Display with polarization dependent diffusive properties

An electronic display that is diffuse reflective to visible light and non-diffuse retro-reflective to infrared light comprising:

• a plurality of optical layers, the plurality of optical layers comprising:
• a front polarizer for polarizing visible light incident on the electronic display and for polarizing infrared light incident on the electronic display;
• a liquid crystal layer comprising a plurality of liquid crystals, wherein:
• the liquid crystal layer introduces a plurality of retardation levels in the visible light;
• and
• the liquid crystal layer introduces a plurality of retardation levels in the infrared light;
• a transmissive diffuser layer, wherein:
• the transmissive diffuser layer diffuses visible light having a first polarization and diffuses infrared light having the first polarization;
• the transmissive diffuser layer does not substantially diffuse visible light having a second polarization and does not substantially diffuse infrared light having the second polarization;
• and
• the second polarization is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization;
• a reflective rear polarizer for transmitting the first polarization and reflecting the second polarization;
• an absorption layer;
• wherein:
• the absorption layer is transparent to infrared light;
• and
• the absorption layer is opaque to visible light;
• and
• a retroreflecting layer;
• wherein the retroreflecting layer reflects visible light and reflects infrared light.