Roger J Strharsky

US Patent:

6697195, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jun 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/185582

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN
Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 508

US Classification:

359359, 359350, 359589, 359584

Abstract:

Optical filters and their manufacture, as well as the use of the optical filters in optical devices, such as polarizers and mirrors are described. The optical filters typically include a first reflective multilayer film, a second reflective multilayer film, and a lossy element disposed between the first and second reflective multilayer films.

US Patent:

6721096, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Nov 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/295674

Inventors:

Charles L. Bruzzone - Woodbury MN
David J. W. Aastuen - Farmington MN
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN
Stephen K. Eckhardt - Austin TX
Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Gary T. Boyd - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 530

US Classification:

359495, 359496, 359497, 359500

Abstract:

An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an f/#2. 5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at f/#s equal to or below f/2. 5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.

US Patent:

7791687, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/614409

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN, US
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN, US
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/1335

US Classification:

349 96, 359487

Abstract:

A display device includes a display panel and a biaxial reflective polarizer having a plurality of layers characterized by a varying optical thickness. A majority of the layers of the biaxial reflective polarizer having a smaller optical thickness are disposed closer to the display panel than the layers having a larger optical thickness.

US Patent:

7826009, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/614494

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN, US
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN, US
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/1335
G02B 5/30

US Classification:

349 96, 349117, 349137, 359497

Abstract:

A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.

US Patent:

8120730, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Nov 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/916838

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN, US
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN, US
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/1335
G02B 5/30

US Classification:

349 96, 35948503, 35948919

Abstract:

A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.

US Patent:

20020109795, Aug 15, 2002

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746933

Inventors:

Charles Bruzzone - Woodbury MN, US
David Aastuen - Farmington MN, US
Roger Strharsky - Woodbury MN, US
Stephen Eckhardt - Austin TX, US
Michael Weber - Shoreview MN, US
Gary Boyd - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02F001/1335

US Classification:

349/009000

Abstract:

An optical imaging system including an illumination system, a Cartesian PBS, and a prism assembly. The illumination system provides a beam of light, the illumination system having an f/# less than or equal to 2.5. The Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter has a first tilt axis, oriented to receive the beam of light. A first polarized beam of light having one polarization direction is folded by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter and a second polarized beam of light having a second polarization direction is transmitted by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter nominally polarizes the beam of light with respect to the Cartesian beam-splitter to yield the first polarized beam in the first polarization direction. The color separation and recombination prism is optically aligned to receive the first polarized beam. The prism has a second tilt axis, a plurality of color separating surfaces, and a plurality of exit surfaces. The second tilt axis maybe oriented perpendicularly to the first tilt axis of the Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter so that the polarized beam is nominally polarization rotated into the second polarization direction with respect to the color separating surfaces and a respective beam of colored light exits through each of the exit surfaces. Each imager is placed at one of the exit surface of the color separating and recombining prism to receive one of the respective beams of colored light, wherein each imager can separately modulate the polarization state of the beam of colored light.

US Patent:

20120140324, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Feb 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/371025

Inventors:

Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN, US
Timothy J. Nevitt - Red Wing MN, US
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 5/30

US Classification:

35948915

Abstract:

A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.

US Patent:

6486997, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

May 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/312917

Inventors:

Charles L. Bruzzone - Woodbury MN
David J. W. Aastuen - Farmington MN
Roger J. Strharsky - Woodbury MN
Stephen K. Eckhardt - Austin TX
Michael F. Weber - Shoreview MN
Gary T. Boyd - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 103

US Classification:

359247, 359250, 359253, 359256, 359495, 359497, 359500, 349 9, 353 20, 353 81

Abstract:

An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an f/#2. 5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at f/#s equal to or below f/2. 5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.