Transflective film and display

A transflective optical film for reflecting ambient light incident on a first surface and for transmitting light having a preferred polarization state incident on a second surface opposite the first surface, comprising:

• (a) a substrate having a first index of refraction n1, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of tapered cavities extending from a first surface and narrowing toward the second surface;
• (b) a birefringent filler material deposited within each said tapered cavity, said filler material having a second index of refraction n2 for light having said preferred polarization state and a third index of refraction n3 for light having an orthogonal polarization state to said preferred polarization state;
• and,
• (c) a reflective layer deposited on the end of said filler material in each said tapered cavity adjacent said first surface;
• wherein n3 is substantially equal to n1 and n2 is substantially less than n1.

A transflective optical film for reflecting ambient light incident on a first surface and for transmitting light incident on the opposite second surface having a preferred polarization state, the optical film comprising:

• (a) a birefringent substrate having a first index of refraction n1 for light having the preferred polarization state and a second index of refraction n2 for light having the orthogonal polarization state, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of tapered cavities extending from the first surface and narrowing toward the opposite second surface;
• (b) a filler material deposited within each said tapered cavity, said filler material having a third index of refraction n3;
• and,
• (c) a reflective layer deposited on said filler material in each said tapered cavity adjacent said first surface;
• wherein n3 is substantially equal to n1 and n3 is substantially less than n2.

A method for forming a transflective optical film for reflecting ambient light incident on a first surface and for transmitting light incident on the opposite surface having a preferred polarization state, the method comprising:

• (a) forming a plurality of tapered cavities into the first surface of a film substrate, said film substrate having a first index of refraction n1;
• (b) depositing a birefringent filler material within each said tapered cavity, said filler material having a second index of refraction n2 in a first direction and a third index of refraction n3 in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction;
• and,
• (c) depositing a reflective layer onto said filler material along said first surface in each said tapered cavity.