Optical device and system for black level enhancement and methods of use thereof

A system comprising:

• an optical device comprising:
• a microstructure layer having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the microstructure layer comprises a plurality of transparent microstructures which form a plurality of spaced grooves, said grooves being at least partially filled with an opaque material and positioned to create alternating opaque and transparent sections having refractive index values within 0.03;
• and
• a transparent substrate adjacent at least a portion of the first surface of the microstructure layer;
• and
• a viewing display, wherein the second surface of the microstructure layer is adjacent at least a portion of the viewing display.

A method for improving black level of a viewing display comprising:

• providing an optical device comprising:
• a microstructure layer having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the micro structure layer comprises a plurality of transparent micro structures which form a plurality of spaced grooves, said grooves being at least partially filled with an opaque material and positioned to create alternating opaque and transparent sections having refractive index values within 0.03;
• and
• a transparent substrate adjacent at least a portion of the first surface of the micro structure layer;
• and
• positioning at least a portion of the second surface of the microstructure layer adjacent at least a portion of an output surface of a viewing display, wherein a portion of ambient light is absorbed by the optical device before reaching the viewing display and a portion of ambient light reflected from the viewing display is absorbed by the optical device.