Polarizers coated with optically functional layers

• US 7,110,178 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Nagarkar, Pradnya V., Smyth, William K., Trapani, Giorgio
• Primary Examiner(s): Boutsikaris, Leonidas
• Application Number:
  US09/897,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20030002154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,905 Days
• Field of Search: 359/492, 359/15, 359/490, 359/499, 359/502, 359/580, 359/485, 349/96
• US Class Current: 359/487.02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3033 in the form of a thin sheet or foil, e.g. Polaroid

Abstract

An optical stack includes an intrinsic polarizer, such as a K-type or thin KE polarizer sheet. Optically functional coatings are disposed on one or both of the surfaces of the intrinsic polarizer. The optically functional coatings include a hardcoat, a transflector coating, a reflector coating, an antireflection film, a liquid crystal polymer retarder coating, a diffusion coating, an antiglare film, a wide view film, and an electrode. An optical stack including an intrinsic polarizer and an optically functional coating may have a thickness of less than 25 microns.

Claims

1. An optical stack, comprising:

an intrinsic polarizer having a first surface, the intrinsic polarizer lacking a heat and moisture resistant protective coating and a support layer thereon; and

a first optically functional coating disposed on the first surface of the intrinsic polarizer.

2. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the intrinsic polarizer has a second surface, and further comprising

a second optically functional coating disposed on the second surface of the intrinsic polarizer.

3. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the intrinsic polarizer is a K-type polarizer.

4. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the intrinsic polarizer is a KE polarizer.

5. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a hardcoat.

6. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a transflector coating.

7. The optical stack of claim 6 wherein the transflector coating comprises a layer of metal.

8. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a reflector coating.

9. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises an antireflection film.

10. The optical stack of claim 9 wherein the antireflection film comprises a plurality of polymer layers.

11. The optical stack of claim 9 wherein the antireflection film comprises a plurality of inorganic layers.

12. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a liquid crystal polymer retarder compensation film.

13. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a diffusion coating.

14. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises an antiglare film.

15. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises a wide view film.

16. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the first optically functional coating comprises an electrode.

17. The optical stack of claim 1 wherein the intrinsic polarizer has a second surface, and further comprising

a layer of adhesive disposed on the second surface of the intrinsic polarizer.

18. The optical stack of claim 17 wherein the intrinsic polarizer is attached to a liquid crystal display cell by the layer of adhesive.

19. The optical stack of claim 17 wherein the layer of adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.

20. The optical stack of claim 17 wherein the layer of adhesive comprises a diffuse adhesive.

21. An optical stack comprising an intrinsic polarizer lacking a heat and moisture resistant protective coating and a support layer thereon and an optically functional coating, wherein the thickness of the optical stack is less than 25 microns.

22. An optical stack comprising an intrinsic polarizer lacking a heat and moisture resistant protective coating and a support layer thereon and an optically functional coating, wherein the thickness of the optical stack is about 25 microns.

23. An optical stack, comprising:

a K-type polarizer having a first surface and a second surface, the K-type polarizer lacking a heat and moisture resistant protective coating and a support layer thereon;

a first optically functional coating disposed on the first surface of the K-type polarizer; and

a second optically functional coating disposed on the second surface of the K-type polarizer.

24. A method of forming an optical stack, comprising:

providing an intrinsic polarizer having a first surface and a second surface, the intrinsic polarizer lacking a heat and moisture resistant protective coating and a support layer thereon; and

disposing a first optically functional coating on the first surface of the intrinsic polarizer.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising

disposing a second optically functional coating on the second surface of the intrinsic polarizer.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the disposing step comprises coating.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising

disposing a layer of adhesive on the second surface of the intrinsic polarizer.