Abstract: Microstructured features having a variable pitch or angles on a birefringent surface of an article and a process for making it. The article is uniaxial oriented to provide the birefringence. The variable pitch provides for various optical effects and can include a random pitch, aperiodic pitch, quasi-aperiodic pitch, or a combination of them.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter or blur filter, and method of making the filters, using an article having a birefringent surface for refracting incoming light when used with an image sensor. The birefringent surface of the article, such as a film, is structured or tilted such that, when the blur filter is placed within an optical path between a lens and the image sensor, the birefringent surface causes refraction of a light signal in the optical path into multiple light signals each being incident upon different sub-pixels within the pixels in the image sensor to prevent or reduce artifacts, such as undesirable color moiré effects, in the resulting digital image. The structures on the surface have a variable pitch or angles. The variable pitch can include a periodic, aperiodic, or quasi-aperiodic pitch, to reduce diffractive artifacts in the resulting image.

Abstract: Films having a structured surface with an engineered feature, such as prism grooves, to be used in displays having a backlight. The films can be arranged in a stack having one or more of the following: birefringent brightness enhancement films, non-birefringent brightness enhancement films, polarizers, diffusers, birefringent turning films, and non-birefringent turning films. Those films can be arranged in any order from the backlight to a viewer.

Abstract: An article, such as a film, comprising a body portion and a surface portion is provided. The body portion has (i) a first and a second surface, and (ii) 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 axis in a thickness direction of the body. The surface portion comprises a linear geometric feature disposed on the first surface of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the first in-plane axis of the polymeric body. The article has (i) a first index of refraction (n1) along the first in-plane axis, (ii) a second index of refraction (n2) along the second in-plane axis, and (iii) a third index of refraction (n3) along the third axis, wherein n2 and n3 are substantially the same but substantially different from n1; and wherein the uniaxially oriented polymeric film has a relative birefringence of 0.

Abstract: A microstructure to interact with electromagnetic waves by changing optical aspect in selected areas in response to an external signal, the microstructure comprising: a plurality of responsive elements, each responsive element capable of presenting at least two different optical aspects and changing between the optical aspects based on an applied external signal, a support substrate containing the responsive elements; and a plurality of assisting optical lenses each optically enlarging an image from the responsive elements associated with the assisting optical lens.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter or blur filter, and method of making the filters, using an article having a birefringent surface for refracting incoming light when used with an image sensor. The birefringent surface of the article, such as a film, is structured or tilted such that, when the blur filter is placed within an optical path between a lens and the image sensor, the birefringent surface causes refraction of a light signal in the optical path into multiple light signals each being incident upon different sub-pixels within the pixels in the image sensor to prevent or reduce artifacts, such as undesirable color moiré effects, in the resulting digital image.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter or blur filter, and method of making the filters, using an article having a birefringent surface for refracting incoming light when used with an image sensor. The birefringent surface of the article, such as a film, is structured or tilted such that, when the blur filter is placed within an optical path between a lens and the image sensor, the birefringent surface causes refraction of a light signal in the optical path into multiple light signals each being incident upon different sub-pixels within the pixels in the image sensor to prevent or reduce artifacts, such as undesirable color moiré effects, in the resulting digital image.

Abstract: A process for uniaxially stretching films having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching. Structured surface articles are also described. The articles have substantially the same uniaxial orientation throughout the film, including the geometric structure.

Abstract: A process for making an article having a structured surface. The process comprises providing a tool that comprises a negative of a desired structured surface, contacting the negative surface of the tool with a fluorochemical benzotriazole to form a coated surface thereon, contacting the coated tool to a resin to form the structured surface on the resin, and removing the resin from the tool to form an article having a surface having the desired positive structured surface.

Abstract: Method of Making a Polymeric Film Having Structured Surfaces Via Replication A method of making a polymeric film via a replication process is disclosed. The process provides a tool that has a negative version of a desired structured surface; contacting the negative surface of the tool to a polymeric material to form the desired surface in the polymeric material; removing the polymeric material having the desired structured surface from the tool; and uniaxially stretching the polymeric material.

Abstract: A roll of an article, such as a film, comprising a body portion and a surface portion is provided. The body portion has (i) a first and a second surface, and (ii) 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 axis in a thickness direction of the body. The surface portion comprises a geometric feature. The roll preferably has a cushioning layer between the plies of the article in the roll.

Abstract: Uniaxially Oriented Articles Having Structured Surface A process for uniaxially stretching films is having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching. Structured surface articles are also described. The articles have substantially the same uniaxial orientation throughout the film, including the geometric structure. Uniaxially oriented articles having structured surfaces are described.

Abstract: A process for uniaxially stretching films having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process provides a film in which the cross sectional shape of the feature after stretching is substantially identical to the cross sectional shape of the feature prior to stretching.

Abstract: A process for uniaxially orienting articles having a structured surface comprising a geometric feature is described. The process comprises a step of orienting the article in a direction substantially parallel to a first in-plane axis of the article.

Abstract: A flexible circuit connector for electrically connecting two electronic devices. The connector includes a flexible circuit sheet having electrically conductive traces which lead from a first electronic device, such as a memory chip, to two arrays of electrically conductive pads. The connector includes a connector housing having two spaced, substantially parallel side walls connected by a front wall having a row of holes adjacent each of the side walls to receive two rows of conductive pins which are connected to a second electronic device, such as a printed circuit board. A unitary, locally deformable, biasing member is positioned within the connector housing and between the two array of conductive pads. The biasing member forces the two arrays of pads into electrical contact with the two rows of pins when the pins are inserted into the holes in the front wall of the connector housing.