| abstract |
An optical device includes a dichroic polarizer and a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer or mirror. The multilayer optical film is made using polymers which may allow for the simultaneous orientation of the dichroic and reflective polarizers. The multilayer optical film often contains a set of birefringent first layers and a set of second layers, which may have an isotropic index of refraction. The dichroic polarizer is a polyvinyl alcohol film with a dichroic dye and an optional second polymer. The multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of 160 °C or less to orient the two films without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer. |