Structured optical tiled surface, structured optical film, and optical system

Abstract

A structured optical tiled surface includes a plurality of structured tiles arranged along mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions. Each of the structured tiles includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures having substantially a same shape and arranged, and having respective substantially random first and second lengths, along mutually orthogonal first and second directions. Each pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles in the plurality of structured tiles includes a common border between the adjacent first and second structured tiles. Each portion of each main structure of each one of the first and second structured tiles at the common border is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, a corresponding portion of a main structure of the other one of the first and second structured tiles.

Description

STRUCTURED OPTICAL TILED SURFACE, STRUCTURED OPTICAL FILM, ANDOPTICAL SYSTEMTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a structured optical tiled surface, a structured optical film, and an optical system having the structured optical film.Background

[0002] High definition displays having anti-glare coatings, other irregular coatings, scratches or marked surfaces are prone to generating sparkles which may be objectionable or distracting to a viewer. Sparkles in a display can be described as a grainy pattern that appears to move around or flicker with small changes in a position of the viewer relative to the display. Therefore, there is a need for reducing the sparkle in the high definition displays.Summary

[0003] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a structured optical tiled surface. The structured optical tiled surface includes a plurality of structured tiles arranged along mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions. Each of the structured tiles includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures having substantially a same shape and arranged, and having respective substantially random first and second lengths, along mutually orthogonal first and second directions. Each pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles in the plurality of structured tiles includes a common border between the adjacent first and second structured tiles. Each portion of each main stmcture of each one of the first and second structured tiles at the common border is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, a corresponding portion of a main structure of the other one of the first and second structured tiles.

[0004] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a structured optical film including a first major surface having the structured optical tiled surface of the first aspect, and an opposite second major surface.

[0005] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a structured optical film. The structured optical film includes a structured first major surface and an opposite second major surface. The structured first major surface includes a structured pattern repeating across the structured first major surface to form a two-dimensional regular array of the structured pattern. The structured pattern includes a plurality of structures having substantially a same shape and substantially a random size, such that for frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, a two-dimensional power spectral density of a distribution of the stmctures in the structured pattern includes a first global peak at a first peak frequency having a first peak value along an in-plane reference direction and a second global peak at a second peak frequency having a second peak value along an in-plane first oblique directionmaking a first angle of about 45 degrees with the in-plane reference direction. A ratio of the first peak value to the second peak value is greater than about 2.

[0006] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a structured optical surface. The structured optical surface includes a plurality of substantially same shape structures arranged at first and second pitches along mutually orthogonal in-plane respective first and second directions. When providing a pixelated display that includes an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, and energizing the pixels so that the provided pixelated display emits substantially white light having a sparkle SI defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the pixelated display, and when the pixelated display and the emitted substantially white light are modified by placing the structured optical surface between the anti-glare layer and the pixels, then the modified emitted substantially white light has a sparkle S2 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the transmitted emitted light across the viewing surface. S2 is less than S 1 by at least a factor of about 1.2.

[0007] In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical system. The optical system includes a pixelated display including a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, an anti-glare layer disposed on the light emitting pixels and having an optical haze of at least about 10%, and a structured optical film disposed between the anti-glare layer and the light emitting pixels. The structured optical film includes a structured pattern repeating across the structured optical fdm to form a two- dimensional regular array of the structured pattern. The structured pattern includes a plurality of stmctures having substantially a same shape and substantially a random size. A substantially white light emitted by the optical system has a sparkle defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the optical system. Removing the structured optical film from the optical system increases the sparkle by a factor of at least about 1.2, and reduces a full width at half maximum of an intensity profile of a light exiting the optical system and emitted by a pixel in the plurality of pixels by no more than a factor of about 2.

[0008] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the following figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a structured optical tiled surface, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the structured optical tiled surface of FIG.1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3A shows a schematic perspective view of a structured tile of the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3B shows a schematic top view of the structured tile of FIG. 3 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3C shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the structured tile of FIG.3 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 3D shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a main structure of the structured tile of FIG. 3 A, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a structured tile of the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5B shows a schematic top view of the structured tile of FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 5C shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the structured tile of FIG.5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 5D shows a schematic view of a profile of a main structure of the structured tile of FIG. 4A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 5E shows a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the structured tile of FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles of the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 7 shows a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles of FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional profile of a plurality of main structures of the structured tile of FIG. 3 A or FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a structured optical film including the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 3 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a structured optical film including the structured optical tiled surface of FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative optical system;

[0029] FIG. 13 shows a graph illustrating a sparkle for an emitted tight in the optical systems of FIGS. 11 and 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 14 shows a graph illustrating a distinctness of an image of an intensity profile of an emitted light in the optical systems of FIGS. 11 and 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 15 shows a graph illustrating an average diffuse reflectance of a viewing side of the optical systems of FIGS. 11 and 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 16 shows a graph illustrating an optical luminance of the optical systems of FIGS. 11 and 12, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 17 shows a structured pattern of the structured optical film of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 18 shows a graph illustrating a two-dimensional power spectral density of a distribution of structures in the structured pattern of FIG. 17, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 19 shows a graph illustrating an optical intensity versus frequency associated with the power spectral density of the structures, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0036] FIG. 20 shows a graph illustrating an optical intensity versus frequency associated with the power spectral density of the structures, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Detailed Description

[0037] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part thereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0038] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0039] As used herein, all numbers should be considered modified by the term “about”. As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably.

[0040] As used herein as a modifier to a property or attribute, the term “generally”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means that the property or attribute would be readily recognizable by a person of ordinary skill but without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match (e.g., within + / - 20 % for quantifiable properties).

[0041] The term “substantially”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 10% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0042] The term “about”, unless otherwise specifically defined, means to a high degree of approximation (e.g., within + / - 5% for quantifiable properties) but again without requiring absolute precision or a perfect match.

[0043] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used as identifiers. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. The terms “first” and “second” when used in conjunction with a feature or an element can be interchanged throughout the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0044] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B”.

[0045] As used herein, “sparkle” should be understood to mean a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of a pixelated display. The sparkle value is calculated as the variance of local intensity after removing the low frequency modulations from the pixels.

[0046] Displays are used in a variety of applications and commercially available devices such as computer monitors, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, miniature music players, and televisions. The displays reflect lights that are incident thereon from the surrounding. Such reflection of the light may cause disturbance to viewers.

[0047] In some cases, one or more films, such as anti-glare films, may be placed on the display to reduce and minimize reflection and glare on the display. However, such anti-glare films may generate sparkles which may be objectionable or distracting to the viewers. Sparkles in a display can be described as a grainy pattern that appears to move around or flicker with small changes in a position of the viewer relative to the display.

[0048] Therefore, a suitable solution may be desired which may reduce the sparkles and may maintain high display quality including transmission, ambient contrast, and lower reflective color mura.

[0049] The present disclosure provides a structured optical surface. The structured optical surface includes a plurality of substantially same shape structures arranged at first and second pitches along mutually orthogonal in-plane respective first and second directions. When providing a pixelated display that includes an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, and energizing the pixels so that the provided pixelated display emits substantially white light having a sparkle SI defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the pixelated display, and when the pixelated display and the emitted substantially white light are modified by placing the structured optical surface between the anti-glare layer and the pixels, then the modified emitted substantially white light has a sparkle S2 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the transmitted emitted light across the viewing surface. S2 is less than SI by at least a factor of about 1.2.

[0050] As the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle SI by at least a factor of about 1.2, the sparkle of the modified substantially white light emitted by the modified pixelated display is reduced. This may improve clarity of the modified pixelated display. In other words, due to the reduced sparkle of the modified substantially white light emitted by the modified pixelated display, display contents of the modified pixelated display may not appear grainy or hazy to a viewer. Therefore, the sparkle S2 may not negatively affect a quality of the display contents, such as images or videos, viewed by the viewer using the modified pixelated display.

[0051] The present disclosure further provides an optical system. The optical system includes a pixelated display including a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, an anti-glare layer disposed on the light emitting pixels and having an optical haze of at least about 10%, and a structured optical film disposed between the anti-glare layer and the light emitting pixels. The structured optical film includes a structured pattern repeating across the structured optical film to form a two-dimensional regular array of the structured pattern. The structured pattern includes a plurality of structures having substantially a same shape and substantially a random size. A substantially white light emitted by the optical system has a sparkle defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the optical system. Removing the structured optical film from the optical system increases the sparkle by a factor of at least about 1.2, and reduces a full width at half maximum of an intensity profile of a light exiting the optical system and emitted by a pixel in the plurality of pixels by no more than a factor of about 2.

[0052] As the sparkle is increased by a factor of at least about 1.2 upon removing the structured optical film from the optical system, the placement of the structured optical film between the antiglare layer and the light emitting pixels reduces the sparkle in the optical system. This may provide a sharp rendering of images with an increased clarity to a viewer. Such characteristics of the structured optical film in an optical system may be ideal for interactive flat panel and touch displays, tablets, e- readers, and the like.

[0053] The present disclosure further relates to a structured optical tiled surface for use in pixelated displays. The structured optical tiled surface includes a plurality of structured tiles arranged along mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions. Each of the structured tiles includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures having substantially a same shape and arranged, and having respective substantially random first and second lengths, along mutually orthogonal first and second directions. Each pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles in the plurality of structured tiles includes a common border between the adjacent first and second structured tiles. Each portion of each main structure of each one of the first and second structured tiles at the common border is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, a corresponding portion of a main structure of the other one of the first and second structured tiles.

[0054] When used in an optical system, the structured optical tiled surface may provide a continuous surface for reducing the sparkle. Accordingly, a quality of a display content viewed by a viewer may improve.

[0055] Referring now to figures, FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a structured optical tiled surface 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200 is interchangeably referred to herein as “the structured optical surface 200”.

[0056] The structured optical tiled surface 200 defines mutually orthogonal x-, y-, and z- directions. The x- and y-directions are in-plane directions of the structured optical tiled surface 200, while the z-direction is a transverse direction disposed along a thickness of the structured optical tiled surface 200. In other words, the x- and y-directions are disposed along a plane of the structured optical tiled surface 200, while the z-direction is perpendicular to the plane of the structured optical tiled surface 200. The structured optical tiled surface 200 includes a plurality of structured tiles 10 arranged along mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions.

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a structured optical tiled surface 200p, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200p is interchangeably referred to herein as “the structured optical surface 200p”. As shown in FIG. 2, the structured optical tiled surface 200p includes a plurality of structured tiles lOp arranged along the mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions. In other words, the structured optical surface 200p includes the plurality of structured tiles lOp arranged along the mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions.

[0058] FIG. 3 A shows a schematic perspective view of the structured tile lOp of the structured optical tiled surface 200p of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B shows a schematic top view of the structured tile lOp of the structured optical tiled surface 200p of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the structured tile lOp shown in FIG. 3 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3C, each of the structured tiles lOp includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures 20p having substantially a same shape and arranged along mutually orthogonal first and second directions dl, d2. In other words, each of the structured tiles 10 includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures 20 having substantially a same shape and arranged along the mutually orthogonal first and second directions dl, d2. Therefore, the structured optical surface 200p includes the plurality of substantially same shape structures 20p. Moreover, the structured optical surface 200 includes the plurality of substantially same shape structures 20.

[0060] In some embodiments, the main structures 20 are interchangeably referred to herein as “the structures 20”. In some embodiments, the main structures 20p are interchangeably referred to herein as “the structures 20p”.

[0061] In the structured optical tiled surface 200p, each of the main structures 20 (or the main stmctures 20p) of each of the structured tiles lOp is a substantially prismatic structure 20p. Each of the substantially prismatic structures 20p has a plurality of sides 2 Ip extending from a base 23p (shown in FIG. 3C), and meeting at a top 22p, of the prismatic structure 20p. In some embodiments, each of the substantially prismatic structures 20p has four sides 2 Ip. In some embodiments, the top 22p of each of the substantially prismatic structures 20p is substantially round.

[0062] FIG. 3D shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the main structure 20p or the prismatic structure 20p of the structured tile lOp shown in FIG. 3 A, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3D, the prismatic structure 20p has a top 22pa (instead of the top 22p). In some embodiments, the top 22pa of each of the substantially prismatic structures 20p is substantially planar.

[0063] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3C, in some embodiments, for at least one of the main structures 20p, each of the sides 2 Ip in the plurality of sides 2 Ip has a length along one of the first and second directions dl, d2, and a width along the other one of the first and second directions dl, d2. Each of the sides 2 Ip has a different width.

[0064] The plurality of substantially coplanar main structures 20p have respective substantially random first and second lengths Lip, L2p (shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C) along mutually orthogonal first and second directions dl, d2. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Lip, L2p of each of the main structures 20p of each of the structured tiles lOp is in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 25 microns. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Lip, L2p is in a range from about 1 micron to about 20 microns, from about 2 microns to about 17.5 microns, or from about 3 microns to about 15 microns. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Lip, L2p is in a range from about 4 microns to about 12 microns. Further, the structures 20p in the plurality of structures 20p are arranged at first and second pitches Pip, P2p (shown in FIG. 3B) along the mutually orthogonal in-plane respective first and second directions dl, d2.

[0065] In some embodiments, a maximum height Hp (shown in FIG. 3C) of each of the main structures 20p of each of the structured tiles lOp is in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns. In some embodiments, the maximum height Hp of the main stmctures 20p of each of the structured tiles lOp is in a range from about 1 micron to about 15 microns, from about 1.5 microns to about 10 microns, or from about 2 microns to about 7 microns. In some embodiments, the maximum height Hp of the main structures 20p of each of the structured tiles lOp is in a range from about 3 microns to about 5 microns.

[0066] In some embodiments, a total number of the main structures 20p in each of the structured tiles lOp along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 5 and about 100. In some embodiments, the total number of the main structures 20p in each of the structured tiles lOp along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 8 and about 45, between about10 and about 40, between about 15 and about 35, or between about 20 and about 30. In some embodiments, the total number of the main structures 20p in each of the structured tiles lOp along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 22 and about 28.

[0067] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a structured optical tiled surface 200w, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200w is interchangeably referred to herein as “the structured optical surface 200w”. As shown in FIG. 4, the structured optical tiled surface 200w includes a plurality of structured tiles lOw arranged along the mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions.

[0068] FIG. 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a structured tile lOw of the structured optical tiled surface 200w of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B shows a schematic top view of the structured tile lOw of the structured optical tiled surface 200w of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5C shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of the structured tile lOw shown in FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 5C, each of the structured tiles lOw includes a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures 20w having substantially a same shape and arranged along the mutually orthogonal first and second directions dl, d2. Therefore, the structured optical surface 200w includes the plurality of substantially same shape structures 20w. In some embodiments, the main structures 20w are interchangeably referred to herein as “the structures 20w”.

[0070] In the structured optical tiled surface 200w, each of the main stmctures 20w of each of the structured tiles lOw includes an open-top cavity 21w (shown in FIG. 5C) defined by a plurality of sidewalls 22w (shown in FIG. 5C) intersecting at a plurality of comers 23w. In some embodiments, each of the open-top cavities 21w is defined by four sidewalls 22w intersecting at four comers 23 w. In some embodiments, for each of the main stmctures 20w, the sidewalls 22w in the plurality of sidewalls 22w extend along the first direction dl or the second direction d2.

[0071] In some embodiments, a maximum depth of each of the open-top cavities 2 Iw is in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns. In some embodiments, the maximum depth of each of the open-top cavities 21w is in a range from about 1 micron to about 15 microns, from about 1.5 microns to about 10 microns, or from about 2 microns to about 7 microns. In some embodiments, the maximum depth of each of the open-top cavities 21w is in a range from about 3 microns to about 5 microns.

[0072] The plurality of substantially coplanar main structures 20w have respective substantially random first and second lengths Llw, L2w (shown in FIG. 5B) along the mutually orthogonal first and second directions dl, d2. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Llw, L2w of each of the main structures 20w of each of the structured tiles lOw is in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 25 microns. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Llw, L2w is in a range from about 1 micron to about 20 microns, from about 2 microns toabout 17.5 microns, or from about 3 microns to about 15 microns. In some embodiments, each of the random first and second lengths Llw, L2w is in a range from about 4 microns to about 12 microns. Further, the structures 20w in the plurality of structures 20w are arranged at first and second pitches Plw, P2w (shown in FIG. 5B) along the mutually orthogonal in-plane respective first and second directions dl, d2.

[0073] FIG. 5D shows a schematic view of a profile of the main structure 20w of the structured tile lOw shown in FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 5D, in some embodiments, each of the sidewalls 22w has a parabolic cross-section 24w (shown in FIG. 5D) in a plane Pwa substantially perpendicular to a length direction (e.g., the first or second directions dl, d2) of the sidewall 22w. In some embodiments, each of the sidewalls 22w has a planar cross-section 25w (shown in FIG. 5D) in a plane Pwb substantially parallel to the length direction (e.g., the first or second directions dl, d2) of the sidewall 22w.

[0075] FIG. 5E shows a schematic enlarged top view of a portion of the structured tile lOw shown in FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 5E, in some embodiments, for at least one of the main structures 20w (e.g., a main structure 20w3 shown in FIG. 5E), first and second sidewalls 22wl, 22w2 of the main structure 20w3 extend along one of the first and second directions dl, d2, and have respective first and second full widths Wlwl, Wlw2 at half maximum along the other one of the first and second directions dl, d2. For example, for the main structure 20w3, the first and second sidewalls 22wl, 22w2 extend along the second direction d2 and have the respective first and second full widths Wlwl, W lw2 at half maximum along the first direction dl.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first and second widths Wlwl, Wlw2 are different from each other by at least a factor of 1.2. In other words, the second width W lw2 may be greater than the first width Wlwl by at least the factor of 1.2. In some embodiments, the first and second widths Wlwl, Wlw2 are different from each other by at least a factor of 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7, or 10.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first width Wlwl is less than about 5 microns. In some embodiments, the first width Wlwl is less than about 4 microns, less than about 3 microns, or less than about 2 microns. In some embodiments, the second width W lw2 is greater than about 5 microns. In some embodiments, the second width W lw2 is greater than about 6 microns, greater than about 7 microns, greater than about 8 microns, greater than about 9 microns, greater than about 10 microns, or greater than about 15 microns.

[0078] In some embodiments, for at least one of the main structures 20w, each of the sidewalls 22w has a length along one of the first and second directions dl, d2, and a width along the other one of the first and second directions dl, d2. For example, for the main structure 20w3, each of the first and second sidewalls 22wl, 22w2 has a length along the second direction d2 and a width along the first direction dl.

[0079] In some embodiments, the open-top cavity 21w (shown in FIG. 5C) of each of the main stmctures 20w in each of the structured tiles lOw defines an open surface 27w (shown in FIG. 5E) at a top of the cavity 21w. In a top plan view of the structured tile lOw, the open surfaces 27w of the cavities 21w include at least 30% of the structured tile lOw. In some embodiments, the open surfaces 27w of the cavities 21w include at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70% of the structured tile lOw.

[0080] In some embodiments, a total number of the main stmctures 20w in each of the structured tiles lOw along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 5 and about 100. In some embodiments, the total number of the main structures 20w in each of the structured tiles lOw along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 8 and about 45, between about 10 and about 40, between about 15 and about 35, or between about 20 and about 30. In some embodiments, the total number of the main structures 20w in each of the structured tiles lOw along each of the first and second directions dl, d2 is between about 22 and about 28.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a schematic top view of a pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles lOwl, 10w2 of the structured optical tiled surface 200w of FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 shows a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles lOwl, 10w2 of FIG. 6, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, each pair of adjacent first and second stmctured tiles lOwl,10w2 in the plurality of structured tiles lOw includes a common border 50 between the adjacent first and second structured tiles lOwl, 10w2. Further, each portion 26wl of each main structure 20wl (shown in FIG. 7) of each one of the first and second structured tiles lOwl, 10w2 at the common border 50 is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, a corresponding portion 26w2 (shown in FIG. 7) of a main structure 20w2 of the other one of the first and second structured tiles lOwl, 10w2.

[0083] For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 6 and 7 show only one pair of the first and second adjacent structured tiles lOwl, 10w2. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, each portion 26wl of each main structure 20wl of each first structured tile lOwl is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, the corresponding portion 26w2 of the main stmcture 20w2 of the second structured tile 10w2. Therefore, when used in an optical system, the structured optical tiled surface 200w may provide a continuous surface for reducing sparkle. Accordingly, a quality of a display content viewed by a viewer may improve.

[0084] Though not shown for illustration purposes, such common border would also be there between each pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles in the plurality of structured tiles lOp (shown in FIG. 2).

[0085] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional profile of a plurality of main structures 20 of the structured tile 10 of FIG. 3 A or FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 3 A, 5A, and 8, each of the main structures 20 includes an outer layer 28 filled with a filling material 29. In some embodiments, for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, indices of refraction of the outer layer 28 and the filling material 29 are different by between about 0.05 and about 0.5. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the indices of refraction of the outer layer 28 and the filling material 29 are different by between about 0.07 and about 0.4, or between about 0.1 and about 0.3.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the outer layer 29 is conformally coated on the filling material 29. However, in other embodiments, the outer layer 29 may be non-conformally coated on the filling material 29.

[0088] In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the outer layer 28 has a higher index of refraction than the filling material 29. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the outer layer 28 has an index of refraction of between about 1.6 and about 1.8. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the outer layer 28 has an index of refraction of about 1.68. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the filling material 29 has an index of refraction of between about 1.4 and about 1.7. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the filling material 29 has an index of refraction of between about 1.48 and about 1.52. In some embodiments, for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the outer layer 28 has a lower index of refraction than the filling material 29.

[0089] FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a structured optical film 300p including the structured optical tiled surface 200p of FIG. 3 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] In some embodiments, the structured optical film 300p can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the structured optical film 300”. The structured optimal film 300p includes a structured first major surface 3 lOp and an opposite second major surface 3 lip. In some embodiments, the structured first major surface 3 lOp can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the first major surface 3 lOp”. The structured first major surface 3 lOp includes the structured optical tiled surface 200p of FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the structured optimal film 300p has a unitary construction.

[0091] In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200p has an average optical transmission of greater than about 40% for a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 3 Op over the visible wavelength range. In some embodiments, the stmctured optical tiled surface 200p has an average optical transmission of greater than about 50%, greater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, or greater than about 90% for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 30p over the visible wavelength range.

[0092] FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a structured optical film 300w including the structured optical tiled surface 200w of FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] In some embodiments, the structured optical film 300w can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the structured optical film 300”. The structured optimal film 300w includes a structured first major surface 3 lOw and an opposite second major surface 3 llw. In some embodiments, the structured first major surface 3 lOw can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the first major surface 3 lOw”. The structured first major surface 3 lOw includes the structured optical tiled surface 200w of FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the structured optimal film 300w has a unitary construction.

[0094] In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200w has an average optical transmission of greater than about 40% for a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 30w over the visible wavelength range. In some embodiments, the structured optical tiled surface 200w has an average optical transmission of greater than about 50%, greater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, or greater than about 90% for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 30w over the visible wavelength range.

[0095] FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical system 400, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] The optical system 400 includes a pixelated display 40 including a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w. The outer layer 28 (shown in FIG. 8) is a viewing surface 43 (shown in FIG. 11) of the pixelated display 40. In some embodiments, the pixelated display 40 can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the modified pixelated display 40”.

[0097] In some embodiments, the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w have a pixel size of between about 5 microns and about 500 microns. In some embodiments, the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w have a pixel size of between about 10 microns and about 450 microns, between about 20 microns and about 400 microns, between about 30 microns and about 350 microns, between about 40 microns and about 300 microns, between about 50 microns and about 250 microns, between about 60 microns and about 200 microns, between about 70 microns and about 150 microns, between about 80 microns and about 125 microns, or between about 90 microns and about125 microns.

[0098] In some embodiments, the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w have a pixel size of at least about 5 microns. In some embodiments, the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w have a pixel size of at least about 10 microns, at least about 20 microns, at least about 30 microns, at least about 40 microns, at least about 50 microns, at least about 60 microns, at least about 70 microns, at least about 80 microns, or at least about 90 microns. In some embodiments, the pixels41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w have a pixel size of about 100 microns.

[0099] The optical system 400 further includes an anti-glare layer 70 disposed on the light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w. The anti-glare layer 70 has an optical haze (also interchangeably referred to herein as “the transmitted optical haze”) of at least about 10%. Therefore, in some embodiments, the anti-glare layer 70 has the transmitted optical haze of at least about 10%. Optical haze of a film or layer may be measured using a Haze-guard Plus haze meter (BYK-Gardiner, Silver Springs, Md.) according to the procedure described in ASTM D1003.

[0100] In some embodiments, the anti-glare layer 70 has the optical haze of at least about 15%, at least about 20%, or at least about 25%. In some embodiments, the anti-glare layer 70 has the transmitted optical haze of between about 10% and about 50%. In some embodiments, the anti-glare layer 70 has the transmitted optical haze of between about 15% and about 45%, between about 20% and about 40%, or between about 25% and about 35%. In some embodiments, the anti-glare layer 70 has the transmitted optical haze of about 30%.

[0101] The anti-glare layer 70 has a structured major surface 71. The structured major surface 71 is disposed on a substrate 72. In some embodiments, the substrate 72 includes at least one of a glass and a plastic. The structured major surface 71 is, or is proximate to, the viewing surface 43 of the pixelated display 40.

[0102] The optical system 400 further includes the structured optical film 300 disposed between the anti-glare layer 70 and the light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w. The stmctured optical fdm 300 may be the structured optical film 300p shown in FIG. 9 or the structured optical film 300w shown in FIG. 10. The structured optical film 300 includes the structured optical tiled surface 200 shown in FIG. 1.

[0103] When the structured optical film 300 is the structured optical film 300p, then the stmctured optical tiled surface 200 is the structured optical tiled surface 200p shown in FIG. 2. When the structured optical film 300 is the structured optical fdm 300w, then the structured optical tiled surface 200 is the structured optical tiled surface 200w shown in FIG. 4.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 11, an average separation t3 between the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w and the structured optical tiled surface 200 in the modified pixelated display 40 is at least about 10 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t3 is at least about 25 microns, at least about 50 microns, at least about 75 microns, at least about 100 microns, at least about 125 microns, at least about 150 microns, or at least about 175 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t3 is between about 10 microns and about 500 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t3 is between about 25 microns and about 450 microns, between about 50 microns and about 400 microns, between about 75 microns and about 350 microns, between about 100 microns and about 300 microns, or between about 150 microns and about 250 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t3 is about 200 microns.

[0105] In some embodiments, an average separation t4 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the structured optical tiled surface 200 in the modified pixelated display 40 is at least about 10 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t4 is at least about 25 microns, at least about 50 microns, at least about 75 microns, at least about 100 microns, at least about 200 microns, at least about 300 microns, at least about 400 microns, at least about 500 microns, or at least about 600 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation t4 is about 700 microns.

[0106] Further, an average separation between the pixels 4 lb, 41g, 4 Ir, 4 Iw and the anti-glare layer 70 in the modified pixelated display 40 is T2. In the modified pixelated display 40, a second optical adhesive layer 81 bonds the structured optical tiled surface 200 to the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w and a third optical adhesive layer 82 bonds the structured optical tiled surface 200 to the antiglare layer 70. In some embodiments, the second optical adhesive layer 81 includes the filling material 29 (shown in FIG. 8).

[0107] FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative optical system 400’. In some embodiments, the comparative optical system 400’ can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the optical system 400’”. The comparative optical system 400’ is substantially similar to the optical system 400 of FIG. 11, with common components being referred to by the same numerals. However, the comparative optical system 400’ does not include any structured optical film (i.e., the structured optical film 300 shown in FIG. 11).

[0108] The comparative optical system 400’ includes a pixelated display 40’ substantially similar to the pixelated display 40. In some embodiments, the pixelated display 40’ can be interchangeably referred to herein as “the provided pixelated display 40’”. It can also be stated that the pixelated display 40’ includes the anti-glare layer 70 disposed on the plurality of discrete light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, an average separation between the pixels 4 lb, 41g, 4 Ir, 41w and the anti-glare layer 70 in the provided pixelated display 40’ is Tl. In some embodiments, the average separation Tl between the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w and the anti-glare layer 70 in the provided pixelated display 40’ is at least about 50 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation Tl is at least about 100 microns, at least about 250 microns, at least about 500 microns, or at least about 750 microns. In some embodiments, the average separation Tl is about 900 microns. In some embodiments, a difference between the average separation Tl and the average separation T2 (shown in FIG. 11) is less than about 50%. In some embodiments, the difference between the average separation Tl and the average separation T2 is less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5%.

[0110] Afirst optical adhesive layer 80 bonds the anti-glare layer 70 to the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the provided pixelated display 40’.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments, a difference between an average thickness QI of the first optical adhesive layer 80 and an average thickness Q2+Q3 of a combination of the second and the third optical adhesive layers 81, 82 is less than about 50%. In some embodiments, the difference between the average thickness QI of the first optical adhesive layer 80 and the average thickness Q2+Q3 of the combination of the second and the third optical adhesive layers 81, 82 is less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5%.

[0112] With continued reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a substantially white light 45 emitted by the optical system 400 has a sparkle S2 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light 45 across the viewing surface 43 of the optical system 400.

[0113] In some cases, the sparkle S2 is calculated as the variance of local intensity after removing the low frequency modulations from the pixels. Detail description of calculations of sparkle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,353,214 (Sitter et al.), or in the product literature of a sparkle measurement system SMS- 1000 (Display -Messtechnik & Systeme, Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany), for example.

[0114] In some embodiments, removing the stmctured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 increases the sparkle S2 by a factor of at least about 1.2. Removal of the structured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 leads to constitution of the comparative optical system 400’ of FIG. 12. In some embodiments, removing the structured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 increases the sparkle S2 by a factor of at least about 1.5, at least about 2, at least about 2.5, at least about 3, at least about 4, at least about 5, at least about 10, at least about 15, or at least about 20. In some embodiments, removing the stmctured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 increases the sparkle S2 by a factor of about 2.3.

[0115] As the sparkle S2 is increased by a factor of at least about 1.2 upon removing the stmctured optical film 300 from the optical system 400, the placement of the structured optical film 300 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the light emitting pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w reduces the sparkle S2 in the optical system 400. This may provide a sharp rendering of images with an increased clarity to the viewer. Such characteristics of the structured optical film 300 in an optical system may be ideal for interactive flat panel and touch displays, tablets, e-readers, and the like.

[0116] Further, when the pixelated display 40’ is provided and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w are energized, the provided pixelated display 40’ emits substantially white light 42 having a sparkle SI. The sparkle SI is defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light 42 across the viewing surface 43 of the pixelated display 40’. In some embodiments, the sparkle SI is 7%.

[0117] When providing the pixelated display 40’ and energizing the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w so that the provided pixelated display 40’ emits the substantially white light 42 having the sparkle SI, and when the pixelated display 40’ and the emitted substantially white light 42 are modified by placing the structured optical surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w, then the modified emitted substantially white light 45 has the sparkle S2. The sparkle S2 is defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the transmitted emitted light 45 across the viewing surface 43. In some embodiments, the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle51 by at least a factor of about 1.2. In some embodiments, the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle SI by at least a factor of about 1.5, about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 10, about 15, or about 20. In some embodiments, the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle SI by a factor of about 2.3. In some embodiments, the sparkle S2 is 3%.

[0118] As the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle SI by at least a factor of about 1.2, the sparkle52 of the modified substantially white light 45 emitted by the modified pixelated display 40 is reduced. This may improve clarity of the modified pixelated display 40. In other words, due to the reduced sparkle S2 of the modified substantially white light 45 emitted by the modified pixelated display 40, display contents of the modified pixelated display 40 may not appear grainy or hazy to the viewer. Therefore, the sparkle S2 may not negatively affect a quality of the display contents, such as images or videos, viewed by the viewer using the modified pixelated display 40 of the optical system 400.

[0119] FIG. 13 shows a graph 100 illustrating a sparkle for an emitted light in the optical systems 400, 400’ of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The sparkle is expressed in percentage (%) in the ordinate. The optical systems 400, 400’ are expressed in the abscissa.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the graph 100 includes a bar 102 depicting the sparkle S2 of the emitted light 45 of a sample B of the optical system 400. As depicted by the bar 102, the sparkle S2 is about 2.5%. The graph 100 further includes bars 104, 106, 108 depicting a sparkle of various respective samples A, C, D of the optical system 400.

[0121] As depicted by the bars 104, 106, 108, the sparkle S2 of the emitted light for the samples A, C, D of the optical system 400 is less than about 3%.

[0122] The graph 100 further includes a bar 102’ depicting the sparkle SI of the substantially white light 42 of the optical system 400’ of FIG. 12. As is depicted by the graph 100, the sparkle SI is greater than the sparkle S2. In some embodiments, a ratio of S2 to S 1 is less than by at least a factor of about 0.95. In some embodiments, the ratio of S2 to SI is less than by at least a factor of about 0.9, or about 0.85, or about 0.8, or about 0.75, or about 0.7. As per the graph 100, the ratio of S2 to SI is less than by a factor of about 0.83.

[0123] As is apparent from the graph 100, the sparkle S2 is less than the sparkle S 1 by at least a factor of about 1.2. Hence, the display contents of the modified pixelated display 40 in the opticalsystem 400 may not appear grainy or hazy to the viewer. Therefore, the sparkle S2 may not negatively affect the quality of the display contents viewed by the viewer using the optical system 400.

[0124] FIG. 14 shows a graph 110 illustrating a distinctness of an image of an intensity profile of an emitted light in the optical systems 400, 400’ of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The distinctness of image is expressed in the ordinate. The optical systems 400, 400’ are expressed in the abscissa.

[0125] Detail description of calculations of distinctness of image is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,353,214 (Sitter et al.), or in the product literature of a sparkle measurement system SMS-1000 (Display -Messtechnik & Systeme, Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany), for example. Distinctness of image was calculated by measuring the intensity modulation (peak-to-valley amplitude) with the mask only and then with the test film and cover glass on top of the mask. Distinctness of image is calculated as:

[0126] Distinctness of image = (Modulation with test film and cover glass / modulation with mask only) *100 %.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, when providing the pixelated display 40’ and energizing a first pixel 41a in the plurality of pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w to emit light 42a, then an intensity profile 45a (shown in FIG. 12) of an emitted light 44a exiting the pixelated display 40’ through the anti-glare layer 70 has a first distinctness of image Dll. The graph 110 includes a bar 112’ depicting the first distinctness of image Dll of the intensity profile 45a of the emitted light 44a. In some embodiments, the first distinctness of image Dll is about 75.

[0128] When the structured optical tiled surface 200 is disposed between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w, then an intensity profile 45b (shown in FIG. 11) of an emitted light 44b (shown in FIG. 11) exiting the pixelated display 40 through the structured optical tiled surface 200 and the anti-glare layer 70 has a second distinctness of image DI2. The graph 110 includes a bar 112 depicting the second distinctness of image DI2 of the intensity profile 45b of the emitted light 44b for the sample B of the optical system 400. In some embodiments, the second distinctness of image DI2 is about 60. In some embodiments, the second distinctness of image DI2 is about 50.

[0129] The graph 110 further includes bars 114, 116, 118 depicting a distinctness of image of respective intensity profiles of respective emitted lights in the various respective samples A, C, D of the optical system 400. For all the samples A, C, D of the optical system 400, a ratio of the distinctness of image to the first distinctness of image Dll is greater than about 0.6.

[0130] As is depicted by the graph 110, the first distinctness of image Dll is greater than the second distinctness of image DI2. In some embodiments, a ratio of the second distinctness of image DI2 to the first distinctness of image Dll is greater than about 0.6. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second distinctness of image DI2 to the first distinctness of image Dll is greater than about 0.65,greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.75, or greater than about 0.8. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second distinctness of image DI2 to the first distinctness of image Dll is about 0.8.

[0131] As the ratio of the second distinctness of image DI2 to the first distinctness of image Dll is greater than about 0.6, placing the structured optical surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w in the optical system 400 may not be substantially affect a distinctness of image. Therefore, by placing the structured optical surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w, the sparkle S2 is reduced without negatively affecting the distinctness of image.

[0132] The intensity profile 45a of the light 44a has a full width at half maximum Hl (shown in FIG. 12). Further, the intensity profile 45b of the light 44b has a full width at half maximum H2 (shown in FIG. 11). It can also be stated that removing the structured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 reduces the full width at half maximum H2 of the intensity profile 45b of the light 44b exiting the optical system 400 and emitted by the first pixel 41a in the plurality of pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w by no more than a factor of about 2.

[0133] In some embodiments, removing the structured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 reduces the full width at half maximum H2 of the intensity profile 45b of the light 44b by no more than a factor of about 1.9, about 1.8, about 1.7, about 1.6, or about 1.5. In some embodiments, removing the structured optical film 300 from the optical system 400 reduces the full width at half maximum H2 of the intensity profile 45b of the light 44b by a factor of about 1.3.

[0134] FIG. 15 shows a graph 120 illustrating an average diffuse reflectance of a viewing side 90 of the optical systems 400, 400’ of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The diffuse reflectance is expressed in percentage in the ordinate. The optical systems 400, 400’ are expressed in the abscissa.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 15, when providing the pixelated display 40’ in the optical system 400’, the viewing side 90 of the provided pixelated display 40’ has a first average diffuse reflectance VI in the visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm. The graph 120 includes a bar 122’ depicting the first average diffuse reflectance VI. In some embodiments, the first average diffuse reflectance VI is about 1.5%. In some embodiments, the first average diffuse reflectance VI is about 0.5%.

[0136] When the pixelated display 40’ is modified by inserting the structured optical tiled surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w, then the viewing side 90 of the modified pixelated display 40 (i.e., in the optical system 400 shown in FIG. 11) has a second average diffuse reflectance V2 in the visible wavelength range. The graph 120 includes a bar 122 depicting the second average diffuse reflectance V2 for the sample C of the optical system 400. In some embodiments, the second average diffuse reflectance V2 is about 2.2%.

[0137] As is depicted by the graph 120, the second average diffuse reflectance V2 is greater than the first average diffuse reflectance VI. In some embodiments, a ratio of the second average diffusereflectance V2 to the first average diffuse reflectance VI is less than about 7. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second average diffuse reflectance V2 to the first average diffuse reflectance VI is less than about 6, less than about 5, less than about 4, less than about 3, less than about 2, or less than about 1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second average diffuse reflectance V2 to the first average diffuse reflectance VI is about 1.46. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second average diffuse reflectance V2 to the first average diffuse reflectance VI is about 4.4.

[0138] By comparing the first average diffuse reflectance VI and the second average diffuse reflectance V2, it can be stated that the placing of the structured optical surface 200 between the antiglare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w increases an average diffuse reflectance (i.e., the second average diffuse reflectance V2) of the viewing side 90 of the pixelated display 40 by less than about 5%. In some embodiments, the placing of the structured optical surface 200 between the antiglare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w increases the average diffuse reflectance of the viewing side 90 of the pixelated display 40 by less than about 4%, less than about 3%, less than about 2%, or less than about 1%. In some embodiments, the placing of the structured optical surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w increases the average diffuse reflectance of the viewing side 90 of the pixelated display 40 by about 0.8%.

[0139] The graph 120 further includes bars 124, 126, 128 depicting an average diffuse reflectance of respective viewing sides of respective samples A, B, D of the optical system 400. For all the samples A, B, D of the optical system 400, a ratio of the average diffuse reflectance to the first average diffuse reflectance VI is less than about 7.

[0140] FIG. 16 shows a graph 130 illustrating an optical luminance of the optical systems 400, 400’ of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical luminance is expressed in nits in the ordinate. The optical systems 400, 400’ are expressed in the abscissa.

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 16, when providing the pixelated display 40’ in the optical system 400’, the anti-glare layer 70 has a first optical luminance W1 in the visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm. The graph 130 includes a bar 132’ depicting the first optical luminance Wl. In some embodiments, the first optical luminance W1 is about 780 nits.

[0142] When the structured optical tiled surface 200 is disposed between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w, then a combination (i.e., in the optical system 400) of the anti-glare layer 70 and the structured optical tiled surface 200 has a second optical luminance W2 in the visible wavelength range. The graph 130 includes a bar 132 depicting the second optical luminance W2. In some embodiments, the second optical luminance W2 is about 750 nits.

[0143] As is depicted by the graph 130, the first optical luminance Wl is greater than the second optical luminance W2. In some embodiments, a ratio of the second optical luminance W2 to the first optical luminance Wl is greater than about 0.9. In some embodiments, the ratio of the second optical luminance W2 to the first optical luminance Wl is greater than about 0.91, greater than about 0.92,greater than about 0.93, greater than about 0.93, greater than about 0.94, or greater than about 0.95.In some embodiments, the ratio of the second optical luminance W2 to the first optical luminance W 1 is about 0.96.

[0144] The graph 130 further includes bars 134, 136, 138 depicting optical luminance of respective samples A, C, D of the optical system 400. For all the samples A, C, D of the optical system 400, a ratio of the optical luminance to the first optical luminance W1 is greater than about 0.9.

[0145] As the ratio of the second optical luminance W2 to the first optical luminance W1 is about 0.96, placing the structured optical surface 200 between the anti-glare layer 70 and the pixels 41b, 41g, 41r, 41w may not substantially affect a luminous intensity of a light emitted by the optical system 400 along while reducing the sparkle.

[0146] FIG. 17 shows a structured pattern 60 of the structured optical film 300 (e.g., the structured optical film 300w) of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0147] Referring to FIGS. 10, 12, and 17, the structured optical film 300 includes the structured pattern 60 repeating across the stmctured optical film 300 to form a two-dimensional regular array of the structured pattern 60. Specifically, the structured first major surface 3 lOw includes the structured pattern 60 repeating across the structured first major surface 310w to form the two-dimensional regular array of the stmctured pattern 60. In some embodiments, the two-dimensional regular array of the structured pattern 60 is a two-dimensional periodic array of the structured pattern 60. The structured pattern 60 includes the plurality of structures 20w (shown in FIG. 5A) having substantially the same shape and substantially the random size.

[0148] FIG. 18 shows a graph 140 illustrating a two-dimensional power spectral density 83 of a distribution of the structures 20w (shown in FIG. 5A) in the structured pattern 60 (shown in FIG. 17), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0149] FIG. 19 shows a graph 150 illustrating an optical intensity versus frequency associated with the two-dimensional power spectral density 83 (shown in FIG. 18) of the stmctures 20w shown in FIG. 5A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, the graph 150 includes a curve 152 depicting an optical intensity profile of a distribution of the structures 20w along an in-plane reference direction X0 (shown in FIG. 17). In some embodiments, the in-plane reference direction X0 is substantially along the first direction dl (shown in FIG. 5A).

[0151] The graph 150 further includes a curve 154 depicting an optical intensity profile of a distribution of the structures 20w along an in-plane first oblique direction XI (shown in FIG. 17) making a first angle ql of about 45 degrees with the in-plane reference direction X0.

[0152] The optical intensity for the curve 152 is expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.) in the left ordinate. The optical intensity for the curve 154 is expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.) in the right ordinate. The frequency is expressed in inverse microns (1 / pm) in the abscissa.

[0153] Referring to the curve 152, for frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, the two-dimensional power spectral density 83 of the distribution of the structures 20w in the structured pattern 60 includes a first global peak P0 at a first peak frequency FO having a first peak value AO along the in-plane reference direction XO. In some embodiments, the first peak frequency FO is about 0.12 / pm. In some embodiments, the first peak value AO is about 5.4E+11.

[0154] Referring to the curve 154, for the frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, the two-dimensional power spectral density 83 of the distribution of the structures 20w in the structured pattern 60 includes a second global peak Pl at a second peak frequency Fl having a second peak value Al along the in-plane first oblique direction XI. In some embodiments, the second peak frequency Fl is about 0.17 / pm. In some embodiments, the second peak value Al is about 3.1E+10.

[0155] In some embodiments, a ratio A0 / A1 of the first peak value AO to the second peak value Al is greater than about 2. In some embodiments, the ratio A0 / A1 of the first peak value AO to the second peak value Al is greater than about 4, greater than about 6, greater than about 8, greater than about 10, greater than about 12, greater than about 15, or greater than about 20. In some embodiments, the ratio A0 / A1 of the first peak value AO to the second peak value Al is about 17.4.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second peak frequency Fl is greater than the first peak frequency FO. In some embodiments, the first peak frequency FO is greater than about 0.02 inverse microns. In some embodiments, the first peak frequency FO is greater than about 0.05 inverse microns, greater than about 0.07 inverse microns, or greater than about 0.1 inverse microns.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second peak frequency Fl is greater than about 0.02 inverse microns. In some embodiments, the second peak frequency Fl is greater than about 0.05 inverse microns, greater than about 0.07 inverse microns, greater than about 0.1 inverse microns, greater than about 0.12 inverse microns, or greater than about 0.15 inverse microns.

[0158] FIG. 20 shows a graph 160 illustrating an optical intensity versus frequency associated with the power spectral density 83 (shown in FIG. 18) of the structures 20w shown in FIG. 5 A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] The graph 160 includes a curve 162 depicting an optical intensity profile of the distribution of the structures 20w along the in-plane reference direction XO (shown in FIG. 17).

[0160] The graph 160 further includes a curve 164 depicting an optical intensity profile of the distribution of the structures 20w along the in-plane first oblique direction XI (shown in FIG. 17).

[0161] The graph 160 further includes a curve 166 depicting an intensity profile of the distribution of the structures 20w along an in-plane second oblique direction X2 (shown in FIG. 17) making a second angle q2 of about 30 degrees with the in-plane reference direction X0. The curve 166 also depicts an optical intensity profile of the distribution of the structures 20w along an in-plane oblique direction making an angle of about 60 degrees with the in-plane reference direction X0.

[0162] The optical intensity for the curve 162 is expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.) in the left ordinate. The optical intensity for the curves 164, 166 is expressed in arbitrary units (a.u.) in the right ordinate. The frequency is expressed in inverse microns (1 / pm) in the abscissa.

[0163] Referring to the curve 166, in some embodiments, for the frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, the two-dimensional power spectral density 83 of the distribution of the structures 20w in the structured pattern 60 further includes a third global peak P2 at a third peak frequency F2 having a third peak value A2 along the in-plane second oblique direction X2. In some embodiments, the third peak frequency F2 is about 0.18 inverse microns. In some embodiments, the, third peak value A2 is about 4E+9.

[0164] In some embodiments, a ratio A0 / A2 of the first peak value A0 to the third peak value A2 is greater than about 10. In some embodiments, the ratio A0 / A2 of the first peak value A0 to the third peak value A2 is greater than about 20, greater than about 30, greater than about 50, greater than about 80, greater than about 100, greater than about 150, or greater than about 200. In some embodiments, the ratio A0 / A2 of the first peak value A0 to the third peak value A2 is about 193.

[0165] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0166] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A structured optical tiled surface comprising a plurality of structured tiles arranged along mutually orthogonal x- and y-directions, each of the structured tiles comprising a plurality of substantially coplanar main structures having substantially a same shape and arranged, and having respective substantially random first and second lengths, along mutually orthogonal first and second directions, such that each pair of adjacent first and second structured tiles in the plurality of structured tiles comprises a common border between the adjacent first and second structured tiles, and each portion of each main structure of each one of the first and second structured tiles at the common border is substantially aligned with, and substantially seamlessly connected to, a corresponding portion of a main structure of the other one of the first and second structured tiles.

2. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1, wherein each of the main structures of each of the structured tiles comprises an open-top cavity defined by a plurality of sidewalls intersecting at a plurality of comers.

3. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1, wherein a total number of the main structures in each of the structured tiles along each of the first and second directions is between about 5 and about 100.

4. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1 having an average optical transmission of greater than about 40% for a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light over a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm.

5. A stmctured optical film comprising a first major surface comprising the structured optical tiled surface of claim 1, and an opposite second major surface, and wherein the stmctured optical film has a unitary constmction.

6. The stmctured optical tiled surface of claim 1, wherein when a pixelated display is provided that comprises an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, so that a substantially white light emitted by the pixelated display has a sparkle SI defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the pixelated display, and the pixelated display and the emitted substantially white light are modified by placing the stmctured optical tiled surface of claim 1 between the anti-glare layer and the pixels, then the modified substantially white lightemited by the modified pixelated display has a sparkle S2 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the modified emited substantially white light across the viewing surface, a ratio of S2 to SI less than by at least a factor of about 0.95.

7. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 6, wherein anti-glare layer has a structured major surface that is, or is proximate to, the viewing surface of the pixelated display.

8. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 7, wherein an average separation between the pixels and the anti-glare layer in the provided pixelated display is Tl, wherein an average separation between the pixels and the anti-glare layer in the modified pixelated display is T2, and wherein a difference between Tl and T2 is less than about 50%.

9. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1, wherein when providing a pixelated display that comprises an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, such that energizing a first pixel in the plurality of pixels to emit light, then an intensity profile of the emitted light exiting the pixelated display through the anti-glare layer has a first distinctness of image, and when the structured optical tiled surface of claim 1 is disposed between the antiglare layer and the pixels, then an intensity profile of the emitted light exiting the pixelated display through the structured optical tiled surface and the anti-glare layer has a second distinctness of image, and wherein a ratio of the second distinctness of image to the first distinctness of image is greater than about 0.6.

10. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1 , wherein when providing a pixelated display that comprises an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, such that a viewing side of the provided pixelated display has a first average diffuse reflectance in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, and when the pixelated display is modified by inserting the structured optical tiled surface of claim 1 between the antiglare layer and the pixels, then the viewing side of the modified pixelated display has a second average diffuse reflectance in the visible wavelength range, and wherein a ratio of the second average diffuse reflectance to the first average diffuse reflectance is less than about 7.

11. The structured optical tiled surface of claim 1, wherein when providing a pixelated display that comprises an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels, such that the anti-glare layer has a first optical luminance in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, and when the structured optical tiled surface of claim 1 isdisposed between the anti-glare layer and the pixels, then a combination of the anti-glare layer and the structured optical tiled surface has a second optical luminance in the visible wavelength range, a ratio of the second optical luminance to the first optical luminance greater than about 0.9.

12. A structured optical film comprising a structured first major surface and an opposite second major surface, the structured first major surface comprising a structured pattern repeating across the structured first major surface to form a two-dimensional regular array of the structured pattern, the structured pattern comprising a plurality of structures having substantially a same shape and substantially a random size, such that for frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, a two-dimensional power spectral density of a distribution of the structures in the structured pattern comprises a first global peak at a first peak frequency having a first peak value along an in-plane reference direction and a second global peak at a second peak frequency having a second peak value along an in-plane first oblique direction making a first angle of about 45 degrees with the in-plane reference direction, a ratio of the first peak value to the second peak value greater than about 2.

13. The structured optical film of claim 12, wherein for the frequencies greater than about 0.02 inverse microns, the two-dimensional power spectral density of the distribution of the structures in the structured pattern further comprises a third global peak at a third peak frequency having a third peak value along an in-plane second oblique direction making a second angle of about 30 degrees with the in-plane reference direction, a ratio of the first peak value to the third peak value greater than about 10.

14. A structured optical surface comprising a plurality of substantially same shape structures arranged at first and second pitches along mutually orthogonal in-plane respective first and second directions, such that when providing a pixelated display that comprises an anti-glare layer disposed on a plurality of discrete light emitting pixels and energizing the pixels so that the provided pixelated display emits substantially white light having a sparkle S 1 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity of the emitted substantially white light across a viewing surface of the pixelated display, and when the pixelated display and the emitted substantially white light are modified by placing the structured optical surface between the anti-glare layer and the pixels, then the modified emitted substantially white light has a sparkle S2 defined as a ratio of a standard deviation to an average value of an intensity ofthe transmitted emitted light across the viewing surface, S2 less than SI by at least a factor of about 1.2.

15. The structured optical surface of claim 14, wherein the placing of the structured optical surface between the anti-glare layer and the pixels increases an average diffuse reflectance of a viewing side of the pixelated display by less than about 5%.

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