a first direction perpendicular to the first plane such that one of a radial and circumferential stretching of the optical film is substantially constant from a center to the perimeter of the optical film, and the other one of the radial and circumferential stretching of the optical film substantially changes from the center to the perimeter of the optical film. The optical film is a reflective polarizer including a plurality of alternating polymeric layers.

Abstract: Electrical conductors are disclosed. More particularly, undulating electrical conductors are disclosed. Certain disclosed electrical conductors may be suitable to be disposed on flexible or stretchable substrates.

Abstract: Electrical conductors are disclosed. More particularly, undulating electrical conductors are disclosed. Certain disclosed electrical conductors may be suitable to be disposed on flexible or stretchable substrates.

Abstract: An optical system including at least a first lens, a partial reflector and a reflective polarizer is described. The optical system has an optical axis such that a light ray propagating along the optical axis passes through the first lens the partial reflector and the reflective polarizer without being substantially refracted. At least one major surface of the optical system is rotationally asymmetric about the optical axis. A major surface of the optical system may have a first portion defined by a first equation and a second portion adjacent the first portion defined by a different equation. The first lens may have a contoured edge adapted to be placed adjacent an eye of a viewer and substantially conform to the viewer's face.