Display Filters and Enhancements

Anti-Reflective and Protective Film

Protective films are offered in a variety of forms such as Anti-Reflective (AR), Anti-Fingerprint (AF), AR/AF, Anti-Glare (AG). These thin polyester films are OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive) laminated to the substrate in our cleanrooms. Anti-Reflective and Anti-Glare film is often used in outdoor displays, sunlight readable displays, avionics, cameras, and sensors, while Anti-Fingerprint is frequently found on touchscreens, especially those in public spaces. 

Transparent Heaters

Optical Filters has developed a range of transparent heated screens that enable continued use of flat panel displays in adverse ambient conditions such as low temperature and environments where instruments are prone to fogging or misting. Applications include marine displays, research equipment displays, avionics displays, operating in wet and sub zero temperature environments.

Using low resistance busbars, a heating current is applied to an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coated glass. Extensive testing and military qualification have proven that Optical Filters transparent heated screens maintain an LCD at 20°C with an outside temperature of -50°C and a 3°C/minute temperature gradient. The heat produced is sufficient to defrost a frozen screen for rapid start-ups and maintain the required temperature.

Additional layers and elements can be included in the assembly stack for impact resistance, EMI shielding, contrast enhancements, and/or anti-glare control.

Thermal Management

3M Thermal Management Film (TMF) provides Infrared (IR) reflective/thermal load reduction for displays. 3M TMF is a polymeric multilayer optical film with NIR reflection > 90% with >86% visible transmission. Used for eliminating excessive heat and controlling excessive cold in windows, outdoor displays, industrial applications.

Privacy Filters

Privacy Filters, sometimes called Light Control Film (LCF) consist of many thin louvers that function like a vertical window blind restricting the path of light through the filter. The display is clear and undistorted to the user directly within the viewing axis, but to either side, the image is blackened and un-readable. Applications include ATM machines, medial kiosks, polling booths, pedestrian crossings, in-flight entertainment, and emergency services' displays.

Polarisers

Polarizers are used to analyse or create polarised light. Optical Filters can offer a wide range of size, polarisation, and light transmission. Both circular and linear polarisers are available. Common applications include contrast enhancement for display filters and displays such as LCDs and TFTs, sunlight readable touchscreens, photography, stress analysis of glass and plastics, optical sensors and safety light curtains, 3D projection systems, and ophthalmology.

Linear Polarisers

Linear polarisers allow light oriented identical to the polariser to pass through or be proportionately absorbed, in order that all of the light that passes through has only one orientation--parallel to the polariser.

Circular Polarisers

Circular polarisers modify ambient light as it passes through the filter and traps the mirror image on reflection from the surface of the display.  The signal from the display is allowed to pass through the filter and appears as a bright image against the dark background. We offer a circular polarisers as sheets, cut components or as laminated filters.

Infrared Filters

Infrared (IR) pass filters provide high transmittance of infrared radiation while reducing or blocking transmission of energy below 700 nanometers (nm). The use of IR filters has grown with the development of the IR photometric systems. Specific applications include remote control units, security systems, proximity sensors, scanners, and IR cameras.

Custom optical lamination inside glass or polycarbonate with EMI shielding laminated EmiClare® mesh is also available.

In addition to the supply of the filter material in sheets, we offer full manufacturing services to cut and finish parts to final size. Full optical lamination in glass or plastic is also available.