Novel polarized-light emitting polymer systems: II. Use of form birefringent polarization-selective mirrors

In reflectivity measurements on submicron-embossed polystyrene films, we found that form-birefringent polymer gratings can be described by generalized Fresnel equations for a biaxially anisotropic film in an optically isotropic medium. Thus, polarized-light emitting illumination systems may be envisioned that basically consist of an optically isotropic substrate, into which light is coupled from an external light source, and a second layer, which comprises a form-birefringent, submicron relief structure on the bottom surface that acts as polarization-selective mirror and a light out-coupling structure on the top surface. Such a design should simplify device manufg. considerably as the main parts of the systems could be produced by injection molding using inexpensive bulk polymers. [on SciFinder (R)]