Patent · US Expired

Light pipe and polarized-light source

US7446938B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
40References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 28, 2006
Grant dateNov 4, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/0051
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.