REFLECTIVE POLARIZER ASSEMBLY

• US 20070252926A1
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Watson, Philip, Allen, Richard, Kotchick, Keith
• Application Number:
  US11/767,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252926A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/98
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/286 for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34
• 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: G02F 1/133536 Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133555 Transflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13363 Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/09 transflective

Abstract

An assembly that includes a first reflective polarizer substantially reflecting light having a first polarization state and substantially transmitting light having a second polarization state, a polarization rotating layer or depolarizing layer (or both) positioned to receive light passing through the first reflective polarizer, and a second reflective polarizer positioned to receive light passing through the polarization rotating layer or depolarizing layer, the second reflective polarizer substantially reflecting light having a third polarization state back through the polarization rotating layer or depolarizing and substantially transmitting light having a fourth polarization state. Articles containing the assembly can be formed.

Claims

1. A display comprising

a liquid crystal cell;

a backlighting system positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal cell; and

a transflective assembly positioned between the backlighting system and the liquid crystal cell, the transflective assembly comprising a polarization rotating layer positioned between a first reflective polarizer and a second reflective polarizer.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein the first and second reflective polarizers have parallel transmission axes.

3. The display of claim 1, wherein the first and second reflective polarizers have different polarization axes.

4. The display of claim 1, wherein the polarization rotating layer comprises a polarizing element.

5. The display of claim 1, wherein the polarization rotating layer comprises a compensation film.

6. The display of claim 1, wherein the transflective assembly further comprises a light diffusing element disposed between the first and second reflective polarizers.

7. A display comprising

a liquid crystal cell;

a backlighting system positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal cell; and

a transflective assembly positioned between the backlighting system and the liquid crystal cell, the transflective assembly comprising a depolarizing layer positioned between a first reflective polarizer and a second reflective polarizer.

8. The display of claim 7, wherein the first and second reflective polarizers have parallel transmission axes.

9. The display of claim 7, wherein the first and second reflective polarizers have different polarization axes.