Abstract: Glazing articles that reduce glare include a glazing substrate, and a reflective polarizing film article attached to the glazing substrate. The reflective polarizing film article includes a reflective polarizing film, and a reflection inhibitor layer. The reflective polarizing film articles reduce transmission of polarized light with a polarization block axis that is horizontal, and reduce horizontally polarized light to 90% or less of the horizontally polarized incident visible light. The reflective polarizing film may include a multi-layer film construction. The reflection inhibitor layer may include a tinted layer or an absorptive polarizer layer. Glazing units that reduce glare include at least one glazing substrate, at least one reflective polarizing film, and at least one reflection inhibitor layer. The glazing substrate, reflective polarizing film, and reflection inhibitor layer may or may not be in contact with one another.

Abstract: Optical film laminates of birefringent polyester films and adhesive are disclosed. The laminates have a thickness of at least 10 mils (0.25 mm). The laminates of the invention are useful in displays having a diagonal of 37 in (94 cm) or greater.

Abstract: Film stacks and displays incorporating the same are described. More specifically film stacks that combine a light control film and a color shifting film proximate to one another and, in some embodiments, adhered together are described, as well as displays incorporating such film stacks. Such film stacks may combine the “blacking out” functionality of a conventional louver film (LCF) and the color shifting effect of a multilayer optical film (MOF).

Abstract: Presently described are multilayer optical films comprising an optical stack comprising at least one first birefringent optical layer; at least one (e.g. isotropic) second optical layer having a birefringence of less than 0.04 at 633 nm, and optionally at least one skin layer. The second layer, skin layer, or a combination thereof comprises a blend of at least one methyl methacrylate polymer and at least one styrene-acrylonitrile polymer.

Abstract: Multilayer optical film that can be used as a reflective polarizer or mirror is disclosed. The multilayer optical film comprises alternating optical layers of polyesters such as PET and PEN, copolymerized with 4,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate. The multilayer optical film exhibits a high ratio of in-plane to out-of-plane birefringence.

Abstract: An optical stack (400) having a plurality of alternating polymeric layers (401, 402) is described. The alternating layers may be alternating birefringent (syndiotactic polystyrene, sPS) and isotropic (CoPENa) layers, or alternating positively and negatively birefringent layers. Birefringent layers are made using polymers which form optically symmetrical crystallites upon stretching of the polymer. The optical stack has a large refractive index difference in the x-direction (the stretching direction) and small refractive index differences in the y- and z-directions (the non-stretching directions). The optical stack can be made using standard film tentering methods and may be a multilayer reflective polarizer.

Abstract: A display device uses a multilayer film (104), which reflects (red) light having wavelengths between about 600 and 800 nm at a 60 degree angle of incidence (114), to protect a liquid christal panel (102) from heat and sun damage. The film (104) transmits light of the visible band with a wavelength between about 420 and 650 nm at normal incidence (116). The outermost surface (106) of the film (104) may be a hard coat (124). A metal oxide layer (120) and a metal layer (130) may be included to reflect IR light greater in wavelength than about 850 nm.

Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone(meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: A large format tiled flexible projection display screen. The tiled modules of the screen each include a rear projection screen film adhered to a transmissive flexible substrate with an optically clear adhesive. When electronic content is projected onto the tiled projection screens, the electronic content is visible on a front surface side of the substrates.

Abstract: A light diffusing optical construction is disclosed. The optical construction includes a symmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV, where AV is substantially equal to AH. The symmetric optical diffuser includes an optically transparent first layer and a plurality of randomly arranged optically transparent beads partially embedded in the first layer leaving portions of the beads exposed. The optical construction also includes a specular reflector that reflects light that is not scattered by the symmetric optical diffuser. The specular reflector has a first average reflectance Ro in the visible at zero incident angle and a second average reflectance R60 in the visible at 60 degree incident angle. Ro/R60 is at least about 1.5. The optical construction also includes a light absorbing layer that absorbs light that is not reflected by the specular reflector.

Abstract: A projection system is disclosed, in which a screen may have improved rejection of ambient light by having a high reflectivity at low angles of incidence for a polarization parallel to that of the projector, a low reflectivity at high angles of incidence for a polarization parallel to that of the projector, and a low reflectivity at both low and high angles of incidence for a polarization perpendicular to that of the projector. In some embodiments, for p-polarized light polarized parallel to the projector, the power reflectivity is high at low angles of incidence and decreases to a low value at high angles of incidence. In some embodiments, for p-polarized light polarized perpendicular to the projector, the power reflectivity is low at low angles of incidence. In some embodiments, for s-polarized light polarized perpendicular to the projector, the power reflectivity remains low at all angles of incidence.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, a turning film behind the LCD panel, and a curved reflector behind the turning film. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel through the turning film and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. The turning film has prisms with chaos for an improved viewer experience.

Abstract: A communication article and system comprising a writing member having a dry erasable front surface and a projection member is disclosed. The projection member includes an asymmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH, and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV. The ratio AH/AV is at least about 2.

Abstract: A light diffusing optical construction is disclosed. The optical construction includes an asymmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV. The ratio AH/AV is at least about 2. The optical construction also includes a substantially specular reflector that reflects light that is not scattered by the asymmetric optical diffuser. The substantially specular reflector has a first average reflectance Ro in the visible at a substantially zero incident angle and a second average reflectance R45 in the visible at a substantially 45 degree incident angle. The ratio Ro/R45 is at least about 1.5. The optical construction also includes a light absorbing layer that absorbs light that is not reflected by the specular reflector.

Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: A reflective film includes microlayers arranged into optical repeat units, each optical repeat unit including a negatively birefringent microlayer. The microlayers are tailored to provide the film with on-axis polarizing properties, such that normally incident light polarized along a block axis is substantially reflected and normally incident light polarized along a pass axis is substantially transmitted. On-axis transmission for the block axis may be <20%, and on-axis transmission for the pass axis may be >70%. The microlayers also provide the film with angularly dependent polarizing properties: p-polarized light incident in a block plane of incidence is substantially reflected at near-normal angles but substantially transmitted at an oblique angle. The film transmits unpolarized light incident in this plane more strongly at the oblique angle than at normal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayer optical films and birefringent copolyester films. The birefringent copolyester optical layer or birefringent copolyester film comprises a major amount of naphthalate units, ethylene units, and a minor amount of branched or cyclic C4 to C10 alkyl units. Also described are certain copolyester polymeric materials further comprising subunits of a phthalate ionomer such as dimethyl sulfosodium isophthtalate ionomer.

Abstract: Protected hardenable dental article comprising a hardenable dental article comprising a base and at least one outer surface extending from the base, wherein at least the base and the at least one outer surface of the hardenable dental article comprise a hardenable dental material; and a multi-layer polymeric film in contact with at least a portion of the at least one outer surface; wherein the multi-layer polymeric film comprises at least two dissimilar polymers in separate layers; kits including the protected hardenable dental article; and methods of making hardenable dental articles are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying light is disclosed and includes: providing an optical element having an oriented polymer network of a silicone (meth)acrylate copolymer and exhibiting a first phase and a second phase, the first phase and the second phase being chemically connected and having different refractive indices, the first phase being continuous, and the second phase comprising a plurality of structures dispersed within the first phase; illuminating the optical element with light from a light source; and detecting polarized or directionally diffused light transmitted by the optical element. Optical elements including the polymer network and a variety of additional layers are also disclosed, as are optical devices such as prisms, display panels, lenses, and the like.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, a turning film behind the LCD panel, and a curved reflector behind the turning film. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel through the turning film and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. The turning film has prisms with chaos for an improved viewer experience.