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:
Nov. 30, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2006
Rolf W. Biernath, Wyoming, MN (US);
William W. Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
Robert L. Brott, Woodbury, MN (US);
David A. Kowitz, St. Paul, MN (US);
Rolf W. Biernath, Wyoming, MN (US);
William W. Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN (US);
Robert L. Brott, Woodbury, MN (US);
David A. Kowitz, St. Paul, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An article for use in light spreading includes a body having first and second surfaces, and first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body. A portion of the first surface is a birefringent structured surface. The portion is structured such that, when the article receives a light signal within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals. The article can be used for color mixing such as in a cavity providing a backlight for LCD devices or other display devices requiring a backlight.