Anisotropic Light Scattering Properties of Polymer Blend Films

Abstract

Anisotropic light scattering properties of uniaxially oriented polymer blend sheet-polarizers that allow generation and analysis of polarized light were investigated. By proper selection of materials and processing conditions, phase-segregated polymer blends are produced in which the refractive index of the dispersed phase matches the ordinary refractive index perpendicular to the orientation direction of a birefringent continuous phase, while, simultaneously, a large mismatch exists between the refractive indices parallel to that orientation direction. Such films appear transparent or opaque (white), depending on the polarization direction of the incident light. Polarizing efficiency of these blend films found to be about 70% and strongly depends on the shape of phase-segregated domain structure. Rod-shaped domain with large aspect ratio gives high polarizing efficiency.