Abstract: A process for fabricating a diffuse reflector includes: mixing a fluid that is immiscible in a solution containing mesogens into the solution to create a mixture containing droplets of the fluid suspended in the mixture; depositing a layer of the mixture on a surface; and processing the layer to form a film in a manner such that the droplets of the fluid disrupt alignment of the reactive mesogens in the solution and nucleate defects that propagate through the film. A diffuse reflector may include a first layer of cholesteric material that reflects a first wavelength of light and fluid droplets distributed in the layer to nucleate defects and separate domains.

Abstract: A reflective structure with transparent and semi-transparent transmission regions and includes a first transparent layer with a textured area, a reflective layer disposed below the first transparent layer and having a portion that is substantially conformal with at least a first portion of the textured area, and a second transparent layer disposed below the reflective layer and having a portion with a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the first transparent layer. The transparent transmission region is configured to transmit a portion of light without substantial deviation, and the semi-transparent transmission region is configured to transmit another portion of the light from the first transparent layer with substantial deviation.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a diffuse reflector includes: mixing a fluid that is immiscible in a solution containing mesogens into the solution to create a mixture containing droplets of the fluid suspended in the mixture; depositing a layer of the mixture on a surface; and processing the layer to form a film in a manner such that the droplets of the fluid disrupt alignment of the reactive mesogens in the solution and nucleate defects that propagate through the film. A diffuse reflector may include a first layer of cholesteric material that reflects a first wavelength of light and fluid droplets distributed in the layer to nucleate defects and separate domains.

Abstract: A reflective structure with transparent and semi-transparent transmission regions and includes a first transparent layer with a textured area, a reflective layer disposed below the first transparent layer and having a portion that is substantially conformal with at least a first portion of the textured area, and a second transparent layer disposed below the reflective layer and having a portion with a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the first transparent layer. The transparent transmission region is configured to transmit a portion of light without substantial deviation, and the semi-transparent transmission region is configured to transmit another portion of the light from the first transparent layer with substantial deviation.