Patent ID: 7232594
Filing Date: 2007-06-19
Classification: C09K,G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A polarizer comprising a micro-lens array or micro-prism array as a means for converting an incoming non-polarized light into a plurality of identical non-polarized light beams; a polarizing means dividing said plurality of non-polarized light beams into polarized transmitted and reflected light beams having different polarizations; and a means for changing the polarization and the direction of the light beams reflected from said polarizing means, thereby substantially converting light beams from said means for changing of the polarization to the same polarization and direction as light beams transmitted through said polarizing means; wherein said means for changing of the polarization and direction of the light beams comprises a sectioned mirror, and said sectioned mirror is optically co-ordinated with said micro-lens array or micro-prism array; wherein said means for polarizing comprises at least one birefringent and anisotropically absorbing layer, having a first refractive index that increases as the polarizable light wavelength increases at least for a certain range of wavelengths, wherein at least one birefringent and anisotropically absorbing layer is formed from: (i) at least one organic salt of a dichroic anionic dye having the general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system wherein each X is CO, SO RR′R″NH; RR′R″R^N or RR′R″P, wherein each of R, R′, R″, R^ is independetly CH wherein n=1–7; (ii) at least one asymmetric mixed salt of a dichroic anionic dye with different cations having the general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system; wherein each Z is SO wherein each p is independently from 1–10; wherein each of f, g, n and m are independently 0–9, such that (n+f) and (m+g) are independently 1–10; wherein each of X and X′ are independently CO, SO wherein M≠M wherein each of M and M (iii) at least one associate of a dichroic anionic dye with surface-active cation and/or amphoteric surfactant having the general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system; wherein each Z is independently SO wherein each p is independently from 1–10; wherein each of f and n are independently 0–4; wherein each of g and m are independently 0–9; wherein (n+f)=1–4; wherein (m+g)=0–9; wherein each X and X′ are independently CO, SO wherein each M is independently H, (iv) at least one associate of a dichroic cationic dye with a surface-active anion and/or an amphoteric surface-active dye having the general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system; each Z is independently SO wherein each p is independently from 1–10; wherein each of g and m are independently 0–1; such that (m+g)=1; wherein each of X is independently CO, SO wherein each of M is independently H, (v) at least of one associate of a dichroic cationic dye with a surface-active cation and/or amphoteric surfactant having the general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system; wherein each Z is independently SO wherein each p is independently from 1–10; wherein each X is independently N or P; wherein each R, R′ and R″ are independently an alkyl or substituted alkyl group selected from the group consisting of CH wherein each SUR is independently ASUR (vi) at least one water-insoluble dichroic dye and/or a pigment that do(ts) not contain ionogenic or hydrophilic groups; (vii) at least one low-molecular weight thermotropic liquid-crystal substance being a dichroic dye or containing, as a component, a liquid-crystal and/or a dichroic dye other than liquid-crystal dye, wherein the at least one low-molecular weight thermotropic liquid-crystal substance is vitrified; (viii) at least on polymer material other than liquid-crystal polymer material having a controlled degree of hydrophilicity and having been dyed with a dichroic dye and/or an iodine compounds; (ix) at least one polymer thermoptropic liquid-crystal and/or non-liquid crystal substance comprising solved in mass and/or chemically bonded with a polymer chain dichroic dyes; (x) at least of one dichroic dye capable of forming a lyotropic liquid-crystal phase; (xi) at least of one polymeric dichroic dye; (xii) at least of one water-soluble organic dye capable of forming a stable lyotropic liquid-crystal phase of general formula: wherein {Chromogen} is a dye chromophore system; wherein each M is independently H wherein n=1 to 7; and mixtures thereof.