Abstract: An optical diffraction grating (10) is produced by providing a mold (50) having a plurality of inclined grooves (58), which have a small clearance angle (?). The mold (50) is covered by a curable material (M1). Said material is subsequently cured, i.e. hardened, and separated from the mold (50) to provide the diffraction grating (10). The inclined orientation of the grooves (58) allows expansion or contraction of the grating during the curing and separation steps such that the probability of mold breakage may be reduced. The inclined orientation of the grooves may also facilitate the separation of the grating (10) from the mold (50).

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a polarizer having improved cross transmittance. The method for producing a polarizer includes: dyeing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based film with molecular iodine by immersing the PVA-based film in an aqueous iodine solution (a dyeing step); absorbing the molecular iodine into the PVA-based film using an aqueous boric acid solution (a cross-linking step); arranging the molecular iodine in the certain direction by stretching the PVA-based film in a certain direction (an stretching step); and drying, in an oven, the PVA-based film in which the molecular iodine is oriented; wherein a phosphate compound is added to the iodine aqueous solution (the dyeing step) or the aqueous boric acid solution (the stretching step) so that a weight ratio of the boric acid: the phosphate compound is in a range of 1:0.1 to 1:10.

Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

Abstract: An optical element comprising: a first monomer polymerized while in the presence of a second monomer to form a first polymer intermixed with the second monomer, the first polymer having a spatially varying degree of cure that provides a predetermined refractive index profile; and the second monomer polymerized in the presence of the first polymer to form a second polymer intermixed with the first polymer, the second polymer stabilizing the refractive index profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a nano-patterning process to fabricate nanostructures. A roller type mold is used to continuously imprint nanostructures onto a flexible web or a rigid substrate. The process includes a coating and an imprinting module, which rotate the web synchronously. Liquid resist materials are used for imprinting and the patterns are set by thermal or UV curing. The process is used to produce bilayer metal wire-grid polarizers, organic solar cells, and organic light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A polarization diffraction grating that enables the polarization direction of incident light and the occurrence direction of diffracted light to be freely selected without being restricted by the material of a substrate is provided. A polarization diffraction grating includes a transparent substrate, a polymer liquid crystal layer that is adhered onto the transparent substrate via an adhesive layer, and that has a first concavity/convexity structure that diffracts incident light formed on a face opposite to the adhesive layer, and an optically isotropic material layer provided to fill the first concavity/convexity structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phosphor in a polycrystalline ceramic structure and a light-emitting element provided with the same comprising a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) in which a composite structure of phosphor particles is embedded in a matrix, characterized in that the matrix is a ceramic composite structure comprising a polycrystalline ceramic alumina material, hereafter called luminescent ceramic matrix composite. This luminescent ceramic matrix composite can be made by the steps of converting a powder mixture of ceramic phosphor particles and alumina particles into a slurry, shaping the slurry into a compact, and applying a thermal treatment, optionally in combination with hot isostatic pressing into a polycrystalline phosphor-containing ceramic alumina composite structure.

Abstract: A method for forming fine concavo-convex patterns by using a relief formation material 3 having a relief formation layer 2 composed of a resin having thermoplasticity and a relief pattern sheet 6 having on a surface thereof fine concavo-convex patterns 5, wherein a photothermal conversion layer 7 is formed in the relief formation material 3 or the relief pattern sheet 6; the photothermal conversion layer 7 is irradiated with light 8 to make the photothermal conversion layer 7 generate heat in the state that the relief formation layer 2 is brought into contact with the fine concavo-convex patterns 5; and the fine concavo-convex patterns 5 are formed on the relief formation layer 2.

Abstract: A display element includes a light emitting unit that supplies light; and an angle converting unit including a reflection surface, an output surface, and a flat surface. The angle converting unit converts an angle of the light by reflecting the light toward the output surface. The light emitting unit is arranged in a matrix in two directions substantially perpendicular each other on a standard plane. An inequality 0?t<p(p?d?f)(tan ?a)/(p+d?f) is satisfied, where t is a distance between the flat surface and the output surface, p is a pitch of the light emitting unit arranged in a predetermined direction, d is a length of the light emitting unit, f is a length of the flat surface, and ?a is an angle between the reflection surface and the standard plane.

Abstract: An exterior part (100) has a first structural color region (111) formed by a first linear peak-valley pattern including multiple linear grooves arranged in X direction, and a second structural color region (112) formed by a second linear peak-valley pattern including multiple linear grooves arranged in Y direction. The widths, depths, and pitches of the linear grooves are dimensions enabling the generation of diffracted light including structural colors. In the first structural color region (111), surfaces inclined in X direction (3 o'clock or 9 o'clock direction) are formed. In the second structural color region (112), surfaces inclined in Y direction (0 o'clock or 6 o'clock direction) are formed.

Abstract: There is provided a light receiving device including a polarization dispersing section that disperses a polarization direction of incoming light into a plurality of polarization directions, a light collecting section that has a metal pattern shaped like concentric circles on a surface thereof, where the light collecting section collects light that has passed through the polarization dispersing section, and a light receiving section that receives the light collected by the light collecting section. Also provided are a light receiving device manufacturing method and a light receiving method. The light collecting section may have a surface plasmon antenna that has the metal pattern shaped like the concentric circles on a surface thereof, and the light receiving section may receive the light collected toward a center of the concentric circles of the metal pattern of the light collecting section, through a hole at the center of the concentric circles, on a rear side of the light collecting section.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to a biocompatible sensor for detecting/measuring an analyte of interest in a body fluid and a method for making the biocompatible sensor. A biocompatible sensor of the invention comprises, consists essentially, or consists of a reflection hologram therein or thereon, wherein the reflection hologram is produced in a crosslinkable and/or polymerizable fluid material. The polymer matrix contains a molecular sensing moiety which interacts or reacts with an analyte of interest to provide an optical signal which is indicative of a change in one or more optical properties of the reflection hologram.

Abstract: An embossing surface and a method for creating that surface is provided by a polyimide material which has photodefinable characteristics. One benefit is that the embossing surfaces do not have to be made by data transfer from the photo-definable surface. The polyimide material is cured by heating to a predetermined hardness appropriate for the surfaces to be embossed.

Abstract: Optical disks are formed using mother stampers having a spiral groove and/or a spiral pattern of pits corresponding to the pattern from an original laser cut. The mother stamper is the mirror image of the corresponding father stamper. Injection molding of polycarbonate material or other suitable material using the mother stamper forms an optical disk having lands and bumps corresponding to the original laser cut. A phase-change material having constructive change in phase and thickness is deposited over the polycarbonate material to create the disk. Data is written to and read from the lands, and tracking is performed on the wobbled lands.

Abstract: Disclosed are injection moldings, an injection-molding apparatus and a method thereof. The injection-molding apparatus comprises: a cavity mold having a cavity; a core mold having a core surface to form a molding space for injection moldings when being joined to the cavity mold; a heating unit for heating the cavity mold or the core mold; a cooling unit for cooling the cavity mold or the core mold; and a patterning stamp having a micrometer or nanometer sized pattern and provided on an inner surface of the molding space. According to the injection-molding apparatus, a micrometer or nanometer sized pattern is formed on a surface of injection moldings so as to have a super-hydrophobic characteristic and an optical characteristic, and a micrometer or nanometer sized pattern of a complex structure can be implemented.

Abstract: A method of in-mold coating utilizing an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. At the beginning of the cycle the mold opens and a charge of liquid coating solution is deposited onto the lower mold insert. A ophthalmic wafer is deposited on the coating to spread it across the insert surface. The mold is closed and a pre-cure phase elapses before the thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity above the wafer. The process provides coated and functionally enhanced lenses upon ejection from the molding machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a molding apparatus capable of obtaining a reference mark utilizing characteristics of molding of a polarizing film in the course of molding the polarizing film, and adapted for large items small scale production of the polarizing film. The molding apparatus is made up of a molding box which is opened at an upper face, a closing valve attached to a suction port communicating with an inner space of the molding box, a vacuum source connected to the closing valve, pressing means provided at an opening edge of the molding box, and a mold having a concave spherical molding face and installed in the molding box, allowing the polarizing film to be sucked onto the molding face by vacuum suction to mold a colored concave and convex polarizing film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical diffuser element comprising: a) inserting striping shims in at least one flow passage of a multi-manifold extrusion die; b) extruding a first layer of polymer with light scattering particles through the flow passage with the striping shim to create linear domains of varying diffusion; c) extruding a second layer of polymer with less diffusion than the linear domains of varying diffusion through the manifold without a striping shim; and d) extruding the first and second layers of polymer into a dual roller nip with microstructure engravings in at least one roller.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned birefringent product, having at least steps (I) to (III) in this order: (I) providing a birefringent pattern builder having an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymer having unreacted reactive groups; (II) heating a region of the birefringent pattern builder; and (III) subjecting the birefringent pattern builder to a process that reacts at least a part of the unreacted reactive groups in the optically anisotropic layer.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element that can be molded readily, an imaging apparatus incorporating the diffractive optical element, and a method for manufacturing the diffractive optical element are provided. A diffractive optical element (10) includes a substrate (11) that is made of a first material containing a resin and has a surface (11a, 11b) on which a diffraction grating pattern (12a, 12b) is formed, and a coating film (13a, 13b) that is made of a second material containing a resin and is disposed so as to be in contact with a portion of the diffraction grating pattern (12a, 12b), and at least one material selected from the first material and the second material is a composite material containing inorganic particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer comprising: a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: An optical element includes a polarizer having oriented vinylene segments; a substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the substrate, the adhesive layer comprising aliphatic urethane(meth)acrylate oligomer, (meth)acryl monomer, silane, and crosslinker, the crosslinker comprising ethylene glycol diacrylate and/or pentaerythritol triacrylate. The optical element can have additional layers such as hardcoat layers, additional adhesive layers, and/or additional substrates. A method of making the optical element is also disclosed, as are optical devices including the optical element.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a cellulose acylate film difficult to be broken even if the stretching ratio is increased upon stretching and whose retardation (Re) is easily controllable to a desired value can be produced by melt film forming. Accordingly, a stretched cellulose acylate film highly oriented and having an appropriate retardation (Re) required from liquid crystal display device manufacturers can be produced.

Abstract: In a joined optical member, let the adhesion strength between a surface coating layer and an eyepiece prism be A1, the adhesion strength between the surface coating layer and a deflector prism be A2, the adhesion strength between the surface coating layer and adhesive be A3, and the adhesion strength between, at one end, the adhesive and, at the other, the eyepiece prism and the deflector prism be A4, then A1 (A2)>A3 and simultaneously A4>A3. This makes removal of superfluous adhesive on the surface coating layer easy, and prevents scratches on the exterior surfaces. Even after removal of superfluous adhesive, the surface coating layer remains on the exterior surfaces of the eyepiece prism and the deflector prism. This prevents scratches on the exterior surfaces in actual use, and prevents degradation of optical performance.

Abstract: A method for laminating a functional film on to a thermoplastic injection molded lens. A thermally curable glue is deposited on the lens while it is still in the mold. A functional film is introduced and the mold is closed again. The heat from the mold and the clamping pressure thermoform the film and cure the glue, in a lamination process. A functionally enhanced lens having a film intimately laminated on to one side.

Abstract: To provide a photocurable composition with which a fine pattern molded product on which a fine pattern of a mold is highly precisely transferred can efficiently be produced. A photocurable composition comprising 100 parts by mass of a photocurable monomer (A), from 5 to 60 parts by mass of a colloidal silica (B) (solid content) having an average particle size of at most 200 nm, and from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a photopolymerization initiator (C), wherein the photocurable monomer (A) comprises a multifunctional monomer (A1) having at least 3 (meth)acryloyloxy groups in one molecule and a bifunctional monomer (A2) having two (meth)acryloyloxy groups in one molecule, at least one compound belonging to the multifunctional monomer (A1) or the bifunctional monomer (A2) has a hydroxy group, and the ratio of the total amount (mol) of hydroxy groups to the total amount (mol) of the multifunctional monomer (A1) and the bifunctional monomer (A2) is at least 10%.

Abstract: An active energy ray curable resin composition for a sheet-like optical article capable of providing a cured material having a dynamic elastic modulus at 25° C. of 950 MPa or less and a dynamic elastic modulus at 60° C. of 100 MPa or more and a sheet-like optical article prepared from the resin composition are disclosed. The sheet-like optical article (e.g., prism sheet) has good heat resistance and extremely small warpage.

Abstract: A method for making an optical element comprises polymerizing a first monomer to form a first polymer, the first polymer having a spatially varying degree of cure that provides a predetermined refractive index profile; and polymerizing a second monomer in the presence of the first polymer to form a second polymer intermixed with the first polymer, the second polymer stabilizing the first polymer and the refractive index profile.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of a personalised, optically variable element having polarising properties, and a film system for carrying out the process. To produce the optically variable element a film body which comprises two or more layers and which has an LCP layer comprising a liquid crystal material is applied to a substrate body which has an orientation layer for the orientation of liquid crystals. The orientation layer of the substrate body is personalised prior to application of the film body to the substrate body. The film body is then applied to the personalised orientation layer of the substrate body in such a way that the LCP layer of the film body lies on the personalised orientation layer of the substrate body for then orientation of liquid crystals of the LCP layer of the film body.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an article comprising a nanoscale surface pattern, such as a grating, is provided with a nanoscale patterns of reduced edge and/or sidewall roughness. Smooth featured articles, can be fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a mold having sloped profile molding features. Another approach uses a mold especially fabricated to provide smooth sidewalls of reduced roughness, and a third approach adds a post-imprint smoothing step. These approaches can be utilized individually or in various combinations to make the novel articles.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a wide band retardation plate which gives uniform phase difference characteristics to incident light over the whole visible wavelength region, and which, as it permits selection of raw materials regardless of whether they have a positive or negative intrinsic double refraction value, allows a wide selection of raw materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a security article for anti-counterfeit (21, 31), authentication and/or tracking purposes, comprising a substrate material (25, 32) including at least one, but preferably several encoded metal holographic platelets, wherein each platelet (22, 33) carries a surface relief diffractive structure and can be authenticated by inspection of both a holo-graphic device by illumination and visual, eyeglass and magnifier inspection and which can also be authenticated by inspection under magnification of an aperture in the metal platelet carrying an authenticating code.

Abstract: A method for laminating a functional film on to a plastic injection molded lens. An outer layer of the film is selected to perform an HMA-type function when subjected to the heat and pressure of the mold. After forming the lens, the mold is open and the film is loaded in to the empty insert. The residual heat and pressure bonds the film via the HMA to the lens, in a press lamination process. A functionally enhanced lens having a film intimately laminated on to one side.

Abstract: An optical element includes: opposing surfaces each including two areas each of which includes a fine-periodic structure. The fine-periodic structures of the two areas have different directions from each other in each of the opposing surfaces. One of the opposing surfaces with the fine-periodic structures works as a quarter-wave plate and the other of the opposing surfaces with the fine-periodic structures works as a polarization separating element. A boundary of the two areas in one of the opposing surfaces and a boundary of the two areas in the other of the opposing surfaces are positionally identical.

Abstract: A method for forming a light-redirecting article is provided wherein a surface of a substrate is conditioned by applying a layer of an embedment material. A close-packed layer of microspheres is assembled using drying-assisted self-assembly and applied to the conditioned surface. Microspheres are then embedded halfway into the surface of the layer of the embedment material.

Abstract: A light polarization converter includes: a crystal substrate of lithium niobate cut in a plane defined by a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the crystal substrate; a waveguide formed in the crystal substrate, extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the crystal substrate, and containing Zn and Ni therein; and an electrode unit disposed on the crystal substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an optical component in three dimensions. In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate that includes contiguous rigid plates that are disposed such that a major surface of each rigid plate lies substantially in a single plane. At least one of said surfaces is characterized by a micro-optical structure. Further in the method, the substrate is folded such that the at least one surface having a micro-optical structure and at least one other of the above-recited surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another. A second method is also disclosed. Disclosed structures made by the method(s) include a mesa structure with a top plate and four sidewall plates, each facing a reflective plate, as well as closed structures such as cubes and rectilinear boxes into which separate plates may be disposed. A mold for preferentially making the substrate such as by injection molding is also detailed.

Abstract: Provided is a method capable of setting an appropriate stretching temperature even in the case where the difference in Tg of resins contained in respective layers is large and the case where the thickness of a laminate is large when a retardation plate having reverse dispersion characteristics is produced by stretching a laminate, and capable of obtaining a retardation plate which can express a sufficient retardation and in which retardation unevenness is reduced.

Abstract: Light-diffracting microstructures are produced by the superimposition of at least two relief structures, wherein the first relief structure is produced mechanically while at least one second relief structure is a photomechanically generated diffraction structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical element having a metal wire grid containing a plurality of metal wires on a substrate includes forming the metal wire grid using an electrolytic plating process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polarizer includes: transferring a ridge-trough pattern with a mold onto a surface of a substrate formed with a transparent medium; forming a metal layer so as to at least fill a trough portion of the ridge-trough pattern transferred on the substrate; grinding the metal layer and a ridge portion of the ridge-trough pattern transferred on the substrate to form a periodic pattern of a material of the metal layer and the transparent medium, where a period of the ridge-trough pattern is not longer than a wavelength of an incident light flux.

Abstract: Methods and optical devices are proposed, which comprise a nanostructure (4) on a curved surface so that a broadband antireflective characteristic is obtained.

Abstract: A substrate made of a transparent inorganic or organic material, with transparent elements distributed through its volume, even in the visual field of a wearer of said substrate, and incident light is partly reflected and partly transmitted. The elements may undergo surface treatment to render them even more light-reflecting. A method of producing the above substrate and an application of the above substrate as optical elements.

Abstract: An optical element includes a polarizer having oriented vinylene segments; a substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the polarizer and the substrate, the adhesive layer comprising aliphatic urethane(meth)acrylate oligomer, (meth)acryl monomer, silane, and crosslinker, the crosslinker comprising ethylene glycol diacrylate and/or pentaerythritol triacrylate. The optical element can have additional layers such as hardcoat layers, additional adhesive layers, and/or additional substrates. A method of making the optical element is also disclosed, as are optical devices including the optical element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing water-based laser hologram papers has acts of entirely or partially coating water-based varnish on a printed paper substrate, subjecting the paper substrate to a mirror treatment, and entirely or partially molding the paper substrate with laser compressing operations. By substituting PVC or PET plastic membranes with decomposable water-based varnish, the laser hologram paper is environmental friendly to reduce pollution and is also breakable to provide counterfeit-deterring efficiency. Moreover, material cost of the plastic membranes is eliminated to reduce manufacturing cost of the laser hologram papers.

Abstract: A polarizing plate comprises at least two transparent substrates spaced apart and facing one another, and at least two polarizers provided between an outermost-positioned first transparent substrate and another outermost-positioned second transparent substrate, such that all the polarizers are sealed so as not to be in contact with outer air.

Abstract: Anti-glare film including anti-glare layer. The anti-glare film is obtained by coating or casting a liquid composition containing a polymer, a curable resin precursor, and a solvent on a transparent plastic film, evaporating the solvent, forming a phase separation structure by spinodal decomposition, and curing the curable resin precursor by irradiation with light. The disclosed anti-glare film prevents reflection of surrounding scenery and dazzle in a display surface.

Abstract: A hologram element that forms a predetermined illumination pattern on an irradiated surface by diffracting incident light is disclosed. The illumination pattern is formed by making light in a first wavelength region diffracted in a first region, and the illumination pattern is formed by making light in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region diffracted in a second region on the same plane as the first region.