Abstract: A collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle and a collision object by converting the collision into a change in optical transmission characteristics of an optical fiber. The collision detection sensor has the optical fiber, a molding material formed on the periphery of the optical fiber, and a convex portion formed on the surface of the molding material.

Abstract: An optical signal control system is constructed from a portion of a material and allows for controlled amount of negative dispersion to be generated across a broadband input signal. The block may be made of a single portion of the material and have surfaces with reflective, transmissive, and/or diffractive optical characteristics. By adjusting the physical dimensions of the block substrate and the line pitch of a diffraction grating etched into a surface of the block, the magnitude of the dispersion can be varied. Laser systems that utilize the optical signal control system may have reduced size and weight as compared to existing compressors and be more robust against misalignment.

Abstract: A polarizing element includes a substrate; a plurality of protruded threads formed on one of surfaces of the substrate in a rough stripe pattern when viewed two-dimensionally, each of the protruded threads having a side surface forming a slope inclined with respect to the one surface of the substrate; and a plurality of metal thin wires each formed on the slope of the each protruded thread so as to be cantilever-supported by the slope and each extended in an extension direction of the protruded thread.

Abstract: A polarizing element includes a substrate; a plurality of protruded threads formed on one of surfaces of the substrate in a rough stripe pattern when viewed two-dimensionally, each of the protruded threads having a side surface forming a slope inclined with respect to the one surface of the substrate; a plurality of metal thin wires each formed on the slope of the each protruded thread so as to be cantilever-supported by the slope and each extended in an extension direction of the protruded thread; and a protection film covering the protruded threads and the metal thin wires.

Abstract: This invention relates to polarizing plates and their manufacturing process. More particularly, this invention provides a method of making a polarizing plate comprising, providing a polarizing film, coating at least one optical film solution to both sides of the polarizing film simultaneously or near simultaneously, and drying the optical film coating solution to form an optical film on each side of the polarizing film.

Abstract: A light diffusion plate has a substrate and a light diffusion layer formed on the substrate. The light diffusion layer is composed of at least two layers: a first light diffusion layer containing a first matrix and a first light diffusion agent having a refractive index difference ?n1 of 0.04??n1?0.2 with the first matrix, and a second light diffusion layer containing a second matrix and a second light diffusion agent having a refractive index difference ?n2 of 0.005??n2?0.01 with the second matrix. The volume fraction of the first light diffusion agent in the first light diffusion layer is less than 40%, the volume fraction of the second light diffusion agent in the second light diffusion layer is at least 40% and the total thickness of the light diffusion layers is from 5 to 200 ?m after curing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polarized lens capable of obtaining a high-quality polarized lens used for sunglasses and the like. More specifically, the present invention is a method of producing a polarized lens, comprising the steps of obtaining a lens made of resin having a polarizing film on a convex surface thereof, masking the convex surface thereof, and dyeing a non-masked surface thereof.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element according to the present invention includes: a lens body 11 with a blazed grating 13 on an aspheric surface 11a thereof; and an optical adjustment layer 15 that covers the diffraction grating 13. The lens body 11 is made of a first material 14a and the optical adjustment layer 15 is made of a second material 14b that has a higher refractive index than the first material 14a. The diffraction grating 13 has a number of ring zones that are arranged concentrically around an optical axis, where the height of each ring zone with respect to the aspheric surface 11a of the lens body 11 is represented by an increasing function of a distance r from the optical axis. The increasing function is represented by a phase polynomial that uses the distance r as a variable and that has a magnitude of 3/4? to 7/4? when r=0.

Abstract: An adhesive of the present invention is used for polarizing plate to provide a transparent protective film on at least one side of a polarizer and comprises a resin solution comprising a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, a crosslinking agent and a leveling agent containing an acetylene skeleton-containing compound, wherein 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of the leveling agent is added to 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. The adhesive for polarizing plate can provide a satisfactory wettability when applied to transparent protective films and allows the production of polarizing plates to have water resistance at high temperature and satisfactory optical properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a polarizing element which comprises steps of treating a mixture comprising (A) an alkoxysilane and/or a hexaalkoxydisiloxane, (B) water and (C) an alcohol by heating under a condition of at 40 to 120° C. for 0.5 to 24 hours to prepare a coating solution for an alignment film, coating a substrate with the coating solution for an alignment film prepared above to prepare a sol-gel film, treating the sol-gel film by abrasion in a uniaxial direction to form an alignment layer having marks of abrasion in the uniaxial direction, aligning a dichroic coloring agent on the formed alignment layer by deposition to form a polarizing layer, and forming a protective layer for fixing the coloring agent on the formed polarizing layer. A polarizing element can be produced in simple steps, and separation of the polarizing layer in the steps of the production can be prevented.

Abstract: A segmented film deposition wire grid polarizer with a separate coating on top of each rib.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of patterning a conductive layer, a method of manufacturing a polarizer using the method and a polarizer manufactured using the same, and a display device having the polarizer. The method of patterning the conductive layer includes (a) patterning a resin layer to form grooves and protrusions, and (b) applying a conductive filling material on the resin layer so as to form a pattern using stereoscopic shapes of the grooves and the protrusions on the patterned resin layer.

Abstract: Optical devices with versatile spectral attributes are provided that are implemented with one or more modulated and homogeneous layers to realize leaky-mode resonance operation and corresponding versatile spectral-band design. The first and/or higher multiple evanescent diffraction orders are applied to excite one or more leaky modes. The one- or two-dimensional periodic structure, fashioned by proper distribution of materials within each period, can have a resulting symmetric or asymmetric profile to permit a broadened variety of resonant leaky-mode devices to be realized. Thus, the attributes of the optical device permit, among other things, adjacent, distinct resonance frequencies or wavelengths to be produced, convenient shaping of the reflection and transmission spectra for such optical device to be accomplished, and the wavelength resonance locations to be precisely controlled so as to affect the extent to which the leaky modes interact with each other.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a photonic crystal optical filter, a reflective color filter using the photonic crystal optical filter, a display apparatus using the reflective color filter, and a method of manufacturing the reflective color filter. The photonic crystal optical filter may include a transparent substrate; a barrier layer formed on the transparent substrate; and a photonic crystal layer formed on the barrier layer. The photonic crystal layer may have a structure in which a first material having a relatively high refractive index and a second material having a relatively low refractive index are periodically arranged so as to reflect light having a wavelength band corresponding to a photonic band gap.

Abstract: A polarizer includes a first base layer, a reflective polarizing layer and a protective layer. The reflective polarizing layer includes a plurality of a wire-grid polarizer (“WGP”) pattern disposed on the first base layer and spaced apart from each other at substantially uniform intervals. The protective layer contacts the reflective polarizing layer to define an air layer between the WGP patterns, the first base layer and the protective layer.

Abstract: A retardation film which is manufacturable by a simple process, and being capable of preventing a decline in light use efficiency is provided. A retardation film includes: a substrate having a plurality of grooves extending in a specific direction on a surface thereof; and a retardation layer arranged in contact with the surface of the substrate, and including a liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal material being aligned along the extending direction of the plurality of grooves and being polymerized.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thin optical laminate a refractive index of which is three-dimensionally controlled. The optical laminate of the present invention comprises a retardation layer containing a polycyclic compound having at least one of a —SO3M group and a —COOM group, and having an index ellipsoid satisfying a relationship of nx?nz>ny; and a retardation layer having an index ellipsoid satisfying a relationship of nx?ny>nz. As the polycyclic compound, for example, a quinoxaline derivative represented by the following formula (I) is used.

Abstract: A polarizing plate including a polarizing film containing at least a polarizer, wherein the polarizing film has a main absorption axis which is polygonally or smoothly curved.

Abstract: A polarizing dye dispersion, a light-polarizing article and a process for making light-polarizing article utilizing the polarizing dye dispersion. The aqueous polarizing dye dispersion comprises, in addition to a polarizing dye material, a non-ionic surfactant material comprising a plurality of surfactant molecules represented by the following general formula (I): wherein: the average of the number n of all the surfactant molecules ranges from 9 to 200; m is 1 or 2; R, identical or different for each surfactant molecule and each occurrence, independently is an alkyl; at least one R on each surfactant molecule is a C6-C12 straight-chain or branched alkyl; and X, identical or different for each surfactant molecule, independently is an H or a C1-C4 alkyl.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a polarizer is provided. The method comprises providing a liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal host and a viscosity enhancer; providing a thin film of said composition on a substrate; orienting said liquid crystal host to obtain an aligned film in a first liquid crystal mesophase, wherein the liquid crystal host is aligned planar to said substrate; gelating said viscosity enhancer to congeal said film; and obtaining a second liquid crystal state in said congealed film. By the use of a viscosity enhancer in the composition, homeotropic alignment of the liquid crystal host can be suppressed.

Abstract: Processes for obtaining an impact resistant, abrasion and/or scratch resistant photochromic article comprising a substrate having two main faces, comprising: preparing a curable coating composition comprising at least one unblocked polyisocyanate terminated polyurethane pre-polymer, at least one polyol, and at least one photochromic agent; depositing the curable coating composition onto at least part of a main face of the substrate; curing the coating composition for 10 minutes or less, at a temperature lower than or equal to 100° C. to form an impact resistant photochromic coating; forming an abrasion and/or scratch resistant coating on the impact resistant photochromic coating or forming a protective coating on the impact resistant photochromic coating and then forming an abrasion and/or scratch resistant coating on said protective coating. Articles obtainable by such processes, including but not limited to ophthalmic lenses. Curable coating compositions involved in such processes.

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 method for providing a coated vehicle transparency, includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle transparency having a vision area and a non-vision area; and (b) applying a sound dampening coating composition to at least a portion of the non-vision area of the transparency. The coating composition can an aqueous dispersion of polymeric microparticles prepared from components including: (i) a functional material selected from (a) a nitrile functional material, (b) an amide functional material, and (c) a carbamate functional material; (ii) a polyoxyalkylene acrylate; and (iii) a filler material.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel light polarizing articles comprising a substrate, a light polarizing layer, an inorganic intermediate layer between the polarizing layer and the substrate, an optional inorganic sub-layer between the substrate and the inorganic intermediate layer, and a protective layer over the light polarizing layer, and method of making the same. Due to the presence of the inorganic intermediate layer and the optional sub-layer, adhesion of the polarizing layer is improved substantially. The light polarizing article has improved chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance. The light polarizing article can be used, for example, as ophthalmic products and in display devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-functional monomer including a heat-curable functional group as well as a typical photoreactive group. In the multi-functional monomer, the photoreactive group is not chained to a main chain of a polymer. Thus, since it is possible to perform desirable alignment treatment even though polarized UV is radiated for a short time, the production time and the production cost are reduced and alignment regulating force of liquid crystals is increased, thereby increasing a dichroic ratio.

Abstract: A transparent porous SiO2 coating for a transparent substrate material, for example polycarbonate, has advantageous antireflective properties. The coating is produced by a sol-gel process, at least one component which causes porosity being present during at least part of the sol-gel process and being removed and/or destroyed after the sol-gel process has ended. The at least one component which causes porosity is a polymer, the average molar mass of the polymer being preferably =5000 Da to =50 000 Da, more preferably =10 000 Da to =20 000 Da.

Abstract: The invention provides a single phase, essentially solvent-free polymerizable liquid composition comprising a polymerizable liquid with dissolved therein an organogroup 4, 5 or 6 compound selected from the group consisting of organolead, organophosphorus, organoarsenic, organoantimony, organobismuth and organselenium compounds, said position being polymerizable under the action of an externally applied influence.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein provide methods of making alignment facilities for optical dyes connected to an optical substrate. For example, one non-limiting embodiment provides a method of making an alignment facility for an optical dye connected to at least a portion of an optical substrate, such as an ophthalmic substrate, by forming at least one at least partial coating comprising an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material on at least a portion of the substrate. Other non-limiting embodiments related to optical elements, such as but not limited to ophthalmic elements, comprising an alignment facility for an optical dye. Still other non-limiting embodiments provide alignment facilities for optical dyes comprising coatings or sheets of an at least partially ordered liquid crystal material.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a head-up display system for a vehicle having a windshield. First and second substantially parallel spaced-apart substrates sandwich a polymer-inclusive interlayer. An anti-reflective coating is provided on a surface of one of the first and second substrates. The anti-reflective coating is arranged so as to optically remove or block at least some of light rays produced by an image source of the head-up display system so as to reduce the occurrence of multiple images being produced by the image source. The anti-reflective coating is provided on a surface of the first or second substrate opposite the polymer-inclusive interlayer. In certain example embodiments, the polymer-inclusive interlayer may include polyvinyl butyral and/or may have a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Disclosed are a new dichroic dye having liquid crystal properties and dichroic properties and capable of being used for forming a polarization film with excellent heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties, a composition including the same for a polarization film, a method for forming a polarization plate with excellent durability using the composition, and a polarization plate prepared thereby. The new dichroic dye has a structure of R1-L1-(M,L,D) (where, D is a dichroic structure, M is a structure with liquid crystal properties, R1 is a reactive end functional group, and L and L1 are linking structures). The composition for a polarization film includes the dichroic dye. In the method for forming the polarization plate, the composition for a polarization film is applied to a substrate and cured to prepare the polarization plate. The polarization plate has excellent dichroic ratio, heat resistance, durability, and polarizing properties.

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 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: An antifogging glass is provided which has not only an excellent antifogging property but also an excellent appearance and provides an excellent visual effect to an observer. An antifogging glass for a vehicle window, comprising a glass sheet for a vehicle window and an antifogging film disposed on an interior side of the glass sheet, the glass sheet having a dark concealment region disposed in a band-shape on a peripheral edge portion thereof, and the antifogging film having an edge present in a position closer to a central portion of the glass sheet than an edge of the glass sheet and in the dark concealment region.

Abstract: A reactive resin thin film is formed on the surface of a substrate. Parallel bars, lying on the surface of the reactive resin thin film, are urged against the surface of the substrate so as to establish strips of film made of a reactive resin between the adjacent ones of the parallel bars. The strips of film are cured. The thickness of the strips of film can be adjusted in a facilitated manner. An optically impermeable film is formed on the surface of the substrate to cover over the strips of film. The surface of the substrate is subjected to polishing process along a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate so that the strips of film and strips of the optically impermeable film alternately arranged are exposed along the plane. The polarizing optical element can be produced without dry etching.

Abstract: An optical film is provided, the optical film including: a transparent support; and at least one low refractive index layer on or above the transparent support, the low refractive index layer being obtained by hardening a composition containing: (A) a fluorine atom-free polymerizable compound having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups in one molecule thereof; (B) low refractive index inorganic fine particles; and (C) a polyrotaxane compound.

Abstract: A polarized light-emitting layer that comprises a porous silica film formed on a substrate and a conjugated polymer held in the uniaxially oriented, tubular mesopores in the porous silica film. The film can emit fluorescence polarized in a direction parallel to the alignment direction of the mesopores. The film can act as a lasing layer with a low excitation threshold.

Abstract: An optical element includes glass substrates adhered to surfaces of a birefringent material film through an adhesive. The optical element has a coating for moisture-proof. The moisture-proof treatment is performed by applying a mixed solution of a soluble fluorine resin and an ethylenic compound to end surfaces of the glass substrates and the birefringent material film. Otherwise, the optical element is dipped in a solution prepared by mixing a soluble fluorine resin and an ethylenic compound in a predetermined mixing ratio, so as to moisture-proof the end surfaces of the glass substrates and the birefringent material film. The birefringent material film is a phase difference film. The soluble fluorine resin is an amorphous fluorine resin. The ethylenic compound is PTFE.

Abstract: A birefringent film of the present invention comprises at least one kind of polycyclic compound including a —COOM group (the M denotes a counter ion), wherein an index ellipsoid satisfies a relation of nz>nx=ny. The polycyclic compound includes, for example, acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline derivative represented by the following general formula (I). The birefringent film of the present invention can be formed thin-type and have a high birefringent index in the thickness direction, since the birefringent film comprises the polycyclic compound.

Abstract: A polarizer of the present invention comprises an azo compound which is represented by the following general formula (I). In the general formula (I), Q1 represents an optionally substituted aryl group, Q2 represents an optionally substituted arylene group, M represents a counter ion, l represents an integer of from 1 to 6, and m represents an integer of from 0 to 5 (l+m?6).

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a polarization plate. The manufacturing method includes forming a coating layer on a polarization element by coating a coating liquid obtained by dissolving polysilazane and an organic resin into a solvent, and forming an organic-inorganic hybrid layer by subjecting the coating layer to reaction curing.

Abstract: Optical waveguide and manufacturing of an optical waveguide comprising embossing at least one groove into a first substrate by rolling, applying at least a second substrate into the groove and covering at least the groove with a third substrate such that the groove constitutes an optical waveguide for optical signal transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article including a multilayer optical film of alternating layers of first and second optical layers, wherein the first and second optical layers have refractive indices along at least one axis that differ by at least 0.04; and a protective layer disposed on an outer surface of the multilayer optical film, the protective layer having a thickness of less than about 0.5 um and including crosslinked hydroxylated polymer. The optical article may further include a microstructured layer disposed on an outer surface of the multilayer optical film opposite the protective layer. Also disclosed herein are a method of making the optical article and a display device including the optical article.

Abstract: A laminate comprising metal oxide and a dye is effective for blocking at least 90% of infrared radiation at a wavelength of 1000 nm while providing transmission of at least 40% of visible light at a wavelength of 555 nm. The laminate includes a transparent substrate such as glass or plastic. The metal oxide can be applied as a coating to the substrate either separate or with the dye. The laminate can be used on generally any type of window such as automobiles, houses, or buildings to prevent transmission of infrared heat therethrough.

Abstract: In a waveguide 10 including a substrate 1, a lower clad 2, an upper clad 3, and a core 4, the outline of a cross section perpendicular to the light propagating direction of the core 4 surrounded by the lower clad 2 has a shape curved with respect to the center of the cross section. The separation in the waveguide is thereby prevented, and the reliability of the optical property is enhanced.

Abstract: A grid polarizer comprising a first layer composed of a transparent material, a third layer composed of a transparent material, and a second layer laminated between the first layer and the third layer, the second layer having a plurality of layers A extended in an elongated linear state and a plurality of layers B extended in an elongated linear state, in which the layers A and the layers B are alternately arranged side by side, the layers A extended in an elongated linear state comprise a material with an absolute value of a difference between a real part n and an imaginary part ? in a complex refractive index (N=n?i?) at 1.0 or more, the layers B extended in the elongated linear state comprise a gas, and the third layer is connected to the layers A through a chemical compound having a reactive group bindable with an inorganic material and a reactive group bindable with an organic material, comprises a transparent inorganic oxide or a transparent inorganic nitride, or comprises a porous substance.

Abstract: A color filter manufacturing method includes supplying different colored ink to cells on a substrate from nozzles based on drawing pattern data; determining whether any droplet ejection apparatus part is washed or exchanged, or a color filter size is changed; and if so, producing correction data for correcting the drawing pattern data. The correction data is produced by preparing a test substrate having cells corresponding to the cells of the substrate; supplying ink to predetermined test cells; and detecting an ink amount supplied to each test cell. The correction data is then used to adjust the ink droplets supplied to the color filter substrate cells to a target amount. The drawing pattern data is then corrected with the produced correction data; and the ink is supplied to the substrate cells using the corrected drawing pattern data to manufacture the color filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating polymeric materials comprises a treatment chamber adapted to maintain a selected atmosphere; a means for supporting the polymeric material within the chamber; and, a source of plasma-derived gas containing at least one reactive oxidative species whereby the polymer is stabilized and cross linked through exposure to the oxidative species in the chamber at a selected temperature. The polymer may be directly exposed to the plasma, or alternatively, the plasma may be established in a separate volume from which the reactive species may be extracted and introduced into the vicinity of the polymer. The apparatus may be configured for either batch-type or continuous-type processing. The apparatus and method are especially useful for preparing polymer fibers, particularly PAN fibers, for later carbonization treatments.

Abstract: Methods of making an optical body include coating a mixture including a first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, a second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer formed from a portion of the second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer, and a solvent on a substrate. The first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer is different than the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. Then, forming from the mixture an optical body including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer disposed between the first and second layer. The first layer includes a majority of the first cholesteric liquid crystal polymer. The second layer includes a majority of a second cholesteric liquid crystal monomer. The third layer includes the second cholesteric liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle window glass that can be manufactured at low cost and can efficiently cut off infrared rays impinging on passengers sitting on window seats most susceptible to sunlight exposure, and a manufacturing method for the same. With a glass substrate 1 held by a glass substrate holding member 4 in the vertical direction, a nozzle 2 is used to eject an infrared cutoff liquid 3 onto the upper portion 1b of the glass substrate 1. The infrared cutoff liquid 3 ejected onto the upper portion 1b of the glass substrate 1 flows vertically downward such as to be applied onto the glass substrate 1. The film thickness of the lower portion of an infrared cutoff film is greater than that of the upper portion of the same. The glass substrate 1 is dried for approximately five minutes at room temperature. Then, the glass substrate 1 onto which the infrared cutoff liquid 3 has been applied is placed in an oven preheated to 200° C.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical layered body which is produced at low cost and is superior in all an antistatic property, hardness and optical properties such as haze and a total light transmittance. An optical layered body comprising a light-transmitting substrate and a hard coat layer formed on the light-transmitting substrate, wherein the hard coat layer is a resin layer formed from a hard coat layer-forming composition containing a quaternary ammonium salt having a weight average molecular weight of 1000 to 50000, a tri- or morefunctional (meth)acrylate compound having a weight average molecular weight of 700 or less, and a permeable solvent; and a content of the quaternary ammonium salt in the hard coat layer is 0.5 to 18% by weight.