US Patent 9097858 Retarder film combinations with spatially selective birefringence reduction

Retarder film combinations generally include a retarder film connected to another optical component such that light transmitted by the retarder film can impinge on the optical component, the combination being configured to allow independent patterning of the retarder film and the optical component by selective birefringence reduction. The patterning can change a first light retardation to a third light retardation in a first zone without substantially changing optical characteristics of the optical component in the first zone. The optical component may be a second retarder film having a second light retardation, and the patterning may change the second light retardation to a fourth light retardation, without substantially changing the first light retardation, in a second zone. The optical component may also be a multilayer optical film, or a diffusely reflective optical film having a blended layer of first and second distinct phases.