Multilayer optical film having overlapping harmonics

A multilayer optical film comprising a packet of microlayers arranged into optical repeat units,

• wherein, at a design angle of incidence, the packet provides a single 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band;
• wherein the 1st order reflection band is disposed at least partially in a wavelength range from 720 to 2000 nm;
• wherein the 2nd order reflection band is disposed at least partially in a wavelength range from 380 to 720 nm;
• wherein the 2nd order reflection band substantially overlaps at least one of the 1st and 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band;
• and
• wherein the packet has a first average on-axis reflectivity for visible light polarized in a first plane, and a second average on-axis reflectivity of for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the second average on-axis reflectivity is greater than about 5 percent and less than the first on-axis reflectivity.

A multilayer optical film comprising a packet of microlayers arranged into optical repeat units,

• wherein, at a design angle of incidence, the packet provides a single 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band;
• wherein the 1st order reflection band is disposed at least partially in a wavelength range from 720 to 2000 nm;
• wherein the 2nd order reflection band is disposed at least partially in a wavelength range from 380 to 720 nm;
• wherein the 2nd order reflection band substantially overlaps at least one of the 1st and 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band;
• and
• wherein the optical repeat units have a fixed-index f-ratio that varies monotonically across a thickness of the packet of microlayers.