An optical film of the present invention includes a positive A-plate and a positive C-plate, in which the Re(450), Re(550), and Re(650) of the positive A-plate satisfy the relationship of Re(450)≦Re(550)≦Re(650), the positive A-plate is formed of a cured product of a composition including the liquid crystal compound A, and the positive C-plate is formed of a cured product of a composition including the liquid crystal compound C.

An optical film of the present invention includes a positive A-plate and a positive C-plate, in which the Re(450), Re(550), and Re(650) of the positive A-plate satisfy the relationship of Re(450)≦Re(550)≦Re(650), the positive A-plate is formed of a cured product of a composition including the liquid crystal compound A, and the positive C-plate is formed of a cured product of a composition including the liquid crystal compound C.

A protective film-attached functional sheet includes a protective film bonded to a functional sheet including aromatic polycarbonate sheets and a functional layer sandwiched between the aromatic polycarbonate sheets, the functional layer being a polyvinyl alcohol polarizing film layer, a photochromic layer, or a combination. The protective film is a polyolefin resin film that includes at least two layers: a base layer formed of a polypropylene having a melting point equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of the aromatic polycarbonate and an adhesive layer on one surface of the base layer and being a resin composition containing a polyolefin rubber and a polyolefin having a melting point lower than the glass transition temperature but equal to or higher than 15° C. lower than the glass transition temperature; or at least three layers: the aforementioned two layers and an intermediate layer between the base layer and the adhesive layer.

A protective film-attached functional sheet includes a protective film bonded to a functional sheet including aromatic polycarbonate sheets and a functional layer sandwiched between the aromatic polycarbonate sheets, the functional layer being a polyvinyl alcohol polarizing film layer, a photochromic layer, or a combination. The protective film is a polyolefin resin film that includes at least two layers: a base layer formed of a polypropylene having a melting point equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of the aromatic polycarbonate and an adhesive layer on one surface of the base layer and being a resin composition containing a polyolefin rubber and a polyolefin having a melting point lower than the glass transition temperature but equal to or higher than 15° C. lower than the glass transition temperature; or at least three layers: the aforementioned two layers and an intermediate layer between the base layer and the adhesive layer.

Certain patternable reflective films are used as masks to make other patterned articles, and one or more initial masks can be used to pattern the patternable reflective films. An exemplary patternable reflective film has an absorption characteristic suitable to, upon exposure to a radiant beam, absorptively heat a portion of the film by an amount sufficient to change a first reflective characteristic to a different second reflective characteristic. The change from the first to the second reflective characteristic is attributable to a change in birefringence of one or more layers or materials of the patternable film. In a related article, a mask is attached to such a patternable reflective film. The mask may have opaque portions and light-transmissive portions. Further, the mask may have light-transmissive portions with structures such as focusing elements and/or prismatic elements.

Certain patternable reflective films are used as masks to make other patterned articles, and one or more initial masks can be used to pattern the patternable reflective films. An exemplary patternable reflective film has an absorption characteristic suitable to, upon exposure to a radiant beam, absorptively heat a portion of the film by an amount sufficient to change a first reflective characteristic to a different second reflective characteristic. The change from the first to the second reflective characteristic is attributable to a change in birefringence of one or more layers or materials of the patternable film. In a related article, a mask is attached to such a patternable reflective film. The mask may have opaque portions and light-transmissive portions. Further, the mask may have light-transmissive portions with structures such as focusing elements and/or prismatic elements.

An optical member including a porous glass layer on a base member is provided, wherein the reflectance is reduced and a ripple is suppressed. The optical member is provided with a base member and a glass layer holding a transparent material in the inside of a porous structure disposed on the base member, wherein in the thickness direction of the glass layer, the porosity in the base member side with respect to the center line of the glass layer in the thickness direction is smaller than the porosity in the side opposite to the base member with respect to the center line of the glass layer in the thickness direction.

An optical member including a porous glass layer on a base member is provided, wherein the reflectance is reduced and a ripple is suppressed. The optical member is provided with a base member and a glass layer holding a transparent material in the inside of a porous structure disposed on the base member, wherein in the thickness direction of the glass layer, the porosity in the base member side with respect to the center line of the glass layer in the thickness direction is smaller than the porosity in the side opposite to the base member with respect to the center line of the glass layer in the thickness direction.

The disclosed subject matter provides a nanoaperture having a bottom surface and a side wall comprising gold. A surface of the side wall is passivated with a first functional molecule comprising polyethylene glycol. The bottom surface of the nanoaperture can be functionalized with at least one second molecule comprising polyethylene glycol, for example, a silane-PEG molecule. The second molecule can further include a moiety, such as biotin, which is capable of binding a target biomolecule, which in turn can bind to a biomolecule of interest for single molecule fluorescence imaging analysis. Fabrication techniques of the nanoaperture are also provided.

The disclosed subject matter provides a nanoaperture having a bottom surface and a side wall comprising gold. A surface of the side wall is passivated with a first functional molecule comprising polyethylene glycol. The bottom surface of the nanoaperture can be functionalized with at least one second molecule comprising polyethylene glycol, for example, a silane-PEG molecule. The second molecule can further include a moiety, such as biotin, which is capable of binding a target biomolecule, which in turn can bind to a biomolecule of interest for single molecule fluorescence imaging analysis. Fabrication techniques of the nanoaperture are also provided.