Direct lit backlight with light recycling and source polarizers

Abstract

Direct lit backlights and associated methods are disclosed in which typically an array of light sources is disposed between a back reflector and a front reflective polarizer. Source polarizers are provided to cover the light sources. Light that passes through the source polarizer towards the front reflective polarizer is partially transmitted and partially reflected by the front reflective polarizer. The partial transmission and reflection can be balanced to enhance illumination uniformity over the output face of the backlight. Direct lit backlights having arrays of polarized light sources are also disclosed, including backlights in which the light sources use LED light sources, and backlights in which the polarized light sources are substantially aligned with each other.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.