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:
Jul. 29, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 28, 2005
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN (US);
Richard C. Allen, Lilydale, MN (US);
Olester Benson, Jr., Woodbury, MN (US);
James C. Breister, Oakdale, MN (US);
Yeun-jong Chou, Woodbury, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
William J. Kopecky, Hudson, WI (US);
Diane North, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Roger J. Stumo, Shoreview, MN (US);
Kristin L. Thunhorst, Stillwater, MN (US);
Bruce B. Wilson, Woodbury, MN (US);
Harold E. Rude, Roseville, MN (US);
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN (US);
Richard C. Allen, Lilydale, MN (US);
Olester Benson, Jr., Woodbury, MN (US);
James C. Breister, Oakdale, MN (US);
Yeun-Jong Chou, Woodbury, MN (US);
Patrick R. Fleming, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
William J. Kopecky, Hudson, WI (US);
Diane North, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Roger J. Stumo, Shoreview, MN (US);
Kristin L. Thunhorst, Stillwater, MN (US);
Bruce B. Wilson, Woodbury, MN (US);
Harold E. Rude, Roseville, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A polarizer is formed with an arrangement of polymer fibers substantially parallel within a polymer matrix. The polymer fibers are formed of at least first and second polymer materials. At least one of the polymer matrix and the first and second polymer materials is birefringent, and provides a birefringent interface with the adjacent material. Light is reflected and/or scattered at the birefringent interfaces with sensitivity to the polarization of the light. In some embodiments, the polymer fibers are formed as composite fibers, having a plurality of scattering polymer fibers disposed within a filler to form the composite fiber. In other embodiments, the polymer fiber is a multilayered polymer fiber. The polymer fibers may be arranged within the polymer matrix as part of a fiber weave.