U.S. patent application number 11/808900 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for polarization luminaire and projection display.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshitaka Itoh, Kunio Yoneno.
Application Number | 20080218697 11/808900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27287174 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080218697 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Itoh; Yoshitaka ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Polarization luminaire and projection display
Abstract
A polarization luminaire is disclosed having a light source, a
system of the optical integrator, a polarized light splitting
device for splitting a light emitted from the light source into two
kinds of polarized lights whose polarization directions are
perpendicular to each other and whose traveling directions are
apart from each other by an angle of less than 90 degrees, and a
polarization conversion device for causing the two kinds of
polarized lights to have the same polarization direction. The
polarized light splitting device is placed on one of the entrance
side and the outputting side of the first lens plate of the system
of the optical integrator or is placed within the second lens
plate. A prism beam splitter having a polarized light splitting
film constituted by a thermally stable dielectric multi-layer film
is suitable for the polarized light splitting device. Most of the
polarized lights can be utilized by causing the polarized lights to
have the same polarization direction. Further, the polarized
lights, which have uniform brightness, can be emitted.
Consequently, the polarization luminaire is suited to be a
luminaire for use in a projection display that has liquid crystal
light valves.
Inventors: |
Itoh; Yoshitaka;
(Nagano-ken, JP) ; Yoneno; Kunio; (Nagano-ken,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
Seiko Epson Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27287174 |
Appl. No.: |
11/808900 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11514986 |
Sep 5, 2006 |
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11808900 |
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|
10930897 |
Sep 1, 2004 |
7119957 |
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11514986 |
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10098349 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
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10930897 |
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09690462 |
Oct 18, 2000 |
6411438 |
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10098349 |
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08619663 |
Feb 6, 1997 |
6147802 |
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PCT/JP95/01448 |
Jul 21, 1995 |
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09690462 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
353/20 ;
348/E9.027; 362/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/285 20130101;
G02F 1/13355 20210101; G02B 27/28 20130101; H04N 9/3105 20130101;
G02F 1/13362 20130101; H04N 9/3167 20130101; G02B 27/283
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
353/20 ;
362/19 |
International
Class: |
G03B 21/28 20060101
G03B021/28; F21V 9/14 20060101 F21V009/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 1994 |
JP |
06-326813 |
Feb 20, 1995 |
JP |
07-031024 |
Mar 9, 1995 |
JP |
07-050175 |
Claims
1. A polarization luminaire, comprising: a light source that emits
light having random polarization directions; a first lens plate
comprising a plurality of condenser lenses, the condenser lenses
being decentered lenses; and a second lens plate that is a
composite layered element comprising a condenser lens array; a
polarization beam splitting prism array that splits each light
emitted from both the plurality of condenser lenses and the
condenser lens array into a p-polarized light and an s-polarized
light; and a half-wave plate placed on an exit side of the
polarization beam splitting prism array, wherein the polarization
beam splitting prism array includes a plurality of polarizing beam
splitters and a plurality of reflecting mirrors alternately
arranged, the light source being placed by being shifted in
parallel with respect to a system optical axis of the polarization
luminaire.
2. The polarization luminaire according to claim 1, further
comprising an exit side lens disposed on the exit side of the
polarization beam splitting prism array.
3. The polarization luminaire according to claim 1, further
comprising a condenser lens array disposed on the exit side of the
polarization beam splitting prism array, the condenser lens array
having a plurality of condenser lenses.
4. The polarization luminaire according to claim 1, wherein a
region to be illuminated by the luminaire has an oblong shape, and
the polarization beam splitting prism array splits the light along
a longitudinal direction of the region.
5. A projector, comprising: a luminaire; modulation device that
modulates a polarized light outputted from the luminaire; and a
projection optical system that projects a modulated light, wherein
the luminaire comprises: a light source that emits light having
random polarization directions, a first lens plate comprising a
plurality of condenser lenses, the condenser lenses being
decentered lenses, and a second lens plate that is a composite
layered element comprising a condenser lens array; a polarization
beam splitting prism array that splits each light emitted from both
the plurality of condenser lenses and the condenser lens array into
a p-polarized light and an s-polarized light; and a half-wave plate
placed on an exit side of the polarization beam splitting prism
array, wherein the polarization beam splitting prism array includes
a plurality of polarizing beam splitters and a plurality of
reflecting mirrors alternately arranged, the second lens plate
being placed by being shifted in parallel to a system optical axis
of the luminaire.
6. The projector according to claim 5, further comprising an exit
side lens disposed on the exit side of the polarization beam
splitting prism array.
7. The projector according to claim 5, further comprising a
condenser lens array disposed on the exit side of the polarization
beam splitting prism array, the condenser lens array having a
plurality of condenser lenses.
8. The projector according to claim 5, wherein a region to be
illuminated by the luminaire has an oblong shape, and the
polarization beam splitting prism array splits the light along a
longitudinal direction of the region.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/514,986,
filed Sep. 5, 2006 (now abandoned), which is a Continuation of
application Ser. No. 10/930,897, filed Sep. 1, 2004 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,119,957), which is a Continuation of application Ser. No.
10/098,349, filed Mar. 18, 2002, which is a Continuation of
application Ser. No. 09/690,462, filed Oct. 18, 2000 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,411,438), which in turn is a Continuation of Ser. No.
08/619,663, filed Feb. 6, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,802), which
in turn is a 371 of PCT/JP95/01448, filed Jul. 21, 1995. The entire
disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a polarization luminaire
for uniformly illuminating a rectangular illumination area or the
like with polarized light waves in which the polarization direction
thereof is made to be uniform. Further, the present invention
relates to a projection display for modulating polarized light,
which has been emitted from this polarization luminaire, by means
of a light valve and for enlarging an image and displaying the
image on a screen.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Hitherto, a system of the optical integrator using two lens
plates has been known as an optical system for uniformly
illuminating a rectangular illumination area of a liquid crystal
light valve or the like. The system of the optical integrator is
disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No.
3-11806/1991 Official Gazette and has already been put to practical
use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Ordinary projection displays, which use liquid crystal light
valves of the type adapted to modulate polarized light, can utilize
only single kind of polarized light. It is, therefore, important
for obtaining a light projected image to enhance the utilization
efficiency of light.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to propose a luminaire
suitable for using in a projection display or the like, which uses
a liquid crystal light valve of the type adapted to modulate
polarized light, as an illuminating system.
[0008] More particularly, the object of the present invention is to
propose a polarization luminaire that is provided with a system of
the optical integrator and a polarization conversion system and can
efficiently utilize polarized light and further can achieve uniform
illumination. Furthermore, another object of the present invention
is to propose a projection display provided with this newly
proposed polarization luminaire.
[0009] A polarization luminaire of the present invention has: a
light source for emitting polarized lights whose polarization
directions are random; and a system of the optical integrator that
is provided with a first lens plate consisting of a plurality of
lenses and with a second lens plate consisting of a plurality of
lenses. The polarized light radiated from the light source is
projected on the entrance plane of each of the lenses of the second
lens plate through the first lens plate in such a manner as to form
a secondary light source image thereon. Further, an object is
radiated with light emitted from the second lens plate. This
polarization luminaire of the present invention further has:
polarized light splitting means for splitting a light emitted from
the light source into two kinds of polarized lights whose
polarization directions are perpendicular to each other and whose
traveling directions are apart from each other by an angle of less
than 90 degrees; and polarization conversion means for causing the
two kinds of polarized lights to have the same polarization
direction. Moreover, this polarization luminaire of the present
invention employs a configuration in which the polarized light
splitting means is placed on one of an entrance side and an exit
side of the first lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator.
[0010] Here, note that in the case where a region illuminated with
polarized light emitted from the system of the optical integrator
is oblong in the same manner as a rectangle or the like, it is
preferable that a splitting direction, in which two lights split by
the polarized light splitting means are separated from each other,
is the direction of the length of the region.
[0011] Further, it is desirable that the shape of each of the
lenses composing the second lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator is similar to that of each of the lenses composing the
first lens plate.
[0012] An element having a structure (namely, a liquid crystal
structure), in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a
prism substrate and a glass substrate and an interface between the
liquid crystal layer and the prism substrate is formed as a
multi-stage surface inclined at an angle of less than 90 degrees to
the optical axis of the means, may be employed as the polarized
light splitting means.
[0013] A prism beam splitter, which is provided with a polarized
light splitting film constituted by a dielectric multi-layer film
and is adapted to split a polarized light emitted from the light
source, whose polarization direction is random, into two kinds of
polarized lights, whose polarization directions are perpendicular
to each other, and is further adapted to emit the two kinds of
polarized lights respectively in directions forming a deviation
angle of less than 90 degrees, may be employed, instead of this
element using a liquid crystal, as the polarized light splitting
means.
[0014] The following configurations can be employed as that of the
prism beam splitter.
[0015] (1) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a flat quadrangular
prism and a triangular prism whose inclined surface portion is
joined to one of opposed side surface portions of the quadrangular
prism. In a joint portion between the quadrangular prism and the
triangular prism, the polarized light splitting film is formed. A
reflection film for reflecting single kind of polarized lights,
which is transmitted by the polarized light splitting film, in a
predetermined direction is formed on the other of the opposed side
surface portions of the quadrangular prism.
[0016] As the aforementioned triangular prism, a triangular prism
containing liquid can be employed.
[0017] (2) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a first flat
quadrangular prism and a second flat quadrangular prism whose side
surface portion is joined to one of opposed side surface portions
of the first quadrangular prism. In a joint portion between the
first and second quadrangular prisms, the polarized light splitting
film is formed. A reflection film for reflecting single kind of
polarized lights, which is transmitted by the polarized light
splitting film, in a predetermined direction is formed on the other
of the opposed side surface portions of the first quadrangular
prism.
[0018] (3) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a flat quadrangular
prism and a plurality of triangular prisms whose inclined surface
portions are joined to one of opposed side surface portions of the
quadrangular prism. In a joint portion between the quadrangular
prism and the triangular prisms, the polarized light splitting film
is formed. A reflection film for reflecting single kind of
polarized lights, which is transmitted by the polarized light
splitting film, in a predetermined direction is formed on the other
of the opposed side surface portions of the quadrangular prism.
[0019] As the triangular prism described hereinabove, a triangular
prism containing liquid can be employed.
[0020] (4) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a first triangular
prism, on the inclined surface of which the polarized light
splitting film is formed, and a second triangular prism, on the
inclined surface of which a reflection film for reflecting single
kind of polarized lights, which is transmitted by the polarized
light splitting film, in a predetermined direction is formed. While
the first and second triangular prisms are in a state in which the
space therebetween is filled with liquid, the first and second
triangular prisms are formed in such a manner as to be integral
with each other.
[0021] (5) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a plurality of
quadrangular-prism-like prism composite elements, each of which
has: a flat quadrangular prism; a first triangular prism whose
inclined surface portion is joined to one of opposed side surface
portions of the quadrangular prism; and a second triangular prism
whose inclined surface portion is joined to the other of the
opposed side surface portions of the quadrangular prism. In each of
the prism composite elements, the polarized light splitting film is
formed in the joint portion between the quadrangular prism and the
first triangular prism, and a reflection film is formed in the
joint portion between the quadrangular prism and the second
triangular prism. The prism composite elements are aligned in a
line in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the system
of the optical integrator in such a way that the polarized light
splitting films become parallel. The reflection film reflects to
output the randomly-polarized light having been emitted from the
light source portion to the next prism on one side, and reflects
the polarized light which is transmitted by the polarized light
splitting film formed in the same prism composite element in a
predetermined direction on the other side.
[0022] In this case, the prism composite elements are set in such a
manner that the polarized light splitting films are inclined at
about 45 degrees to the optical axis of the system of the optical
integrator.
[0023] (6) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a plurality of
quadrangular-prism-like prism composite elements, in each of which
the polarized light splitting film is formed. The prism composite
elements are aligned in a line in a direction perpendicular to the
optical axis of the system of the optical integrator in such a way
that the polarized light splitting films extends nearly in the same
direction.
[0024] (7) A prism beam splitter having the following configuration
can be employed. This prism beam splitter has a plurality of
quadrangular-prism-like prism composite elements, in each of which
the polarized light splitting film is formed. The prism composite
elements are aligned in a line in a direction perpendicular to the
optical axis of the system of the optical integrator. Moreover, on
both sides of the optical axis of the system of the optical
integrator, the polarized light splitting films extend nearly in
the opposite directions.
[0025] Incidentally, in the case that the prism beam splitter has a
prism composite element as described above, the width measurement
of this prism composite element can be set as follows. If each of
the lenses composing the first lens plate of the system of the
optical integrator is a rectangular lens, the width measurement of
the prism composite element can be set at (1/n) of the width
measurement of this rectangular lens (incidentally, n is an integer
which is equal to or larger than 1).
[0026] Further, a deviation prism can be disposed between the
polarized light splitting means and the system of the optical
integrator. Alternatively, a deviation prism can be placed between
the light source and the polarized light splitting means. In this
case, the deviation prism can be formed in such a way as to be
integral with an entrance side of the polarized light splitting
means. Further, the deviation prism, the polarized light splitting
means and the first lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator may be formed as an element having a single-piece
construction.
[0027] Next, in the case of employing a prism beam splitter as the
polarized light splitting means, the prism beam splitter may be
disposed on the optical path between the first lens plate and the
second lens plate, instead of being placed nearer to the light
source side than the first lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator. In this case, a prism beam splitter having the
following configuration has only to be employed. Namely, this prism
beam splitter has a flat quadrangular prism and a rectangular prism
whose inclined surface portion is joined to one of opposed side
surface portions of the quadrangular prism. In a joint portion
between the quadrangular prism and the rectangular prism, the
polarized light splitting film is formed. A reflection film for
reflecting single kind of polarized lights, which is transmitted by
the polarized light splitting film, in a predetermined direction is
formed on the other of the opposed side surface portions of the
quadrangular prism. The two orthogonally intersecting surfaces of
the rectangular prism are used as a surface of incidence and an
exit surface. Polarized light is incident on the surface of
incidence thereof and is then split by the polarized light
splitting film into two kinds of polarized lights that are
subsequently reflected by the reflection film and are finally
outputted from the exit surface thereof in such a manner as to be
separated and outputted therefrom, respectively, at angles which
are nearly symmetric with the optical axis.
[0028] In this case, after the first lens plate of the system of
the optical integrator is disposed on the surface of incidence of
the rectangular prism in a state, in which the first lens is joined
thereto and further, the deviation prism is disposed at a position,
which is nearer to the light source side than the position of the
first lens, light emitted from the light source has only to be
incident on the first lens plate at a certain angle of incidence
which is not a right angle. Needless to say, the deviation prism
may be disposed between the first lens plate and the surface of
incidence of the rectangular prism. Alternatively, the deviation
prism may be disposed between the exit surface of the prism beam
splitter and the second lens plate.
[0029] Next, an optical system using first and second condensing
mirror plates, each of which consists of mirrors, instead of the
first lens plate may be employed as the system of the optical
integrator. Namely, the polarization illumination device employing
such an optical system has: a light source; a polarized light
splitting means that has a structure, in which a polarized light
splitting film constituted by a dielectric multi-layer film is
sandwiched between two rectangular prisms, and is operative to
split an output light of the light source into p-polarized light
and s-polarized light, whose polarization directions are orthogonal
to each other, by means of this polarized light splitting film; a
first condensing mirror plate that comprises a plurality of
condensing mirrors, each of which has a rectangular appearance, and
is operative to condense the p-polarized lights emitted from the
polarized light splitting means and to form a plurality of
secondary light source images represented by the p-polarized
lights; a second condensing mirror plate that has nearly the same
size and shape as of the first condensing mirror plate and is
operative to condense the s-polarized lights emitted from the
polarized light splitting means and to form a plurality of
secondary light source images, which are represented by the
s-polarized lights, at positions slightly different from positions
where the plurality of secondary light source images represented by
the p-polarized lights are formed; first and second quarter-wave
plates that are disposed between the first condensing mirror plate
and the polarized light splitting means and between the second
condensing mirror plate and the polarized light splitting means;
and a light condenser lens plate, which comprises lenses of the
same number as of the condensing mirrors composing the first or
second condensing mirror plate, and a half-wave plate that are
placed in the vicinity of the positions, at which the plurality of
secondary light source images represented by the p-polarized lights
are formed, and the positions at which the plurality of secondary
light source images represented by the s-polarized lights are
formed.
[0030] Here, note that a deviation prism can be formed between the
light source and the polarized light splitting means.
[0031] Further, deviation prisms can be disposed between the
polarized light splitting means and the first condensing mirror
plate and between the polarized light splitting means and the
second condensing mirror plate, respectively.
[0032] In the case of using a deviation prism, the deviation prism
may be formed in such a manner as to be integral with the polarized
light splitting means. Further, the deviation prism may be formed
in such a way as to be integral with the first condensing mirror
plate. Alternatively, the deviation prism may be formed in such a
way as to be integral with the second condensing mirror plate.
[0033] The polarized light splitting means can be constituted by a
flat polarized light splitting plate.
[0034] Further, a liquid-filled prism may be used as the
rectangular prism composing the polarized light splitting
means.
[0035] Moreover, in the case that a region illuminated with
polarized light emitted from the system of the optical integrator
is oblong in the same manner as a rectangle or the like, it is
preferable that a separating direction, in which two kinds of
secondary light source images formed by the two condensing mirror
plates are separated from each other, is made to coincide with the
direction of the length of the region.
[0036] Furthermore, it is desirable that the shape of each of the
lenses composing the condenser lens plate is similar to that of
each of the condensing mirrors composing the first and second lens
plates.
[0037] Next, in the case that a prism beam splitter is employed as
the polarized light splitting means, a configuration, in which the
prism beam splitter may be placed within the second lens plate, may
be employed, instead of the configurations, in which the prism beam
splitter is disposed at a position nearer to the light source than
the first lens of the system of the optical integrator as above
described, and in which the prism beam splitter is disposed on the
optical path between the first lens plate and the second lens plate
as stated above.
[0038] The polarization luminaire of the present invention having
the former configuration instead of the latter configurations
comprises: a light source for emitting polarized lights, whose
polarization directions are random; a first lens plate that
comprises a plurality of condenser lenses, each of which has a
rectangular appearance, and is operative to condense polarized
lights emitted from the light source and to form a plurality of
secondary light source images represented by the polarized lights;
a second lens plate that is placed in the vicinity of a position,
at which the plurality of secondary light source images are formed,
and has a condenser lens array, a polarized light splitting prism
array, a half-wave plate and an exit side lens; the condenser lens
array comprises condenser lenses of the same number as of the
condenser lenses composing the first lens plate; the polarized
light splitting prism array being operative to split a polarized
light, whose polarization direction is random, into a p-polarized
light and an s-polarized light and comprises a plurality of
polarizing beam splitters and a plurality of reflecting mirrors;
the half-wave plate being placed on the side of the exit surface of
the polarized light splitting prism array; and the exit side lens
being disposed on the side of the exit surface of the half-wave
plate.
[0039] In this case, it is similarly desirable that the shape of
each of the condenser lenses composing the second lens plate is
similar to that of each of the condenser lenses composing the first
lens plate.
[0040] Further, a deviation prism can be placed between the light
source and the first lens plate. In this case, the deviation prism
can be formed in such a way as to be integral with the first lens
plate.
[0041] Moreover, lenses of a decentered system may be used as the
condenser lenses composing the first lens plate. Similarly,
decentered lenses may be used as the condenser lenses composing the
condenser lens array of the second lens plate.
[0042] Furthermore, it is preferable that the lateral width of each
of the condenser lenses composing the condenser lens array of the
second lens plate is made to be equal to that of the polarizing
beam splitter.
[0043] Incidentally, the quarter-wave and half-wave plates used in
each of the aforementioned configurations can be made of TN
(twisted nematic) liquid crystals.
[0044] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a
projection display provided with a polarization luminaire having
each of the aforesaid configurations. Namely, a projection display
that comprises: a luminaire; a modulation means having a liquid
crystal light valve which is operative to modulate polarized light
included in luminous flux radiated from this luminaire and to cause
the light to contain image information; and a projection optical
system for throwing the modulated luminous flux onto a screen and
for displaying an image thereon, wherein the luminaire has each of
the aforesaid configurations.
[0045] Here, note that projection displays are roughly classified
into devices of a type (particularly, referred to as a single-plate
type), each of which uses a single liquid crystal light valve, and
devices of another type, each of which uses a plurality of liquid
crystal light valves and that in the case of attaching importance
to the brightness and the display quality of an image, the
projection display of the latter type using a plurality of liquid
crystal light valves is usually used. The projection display using
a plurality of liquid crystal light valves is required to split
luminous flux according to the number of the liquid crystal and
thus needs a mechanism therefor.
[0046] Therefore, an ordinary projection display has: a color light
splitting means for splitting luminous flux, which is radiated from
the luminaire, into at least two luminous fluxes; and light
synthesis means for synthesizing a synthetic luminous flux from the
modulated luminous flux after modulated by the modulation means,
wherein the synthetic luminous flux obtained by the color synthesis
means is applied to a screen through the projection optical system
and a color image is displayed thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] FIGS. 1(A)-(E) are diagrams for illustrating an optical
system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present invention,
namely, Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 1(A) is a
schematic diagram for schematically illustrating the configuration
thereof; FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of a first lens plate
thereof; FIG. 1(C) is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating the configuration of a polarized light splitting unit
thereof; FIG. 1(D) is a diagram for illustrating a secondary light
source image formed on a second lens plate thereof; and FIG. 1(E)
is a diagram for illustrating the configuration of a half-wave
plate thereof;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
the configuration of an optical system of an example of a
projection display into which the polarization luminaire
illustrated in FIGS. 1(A)-(E) is incorporated;
[0049] FIGS. 3(A)-(B) are diagrams for illustrating the
configuration of another example of a projection display into which
the polarization luminaire illustrated in FIGS. 1(A)-(E) is
incorporated; FIG. 3(A) is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating the configuration of an optical system thereof; and
FIG. 3(B) is a diagram for illustrating the configuration of a
color filter thereof;
[0050] FIGS. 4(A)-(C) are diagrams for illustrating another
polarization luminaire embodying the present invention, namely,
Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 4(A) is a schematic
diagram for schematically illustrating the configuration of an
optical system thereof; FIG. 4(B) is a diagram for illustrating the
configuration of a polarized light splitting portion thereof; and
FIG. 4(C) is a diagram for illustrating a secondary light source
image formed on a second lens plate thereof;
[0051] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
an optical system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 3 of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
an optical system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 4 of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
an optical system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 5 of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
an optical system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 6 of the present invention;
[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating
an optical system of a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 7 of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 8 of the
present invention;
[0057] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 9 of the
present invention;
[0058] FIGS. 12(A)-(B) are diagrams for illustrating another
polarization luminaire embodying the present invention, namely,
Embodiment 10 of the present invention; FIG. 12(A) is a schematic
diagram for schematically illustrating the configuration of an
optical system thereof; and FIG. 12(B) is a diagram for
illustrating the configuration of a polarized light splitting
portion thereof;
[0059] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of the modification of
a polarization luminaire embodying the present invention, namely,
the modification of Embodiment 10 of the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 11 of the
present invention;
[0061] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 12 of the
present invention;
[0062] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of a projection
display provided with the polarization luminaire illustrated in
FIGS. 12(A)-(B);
[0063] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of a projection
display of the polarization luminaire illustrated in FIGS.
4(A)-(C);
[0064] FIGS. 18(A)-(D) are schematic diagrams for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 13 of the
present invention;
[0065] FIGS. 19(A)-(D) are schematic diagrams for schematically
illustrating a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 14 of the present invention; FIG.
19(A) is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating the
configuration of an optical system thereof; FIG. 19(B) is a
perspective view of a condensing mirror plate thereof; FIG. 19(C)
is a diagram for illustrating a polarization operation thereof; and
FIG. 19(D) is a diagram for illustrating a secondary light source
image formed on the condensing mirror plate thereof;
[0066] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 15 of the
present invention;
[0067] FIGS. 21(A)-(B) are schematic diagrams for schematically
illustrating a polarization luminaire embodying the present
invention, namely, Embodiment 16 of the present invention; FIG.
21(A) is a schematic diagram for schematically illustrating the
configuration of an optical system thereof; and FIG. 21(B) is a
perspective view of a condensing mirror plate thereof;
[0068] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 17 of the
present invention;
[0069] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 18 of the
present invention;
[0070] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 19 of the
present invention;
[0071] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 20 of the
present invention;
[0072] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 21 of the
present invention;
[0073] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of a projection
display provided with the polarization luminaire illustrated in
FIGS. 19(A)-(D);
[0074] FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of another example of a projection
display of the polarization luminaire illustrated in FIGS.
19(A)-(D);
[0075] FIGS. 29(A)-(B) are diagrams for illustrating another
polarization luminaire embodying the present invention, namely,
Embodiment 22 of the present invention; FIG. 29(A) is a schematic
diagram for schematically illustrating the configuration of an
optical system thereof; and FIG. 29(B) is a diagram for
illustrating the configuration of a polarized light splitting
portion thereof;
[0076] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of the modification of
a polarization luminaire embodying the present invention, namely,
the modification of Embodiment 23 of the present invention;
[0077] FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 24 of the
present invention;
[0078] FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 25 of the
present invention;
[0079] FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of a polarization luminaire
embodying the present invention, namely, Embodiment 26 of the
present invention; and
[0080] FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating an optical system of an example of a projection
display provided with the polarization luminaire illustrated in
FIG. 31.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0081] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention
will be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0082] Incidentally, in the following description of each of
embodiments of the present invention, same reference characters
designate corresponding parts. Thus the repeated description of the
corresponding parts will be avoided.
Embodiment 1
[0083] Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described by
referring to FIGS. 1(A)-(E). As shown in FIG. 1(A), a polarization
luminaire 100 of the present invention is provided with a light
source 101, a system of the optical integrator 102, a polarized
light splitting unit 103 using a liquid crystal, and a half-wave
plate 104 serving as a polarization conversion element. The system
of the optical integrator 102 comprises a first lens plate 105 and
a second lens plate 106. The polarized light splitting unit 103 is
placed on the side of the entrance surface of the first lens plate
105, namely, placed to the side of the light source 101. The
half-wave plate 104 is formed on the exit surface of the second
lens plate 106 in such a way as to be integral therewith. Further,
a field lens 107 is stuck onto the exit surface of this half-wave
plate 104.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 1(B), the first lens plate 105 of the
system of the optical integrator 102 is provided with a plurality
of rectangular small lenses 108. The second lens plate 106 is also
provided with a plurality of rectangular small lenses, whose number
is equal to that of the lenses 108 and whose shapes are similar to
those of the lenses 108.
[0085] Polarized light, which is radiated from the light source 101
and has a random polarization direction (actually considered as a
mixed light which comprises a p-polarized light and a s-polarized
light), is made to be incident on the polarized light splitting
unit 103, whose primary component is a liquid crystal, and is then
split into a p-polarized light and an s-polarized light, which are
slightly different in outgoing angle from each other, according to
an outgoing angular dependence of this polarized light splitting
unit 103, which corresponds to each polarized light. As shown in
this figure, the polarized light is split into the p-polarized and
s-polarized lights, whose outgoing directions are different from
each other by an angle .theta.. The two kinds of polarized lights
having outputted from the polarized light splitting unit 103 are
then made to be incident on the first lens plate 105 of the system
of the optical integrator 102. Further, a pair of secondary light
source images comprising images of the light source one of which is
represented by the p-polarized light and the other is represented
by the s-polarized light, are formed in the proximity of the focal
point of each of the rectangular lenses 108 composing the first
lens plate, namely, inside each of the rectangular lenses of the
corresponding second lens plate 106.
[0086] The number of pairs of secondary light source images is
equal to the number of the rectangular lenses composing the first
lens plate. Here, the half-wave plate 104 is placed on the exit
side of the second lens plate 106 correspondingly to each of the
positions, at which the secondary light source images are
respectively formed, so that when single kind of the polarized
lights (for example, the p-polarized light) passes through this
half-wave plate 104, this polarized light undergoes a rotatory
polarization and is put into a state in which the plane of
polarization of this polarized light is complete with the plane of
polarization of the other polarized light (for instance, the
s-polarized light). Thereafter, the luminous flux, whose
polarization directions are uniform, are collected through a field
lens 107 placed to the exit side of the first lens plate onto a
region 109 to be illuminated. This region 109 is almost uniformly
illuminated with such luminous flux. Therefore, all of the luminous
flux radiated from the light source 101 come to be incident on the
region 109 in principle.
[0087] FIG. 1(C) illustrates the configuration of the polarized
light splitting unit 103 in which a liquid crystal layer 111 is
sandwiched between a prism substrate 112, which has serrate
grooves, and a glass substrate 113. Molecules of the liquid crystal
are aligned in parallel with the grooves of the prism substrate 112
(namely, are in homogeneous alignment), so that a luminous flux
entering perpendicularly on the substrate is split into an
extraordinary ray and an ordinary ray corresponding to the
molecules of the liquid crystal, which are separated directionally.
It is now assumed that an unpolarized light 114 entering nearly
perpendicularly on the flat surface of the prism substrate 112 is
incident on the inclined surface of the groove of the prism
substrate 112 at an angle .alpha.. When the refractive index
n.sub.0 of the molecule of the liquid crystal corresponding to the
ordinary ray is equal to that n.sub.0 of the prism substrate 112
corresponding thereto, an ordinary ray 116 is not refracted at the
inclined surface 115 but travels in a straight line, whereas an
extraordinary ray 117 is refracted. Thereby, there is caused an
angular difference .theta. between the direction in which the
ordinary ray travels and the extraordinary ray travels. When
n.sub.1 denotes the refractive index of the liquid crystal
corresponding to the extraordinary ray, the following equation
holds approximately.
.alpha.=arctan {sin .theta./(cos .theta.-n.sub.0/n.sub.1)}
[0088] If the prism substrate 112 is made of PMMA, the refractive
index thereof becomes 1.48 or so. Thus, the refractive index of the
ordinary ray to the liquid crystal can be selected in such a way as
to be nearly equal to that of the prism substrate. The angle
.theta. can be increased with increasing the difference of the
refractive index between the ordinary ray and the extraordinary ray
relative to the liquid crystal. Currently, liquid crystals, each of
which has the difference of the refractive index of 0.25 or so, are
commercially available. In the case that a metal halide lamp is
used as the light source 101 for supplying an incident luminous
flux, the diverging angles of output light with respect to the
principal ray range between .+-.5 degrees or so. The diverging
angles of output light, however, can be limited to the range
extending from -3 to +3 degrees or so by using a lamp, whose arc
length is short, and further contriving the optical system.
Thereupon, if the angle .theta. between the polarized lights is at
least 6 degrees, both of the polarized lights can be completely
separated from each other. The angle .alpha. determined by
substituting such values for the aforementioned equation is 37
degrees. Thus, the angle formed between the flat surface and the
inclined surface of the prism substrate 112 is about 37 degrees.
Consequently, the prism substrate can be easily produced by using
organic substance such as polymethylmethacrylate or
polycarbonate.
[0089] Incidentally, in practice, as illustrated in FIG. 1(C),
incident luminous flux is incident on the entrance surface 118 of
the prism substrate 112 at a regular angle .theta.. Thereby, the
principal beams of the entire luminous flux obtained by splitting
the polarized light becomes perpendicular to the polarized light
splitting unit. Consequently, the entire optical system can be
easily configured. An angle .beta. is equal to the angle .theta./2.
Thus, when the angle .theta. is 6 degrees, the angle .beta. is 3
degrees. Practically, the light source has only to be tilted
slightly.
[0090] In point of the efficiency, it is better that the refractive
index of the extraordinary ray relative to the liquid crystal is
equalized with that relative to the prism substrate 112. In the
case of this method, the ordinary ray 116 is refracted. The
ordinary ray, however, is a p-polarized light to be outputted from
the inclined surface 115 of the prism substrate 112 and the angle
of incidence on an interface is close to Brewster angle, so that
the reflection loss can be limited to 1% or less. Thus, if a
anti-reflection coat is applied to the interface between the prism
substrate and the air, the transmittance of the luminous flux can
be theoretically increased to 97% or more.
[0091] The polarized light splitting unit 103 illustrated in FIG.
1(C) is made by using a liquid crystal. The polarized light
splitting unit, however, can be produced by using an organic film,
in principle. For example, the retardation film can be made at a
low price if the serrate grooves are formed by being stamped.
Further, it is thought that such a retardation film is thermally
stable. Moreover, even if monomers are aligned instead of the
molecules of the liquid crystal and are polymerized by using
ultraviolet rays or heat, a thermally stable polarized light
splitting unit can be obtained.
[0092] In the system of the optical integrator, the shape of a
rectangular lens 121 is similar to that of the region 109 to be
illuminated. Because of the oblong rectangular shape of the screen
of TV, the shape of the rectangular lens 121 becomes oblong
rectangle in accordance with the shape of the screen of TV in the
case that a system of the optical integrator is incorporated into a
projection display.
[0093] In the case of an ordinary system of the optical integrator
102 which does not use a polarized light splitting unit, a
secondary light source image is formed at the center of each of the
rectangular lenses of the second lens plate 106. When the diverging
angle of light emitted from the light source is within .theta. and
the distance between the first lens plate 105 and the second lens
plate 106 is L, the secondary light source image is formed within a
circular region 122 having a diameter of .theta.L in the central
portion of each of the rectangular lenses 121, as shown in FIG.
1(D). Here, it is seen that in both sides of each of the
rectangular lenses 121, there are rather large areas 123 which
contain no secondary light source images. Thus, the polarization
luminaire of the present invention performs the polarization
conversion by utilizing this region 123. In the case of this
embodiment, on the second lens plate 106, as shown in FIG. 1(E),
two kinds of secondary light source images 131 and 132 respectively
corresponding to both of the two kinds of polarized lights are
formed on each of the rectangular lenses 121. The distance between
both of the secondary light source images is equal to the diameter
OL of each of the secondary light source image, so that the
secondary light source images are separated just as shown in this
figure. Moreover, each of the secondary light source images goes
into a corresponding one of the rectangular lenses 121. Needless to
say, the phenomenon described hereinabove occurs only in the case
that the region to be illuminated is oblong. However, if the size
of each of the secondary light source image can be reduced
sufficiently, such a phenomenon applies in the case that the region
to be illuminated is not oblong.
[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 1(E), retardation layers 104a and
104b composing the retardation film 104 are disposed like stripes,
correspondingly to the secondary light source images 131 and 132
represented by the two kinds of polarized lights, respectively. It
is thought that there are the cases where the planes of
polarization of the polarized lights are rotated 45 degrees by the
layers 104a and 104b of this retardation film so as to make the
planes of polarization of the polarized lights extend in the same
direction, and where the retardation film is constituted only by
single kind of the retardation layer and the plane of polarization
of the polarized light of only one kind is turned 90 degrees by the
half-wave plate 104, similarly as in the case of this embodiment.
Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, this retardation film
104 is sandwiched between the second lens plate 106 and the field
lens 107 and is bonded thereto as shown in FIG. 1(A), so that the
reflection loss due to the interface can be eliminated.
[0095] Additionally, in the case of this embodiment, the polarized
light splitting unit 103 is placed prior to the first lens plate
105. Instead of this, the polarized light splitting unit 103 may be
placed between the first lens plate 105 and the second lens plate
106.
Projection Display Using Polarization Luminaire of Embodiment 1
[0096] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the configuration of the
projection display using the polarization luminaire 100 illustrated
in FIGS. 1(A)-(E). In FIG. 2, same reference characters designate
the composing elements of the polarization luminaire 100
illustrated in FIGS. 1(A)-(E).
[0097] In a projection display 200 of this example, the light
source 101 is a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp or
the like. The luminous flux radiated therefrom are reflected by a
reflection mirror 101a and thus become those of nearly parallel.
Among the luminous flux, the bundle of the red rays are transmitted
by a blue-and-green reflection dichroic mirror 203, which is
adapted to reflect green and blue rays, and bundles of green and
blue rays are reflected thereon. Subsequently, the bundle of the
red rays are reflected by a double-sided total reflection mirror
206 and total reflection mirrors 210 and 211 in sequence.
Thereafter, the bundle of the reflected red rays reach a liquid
crystal light valve 109R through a condenser lens 213. The bundle
of the green rays are first reflected by a total reflection mirror
207 and is next reflected by a green reflection dichroic mirror
212. Then, the bundle of the reflected green rays are further
reflected by a double-sided total reflection mirror 206.
Thereafter, the bundle of the reflected green rays reach a
corresponding liquid crystal light valve 109G through a condenser
lens 213. The bundle of the blue rays are first reflected by a
total reflection mirror 207 and are then transmitted by a green
reflection dichroic mirror 212. Next, the bundle of the transmitted
blue rays are reflected by a total reflection mirror 217.
Subsequently, the bundle of the reflected blue rays are incident on
a liquid crystal light valve 109B through the condenser lens 213,
similarly as in the case of the bundles of other color rays. Each
of the three liquid crystal light valves 109 is adapted to modulate
the bundle of rays of a corresponding color and causes the rays to
contain image information representing an image of the
corresponding color. A dichroic prism 215 synthesizes these bundles
of the modulated rays respectively corresponding to the colors. In
the dichroic prism 215, two dielectric multi-layer films which is
adapted to reflect a bundle of red rays and the other is adapted to
reflect a bundle of blue rays, are formed crosswise. Further, the
synthetic rays pass through a projection lens 216 so that an image
is formed therefrom on a screen.
[0098] The system of the optical integrator 102 is disposed
correspondingly to the bundle of the rays divided by the
blue-and-green reflection dichroic mirror 203. Regarding the red
rays, the first lens plate 105 and the second lens plate 106 are
placed prior to and posterior to the double-sided total reflection
mirror 206. Regarding the bundles of the green and blue rays, the
first lens plate 105 and the second lens plate 106 are placed prior
to and posterior to the total reflection mirror 207. It is
important that each of the total reflection mirrors is placed
between the lens plates. A dichroic mirror may be inserted between
the lens plates. In this case, bundles of rays, whose angles of
incidence are nonuniform, are incident on the dichroic mirror.
Thus, owing to the angular dependence of the dielectric multi-layer
film, inconsistencies in colors are liable to occur on the screen.
Further, as a result of employing the configuration as illustrated
in FIG. 2, a substantial working distance becomes equal to the
distance from second lens plate 106 to the liquid crystal light
valve 109. In comparison with the case that no system of the
optical integrator is provided therein, the substantial working
distance becomes half of that in such a case. In practice, the
efficiency in utilizing the bundles of the rays becomes nearly
twice that in the case that no system of the optical integrator is
provided therein. The display nonuniformity is eliminated almost
completely.
[0099] As described above, the liquid crystal polarized light
splitting unit 103 is mounted on the entrance side of the first
lens plate 105 of the system of the optical integrator 102.
Further, the half-wave plate 104 serving as the polarization
conversion element is disposed on the exit surface of the second
lens plate 106.
[0100] In the case of this projection optical system, the back
focus of the projection lens 216 is short. Thus, the optical system
can be easily designed in such a manner that the numerical aperture
of the projection lens is large while the size thereof is kept
small. Consequently, the maximum effects of the optical integrator
can be achieved.
[0101] Further, in the case of projection displays (namely, liquid
crystal projectors) currently put to practical use, liquid crystal
light valves of the types adapted to modulate polarized light are
used. Therefore, half of the nonpolarized light radiated from the
light source is absorbed by a polarizing plate and is thus
converted into heat. Consequently, reduction in the efficiency in
utilizing the light as well as the necessity of cooling the
polarizing plate for preventing heat being produced therefrom
becomes a problem. However, in the case of this example, a
polarized light converting system is added to the system of the
optical integrator. Further, most of luminous fluxes radiated from
the light source are converted into a single kind of polarized
lights and are utilized. Thus, the efficiency in utilizing the
light is enhanced. Moreover, the polarizing plate (not shown) can
be restrained from producing heat.
[0102] FIGS. 3(A)-(B) illustrate another example of the
configuration of the projection display using the polarization
luminaire illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 3(A)-(B), there is shown
an example of the projection display using two liquid crystal light
valves.
[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 3(A), in the case of a projection
display 300 of this example, luminous flux radiated from the light
source 101 pass through the system of the optical integrator, which
consists of the first lens plate 105 and the second lens plate 106,
after reflected by the reflection mirror 101a. Next, a white
luminous flux is divided by a green reflection dichroic mirror 301
into a bundle of green rays and a bundle of magenta rays. The
bundle of green rays and the bundle of magenta rays are reflected
by the total reflection mirror 302 and 317, respectively. Then, the
reflected bundles of rays are incident on liquid crystal light
valves 109a and 109b through a condenser lens 313, respectively.
Subsequently, the modulated bundles of rays are synthesized by a
dichroic prism for synthesizing the bundle of green rays and the
bundle of magenta rays. Thereafter, the synthetic rays are applied
through a projection lens 316 and an image is displayed.
[0104] In this configuration, there are two liquid crystal light
valves. It is, thus, necessary to provide color filters in the
panel of one of the light valves and to separate and modulate two
color bundles of rays. FIG. 3(B) is a diagram for illustrating the
configuration of pixels of the liquid crystal light valve 109b. As
shown in this figure, red transmitting filters 304 and blue
transmitting filters 305 are placed alternately.
[0105] This configuration uses only two liquid crystal light
valves. Thus, the configuration of the optical system is simplified
very much in contrast with the example illustrated in FIG. 2.
Moreover, a single liquid crystal light valve is used for green
light. Therefore, the resolution of this example is hardly inferior
to that of the example illustrated in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the
brightness of a projected image is determined mostly by that of the
green light. Hence, the brightness of the image in the case
illustrated in FIG. 3(A) is not so inferior to that of the image in
the case of the example illustrated in FIG. 2. Consequently, in the
case of displaying an ordinary image, the use of such a simplified
configuration proves almost no problem, except the case that it is
necessary to concurrently display three colors at a single pixel as
in the case of a screen of a computer system.
[0106] Incidentally, the color reproducibility of the example
illustrated in FIG. 3(A) is not sufficient, namely, red and blue
are reproduced insufficiently. Thus, the spectral distribution of
the light source had better be regulated in such a way that the
quantity of red and blue are a somewhat larger than those of the
ordinary cases. For example, in the case of a three-band
luminescent metal halide lamp, a halide corresponding to each
primary color is added thereto. A certain metal halide lamp, which
is currently commercially available, is filled with halides such as
lithium, thallium and indium. In this case, lithium and indium
correspond to red and blue, respectively. Thus, these halides have
only to be added to the lamp in such a way that the quantities of
these halides are a little larger than those thereof to be usually
added.
[0107] Metal halide lamps for displaying images, which are
presently commercially available, have a common drawback in that
red shortage is liable to occur. Thus, there can be contrived a
method, by which a single liquid crystal light valve is prepared
for modulating a bundle of red rays and a common panel is also
prepared for modulating bundles of green and blue rays, as an
example of modification of the system illustrated in FIG. 3(A). In
contrast with an ordinary projection display which employs a method
of reducing the quantity of green light so as to make up for a
shortage of red light, a method of this example can obtain a
sufficient quantity of red light and thus can obviate the necessity
of reducing the quantity of green light. Therefore, the quantity of
a projected image is nearly equal to that obtained by the
aforementioned projection display, and the projection display of
this example is suited to display an ordinary image.
[0108] The back focus of a projection lens is short in the case of
the projection display of this example as well as that of
aforementioned example. Thus, in spite of using the optical
integrator, the projection display of this example can be designed
in such a manner that the projection lens is small, and the entire
configuration of the projection display of this example can be
simplified very much. Further, the resolution and the brightness of
a projected image are not so inferior to those obtained by the
aforementioned example, and the projection display of this example
is very suitable for displaying an ordinary image.
Embodiment 2
[0109] The polarization luminaire of Embodiment 1 employs the
optical system which uses a liquid crystal material as the
polarized light splitting means. In this optical system, the
efficiency in utilizing light is improved. Thus, the polarization
luminaire of Embodiment 1 excels in the respect that a bright
projected image can be obtained. The refractive index of the liquid
crystal material, however, highly depends on temperature.
Therefore, if such a liquid crystal material is incorporated into
the light source system of the projection display in which the
temperature may vary significantly, there is the fear that the
polarized light splitting angle formed between the polarized lights
obtained by splitting a light becomes unstable.
[0110] In the case of this embodiment, a luminaire being capable of
stably exerting the good performance even in the environment, in
which a significant change in temperature may occur, is realized by
using a prism beam splitter, which excels in the temperature
dependence of the polarized light splitting angle, as the polarized
light splitting means.
[0111] FIGS. 4(A)-(C) show plan views of the general configuration
of the polarization luminaire of this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
4(A), the polarization luminaire 400 of this embodiment has a light
source portion 401, a polarized light splitting portion 402 and a
system of the optical integrator 403, which are placed along a
system optical axis L. This luminaire is set in such a way that
light radiated from the light source portion 401 reaches a
rectangular region 404 to be illuminated, through the polarized
light splitting portion 402 and the system of the optical
integrator 403.
[0112] The light source portion 401 is mostly composed of a light
source lamp 411 and a paraboloidal reflector 412. Polarized lights
having random polarization directions (hereunder referred to simply
as randomly-polarized lights), which are radiated from the light
source lamp 401, are reflected by the paraboloidal reflector 412 in
a single direction and thus become a nearly parallel luminous flux
that are then incident on the polarized light splitting portion
402. Here, note that an ellipsoidal reflector or a spherical
reflector may be used in place of the paraboloidal reflector
412.
[0113] The polarized light splitting portion 402 is an improvement
over ordinary beam splitters and is mostly composed of a
triangle-pole-like rectangular prism (namely, a triangular prism)
421 and a flat quadrangular prism 422. In the case of this
embodiment, a deviation prism 424 is optically bonded onto an exit
surface 423 of the polarized light splitting portion 402.
[0114] As illustrated in FIG. 4(B), a polarized light splitting
film 426 is formed on an inclined surface portion 425 of the
rectangular prism 421. A first side-surface portion 427 of the
quadrangular prism 422 is optically bonded onto the inclined
surface portion 425 of the rectangular prism 421 in such a way that
this polarized light splitting film 426 is sandwiched between these
prisms. A reflection film 429 is formed on a second side-surface
portion 428, which is opposite to the first side-surface portion
427 thereof, of the quadrangular prism 422. The polarized light
splitting film 426 is formed in such a manner as to be inclined at
an angle .alpha. to a entrance surface 431 of the polarized light
splitting portion 402. In the case of this embodiment, the angle
.alpha. is 45 degrees. The reflection film 429 is formed in such a
way as to be inclined at an angle .theta. to the polarized light
splitting film 426. Incidentally, the angle .alpha. formed between
the polarized light splitting film 426 and the entrance surface 431
is not limited to 45 degrees and may be set according to the angle
of incidence of a light flux radiated from the light source portion
401.
[0115] In the case of this embodiment, the rectangular prism 421
and the quadrangular prism 422 are made of a thermally stable glass
material. The polarized light splitting film 426 is constituted by
a dielectric multi-layer film made of an inorganic material. The
reflection film 429 is constituted by an ordinary aluminum
evaporation film.
[0116] The system of the optical integrator 403 having the first
lens plate 441 and the second lens plate 442 is placed therein as a
stage subsequent to the polarized light splitting portion 402 and
the deviation prism 424. As above described by referring to FIG.
1(B), each of the first lens plate 441 and the second lens plate
442 is a composite lens element having small lenses 443 and 444
which number is equal to each other. Here, note that each of the
small lenses of the first lens plate 441 has a laterally elongated
rectangular shape similar to that of the region 404 to be
illuminated.
[0117] Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, in the second lens
plate 442, a half-wave plate 446 acting as the polarization
conversion element is formed between a set of the small lenses 444
and a plano-convex lens 445. The half-wave plate 446 is formed at a
position at which a secondary light source image is formed by the
first lens plate 441, in such a manner as to extend in a direction
perpendicular to the system optical axis L, after performing a
process which will be described later. Further, retardation layers
447 formed in the half-wave plate 446 are formed in such a manner
as to correspond to positions at which secondary light source
images are formed from the p-polarized light among the secondary
images formed from the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light,
with regularity.
[0118] In the polarization luminaire 400 having such a
configuration, randomly-polarized lights are radiated from the
light source portion 401 and are then incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 402, as illustrated in FIG. 4(A). The
randomly-polarized lights having been incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 402 can be considered as mixed-lights of
p-polarized lights and s-polarized lights. In the polarized light
splitting portion 402, the mixed-lights are separated laterally
(incidentally, vertically as viewed in FIG. 4(A)) by the polarized
light splitting film 426 into two kinds of polarized lights,
namely, the p-polarized lights and the s-polarized lights. Namely,
a s-polarized light component included in the randomly-polarized
light is reflected by the polarized light splitting film 426, so
that a traveling direction is changed. In contrast, a p-polarized
light component included therein is transmitted by the polarized
light splitting film 426 without any change and is first reflected
by the reflection film 429. Here, the reflection film 429 is formed
in such a way as to be inclined at an angle .theta. to the
polarized light splitting film 426. The traveling directions of the
two kinds of the polarized lights are made to be slightly different
from each other by an angular difference 2e in the transverse
direction (which corresponds to the vertical direction as viewed in
FIG. 4(A), namely, corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the
region 404 to be illuminated) when these polarized lights are
transmitted by the prisms made of glass materials,
respectively.
[0119] Further, when exiting from the deviation prism 424, the
outgoing angles of the two kinds of the polarized lights, whose
traveling directions are made to be slightly different from each
other, are set in such a way that these polarized lights have the
angles of incidence which are nearly symmetrical with respect to
the system optical axis L in the transverse direction. These
polarized lights are caused to be incident on the system of the
optical integrator 403 while being in such states.
[0120] In the system of the optical integrator 403, the two kinds
of the polarized lights are incident on the first lens plate 441
and then forms secondary light source images in the second lens
plate 442, respectively. At the position where the secondary light
source images are formed, the half-wave plate 446 is placed.
[0121] Here, in the polarized light splitting portion 402, the
traveling directions of the two kinds of polarized lights are made
to be slightly different from each other in the transverse
direction. Thus, the angles of incidence of the two kinds of
polarized lights entering the first lens plate 441 are slightly
different from each other. Therefore, as illustrating the secondary
light source images formed from the two kinds of polarized lights
in FIG. 4(C) in the case that the second lens plate 442 is viewed
from the region 404 to be illuminated, two kinds of secondary light
source images, that is, one kind of secondary light source images
C1 (namely, circular regions hatched with parallel slanting lines
drawn from upper-left to lower-right, among circular images) which
is formed from a p-polarized light, and the other kind of secondary
light source images C2 (namely, circular regions hatched with
parallel slanting lines drawn from lower-left to upper-right, among
the circular images) which is formed from an s-polarized light, are
formed side by side. Further, each of the small lenses 443
composing the first lens plate 441 forms one secondary light source
image C1 resulted from a p-polarized light and the other secondary
light source images C2 resulted from an s-polarized light. In
contrast with this, in the half-wave plate 446, the retardation
layer 447 is selectively formed correspondingly to a position where
the secondary light source image C1 resulted from the p-polarized
light. Thus, when passing through the retardation layer 447, the
p-polarized light undergoes a rotatory polarization to be converted
into the s-polarized light. On the other hand, the s-polarized
light does not pass through the retardation layer 447 and thus
passes through the half-wave plate 446 without undergoing the
rotatory polarization. Consequently, most of luminous fluxes
radiated from the system of the optical integrator 403 are made to
be s-polarized lights.
[0122] The luminous fluxes, which have been made to be s-polarized
light, are applied to the region 404 to be illuminated. Namely,
images of image planes extracted by the small lenses 443 of the
first lens plate 441 are formed at a single place by the second
lens plate 442 in such a manner as to be superposed thereon.
Further, when passing through the half-wave plate 446, the lights
are converted into polarized lights of a single kind. Thus most of
the lights reach the region 404 to be illuminated. Consequently,
the region 404 to be illuminated is uniformly illuminated with the
polarized lights, most of which are of the single kind.
[0123] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 400 of this embodiment, a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is split by the
polarized light splitting portion 402 into two kinds of polarized
lights which travel in different directions. Thereafter, each of
the two kinds of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region
of the half-wave plate 446, whereupon a p-polarized light is
converted into an s-polarized light. Thus, the randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 can be applied to
the region to be illuminated, while most of the polarized lights
are in a state in which these beams are made to be s-polarized
lights.
[0124] Moreover, high ability of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 to split polarized light is necessary for leading each
of the two kinds of polarized lights to the predetermined region of
the half-wave plate 446. In the case of this embodiment, the
polarized light splitting portion 402 is constituted by utilizing
the prisms made of glass and the dielectric multi-layer film made
of an inorganic material. Thus, the polarized light splitting
ability of the polarized light splitting portion 402 is thermally
stable. The polarized light splitting portion 402, therefore,
exerts the stable polarized light splitting ability at all times
even in the case that the luminaire is required to output a large
quantity of light. Consequently, the polarization luminaire having
satisfactory ability can be realized.
[0125] Furthermore, the deviation prism 424 is bonded to the exit
surface 423 of the polarized light splitting portion 402 between
this portion 402 and the system of the optical integrator 403 and
is thus formed in such a manner as to be integral with the
polarized light splitting portion 402. Consequently, the loss of
the light due to the optical reflection caused on the interface
between the rectangular prism 421 and the deviation prism 424 can
be reduced.
[0126] Further, in the case of this embodiment, the two kinds of
polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 402 are separated in the transverse direction, so that the
shapes of the small lenses 444 of the second lens plate 442 are
laterally elongated rectangles. Thus, even in the case that the
region 404 to be illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated
rectangle, is formed, no quantity of light is wasted. Here, note
that the use of the region 404 to be illuminated, whose shape is a
laterally elongated rectangle, has advantages in that, for example,
when such a region is used for displaying various kinds of images,
the displayed images can be seen more easily and appeal more
strongly than those whose shapes are longitudinally elongated
rectangle.
[0127] Incidentally, the plano-convex lens 445 is disposed on the
exit side of the second lens plate 442 in order to lead luminous
fluxes, which go out from the second lens plate 442, to the region
404 to be illuminated. Consequently, the plano-convex lens 445 can
be omitted by using a decentered lens as the second lens plate
442.
[0128] Additionally, in the case of this embodiment, the
retardation layer 447 of the half-wave plate 446 is formed at a
position where the p-polarized light is condensed. Conversely, the
retardation layer 446 can be formed at a position where the
s-polarized light is condensed. In this case, s-polarized light is
converted into p-polarized light, so that the polarized lights
having been put into a state, in which the polarized lights are
made to be p-polarized lights, can be applied to the region 404 to
be illuminated. Further, the position, at which the half-wave plate
446 is placed, is not limited to those between the small lens 449
and the plano-convex lens 445. The half-wave plate 446 may be
placed at another position as long as this position is in the
vicinity of a position where a secondary light source image is
formed.
[0129] Moreover, the two retardation layers, which have different
characteristics, may be placed at a position at which p-polarized
light is condensed and at a position at which s-polarized light is
condensed, respectively, to be made the lights that have a single
specific polarization direction.
[0130] Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, each of the
small lenses 443 of the first lens plate 441 is a
laterally-elongated rectangular lens. In contrast, there is no
limitation to the shape of each of the small lenses 444 of the
second lens plate 442. Incidentally, because the secondary light
source image C1, which is formed from the p-polarized light, and
the secondary light source image C2, which is formed from the
s-polarized light, are formed side by side in the transverse
direction as illustrated in FIG. 4(C), the shape of each of the
small lenses 444 of the second lens plate 442 may be a
laterally-elongated rectangle similar to that of each of the small
lenses 443 of the first lens plate 441, correspondingly to the
positions where such images are formed.
Embodiment 3
[0131] In Embodiment 2, the deviation prism 424 is disposed in
order to set the outgoing direction of each of the two kinds of
polarized lights to be a predetermined direction. Thus, the
position, at which the deviation prism 424 is placed, is not
limited to a position on the exit side of the polarized light
splitting portion but may be a position on the entrance side
thereof, namely, may be a position on the side of the light source
portion, or a position adjacent to the first lens plate of the
system of the optical integrator.
[0132] Namely, the polarization luminaire may be configured as that
of Embodiment 3 illustrated in FIG. 5. The basic configuration of
each of this polarization luminaire and embodiments, which will be
described hereinbelow, is similar to that of the polarization
luminaire of Embodiment 2. Therefore, same reference characters
designate parts having same functions. Further, the descriptions of
such parts will be omitted.
[0133] In the case of a polarization luminaire 500 illustrated in
FIG. 5, the deviation prism 424 is similarly placed between the
polarized light splitting portion 402 and the system of the optical
integrator 403. The deviation prism 424, however, is bonded to the
first lens plate 441 of the system of the optical integrator 403
and is formed in such a manner as to be integral with the system of
the optical integrator 403. Consequently, the loss of the light due
to the optical reflection caused on the interface between the
deviation prism 424 and the first lens plate 441 can be
reduced.
Embodiment 4
[0134] Further, similarly as in the case of a polarization
luminaire 600 illustrated in FIG. 6, the deviation prism 424 is
placed between the polarized light splitting portion 402 and the
light source portion 401. Moreover, the deviation prism 424 is
bonded to the entrance surface 431 of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 and may be integral with the polarized light splitting
portion 402. In this case, the loss of the light due to the optical
reflection caused on the interface between the deviation prism 424
and the rectangular prism 421 can be reduced. Furthermore, in the
case of such a configuration, the first lens plate 441 of the
system of the optical integrator 403 is connected to the exit
surface 423 of the polarized light splitting portion 402. Thus, the
deviation prism 424, the polarized light splitting portion 402 and
the system of the optical integrator 403 may be formed in such a
manner as to be integral with one another. In this case, the loss
of the light due to the optical reflection caused on the interface
therebetween can be further reduced.
[0135] Incidentally, the deviation prism 424 can be omitted if the
direction, along which the light source portion 401 extends, is
slightly inclined to the system optical axis L, as indicated by
dashed lines.
Embodiment 5
[0136] Incidentally, in the case of a polarization luminaire 700
illustrated in FIG. 7, in the polarized light splitting portion
402, the angle formed between the entrance surface 431 and the
polarized light splitting film 426 is 45 degrees. In the case that
the angle formed between the entrance surface 431 and the polarized
light splitting film 426 is not more than 45 degrees, the deviation
prism 424 has only to be turned to a direction that is opposite to
that illustrated in FIG. 4(A). Therefore, even if the configuration
of the polarized light splitting portion 402 changes, it is
unnecessary to change the configuration of the system of the
optical integrator 403 which may be maintained.
Embodiment 6
[0137] In the case of a polarization luminaire 800 illustrated in
FIG. 8, the disposition of optical systems is similar to that in
the case of Embodiment 2. The rectangular prism 421 (namely, the
triangular prism), which compose the polarized light splitting
portion 402 with the quadrangular prism 422, consists of a prism
structure element 421G, which has six transparent plates composing
the walls of this prism, and liquid 421L with which the inside of
the prism structure element 421G is filled. Thus, the cost of the
rectangular prism 421 can be lowered. Further, the weight of the
rectangular prism 421 can be reduced by filling the inside of the
prism structure element 421F with liquid having a small specific
gravity as the liquid 421L.
[0138] Similarly, in the case that a portion sandwiched between the
polarized light splitting film 426 and the reflection film 429,
namely, the inside of the quadrangular prism 422 is filled with
transparent liquid, the cost and weight of the quadrangular prism
can be reduced.
Embodiment 7
[0139] The polarized light splitting portion 402 of a polarized
light splitting device 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 uses a plate-like
quadrangular prism 422 that has two opposite side-surface portions,
namely, a first side-surface portion 921, on which the polarized
light splitting film 426 is formed, and a second side-surface
portion 922 on which a reflection film 429 is formed. Inclined
surface portions 911A, 911B, 911C and 911D of small rectangular
prisms (namely, triangular prisms) 91A, 91B, 91C and 91D are bonded
to the first side-surface portion 921 of the quadrangular prism 422
in such a manner that the polarized light splitting film 426 is
sandwiched between the first side-surface portion 921 and each of
the inclined surface portions 911A, 911B, 911C and 911D. Small
deviation prisms 90A, 90B, 90C and 90D are bonded to the exit
surface of the polarized light splitting portion 402, namely, to
the exit surface of each of the rectangular prisms 91A, 91B, 91C
and 91D. Here, note that the number of the rectangular prisms 91A,
91B, 91C and 91D is not necessarily equal to that of the small
lenses 443 aligned in the direction of width of the first lens
plate 411.
[0140] With such a configuration in which the rectangular prisms
91A to 91D and the deviation prisms 90A to 90D can be small in size
in spite of a large number of these prisms, the weight and cost of
the entire device can be reduced.
Embodiment 8
[0141] The polarized light splitting portion 402 of a polarization
luminaire 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 has: a first plate-like
quadrangular prism 422 that has two opposite side-surface portions,
namely, a first side-surface portion 427, on which the polarized
light splitting film 426 is formed, and a second side-surface
portion 428 on which a reflection film 429 is formed; and a second
quadrangular prism 422A which is integral with the first
quadrangular prism 422 in such a way that the polarized light
splitting film 426 is sandwiched between the first quadrangular
prism 422 and the second quadrangular prism 422A. In the case of
the polarization luminaire 1000 constructed in this way, the
polarized light splitting portion 402 can be composed of first and
second thin quadrangular prisms 422 and 422A. Consequently, the
weight of this portion can be reduced.
Embodiment 9
[0142] The polarized light splitting portion 402 of a polarization
luminaire 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11 uses a first triangular prism
1102, on the inclined surface of which the polarized light
splitting film 426 is formed, and a second triangular prism 1104,
on the inclined surface of which the reflection film 429 is formed.
The first triangular prism 1102 and the second triangular prism
1104 are fixed by using frames (not shown) or the like in such a
way that there is formed a predetermined gap G between the inclined
surface portion 1101 (on which the polarized light splitting film
426 is formed) and the inclined surface portion 1103 (on which the
reflection film 429 is formed), and are integral with each other.
Hereat, the inside of the gap G is filled with liquid H. Moreover,
the liquid H is held in the gap G by a sealing compound 1105.
[0143] In the case of the polarization luminaire 1100 constructed
in this manner, the gap G can be arbitrarily narrowed, differently
from the case that a gap between the polarized light splitting film
426 and the reflection film 429 is secured and a predetermined
angle is formed by utilizing the thickness of the prism as in
Embodiment 2 or 8. Thus this embodiment has an advantage in that
the loss of light can be decreased.
Embodiment 10
[0144] FIGS. 12(A)-(B) are diagrams for schematically illustrating
a plan view of the configuration of a primary part of a
polarization luminaire of Embodiment 10 and for illustrating an
external view of the configuration of prisms used in the polarized
light splitting portion of this polarization luminaire.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 12(A), similarly as in the case of the
polarization luminaire of Embodiment 2, the polarization luminaire
1200 of this embodiment has a light source portion 401, a polarized
light splitting portion 1201 and a system of the optical integrator
403, which are placed along a system optical axis L. This luminaire
is established in such a manner that light radiated from the light
source portion 401 reaches a rectangular region 404 to be
illuminated, through the polarized light splitting portion 1201 and
the system of the optical integrator 403. Incidentally, the light
source portion 401 faces the rectangular region 404 to be
illuminated, and the entire system optical axis L is shaped like a
straight line.
[0146] Similarly as in the case of Embodiment 2, the light source
portion 401 is established in such a manner that randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source lamp 411 are reflected by a
paraboloidal reflector 412 in a single direction and thus become a
nearly parallel luminous flux that is then incident on the
polarized light splitting portion 1201. Here, note that the light
source portion 401 faces in a direction that is tilted at a
predetermined angle to the system optical axis L.
[0147] The polarized light splitting portion 1201 is composed of
square-pole-like prism composite elements 1205A, 1205B, 1205C and
1205D, each of which consists of first and second rectangular
prisms 1202 and 1203 (namely, triangular prisms) and a flat
quadrangular prism 1204.
[0148] As shown in FIG. 12(B), in the case of each of the prism
composite elements 1205A to 1205D, the polarized light splitting
film 426 is formed on one of the two opposed side-surface portions
1211 and 1212 of the quadrangular prism 1204, namely, on the first
side-surface portion 1211. Further, the reflection film 429 is
formed on the second side-surface portion 1212. The inclined
surface portion 1221 of the first rectangular prism 1202 is bonded
to the first side-surface portion 1211 of the quadrangular prism
1204 in such a way that the polarized light splitting film 426 is
sandwiched between the portions 1211 and 1221. Furthermore, the
inclined surface portion 1231 of the second rectangular prism 1203
is bonded to the second side-surface portion 1212 of the
quadrangular prism 1204 in such a way that the reflection film 429
is sandwiched between the portions 1212 and 1231. Incidentally, the
prism composite element 1205E has only the function of reflection
the randomly-polarized light radiated from the light source portion
401. Thus, the polarized light splitting film 426 is not formed
therein. Therefore, an optical component having another reflection
function may be used instead of the prism composite element
1205E.
[0149] The square-pole-like prism composite elements 1205A to
1205E, which are configured in this manner, face in the same
direction and are aligned in a line in the transverse direction
that is perpendicular to the system optical axis L. Therefore,
among the prism composite elements 1205A to 1205D, the polarized
light splitting films 426 are parallel to one another and
similarly, the reflection films 429 are parallel to one
another.
[0150] Hereat, each of the polarized light splitting films 426 is
formed in such a manner as to be inclined at an angle .alpha. to
the entrance surface of the polarized light splitting portion 1201.
In the case of this embodiment, the angle .alpha. is 45 degrees.
Each of the reflection films 429 is formed in such a way as to be
tilted at the angle .theta. to a corresponding one of the polarized
light splitting films 426.
[0151] In the case of this embodiment, the first and second
rectangular prisms 1202 and 1203 and the quadrangular prism 1204
are made of thermally stable glass materials. The polarized light
splitting film 426 is made of a dielectric multi-layer film. The
reflection film 429 is made of an ordinary aluminum evaporation
film.
[0152] Referring again to FIG. 12(A), in the case of this
embodiment, a direction in which a polarized light emitted from the
polarized light splitting portion 1201 is regulated by directing
the light source portion 401 in a direction which is tilted at a
predetermined angle to the system optical axis L. Thus, a deviation
prism is omitted.
[0153] In the case of this embodiment, as will be described later,
a light radiated from the light source portion 401 passes through
the polarized light splitting portion 1201 by being shifted in the
transverse direction (namely, in the upward direction as viewed in
FIG. 12(B)) by a distance which correspond to the width of each of
the prism composite elements 1205A to 1205E. Therefore, the light
source portion 401 is placed by being shifted in a direction
(namely, in the downward direction as viewed in FIG. 12(B)), which
is opposite to the direction in which the light is shifted, from
the system optical axis L by a distance which correspond to the
width of each of the prism composite elements 1205A to 1205E.
[0154] The system of the optical integrator comprising two lens
plates, namely, the first lens plate 441 and the second lens plate
442 is disposed in a stage subsequent to the polarized light
splitting portion 1201. Each of the first lens plate 441 and the
second lens plate 442 is a composite lens element provided with
small lenses 443 and small lenses 444 whose numbers are equal to
each other. Each of the small lenses 443 is a rectangle
correspondingly to the region 404 to be illuminated and has a shape
similar to that of the region 404. Moreover, in the second lens
plate 442, the half-wave plate 446 is formed between the small
lenses 444 and the plano-convex lens 451 which is placed on the
exit side. In the half-wave plate 446, the retardation layers 447
are formed at positions where secondary light source images are
formed by the first lens plate 441. Further, the retardation layers
447 are regularly formed at positions, at each of which a secondary
light source image is formed from one of an s-polarized light and a
p-polarized light, namely, formed from the p-polarized light.
[0155] In the polarization luminaire 1200 having such a
configuration, randomly-polarized lights are radiated from the
light source portion 401 and are then incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 402. The randomly-polarized lights having
been incident on the polarized light splitting portion 402 are
first reflected in the transverse direction by the reflection film
429. Then, the reflected lights are incident on the adjoining prism
composite elements 1205A to 1205D. Here, the randomly-polarized
lights can be considered as mixed-lights of p-polarized lights and
s-polarized lights. Thus, the mixed-lights are separated laterally
by the polarized light splitting film 426 into two kinds of
polarized lights, namely, the p-polarized lights and the
s-polarized lights. Namely, an s-polarized light component, which
is included in the randomly-polarized light shifted to the prism
composite elements 1205A to 1205D, is reflected by the polarized
light splitting film 426, so that a traveling direction, in which
the s-polarized light component travels, is changed. In contrast, a
p-polarized light component included therein is transmitted by the
polarized light splitting film 426 without any change and is first
reflected by the reflection film 429. Here, the reflection film 429
is formed in such a way as to be inclined at an angle .theta. to
the polarized light splitting film 426. The traveling directions of
the two kinds of the polarized lights are made to be slightly
different from each other by an angular difference 2e in the
transverse direction when these polarized lights are transmitted by
the prisms made of glass materials, respectively.
[0156] Further, the two kinds of the polarized lights, whose
traveling directions are made to be different from each other, are
caused to be incident on the system of the optical integrator
403.
[0157] In the system of the optical integrator 403, the two kinds
of the polarized lights, whose traveling directions are made to be
slightly different from each other, are incident on the first lens
plate 441 and then forms secondary light source images in the
second lens plate 442, respectively. At the position where the
secondary light source images are formed, the half-wave plate 446
is placed. Moreover, in the half-wave plate 446, the retardation
layers 447 are selectively formed correspondingly to the positions
where the secondary light source images are formed from the
p-polarized lights. Thus, when passing through the retardation
layers 447, the p-polarized lights undergo the rotatory
polarization, so that the p-polarized light is converted into
s-polarized light. On the other hand, the s-polarized light does
not pass through the retardation layer 447 and thus passes through
the half-wave plate 446 without undergoing the rotatory
polarization. Consequently, most of light fluxes radiated from the
system of the optical integrator 403 are made to be s-polarized
lights. The fluxes of s-polarized lights obtained in this way are
applied to the region 404 to be illuminated, by means of the
decentered lens 1231.
[0158] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 1200 of this embodiment, after a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is split by the
polarized light splitting portion 1201 into two kinds of polarized
lights which travel in different directions, each of the two kinds
of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region of the
half-wave plate 446, whereupon a p-polarized light is converted
into an s-polarized light. Thus, the polarization luminaire 1200 of
this embodiment exerts the effects in that the randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 can be applied to
the region 404 to be illuminated, while most of the polarized
lights are in a state in which they are made to be s-polarized
lights. Here, note that high ability of the polarized light
splitting portion 1201 to split polarized light is necessary for
leading each of the two kinds of polarized lights to the
predetermined region of the half-wave plate 446. However, in the
case of this embodiment, the polarized light splitting portion 1201
is constituted by utilizing the prisms made of glass and the
dielectric multi-layer film. Thus, the polarized light splitting
ability of the polarized light splitting portion 1201 is thermally
stable. The polarized light splitting portion 1201, therefore,
exerts the stable polarized light splitting ability at all times
even in the case that the luminaire is required to output a large
quantity of light. Consequently, the polarization luminaire having
satisfactory ability can be realized.
[0159] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, the two kinds
of polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 1201 are separated in the transverse direction. Thus, the
small lenses 444 of the second lens plate 442 are formed in such a
manner that the shapes thereof are laterally elongated rectangles.
Consequently, the region 404 to be illuminated, whose shape is a
laterally elongated rectangle, can be formed without wasting any
quantity of light. Here, note that the use of the region 404 to be
illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated rectangle, has
advantages in that, for example, when such a region is used for
displaying various kinds of images, the displayed images are seen
easily and appeal strongly in comparison with the case of using a
projection pattern whose shape is a laterally elongated
rectangle.
Example of Modification of Embodiment 10
[0160] Incidentally, Embodiment 10 is in a condition in which the
width of each of the small lenses 44 of the first lens plate 441 is
equal to that of each of the quadrangular prisms composite elements
1205A to 1205E. Namely, assuming that the width W1 of each of the
prism composite elements 1205A to 1205E is expressed as (1/n) times
the width W2 of each of the rectangular lenses 443 of the first
lens plate 441 where n is an integer equal to or more than 1, such
a condition is equivalent to the condition that n is equal to 1. As
n is gradually increased to 2, 3, . . . , the width of each of the
prism composite elements 1205A to 1205E is decreased. Thus, the
thickness of each of the prism composite elements 1205A to 1205E
can be reduced.
[0161] For example, when n is set at 2, the polarized light
splitting portion 1201 of the polarization luminaire 1250 becomes
configured as illustrated in FIG. 13. Namely, the width W1 of each
of the square-pole-like prism composite elements 1205A, 1205B,
1205C, . . . is as 1/2 times as the width W2 of each of the
rectangular lenses 443 of the first lens plate 441. In this case,
the thickness of the polarized light splitting portion 1201 can be
reduced. Moreover, the distance X, by which the light source
portion 401 is shifted from the system optical axis L, can be
decreased.
[0162] In contrast, in the case of the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 12s (A)-(B), the polarized light slitting portion 1201 is
placed in the light source portion of the first lens plate 441.
Instead of this, the polarized light slitting portion 1201 may be
disposed between the first lens plate 441 and the second lens plate
442.
Embodiment 11
[0163] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating a plan view of a primary part of a polarization
luminaire of Embodiment 11. Similarly as in the case of the
polarization luminaire of Embodiment 2, the polarization luminaire
1400 of this embodiment has a light source portion 401, a polarized
light splitting portion 1401 and a system of the optical integrator
403, which are placed along a system optical axis L. This luminaire
is established in such a manner that light radiated from the light
source portion 401 reaches a rectangular region 404 to be
illuminated, through the polarized light splitting portion 1401 and
the system of the optical integrator 403. Incidentally, the light
source portion 401 faces the rectangular region 404 to be
illuminated, and the entire system optical axis L is shaped like a
straight line.
[0164] Similarly as in the case of Embodiment 2, the light source
portion 401 is established in such a manner that randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source lamp 411 are reflected by a
paraboloidal reflector 412 in a single direction and thus become a
nearly parallel luminous flux that are then incident on the
polarized light splitting portion 1401.
[0165] The polarized light splitting portion 1401 is composed of
square-pole-like prism composite elements 1404A, 1404B, 1404C and
1404D, each of which comprises first and second rectangular prisms
1402 and 1403 (namely, triangular prisms).
[0166] In the case of each of the prism composite elements 1404A to
1404E, the polarized light splitting film 426 is formed on an
inclined surface portion 1411 of the first rectangular prism 1402.
The inclined surface portion 1412 of the second rectangular prism
1403 is bonded to the inclined surface portion 1411 of the first
rectangular prism 1402 in such a way that the polarized light
splitting film 426 is sandwiched between the portions 1411 and
1412. Incidentally, the prism composite element 1404A has only the
function of reflecting s-polarized light separated by the prism
composite element 1404B.
[0167] The square-pole-like prism composite elements 1404A to
1404E, which are configured in this manner, face in the same
direction and are aligned in a line in the transverse direction
that is perpendicular to the system optical axis L. Incidentally,
in the case of this embodiment, the prism composite elements 1404A
to 1404E have the same width but are different in thickness from
one another. Therefore, the angles, which the prism composite
elements 1404B to 1404E respectively make with the entrance surface
1421 of the polarized light splitting portion 1401, are slightly
different from one another.
[0168] In the case of this embodiment, the first and second
rectangular prisms 1402 and 1403 are made of thermally stable glass
materials. The polarized light splitting film 426 is made of a
dielectric multi-layer film.
[0169] Although a direction, in which the polarized light radiated
from the polarized light splitting portion 1401 travels, may be
regulated by using a deviation prism, such a direction, in which
the polarized light radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 1401, is regulated in this embodiment by directing the
light source portion 401 in a direction which is tilted at a
predetermined angle to the system optical axis L. Thus, the
deviation prism is omitted from this embodiment.
[0170] Further, similarly as in the case of Embodiment 10, a light
radiated from the light source portion 401 passes through the
polarized light splitting portion 1401 by being shifted in the
transverse direction (namely, in the upward direction as viewed in
FIG. 14) by a distance, which correspond to the width of each of
the prism composite elements 1404A to 1404E, in the polarized light
splitting portion 1401. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment,
the light source portion 401 is placed by being shifted in a
direction (namely, in the downward direction as viewed in FIG. 14),
which is opposite to the direction in which the light is shifted,
from the system optical axis L by a distance which correspond to
the width of each of the prism composite elements 1404A to
1404E.
[0171] The system of the optical integrator comprising two lens
plates, namely, the first lens plate 441 and the second lens plate
442 is disposed in a stage subsequent to the polarized light
splitting portion 1404. Each of the lens plate 441 and the second
lens plate 442 is a composite lens element provided with small
lenses 443 and small lenses 444 whose numbers are equal to each
other. Each of the small lenses 443 of the first lens plate 441 is
rectangular correspondingly to the region 404 to be illuminated and
has a shape similar to that of the region 404 to be illuminated.
Incidentally, among the small lenses 443 of the first lens plate
441, only p-polarized or s-polarized light is incident on the small
lenses 443A placed both ends thereof (namely, hatched small
lenses). Thus, directions, in which the p-polarized or s-polarized
lights are radiated from the small lenses 443A thereof, are made to
be different from the directions in which the p-polarized or
s-polarized lights are radiated from other parts thereof.
[0172] In the case of this embodiment, in the second lens plate
442, the half-wave plate 1430 is formed between the small lenses
444 and the plano-convex lens 445 which placed on the exit side. In
the half-wave plate 1430, the retardation layers 1431 are regularly
formed at positions, at each of which a secondary light source
image is formed from one of an s-polarized light and a p-polarized
light, namely, formed from the p-polarized light.
[0173] In the polarization luminaire 1400 having such a
configuration, randomly-polarized lights are radiated from the
light source portion 401 and are then incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 1401. The randomly-polarized lights having
been incident on the polarized light splitting portion 1401 are
separated in the transverse direction by the polarized light
splitting film 426 into two kinds of polarized lights, namely,
p-polarized and s-polarized lights.
[0174] This principle will be explained hereunder by describing the
case of applying the principle to randomly-polarized lights, which
have been incident on a prism composite element 1404C, by way of
example. First, an s-polarized light component included in the
randomly-polarized lights, which have been incident on a prism
composite element 1404C, is reflected by the polarized light
splitting film 426 and thus the direction, in which the s-polarized
light component travels, is changed. Then, the s-polarized light
component is incident on the adjacent prism composite element
1404B. Next, the s-polarized light component is reflected by the
polarized light splitting film 426 in the prism composite element
1404B. Subsequently, the s-polarized light component is radiated
from the polarized light splitting portion 1401. On the other hand,
a p-polarized light component included in the randomly-polarized
lights is transmitted by the polarized light splitting film 426 in
the prism composite element 1404C without being changed. Here, in
the prism composite elements 1404B to 1404E, the angles that the
polarized light splitting films 426 make with the entrance surface
1421 of the polarized light splitting portion 1401 are slightly
different from one another by an angle .theta.'. Thus, in the
prisms made of glass materials, the lateral difference between the
traveling directions of the polarized lights of the two kinds
becomes larger by a slight angle.
[0175] The two kinds of the polarized lights, whose traveling
directions are made to be different from each other, are caused to
be incident on the system of the optical integrator 403.
[0176] In the system of the optical integrator 403, the two kinds
of the polarized lights, whose traveling directions are made to be
slightly different from each other, are incident on the first lens
plate 441 and then forms secondary light source images in the
second lens plate 442, respectively. At the position where the
secondary light source images are formed, the half-wave plate 1430
is formed. Moreover, in the half-wave plate 1430, the retardation
layers 1431 are selectively formed correspondingly to the positions
where the secondary light source images are formed from the
p-polarized lights. Thus, when passing through the retardation
layers 1431, the p-polarized lights undergo the rotatory
polarization, so that the p-polarized light is converted into
s-polarized light. On the other hand, the s-polarized light does
not pass through the retardation layer 1431 and thus passes through
the half-wave plate 1430 without undergoing the rotatory
polarization. Consequently, most of luminous fluxes radiated from
the system of the optical integrator 403 are made to be s-polarized
lights. The fluxes of the s-polarized lights obtained in this way
are applied to the region 404 to be illuminated, by means of the
decentered lens 1231.
[0177] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 1400 of this embodiment, after a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is split by the
polarized light splitting portion 1401 into two kinds of polarized
lights which travel in different directions, each of the two kinds
of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region of the
half-wave plate 1430, whereupon a p-polarized light is converted
into an s-polarized light. Thus, the polarization luminaire 1400 of
this embodiment exerts the effects in that the randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 can be applied to
the region 404 to be illuminated, while most of the polarized
lights are in a state in which these beams are made to be
s-polarized lights. However, in the case of this embodiment, the
polarized light splitting portion 1401 is constituted by utilizing
the prisms made of glass and the dielectric multi-layer film. Thus,
the polarized light splitting ability of the polarized light
splitting portion 1401 is thermally stable. The polarized light
splitting portion 1401, therefore, exerts the stable polarized
light splitting ability at all times even in the case that the
luminaire is required to output a large quantity of light.
Consequently, the polarization luminaire having satisfactory
ability can be realized.
[0178] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, the two kinds
of polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 1401 are separated in the transverse direction. Thus, this
embodiment is suitable for forming the region 404 to be
illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated rectangle.
[0179] Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, the polarized
light splitting portion 1401 is placed between the first lens plate
441 and the light source portion. Instead of this, the polarized
light splitting portion 1401 may be placed between the first lens
plate 441 and the second lens plate 442.
Embodiment 12
[0180] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for schematically
illustrating a plan view of a primary part of the polarization
luminaire of Embodiment 12. As shown in this figure, similarly as
in the case of the polarization luminaire of Embodiment 10, the
polarization luminaire 1500 of this embodiment has a light source
portion 401, a polarized light splitting portion 1501 and a system
of the optical integrator 403, which are placed along a system
optical axis L. This luminaire is established in such a manner that
light radiated from the light source portion 401 reaches a
rectangular region 404 to be illuminated, through the polarized
light splitting portion 1501 and the system of the optical
integrator 403. The light source portion 401 faces the rectangular
region 404 to be illuminated, and the entire system optical axis L
is shaped like a straight line. In this embodiment, a direction, in
which the polarized light emitted from the polarized light
splitting portion 1501 travels, is similarly regulated by directing
the light source portion 401 in a direction which is tilted at a
predetermined angle to the system optical axis L. Thus, the
deviation prism is omitted from this embodiment.
[0181] The polarized light splitting portion 1501 is composed of
square-pole-like prism composite elements 1504A, 1504B, 1504C,
1504D, 1504E and 1504F, each of which comprises first and second
triangle-pole-like rectangular prisms 1502 and 1503 (namely,
triangular prisms).
[0182] In the case of each of the prism composite elements 1404A to
1404E, the polarized light splitting film 426 is formed on an
inclined surface portion 1510 of the first rectangular prism 1502.
The inclined surface portion 1511 of the second rectangular prism
1503 is bonded to the inclined surface portion 1510 of the first
rectangular prism 1502 in such a way that the polarized light
splitting film 426 is sandwiched between the portions 1510 and
1511.
[0183] In the case of the prism composite elements 1504A to 1504E,
which are configured in this manner, the polarized light splitting
films 426 disposed on a side of the system optical axis L are
opposite to those disposed on the other side of the axis L. Namely,
when viewed from the light source portion 401, the splitting films
426 disposed on the right side of the system optical axis L face
outwardly. Similarly, the splitting films 426 disposed on the left
side of the system optical axis L face outwardly. Further, the
prism composite elements 1504A to 1504F have the same width but are
different in thickness from one another. Therefore, the angles,
which of the polarized light splitting films of the prism composite
elements 1504B to 1504E respectively make with the entrance surface
1530 of the polarized light splitting portion 1501, are different
from one another. Incidentally, the prism composite elements 1504A
and 1504F have only the function of reflecting s-polarized lights
separated by the prism composite elements 1504B and 1504E,
respectively.
[0184] In the case of this embodiment, the first and second
rectangular prisms 1502 and 1503 are made of thermally stable glass
materials. The polarized light splitting films 426 are made of a
dielectric multi-layer film.
[0185] The system of the optical integrator 403 comprising two lens
plates, namely, the first lens plate 441 and the second lens plate
442 is disposed in a stage subsequent to the polarized light
splitting portion 1501. Each of the lens plate 441 and the second
lens plate 442 is a composite lens element provided with small
lenses 443 and small lenses 444 whose numbers are equal to each
other. Each of the small lenses 443 of the first lens plate 441 is
rectangular correspondingly to the region 404 to be illuminated and
has a shape similar to that of the region 404 to be illuminated.
Incidentally, among the small lenses 443 of the first lens plate
441, only s-polarized light is incident on the small lenses 443A
placed both ends thereof (namely, hatched small lenses). Thus,
directions, in which the s-polarized lights are emitted from the
small lenses 443A thereof, are made to be different from the
directions in which the s-polarized lights are emitted from other
parts thereof.
[0186] In the case of this embodiment, in the second lens plate
442, the half-wave plate 1550 is formed between the small lenses
444 and the plano-convex lens 445 which is placed on the exit side.
In the half-wave plate 1550, the retardation layers 1551 are formed
at positions, at each of which a secondary light source image is
formed from one of an s-polarized light and a p-polarized light,
namely, formed from the p-polarized light.
[0187] In the polarization luminaire 1500 having such a
configuration, randomly-polarized lights are radiated from the
light source portion 401 and are then incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 1501. The randomly-polarized lights having
been incident on the polarized light splitting portion 1501 are
separated in the transverse direction into two kinds of polarized
lights, namely, p-polarized and s-polarized lights. Here, in the
prism composite elements 1504B to 1504E, the angles that the
polarized light splitting films 426 make with the surface 1530 of
incidence of the polarized light splitting portion 1501 are
slightly different from one another by an angle .theta.'. Thus, in
the prisms made of glass materials, the lateral difference between
the traveling directions of the polarized lights of the two kinds
becomes larger by a slight angle. Further, the two kinds of the
polarized lights, whose traveling directions are made to be
different from each other, are caused to be incident on the system
of the optical integrator 403. In the system of the optical
integrator 403, the two kinds of the polarized lights, whose
traveling directions are made by the polarized light splitting
portion 1501 to be slightly different from each other, are incident
on the first lens plate 441 and then forms secondary light source
images in the second lens plate 442, respectively. The retardation
layers 1551 are selectively formed correspondingly to the positions
where the secondary light source images are formed from the
p-polarized lights, among the positions where the secondary images
are formed. Thus, when passing through the retardation layers 1551,
the p-polarized lights undergo the rotatory polarization, so that
the p-polarized light is converted into s-polarized light. On the
other hand, the s-polarized light does not pass through the
retardation layer 1551 and thus passes through the half-wave plate
1550 without undergoing the rotatory polarization. Consequently,
most of luminous fluxes radiated from the system of the optical
integrator 403 are made to be s-polarized lights. The fluxes of the
s-polarized lights obtained in this way are applied to the region
404 to be illuminated, by means of the plano-convex lens 445.
[0188] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 1500 of this embodiment, after a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is split by the
polarized light splitting portion 1501 into two kinds of polarized
lights which travel in different directions, each of the two kinds
of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region of the
half-wave plate 1550, whereupon a p-polarized light is converted
into an s-polarized light. Thus, the polarization luminaire 1500 of
this embodiment exerts the effects in that the randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 can be applied to
the region 404 to be illuminated, while most of the polarized
lights are in a state in which these beams are made to be
s-polarized lights. Further, in the case of this embodiment, the
polarized light splitting portion 1501 is constituted by utilizing
the prisms made of glass and the dielectric multi-layer film. Thus,
the polarized light splitting ability of the polarized light
splitting portion 1501 is thermally stable. The polarized light
splitting portion 1501, therefore, exerts the stable polarized
light splitting ability at all times even in the case that the
luminaire is required to output a large quantity of light.
Consequently, the polarization luminaire having satisfactory
ability can be realized.
[0189] Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, the two kinds
of polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 1501 are separated in the transverse direction. Thus, this
embodiment is suitable for forming the region 404 to be
illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated rectangle.
[0190] Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, the polarized
light splitting portion 1501 is placed between the first lens plate
441 and the light source portion. Instead of this, the polarized
light splitting portion 1501 may be placed between the first lens
plate 441 and the second lens plate 442.
Example of Projection Display Using Polarization Luminaire of
Embodiment 10
[0191] The aforementioned polarization luminaires of Embodiments 2
to 12 can be used in projection displays provided with liquid
crystal light valves.
[0192] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of application of the
luminaire of Embodiment 10 to a projection display (namely, a
liquid crystal projector).
[0193] As shown in this figure, a projection display 1600 is
provided with the light source portion 401. In the polarized light
splitting portion 1201, a randomly-polarized light radiated from
this light source portion 401 is separated into two kinds of
polarized lights. Between the two kinds of polarized lights, a
p-polarized light is converted by the half-wave plate 446 of the
system of the optical integrator 403 into an s-polarized light.
[0194] Among a flux of lights radiated from such a polarization
luminaire 1600, red rays are transmitted by and blue and green rays
are reflected by the blue-and-green reflection dichroic mirror
1601. Then, the red rays are reflected by a reflection mirror 1602
and thus reaches a first liquid crystal light valve 1603. On the
other hand, between the blue and green rays, the green rays are
reflected by a green reflection dichroic mirror 1604 and thus
reaches a second liquid crystal light valve 1605.
[0195] Here, note that blue light has optical path length longer
than that of the other two colors (incidentally, the optical path
length of red light is equal to that of green light). Thus, a light
guiding means 1650 constituted by a relay lens system comprising an
entrance side lens 1606, a relay lens 1608 and an exit side lens
1610 is provided for blue rays. Namely, after transmitted by a
green reflection dichroic mirror 1604, the blue light is first led
to the relay lens 1608 through the lens 1606 and by way of a
reflection mirror 1607. Then, after converged into this relay lens
1608, the blue light is led to the exit side lens 1610 by way of a
reflection mirror 1609. Thereafter, the blue light reaches a third
liquid crystal light valve 1611. Hereat, the first to third liquid
crystal light valves 1603, 1605 and 1611 modulate corresponding
color rays. Subsequently, the modulated color rays are made to be
incident on a dichroic prism (namely, a color synthesis means)
1613. The dichroic prism 1613 has a red reflection dielectric
multi-layer film and a blue reflection dielectric multi-layer film
that are arranged crosswise therein and synthesize bundles of
modulated rays of such colors, respectively. The bundles of rays
synthesized therein pass through a projection lens 1614 (namely, a
projection means) and come to form images on a screen 1615.
[0196] The projection display configured in this way uses liquid
crystal light valves, each of which is a light valve of the type
that modulates polarized light of a single kind. Thus, the
projection display 1600 of this embodiment resolves substantial
part of the problems of a conventional luminaire in that if
randomly-polarized light is led to a liquid crystal light valve by
using the conventional luminaire, half of the randomly-polarized
light is absorbed by a polarizing plate and is converted into heat
and thus the efficiency in utilizing the light is low and in that a
large cooling device which makes a great deal of noise for
controlling heat emitted from the polarizing plate is needed.
[0197] Namely, in the case of the projection display 1600 of this
embodiment, the rotatory polarization is exerted only on one of the
two kinds of polarized light (for instance, p-polarized light) by
the half-wave plate 446 in the polarization luminaire 1200 so that
the plane of polarization thereof is made to extend in the same
direction as in which the other kind of polarized light. Thus, the
polarized lights, whose polarization directions are uniform, are
led to the first to third liquid crystal light valves 1603, 1605
and 1611. Consequently, the efficiency in utilizing the light can
be enhanced. Moreover, a bright projected image can be obtained.
Further, the quantity of light absorbed by the polarizing plate
(not shown) can be reduced. Thereby, a rise in temperature of the
polarizing plate can be suppressed. Consequently, it is can be
realized that a cooling device is made small and its noise can be
reduced. Furthermore, in the polarization luminaire 1200, a
thermally stable dielectric multi-layer is used as the polarized
light splitting film. The ability of the polarized light splitting
portion 1201 to split polarized light is thermally stable. The
polarized light splitting portion, therefore, exerts the stable
polarized light splitting ability at all times even in the case of
the projection display 1600 required to output a large quantity of
light.
[0198] Besides, in the polarization luminaire 1200, the two kinds
of polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 1201 are separated in the transverse direction. Thus, the
region to be illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated
rectangle, can be formed without wasting any quantity of light.
Consequently, the polarization luminaire 1200 is suitable for a
laterally elongated liquid crystal light valve which can project an
image which is easy to see and appeals strongly.
[0199] In addition, this embodiment uses a dichroic prism 1613 as
the color synthesis means. Thus, the size of the device can be
reduced. Moreover, the length of the optical path between the
projection lens 1614 and each of the liquid crystal light valves
1603, 1605 and 1611 is short. Thus, in the case of the device of
this embodiment, a bright projected image can be realized even if a
projection lens having a relatively small diameter is used.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the light guiding means
1650 constituted by the relay lens system comprising the entrance
side lens 1606, the relay lens 1608 and the exit side lens 1610 is
provided for blue rays. Consequently, irregularities in colors or
the like do not occur in projected images.
Example of Projection Display Using Polarization Luminaire of
Embodiment 2
[0200] In the projection display, the color synthesis means may be
constituted by an optical system using mirrors, as illustrated in
FIG. 17. The polarization luminaire 400 illustrated in FIGS.
4(A)-(C) is used in the projection display 1700 illustrated in FIG.
17. In the case of this polarization luminaire 400, in the
polarized light splitting portion 402, a randomly-polarized light
radiated from this light source portion 401 is separated into two
kinds of polarized lights. Between the two kinds of polarized
lights, a p-polarized light is converted by the half-wave plate 446
of the system of the optical integrator 403 into an s-polarized
light.
[0201] Among a flux of lights radiated from such a polarization
luminaire 400, first, red rays are reflected by a red reflection
dichroic mirror 1701 and blue and green rays are transmitted. Then,
the red rays are reflected by a reflection mirror 1705 and thus
reaches a first liquid crystal light valve 1707. On the other hand,
between the blue and green rays, the green ray is reflected by a
green reflection dichroic mirror 1702 and thus reaches a second
liquid crystal light valve 1708. After transmitted by the green
reflection dichroic mirror 1702, the blue ray reaches a third
liquid crystal light valve 1709. Thereafter, the first to third
liquid crystal light valves 1707, 1708 and 1709 modulate
corresponding color rays and causes the color rays to contain
corresponding image information. Subsequently, the first to third
liquid crystal light valves 1707, 1708 and 1709 output the
modulated color light. Hereat, the red light undergoing the color
modulation is transmitted by the green reflection dichroic mirror
1703 and by the blue reflection dichroic mirror 1704 and then
reaches a projection lens 1710 (namely, the projection means).
After reflected by the green reflection dichroic mirror 1703, the
green light undergoing the color modulation is transmitted by the
blue reflection dichroic mirror 1704 and then reaches the
projection lens 1710. After reflected by the blue reflection
dichroic mirror 1704, the blue light undergoing the color
modulation reaches the projection lens 1710.
[0202] The projection display 1700 configured in this way uses
liquid crystal light valves, each of which is a light valve of the
type that modulates polarized light of a single kind. Thus, the
projection display 1700 of this embodiment resolves substantial
part of the problems of the conventional luminaire in that if
randomly-polarized light is led to a liquid crystal light valve by
using the conventional luminaire, half of the randomly-polarized
light is absorbed by a polarizing plate and is converted into heat
and thus the efficiency in utilizing the light is low and in that a
large cooling device which makes a great deal of noise for
controlling heat emitted from the polarizing plate is needed.
[0203] Namely, in the case of the projection display 1700 of this
embodiment, the rotatory polarization is exerted only on one of the
two kinds of polarized light (for instance, p-polarized light) by
the half-wave plate 446 in the polarization luminaire 400 so that
the plane of polarization thereof is made to extend in the same
direction as in which the other kind of polarized light (for
example, s-polarized light). Thus, the polarized lights, whose
polarization directions are uniform, are led to the first to third
liquid crystal light valves 1707, 1708 and 1709. Consequently, the
efficiency in utilizing the light can be enhanced. Moreover, a
bright projected image can be obtained. Further, the quantity of
light absorbed by the polarizing plate (not shown) can be reduced.
Thereby, a rise in temperature of the polarizing plate can be
suppressed. Consequently, it is realized that a cooling device can
be made small and its noise can be reduced. Furthermore, in the
polarization luminaire 400, a thermally stable dielectric
multi-layer is used as the polarized light splitting film. The
ability of the polarized light splitting portion 402 to split
polarized light is thermally stable. The polarized light splitting
portion, therefore, exerts the stable polarized light splitting
ability at all times even in the case of the projection display
1700 required to output a large quantity of light.
Embodiment 13
[0204] FIGS. 18(A)-(B) illustrate another polarization luminaire of
this embodiment. The polarization luminaire 1800 of this embodiment
is basically provided with a light source 401, a polarized light
splitting portion 402 and a system of the optical integrator 403.
However, each of the embodiments described hereinabove employs a
configuration in which a prism beam splitter composing the
polarized light splitting portion is placed at a position which is
nearer to the light source than the first lens plate of the system
of the optical integrator. The luminaire of this embodiment,
however, employs a configuration in which the prism beam splitter
composing the polarized light splitting portion is placed between
the first lens plate and the second lens plate. Thereby, the
optical system is made to be more compact.
[0205] As shown in FIG. 18(A), randomly-polarized lights are
radiated from the light source 401 along the system optical axis L
and is then incident on a deviation prism 1801 placed on the
entrance side of the polarized light splitting portion 402. The
traveling direction, in which the polarized lights travel, is
slightly inclined to the system optical axis by this deviation
prism. The polarized light, therefore, is incident on the first
lens plate 441, which composes the system of the optical integrator
403 placed on the exit side of the deviation prism 1801, at an
angle .theta. to the vertical incident direction. As viewed in this
figure, the ray is incident thereon along a direction which is
rightwardly inclined at an angle .theta. to the system optical axis
L.
[0206] The first lens plate 441 is optically bonded to the entrance
surface 1812 of a rectangular prism 1811 which is a composing
element of a prism beam splitter 1810. The half-wave plate 446
serving as the polarization conversion element is bonded to the
exit surface 1813 of the rectangular prism 1811, which is
orthogonal to the entrance surface 1812 thereof. Further, the
second lens plate 442 of the system of the optical integrator is
bonded to the exit surface of this half-wave plate 446.
[0207] The prism beam splitter 1810 is provided with the
rectangular prism 1811 and a nearly-plate-like quadrangular prism
1820 which is bonded to the inclined surface 1813 of the prism
1811. Moreover, similarly as in the case of the aforementioned
embodiment, the polarized light splitting film 426 is formed on the
inclined surface 1814 of the rectangular prism 1811. Between the
polarized lights entering, for example, only an s-polarized light
is totally reflected, whereas a p-polarized light is transmitted
without being changed. Furthermore, the reflection film 429 is
formed on the outer inclined surface 1821 of the quadrangular prism
1820, so that a p-polarized light entering is totally
reflected.
[0208] In the case of this embodiment, randomly-polarized lights,
which has been incident thereon through the deviation prism 1801
when slightly refracted, are reflected by the polarized light
splitting film 426 and the reflection film 429 by appropriately
setting the angle formed between these films 426 and 429. Then, the
reflected polarized lights are further divided into polarized
lights that travel on the opposite sides of the system optical axis
L and are further outputted at angles, which are nearly symmetrical
with respect to the system optical axis L, respectively, to the
half-wave plate 446. As viewed in this figure, the reflected
polarized lights are divided into polarized lights that are turned
upwardly and downwardly at positive and negative angles, which have
a same magnitude, with respect to the system optical axis L,
respectively.
[0209] The half-wave plate 446 is provided with the retardation
layers 447 (namely, hatched portion in this figure) for turning the
polarization direction of each of polarized lights, which pass
therethrough, 90 degrees, and with the layers 448 in which
polarized lights pass therethrough without being changed. This
configuration of the half-wave plate 446 is similar to that
employed in each of the above embodiments. Between the p-polarized
light and the s-polarized light that are split in the polarized
light splitting portion 402 and are turned in upward and downward
directions, which are nearly symmetrical with respect to the system
optical axis L, respectively, the s-polarized light is incident on
the retardation layers 447. In contrast, the p-polarized light is
incident on the layers 448. Thence, the polarization direction of
the s-polarized light is turned 90 degrees and is thus changed into
a p-polarized light which is subsequently outputted therefrom. As a
result, lights, whose polarization directions are that of the
p-polarized light, are incident on the second lens plate 442.
Thereafter, the lights further travel therethrough toward the
region 404 to be illuminated.
[0210] This embodiment using the polarization luminaire 1800
configured in this manner can obtain effects similar to those
obtained by each of the aforesaid embodiments. Further, in the
configuration of this embodiment, the first and second lens plates
composing the system of the optical integrator are formed in such a
way as to be integral with each other by being bonded to the
entrance surface and the exit surface of the prism beam splitter,
respectively. Thus, the configuration of this embodiment can be
made to be compact. Moreover, the area of the interface between the
optical element and the air can be reduced. Consequently, the
efficiency in utilizing the light can be enhanced. Here, note that
the reason for disposing the deviation prism 1801 on the optical
path is that the p-polarized light and the s-polarized light, which
are obtained by splitting a light in the aforementioned manner, are
turned in directions which are symmetrical with respect to the
system optical axis, respectively. Accordingly, the deviation prism
1801 may be placed on the exit side of the first lens plate,
instead of the entrance side thereof. For example, as illustrated
in FIG. 18(B), the deviation prism 1801 may be bonded to the
incidence entrance surface of the prism beam splitter and moreover,
the first lens plate may be bonded to the entrance surface of this
deviation prism 1801. Thereby, the interface between the deviation
prism and the air, which is present between the first lens plate
and the deviation prism, can be eliminated, therefore, the
efficiency in utilizing the light can be more enhanced.
[0211] Furthermore, the deviation prism can be omitted by using an
optical element composed of decentered lenses illustrated in FIG.
18(C) as the first lens plate.
[0212] Next, in the case of this embodiment, the number of the
small lenses 444 composing the second lens plate 442 may be equal
to that of the small lenses 443 composing the first lens plate 441.
It is, however, preferable that the number of the small lenses 444
composing the second lens plate 442 is twice the number of the
small lenses 443 composing the first lens plate 441. For instance,
as illustrated in FIG. 18(D), each of the small lenses 444 of the
second lens plate comprises a pair of lenses 444A and 444B
respectively corresponding to the retardation layer 447 and the
other layer 448 of the half-wave plate 446. The reason is that the
slight difference in the optical path length between the
p-polarized light and the s-polarized light, which is caused
between the first lens plate and the second lens plate, is absorbed
and the sizes of images of the first lens plate, which is formed by
the second lens plate in the region to be illuminated, is made to
be uniform by changing the characteristics of the lenses
respectively corresponding to the polarized lights.
Embodiment 14
[0213] FIGS. 19(A)-(D) are schematic diagrams for schematically
illustrating still another polarization luminaire embodying the
present invention. This embodiment uses a first condensing mirror
plate and a second condensing mirror plate as the system of the
optical integrator. As shown in this figure, the polarization
luminaire 1900 of this embodiment has: a light source portion 401;
a polarized light splitting portion 402; a system of the optical
integrator 403 provided with a first condensing mirror plate 1901
and a second condensing mirror plate 1902; and a condenser lens
portion 1940, which are placed along the system optical axis L (L')
that makes a right-angled turn. A flux of lights radiated from the
light source portion 401 is split into fluxes of two kinds of
polarized lights in the polarized light splitting portion 402.
Thereafter, a flux of one kind of polarized light is synthesized
again from the two kinds of polarized lights by the first
condensing mirror plate 1901, the second condensing mirror plate
1902 and the condenser lens portion 1940. Then, the synthesized
flux of one kind of polarized light reaches the rectangular region
404 to be illuminated.
[0214] The light source portion 401 is mostly composed of a light
source lamp 411 and a paraboloidal reflector 412.
Randomly-polarized lights, which are radiated from the light source
lamp 411, are reflected by the paraboloidal reflector 412 in a
single direction and thus become a nearly parallel luminous flux
that are then incident on the polarized light splitting portion
402. Here, note that an ellipsoidal reflector or a spherical
reflector may be used in place of the paraboloidal reflector
412.
[0215] The polarized light splitting portion 402 is an ordinary
square-pole-like beam splitters and has a configuration in which a
polarized light splitting film 426 constituted by a dielectric
multi-layer film is sandwiched between the inclined surfaces of two
rectangular prisms (namely, triangular prisms) made of glass. At
that time, the polarized light splitting film 426 is formed in such
a way as to extend in a direction which is inclined at an angle
.alpha. (=45 degrees) to the entrance surface 1911 of the polarized
light splitting portion 402. Incidentally, the angle .alpha. formed
between the polarized light splitting film 426 and the entrance
surface 1911 is not limited to 45 degrees and may be set according
to the angle of incidence of the incident fluxes of lights radiated
from the light source portion 401.
[0216] A first quarter-wave plate 1921 and a second quarter-wave
plate 1922 are formed on the first exit surface 1912 and the second
exit surface 1923 of the polarized light splitting portion 402,
respectively. The first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the second
condensing mirror plate 1902 are mounted on the outer surfaces of
these quarter-wave plates in such way as to face nearly the center
of the polarized light splitting portion 402. As illustrated in
FIG. 19(B), these condensing mirror plates are produced by
disposing a plurality of same micro-condensing-mirrors 1903, each
of which has a rectangular outer shape, in a matrix-like
arrangement and forming a reflection surface 1904, which is made of
an ordinary aluminum evaporation film, on the surface of each of
the micro-condensing-mirrors 1903. In the case of this embodiment,
the reflection surface 1904 of each of the micro-condensing-mirrors
1903 is shaped like a paraboloid. Incidentally, this curved
reflection surface 1904 may be shaped like a spherical, elliptical
or toric surface. The shape of the curved reflection surface 1904
can be set according to the characteristics of the incident lights
radiated from the light source portion 401.
[0217] The condenser lens portion 1940 comprising the condenser
lens plates 1941 and the half-wave plate 446 is placed on the side
of the region 404, namely, on the third exit surface 1914 of the
polarized light splitting portion 402 at a place, at which
secondary light source images are formed by the first condensing
mirror plate 1901 and the second condensing mirror plate 1902, in
such a manner as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the
system optical axis L, after undergoing a process which will be
described later. The condenser lens plate 1941 is a composite lens
element comprising the rectangular small lenses 1942 as previously
described by referring to FIG. 1(B). The number of the small lenses
composing the condenser lens plate 1941 is equal to that of the
micro-condensing-mirrors 1903 composing the first and second
condensing mirror plates (1901 and 1902). Incidentally, in the case
of this embodiment, decentered lenses are used as a part of a
plurality of the small lenses 1942. Further, retardation layers 447
formed in the half-wave plate 446 are formed in such a manner as to
correspond to positions, at which secondary light source images are
formed from the p-polarized light among the secondary images formed
from the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light, with
regularity.
[0218] In the polarization luminaire 1900 having such a
configuration, randomly-polarized lights are radiated from the
light source portion 401 and are then incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 402, as illustrated in FIG. 19(A). The
randomly-polarized lights having been incident on the polarized
light splitting portion 402 can be considered as mixed-lights of
p-polarized lights and s-polarized lights. In the polarized light
splitting portion 402, the mixed-lights are separated laterally by
the polarized light splitting film 426 into two kinds of polarized
lights, namely, the p-polarized lights and the s-polarized lights.
Namely, the p-polarized light included in the randomly-polarized
lights is transmitted by the polarized light splitting film 426
without being changed, and subsequently go to the first exit
surface 1912. In contrast, the s-polarized light included in the
randomly-polarized lights is reflected by the polarized light
splitting film 426, so that a traveling direction, in which the
s-polarized light travels, is changed and the s-polarized light
goes to the second exit surface 1913 of the polarized light
splitting portion 402.
[0219] The two kinds of polarized lights, which are obtained as a
result of splitting by the polarized light splitting portion 402,
pass through the quarter-wave plate and are then reflected by the
condensing mirror plate. During passing through the quarter-wave
plate again, the direction, in which the polarized light travels,
is turned nearly 180 degrees. Simultaneously with this, the plane
of polarization is turned 90 degrees. It will be described with
reference to FIG. 19(C) how this polarized light changes.
Incidentally, for the simplicity of drawing, in this figure, the
first or second condensing mirror plate 1901 or 1902 is drawn as a
planer mirror plate 1960. The p-polarized light 1961 having been
incident on the quarter-wave plates 1921 and 1922 is converted by
the quarter-wave plate into a clockwise circularly polarized light
(incidentally, the p-polarized light may be converted into a
counterclockwise circularly polarized light, depending on the
manner in which the quarter-wave plate is disposed). Subsequently,
the circularly polarized light reaches the mirror plate 1960. The
light is then reflected by the mirror plate 1960. Simultaneously,
the direction, in which the plane of polarization is rotated, is
also changed. Namely, a clockwise circularly polarized light is
converted into a counterclockwise circularly polarized light
(conversely, a counterclockwise circularly polarized light is
converted into a clockwise circularly polarized light). The
direction, in which the light travels, is turned 180 degrees by the
mirror plate 1960. Simultaneously, the obtained counterclockwise
circularly polarized light 1963 is converted into the s-polarized
light 1964 when passing through the quarter-wave plates 1921 and
192 again (incidentally, the obtained clockwise circularly
polarized light is converted into the p-polarized light). Moreover,
after undergoing a similar process, the s-polarized light is
converted into the p-polarized light.
[0220] Therefore, the p-polarized light having reached the first
exit surface 1912 is converted into the s-polarized light
simultaneously with turning the direction, in which the polarized
light travels, nearly 180 degrees by means of the first
quarter-wave plate 1921 and the first condensing mirror plate 1901.
Then, the s-polarized light is reflected by the polarized light
splitting film 426 to thereby change the direction in which the
s-polarized light travels. Thus, the s-polarized light goes to the
third exit surface 1914. On the other hand, the s-polarized light
having reached the second exit surface 1913 is converted into the
p-polarized light simultaneously with turning the direction, in
which the polarized light travels, nearly 180 degrees by means of
the second quarter-wave plate 1922 and the second condensing mirror
plate 1902. Then, the p-polarized light is transmitted by the
polarized light splitting film 426 without being changed. Thus, the
p-polarized light goes to the third exit surface 1914. Namely, at
that time, the polarized light splitting film 426 also acts as a
polarized light synthesis film.
[0221] The first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the second
condensing mirror plate 1902 are composed of the micro-condensing
mirrors 1903 which have light condensing effects. Thus,
simultaneously with nearly reversing the direction in which the
polarized light travels, the first condensing mirror plate 1901 and
the second condensing mirror plate 1902 form a plurality of
condensed images, the number of which is equal to that of the
micro-condensing mirrors composing each of the condensing mirror
plates.
[0222] At that time, the first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the
second condensing mirror plate 1902 are disposed in a such a manner
that each of these mirror plates is slightly tilted (namely, the
first condensing mirror plate 1901 is slightly inclined at an angle
.beta. to the system optical axis L', and the second condensing
mirror plate 1902 is slightly inclined at the same angle .beta. to
the system optical axis L). Thus, a secondary light source image
formed from the p-polarized light and another secondary light
source image formed from the s-polarized light are formed at
positions, at which are slightly different from each other,
respectively. Namely, as illustrated in FIG. 19(D) which shows
secondary light source images formed from the two kinds of
polarized light in the case that the lens portion 1940 is viewed
from the side of the polarized light splitting portion 402, one
kind of secondary light source images C1 (namely, circular regions
hatched with parallel slanting lines drawn from upper-left to
lower-right, among circular images) which is formed from a
p-polarized light, and the other kind of secondary light source
images C2 (namely, circular regions hatched with parallel slanting
lines drawn from lower-left to upper-right, among the circular
images), which is formed from an s-polarized light, are formed side
by side. In contrast with this, in the half-wave plate 446, the
retardation layer 447 is selectively formed correspondingly to a
position where the secondary light source image C1 is formed from
the s-polarized light (incidentally, the p-polarized light radiated
from the light source portion is converted into the s-polarized
light by performing the process illustrated in FIG. 19(C) and this
s-polarized light is incident on the half-wave plate 446). Thus,
when passing through the retardation layer 447, the p-polarized
light undergoes a rotatory polarization, so that the p-polarized
light is converted into s-polarized light. On the other hand, the
s-polarized light does not pass through the retardation layer 447
and thus passes through the half-wave plate 446 without undergoing
the rotatory polarization. Consequently, most of the luminous
fluxes radiated from the condenser lens portion 1940 are made to be
p-polarized lights.
[0223] The fluxes of lights, which have been made to be p-polarized
light, are applied to the region 404 to be illuminated. Namely,
images of image planes extracted by the first condensing mirror
plate 1901 and the micro-condensing-mirrors 1903 of the second
condensing mirror plate 1902 are formed at a single place by the
condenser lens plate 1941 in such a manner as to be superposed
thereon. Further, when passing through the half-wave plate 446, the
lights are converted into polarized lights of a single kind. Thus
most of the lights reach the region 404 to be illuminated.
Consequently, the region 404 to be illuminated is uniformly
illuminated with the polarized lights, most of which are of the
single kind.
[0224] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 1900 of this embodiment, a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is split by the
polarized light splitting portion 402 into two kinds of polarized
lights which travel in different directions. Thereafter, each of
the two kinds of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region
of the half-wave plate 446, whereupon an s-polarized light is
converted into a p-polarized light. Thus, the randomly-polarized
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 can be applied to
the region to be illuminated, while most of the polarized lights
are in a state in which they are made to be p-polarized lights.
[0225] Moreover, high ability of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 to split polarized light is necessary for leading each
of the two kinds of polarized lights to the predetermined region of
the half-wave plate 446. In the case of this embodiment, the
polarized light splitting portion 402 is constituted by utilizing
the prisms made of glass and the dielectric multi-layer film made
of an inorganic material. Thus, the polarized light splitting
ability of the polarized light splitting portion 402 is thermally
stable. The polarized light splitting portion 402, therefore,
exerts the stable polarized light splitting ability at all times
even in the case that the luminaire is required to output a large
quantity of light. Consequently, the polarization luminaire having
satisfactory ability can be realized.
[0226] Further, in the case of this embodiment, in accordance with
the shape of the region 404 to be illuminated, which is a laterally
elongated rectangle, the micro-condensing-mirrors 1903 of the first
condensing mirror 1901 and the second condensing mirror 1902 are in
the shape of a laterally elongated rectangle. The two kinds of
polarized lights simultaneously radiated from the polarized light
splitting portion 402 are separated in the transverse direction.
Thus, even in the case that the illumination region 404 to be
illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated rectangle, is
formed, the illumination efficiency can be increased without
wasting a quantity of light.
[0227] In the case of Embodiment 14, the half-wave plate 446 is
placed to the illumination region side of the condenser lens plate
1941. However, the position, at which the half-wave plate 446 is
placed, is not limited thereto. The half-wave plate 446 may be
placed at another position as long as this position is in the
vicinity of a position where a secondary light source image is
formed. For example, the half-wave plate 446 is placed to the light
source side of the condenser lens plate 1941.
[0228] Further, each of the small lenses 1942 composing the
condenser lens plate 1941 is a laterally-elongated rectangular
lens. In contrast, there is no limitation to the shape of each of
the small lenses 1942 of the condenser lens plate 1941.
Incidentally, because the secondary light source image C1, which is
formed from the p-polarized light, and the secondary light source
image C2, which is formed from the s-polarized light, are formed
side by side in the transverse direction as illustrated in FIG.
19(D), it is preferable that the shape of each of the small lenses
1942 of the condenser lens plate 1941 is determined,
correspondingly to the positions where such images are formed.
[0229] Moreover, the two retardation layers, which have different
characteristics, may be placed at a position, at which p-polarized
light is condensed, and at another position, at which s-polarized
light is condensed, respectively. Furthermore, the lights may be
made to be polarized lights of a single kind that have a specific
polarization direction.
Embodiment 15
[0230] In the case of Embodiment 14, it is necessary for spatially
separating a position, at which a secondary light source image is
formed from the p-polarized light, from a position, at which a
secondary light source image is formed from the s-polarized light,
to dispose the first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the
condensing mirror plate 1902 in a state in which each of these
plates is slightly tilted (namely, the first condensing mirror
plate 1901 is slightly inclined at an angle .beta. to the system
optical axis L', and the second condensing mirror plate 1902 is
slightly inclined at the same angle .beta. to the system optical
axis L). However, one or both of the condensing mirror plates can
be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the system optical axis
L (or L') by using a deviation prism. As will be described later,
if such a perpendicular placement thereof is realized, the
condensing mirror plates can be formed in such a way as to be
integral with the polarized light splitting portion 402 or the
quarter-wave plate 1921 (or the quarter-wave plate 1922).
[0231] A polarization luminaire 2000 of Embodiment 15 illustrated
in FIG. 20 is realized by taking this respect into consideration.
The basis configuration of this polarization luminaire 2000 is
similar to that of the polarization luminaire 1900 of Embodiment
14. Same reference characters designate same parts having the same
functions. Further, the descriptions of such parts are omitted
herein.
[0232] In the polarization luminaire 2000, a deviation prism 2001
is placed between the light source portion 401 and the polarized
light splitting portion 402. The first condensing mirror plate 1901
can be placed in a position perpendicular to the system optical
axis L' by disposing the deviation prism 2001 at this place.
Thereby, the production of the optical system can be facilitated.
Needless to say, if the deviation prism 2001 is reversed (namely,
the deviation prism illustrated in FIG. 20 is disposed in such a
manner that the acute-angled portion thereof faces the second
condensing mirror plate 1902), the second condensing mirror plate
1902 can be placed in a position perpendicular to the system
optical axis L, instead of the first condensing mirror plate
1901.
[0233] Moreover, the deviation prism 2001 can be formed in such a
way as to be integral with the polarized light splitting portion
402. In such a case, this embodiment have an advantage in that the
loss of the light due to the reflection caused on the interface
between the deviation prism 2001 and the entrance surface 1911 of
the polarized light splitting portion 402 can be further
reduced.
Embodiment 16
[0234] It has been described that in the case of Embodiment 15, the
first condensing mirror plate 1901 can be placed in a position
perpendicular to the system optical axis L' (alternatively, the
second condensing mirror plate 1902 can be placed in a position
perpendicular to the system optical axis L) by disposing the
deviation prism 2001 between the light source portion 401 and the
polarized light splitting portion 402 and that thereby, the
integration of the first condensing mirror plate 1901, the
polarized light splitting portion 402 and the quarter-wave plate
into a single piece become easy. A practical example is illustrated
in FIGS. 21(A)-(B) as a polarization luminaire 2100, namely, as
Embodiment 16.
[0235] In the case of this embodiment, a condensing mirror plate
2101, whose external view is illustrated in FIG. 21(B), is used.
Namely, the entrance surface 2102 thereof is planar and a
curved-surface-like reflection surface 2104 thereof is formed on
the rear surface of a block 2103 made of glass. As illustrated in
FIG. 21(A), the exit surface of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 (in this case, the first exit surface 1912), the
quarter-wave plate (in this case, the first quarter-wave plate
1921) and the condensing mirror plate 2101 (corresponding to the
first condensing mirror plate in this case) can be formed by
employing such a shape of the condensing mirror plate 2101 in such
a manner as to be integral with one another. Thus, this embodiments
has advantages in that the optical system can be made to be more
compact and that furthermore, the loss due to the optical
reflection on the interface can be reduced.
Embodiment 17
[0236] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 22, in a polarization
luminaire 2200, deviation prisms 2001 are placed at two places,
namely, placed in the first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the
second condensing mirror 1902. In this case, both of the first
condensing mirror plate 1901 and the second condensing mirror 1902
can be disposed in positions perpendicular to the system optical
axis L' (or the system optical axis L). Thereby, the placement of
the condensing mirror plates can be facilitated.
[0237] Incidentally, in the case of this embodiment, the deviation
prism 2001 is optically bonded to the first exit surface 1912 and
the second exit surface 1913 of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 and is thus formed in such a manner as to be integral
therewith. Consequently, this embodiment has an advantage in that
the loss due to the optical reflection on the interface can be
reduced.
[0238] Further, the first quarter-wave plate 1921 (or the second
quarter-wave plate 1922) may be placed between the first exit
surface 1912 (or the second exit surface 1913) of the polarized
light splitting portion 402 and the deviation prism 2001.
Embodiment 18
[0239] The deviation prisms 2001 disposed in two places in
Embodiment 17 may be placed in such a manner as to be integral with
the first condensing mirror plate 1901 and the second condensing
mirror plate 1902, respectively. In such a case, this embodiment
has an advantage in that the loss due to the optical reflection on
the interface can be reduced. An example of the configuration in
such a case is illustrated in FIG. 23 as a polarization luminaire
2300, namely, Embodiment 18. In the case of this embodiment, the
condensing mirror plates 2101 similar to those employed in
Embodiment 16 are used to form the deviation prism 2001 and the
first condensing mirror plate 1901 in such a manner as to be
integral with each other, and to form the deviation prism 2001 and
the second condensing mirror plate 1902 in such a manner as to be
integral with each other, respectively.
[0240] Furthermore, the first quarter-wave plate 1921 (or the
second quarter-wave plate 1922) may be placed between the first
condensing mirror plate 2101 (or the second condensing mirror plate
2102) and the deviation prism 2001.
Embodiment 19
[0241] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 24, in a polarization
luminaire 2400, the combination of the polarized light splitting
portion 402, the first quarter-wave plate 1921, the deviation prism
2001 and the first condensing mirror plate 2101 and the combination
of the polarized light splitting portion 402, the second
quarter-wave plate 1922, the deviation prism 2001 and the second
condensing mirror plate 2102 can be formed in such a way as to be
integral with each other. In such a case, this embodiment has an
advantage in that the loss due to the optical reflection on the
interface can be reduced. Incidentally, in the case of this
embodiment, the condensing mirror plates 2101 similar to those
employed in Embodiment 16 previously described are used.
[0242] Furthermore, the first quarter-wave plate 1921 (or the
second quarter-wave plate 1922) may be placed between the first
condensing mirror plate 2101 (or the second condensing mirror plate
2102) and the deviation prism 2001.
Embodiment 20
[0243] In the case of a polarization luminaire 2500 illustrated in
FIG. 25, the placement of each optical system is similar to that of
each of the optical systems of Embodiment 14. However, Embodiment
20 has the following characteristic features. Namely, the prism
structure element 402 is constituted by six transparent plates 2501
composing wall surfaces. Further, in a planar polarized light
splitting plate 2502, in which the polarized light splitting film
426 is formed, is disposed therein. Moreover, a structure element
filled with liquid 2503 is used as the polarized light splitting
portion 402. Thereby, the cost and weight of the polarized light
splitting portion 402 can be reduced.
Embodiment 21
[0244] In the case of a polarization luminaire 2600 illustrated in
FIG. 26, the placement of each optical system is similar to that of
each of the optical systems of Embodiment 14. However, Embodiment
21 has a characteristic feature in that the polarized light
splitting portion 402 is a planar structure element. Namely, the
polarized light splitting plate 2502, in which the polarized light
splitting film 426 is formed, is disposed in such a manner as to be
inclined at an angle .gamma. (=45 degrees) to the system optical
axis L'. Thereby, the polarized light splitting portion 402 of this
embodiment can exert the functions that are substantially the same
as of the polarized light splitting portion 402 illustrated in FIG.
14 mainly comprising two rectangular prisms. Consequently, the cost
and weight of the polarized light splitting portion 402 can be
reduced.
Example of Projection Display Using Polarization Luminaire of
Embodiment 14
[0245] FIG. 27 illustrates an example of the projection display
which increases the brightness of an image by using the
polarization luminaire of Embodiment 14, among those of Embodiment
14 to Embodiment 21.
[0246] As shown in FIG. 27, a projection display 2700 of this
example is provided with the light source portion 401 for radiating
randomly-polarized lights in a single direction. In the polarized
light splitting portion 402, a randomly-polarized light radiated
from this light source portion 401 is separated into two kinds of
polarized lights. Between the two kinds of polarized lights, an
s-polarized light is converted by the half-wave plate 446 of the
condenser lens portion 1940 into a p-polarized light.
[0247] Among a flux of lights radiated from such a polarization
luminaire 1900, red rays are transmitted by and blue and green rays
are reflected by the blue-and-green reflection dichroic mirror
2701. Then, the red rays are reflected by a reflection mirror 2702
and thus reaches a first liquid crystal light valve 2703. On the
other hand, between the blue and green rays, the green rays are
reflected by a green reflection dichroic mirror 2704 and thus
reaches a second liquid crystal light valve 2705.
[0248] Here, note that blue light has optical path length longer
than that of the other two colors (incidentally, the optical path
length of red light is equal to that of green light). Thus, a light
guiding means 2750 constituted by a relay lens system comprising an
entrance side lens 2706, a relay lens 2708 and an exit side lens
2710 is provided for blue rays. Namely, after transmitted by a
green reflection dichroic mirror 2704, the blue light is first led
to the relay lens 2708 through the lens 2706 and by way of a
reflection mirror 2707. Then, after converged into this relay lens
2708, the blue light is led to the exit side lens 2710 by way of a
reflection mirror 2709. Thereafter, the blue light reaches a third
liquid crystal light valve 2711. Hereat, the first to third liquid
crystal light valves 2703, 2705 and 2711 modulate corresponding
color rays. Subsequently, the modulated color rays are made to be
incident on a dichroic prism (namely, a color synthesis means)
2713. The dichroic prism 2713 has a red reflection dielectric
multi-layer film and a blue reflection dielectric multi-layer film
that are arranged crosswise therein and synthesize bundles of
modulated rays of such colors, respectively. The bundles of rays
synthesized therein pass through a projection lens 2714 (namely, a
projection means) and come to form images on a screen 2715.
[0249] The projection display 2700 configured in this way uses
liquid crystal light valves, each of which is a light valve of the
type that modulates polarized light of a single kind. Thus, the
projection display 2700 of this embodiment resolves substantial
part of the problems of a conventional luminaire in that if
randomly-polarized light is led to a liquid crystal light valve by
using the conventional luminaire, half of the randomly-polarized
light is absorbed by a polarizing plate and is converted into heat
and thus the efficiency in utilizing the light is low and in that a
large cooling device which makes a great deal of noise for
controlling heat emitted from the polarizing plate is needed.
[0250] Namely, in the case of the projection display 2700 of this
embodiment, the rotatory polarization is exerted only on one of the
two kinds of polarized light (for instance, s-polarized light) by
the half-wave plate 446 in the polarization luminaire 1900 so that
the plane of polarization thereof is made to extend in the same
direction as in which the other kind of polarized light. Thus, the
polarized lights, whose polarization directions are uniform, are
led to the first to third liquid crystal light valves 2703, 2705
and 2711. Consequently, the efficiency in utilizing the light can
be enhanced. Moreover, a bright projected image can be obtained.
Further, the quantity of light absorbed by the polarizing plate
(not shown) can be reduced. Thereby, a rise in temperature of the
polarizing plate can be suppressed. Consequently, it is realized
that a cooling device can be made small and its noise can be
reduced. Furthermore, in the polarization luminaire 1900, a
thermally stable dielectric multi-layer is used as the polarized
light splitting film. The ability of the polarized light splitting
portion 402 to split polarized light is thermally stable. The
polarized light splitting portion, therefore, exerts the stable
polarized light splitting ability at all times even in the case of
the projection display 2700 required to output a large quantity of
light.
[0251] Besides, in the polarization luminaire 1900, the two kinds
of polarized lights radiated from the polarized light splitting
portion 402 are separated in the transverse direction. Thus, the
region to be illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated
rectangle, can be formed without wasting any quantity of light.
Consequently, the polarization luminaire 1900 is suitable for a
laterally-elongated liquid crystal light valve which can project an
image which is easy to see and appeals strongly.
[0252] In addition, this embodiment uses a dichroic prism 2713 as
the color synthesis means. Thus, the size of the device can be
reduced. Moreover, the length of the optical path between the
projection lens 2714 and each of the liquid crystal light valves
2703, 2705 and 2711 is short. Thus, in the case of the device of
this embodiment, a bright projected image can be realized even if a
projection lens having a relatively small diameter is used.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the light guiding means
2750 constituted by the relay lens system consisting of the
entrance side lens 2706, the relay lens 2708 and the exit side lens
2710 is provided for blue rays. Consequently, irregularities in
colors or the like do not occur in projected images.
[0253] Incidentally, needless to say, the luminaire of another
embodiment may be used instead of the luminaire 1900.
[0254] In the projection display, the color synthesis means may be
constituted by an optical system using mirrors as illustrated in
FIG. 28. In the case that an optical system using mirrors is used
in the color synthesis means, the three liquid crystal light valves
2703, 2705 and 2711 and the light source portion 401 have the same
optical path length. Thus, the projection display is characterized
in that even if no special light guiding means is used, this
display device can achieve effective illumination, by which
irregularities in brightness and color hardly occur in images.
[0255] Namely, a projection display 2800 illustrated in FIG. 28
employs the polarization luminaire 1900 illustrated in FIGS.
19(A)-(D). In the polarized light splitting portion 402, a
randomly-polarized light radiated from this light source portion
401 is separated into two kinds of polarized lights. Between the
two kinds of polarized lights, an s-polarized light is converted by
the half-wave plate 446 of the condenser lens portion 1940 into a
p-polarized light.
[0256] Among a flux of lights radiated from such a polarization
luminaire 1900, first, red rays are reflected by and blue and green
rays are transmitted by a red reflection dichroic mirror 2801.
Then, the red rays are reflected by a reflection mirror 2802 and
thus reach a first liquid crystal light valve 2703. On the other
hand, between the blue and green rays, the green rays are reflected
by a green reflection dichroic mirror 2803 and thus reach a second
liquid crystal light valve 2705. After transmitted by the green
reflection dichroic mirror 2804, the blue rays reach a third liquid
crystal light valve 2711. Thereafter, the first to third liquid
crystal light valves 2703, 2705 and 2711 modulate corresponding
color rays and causes the color rays to contain corresponding image
information. Subsequently, the first to third liquid crystal light
valves 1707, 1708 and 1709 output the modulated color rays. Hereat,
the red rays undergoing the color modulation is transmitted by the
green reflection dichroic mirror 2804 and by the blue reflection
dichroic mirror 2805 and then reach a projection lens 2714 (namely,
the projection means). After reflected by the green reflection
dichroic mirror 2804, the green rays undergoing the intensity
modulation is transmitted by the blue reflection dichroic mirror
2805 and then reach the projection lens 2714. After reflected by
the blue reflection dichroic mirror 2805, the blue rays undergoing
the intensity modulation reach the projection lens 2714.
[0257] The projection display 2800, in which the color synthesis
means is constituted by the optical system using mirrors comprising
the dichroic mirrors in this way, uses liquid crystal light valves,
each of which is a light valve of the type that modulates polarized
light of a single kind. Thus, the projection display 2800 of this
embodiment resolves substantial part of the problems of the
conventional luminaire in that if randomly-polarized light is led
to a liquid crystal light valve by using the conventional
luminaire, half of the randomly-polarized light is absorbed by a
polarizing plate and is converted into heat and thus the efficiency
in utilizing the light is low and in that a large cooling device
which makes a great deal of noise for controlling heat emitted from
the polarizing plate is needed.
[0258] Namely, in the case of the projection display 2800 of this
embodiment, the rotatory polarization is exerted only on one of the
two kinds of polarized light (for instance, s-polarized light) by
the half-wave plate 446 in the polarization luminaire 1900 so that
the plane of polarization thereof is made to extend in the same
direction as in which the other kind of polarized light (for
example, p-polarized light). Thus, the polarized lights, whose
polarization directions are uniform, are led to the first to third
liquid crystal light valves 2703, 2705 and 2711. Consequently, the
efficiency in utilizing the light can be enhanced. Moreover, a
bright projected image can be obtained. Further, the quantity of
light absorbed by the polarizing plate (not shown) can be reduced.
Thereby, a rise in temperature of the polarizing plate can be
suppressed. Consequently, it is realized that a cooling device can
be made small and its noise can be reduced. Furthermore, in the
polarization luminaire 1900, a thermally stable dielectric
multi-layer film is used as the polarized light splitting film. The
ability of the polarized light splitting portion 402 to split
polarized light is thermally stable. The polarized light splitting
portion, therefore, exerts the stable polarized light splitting
ability at all times even in the case of the projection display
2800 required to output a large quantity of light.
Embodiment 22
[0259] FIGS. 29(A)-(B) illustrate yet another example of the
polarization luminaire of the present invention. The polarization
luminaire 2900 of this embodiment is mostly composed of a light
source portion 401, a first lens plate 441 and a second lens plate
2901, which are placed along the system optical axis L. A flux of
lights radiated from the light source portion 401 are converged by
the first lens plate 441 and then reach to the second lens plate
2901. During passing through the second lens plate 2901, the
randomly-polarized lights are converted into polarized lights of a
single kind, whose polarization directions are uniform. Then, the
polarized lights of this single kind reach the rectangular region
404 to be illuminated.
[0260] The light source portion 401 is mostly composed of a light
source lamp 411 and a paraboloidal reflector 412.
Randomly-polarized lights, which are radiated from the light source
lamp 411, are reflected by the paraboloidal reflector 412 in a
single direction and thus become a nearly parallel luminous flux
that is then incident on the first lens plate 441. Here, note that
an ellipsoidal reflector or a spherical reflector may be used in
place of the paraboloidal reflector 412.
[0261] The first lens plate 441 comprises a plurality of small
condensing lenses 443 disposed therein, each of which has a
rectangular outside shape. Convergent light images, the number of
which is equal to that of the small condensing lenses 443, are
formed from flux of lights which is incident on the first lens
plate 441, in a plane which is perpendicular to the system optical
axis L, by the condensing action of the small condensing lenses
443. The plurality of convergent light images are nothing else but
projected images of the light source lamp. Thus, hereunder, the
convergent light images will be referred to as secondary light
source images.
[0262] The second lens plate 2901 of this embodiment is different
from the second lens plate of each of the aforementioned
embodiments and is a composite layered element comprising a
condenser lens array 2902, a polarized light splitting prism array
2903, a half-wave plate 2904 and an exit side lens 2905. The second
lens plate 2901 of this embodiment is placed in a plane, which is
perpendicular to the system optical axis L, in the vicinity of a
place at which a secondary light source image is formed by the
first lens plate 441. This second lens plate 2901 has the functions
as of the second lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator, as of the polarized light splitting element and as of
the polarized light conversion element.
[0263] The condenser lens array 2902 has a configuration similar to
that of the first lens plate 441. Namely, the condenser lens array
2902 comprises a plurality of condenser lenses 2910 disposed
therein, the number of which is equal to that of the
micro-condensing-lenses composing the first lens plate 441. The
condenser lens array 2902 is operative to condense light outputted
from the first lens plate 441. Here, note that each of the small
condensing lenses 443 composing the first lens plate 441 does not
necessarily have the same size, shape and lens characteristics as
of each of the condenser lenses 2910 composing the condenser lens
array 2902. It is preferable that each of the small condensing
lenses 443 and the condenser lenses 2910 is optimized according to
the characteristics of light emitted from the light source portion
401. It is, however, ideal that the principal one of rays entering
the polarized light prism array 2903 is parallel with the system
optical axis L. From this point of view, it is frequent that a lens
having the same lens characteristics as of the small condensing
lens 443 of the first lens plate 441 or a lens, which has a shape
similar to that of the small condensing lens 443 and the same lens
characteristics as of the micro-condensing-lens 443, is employed as
the condenser lens 2910. Thus, the condenser lens array 2902
corresponds to the second lens plate of the system of the optical
integrator.
[0264] The polarized light splitting prism array 2903, whose
external view is illustrated in FIG. 29(B), has a pair of a
square-pole-like polarizing beam splitter 2921 and a
square-pole-like reflection mirror 2922 as a fundamental composing
element. A plurality of such pairs are disposed in a plane (in
which secondary light source images are formed) in the polarized
light splitting prism array 2903 with regularity in such a manner
that a pair of fundamental composing elements correspond to the
condenser lens 2910 of the condenser lens array 2902. Further, the
width Wp of one of the polarizing beam splitters 2921 is equal to
the width Wm of one of the reflection mirrors 2922. Moreover, Wp
and Wm are set at half of the width of one of the condenser lenses
2910 composing the condenser lens array 2902.
[0265] Here, the second lens plate 2901 including the polarized
light prism array 2903 is placed in such a way that secondary light
source images are formed in the polarizing beam splitter 2921 by
the first lens plate 441. Thus, the light source portion 401 is
disposed in such a manner that the light source optical axis R
thereof is slightly inclined at a small angle.
[0266] Randomly-polarized light having been incident on the
polarized light prism array 2921 is separated by the polarizing
beam splitter 2921 into two kinds of polarized lights having
different polarization directions, namely, the p-polarized lights
and the s-polarized lights. Namely, the p-polarized light passes
through the polarizing beam splitter without changing the traveling
direction thereof. In contrast, the s-polarized light is reflected
on the polarized light splitting surface 2931 of the polarizing
beam splitter 2921, so that the traveling direction, in which the
s-polarized light travels, is turned about 90 degrees. Then, the
s-polarized light is reflected again on the reflection surface 2941
of the adjacent reflection mirror 2922 (of the pair), so that the
traveling direction, in which the s-polarized light travels, is
turned about 90 degrees. Finally, the s-polarized light goes out
from the polarized light splitting prism array 2903 in such a
manner as to be nearly in parallel with the p-polarized light.
[0267] The half-wave plate 2904, in which .lamda./2 retardation
films 2951 are placed with regularity, is disposed on the exit
surface of the polarized light splitting prism array 2903. Namely,
the .lamda./2 retardation films 2951 are placed only in the exit
surface portions of the polarizing beam splitters 2921 composing
the polarized light splitting prism array 2903. However, the
.lamda./2 retardation films 2951 are not placed in the exit surface
portion of the reflection mirrors 2922. With such placement of the
.lamda./2 retardation film 2951, the p-polarized light radiated
from the polarizing beam splitter 2921 undergoes a rotatory
polarization when passing through the .lamda./2 retardation film
2951, so that the p-polarized light is converted into s-polarized
light. On the other hand, the s-polarized light reflected from the
reflection mirror 2922 does not pass through the .lamda./2
retardation film 2951 and thus passes through the half-wave plate
2904 without undergoing the rotatory polarization. In summary,
randomly-polarized light are converted by the polarized light
splitting prism array 2903 and the half-wave plate 2904 into
polarized light of a single kind (in this case, s-polarized
light).
[0268] The flux of lights, which have been made to be s-polarized
light, are led by the exit side lens 2905 to the region 404 to be
illuminated. Further, images are formed from the s-polarized light
and are superposed on the region 404 to be illuminated. Namely,
images of image planes extracted by the first lens plate 441 are
formed by the second lens plate 2901 in such a manner as to be
superposed thereon. Simultaneously, the randomly-polarized light is
spatially separated by the polarized light splitting prism array
2903 placed at a midpoint into two kinds of polarized lights. When
passing through the half-wave plate 2904, the lights are converted
into polarized lights of a single kind. Thus most of the lights
reach the region 404 to be illuminated. Consequently, the region
404 to be illuminated is almost uniformly illuminated with the
polarized lights, most of which are of the single kind.
[0269] As above described, in the case of the polarization
luminaire 2900 of this embodiment, a randomly-polarized light
radiated from the light source portion 401 is converged by the
first lens plate 441 into predetermined micro-regions of the
polarized light splitting prism array 2903 and is then spatially
separated into two kinds of polarized lights, whose polarization
directions are different from each other. Thereafter, each of the
two kinds of polarized lights is led to a predetermined region of
the half-wave plate 2904, whereupon a p-polarized light is
converted into an s-polarized light. Thus, this embodiment exerts
the effects in that the randomly-polarized lights radiated from the
light source portion 401 can be applied to the region 404 to be
illuminated, while most of the polarized lights are in a state in
which these beams are made to be s-polarized lights. Moreover, in
the process of converting the polarized light, the loss of light
hardly occurs. Consequently, this embodiment has a characteristic
feature in that the efficiency in utilizing light outputted from
the light source is extremely high.
[0270] Further, in the case of this embodiment, in accordance with
the shape of the region 404 to be illuminated, which is a laterally
elongated rectangle, the micro-condensing-mirrors 443 of the first
lens plate 441 are in the shape of a laterally elongated rectangle.
Simultaneously, the two kinds of polarized lights radiated from the
polarized light prism array 2903 are separated in the transverse
direction. Thus, even in the case that the illumination region 404
to be illuminated, whose shape is a laterally elongated rectangle,
is formed, the illumination efficiency can be increased without
wasting a quantity of light.
Embodiment 23
[0271] In the case of Embodiment 22, the second lens plate 2901
including the polarized light prism array 2903 is placed in such a
way that secondary light source images formed by the first lens
plate 441 are placed in the polarizing beam splitter 2921. Thus,
the light source portion 401 is required to be disposed in such a
manner that the light source optical axis R thereof is slightly
inclined at a small angle. However, the light source optical axis R
can be made to coincide with the system optical axis L by providing
the deviation prism in the luminaire. Consequently, the light
source portion can be disposed therein without being inclined.
[0272] Namely, the luminaire of the present invention may be
configured as a polarization luminaire 3000 of Embodiment 23
illustrated in FIG. 30. In the case of the polarization luminaire
3000 of Embodiment 23 illustrated in FIG. 30, a deviation prism
3001 is placed between the light source 401 and the first lens
plate 441. When a ray radiated from the light source portion 401 is
incident on the deviation prism 3001, the traveling direction, in
which the ray travels, is slightly turned by the deviation prism.
Thus, the ray is then incident on the first lens plate 441 at an
angle which is not a right angle. Thereafter, the ray reaches a
predetermined position in the polarizing beam splitter 2921.
[0273] Namely, a place, at which a secondary image is formed by the
first lens plate 441, can be arbitrarily set by providing the
deviation prism 3001. Thus, the light source portion 401 can be
disposed on the system optical axis L. Consequently, the optical
system can be produced simply and easily.
[0274] Furthermore, the deviation prism 3001 can be formed in such
a way as to be integral with the first lens plate 441. In such a
case, the number of the interfaces between the deviation prism and
the first lens plate 441 can be decreased. Consequently, light
radiated from the light source 401 can be led to the second lens
plate 2901 without any loss of the light.
Embodiment 24
[0275] The placement of the light source portion 401 on the system
optical axis L can be realized by a method of using a decentered
lens as the micro-condensing-lenses composing the first lens plate
441, other than the method employed in Embodiment 23 which has been
previously described. A practical example of this is illustrated in
FIG. 31 as the polarization luminaire 3100, namely, Embodiment
24.
[0276] As illustrated in FIG. 31, in the case of the luminaire 3100
of this embodiment, the first lens plate 441 is constituted by the
decentered micro-condensing-lenses 3101. The principal ray of a
flux of lights radiated from the first lens plate 441 is slightly
inclined in such a manner that a secondary light source image is
formed at a predetermined place in the polarizing beam splitter
2921. Thus, the light source portion 401 can be placed on the
system optical axis L. Consequently, the manufacture of optical
systems can be simplified and facilitated.
Embodiment 25
[0277] Any of the second lens plates 2901 used in the
aforementioned Embodiment 22 to Embodiment 24 has the condenser
lens array 2902 and the exit side lens 2905. As to rays entering
the polarized light prism array 2903, it is ideal that the
principal ray is parallel to the system optical axis L. Most of the
condenser lens arrays 2902 are constituted by using lenses that are
the same as the micro-condensing-lenses 443 composing the first
lens plate 441. Further, the exit side lens 2905 is necessary for
forming an image on the predetermined illumination region 404 from
a flux of lights passing through different positions on the second
lens plate 2901, which are away from the system optical axis L, in
such a way as to be superposed thereon.
[0278] The exit side lens 2905, however, can be omitted by using a
decentered lens as the condenser lens array 2902 and by regulating
an installation angle of the reflection surface 2941 of the
reflection mirror 2922. A practical example is illustrated in FIG.
32 as a polarization luminaire of Embodiment 25.
[0279] As shown in FIG. 32, the condenser lens array 2902 is
constructed by using the decentered condenser lens 3201. Thus, in
the condenser lens array 2902, the principal ray of the p-polarized
light passing through the polarizing beam splitter 2921 can be
directed to the center 404a of the region to be illuminated. This
embodiment can deal with bundles of rays passing through the
polarizing beam splitter 2921, which are placed away from the
system optical axis L, by increasing the amount of eccentricity of
the decentered condenser lens 3201.
[0280] On the other hand, the principal ray of the s-polarized
lights, which goes out through the polarizing beam splitter 2921
and the reflection mirror 2922, can be directed to the center 404a
of the illumination region by setting the installation angle of the
reflection surface 2941 of the reflection mirror 2922 at a suitable
value. Needless to say, in this case, it is necessary to
individually optimize the installation angle of the reflection
surface according to the distance thereof from the system optical
axis L.
[0281] With the aforementioned configuration, the exit side lens
2905 becomes unnecessary. Thus, the cost of the optical system can
be reduced.
[0282] Further, in the case of employing a configuration which does
not use an exit side lens similarly as in the case of this
embodiment, the place at which the condenser lens array 2902 is not
limited to the light source side of the polarized light splitting
prism array 2903. Moreover, the condenser lens array 2902 can be
placed on the region-to-be-illuminated side of the polarized light
splitting prism array 2903, in the case of employing some lens
characteristics of the decentered condenser lenses 3201 composing
the condenser lens array 2902 and some installation angles of the
polarized light splitting surface 2931 and the reflection angle
2941 of the polarized light splitting prism array 2903.
Embodiment 26
[0283] In any of the aforementioned Embodiment 22 to Embodiment 25,
the light source portion 401 and the first lens plate 441 are
placed on the system optical axis L. Secondary light source images
are formed at predetermined positions in the polarizing beam
splitter 2921 by regulating the orientation of the light source
portion 401 or the lens characteristics of the first lens plate
441. In contrast, if shifting both of the light source portion 401
and the first lens plate 441 in parallel with the system optical
axis, similar advantages can be obtained.
[0284] Moreover, turning attention to the lateral size (namely, the
width) of each of the condenser lenses 2910 composing the condenser
lens array 2902 of the second lens plate 2901, as is understood
from the fact that secondary light source images are always formed
only on the polarizing beam splitter 2921, the condenser lens 2910
satisfactorily functions if the width thereof is equal to the width
Wp of the polarizing beam splitter 2921.
[0285] A practical example of this is illustrated in FIG. 33 as the
polarization luminaire 3300 of Embodiment 26. In the case of this
embodiment, the light source portion 401 and the first lens plate
441 are placed by being shifted in parallel with each other with
respect to the system optical axis L in the direction (namely, the
downward direction as viewed in this figure), in which the
polarizing beam splitter 2921 is provided in the polarized light
splitting prism array 2903, by a shifted distance (=D)
corresponding to a half of the width Wp of the polarizing beam
splitter 43. Furthermore, the condenser lens array 2902 of the
second lens plate 2901 is constructed by using and placing
condensing semi-transparent lenses 3301, each of which has a lens
width (namely, a lateral width) equal to the width Wp of the
polarizing beam splitter 292, correspondingly to the places at
which the polarizing beam splitter is mounted.
[0286] With the aforementioned configuration, the designing of the
optical system can be facilitated. Further, the cost of the optical
system can be reduced.
Projection Display Using Luminaire of Embodiment 24
[0287] FIG. 34 illustrates an example of a projection display using
the polarization luminaire 3100 illustrated in FIG. 31, among the
luminaires of Embodiment 23 to Embodiment 26.
[0288] As shown in FIG. 34, the light source portion 401 for
radiating randomly-polarized light in a single direction is
provided in the polarization luminaire 3100 of a device 3400 of
this embodiment. A randomly-polarized light, which is radiated from
this light source portion 401 and is condensed by the first lens
plate 441, is led to a predetermined position in the second lens
plate 2901. Thereafter, the randomly-polarized light is separated
by the polarized light prism array 2903 of the second lens plate
2901 into two kinds of polarized lights. Between the two kinds of
polarized lights, a p-polarized light is converted by the half-wave
plate 2904 into an s-polarized light.
[0289] Among flux of lights radiated from this polarization
luminaire 3100, first, a red rays are reflected by and blue and
green rays are transmitted by a blue-and-green reflection dichroic
mirror 3401. The red rays are reflected by a reflection mirror 3402
and subsequently, reach a first liquid crystal light valve 3403. On
the other hand, between the blue and green rays, the green rays are
reflected by a green reflection dichroic mirror 3404 and thus reach
a second liquid crystal light valve 3405.
[0290] Here, note that blue rays have optical path length longer
than that of any other two color rays. Thus, a light guiding means
(light guide) 3450 constituted by a relay lens system comprising an
entrance side lens 3406, a relay lens 3408 and an exit side lens
3410 is provided for blue rays. Namely, after transmitted by a
green reflection dichroic mirror 3404, the blue rays are first led
to the relay lens 3408 through the lens 3406 and by way of a
reflection mirror 3407. Then, after converged into this relay lens
3408, the blue rays are led to the exit side lens 3410 by way of a
reflection mirror 3409. Thereafter, the blue rays reach a third
liquid crystal light valve 3411. Hereat, the first to third liquid
crystal light valves 3403, 3405 and 3411 modulate corresponding
color rays and cause the color rays to contain corresponding image
information. Subsequently, the modulated color rays are made to be
incident on a dichroic prism (namely, a color synthesis means)
3413. The dichroic prism 3413 has a red reflection dielectric
multi-layer film and a blue reflection dielectric multi-layer film
that are arranged crosswise therein and synthesize bundles of
modulated rays of such colors, respectively. The bundles of rays
synthesized therein pass through a projection lens 3414 (namely, a
projection means) and come to form images on a screen 3415.
[0291] The projection display 3400 configured in this way uses
liquid crystal light valves, each of which is a light valve of the
type that modulates polarized light of a single kind. Thus, the
projection display 3400 of this embodiment resolves substantial
part of the problems of a conventional luminaire in that if
randomly-polarized light is led to a liquid crystal light valve by
using the conventional luminaire, half of the randomly-polarized
light is absorbed by a polarizing plate and is converted into heat
and thus the efficiency in utilizing the light is low and in that a
large cooling device which makes a great deal of noise for
controlling heat emitted from the polarizing plate is needed.
[0292] Namely, in the case of the projection display 3400 of this
embodiment, the rotatory polarization is exerted only on one of the
two kinds of polarized light, for instance, p-polarized light by
the half-wave plate 2904 in the polarization luminaire 3100 so that
the plane of polarization thereof is made to extend in the same
direction as in which the other kind of polarized light. Thus, the
polarized lights, whose polarization directions are uniform, are
led to the first to third liquid crystal light valves 3403, 3405
and 3411. Consequently, the efficiency in utilizing the light can
be enhanced. Moreover, a bright projected image can be obtained.
Further, the quantity of light absorbed by the polarizing plate
(not shown) can be reduced. Thereby, a rise in temperature of the
polarizing plate can be suppressed. Consequently, it is realized
that a cooling device can be made small and its noise can be
reduced.
[0293] Furthermore, in the polarization luminaire 3100, the two
kinds of polarized lights are separated in the transverse direction
by the second lens plate 2901 in accordance with the shape of the
condenser lens 2911. Thus, the region to be illuminated, whose
shape is a laterally elongated rectangle, can be formed without
wasting any quantity of light. Consequently, the polarization
luminaire 3100 is suitable for a laterally-elongated liquid crystal
light valve which can project an image which is easy to see and
appeals strongly.
[0294] As stated in the description of the aforementioned
Embodiment 22, the polarization luminaire of this embodiment
restrains the divergence of a flux of lights radiated from the
polarization conversion prism array 2903 in spite of the fact that
the polarization conversion optical elements are incorporated
thereinto. This means that when illuminating the liquid crystal
light valve, there is little light which is incident on the liquid
crystal light valve at a large angle of incidence. Therefore, a
bright projected image can be realized even if an
extremely-large-diameter projection lens having a small F-number is
not used.
[0295] In addition, this embodiment uses a dichroic prism 3413 as
the color synthesis means. Thus, the size of the device can be
reduced. Moreover, the length of the optical path between the
projection lens 3414 and each of the liquid crystal light valves
3403, 3405 and 3411 is short. Thus, in the case of the device of
this embodiment, a bright projected image can be realized even if a
projection lens having a relatively small diameter is used.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the light guiding means
3450 constituted by the relay lens system comprising the entrance
side lens 3406, the relay lens 3408 and the exit side lens 3410 is
provided for blue rays. Consequently, irregularities in colors or
the like do not occur in projected images.
[0296] Incidentally, the projection display can be provided with an
optical system using mirrors which uses three dichroic mirrors as
the color synthesis means. Needless to say, in such a case, the
polarization luminaire of this example can be incorporated into the
projection display. Consequently, similarly as in the case of this
example, a bright high-quality projected image can be formed with
good efficiency in utilizing light.
Other Embodiments
[0297] Incidentally, in the case of most of the aforementioned
embodiments, for example, the p-polarized light is converted into
the s-polarized light in the polarized light conversion means.
Needless to say, the uniform polarization direction, which the
polarized lights should have, may be either of the two polarization
directions of the s-polarized light and the p-polarized light.
Further, the planes of polarization of the polarized lights may be
made to extend in the same direction by exerting the rotatory
polarization on both of the p-polarized light and the s-polarized
light through the retardation layers.
[0298] On the other hand, in the case of each of the aforementioned
embodiments, it is assumed that the half-wave plate and the
quarter-wave plate are retardation films made of ordinary
high-polymer films. These retardation films, however, may be made
of twisted nematic liquid crystals (namely, TN liquid crystals). In
the case of using TN liquid crystals, the dependence on wavelength
of the retardation film can be lowered. Thus, in comparison with
the case of using ordinary high-polymer films, the polarization
conversion performance of the half-wave plate and the quarter-wave
plate can be enhanced.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0299] A polarization luminaire of the present invention having a
system of the optical integrator is provided with polarized light
splitting means for splitting a light radiated from a light source
into two kinds of polarized lights whose polarization directions
are perpendicular to each other and whose traveling directions are
apart from each other by an angle of less than 90 degrees, and
polarization conversion means for causing the two kinds of
polarized lights to have the same polarization direction. Moreover,
this polarization luminaire of the present invention employs a
configuration in which the polarized light splitting means is
placed on one of an entrance side and an exit side of a first lens
plate of the system of the optical integrator, or is placed in a
second lens plate.
[0300] Thus, in the case of the polarization luminaire of the
present invention, polarized lights, whose polarization directions
are uniform, can be applied to a region to be illuminated.
Therefore, in the case of using the polarization luminaire of the
present invention in a projection display which uses a liquid
crystal light valve, polarized lights, whose planes of polarization
extend in the same direction, can be supplied to the liquid crystal
light valve. The efficiency in utilizing light is enhanced.
Further, the brightness of a projected image can be enhanced.
Moreover, the quantity of light absorbed by a polarizing plate is
reduced, so that a rise in temperature of the polarizing plate is
suppressed. Consequently, it is realized a cooling device can be
made small and its noise can be reduced.
[0301] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the
spatial divergence of polarized lights due to the separation
thereof is avoided by utilizing a process of generating
micro-secondary light source images, which is a characteristic
feature of the system of the optical integrator. Thus, the size of
the luminaire of the present invention can be prevented from
exceeding the sizes of conventional luminaires.
[0302] Furthermore, in the case that a prism beam splitter is used
as the polarized light splitting means, the ability of a polarized
light splitting portion to split polarized light is thermally
stable, because a thermally stable dielectric multi-layer film is
used as the polarized light splitting film. The polarized light
splitting portion, therefore, exerts the stable polarized light
splitting ability at all times even in the case of the projection
display required to output a large quantity of light.
[0303] In the case of employing a configuration in which a prism
beam splitter is placed on the entrance side of the first lens
plate, the good separation characteristics for separating
p-polarized light from s-polarized light can be obtained. This is
because of the fact that the polarized light separating
characteristics of a prism beam splitter depend on the angle of
incidence of light and thus the polarized light separating
characteristics thereof can be made to be more favorable and stable
by causing rays, which have been made by a reflector to be nearly
parallel rays, to entered the prism beam splitter.
[0304] Further, the size of the luminaire can be further reduced by
employing a configuration in which the prism beam splitter is
placed on the exit side of the first lens plate, because the gap
between the first lens plate and the second lens plate can be
narrowed.
* * * * *