A component for use between a light source and a display panel of a liquid crystal display, the light source configured to emit light having one or more planes of polarization, and the display panel configured to have a predetermined polarization axis, the component comprising: a plate including a first major surface, a second major surface opposing the first major surface, and an edge joining the first and second major surfaces (109, 111), the first major surface configured to allow a majority of incident light from the light source to be transmitted therethrough toward the second major surface; a repolarization region between the first and second major surfaces (109, 111) and configured to receive a majority of light transmitted through the first major surface, the repolarization region configured to diffuse and to depolarize at least one plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough; and a prepolarization region formed between the first and second major surfaces (109, 111) adjacent to and in contact with and substantially index-matched to the repolarization region at an interface that is disposed between the repolarization region and the prepolarization region, the prepolarization region configured to be substantially nonabsorbent, to allow passage of light through the second major surface having a plane of polarization that is substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, and to prevent passage of light through the second major surface having a plane of polarization that is not substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, wherein the light reaching the prepolarization region but not passing through the second major surface is returned to the repolarization region where a portion of the returned light is depolarized and diffusely backscattered in the repolarization region and directed toward the prepolarization region. a plate including a first major surface, a second major surface opposing the first major surface, and an edge joining the first and second major surfaces (109, 111), the first major surface configured to allow a majority of incident light from the light source to be transmitted therethrough toward the second major surface; a repolarization region between the first and second major surfaces (109, 111) and configured to receive a majority of light transmitted through the first major surface, the repolarization region configured to diffuse and to depolarize at least one plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough; and a prepolarization region formed between the first and second major surfaces (109, 111) adjacent to and in contact with and substantially index-matched to the repolarization region at an interface that is disposed between the repolarization region and the prepolarization region, the prepolarization region configured to be substantially nonabsorbent, to allow passage of light through the second major surface having a plane of polarization that is substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, and to prevent passage of light through the second major surface having a plane of polarization that is not substantially aligned with the predetermined polarization axis, wherein the light reaching the prepolarization region but not passing through the second major surface is returned to the repolarization region where a portion of the returned light is depolarized and diffusely backscattered in the repolarization region and directed toward the prepolarization region.