Abstract: A light extraction encapsulant sheet having a patterned encapsulant region is disclosed. A method of making that light extraction encapsulant sheet and of affixing that light extraction encapsulant sheet to a luminous stack surface of a multi-layer stack is also disclosed.

Abstract: Textured superstrates for photovoltaic cells, for example, silicon tandem photovoltaic cells with light scattering properties which are sufficient for light trapping independent of wavelength are described herein. Features of a textured surface of a superstrate, via the method(s) used to make the textured superstrate, can be tailored to provide the desired light scattering/trapping properties. The method includes grinding and lapping or grinding, lapping, and etching of a glass superstrate.

Abstract: To an adhesive tape, which is attached to a display of a display device, an antiglare film is attached so that a resin coating layer of the antiglare film faces down and so that an antiglare layer of the antiglare film is on a front side. In this state, reflection of extraneous light can be prevented or reduced, because the antiglare layer is on the front side of the display. The antiglare film is peeled off the display of the display device, flipped over, and re-attached so that the antiglare layer faces the display of the display device and so that the resin coating layer is on the front side (upper side). In this state, the display is provided with clear and excellent clarity of an image viewed through the antiglare film 1, because the resin coating layer having a substantially flat shape is on the front side (upper side) of the display.

Abstract: An anisotropic light-diffusing film, an anisotropic light-diffusing laminate, and an anisotropic light-reflecting laminate are provided which are excellent in both light transmittance and diffusivity. Also provided are a lighting equipment and a display device which employ any of the film and laminates and are excellent in light-diffusivity and brightness and in economy, etc. The anisotropic light-diffusing film is a film formed by melt-extruding a mixture of at least two thermoplastic resins incompatible with each other. The film has parallel light ray transmittance of 20-85%, haze of 10-80%, glossiness of 10-70%, and ratio of the vertical-direction diffusivity to the horizontal-direction diffusivity of transmitted light of 1.3-6.0. The anisotropic light-reflecting laminate comprises a light reflector and the anisotropic light-diffusing film laminated over at least one surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A light directing film and an optical system incorporating same are disclosed. The light directing film includes a first major surface and a microstructured second major surface. The microstructured second major surface has at least two periodic microstructured patterns. The first periodic pattern is arranged along a first direction. The second periodic pattern is arranged along a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: Methods for producing a quartz glass component with reflector layer are known in which a reflector layer composed of quartz glass acting as a diffuse reflector is produced on at least part of the surface of a substrate body composed of quartz glass. In order, taking this as a departure point, to specify a method which enables cost-effective and reproducible production of uniform SiO2 reflector layers on quartz glass components, it is proposed according to the invention that the reflector layer is produced by thermal spraying by means of SiO2 particles being fed to an energy carrier, being incipiently melted or melted by means of said energy carrier and being deposited on the substrate body. In the case of a quartz glass component obtained according to the method, the SiO2 reflector layer is formed as a layer which is produced by thermal spraying and has an opaque effect and which is distinguished by freedom from cracks and uniformity.

Abstract: Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker diffuser. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the interferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.

Abstract: A prism sheet, a backlight unit, and a liquid crystal display device, the prism sheet including a transparent substrate; and at least one prism on the transparent substrate, wherein a refractive index (n) and a basic angle (?) of the at least one prism satisfies the following condition: 1?n/sin ??4.

Abstract: An integrating optical system having a chamber, the chamber having an aperture and at least one portion having a diffuse reflective material; a light source; and a diffuse transmissive baffle. The baffle is located in relation to the chamber such that it is also located in an optical path between the light source and a treatable target. A light-ray originating from the light source is diffusely transmitted from the diffuse transmissive baffle and impinges on an interior surface of the chamber before impinging on the treatable target.

Abstract: An optical diffusion module comprises a first diffusion structure comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions arranged alternatingly, and a second diffusion structure comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions arranged alternatingly. Light from a light source passes through the first diffusion structure and the second diffusion structure sequentially, and each convex portion is adjacent to a plurality of concave portions and each concave portion is adjacent to a plurality of convex portions, and the convex portions, the concave portions and each junction of the convex and concave portions have a curvature different from 0.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for efficiently transporting and using incident radiation falling on photosensitive devices and structures supporting photosensitive devices. For example, an apparatus includes a low-absorption medium capable of passing and absorbing incident radiation; a scattering material disposed over at least a portion of or within the low-absorption material, the scattering material permitting a portion of incident light to pass therethrough; and a reflective surface disposed adjacent to the low-absorption medium to reflect radiation towards or within the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical film composite, which comprises a brightness enhancement element and a light diffusion element, wherein the light diffusion element comprises a substrate with a light diffusion layer on at least one side thereof, wherein the light diffusion element has a haze of no less than 98% as measured according to JIS K7136 standard method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brightness enhancement film-laminated light diffuser plate which can sufficiently prevent scratching, and also can ensure sufficient brightness. The brightness enhancement film-laminated light diffuser plate of the present invention includes a brightness enhancement film 41, and a light diffuser plate 31 comprising a transparent material and a light diffusing agent dispersed in the transparent material, and having a rough surface having a ten-point average roughness (Rz) of more than 40˜m and 100˜m or less on at least one surface, wherein the brightness enhancement film 41 is laminated and integrated on the rough surface 31a of the light diffuser plate via an adhesive layer 40.

Abstract: The present invantion provides a resin particle having many recesses on the surface thereof, which has solvent resistance and heat resistance. More specifically, the present invantion provides a resin particle having many recesses on the surface thereof which is obtained by using a seed particle, wherein a seed particle component in the resin particle has a crosslinked structure.

Abstract: A light transmissive structure such as a light diffuser includes a substrate having optical microstructures. The optical microstructures include at least one feature that varies across the substrate, so as to produce a visible indicia relative to a viewer of the light transmissive structure. Related diffusers and methods of fabrication are also described.

Abstract: An optical device which maintains luminance characteristics to the greatest extent, improves light-collecting effects, and realizes a wide viewing angle, and a backlight unit and an LCD including the same. The optical device includes a light-transmitting base film. A plurality of convex portions is formed on at least one surface of the base film, and microscopic optical patterns have peaks and valleys, which abut each other, on part of the convex portions. Alternatively, a plurality of third fine optical patterns is formed on at least one surface of the base film. A portion of each third fine optical patterns abutting the base film forms a figure having long and short axes. Each of the third fine optical patterns has a peak with a height that decreases from the center to both ends thereof along the long axis.

Abstract: An antiglare film includes a transparent substrate, and an antiglare layer formed on the transparent substrate. The antiglare layer includes a binder matrix and acrylic-styrene copolymer particles, and the binder matrix includes an acrylic material having a hydroxyl group. A quotient RA/H, which is obtained by dividing the average diameter RA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles by the average thickness H of the antiglare layer, is within a range of 0.30 to 0.80. A product in |nA?nM|×wA×H, which is the product of: the absolute value |nA?nM] obtained by subtracting the average refractive index nM of the binder matrix from the refractive index nA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles; the content wA of the acrylic-styrene copolymer particles when the content wM of the binder matrix in the antiglare layer is 100 parts by weight; and the average thickness H of the antiglare layer, is within a range of 0.70 to 3.00.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light diffusing layer attached to a reflective polarizing layer. An intermediate region between the light diffusing layer and the reflective polarizing layer includes an intermediate structure that defines voids between the light diffusing layer and the reflective polarizing layer.

Abstract: A hard-coated antiglare film that has superior antiglare properties, allow high definition to be provided even in the case of a low haze value, can prevent white blur in an oblique direction from occurring and, and can improve the depth of black in black display, as well as a polarizing plate, and the like. The hard-coated antiglare film includes a transparent plastic film substrate and a hard-coating antiglare layer containing fine particles, which is on at least one surface of the transparent plastic film substrate. The hard-coated antiglare film has a total haze value Ht in the range of 10% to 35%. The total haze value Ht and an internal haze value Hin satisfy a relationship of 0.5?Hin/Ht?0.9. The surface of the hard-coating antiglare layer has an uneven shape and an arithmetic average surface roughness Ra in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 ?m.

Abstract: A hard-coated antiglare film that has an extremely low haze value, superior anti-fluorescent lamp glare properties, and anti-face glare properties, and can improve the depth of black in black display by preventing white blur from occurring, a polarizing plate, and the like. The hard-coated antiglare film includes: a transparent plastic film substrate; and a hard-coating antiglare layer containing fine particles, which is on at least one surface of the transparent plastic film substrate, and has a total haze value in a range of 0% to 5%. The number Ntotal of convexities that exceed a first standard line that is parallel with a roughness mean line of a surface roughness profile and is located at a height of 0.1 ?m is at least 15 in a 4-mm long portion at an arbitrary location of the surface of the hard-coating antiglare layer.

Abstract: A hard-coated antiglare film that has superior antiglare properties, and reflection properties even when a haze value is low, and can improve the depth of black in black display by preventing “tinting” occurs specifically when a reflection is reduced, a polarizing plate, and the like. The film has a reflection intensity ratio of 3 or less, a hard-coating antiglare layer containing fine particles, and an antireflection layer. A surface of the antireflection layer has an uneven shape, and an average angle of inclination ?a and an arithmetic average surface roughness Ra in predetermined ranges. At the surface of the antireflection layer, convexities exceeding a roughness mean line of a surface roughness profile in a predetermined number range, and convexities exceeding a standard line that is in parallel with the mean line and is located at a height of 0.1 ?m in predetermined size and number ranges are included.

Abstract: A hard coating film is provided and includes a transparent plastic substrate film, and a hard coating layer. The transparent plastic substrate film has mutually independent microscopic pits in at least one surface thereof, the microscopic pits each independently have a depth of 3 ?m or below, the microscopic pits have an average length of major diameters of from 0.5 ?m to 20 ?m, and the number of the microscopic pits is from 25 to 3,000 per mm2.

Abstract: Asymmetric light diffuser and the methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The diffuser is preferably a transparent film made by a stress-stretch process. Particularly, a substrate doped with variant beads is formed as an anisotropic film layer after the stress-stretch process, so that the characteristics with birefringence and diffusion are incorporated. Further the asymmetric relief structure is formed on the surface of substrate by means of extrusion or co-extrusion process. A uniform light and anisotropic refraction can be formed through the diffuser, and even the partial polarization scattering can be formed due to the asymmetric refraction. The preferred embodiment of the diffuser includes a first step of preparing the mold for forming the basic surface structure of the asymmetric diffuser. Further, the substrate with surface micro-structure is formed by a roll-to-roll process. After that, the inside variant refractions and structure deformation are formed under the stress-stretch process.

Abstract: A monolithic polarization controlled angle diffuser includes a system having a first surface and a second surface, a controlled angle diffuser pattern for providing an angular distribution at an illumination plane, the controlled angle diffuser pattern being on one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate, and a polarizing pattern on one of the first and second surfaces of the substrate. The controlled angle diffuser pattern includes at least two controlled angle diffuser elements. Each controlled angle diffuser element outputs different angular distributions. The polarizing pattern includes at least two polarizing elements. Each polarizing element corresponds to a respective controlled angle diffuser element. The at least two polarizing elements output polarizations are rotated with respect to one another.

Abstract: An optical deflecting sheet for a transmission type screen that emits imaging light projected from an incident side to an emergent side. The optical deflecting sheet includes a highly rigid substrate layer with a light-transmissibility and a high rigidity, and a plurality of layers laminated on the substrate layer. The plurality of layers includes at least a pair of anti-scattering layers disposed on opposite sides of the substrate layer for preventing scattering of the substrate layer. At least one layer of the two or more layers includes an optical deflecting element that deflects imaging light by refracting or reflecting the imaging light. The optical deflecting element is a prism part formed by arranging a plurality of unit prisms each having an incident surface on which light is incident and a total reflecting surface for reflecting at least a part of light incident on the incident surface.

Abstract: A light diffusing silicone rubber composition is provided comprising a silicone rubber compound having an overall transmittance of at least 70% when measured in a cured sheet of 2 mm thick, and a light diffusing agent added and dispersed in the silicone rubber compound. The light diffusing agent is in the form of poly(meth)acrylate resin, polystyrene resin or (meth)acrylate-styrene copolymer microparticulates having an average particle size of 0.3-100 ?m.

Abstract: A diffuser is provided in an illumination system, where the diffuser is capable of blocking significant amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the diffuser includes a glass substrate which supports a UV coating(s) that blocks significant amounts of UV radiation thereby reducing the amount of UV radiation which can makes its way through the diffuser. In certain example embodiments, the coating may including particulate so that the coating may both diffuse visible light and perform UV blocking.

Abstract: A light guiding film is provided including a main body, and a light diffusion structure comprising a plurality of micro concave lenses arranged in a first direction and a second direction to form a second dimensional array and the curvature of each concave lens and the junction of the concave lenses are different from zero. Light from a light source passes through the light diffusion structure and is refracted into the main body and then propagates in the main body by total reflection.

Abstract: A collimating module is presented. The collimating module comprises a rounded light entry side and a rectangular light exit side. A collimating device is also presented, and a method for providing collimated light. The collimating device comprises a first collimator having a light entry side and a light exit side, a scattering component having a light entry surface arranged adjacent to said light exit side, and a light exit surface. The collimating device further comprises a collimating module having a light entry side arranged adjacent to said light exit surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element, which comprises: (a) a substrate, (b) a first surface on one side of the substrate wherein said first surface comprises a plurality of prism columnar structures with rounded peaks and the curvature radii of the rounded peaks are in the range from 3 ?m to 20 ?m, and (c) a second surface on the other side of the substrate wherein the second surface can be a plane surface or with concave-convex structures.

Abstract: An anti-glare film has a plurality of diffuser elements, and has specified optical properties. The ratio of I(?+1)/I(?) is more than 0.1 to 0.6, where I(?) is an intensity of a light reflected toward an arbitrary angle ? of 10° or less from a specular reflection direction of an incident light upon the surface at an angle of 5° to 30° from the surface normal, and I(?+1) is an intensity of a reflected light deviated from the arbitrary angle ? by 1° in a wide-angle direction. The gain of a light reflected in the direction at 20° or more from the specular reflection direction of the incident light is 0.02 or less, in which the gain is obtained by normalizing a reflected light intensity using a specular reflection intensity of a standard diffuse plate as 1. The diffuser elements have an average space therebetween of 50 to 300 micrometers.

Abstract: A hybrid optical film includes a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of diffusion structures. The first layer has a light entering face and a first refractive index. The second layer has a second refractive index and is disposed on a face of the first layer opposite to the light entering face, wherein the second refractive index is lower than the first refractive index. The plurality of diffusion structures are disposed on the interface of the first layer and the second layer. The diffusion structure has a third refractive index, wherein the third refractive index is between the first refractive index and the second refractive index and is selectively equal to the first refractive index and the second refractive index.

Abstract: An optical device that has an antireflection function includes: a base; and a plurality of structural bodies, which are formed by convex portions or concave portions, arranged on a surface of the base with a fine pitch that is equal to or smaller than a wavelength of visible light. The plurality of structural bodies are arranged so as to form tracks of a plurality of rows on the surface of the base and form a quasi-hexagonal lattice pattern, a tetragonal lattice pattern, or a quasi-tetragonal lattice pattern, and a packing ratio of the structural bodies to the surface of the base is equal to or higher than 65%.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical sheet having a structured surface and a composition for forming optical three-dimensional patterns able to form the structured surface, which is not easily damaged by external force or a rough surface and thus facilitates the handling thereof, reduces defective rates to thus decrease the production cost and increase the production efficiency, and prevents a decrease in luminance attributable to damage.

Abstract: Light control devices implemented with diffusers exhibiting controllable diffusion characteristics provide anisotropic luminous intensity distributions and glare control at high viewing angles while maintaining high luminaire efficiency or daylight utilization.

Abstract: An original is inclined with respect to an optical axis of a camera until the camera is positioned outside a reflected-image taking range by inclining a mounting surface of an original glass on which the original is placed. This makes it possible, when the original is taken by the camera, to prevent the camera from being reflected on the original and being taken in with the original. An imaging case formed of a diffusing member that is made of a high light-diffusing material or a high light-absorbing material is arranged in the reflected-image taking range. This makes it possible to prevent an object positioned in the reflected-image taking range from being reflected on the original and being taken by the camera. Consequently, clear image information can be more reliably obtained.

Abstract: To propose an encryption device and encryption method capable of improving reliability of an encryption function. An element-specific parameter unique to a solid imaging element is created based on a uniform image signal S2 output from the solid imaging element as a result of imaging a uniform imaging target with the imaging unit 11, and identification information D1 is encrypted with encryption key information D2 extracted from this element-specific parameter, thereby being capable of ensuring confidentiality of the identification information D1 and thus improving reliability of an encryption function.

Abstract: An optical film includes a first base film having a first effective elongation axis that is skewed relative to a first reference line. The optical film further has a second base film having a second effective elongation axis that is opposingly skewed relative to the first reference line. Deformations are offset from each other when the deformations occur in the first and second base films in the directions of the first and second elongation axes due to variation of external temperature and humidity, thereby preventing the first and second base films from being excessively deformed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a light diffuser capable of efficiently and uniformly irradiating a wide area of a biological tissue with a light beam such as a laser light beam, which can be readily produced at low cost, and a light-diffusing device comprising the same are provided. Specifically, a coiled light diffuser consisting of a portion for attachment to an optical fiber and a portion for diffusing light transmitted from an optical fiber, which is attached to a light transmission end of an optical fiber for diffusing light transmitted from the optical fiber in a direction differing from the light transmission direction, and which is formed by coiling a wire rod at least the surface of which comprises a light-reflective metal into a cylindrical shape for the irradiation of a biological tissue with a light beam, and a light-diffusing device to which the coiled light diffuser is attached are provided.

Abstract: An optical device has a first film (200) that has a first side and a second side. When illuminated by light (204) at the first side, the first film is characterized by a first fraction of broadly diffused transmitted light (206) and a second fraction of narrowly diffused transmitted light (208). A second film (202) is disposed to the second side of the first film. The second film has at least one free surface that diverts light. In some embodiments, the first film has a diffuse scattering optical density between 0.5 and 3. The device finds use in spreading and making light uniform in a backlight in a display such as a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A light collimating and diffusing film and a method for making the film are provided. The film includes a plastic layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and at least a first peripheral edge. The first side has a first textured surface, wherein between 7 to 20 percent of slope angles on the first textured surface proximate a first axis has a value between zero and five degrees. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first peripheral edge. The plastic layer collimates light propagating therethrough.

Abstract: A diffusion sheet adapted to minimize brightness difference between lights progressing in its oblique directions is discussed. The diffusion sheet according to an embodiment includes: a base film; a first diffusion material layer formed on an upper surface of the base film and configured to have a haze range of about 10˜40%; and a second diffusion material layer formed on a lower surface of the base film.

Abstract: An optical laminate includes a support and an antistatic layer formed from a composition containing the following (A) to (C) and having an average thickness of from 0.03 to 0.40 ?m: (A) a hydrophobilized conductive polymer composition containing a ?-conjugated system conductive polymer and an anion group-containing polymer dopant; (B) an inorganic particle having an average particle size of from 1 to 300 nm; and (C) an ionizing radiation curable compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunctional optical sheet for use in liquid crystal displays, which can exhibit appropriate hiding performance while realizing luminance equivalent to that of a conventional case in which a prism sheet is layered on a light diffusion member, thus reducing the number of sheets to be mounted in a backlight unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical diffuser element comprising a core layer and outer layers joined to the core layer, at least one of the outer layers comprising linear domains of varying diffusion and a continuous layer of uniform diffusion, and wherein at least one of the outer layers further comprises a microstructure pattern on its exterior surface opposite the core layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article including a multilayer optical film and a primer layer disposed on the multilayer optical film. The primer layer consists essentially of a sulfopolyester and a crosslinker. The multilayer optical film may be a reflective film, a polarizer film, a reflective polarizer film, a diffuse blend reflective polarizer film, a diffuser film, a brightness enhancing film, a turning film, a mirror film, or a combination thereof. A microstructured or unstructured optical layer may be disposed on the primer layer opposite the multilayer optical film. Also disclosed herein is a method of making the optical article. Also disclosed herein is a display device including the optical article.

Abstract: A light diffusing film having superior productivity can be obtained by using very short fibers as a substitute for conventional spherical fine particles as light diffusing material. It is possible to mass-produce very short fibers at low cost, for example, by cutting fibers. Further, it is relatively easy to obtain very short fibers with a narrow fiber length distribution. The use of this makes it possible to carry out more highly sophisticated optical design of light diffusing films.

Abstract: This application relates to a greenhouse for enhancing plant growth and a method of enhancing plant growth. A greenhouse is described that comprises transparent sheets having two main surface sides, characterised in that there is on at least one of the two main surface sides an array of geometrical optical elements and a single element of the array comprises a base and at least one other surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical sheet for a backlight unit of a TFT-LCD and a TFT-LCD including the same. The optical sheet of the present invention includes a transparent base sheet, and a light diffusion layer in which a diffusion pattern comprised of a plurality of protrusions is formed on the transparent base sheet. The diffusion pattern satisfies an aspect ratio of 0.8 or more, the aspect ratio being a ratio of a radius (l) of a unit body portion of the protrusion, which is formed on the transparent base sheet, to a thickness (d) of the protrusion.

Abstract: An image projector realizing image projection with high image quality by reducing speckle noise. An image projector comprising a coherent light source, a collimation lens for transforming coherent light emitted from the coherent light source into coherent parallel light, and a projection optical system for projecting coherent parallel light is further provided with a reflection element for reflecting the coherent parallel light and capable of oscillating in parallel with the direction normal to the reflection plane, and a reflection element drive means for causing oscillatory motion of the reflection element.