High-efficiency polarized light illumination system for liquid-crystal-display projectors

Abstract

We present a new optical system with two identical s- and p-polarized light paths for converting a random polarized beam into a linearly polarized one. The system also provides a uniform and rectangular cross-section beam on the light valve. The geometrical factor of the polarization-conversion efficiency of 190% and the uniformity at the liquid crystal display (LCD) plane of above 90% has been achieved by this optimized optical system.