Light polarizer

• US 8,411,230 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orafol Americas Inc. (Orafol Europe GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Orafol Americas Inc. (Orafol Europe GmbH)
• Inventors: Nilsen, Robert B., Mullen, Patrick W., Hanrahan, Michael J., Phillips, Edward D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SEFER, AHMED N
• Application Number:
  US13/235,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20120008207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 257/98, 349/96
• US Class Current: 349/95
• 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. An optical polarizer film comprising a substrate having a subwavelength moth-eye structure including peaks and valleys, and a plurality of spaced apart and substantially parallel light-transmissive inhibiting surfaces covering at least a portion of the substrate and providing polarization.

2. The optical polarizer film of claim 1, wherein the light-transmissive inhibiting surface covers at least some of the peaks.

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

4. The optical polarizer film of claim 2, wherein light-transmissive inhibiting surface is conductive.

5. The optical polarizer film of claim 1, further comprising a substantially transparent coating disposed on the polarizer film.

6. A polarizer comprising at least one subwavelength optical microstructure including an undulating surface that includes a plurality of spaced apart and substantially parallel light-transmissive inhibiting surfaces in at least some raised areas of the microstructure.

7. The polarizer of claim 6, wherein light-transmissive inhibiting surface is conductive.

8. The polarizer of claim 6, further comprising a substantially transparent coating disposed on the polarizer.