Patent ID: 6965420
Filing Date: 2005-11-15
Classification: B82Y,C09B,C09D,C09K,E06B,F24S,G01D,G02B,G02F,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A light controlling film, the film having a first surface and a second surface, comprising: a polymerized polymer network, the polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the first surface, the polymerized polymer network comprising: a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material; and a low molecular weight liquid crystal material, the crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material provided in an amount less than 20% by weight of the film, wherein the high molecular weight and the low molecular weight form a material having cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, the CLC order oriented with respect to the first and the second surfaces, the pitch of the CLC order varying non-linearly in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and wherein light having a first polarization and a broad bandwidth incident on the first surface is substantially reflected from the film, and wherein light having a second polarization and the broad bandwidth incident on the first surface is not substantially reflected from the film, and wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection of light having the first polarization when the electric field has a component in a direction normal to the first surface.