Light polarizer

• US 20040169791A1
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orafol Americas Inc. (Orafol Europe GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Reflexite
• Inventors: Mullen, Patrick W., Nilsen, Robert B., Phillips, Edward D., Hanrahan, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,054,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/328 Diffraction gratings; Holograms
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/391 absorbing or reflecting polarised light
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/11 Anti-reflection coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/118 having sub-optical wavelength surface structures designed to provide an enhanced transmittance, e.g. moth-eye structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12107 Grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12116 Polariser; Birefringent
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4277 being separated by an air space
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/008 Surface plasmon devices diffractive gratings with a pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength G02B5/1809; surface plasmons in integrated optics G02B6/1226; optical analysis of materials by means of surface plasmons G01N21/553
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1809 with pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1814 structurally combined with one or more further optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms or other diffraction gratings G02B5/189 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3025 Polarisers, i.e. arrangements capable of producing a definite output polarisation state from an unpolarised input state G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3033 in the form of a thin sheet or foil, e.g. Polaroid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3058 comprising electrically conductive elements, e.g. wire grids, conductive particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/126 using polarisation effects G02B6/1226 takes precedence

Abstract

A polarizer is provided comprising a subwavelength optical microstructure wherein the microstructure is partially covered with a light-transmissive inhibiting surface for polarizing light. The inhibiting surface can include a reflective surface, such as a metalized coating. The subwavelength optical microstructure can include moth-eye structures, linear prisms, or modified structures thereof. A polarizing structure is further provided comprising a plurality of moth-eye structures stacked on one another for polarizing light.

Claims

1. A polarizer comprising a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys and a light-transmissive inhibiting surface covering at least some of the valleys.

2. The polarizer of claim 1, further comprising a conductive coating disposed on the light-transmissive inhibiting surface in at least some of the valleys.

3. The polarizer of claim 2, further comprising a substantially transparent coating disposed on the polarizer.

4. The polarizer of claim 1, wherein the light-inhibiting surface has a thickness of about 500 angstroms.

5. A method for forming a polarizer, comprising:

a) providing a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys; and

b) forming a light-transmissive inhibiting surface on at least some of the valleys.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising forming a conductive coating on the light-transmissive inhibiting surface.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising forming a substantially transparent coating on the polarizer.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the polarizer is formed by first forming the light-transmissive inhibiting surface over substantially all of the peaks and the valleys and forming a conductive coating on the inhibiting surface, the method further including removing the light-transmissive inhibiting surface and conductive coating adjacent the peaks.

9. A polarizer comprising at least one subwavelength optical microstructure including an undulating surface that includes a light-transmissive inhibiting surface in at least some low areas of the microstructure.

10. The polarizer of claim 9, further comprising a conductive coating disposed on at least part of the light-transmissive inhibiting surface.

11. A polarizer comprising a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys and a light-transmissive inhibiting surface covering at least some of the peaks.

12. The polarizer of claim 11, further comprising a substantially transparent coating provided on the moth-eye structure and the light-transmissive inhibiting surface.

13. A polarizer comprising at least one subwavelength optical microstructure including an undulating surface that includes a light-transmissive inhibiting surface in at least some raised areas of the microstructure.

14. A polarizer comprising a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys and a conductive material disposed in at least some of the valleys.

15. The polarizer of claim 14, wherein the conductive material includes a plurality of conductive particles.

16. The polarizer of claim 15, further comprising a substantially transparent coating provided on the polarizer.

17. The polarizer of claim 15, wherein the particles include nanoparticles.

18. The polarizer of claim 15, wherein the particles are about 0.2 micrometer or smaller in size.

19. The polarizer of claim 15, wherein the particles include silver, aluminum, titanium dioxide, or a combination thereof.

20. The polarizer of claim 15, wherein a magnetic device is used to position the particles in at least some of the valleys.

21. The polarizer of claim 14, wherein the conductive material includes conductive filler.

22. The polarizer of claim 14, wherein the conductive material includes a plurality of conductive fibers.

23. The polarizer of claim 14, further comprising a substantially transparent coating on the polarizer.

24. A polarizer comprising at least one subwavelength optical microstructure including an undulating surface that includes a conductive material disposed in at least some low areas of the microstructure.

25. A method for forming a polarizer, comprising:

a) providing a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys; and

b) forming a conductive material in at least some of the valleys.

26. A polarizer comprising a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys and an opaque filler disposed in at least some of the valleys.

27. The polarizer of claim 26, further comprising a substantially transparent coating disposed on the polarizer.

28. A polarizer comprising a moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys, at least some of the peaks including a conductive material.

29. The polarizer of claim 28, wherein the conductive material includes a plurality of conductive particles.

30. The polarizer of claim 28, wherein the conductive material includes conductive resin that forms at least part of at least some of the peaks.

31. The polarizer of claim 28, further comprising a substantially transparent coating disposed on the polarizer.

32. A method for forming a polarizer, comprising:

a) providing a resin on a mold that forms a moth-eye structure having peaks and valleys;

b) providing a plurality of particles in the resin; and

c) curing the resin to form the moth-eye structure, the particles being disposed within at least some of the peaks of the moth-eye structure.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising providing a substantially transparent coating on the polarizer.