Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a nanowire grid polarizer, and a nanowire grid polarizer prepared using the same. The method includes: mixing a surfactant and a silica precursor to prepare a mesoporous film composition; coating the mesoporous film composition on a substrate; aging the coated product to form a silica template composite; removing the surfactant inside the silica template composite to prepare a mesoporous material having channels; and filling the channels of the mesoporous material with metal. The method is suitable for the formation of a nanowire having a stable structure, mass production, and large-area production.

Abstract: The water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention comprises an organic colorant having an anionic group, and organic nitrogen compounds. The organic nitrogen compounds include a first organic nitrogen compound having at least two nitrogen atoms in the molecule thereof, and a second organic nitrogen compound having at least two nitrogen atoms in the molecule thereof. The distance (A) between adjacent nitrogen atoms in the first organic nitrogen compound is shorter than the distance (B) between adjacent atoms of the nitrogen atoms in the second organic nitrogen compound.

Abstract: A method of making a coated article (e.g., window unit), and corresponding coated article are provided. A layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) is formed on a glass substrate. Then, a protective layer is formed on the substrate over the DLC inclusive layer. During heat treatment (HT), the protective layer prevents the DLC inclusive layer from significantly burning off. Thereafter, the resulting coated glass substrate may be used as desired, it having been HT and including the protective DLC inclusive layer.

Abstract: A wideband retardation layer (or film) that can perform circular polarizing so that the retardation layer can be formed with an organic light-emitting device to be relatively thin and have a relatively high contrast with no reduction in brightness, and an organic light-emitting device including the retardation layer. The retardation film includes a base and a retardation layer including an alkali oxide layer grown to be inclined on a surface of the base, wherein the alkali oxide layer is disposed by slant-angle depositing alkali oxide on the surface of the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-cleaning lighting device comprising a light source and a wall, which permits a portion of at least the radiation emitted by said source to pass therethrough and which is covered, over a portion of at least one of its two faces, by a photocatalytically active layer. The invention is characterized in that under the weakest illumination conditions, the photocatalytic activity of said layer is high enough for degrading and reducing organic soilings into easily eliminable particles that do not adhere to said layer, and/or for conferring a hydrophilic character to this layer. The invention also relates to a method for producing the aforementioned device, a translucent wall provided for this device, and to the use of the device for lighting tunnels, public lighting, airport runway lighting, indoor lighting or for headlamps or indicator lights of transportation vehicles.

Abstract: A light absorption anisotropic film, having at least one dichroic dye, in which the light absorption anisotropic film shows a diffraction peak derived from a periodic structure in a direction in a plane of the light absorption anisotropic film in X-ray diffraction measurement and the diffraction peak has a half width of 1.0 ? or less.

Abstract: An optical filter is provided, including a first plurality and second plurality of alternating first and second material layers, where the first plurality of layers is at a first angle to incident light and has a cut-on edge, and the second plurality of layers is at a second angle to the incident light and a cut-off edge; where polarization splitting of the first plurality of layers at the cut-on edge and polarization splitting of the second plurality of layers at the cut-off edge do not exceed approximately 1 percent for any first and second angle between approximately 0 and 40 degrees; and the s-stopband wavelength of the second plurality of layers is approximately less than or equal to the cut-on edge wavelength, which is less than the cut-off edge wavelength, which is approximately less than or equal to the s-stopband wavelength of the first plurality of layers.

Abstract: A polarizing element includes: a substrate; a plurality of reflection layers that is arranged in a band shape at a predetermined interval on the substrate; dielectric layers that are formed on the reflection layers; and inorganic micro-particle layers that are formed on the dielectric layers by inorganic micro-particles having shape anisotropy in which a length of a diameter of the micro-particles in an arrangement direction of the reflection layers is longer than a length of a diameter of the micro-particles in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the reflection layers and has convex portions toward a side of a first adjacent reflection layer and a side of a second adjacent reflection layer.

Abstract: A polarizing element manufacturing method includes (a) forming a plurality of fine metal wires by forming a metal film on a substrate and patterning the metal film, (b) applying, onto a base material, a glass precursor solution for forming a protective layer for protecting the fine metal wires, (c) placing the substrate on the base material so that ends of the fine metal wires are immersed in the glass precursor solution, and (d) forming the protective layer by drying the glass precursor solution, and bonding together the base material and the substrate with the protective layer therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided: an optical sheet, which has excellent productivity while maintaining an optical performance and can reduce a manufacturing cost; an image source unit; a display device; a method for producing an optical sheet; and a method for manufacturing a display device.

Abstract: A water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention contains an organic colorant having an anionic group and a non-cyclic compound having 2 to 5 nitrogen atoms. The non-cyclic compound is a linear aliphatic diamine or a salt thereof and more preferably an aliphatic diamine having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or a salt thereof. For example, the water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention can be produced by bringing a treating liquid containing the non-cyclic compound into contact with a single surface or both surfaces of a polarizing film containing the organic colorant.

Abstract: A marker-tracking system includes an object, a marker illuminating device, a marker sensing device, and a computing device. The object includes a first retroreflective marker having a shape that is substantially defined by two spherical caps of different radii that are disposed substantially concentric in relation to one another. The marker illuminating device substantially illuminates the first retroreflective marker, the marker sensing device detects the illuminated first retroreflective marker and generates first data indicative of the location of the illuminated first retroreflective marker in space, and the computing device processes the first data generated by the marker sensing device to determine a position and/or orientation of the object in space.

Abstract: A polarizing element comprising an alignment layer and a polarizing layer formed by aligning a dichroic coloring agent by deposition which are successively disposed on a substrate, wherein the alignment layer is a sol-gel film formed by using a material comprising at least (A) a sol of an inorganic oxide and (B) an alkoxysilane and/or a hexaalkoxydisiloxane, and the ratio of amounts by mole of Component (B) to solid components in Component (A) [(B)/(A)(solid components)] is 99.9/0.1 to 40/60; and a process for producing the polarizing element. The polarizing element can be produced in simple steps, the treatment of abrasion of the surface necessary for alignment of a dichroic coloring agent by deposition is facilitated, and haze due to formation of cracks is absent.

Abstract: An optical film that includes a reflective polarizer and a stretched polymer film is disclosed. The stretched polymer film is laminated to the reflective polarizer, and the stretched polymer film exhibits a refractive index symmetry point at an angle of incidence in air of at least about 60 degrees in a plane of incidence parallel to a direction of greatest stretch.

Abstract: A polarization element includes: a substrate; a plurality of protruding sections formed on the substrate in a striped manner in a plan view; and a heat radiation section formed on a top portion of each of the protruding sections, wherein the heat radiation section has a concavo-convex section.

Abstract: A method of making a polarizing article having high polarization efficiency, low haze, and no visible micro-cracks. The article is made by applying an aqueous polarizing dye solution to a surface of a substrate. The polarizing dye solution comprises at least one ammonium salt of a polarizing azoic dye, an activator, and at least one of an acid and a non-polarizing azoic dye.

Abstract: Provided is a wire grid polarizer showing a high degree of polarization, a high p-polarized light transmittance and a high s-polarized light reflectivity for light incident from a front surface and showing a low s-polarized light reflectivity for light incident from its rear surface, in the visible light region, and a process for producing such a polarizer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical film is provided and includes a process of casting two or more dopes containing at least a polymer and a solvent on a base material at the same time, and a process of eliminating the solvent. One dope is a dope (Db) previously containing a dispersed phase at the time of casting or forming a phase-separated dispersed phase in the process of eliminating the solvent. The main component of the solvents constituting the dispersed phase of the dope (Db) is a solvent in which the polymer is substantially insoluble. The dope (Db) is cast to form a contiguous lower layer to a layer on the farthest side from the base material or a layer nearer to the base material than the contiguous lower layer.

Abstract: There is provided a process for production of a water-resistant organic thin film without causing damage to the water-resistant organic thin film which comprises the steps of: (a) keeping supporting means away from an organic thin film; (b) preventing a base material on which the organic thin film is laminated from warping; and (c) allowing the base material on which the organic thin film is laminated to gently pass through a water-resistant treatment liquid in a reactor.

Abstract: An optical compensation sheet is provided and includes: a transparent substrate; and at least one optical anisotropic layer containing a liquid crystalline compound. The optical compensation sheet has a film contrast value of 4000 or more in which the film contrast value is represented by formula (1).

Abstract: Provided is a process for easily producing a wire grid polarizer showing a high polarization separation ability in the visible light region and having an improved transmittance in a short wavelength region. On a light-transmitting substrate 14 having a surface on which a plurality of ridges 12 are formed, an underlayer 22, first fine metallic wires 24 and second fine metallic wires 30 are formed by a vapor deposition method satisfying the conditions (A) to (F). (A) The underlayer material was vapor-deposited on a top face 16 and a first side face 18 of each ridge 12 from a direction of an angle ?L. (B) The underlayer material is vapor-deposited on the top face of a first underlayer 22a and a second side face 20 from a direction of an angle of ?R on the opposite side to that of the condition (A). (C) ?L and ?R are from 60° to 90°. (D) The height Hma1 of the underlayer 22 is from 1 to 20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of fabricating a polarizing film by uniaxially stretching a resin film such as a polyvinyl alcohol-based film in a fabrication process including a swelling step and a dyeing step following the swelling step, comprising the steps of immersing a resin film in bath liquids in at least two or more swelling baths in sequence in the above-mentioned swelling step, wherein at least a bath temperature of a swelling bath located at a Nth position from the front-stage side is set at a temperature which is higher than a bath temperature of a swelling bath located at a (N+M)th position by 3° C. or more (both N and M are specified positive integers).

Abstract: A polarizing plate is provided. The polarizing plate includes a polarizing layer having a first and a second opposite sides; a parallax barrier layer configured above one of the first and the second sides of the polarizing layer, and a top surface protecting layer configured above the parallax barrier layer.

Abstract: An optical film comprising a substrate and a layer, the layer comprising a cured object of a composition which contains at least one of: a hydrolyzate of at least one organosilane compound having a directly silicon-bonded hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group; and a partial condensate of the hydrolyzate, and further contains a compound having a polymerization initiation site, and an antireflection film comprising a substrate and at least one layer including an antireflection layer, wherein at least one of the at least one layer is a layer formed by curing, with at least one of a light and a heat energy, a composition which contains at least one of: a hydrolyzate of at least one organosilane compound having a directly silicon-bonded hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group; and a partial condensate of the hydrolyzate, and further contains a compound having a polymerization initiation site.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display polarizing plate that can reliably exhibit optical properties and be bonded to a liquid crystal cell without causing degradation of the optical properties. The liquid crystal display polarizing plate includes: a retardation film which has a substrate including a cellulose derivative and a retardation layer formed directly on the substrate and containing the cellulose derivative and a rod-like compound having refractive index anisotropy; a polarizer bonded to the retardation layer of the retardation film and including polyvinyl alcohol; and a polarizing plate protection film bonded to the polarizer.

Abstract: A water repellent glass plate, manufacturing method thereof, and a vehicle or a paned window having the same can include a glass plate having a film coating that includes a transparent micro particle covalently bound to the surface of the glass.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a substrate and disposed on said substrate a replica layer, characterised in that a functionality selected from the group consisting of grating, volume Bragg grating, holographic, diffractive, non-periodic structure, optical polarizer, micro lens and gradient index lens is incorporated in the substrate. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical system in which elements which previously played a passive part are given an active role in order to thus realise desired properties of the optical system.

Abstract: A type and polarization selective device for Raman spectroscopy includes a set of at least two antennas and a gap at their intersection. First antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for first or second (different from the first) polarization, at a predetermined stimulation frequency of a material for which Raman scattering is to be studied, or at a Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency corresponding with the material when excited at stimulation frequency. Second antenna geometry is such that it is configured to resonate, for the other of second or first polarization, at the Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or anti-Stokes frequency, or at the anti-Stokes frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the stimulation or Stokes frequency, or at the stimulation frequency when the first antenna is configured to resonate at the Stokes or anti-Stokes frequency.

Abstract: The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).

Abstract: Solar control films containing a visible light-transmissive flexible support, a first nucleating oxide seed layer, a first metal layer, an organic spacing layer, a second nucleating oxide seed layer, a second metal layer and a polymeric protective layer. The thicknesses of the metal layers and spacing layer are such that the films are visible light-transmissive and infrared-reflective. The films have high visible light transmittance, high Reflected Energy and low Total Solar Heat Transmission.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polarizing substrate comprising a dye layer in which the substrate is contacted with a first solution having a organic silane at a temperature greater than room temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a method of nano-patterning block copolymers and a method of manufacturing a polarizer using the same. The method of nano-patterning block copolymers includes coating block copolymers on a lower substrate to a predetermined thickness, forming a thickness gradient by patterning the block copolymers to have a predetermined aspect ratio, and aligning self-assembled block copolymers in a direction of the thickness gradient by heat-treating the block copolymers having the thickness gradient.

Abstract: In the method of making an adherent and wipe-resistant porous SiO2-containing antireflection coating on a borosilicate glass body a coating solution containing from 1.0 to 6.0 wt. % of HCl, from 0.5 to 7.0 wt. % of a SiO2 sol based on solids content, from 0.5 to 5.0 wt. % of water, and from 85 to 98 wt. % of at least one volatile water-soluble organic solvent, is used to form an antireflection coating on the glass body. A glass body, on which the foregoing coating can be provided with good adherence and wipe resistance properties, is made of borosilicate glass having a composition, in percent by weight based on oxide content, of SiO2, 70 to 75; B2O3, 8 to 11; Al2O3, 5 to 9; alkali metal oxides, 7 to 12; and alkaline earth metal oxides, 0 to 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a flexible dichroic optical filter. The method comprises depositing a plurality of pairs of layers adjacent a substrate. Each of the plurality of pairs of layers includes a first layer formed of a silicon-and-carbon containing material having a first index of refraction and a second layer formed of a silicon-and-carbon containing material having a second index of refraction that is different than the first index of refraction.

Abstract: Compensation films for liquid crystal displays, polarizer plates having at least one such compensation film, liquid crystal displays having compensation films, and a method for producing compensation films, polarizer plates, and liquid crystal displays, as well as the use of compounds of the formula (I) described below in more detail as additives to compensation films for liquid crystal displays is provided. The optical compensation films include one or more rod-shaped liquid crystals of the formula (I) as additives, wherein the radicals have the meanings provided in the description for adjusting suitable retardation values Re and Rth.

Abstract: A cellulose acylate film showing 10 marks/m2 or less of adhesion marks and having an in-plane retardation value (Re value) of 0 to 200 nm and a retardation value along the thickness direction (Rth value) of 30 to 500 nm. The cellulose acylate film shows favorable optical uniformity and can provide an improved liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Films for optical use, articles containing such films, methods for making such films, and systems that utilize such films, are disclosed.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising: depositing a solution comprising an organometallic compound on a substrate, drying the solution to provide a film of the organometallic compound and at least partially oxidizing an organic component of the organometallic compound to provide nanoparticles including metal oxides on the substrate which would have multiuse industrial applications.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure provides for a quarter-wave retarder film that is overlaid onto a linearly-polarized stereoscopic image pair in an appropriate orientation in order to produce an image that is viewable using circularly polarized viewing glasses for increased viewing comfort and head-tilt resistance. Another aspect of the present disclosure enables the production of StereoJet-type ink jet images through the use of two separate single-sided clear polarizer substrates with the stretch orientation parallel to the running edge of the support layer. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to the production of laminated stereoscopic images in which the spacing of the image planes of the members of the image pair can be made in close proximity, farther proximity, or at an intermediate proximity to achieve desired optical, mechanical and/or visual results.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a display device having an electroluminescent element in which a contrast ratio is increased. In a display device having an electroluminescent element between a pair of light transmitting substrates, a circularly polarizing plate having stacked polarizing plates arranged on outer sides thereof is provided. At this time, opposed polarizing plates are arranged to be in a crossed nicol state or in a parallel nicol state. As a result, a display device with a high contrast ratio can be provided.

Abstract: A wideband retardation layer (or film) that can perform circular polarizing so that the retardation layer can be formed with an organic light-emitting device to be relatively thin and have a relatively high contrast with no reduction in brightness, and an organic light-emitting device including the retardation layer. The retardation film includes a base and a retardation layer including an alkali oxide layer grown to be inclined on a surface of the base, wherein the alkali oxide layer is disposed by slant-angle depositing alkali oxide on the surface of the base.

Abstract: A polarizing element includes a substrate with protruded threads, and metal thin wires provided on the protruded threads. Each metal thin wire includes a first thin wire provided to a first side surface of the protruded thread and a second thin wire provided to a second side surface of the protruded thread. Each first thin wire has a first volume. Each second thin wire has a second volume. Each metal thin wire has a third volume which is the sum of the first and second volumes. As a distance from one end of the substrate increases, the volume of each first thin wire decreases and the volume of each second thin wire increases so that the third volume is maintained within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarization element, adapted to form a film at least on a part of a surface of a plurality of convex sections provided to at least one surface of the substrate, includes: (a) depositing a first film material on the one surface of the substrate in a first direction to thereby form a first film on the convex section; and (b) depositing a second film material in a second direction different from the first direction to thereby form a second film on the convex section.

Abstract: A polarizing plate of the present invention includes a stretched laminate that is a laminate including a base material layer and a hydrophilic polymer layer and has undergone a stretching process, and at least a dichroic substance is adsorbed to the hydrophilic polymer layer. The polarizing plate of the present invention can be prevented from curling even when the polarizer is reduced in thickness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarized optical element comprises the steps of: providing a polarizing film comprising free hydroxyl groups; placing the polarizing film within a mold cavity: admitting into the mold cavity a liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material containing —NCO functional groups reactive with said hydroxyl groups and comprising the following components: A) a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer having a content of —NCO functional groups comprised between 5 and 50% by weight and an average functionality of 2 to 3, B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least one organic compound containing at least two aromatic amine groups, and C) at least one organometallic catalyst; curing the liquid-phase polyurethane-based optical material to form a polarized optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antireflection film having an antireflection layer excellent in chemical resistance, surface hardness and wet-heat-resistant adhesion. Also disclosed are a method for producing such an antireflection film, a polarizing plate using such an antireflection film, and a display. Specifically disclosed is an antireflection film which comprises a hard coat layer and an antireflection layer on at least one side of a transparent resin film. This antireflection film is characterized in that the hard coat layer contains at least an active ray curable resin, a silicone surface active agent and a polyoxyether compound, and the mass ratio between the silicone surface active agent content and the polyoxyether compound content is from 1.0:1.0 to 0.10:1.0.

Abstract: End reflectors, flat panel lens that may utilize the end reflector, and methods are provided. The end reflector for a flat panel lens may include a first grating having a first set of parallel planes. The first set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a first angle with a central plane of the flat panel lens. The end reflector may also include a second grating having a second set of parallel planes. The second set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a second angle with the central plane. The second angle may be equivalent to the first angle reflected about the central plane.

Abstract: A polarizing element manufacturing method includes (a) forming a plurality of fine metal wires by forming a metal film on a substrate and patterning the metal film, (b) applying, onto a base material, a glass precursor solution for forming a protective layer for protecting the fine metal wires, (c) placing the substrate on the base material so that ends of the fine metal wires are immersed in the glass precursor solution, and (d) forming the protective layer by drying the glass precursor solution, and bonding together the base material and the substrate with the protective layer therebetween.

Abstract: A method and equipment for producing an optical piece. The method comprises coating an optical work piece with at least one functional coating and dispensing the coating material onto the optical work piece by a microjet printer. Finally, a plural number of optical pieces are detached from the coated work piece.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical layered body, which has a high hardness and a fine external appearance without an interference fringe, and is excellent in optical properties and in an adhesion property between a substrate and a hard coat layer.