The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 28, 2005
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN (US);
Olester Benson, Jr., Woodbury, MN (US);
Robert L. Brott, Woodbury, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Catherine A. Leatherdale, St. Paul, MN (US);
Terence D. Neavin, St. Paul, MN (US);
Diane North, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN (US);
Olester Benson, Jr., Woodbury, MN (US);
Robert L. Brott, Woodbury, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Catherine A. Leatherdale, St. Paul, MN (US);
Terence D. Neavin, St. Paul, MN (US);
Diane North, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An optical element is formed by co-extruding to have an arrangement of polymer scattering fibers within a polymer matrix. The scattering fibers lie substantially parallel to a first axis. The scattering fibers are arranged at positions across the cross-section of the polymer matrix to scatter light transversely incident on the optical element in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The positions of the scattering fibers across the cross-section of the optical element may be selected so as to form a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure for light transversely incident on the optical element.