The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for improving the performance and efficiency of optical systems, such as optical systems for using head-mounted display system. The optical systems of the present disclosure may include polarized catadioptric optics, or “pancake optics,” which utilize a wire grid polarizer as a reflective polarizer. Wire grid polarizers may not perform uniformly over wavelength or over varying angles of incidence. To improve performance, a spatially varying polarizer is provided in the optical system that operates to provide polarization compensation for the wire grid polarizer so that the wire grid polarizer performs more uniformly over wavelength and/or over incidence angles (e.g., on-axis and off-axis). The spatially varying polarizer may be formed of a liquid crystal material, such as a multi-twist retarder.

Conformal vision with enhanced image processing of the outputted image is incorporated into novel applications. The conformal vision provides enhanced contrast by the combined inclusion of tunable filters and processing of the images that are generated by the detector. Furthermore, novel uses and applications of the conformal vision enable users to make determinations related to their health and wellness utilizing information provided by the conformal vision.

A liquid crystal (LC) beam steerer includes a waveguide apparatus with a waveguide having a high-index core in contact with a variable-index liquid crystal (LC) cladding, wherein a voltage applied to the LC cladding is effective to steer a beam of light passing through the high-index core. Measuring the bulk birefringence and/or the capacitance characteristics of the LC can facilitate beam steering.

Provided are a liquid crystal panel capable of achieving a small light-shielding angle in a narrow viewing angle mode and a display device including the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel sequentially includes: a first polarizing plate with a first absorption axis; a first substrate including a first electrode; a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules; and a second substrate including a second electrode, wherein in a plan view, a director of the liquid crystal molecules with no voltage applied and the first absorption axis form an angle α of not smaller than 5° and not greater than 20° or not smaller than 65° and not greater than 80°.

A transmittance-variable device is provided in the present application. The present application provides a transmittance-variable device, which can be applied to various applications without causing problems such as a crosstalk phenomenon, a rainbow phenomenon or a mirroring phenomenon, while having excellent transmittance-variable characteristics.

A transmissive liquid crystal diffraction element includes a rod-like liquid crystal layer where a rod-like liquid crystal compound is aligned and a disk-like liquid crystal layer where a disk-like liquid crystal compound is aligned that are alternately laminated, in which each of the liquid crystal layers has a predetermined liquid crystal alignment pattern, rotation directions of optical axes in the liquid crystal alignment patterns are the same, single periods of the liquid crystal alignment patterns are the same, a thickness direction retardation |Rth| of each of the liquid crystal layers is 65 nm or less, and at an interface between the liquid crystal layers, longitudinal directions of the liquid crystal compounds match with each other.

A display panel includes: a light emitting device to generate light; a plurality of color conversion patterns including: a first color conversion pattern including first scattering particles dispersed in the first color conversion pattern and configured to scatter the light of the light emitting device; and a second color conversion pattern including second scattering particles dispersed in the second color conversion pattern and configured to scatter the light of the light emitting device; a plurality of color filters including: a first color filter overlapping the first color conversion pattern; and a second color filter overlapping the second color conversion pattern; and a single, low index of refraction layer continuously extending in the surface direction to overlap the first and the second color conversion patterns. The low index of refraction layer has a refractive index lower than refractive indexes of the first and second color conversion patterns.

According to one embodiment, a display device includes, a first transparent substrate having a side surface and a main surface, a first alignment film disposed along the main surface, a first transparent layer located between the first transparent substrate and the first alignment film, a second transparent substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to a switching element, a liquid crystal layer, and a light-emitting element opposed to the side surface. The first transparent layer overlaps a part of the pixel electrode and has a lower refractive index than the first transparent substrate.

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

A privacy display comprises a polarised output spatial light modulator, reflective polariser, plural polar control retarders and a polariser. A birefringent surface relief diffuser structure is arranged to transmit light from the display with high transparency and provide diffuse reflection of ambient light to head-on display users. In a privacy mode of operation, on-axis light from the spatial light modulator is directed without loss and with low diffusion, whereas off-axis light has reduced luminance and increased diffusion. Further, overall display reflectivity is reduced for on-axis reflections of ambient light, while reflectivity is increased for off-axis light. The visibility of the display to off-axis snoopers is reduced by means of luminance reduction, increased frontal reflectivity and diffusion of ambient light. In a public mode of operation, the liquid crystal retardance is adjusted so that off-axis luminance and reflectivity are unmodified.