Inventors:
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN, US
Gregory L. Bluem - St. Paul MN, US
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN, US
Patrick R. Fleming - Lake Elmo MN, US
Joan M. Frankel - Woodbury MN, US
Shandon D. Hart - Maplewood MN, US
William J. Kopecky - Hudson WI, US
Huiwen Tai - Woodbury MN, US
Daniel J. Zillig - Cottage Grove MN, US
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN
International Classification:
G02B 6/00
US Classification:
385 11, 385122, 385123, 385126, 385127, 385128, 385131, 385141
Abstract:
A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.