Variable transmission window with blackout bars

A variable transmission window, comprising:

• a patterned first polarizer comprising:
• an optically transmissive first substrate;
• alternating first and second domains attached to the first substrate, the first domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the second domains;
• and
• blackout bars configured to block visible light, each blackout bar overlapping opposing edge regions of adjacent corresponding first and second domains;
• and
• a patterned second polarizer facing the first polarizer and comprising:
• an optically transmissive second substrate;
• and
• alternating third and fourth domains attached to the second substrate, the third domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the fourth domains;
• wherein:
• the first and the second domains respectively comprise first and second strips of a polarizer film, the first and second strips having substantially equal width;
• the first and second strips are separated by gaps;
• and
• the blackout bars overlap the gaps and prevent light leakage through the gaps.