# US 2015/0146292 A1 · Multilayer optical films having side-by-side mirror/polarizer zones > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0146292 A1 - Document ID: US20150146292A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/614,509 - Filed: 2015-02-05 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-22 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: William W. Merrill; Douglas S. Dunn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150146292A1 ## CPC - G02B 5/3041: {comprising multiple thin layers, e.g. multilayer stacks} - B42D 25/23: Identity cards - B42D 25/24: Passports - B42D 25/391: absorbing or reflecting polarised light - G02B 5/0816: {Multilayer mirrors, i.e. having two or more reflecting layers (G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence)} - G02B 5/0841: {comprising organic materials, e.g. polymers} - G02B 5/285: {comprising deposited thin solid films (G02B5/281 - G02B5/289 take precedence; multilayered film filters for fibre optic multiplexing G02B6/29361)} - G02B 5/287: {comprising at least one layer of organic material} - G02B 5/305: {including organic materials, e.g. polymeric layers} - G02B 5/3083: {Birefringent or phase retarding elements (G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001)} - G02B 27/28: for polarising (used in stereoscopes G02B30/25) - G02F 1/133536: {Reflective polarizers (G02F1/13362 takes precedence)} - G02F 1/13363: Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation - G02B 5/30: Polarising elements (light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00) - G02F 1/133521: {Interference filters} - Y10T 428/24942: including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone, the layers operate substantially as a reflective polarizer; in the second zone they operate substantially as a mirror. The layers may thus provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone wherein normally incident light of one polarization state is substantially reflected and normally incident light of an orthogonal polarization state is substantially transmitted, and a second reflective characteristic in the second zone wherein normally incident light of any polarization state is substantially reflected. The film may have a first thickness in the first zone that is substantially the same as a second thickness in the second zone. Alternatively, the second thickness may be substantially less than the first thickness. Related methods, articles, and systems are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multilayer optical film, comprising: a plurality of interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film; wherein the plurality of interior layers comprises a first set of layers composed of a first material and a second set of layers composed of a second material different from the first material, at least one of the first and second sets of layers being birefringent; wherein the film has an absorption characteristic tailored to heat the interior layers, in response to the film being illuminated with a suitable light beam, sufficiently to change a birefringence of at least some of the interior layers while maintaining a structural integrity of the plurality of interior layers, such change in birefringence being sufficient to change the first reflective characteristic to a different second reflective characteristic; and wherein in the first zone the plurality of interior layers provides the first reflective characteristic, in the second zone the plurality of interior layers provides the second reflective characteristic, the first reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic, or the first reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The film of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a first polymer and an absorbing dye or pigment. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The film of claim 2, wherein the absorbing dye or pigment preferentially absorbs light at wavelengths greater than 700 nm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The film of claim 1, wherein the first reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic. ### Claim 5 A method of making a multilayer optical film, comprising: providing a plurality of interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference to provide a first reflective characteristic, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film, wherein the plurality of interior layers comprises a first set of layers composed of a first material and a second set of layers composed of a second material different from the first material, at least one of the first and second sets of layers being birefringent; and selectively heating the interior layers by illuminating the film with a suitable light beam, sufficiently to change a birefringence of at least some of the interior layers while maintaining a structural integrity of the plurality of interior layers, such change in birefringence being sufficient to change the first reflective characteristic to a different second reflective characteristic, wherein in the first zone the plurality of interior layers provides the first reflective characteristic, in the second zone the plurality of interior layers provides the second reflective characteristic, the first reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic, or the first reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first material comprises a first polymer and an absorbing dye or pigment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the absorbing dye or pigment preferentially absorbs light at wavelengths greater than 700 nm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first reflective characteristic is substantially a polarizer characteristic and the second reflective characteristic is substantially a mirror characteristic.