Light control construction

Abstract

A light control construction includes to a light control construction. The light control construction includes a light control film including a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. Each of the light absorbing regions has a maximum width W1, a maximum height H, and a maximum length L1, such that H / W1 ≥ 1, and L1 / H ≥ 20. The light control construction further includes a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film including a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer. For a substantially normally substantially collimated incident light and for at least one visible wavelength, the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

Description

[0001] PA103226W002

[0002] LIGHT CONTROL CONSTRUCTION

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a light control construction.

[0005] Background

[0006] Light control films (LCFs) are configured to regulate transmission of light. LCFs typically include a light transmissive film having a plurality of light absorbing portions that include a lightabsorbing material. LCFs can be placed proximate a surface, such as a display surface, an image surface, or any other surface including an image to be viewed. As a viewing angle increases, an amount of light transmitted through the LCF decreases until a viewing cutoff angle is reached where substantially all the light is blocked by the light-absorbing material and the image displayed on the surface is no longer viewable. This can provide privacy (e.g., for laptops, ATM) to a viewer by blocking observation by others that are outside a typical range of viewing angles or safety (e.g., for windshield light reflection mitigation in cars).

[0007] Summary

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a light control construction. The light control construction includes a light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. Each of the light absorbing regions has a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI. A ratio of the maximum height H and the maximum width Wl is greater than or equal to 1, i.e., H / Wl > 1. Further, a ratio of the maximum length LI and the maximum height H is greater than or equal to 20, i.e., Ll / H > 20. The light control construction further includes a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film. The light absorbing polarizer stack includes a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer. For a substantially collimated incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, for a substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the second direction. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized in a plane of the first and second directions. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light being substantially unpolarized and incident in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the firstdirection and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the light control film has a global maximum optical transmittance T1 for a first incident angle and an optical transmittance T2 for a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle by at least about 5 degrees and by at most about 50 degrees. A ratio of the optical transmittance T2 and the optical transmittance T1 is greater than 0.3, i.e., T2 / T1 > 0.3. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light being substantially unpolarized and incident in the first incident plane, the light absorbing polarizer stack and the light control construction have respective optical transmittances T3 and T5 for the first incident angle and respective optical transmittances T4 and T6 for the second incident angle. A ratio of the optical transmittance T4 and the optical transmittance T3, i.e., T4 / T3, is less than the ratio T2 / T1 by at least a factor of 1.2. The ratios T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 are within 30% of each other.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a light control construction. The light control construction includes a light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. Each of the light absorbing regions has a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI. A ratio of the maximum height H and the maximum width Wl is greater than or equal to 1, i.e., H / W 1 > 1, a ratio of the maximum length LI and the maximum height H is greater than or equal to 20, i.e., Ll / H > 20. The light control construction further includes a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film. The light absorbing polarizer stack includes a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer. For a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized in a plane of the first and second directions. For the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction, a substantially Lambertian first incident light propagating in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light is transmitted having normalized respective first, second, and third intensity profiles in the first incident plane as a function of a light propagation angle B. The normalized intensity profiles have global peak intensities at respective propagation angles Bl, B2, and B3 and respective half width at half maxima (HWHM) Gl, G2, and G3. The propagation angles B1-B3 are within about 10 degrees of each other. The HWHM Gl is greater than about 50 degrees. Each of the HWHM G2 and G3 is less than about 50 degrees.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a light control construction includes a first light control film disposed on a second light control film. The first light control film includes a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along anorthogonal in -plane second direction. Each of the light absorbing regions has a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI. A ratio of the maximum height H and the maximum width Wl is greater than or equal to l, i.e., H / Wl > 1. Further, a ratio of the maximum length LI and the maximum height H is greater than or equal to 20, i.e., Ll / H > 20. For a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, the second light control film absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions. For each of the light control construction and the first and second light control films, a substantially Lambertian first incident light propagating in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the incident light is transmitted having a normalized intensity profile in the first incident plane as a function of light propagation angle B. The normalized intensity profile has a global peak and a corresponding half width at half maxima (HWHM). The HWHM of each of the light control construction and the second light control film is less than about 50 degrees. The HWHM of each of the light control construction and the second light control film is less than the HWHM of the first light control film by at least 20 degrees.

[0011] 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.

[0012] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] 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.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a light control construction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of a light control film, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic magnified view of a light absorbing region, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIGS. 4 A and 4B are schematic views of the light absorbing region, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the light control film, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the light control construction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 7 A is an exemplary conoscopic plot of optical transmissions from the light control film; FIG. 7B is an exemplary conoscopic plot of optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack without a retarder layer;

[0020] FIG. 7C is an exemplary conoscopic plot of optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack with the retarder layer;

[0021] FIG. 7D is an exemplary conoscopic plot of optical transmissions from the light control construction without the retarder layer;

[0022] FIG. 7E is an exemplary conoscopic plot of optical transmissions from the light control construction with the retarder layer;

[0023] FIG. 8A is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film as a function of light propagation angles;

[0024] FIG. 8B is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack as the function of the light propagation angles;

[0025] FIG. 8C is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light control construction as the function of the light propagation angles;

[0026] FIG. 9A is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction as the function of the light propagation angles;

[0027] FIG. 9B is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction as the function of the light propagation angles;

[0028] FIG. 9C is an exemplary graph depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack and the light control construction as the function of the light propagation angle;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction and a substantially Lambertian first incident light propagating in a first incident plane, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack and the light control construction and a substantially Lambertian second incident light propagating in a second incident plane, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Detailed Description

[0032] 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 ofthe present disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0033] In the following disclosure, the following definitions are adopted.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] As used herein, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B”.

[0040] Light control films (LCFs) are configured to regulate transmission of light. LCFs typically include a light transmissive film having a plurality of light absorbing portions that include a lightabsorbing material. LCFs can be placed proximate a surface, such as a display surface, an image surface, or any other surface including an image to be viewed. As a viewing angle increases, an amount of light transmitted through the LCF decreases until a viewing cutoff angle is reached where substantially all the light is blocked by the light-absorbing material and the image displayed on the surface is no longer viewable. This can provide privacy (e.g., for laptops, ATM) to a viewer by blocking observation by others that are outside a typical range of viewing angles or safety (e.g., for windshield light reflection mitigation in cars).

[0041] However, a thin LCF may be desired in some emerging applications which may require a 2-dimentional light control, such as for displays in automotive applications and consumer electronics. Further, at the same time, a high transmission may also be required at the desired angles (e.g., an axial transmission). Current techniques to manufacture the LCFs which may provide the 2-dimentional light control and the high transmission at the desired angles may be complex and challenging and therefore not feasible.The present disclosure relates to a light control construction. The light control construction includes a light control film. The light control film includes a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in -plane second direction. Each of the light absorbing regions has a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI. A ratio of the maximum height H and the maximum width Wl is greater than or equal to 1 , i.e., H / W 1 > 1. Further, a ratio of the maximum length L 1 and the maximum height H is greater than or equal to 20, i.e., Ll / H > 20. The light control construction further includes a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film. The light absorbing polarizer stack includes a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer. For a substantially collimated incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, for a substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the second direction. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized in a plane of the first and second directions. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light being substantially unpolarized and incident in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the light control film has a global maximum optical transmittance T1 for a first incident angle and an optical transmittance T2 for a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle by at least about 5 degrees and by at most about 50 degrees. A ratio of the optical transmittance T2 and the optical transmittance T1 is greater than 0.3, i.e., T2 / T1 > 0.3. For the substantially collimated incident light and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light being substantially unpolarized and incident in the first incident plane, the light absorbing polarizer stack and the light control construction have respective optical transmittances T3 and T5 for the first incident angle and respective optical transmittances T4 and T6 for the second incident angle. A ratio of the optical transmittance T4 and the optical transmittance T3, i.e., T4 / T3, is less than the ratio T2 / T1 by at least a factor of 1.2. The ratios T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 are within 30% of each other.

[0042] The light control film and the light absorbing polarizer stack may therefore provide light control along substantially orthogonal incident planes. Thus, the light control construction including both the light control film and the light absorbing polarizer stack may provide the desired 2-dimentional light control. Further, the light control construction may be thinner, cost effective, and easy to manufacture.

[0043] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a light control construction 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.The light control construction 200 defines mutually orthogonal x, y, and z-axes. The x-axis is defined along a width of the light control construction 200, while the y-axis is defined along a length of the light control construction 200. The z-axis is defined along a thickness of the light control construction 200. Specifically, the x and y-axes are in-plane axes of the light control construction 200, while the z-axis is a transverse axis disposed along the thickness of the light control construction 200. In other words, the x and y-axes are along a plane of the light control construction 200 defining a x-y plane, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the x-y plane of the light control construction 200.

[0044] The light control construction 200 includes a light control film 10 (shown in FIG. 1). The light control film 10 may interchangeably referred to as “the first light control film 10” herein. The light control film 10 includes a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions 11, 12 extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. In other words, the first light control film 10 includes the plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions 11, 12 extending along the same in-plane first direction and arranged along the orthogonal in-plane second direction. The first direction extends substantially along the x-axis. The second direction extends substantially along the y-axis.

[0045] FIGS. 2 A and 2B illustrate schematic views of the light control film 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the light control film 10 and FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic top view of the light control film 10.

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic magnified view of a light absorbing region 11 from the light absorbing regions 11, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIGS. 4 A and 4B illustrate schematic views of the light absorbing region 11 from the light absorbing regions 11, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the light absorbing region 11 and FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic top view of the light absorbing region 11.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A, and 4B, each of the light absorbing regions 11 has a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI. The maximum width W1 extends substantially along the y-axis. The maximum height H extends substantially along the z-axis. The maximum length LI extends substantially along the x-axis.

[0049] A ratio of the maximum height H and the maximum width Wl is greater than or equal to 1, i.e., H / Wl > 1. Further, a ratio of the maximum length LI and the maximum height H is greater than or equals 20, i.e., Ll / H > 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, H / Wl > 5, H / Wl > 10, H / Wl > 20, H / Wl > 30, H / Wl > 40, H / Wl > 50, or H / Wl > 100. In some embodiments, Ll / H > 50, Ll / H > 100, Ll / H > 500, or Ll / H > 1000.

[0051] In some embodiments, the light absorbing and transmissive regions 11, 12 form a substantially periodic pattern with an average pitch Pavg along the second direction.In some embodiments, a ratio of the maximum width W 1 and the average pitch Pavg is greater than about 0.2, i.e., Wl / Pavg is greater than about 0.2. In some embodiments, Wl / Pavg is greater than about 0.3, greater than about 0.4, or greater than about 0.5.

[0052] In some other embodiments, the ratio of the maximum width W 1 and the average pitch Pavg is less than about 0.2, i.e., Wl / Pavg is less than about 0.2. In some embodiments, Wl / Pavg is less than about 0.15, less than about 0.1, or less than about 0.05.

[0053] Further, each of the light transmissive regions 12 has a maximum width W2. In some embodiments, the light absorbing regions 11 and the light transmissive regions 12 have respective average widths Wlavg and W2avg.

[0054] In some embodiments, the average widths Wlavg and W2avg are different from each other by no more than a factor of 2. In some embodiments, the average widths Wlavg and W2avg are different from each other by no more than a factor of 1.8, a factor of 1.6, a factor of 1.5, a factor of 1.4, a factor of 1.2, or a factor of 1.1.

[0055] In some embodiments, the ratio of the average widths Wlavg, W2avg is greater than about 1.5, i.e., W2avg / Wlavg is greater than 1.5. In some embodiments, W2avg / Wlavg is greater than about 2, greater than about 5, greater than about 10, greater than about 20, greater than about 50, or greater than about 100.

[0056] In some embodiments, the average width Wlavg of the light absorbing regions 11 is less than about 5 microns. In some embodiments, the average width Wlavg of the light absorbing regions 11 is less than about 4 microns, less than about 3 microns, less than about 2 microns, less than about 1 micron, or less than about 0.5 microns.

[0057] In some embodiments, the average width W2avg of the light transmissive regions 12 is greater than about 5 microns. In some embodiments, the average width W2avg of the light transmissive regions 12 is greater than about 10 microns, greater than about 15 microns, greater than about 20 microns, greater than about 25 microns, or greater than about 30 microns.

[0058] In some embodiments, the light absorbing and transmissive regions 11, 12 are disposed on a substrate 16 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A). In some embodiments, the substrate 16 has a different composition than the light transmissive regions 12.

[0059] In some embodiments, the light control film 10 further includes a continuous light transmissive land layer 15 (shown in FIG 2A) connecting the light transmissive regions 12. In some embodiments, the land layer 15 and the light transmissive regions 12 have a same composition.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the each of the light absorbing regions 11 includes a plurality of light absorbing particles 13 dispersed in a light transmissive binder 14. In some embodiments, the light absorbing particles 13 have an average size of greater than about 0.5 microns. In some embodiments, the light absorbing particles 13 have the average size of greater than about 1 micron, greater than about 2 microns, greater than about 3 microns, greater than about 4 microns, or greater than about 5 microns.In some embodiments, the light absorbing regions 11 include one or more of a carbon black, a dye, and a pigment.

[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the light control film 10, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the light absorbing regions 11 include alternating first and second light absorbing regions Ila, 11b extending along the in-plane first direction (i.e., substantially along the x-axis) and arranged along the in-plane second direction (i.e., substantially along the y-axis). Each pair of adjacent first and second light absorbing regions Ila, 11b includes one of the light transmissive regions 12 therebetween. In some embodiments, the first light absorbing regions Ila have a different maximum width than the second light absorbing regions 1 lb.

[0063] Further, in some embodiments, the light transmissive regions 12 include alternating first and second light transmissive regions 12a, 12b extending along the in-plane first direction and arranged along the in-plane second direction. Each pair of adjacent first and second light transmissive regions 12a, 12b includes one of the light absorbing regions 11 therebetween. In some embodiments, the first light transmissive regions 12a have a different composition than the second light transmissive regions 12b.

[0064] Referring again to FIG. 1, the light control construction 200 further includes a light absorbing polarizer stack 100 disposed on the light control film 10. The light absorbing polarizer stack 100 may interchangeably referred to as “the second light control film 100” herein. Therefore, in other words, the light control construction 200 includes the first light control film 10 disposed on the second light control film 100.

[0065] The light absorbing polarizer stack 100 includes a light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20. In some embodiments, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 includes one or more of an iodine, and a stretched polyvinyl alcohol film. The stretched polyvinyl alcohol film includes a dichroic dye.

[0066] The light absorbing polarizer stack 100 further includes a light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20.

[0067] In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 includes a liquid crystal material and an absorption dichroic material. In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 includes a dichroic material aligned in a liquid crystal polymer matrix.

[0068] In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 is substantially planar and parallel to the light control film 10. In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 is substantially co-extensive in length and width with the light control film 10. In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 is substantially co-extensive in length and width with the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 is disposed between the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 and the light control film 10.FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic side view of the light control construction 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 is disposed between the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 and the light control film 10. In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 and the light control film 10 may be integrated via coating, or lamination.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in some embodiments, at least one of the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers 20, 30 has a contrast ratio of greater than about 50: 1. In some embodiments, the at least one of the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers 20, 30 has the contrast ratio of greater than greater than about 100: 1, greater than about 500: 1 , or greater than about 1000: 1.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, a first bonding layer 60 bonds the light control film 10 to the light absorbing polarizer stack 100. In some embodiments, a second bonding layer 61, 62 bonds the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 to the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30. The second bonding layer 61, 62 may interchangeably referred to as “the bonding layers 61, 62” herein.

[0073] In some embodiments, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 further includes a retarder layer 70 disposed between the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers 20, 30. The retarder layer 70 may reduce a leakage of light along diagonal directions.

[0074] In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 is substantially a half-wave retarder at a wavelength less than about 430 nm. In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 is substantially the half-wave retarder at the wavelength less than about 425 nm, less than about 420 nm, less than about 415 nm, or less than about 410 nm.

[0075] In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 is substantially the half-wave retarder at a wavelength greater than about 360 nm. In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 is substantially the half-wave retarder at the wavelength greater than about 370 nm, greater than about 380 nm, greater than about 390 nm, or greater than about 400 nm. In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 is substantially the half-wave retarder at the wavelength of 408 nm.

[0076] In some embodiments, the retarder layer 70 includes a principal axis AR along the second direction. In some embodiments, the principal axis AR extends substantially along the y-axis.

[0077] In some embodiments, the bonding layers 61, 62 bond the retarder layer 70 to the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers 20, 30. Specifically, the bonding layer 61 bonds the retarder layer 70 to the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 and the bonding layer 62 bonds the retarder layer 70 to the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30.

[0078] FIG. 1 further illustrates a display system 300. In some embodiments, a display system 300 includes a display 80 configured to form and emit an image 81 for viewing by a viewer 90. The display system 300 further includes the light control construction 200 disposed between the display 80 and the viewer 90. In some embodiments, the display 80 includes one or more of a light emitting diode display(LED), an organic light emitting diode display (OLED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and an electroluminescent display (EL).

[0079] FIG. 1 further illustrates substantially collimated incident lights 40, 41 having at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm. Specifically, the substantially collimated incident light 40 is incident at a first incident angle al and the substantially collimated incident light 41 is incident at a second incident angle a2.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first incident angle al is less than about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the first incident angle al is less than about 8 degrees, less than about 6 degrees, less than about 4 degrees, less than about 2 degrees, or less than about 1 degree. Therefore, the incident light 40 may interchangeably referred to as “the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 40” and “the normally incident light 40” herein.

[0081] In some embodiments, the second incident angle a2 is greater than about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the second incident angle a2 is greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees, greater than about 25 degrees, or greater than about 30 degrees.

[0082] In some embodiments, the second incident angle a2 is less than about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the second incident angle a2 is less than about 45 degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 1, for the substantially collimated incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for a substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 absorbs at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized in a plane of the first and second directions (i.e., substantially along the x-y plane.). The third direction extends substantially along the z-axis.

[0084] In some embodiments, the light absorbing vertical polarizer 30 absorbs at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the third direction, and transmits at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized in the plane of the first and second directions.

[0085] In some embodiments, for the substantially collimated incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 transmits at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along the second direction.

[0086] In some embodiments, for the substantially collimated incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer 20 transmits at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the first direction, and absorbs at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the second direction.Referring to FIG. 1, for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the second light control film 100 absorbs at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along the third direction.

[0087] In some embodiments, for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the second light control film 100 absorbs at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the third direction.

[0088] In some embodiments, for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the second light control film 100 transmits at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 60% of the incident light 40 polarized along the second direction.

[0089] In some embodiments, for the substantially collimated substantially normally incident light 40 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the second light control film 100 transmits at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, or at least 90% of the incident light 40 polarized along the second direction.

[0090] In some embodiments, the at least one visible wavelength includes a blue wavelength in a blue wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 480 nm, a green wavelength in a green wavelength range extending from about 490 nm to about 560 nm, and a red wavelength in a red wavelength range extending from about 590 nm to about 670 nm.

[0091] FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary conoscopic plot 602 of optical transmissions from the light control film 10.

[0092] FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary conoscopic plot 604 of optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 without the retarder layer 70. FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary conoscopic plot 606 of optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 with the retarder layer 70.

[0093] FIG. 7D illustrates an exemplary conoscopic plot 608 of optical transmissions from the light control construction 200 without the retarder layer 70. FIG. 7E illustrates an exemplary conoscopic plot 610 of optical transmissions from the light control construction 200 with the retarder layer 70.

[0094] FIGS. 7A-7E further illustrate a first incident plane P2, a second incident plane Pl, and a third incident plane P3 (shown in FIG. 7D).

[0095] The first incident plane P2 is substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, i.e., the first incident plane P2 is substantially along the x-z plane.

[0096] The second incident plane Pl is substantially parallel to the second direction and substantially orthogonal to the first direction, i.e., the second incident plane Pl is substantially along the y-z plane.

[0097] The third incident plane P3 is substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions and makes an angle a3 (shown in FIG. 7D) of between at least about 30 degrees and at most about 60degrees with the first incident plane P2. In some embodiments, the third incident plane P3 is substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions and makes the angle a3 of between at least about 35 degrees or 40 degrees and at most about 55 degrees or 50 degrees with the first incident plane P2.

[0098] FIG. 8 A illustrates an exemplary graph 700 depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film 10 as a function of light propagation angles B, C, D (shown in FIGS. 9A-9C).

[0099] The normalized optical transmission is expressed in the ordinate. The light propagating angles B, C, D are expressed in degrees in the abscissa.

[0100] The graph 700 includes normalized fourth, first, and seventh intensity profiles 50, 110, 120. The intensity profiles 50, 110, 120 depict variation in the optical transmission from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C, D, respectively.

[0101] FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary graph 800 depicting the optical transmissions from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 as the function of light propagation angles B, C, D.

[0102] The graph 800 includes normalized fifth, second, and eighth intensity profiles 51, 111, 121. The intensity profiles 51, 111, 121 depict variation in the optical transmission from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 without the retarder layer 70 as the function of light propagation angles B, C, D, respectively.

[0103] The graph 800 further includes intensity profiles 51’, 111’, 121’. The intensity profiles 51’, 111’, 121’ depict variation in the optical transmission from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 with the retarder layer 70 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C, D, respectively.

[0104] FIG. 8C illustrates an exemplary graph 900 depicting the optical transmissions from the light control construction 200 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C, D.

[0105] The graph 900 includes normalized sixth, third, and ninth intensity profiles 52, 112, 122. The intensity profiles 52, 112, 122 depict variation in the optical transmission from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 without the retarder layer 70 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C, D, respectively.

[0106] The graph 900 further includes intensity profiles 52’, 112’, 122’. The intensity profiles 52’, 112’, 122’ depicts variation in the optical transmission from the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 without the retarder layer 70 as the function of light propagation angles B, C, D, respectively.

[0107] FIG. 9A illustrates an exemplary graph 400 depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C.

[0108] The graph 400 includes the normalized first, second, and third intensity profiles 110, 111, 112. The graph 400 further includes the normalized fourth, fifth, and sixth intensity profiles 50, 51, 52.

[0109] FIG. 9B also illustrates the exemplary graph 400 depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200 as the function of the light propagation angles B, C.FIG. 9C illustrates an exemplary graph 500 depicting the optical transmissions from the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200 as the function of the light propagation angle D.

[0110] The graph 500 includes the normalized seventh, eighth, and ninth intensity profiles 120, 121, 122.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7A, 8A, and 9A, for the substantially collimated incident light 40, 41 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light 40, 41 being substantially unpolarized and incident in the first incident plane P2 (i.e., substantially along the x-z plane) substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the light control film 10 has a global maximum optical transmittance T1 for the first incident angle al and an optical transmittance T2 for the second incident angle a2.

[0112] Further, the second incident angle a2 is greater than the first incident angle al by at least about 5 degrees and by at most about 50 degrees. As is apparent from the graph 400, the first incident angle al is about 0 degree and the second incident angle a2 is about 25 degrees. Therefore, the second incident angle a2 is greater than the first incident angle al by at least about 25 degrees and by at most about 25 degrees.

[0113] Further, a ratio of the optical transmittance T2 and the optical transmittance T1 is greater than about 0.3, i.e., T2 / T1 > 0.3. In some embodiments, T2 / T1 > 0.4, T2 / T1 > 0.5, T2 / T1 > 0.6, T2 / T1 > 0.7, T2 / T1 > 0.8, T2 / T1 > 0.9, or T2 / T1 > 0.95. As is apparent from the graph 400, the optical transmittance T2 is about 1 and the optical transmittance T1 is about 1. Therefore, T2 / T1 is about 1.

[0114] In some embodiments, the maximum optical transmittance T1 is greater than about 60%. In some embodiments, the maximum optical transmittance T1 is greater than about 65%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, greater than about 85%, or greater than about 90%.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7B-7E, 8B-8C, 9A, for the substantially collimated incident light 40, 41 and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, for the incident light 40, 41 being substantially unpolarized and incident in the first incident plane P2, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 and the light control construction 200 have respective optical transmittances T3 and T5 for the first incident angle al and respective optical transmittances T4 and T6 for the second incident angle a2.

[0116] Further, a ratio of the optical transmittance T4 and the optical transmittance T3, i.e., T4 / T3 is less than T2 / T1 by at least a factor of 1.2. In some embodiments, T4 / T3 is less than T2 / T1 by at least a factor of 1.5, a factor of 2, a factor of 2.5, or a factor of 3.

[0117] As is apparent from the graph 400, the optical transmittances T3, T5 are about 1 and the optical transmittances T4, T6 are about 0.3. Therefore, T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 are about 0.3. Further, T4 / T3 is less than T2 / T1 by a factor of about 3.3.Further, T4 / T3 and a ratio of the optical transmittance T6 and the optical transmittance T5, i.e., T6 / T5, are within 30% of each other. In some embodiments, T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 are within 25%, within 20%, within 15%, within 10%, within 5%, or within 1% of each other.

[0118] In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T3 is greater than about 25%. In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T3 is greater than about 30%, greater than about 35%, or greater than about 40%.

[0119] In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T4 is less than about 60%. In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T4 is less than about 50%, less than about 45%, or less than about 30%.

[0120] In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T5 is greater than about 25%. In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T5 is greater than about 30%, greater than about 35%, or greater than about 40%.

[0121] In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T6 is less than about 60%. In some embodiments, the optical transmittance T6 is less than about 50%, less than about 45%, or less than about 30%.

[0122] Table 1 provided below summarizes the ratios T2 / T1, T4 / T3, and T6 / T5 for the substantially collimated incident light 40, 41 propagating in the second incident plane Pl, the first incident plane P2, and the third incident plane P3 when the second incident angle a2 greater than the first incident angle a2 by about 25 degrees.

[0123] Table 1

[0124]

[0125] Table 2 provided below summarizes the ratios T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 for the substantially collimated incident lights 40, 41 propagating in the second incident plane Pl, the first incident plane P2 and the third incident plane P3 when the retarder layer 70 is disposed between the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers 20, 30.Table 2

[0126]

[0127] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic side view of the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 further illustrates a substantially Lambertian first incident light 44 propagating in the first incident plane P2 (i.e., the x-z plane) and having the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range. In some embodiments, the substantially Lambertian first incident light 44 is substantially unpolarized.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7D, 9B, and 10, for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, the substantially Lambertian first incident light 44 propagating in the first incident plane P2, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light 44 is transmitted having the normalized respective first, second, and third intensity profiles 110, 111, 112 (shown in FIG. 9B) in the first incident plane P2 as the function of the light propagation angle B.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the incident light 44 transmitted from the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200 is depicted as a transmitted light 45. The normalized first, second, and third intensity profiles 110, 111, 112 may interchangeably referred to as “the normalized intensity profiles 110, 111, 112” herein.

[0130] In other words, for each of the light control construction 200 and the first and second light control films 10, 100, the substantially Lambertian first incident light 44 propagating in the first incident plane P2, and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the incident light 44 is transmitted (i.e., as the transmitted light 45) having the normalized intensity profile 112, 110, 111 in the first incident plane P2 as the function of the light propagation angle B .

[0131] The normalized intensity profiles 110, 111, 112 have global peak intensities 113 at respective propagation angles Bl, B2, and B3 and respective half width at half maxima (HWHM) Gl, G2, and G3. The global peak intensities 113 may interchangeably referred to as “the global peak 113” herein.

[0132] In other words, the normalized intensity profile 112, 110, 111 has the global peak 113 and the corresponding HWHM G3, Gl, G2. Specifically, the normalized intensity profile 112 has the HWHMG3, the normalized intensity profile 110 has the HWHM Gl, and the normalized intensity profile 111 has the HWHM G2.

[0133] Further, the propagation angles B1-B3 are within about 10 degrees of each other. In some embodiments, the propagation angles B1-B3 are within about 8 degrees, within about 6 degrees, within about 4 degrees, within about 2 degrees, or within about 1 degree of each other.

[0134] In some embodiments, each of the angles Bl, B2, and B3 is less than about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the angles Bl, B2, and B3 is less than about 8, less than about 6, less than about 4, less than about 2, or less than about 1 degree. As is apparent from the graph 400, the normalized intensity profiles 110, 111, 112 have the global peak intensities 113 at the respective propagation angles Bl, B2, and B3 of about 0 degree.

[0135] Further, the HWHM Gl is greater than about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, the HWHM Gl is greater than about 55 degrees, greater than about 60 degrees, greater than about 65 degrees, greater than about 70 degrees, greater than about 75 degrees, or greater than about 80 degrees.

[0136] Further, each of the HWHM G2 and G3 is less than about 50 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the HWHM G2 and G3 is less than about 45 degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 30 degrees, less than about 25 degrees, or less than about 20 degrees. Specifically, the HWHM G3, G2 of each of the light control construction 200 and the second light control film 100 is less than about 50 degrees.

[0137] In some embodiments, each of the HWHM G2 and G3 is greater than about 5 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the HWHM G2 and G3 is greater than about 10 degrees, or greater than about 15 degrees.

[0138] The HWHM G3, G2 of each of the light control construction 200 and the second light control film 100 is less than the HWHM Gl of the first light control film 10 by at least 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the HWHM G3, G2 of each of the light control construction 200 and the second light control film 100 is less than the HWHM Gl of the first light control film 10 by at least 25 degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 35 degrees, at least 40 degrees, at least 45 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 55 degrees, or at least 60 degrees.

[0139] As is apparent from the graph 400, the normalized intensity profiles 110, 111, 112 have the respective HWHM Gl, G2, and G3 of about 80 degrees, 18 degrees, and 18 degrees. Therefore, the HWHM G3, G2 of each of the light control construction 200 and the second light control film 100 is less than the HWHM Gl of the first light control film 10 by about 62 degrees.

[0140] Tables 3 to 5 provided below provide the HWHM Gl, G2, G3 for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, respectively. Average half width at half maxima Gl, G2, G3 are about 80 degrees, about 18 degrees, and about 19 degrees, respectively.

[0141] Table 3

[0142]

[0143] Table 4

[0144]

[0145] Table 5

[0146]

[0147] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic side view of the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 further illustrates a substantially Lambertian second incident light 42 propagating in the second incident plane Pl (i.e., the y-z plane) and having the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range. In some embodiments, the substantially Lambertian first incident light 42 is substantially unpolarized.

[0148] Referring to FIGS. 7 A, 7B, 7D, 9B, and 11, in some embodiments, for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, the substantially Lambertian second incident light 42 propagating in the second incident plane Pl, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light 42 is transmitted having the normalized respective fourth, fifth, and sixth intensity profiles 50, 51, 52 (shown in FIG. 9B) in the second incident plane Pl as the function of the light propagation angle C.

[0149] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the incident light 42 transmitted from the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200 is depicted as a transmitted light 43. The normalized fourth, fifth, and sixth intensity profiles 50, 51, 52 may interchangeably referred to as “the normalized intensity profiles 50, 51, 52” herein.

[0150] The normalized intensity profiles 50, 51, 52 have global peak intensities 53 at respective propagation angles Cl, C2, and C3 and respective HWHM Fl, F2, and F3.

[0151] Further, the propagation angles C1-C3 are within about 10 degrees of each other. In some embodiments, the propagation angles C1-C3 are within about 8 degrees, within about 6 degrees, within about 4 degrees, within about 2 degrees, or within about 1 degree of each other.

[0152] In some embodiments, each of the angles Cl, C2, and C3 is less than about 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the each of the angles Cl, C2, and C3 is less than about 8 degrees, less than about6 degrees, less than about 4 degrees, less than about 2 degrees, or less than about 1 degree. As is apparent from the graph 400, the normalized intensity profiles 50, 51, 52 have the global peak intensities 53 at the respective propagation angles Cl, C2, and C3 of about 0 degree.

[0153] Further, the HWHM F2 is greater than about 30 degrees. In some embodiments, the HWHM F2 is greater than about 35 degrees, greater than about 40 degrees, greater than about 45 degrees, greater than about 50 degrees, greater than about 55 degrees, greater than about 60 degrees, greater than about 65 degrees, greater than about 70 degrees, or greater than about 75 degrees.

[0154] Further, each of the HWHM Fl, F3 is less than about 40 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the HWHM Fl, F3 is less than about 35 degrees, less than about 30 degrees, less than about 25 degrees, or less than about 20 degrees.

[0155] In some embodiments, each of the HWHM Fl and F3 is greater than about 5 degrees. In some embodiments, the each of the HWHM Fl and F3 is greater than about 10 degrees, or greater than about 15 degrees.

[0156] As is apparent from the graph 400, the normalized intensity profiles 50, 51, 52 have the respective HWHM Fl, F2, and F3 of about 14 degrees, about 76 degrees, and about 14 degrees.

[0157] Tables 6 to 8 provided below provide the HWHM Fl, F2, and F3 for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, respectively. Average half width at half maxima Fl, F2, and F3 are about 14 degrees, about 76 degrees, and about 14 degrees, respectively.

[0158] Table 6

[0159]

[0160] Table 7

[0161]

[0162] Table 8

[0163]

[0164] Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7D, and 9C, in some embodiments, for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, a substantially Lambertian third incident light propagating in the third incident plane P3 and making the angle a3 (shown in FIG. 7D) of between at least about 30 degrees and at most about 60 degrees with the first incident plane P2, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light is transmitted having the normalized respective seventh, eighth, and ninth intensity profiles 120, 121, 122 in the third incident plane P3 as the function of the light propagation angle D. In some embodiments, the substantially Lambertian third incident light 44 makes the angle a3 of about 45 degrees with the first incident plane P2. The normalized seventh, eighth, and ninth intensity profiles 120, 121, 122 may interchangeably referred to as “the normalized intensity profiles 120, 121, 122” herein.

[0165] The normalized intensity profiles 120, 121, 122 have global peak intensities 123, 124 at respective propagation angles DI, D2, and D3 and respective HWHM Hl, H2, and H3. Specifically, the normalized intensity profile 120 has the global peak intensity 123 at the propagation angle DI and the HWHM Hl, the normalized intensity profile 121 has the global peak intensity 124 at the propagation angle D2 and the HWHM H2, and the normalized intensity profile 122 has the global peak intensity 123 at the propagation angle D3 and the HWHM H3.

[0166] Further, the propagation angles D1-D3 are within about 10 degrees of each other. In some embodiments, the propagation angles D1-D3 are within about 8 degrees, within about 6 degrees, within about 4 degrees, within about 2 degrees, or within about 1 degree of each other.

[0167] Further, the HWHM H2 is greater than each of the HWHM Hl and H3 by at least 5 degrees. In some embodiments, the HWHM H2 is greater than each of the HWHM Hl and H3 by at least 10 degrees, at least 15 degrees, or at least 20 degrees.

[0168] In some embodiments, the HWHM H2 is greater than about 20 degrees. In some embodiments, the HWHM H2 is greater than about 25 degrees, greater than about 30 degrees, or greater than about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the HWHM Hl, H3 is less than about 25 degrees. In some embodiments, each of the HWHM Hl, H3 is less than about 20 degrees.

[0169] As is apparent from the graph 500, the normalized intensity profiles 120, 121, 122 have the respective HWHM Hl, H2, and H3 of about 18 degrees, about 38 degrees, and about 16 degrees. Therefore, the HWHM H2 is greater than each of the HWHM Hl and H3 by about 22 degrees.

[0170] Tables 9 to 11 provided below provide the HWHM Hl, H2, and H3 for the light control film 10, the light absorbing polarizer stack 100, and the light control construction 200, respectively. Average half width at half maxima Hl, H2, and H3 are about 18 degrees, about 38 degrees, and about 16 degrees, respectively.

[0171] Table 9

[0172]

[0173]

[0174] Table 10

[0175]

[0176] Table 11

[0177]

[0178] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, the light control film 10 and the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 may provide light control along substantially orthogonal incident planes (i.e., along the second incident plane Pl and the first incident plane P2, respectively). Thus, the light control construction 200 including both the light control film 10 and the light absorbing polarizer stack 100 may provide a 2-dimentional light control which may be desirable for some applications, such as for displays in automotive applications and consumer electronics. Further, the light control construction 200 may be thin, cost effective, and easy to manufacture.

[0179] 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.

[0180] 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

CLAIMS:

1. A light control construction comprising:a light control film comprising a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction, each of the light absorbing regions having a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI, H / W 1 > 1, Ll / H > 20; and a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film and comprising a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer;such that for a substantially collimated incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm:for a substantially normal incidence, the light absorbing horizontal polarizer transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the first direction and absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along the second direction, and the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized in a plane of the first and second directions;for the incident light being substantially unpolarized and incident in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the light control film has a global maximum optical transmittance T1 for a first incident angle and an optical transmittance T2 for a second incident angle greater than the first incident angle by at least about 5 degrees and by at most about degrees, T2 / T1 > 0.3, and the light absorbing polarizer stack and the light control construction have respective optical transmittances T3 and T5 for the first incident angle and respective optical transmittances T4 and T6 for the second incident angle, T4 / T3 less than T2 / T1 by at least a factor of 1.2, T4 / T3 and T6 / T5 within 30% of each other.

2. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing regions and the light transmissive regions have respective average widths Wlavg and W2avg, and wherein W2avg / Wlavg is greater than about 1.5.

3. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing and transmissive regions form a substantially periodic pattern with an average pitch Pavg along the second direction, and wherein W 1 / Pavg is less than about 0.2.

4. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing vertical polarizer comprises a liquid crystal material and an absorption dichroic material.

5. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing vertical polarizer is substantially co-extensive in length and width with the light control film.

6. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein at least one of the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers has a contrast ratio of greater than about 50: 1.

7. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein a second bonding layer bonds the light absorbing horizontal polarizer to the light absorbing vertical polarizer.

8. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing polarizer stack further comprises a retarder layer disposed between the light absorbing horizontal and vertical polarizers.

9. A display system comprising a display configured to form and emit an image for viewing by a viewer, and the light control construction of claim 1 disposed between the display and the viewer.

10. The light control construction of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive regions comprise alternating first and second light transmissive regions extending along the in-plane first direction and arranged along the in-plane second direction, each pair of adjacent first and second light transmissive regions comprising one of the light absorbing regions therebetween, the first light transmissive regions having a different composition than the second light transmissive regions.

11. A light control construction comprising:a light control film comprising a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction, each of the light absorbing regions having a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI, H / W 1 > 1, Ll / H > 20; and a light absorbing polarizer stack disposed on the light control film and comprising a light absorbing horizontal polarizer and a light absorbing vertical polarizer stacked on the light absorbing horizontal polarizer,such that for a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680nm, the light absorbing vertical polarizer absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and transmits at least 60% of the incident light polarized in a plane of the first and second directions;such that for the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction, a substantially Lambertian first incident light propagating in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light is transmitted having normalized respective first, second and third intensity profiles in the first incident plane as a function of a light propagation angle, the normalized intensity profiles having global peak intensities at respective propagation angles and respective half width at half maxima Gl, G2, and G3, BIBS within about 10 degrees of each other, Gl greater than about 50 degrees, each of the G2 and G3 less than about 50 degrees.

12. The light control construction of claim 11, wherein for the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction, a substantially Lambertian second incident light propagating in a second incident plane substantially parallel to the second direction and substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light is transmitted having normalized respective fourth, fifth, and sixth intensity profiles in the second incident plane as a function of a light propagation angle, the normalized intensity profiles having global peak intensities at respective propagation angles Cl, C2, and C3 and respective half width at half maxima Fl, F2, and F3, C1-C3 within about 10 degrees of each other, F2 greater than about 30 degrees, each of the Fl, F3 less than about 40 degrees.

13. The light control construction of claim 12, wherein each of the half width at half maxima Fl and F3 is greater than about 5 degrees.

14. The light control construction of claim 11, wherein for the light control film, the light absorbing polarizer stack, and the light control construction, a substantially Lambertian third incident light propagating in a third incident plane substantially orthogonal to the first and second directions and making an angle of between at least about 30 degrees and at most about 60 degrees with the first incident plane, and for the at least one visible wavelength, the incident light is transmitted having normalized respective seventh, eighth, and ninth intensity profiles in the third incident plane as a function of a light propagation angle, the normalized intensity profiles having global peak intensities at respective propagation angles DI, D2, and D3 and respective half width at half maxima Hl, H2, and H3, D1-D3 within about 10 degrees of each other, H2 greater than each of Hl and H3 by at least 5 degrees.

5. A light control construction comprising a first light control film disposed on a second light control film, the first light control film comprising a plurality of alternating light absorbing and light transmissive regions extending along a same in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction, each of the light absorbing regions having a maximum width Wl, a maximum height H, and a maximum length LI, H / W 1 > 1, Ll / H > 20, such that for a substantially collimated substantially normally incident light and for at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 680 nm, the second light control film 100 absorbs at least 60% of the incident light polarized along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions;such that for each of the light control construction and the first and second light control films, a substantially Lambertian first incident light propagating in a first incident plane substantially parallel to the first direction and substantially orthogonal to the second direction, and for the at least one visible wavelength in the visible wavelength range, the incident light is transmitted having a normalized intensity profile in the first incident plane as a function of a light propagation angle, the normalized intensity profile having a global peak and a corresponding half width at half maximum (HWHM) G3, Gl, G2, wherein the HWHM of each of the light control construction and the second light control film is less than about 50 degrees, and wherein the HWHM of each of the light control construction and the second light control film is less than the HWHM of the first light control film by at least 20 degrees.

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