Optical compensation films based on combinations of negative birefrigent and positive birefrigent components

Abstract

An optical compensation film with unique retardation including a compatible blend of a positive birefringent (C+) component, a negative birefringent (C−) component and a compatibilizing component may be prepared as follows: a block copolymer is prepared containing one of the birefringent materials, for example a negative birefringent material, and a less birefringent component. The copolymer is then blended with the second birefringent material, for example a positive birefringent material to form a compatible blend, even though the two birefringent materials are not compatible. The less birefringent component of the copolymer does not have to be compatible with the birefringent component in the copolymer. These films display unique retardation properties and can be used to improve the performance of optical devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, in-plane switching mode LCDs (IPS-LCD), 3D glasses, optical switches, and waveguides where controlled light management is desirable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.