Birefringent structured film for LED color mixing in a backlight

• US 7,843,637 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Merrill, William W., Kowitz, David A., Biernath, Rolf W., Brott, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavarias; Arnel C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapel; Derek S
• Application Number:
  US11/425,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20070297747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 359/489.08
• 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

Abstract

An article for use in light spreading includes a body having first and second surfaces, and first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body. A portion of the first surface is a birefringent structured surface. The portion is structured such that, when the article receives a light signal within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals. The article can be used for color mixing such as in a cavity providing a backlight for LCD devices or other display devices requiring a backlight.

Claims

1. An article for use in light spreading, comprising:

(a) a body having (i) first and second surfaces, and (ii) first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body; and

(b) a portion of the first surface being a birefringent structured surface,

wherein the portion is structured such that, when the article receives light signals from a plurality of point light sources each emitting light within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting of the light signals into a plurality of divergent light signals producing a substantially uniform color light signal,

wherein the structured surface causes a divergence of at least three degrees among the plurality of light signals.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the structured surface causes a divergence of at least ten degrees among the plurality of light signals.

3. A method of making an article for use in light spreading, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a body having (i) first and second surfaces, and (ii) first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body; and

(b) forming a birefringent structured surface on a portion of the first surface,

wherein the portion is structured such that, when the article receives light signals from a plurality of point light sources each emitting light within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting of the light signals into a plurality of divergent light signals producing a substantially uniform color light signal,

further including causing a divergence of at least three degrees among the plurality of light signals.

4. The method of claim 3, further including causing a divergence of at least ten degrees among the plurality of light signals.

5. An article for use in light spreading, comprising:

(a) a body having (i) first and second surfaces, and (ii) first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body; and

(b) a portion of the first surface being a birefringent structured surface, wherein the portion is structured such that, when the article receives a plurality of light signals each within a distinct range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals among the wavelengths,

wherein the portion is structured such that, when the article receives a first light signal within a first range of wavelengths, a second light signal within a second range of wavelengths different from the first range, and a third light signal within a third range of wavelengths different from the first and second ranges, the structured surface causes splitting of the first, second, and third signals to produce a substantially uniform color light signal.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the portion is structured such that, when the article receives red, green, and blue light signals, the structured surface causes splitting of the red, green, and blue light signals to produce a substantially white light signal.