Patent ID: 7914192

Claim:
An optical element comprising: a) a first light transmitting component of predetermined shape having a first set of refractive indexes at a wavelength of 589 nm of n 1x , n 1y , and n 1z in x, y, and z directions, respectively; and b) a second light transmitting component of predetermined shape having a second set of refractive indexes at a wavelength of 589 nm of n 2x , n 2y , and n 2z in the x, y, and z directions, respectively, satisfying at least one of the conditions selected from the group consisting of |(n 1x −n 2x )|>0.01, |(n 1y −n 2y )|>0.01, and |(n 1z −n 2z )|>0.01, wherein the second light transmitting component is disposed upon the first light transmitting component; and c) a third light transmitting component of predetermined shape having a third set of refractive indexes at a wavelength of 589 nm of n 3x , n 3y , and n 3z in the x, y, and z directions, respectively, disposed upon the second light transmitting component; and d) at least one predetermined light re-directing structure derived from an interface between the first and second light transmitting components such that light of first wavelength and first polarization state incident at a first angle, θ 1 , measured from the surface normal, is re-directed to a second angle, θ 2 , such that θ 1≠ θ 2 ; and e) a light transmissive matrix region having a third set of refractive indexes at a wavelength of 589 nm of n mx , n my , and n mz in the x, y, and z directions, respectively; and f) a plurality of light transmissive micro-bodies substantially encapsulated within the light transmissive matrix region having a fourth set of refractive indexes at a wavelength of 589 nm of n dx , n dy , and n dz in the x, y, and z directions, respectively, satisfying at least one of the conditions selected from the group consisting of |(n mx −n dx )|>0.01, |(n my −n dy )|>0.01, and |(n mz −n dz )|>0.01.