Wire grid polarizer with side region

摘要

Structures and methods of making wire grid polarizers having multiple regions, including side bars, strips, and/or side ribs along sides of a central region. The central region can include a single region or multiple regions. Each region can have a different function for improving polarizer performance. The various regions can support each other for improved wire grid polarizer durability.

主权项

1. A wire grid polarizer comprising:
a) a substrate being substantially transmissive to incoming light; b) an array of parallel, elongated first lower ribs disposed over the substrate, the first lower ribs having a bottom attached to the substrate, a top surface opposite the bottom, and two opposite sides; c) an array of parallel, elongated, first upper ribs disposed over the top surface of the first lower ribs such that each first lower rib is paired with a corresponding first upper rib to define an array of center ribs; d) an array of elongated side bars including a side bar disposed along each side of each of the center ribs; e) a gap between each side bar and corresponding center rib and an adjacent side bar and corresponding center rib, each side bar is discontinuous with respect to adjacent side bars, and each side bar is not connected to adjacent side bars by material of the side bar; and f) at least one of the first lower ribs, first upper ribs, and side bars is substantially reflective of incoming light.