Optical substrate and method of making

• US 7,965,447 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Olczak, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrington; Alicia M
• Application Number:
  US11/979,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20080106793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 359/599, 359625-627, 359833-834
• US Class Current: 359/625
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0221 the surface having an irregular structure G02B5/0226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0226 having particles on the surface
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0231 the surface having microprismatic or micropyramidal shape macroscopic prism arrays G02B5/045
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0242 by means of dispersed particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0278 used in transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0053 Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer

Abstract

An optical surface substrate. The optical substrate features a three-dimensional surface. The optical substrate is defined by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function producing at least one specular component from a first input beam of light. The second surface structure function has a geometry with at least pseudo-random characteristics to modulate the first surface structure function such that the surface of the optical substrate produces specular and diffuse light from the first input beam of light. The optical substrate is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including brightness enhancement and projection devices.

Claims

1. An optical substrate comprising:

a surface having a plurality of prism structures, wherein the lateral position of at least one of the prism structures is randomly or pseudo-randomly varied along its length, wherein the at least one prism structures each have a peak, the lateral position of at least one of the peaks being randomly or pseudo-randomly varied along a length of the prism structures.

2. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the surface is characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less.

3. The optical substrate of claim 2, wherein the optical substrate is a prism film.

4. The optical substrate of claim 2, wherein the optical substrate is a brightness enhancement film.

5. The optical substrate of claim 2, wherein the optical substrate is a light guide plate.

6. The optical substrate of claim 2, wherein the optical substrate is a light turning film.

7. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the optical substrate is a prism film.

8. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the optical substrate is a brightness enhancement film.

9. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the optical substrate is a light guide plate.

10. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the optical substrate is a light turning film.

11. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein the prism structures have a faceted structure.

12. The optical substrate of claim 1, wherein a height and width of at least one of the prism structures is randomly or pseudo-randomly varied along its length.

13. An optical substrate, comprising:

a surface having a plurality of prism structures, the surface characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less in a lateral direction.

14. The optical substrate of claim 13, wherein the optical substrate is a prism film.

15. The optical substrate of claim 13, wherein the optical substrate is a brightness enhancement film.

16. The optical substrate of claim 13, wherein the optical substrate is a light guide plate.

17. The optical substrate of claim 13, wherein the optical substrate is a light turning film.

18. A display device comprising:

an optical source for generating light; and

an optical substrate comprising a surface having a plurality of prism structures, wherein the lateral position of at least one of the prism structures is varied along its length, wherein the at least one prism structures each have a peak, the lateral position of at least one of the peaks being randomly or pseudo-randomly varied along a length of the prism structures.

19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a prism film.

20. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a prism film, and wherein the surface is characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less in a lateral direction.

21. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a brightness enhancement film.

22. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a brightness enhancement film, and wherein the surface is characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less in a lateral direction.

23. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a light guide plate.

24. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a light guide plate, and wherein the surface is characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less in a lateral direction.

25. The display device of claim 18, wherein the lateral position of at least one of the prism structures is randomly or pseudo-randomly varied along its length.

26. The display device of claim 18, wherein the optical substrate is a light turning film, and wherein the surface is characterized by a correlation length of about 1 cm or less in a lateral direction.