Abstract: A diffuser including opposing structured first and second major surfaces is described. The first major surface includes a first plurality of surface structures providing a uniform first haze. The second major surface includes a first portion adjacent an edge and a second portion adjacent the first portion. The first portion includes a first region and a second region between the first region and the second portion. The second major surface includes a second plurality of surface structures providing a uniform second haze over the second portion and providing a third haze in the first portion. The third haze in the first region is higher than the second haze, and the third haze in the second region is monotonically decreasing. The second portion has a surface area of at least 90 percent of a surface area of the second major surface.

Abstract: Optical films, optical stacks including the optical films, and display systems including the optical films are described. The optical film includes a first major surface that may include a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The optical film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an optical stack that includes an asymmetric diffuser. As described herein, use of an asymmetric diffuser in an optical stack reduces undesirable defects in a display while maintaining optical gain and/or contrast of the display. The asymmetric diffuser is less diffusive along a first direction that is parallel with linearly extending structures of an associated light directing film.

Abstract: A microstructured diffuser is described comprising a light transmissive film comprising a first microstructured surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys. A coating is disposed on the first microstructured surface. The coating partially fills the valleys forming a second microstructured surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns antireflective films comprising a high refractive index layer (60) and low refractive index layer (80) disposed on the high refractive index layer. The antireflective films have a microstructured surface (70) that can be derived from a microreplicated tool.

Abstract: Brightness enhancing films with embedded diffusers are described. More specifically, films including a birefringent substrate, a prismatic layer carried by the substrate having linear prisms, and an embedded structured surface disposed between the substrate and the prismatic layer are disclosed. The embedded structured surface may include closely-packed structures. Processes for producing embedded structured surfaces having particular topographies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical films, optical stacks including the optical films, and display systems including the optical films are described. The optical film includes a first major surface that may include a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The optical film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%.

Abstract: Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75.

Abstract: Optical diffusing films are made by microreplication from a structured surface tool. The tool is made using a 2-part electroplating process, wherein a first electroplating procedure forms a first metal layer with a first major surface, and a second electroplating procedure forms a second metal layer on the first metal layer, the second metal layer having a second major surface with a smaller average roughness than that of the first major surface. The second major surface can function as the structured surface of the tool. A replica of this surface can then be made in a major surface of an optical film to provide light diffusing properties. The structured surface and/or its constituent structures can be characterized in terms of various parameters such as optical haze, optical clarity, Fourier power spectra of the topography along orthogonal in-plane directions, ridge length per unit area, equivalent circular diameter (ECD), and/or aspect ratio.

Abstract: Light directing film is disclosed. The light directing film includes a first structured major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first structured major surface includes a plurality of unitary discrete structures. Each unitary discrete structure includes a light directing portion that is primarily for directing light and includes a plurality of first side facets. Each first side facet makes an angle with the plane of the light directing film in a range from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees. Each light directing portion also includes a first base that is defined by the plurality of first side facets and has a first minimum dimension. Each light directing portion also has a first maximum height. Each unitary discrete structure also includes a bonding portion that is primarily for bonding the light directing film to a surface. The bonding portion is disposed on and between the plurality of first side facets and includes a plurality of second side facets.

Abstract: Example light management films are described. In one example, an optical stack comprises a first light directing film comprising a structured major surface opposite a second major surface, the structured major surface comprising a plurality of linear structures extending along a first direction, the light directing film having an average effective transmission of at least 1.3; and an asymmetric light diffuser disposed on the light directing film and being more diffusive along a second direction and less diffusive along a third direction orthogonal to the second direction, the second direction making an angle with the first direction that is greater than zero and less than 60 degrees.

Abstract: Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is in a range from about 4% to about 20% and an optical clarity that is in a range from about 20% to about 60%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.55.

Abstract: Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an optical stack that includes an asymmetric diffuser. As described herein, use of an asymmetric diffuser in an optical stack reduces undesirable defects in a display while maintaining optical gain and/or contrast of the display.

Abstract: Lightguides are disclosed. More particularly, lightguides that include a lightguiding layer and a light extracting layer having a structured surface are disclosed. The light guiding layer is optically coupled to a first set of structures of the structured surface at given locations, and is not optically coupled to a second set of structures at given locations, thereby producing total internal reflection at the second locations. The selective optical coupling may be achieved by a number of different contemplated means as discussed herein. The lightguides allow for distribution of light along with redirection towards an image viewer without a number of commonly required optical elements in backlights.

Abstract: A light redirecting film (100) includes a first major surface (110) that includes first microstructures (150) that extend along a first direction and a second major surface (120), which may form part of a matte layer, the second major surface being opposite to the first major surface and including second microstructures (160). The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75. The light redirecting film (100) may comprise particles. The second microstructures may have a slope distribution.

Abstract: The present invention concerns microstructured articles comprising nanostructures such an antiglare films, antireflective films, as well as microstructured tools and methods of making microstructured articles.

Abstract: Optical films for redirecting light are described, and optical systems, such as display systems, incorporating such optical films are described.

Abstract: The present invention concerns antireflective films comprising a high refractive index layer (60) and low refractive index layer (80) disposed on the high refractive index layer. The antireflective films have a microstructured surface (70) that can be derived from a microreplicated tool.

Abstract: Light directing film is disclosed. The light directing film includes a first structured major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first structured major surface includes a plurality of unitary discrete structures. Each unitary discrete structure includes a light directing portion that is primarily for directing light and includes a plurality of first side facets. Each first side facet makes an angle with the plane of the light directing film in a range from about 35 degrees to about 55 degrees. Each light directing portion also includes a first base that is defined by the plurality of first side facets and has a first minimum dimension. Each light directing portion also has a first maximum height. Each unitary discrete structure also includes a bonding portion that is primarily for bonding the light directing film to a surface. The bonding portion is disposed on and between the plurality of first side facets and includes a plurality of second side facets.