US Patent 7286275 Polarizing, photochromic devices and methods of making the same

Provided is an optical element including a substrate;a first at least partial coating of an at least partially ordered alignment medium connected to at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate;a second at least partial coating of an alignment transfer material that is connected to and at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the at least partially ordered alignment medium; anda third at least partial coating connected to at least a portion of the alignment transfer material, the third coating including at least one anisotropic material that is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the at least partially aligned alignment transfer material and at least one photochromic-dichroic compound that is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the at least partially aligned anisotropic material.