Designs of wide-view and broadband circular polarizers

Abstract

A novel methodology for designing wide view circular polarizers is proposed. Both single wavelength and broadband wide-view circular polarizers are discussed. Over the +/-85 degrees viewing cone, the light leakage from the crossed circular polarizers is less than 2.87x10(-4) using the proposed single wavelength circular polarizers (lambda=550 nm) and less than 1.7x10(-3) using the proposed broadband circular polarizer (lambda=450~650 nm). An example of using the designed broadband, wide-view circular polarizers for enhancing the optical efficiency of a direct-view liquid crystal display is elucidated.