Transreflectors, transreflector systems and displays and methods of making transreflectors

Abstract

Optical member includes at least two layers of different indices of refraction. At least one of the layers has optical deformities at an interface between at least the two layers.

1 . An optical member comprising a panel, film or substrate having at least two transparent layers of different indices of refraction, wherein at least one of the layers has optical deformities at an interface between at least the two layers. 
     
     
         2 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein the at least two layers have mating sides, the optical deformities are on one of the mating sides, and an inverse pattern of the optical deformities are on the other mating side. 
     
     
         3 . The optical member of  claim 2  wherein the pattern and inverse pattern of optical deformities comprise at least one of prismatic grooves, lenticular grooves, cross grooves, and individual optical deformities of well defined shape. 
     
     
         4 . The optical member of  claim 3  wherein the individual optical deformities have at least one of the following shapes: pyramidal, frusto-pyramidal, planar with rounded sides, conical, frusto-conical, oppositely sloping sides with oppositely rounded ends, and semispherical. 
     
     
         5 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein the optical deformities vary. 
     
     
         6 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the layers is a coating. 
     
     
         7 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein additional optical deformities or texture are on an outer surface of at least one of the layers. 
     
     
         8 . The optical member of  claim 7  wherein the additional optical deformities or texture are on outer surfaces of the at least two layers. 
     
     
         9 . The optical member of  claim 1  which includes more than two layers. 
     
     
         10 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein the interface between the at least two layers is provided with at least one of a film, a UV curable layer, a coating, an anti-reflective coating, a metalized coating, and a polarization coating. 
     
     
         11 . The optical member of  claim 10  wherein the interface has a different index of refraction than the at least two layers. 
     
     
         12 . The optical member of  claim 1  wherein at least one of a diffuser, a brightness enhancement film, additional optical deformities, and a texture is applied to an outer surface of at least one of the layers. 
     
     
         13 . The optical member of  claim 1  which is an optical wave guide. 
     
     
         14 . The optical member of  claim 1  which is an optical film.