Reinforced reflective polarizer films

• US 20070153162A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hebrink, Timothy, Wright, Robin, Ouderkirk, Andrew, Hart, Shandon, Fleming, Patrick, Benson, Olester, Thunhorst, Kristin
• Application Number:
  US11/323,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20070153162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3016 involving passive liquid crystal elements optical properties of liquid crystals G02F1/0063; polarising elements associated with active liquid crystal devices G02F1/133528
• 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 5/3041 comprising multiple thin layers, e.g. multilayer stacks
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133536 Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133555 Transflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133607 the light controlling member including light directing or refracting elements, e.g. prisms or lenses

Abstract

A display system includes a display panel, a backlight and a reinforced reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the backlight. The reinforced reflective polarizer includes a first layer formed from a polymer matrix embedded with inorganic fibers. The reinforced reflective polarizer also includes a second layer attached to the first layer. The second layer comprises a reflective polarizing layer.

Claims

1. An optical film, comprising:

a first layer, comprising a polymer matrix and inorganic fibers embedded within the polymer matrix; and

a second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer comprising a reflective polarizing layer.

2. An optical film as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer adhesively attached between the first and second layers.

3. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein the reflective polarizing layer provides a periodically varying refractive index function to a first polarization state of light, resulting in interference-based reflection of that polarization state.

4. An optical film as recited in claim 3, where the reflective polarizing layer comprises a multilayer stack of alternating materials.

5. An optical film as recited in claim 3, where the reflective polarizing layer comprises cholesteric material.

6. An optical film as recited in claim 3, where the reflective polarizing layer comprises birefringent polymeric material.

7. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein at least some of the inorganic fibers have a refractive index substantially matched to a refractive index of the polymer matrix.

8. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein at least some of the inorganic fibers have a refractive index that is not substantially matched to a refractive index of the polymer matrix.

9. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein the reflective polarizing layer comprises a diffuse reflecting polarizer.

10. An optical film as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third optical layer attached to one of the first and second layers.

11. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a fiber reinforced layer having inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix.

12. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a reflective layer.

13. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a transmissive optical layer.

14. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a transflective optical layer.

15. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a diffusive layer.

16. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a polarizer layer.

17. An optical film as recited in claim 16, wherein the third optical layer comprises a reflective polarizer layer.

18. An optical film as recited in claim 16, wherein the third optical layer comprises an absorbing polarizer layer.

19. An optical film as recited in claim 10, wherein the third optical layer comprises a profiled surface having an optical function.

20. An optical film as recited in claim 19, wherein the profiled surface is a prismatic surface.

21. An optical film as recited in claim 20, wherein the third optical layer is a prismatic brightness enhancing layer.

22. An optical film as recited in claim 20, wherein the third optical layer is a light-turning layer.

23. An optical film as recited in claim 20, wherein the third optical layer is a retroreflecting layer.

24. An optical film as recited in claim 19, wherein the profiled surface provides optical power to light passing through the third optical layer.

25. An optical film as recited in claim 24, wherein the profiled surface comprises at least one refracting lens.

26. An optical film as recited in claim 24, wherein the profiled surface comprises a Fresnel lens.

27. An optical film as recited in claim 24, wherein the profiled surface comprises a diffracting optical element.

28. An optical film as recited in claim 19, wherein the profiled surface comprises a diffracting surface.

29. An optical film as recited in claim 19, wherein the profiled surface comprises a diffusing surface.

30. An optical film as recited in claim 19, wherein the profiled surface comprises an optical collector.

31. An optical film as recited in claim 30, wherein the optical collector comprises a plurality of non-imaging optical concentrators.

32. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a thermosetting polymer.

33. An optical film as recited in claim 1, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

34. An optical film as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third optical layer, the third optical layer comprising a polymer matrix embedded with inorganic fibers, the first optical layer being attached to a first side of the second optical layer and the third optical layer being attached to a second side of the second optical layer.

35. A display system, comprising:

a display panel;

a backlight; and

a reinforced reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the backlight, the reinforced reflective polarizer comprising a first layer, comprising a polymer matrix, inorganic fibers being embedded within the polymer matrix, and a second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer comprising a reflective polarizing layer.

36. A display system as recited in claim 35, wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

37. A display system as recited in claim 35, further comprising at least one of a diffusing layer and a prismatic brightness enhancing layer disposed between the display panel and the backlight.

38. A display system as recited in claim 35, wherein the backlight comprises one or more light sources.

39. A display system as recited in claim 38, wherein the light sources comprise light emitting diodes.

40. A display system as recited in claim 38, wherein the light sources comprise fluorescent lamps.

41. A display system as recited in claim 35, further comprising a control unit coupled to control an image formed by the display panel.