Abstract:
A front and back reflector are arranged to form a hollow light recycling cavity having an output region, and one or more light sources (e.g. LEDs) are disposed to emit light into the cavity. In one aspect, the back reflector has a design characterized by a first and second parameter. The first design parameter is a ratio of the collective emitting area of the light sources Aemit to the area of the output region Aout, and Aemit/Aout is preferably from 0.0001 to 0.1. The second design parameter is SEP/H, where H is the depth of the recycling cavity, and SEP is an average plan view source separation associated with the light sources. Other aspects of the disclosed extended area light sources are also described.
Abstract:
The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.
Abstract:
A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight further includes one or more light sources disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector includes an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 90% for visible light polarized in a first plane, and an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 25% but less than 90% for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
Abstract:
An example optical filter may include an angle blocking layer having a first angular light blocking range θAL relative to a normal axis, and an interference filter adjacent the angle blocking layer having a second angular light blocking range θIF relative to the normal axis. θIF and θAL at least partially overlap. The example optical filter has a predetermined light transmission zone comprising angles from 0° to a maximum light transmission angle θTmax relative to a normal axis of the major surface. The example optical filter has a predetermined angular light blocking zone θB, a union of θIF and θAL. An example optical filter may include an interference filter having an incidence angle-dependent reflection band and an absorbing layer having an absorption band. The incidence angle-dependent reflection band and the absorption band may overlap at at least one wavelength at at least one angle of incidence.
Abstract:
Investment casting compositions are provided including: a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; b) a hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer; c) a free-radical initiator; and d) a catalyst that aids in thermal decomposition of the hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer. Methods of using the investment casting compositions are also provided, including: a) forming at least one investment casting pattern from an investment casting composition; b) investing the at least one investment casting pattern with at least one ceramic slurry to form a mold shell; and c) heating the mold shell to initiate decomposition of the hydroxyl-functional poly(alkylene carbonate) polymer and to form a ceramic mold. Use of these investment casting compositions tends to result in little to no cracking of the mold shell as well as allowing for significant removal of the investment casting pattern from the mold shell, upon heating of the mold shell.
Abstract:
In an example, an example article may include a spatially variant microreplicated layer optically coupled to a wavelength selective filter. The wavelength selective filter may have a light incidence angle-dependent optical band. The spatially variant microreplicated layer may be configured to transmit light to a first optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a first predetermined incidence angle and to a second optical region of the wavelength selective filter at a second predetermined incidence angle.
Abstract:
An optical system includes an oriented polymeric multilayer optical film having a first reflection band, and a light source configured to produce light in an output band and/or a sensor configured to receive light in an input band. The light source and/or sensor is in optical communication with the oriented polymeric multilayer optical film. In some cases, the first reflection band overlaps the input and/or output band at normal incidence, but not at an oblique incidence angle. In some cases, the first reflection band overlaps the input and/or output band at an oblique incidence angle, but not at normal incidence. The optical system can further include a non-birefringent optical filter having a first blocking band where the first blocking band overlaps the first reflection band for at least one of normal incidence or an oblique incidence angle.
Abstract:
An optical filter including a polarizer and a visible light blocking filter is described. The polarizer is configured to transmit at least 60 percent of light in a first infrared wavelength range that is incident on the polarizer at normal incidence in a first polarization state, to transmit less than 30 percent of light in a second infrared wavelength that is incident on the polarizer at normal incidence in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state, and to transmit less than 30 percent of light in a third infrared wavelength range that is incident on the polarizer with a 50 degree angle of incidence in the second polarization state. The visible light blocking filter configured to transmit at least 60 percent of light in the first infrared wavelength range at normal incidence in the first polarization state.
Abstract:
A retroreflective system is disclosed that includes a retroreflective sheet for retroreflecting light, and a light control film disposed on the retroreflective sheet. For a first wavelength, light incident on the light control film at each of a first and second angles of incidence is retroreflected. For a second wavelength, light incident on the light control film at the first, but not the second, angle of incidence is retroreflected.
Abstract:
A multilayer optical film has a packet of microlayers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic. At least some of the microlayers are birefringent. A stabilizing layer attaches to and covers the microlayer packet proximate an outer exposed surface of the film. Heating element(s) can physically contact the film to deliver heat to the packet through the stabilizing layer by thermal conduction, at altered region(s) of the film, such that the first reflective characteristic changes to an altered reflective characteristic in the altered region(s) to pattern the film. The stabilizing layer provides sufficient heat conduction to allow heat from the heating elements to change (e.g. reduce) the birefringence of the birefringent microlayers disposed near the outer exposed surface in the altered region(s), while providing sufficient mechanical support to avoid substantial layer distortion of the microlayers near the outer exposed surface in the altered region(s).