Optical system with switchable diffuser

An optical system comprising:

• a lighting component;
• a switchable diffuser in optical communication with the lighting component, the switchable diffuser having at least a first state and a second state, the first state characterized by a first haze and the second state characterized by a second haze different from the first haze;
• wherein the switchable diffuser includes an active layer disposed between a first outer layer and a second outer layer, the first outer layer having a first outer surface opposite the active layer, the second outer layer having a second outer surface opposite the active layer, the second outer layer facing the lighting component, at least one of the first and second outer surfaces including light redirecting structures;
• wherein when the switchable diffuser is in the first state and the optical system produces a light output, the light redirecting structures are configured to increase the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the light output of the optical system in at least one direction by at least 5 degrees relative to that of an otherwise equivalent optical system that does not include the light redirecting structures.

An optical system comprising:

• a lighting component;
• a switchable diffuser in optical communication with the lighting component, the switchable diffuser having at least a first state and a second state, the first state characterized by a first haze and the second state characterized by a second haze different from the first haze;
• wherein the switchable diffuser includes an active layer disposed between a first outer layer and a second outer layer, the first outer layer having a first outer surface opposite the active layer, the second outer layer having a second outer surface opposite the active layer,
• a low absorbing optical component in optical communication with the lighting component and in optical communication with the switchable diffuser, the low absorbing optical component including opposing third and fourth outer surfaces,
• wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth outer surfaces includes light redirecting structures,
• wherein when the switchable diffuser is in the first state and the optical system produces a light output, the light redirecting structures are configured to increase the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the light output of the optical system in at least one direction by at least 5 degrees relative to that of an otherwise equivalent optical system that does not include the light redirecting structures.