Polarizer devices and methods for making the same
US6072629A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B5/3083
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light polarizer includes a plurality of discrete layers of birefringent film disposed in superposed relation on a transparent substrate. The planar components of the optic axes of each successive one of the discrete layers are angularly offset relative each preceding one of the discrete layers by a predetermined angle in one or either a positive or negative direction to provide the light polarizer with selectivity for either right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) or left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) incident light. In another aspect of the invention, the layers are of quarter-wave thickness having planar components orthogonally offset to provide selectivity for either right or left linearly polarized light. In a still further aspect of the invention, an optically isotropic layer of quarter-wave thickness is disposed between adjacent birefringent quarter-wave plates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.