Abstract: An LC display comprises in order (a) a light source, (b) a transparent polymeric film bearing on the light exit surface of the film an array of close-packed convex microlenses having a distribution of sizes and oriented in one direction, whereby the light output is preferentially spread in a desired direction, and (c) an LC panel. A related process and film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A backlight comprises in order a lightguide plate with a sidelit light source and bonded thereto a light extraction unit containing in order from the lightguide plate, a first polymeric layer, an adhesive layer, a second polymeric layer bearing features at least partly embedded in the adhesive layer wherein the materials of the first polymeric layer, the adhesive layer, and the second polymeric layer differ by less than 0.05 in refractive index, the interstitial regions between the non-embedded portions of the features containing a material having a refractive index at least 0.1 lower than that of the material comprising the features.

Abstract: An LC display comprises in order (a) a light source, (b) a transparent polymeric film bearing on the light exit surface of the film an array of close-packed convex microlenses having a distribution of sizes and oriented in one direction, whereby the light output is preferentially spread in a desired direction, and (c) an LC panel. A related process and film are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.

Abstract: An illumination device comprising in order from bottom to top (a) a solid transparent light transmission plate having a bottom and top surface, and (b) a light extraction unit having a light entry and a light extraction surface separated from the transmission plate by one or more optical interfaces, said light transmission plate comprising at least one cavity/light source unit comprising a cavity containing a light source and air or other material of refractive index less than the light transmission plate, wherein the light plate includes a surface for restricting the angle at which at least some of the light from the light source leaves the cavity, wherein the light extraction unit includes (1) a light polarizer (2) a light-scatterer, or (3) a light redirector.