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WO2013016163A2 - Module d'éclairage - Google Patents

Module d'éclairage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013016163A2
WO2013016163A2 PCT/US2012/047528 US2012047528W WO2013016163A2 WO 2013016163 A2 WO2013016163 A2 WO 2013016163A2 US 2012047528 W US2012047528 W US 2012047528W WO 2013016163 A2 WO2013016163 A2 WO 2013016163A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light beam
dichroic mirror
disposed
illumination module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/047528
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2013016163A3 (fr
Inventor
Chuan Wai WONG
Andrew J. Ouderkirk
Philip E. Watson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Innovative Properties Co
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 3M Innovative Properties Co filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Co
Publication of WO2013016163A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013016163A2/fr
Publication of WO2013016163A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013016163A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/28—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00 for polarising
    • G02B27/286—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00 for polarising for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/1006—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths
    • G02B27/102—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources
    • G02B27/1026—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources for use with reflective spatial light modulators
    • G02B27/1033—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources for use with reflective spatial light modulators having a single light modulator for all colour channels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/20—Lamp housings
    • G03B21/2073—Polarisers in the lamp house
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/20—Lamp housings
    • G03B21/208—Homogenising, shaping of the illumination light
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B33/00—Colour photography, other than mere exposure or projection of a colour film
    • G03B33/10—Simultaneous recording or projection
    • G03B33/12—Simultaneous recording or projection using beam-splitting or beam-combining systems, e.g. dichroic mirrors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
    • G02B27/145—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only having sequential partially reflecting surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/14—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only
    • G02B27/149—Beam splitting or combining systems operating by reflection only using crossed beamsplitting surfaces, e.g. cross-dichroic cubes or X-cubes

Definitions

  • Projection systems used for projecting an image on a screen can use multiple color light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LED's), with different colors to generate the illumination light.
  • LED's light emitting diodes
  • Several optical elements are disposed between the LED's and the image display unit to combine and transfer the light from the LED's to the image display unit.
  • the image display unit can use various methods to impose an image on the light. For example, the image display unit may use polarization, as with transmissive or reflective liquid crystal displays.
  • Still other projection systems used for projecting an image on a screen can use white light configured to imagewise reflect from a digital micro-mirror array, such as the array used in Texas
  • DLP Instruments' Digital Light Processor
  • individual mirrors within the digital micro-mirror array represent individual pixels of the projected image.
  • a display pixel is illuminated when the corresponding mirror is tilted so that incident light is directed into the projected optical path.
  • a rotating color wheel placed within the optical path is timed to the reflection of light from the digital micro-mirror array, so that the reflected white light is filtered to project the color corresponding to the pixel.
  • the digital micro-mirror array is then switched to the next desired pixel color, and the process is continued at such a rapid rate that the entire projected display appears to be continuously illuminated.
  • the digital micro-mirror projection system requires fewer pixelated array components, which can result in a smaller size projector.
  • LED illumination is becoming a common method for projection illumination.
  • LEDs offer long life, high color gamut, high efficiency, the ability to be strobed for sequential imagers, and contain no mercury.
  • LEDs have a relatively low brightness.
  • One way of at least doubling the effective brightness of a white source made from red, green, and blue LEDs is to use a color combiner, which uses dichroic filters to make the individual colors of LEDs optically appear to spatially overlap with each other. These types of devices are broadly described as being "color combiners”.
  • Color combiners typically use dichroic filters that are tilted relative to the light beams passing through them, such as in currently available "X-cubes", where different dichroic filters are disposed on prism faces and assembled into a cube, to control the path of light entering the cube.
  • Image brightness is an important parameter of a projection system.
  • the present disclosure relates to illumination modules and image projectors using the illumination modules.
  • the present disclosure provides an illumination module that includes a first light collimator disposed to collimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to collimate a second light beam from a second light source; and a third light collimator disposed to collimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam toward a combined output region.
  • the illumination module further provides a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam toward the combined output region; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed between the first light collimator and the first dichroic filter, the first reflective polarizer perpendicular to the first collimated light beam and aligned to pass a first polarization direction; and a second reflective polarizer disposed adjacent the third light collimator and opposite the third light source, the second reflective polarizer perpendicular to the third collimated light beam and aligned to pass the first polarization direction; wherein the first and second reflective polarizers cooperate to recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first and the third collimated light beams.
  • the present disclosure still further describes a projection system that includes the illumination module wherein a combined light output including the first polarization direction of the first light beam, the first polarization direction of the second light beam, and the third light
  • the present disclosure provides an illumination module that includes a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect a first collimated light beam toward a combined output region; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect a second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed to pass a first polarization direction of the first collimated light beam to the first dichroic mirror, and recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first collimated light beam; and a second reflective polarizer disposed to pass the first polarization direction of a third collimated light beam toward the combined output region, and recycle the second orthogonal polarization direction of the third collimated light beam.
  • the present disclosure still further describes a projection system that includes the illumination module wherein a combined light output including the first polarization direction of the first light beam, the first polarization direction of the second light beam, and the third light beam are directed toward an imager.
  • the present disclosure provides an illumination module that includes a first light collimator disposed to collimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to collimate a second light beam from a second light source; and a third light collimator disposed to collimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam through a second dichroic mirror toward a combined output region.
  • the illumination module further includes a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam toward the second dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam and the second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a reflective polarizer disposed between the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror, the first reflective polarizer perpendicular to both the first collimated light beam and the second collimated light beam, and aligned to pass a first polarization direction; and wherein the reflective polarizer and the first dichroic mirror cooperate to recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first and the second collimated light beams.
  • the present disclosure still further describes a projection system that includes the illumination module wherein a combined light output including the first polarization direction of the first light beam, the first polarization direction of the second light beam, and the third light beam are directed toward an imager.
  • the present disclosure provides an illumination module that includes a first light collimator disposed to collimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to collimate a second light beam from a second light source; and a third light collimator disposed to collimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam through a third dichroic mirror toward a combined output region.
  • the illumination module further includes a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam toward the third dichroic mirror; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam toward the third dichroic mirror, the third dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first and the second collimated light beams toward the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed to pass a first polarization direction of the first collimated light beam to the first dichroic mirror, and recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first collimated light beam; and a second reflective polarizer disposed to pass the first polarization direction of the second collimated light beam toward the combined output region, and recycle the second orthogonal polarization direction of the second collimated light beam.
  • the present disclosure still further describes a projection system that includes the illumination module wherein a combined light output including the first polarization direction of the first light beam, the first polarization direction of the second light beam, and the third light beam are directed toward an imager.
  • FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an illumination module
  • FIG. IB is a schematic view of an illumination module
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illumination module
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illumination module.
  • Reflective polarizers are often used to improve optical efficiency of a color combiner or an illumination module by recycling light having an undesired polarization state; however, degradation of the polarizer can occur even upon exposure to short wavelength light within the human visible range.
  • the polarizer degradation not only impacts the polarizer lifetime, but also affects the total life time of an image projector using the polarizer, if the polarizer becomes less transmissive.
  • the present disclosure provides a technique to reduce the degradation of the reflective polarizer used in illumination modules, and therefore can lead to improving the total efficiency of an image projector without undue lifetime limitations.
  • the reflective polarizer can be positioned to reflect p- polarized light back to the light source where it will be reflected and randomized as s- and p- polarized light.
  • the recycled p-polarized light again will be reflected by the reflective polarizer and repeats the recycling process.
  • the recycled s-polarized light can enter the illumination path, hence, increase the total optical brightness.
  • the recycling process can recycle up to 70% of wasted light.
  • the reflective polarizer is sensitive to short wavelength however, e.g. blue light, which cause materials degradation. Hence, the present disclosure applies the polarizer in the illumination path such that interaction with short wavelength light is avoided.
  • the present disclosure provides an illumination module that can emit polarized light with wavelengths greater than approximately 500 nm, and largely unpolarized light with wavelengths less than approximately 500 nm.
  • the illumination module can include at least a first and second colored Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a color combining unit.
  • the first LED can emit blue light, and the second LED does not emit blue light.
  • a recycling reflective polarizer can placed between the second LED and the color combining unit.
  • the reflective polarizer performs with a higher efficiency if light travels perpendicular to its surface, where maximum reflectance of p-polarized light can occur.
  • the present disclosure positions the polarizer in between color combiner and collimation optics positioned to collect light from the LEDs, such that the light travels to the polarizer almost telecentric and perpendicular to polarizer.
  • the shape of reflective polarizer can be optimized in order to maximize its efficiency.
  • the form factor can be curved to a radius in order to reflect light effectively, especially in the non-telecentric optical system where the lights can be divergent or convergent.
  • the optical elements described herein can be configured as illumination modules that receive different wavelength spectrum lights and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrum lights.
  • the received light inputs are polarized, and the combined light output is polarized.
  • the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized.
  • the received light inputs are unpolarized, and a first wavelength spectra of the combined light output is polarized and a second wavelength spectra of the combined light output is unpolarized.
  • the combined light has the same etendue as each of the received lights.
  • the combined light can be a polychromatic combined light that comprises more than one wavelength spectrum of light.
  • the combined light can be a time sequenced output of each of the received lights.
  • each of the different wavelength spectra of light corresponds to a different color light (e.g. red, green and blue), and the combined light output is white light, or a time sequenced red, green and blue light.
  • color light and “wavelength spectrum light” are both intended to mean light having a wavelength spectrum range which may be correlated to a specific color if visible to the human eye.
  • the more general term "wavelength spectrum light” refers to both visible and other wavelength spectrums of light including, for example, infrared light.
  • an optical element such as a polarizer aligned to the first polarization state means the orientation of the polarizer that passes the p-polarization state of light, and reflects or absorbs the second polarization state (in this case the s-polarization state) of light.
  • the polarizer can instead be aligned to pass the s-polarization state of light, and reflect or absorb the p- polarization state of light, if desired.
  • facing refers to one element disposed so that a perpendicular line from the surface of the element follows an optical path that is also perpendicular to the other element.
  • One element facing another element can include the elements disposed adjacent each other.
  • One element facing another element further includes the elements separated by optics so that a light ray perpendicular to one element is also perpendicular to the other element.
  • the optical element includes a first color-selective dichroic mirror positioned to reflect a first color light toward the output of the illumination module, and transmit all other colors of light.
  • the first color-selective dichroic mirror is positioned to protect any reflective polarizers within the illumination module from light that can be damaging to the reflective polarizer (i.e., actinic light such as higher energy blue or ultraviolet (UV) light).
  • the first color-selective dichroic mirror intercepts and reflects the first color light (i.e., the potentially damaging light) before any of the first color light can intercept a reflective polarizer.
  • the first color-selective dichroic mirror reflects a major portion of the first color light, for example greater than 90% of the first color light incident on the color-selective dichroic mirror.
  • the reflective polarizer generally needs to have a low absorptivity, a wide angular acceptance range, and long life under intense exposure to actinic light.
  • Color combiners using 3M Company's MZIP or APF Multilayer Optical Film (MOF) reflective polarizer have sufficient angular and broad band optical performance, but can photo-degrade by actinic light such as UV, blue, and possibly green light.
  • Applications suitable for color combiners can require that the reflective polarizer be exposed to actinic light for long periods of time, which can degrade the reflective polarizer.
  • the present disclosure describes a durable color combiner with improved reflective polarizer photo-stability.
  • Actinic light causes bond scission in the polyester in the reflective polarizer.
  • the scattered light has an increased average path length, increasing the rate of bond scission, absorption, and eventually resulting in higher temperatures.
  • a color light combining system receives unpolarized light from different color unpolarized light sources, and produces a combined light output that is polarized in one desired state.
  • two, three, four, or more received color lights can each be split according to polarization (e.g. s- polarization and p-polarization, or right and left circular polarization) by a reflective polarizer in the optical element. The received light of one polarization state is recycled to become the desired polarization state.
  • the illumination module comprises light collimation optics disposed adjacent the light source that at least partially collimate the light from the light source, and a reflective polarizer positioned so that light from each of the three color lights is split into two orthogonal polarization states.
  • One of the polarization states pass through the reflective polarizer and proceeds through the rest of the illumination module, and the orthogonal polarization state is recycled.
  • the reflective polarizer can be any known reflective polarizer such as a MacNeille polarizer, a wire grid polarizer, a multilayer optical film polarizer, or a circular polarizer such as a cholesteric liquid crystal polarizer.
  • a multilayer optical film polarizer can be a preferred reflective polarizer.
  • Multilayer optical film polarizers can include different "packets" of layers that serve to interact with different wavelength ranges of light.
  • a unitary multilayer optical film polarizer can include several packets of layers through the film thickness, each packet interacting with a different wavelength range (e.g. color) of light to reflect one polarization state and transmit the other polarization state.
  • a multilayer optical film can have a first packet of layers adjacent a first surface of the film that interacts with, for example, blue colored light (i.e., a "blue layers"), a second packet of layers that interacts with, for example, green colored light (i.e., a "green layers”), and a third packet of layers adjacent a second surface of the film that interacts with, for example, red colored light (i.e. a "red layers”).
  • blue colored light i.e., a "blue layers”
  • green colored light i.e., a "green layers”
  • red colored light i.e. a "red layers”
  • Polymeric multilayer optical film polarizers can be particularly preferred reflective polarizers that can include packets of film layers as described above.
  • the higher energy wavelengths of light such as blue light
  • the nature of the interaction of blue light with the film affects the severity of the adverse aging. Transmission of blue light through the film is generally less detrimental to the film than reflection of blue light entering from the "blue layers" (i.e. thin layers) side. Also, reflection of blue light entering the film from the "blue layers” side is less detrimental to the film than reflection of blue light entering from the "red layers” (i.e., thick layers) side.
  • the present disclosure is directed toward further improving the stability of the reflective polarizer in an optical element such as a color combiner, by preventing a majority of the actinic light from ever reaching any of the reflective polarizers in the illumination module.
  • a color-selective dichroic mirror reflects a major portion of the actinic light, while transmitting the major portions of other wavelengths of light.
  • the color-selective dichroic mirror can be formed on an optical element such as a diagonal prism face in an X-cube.
  • the color-selective dichroic mirror can be a separate film or plate element such as a pellicle.
  • the color-selective dichroic mirror can be formed by any known process, such as vacuum deposition of an inorganic dielectric stack.
  • the blue layers can be eliminated from any reflective polarizers, since a major portion of the blue light is reflected by the color-selective dichroic mirror before any blue light can interact with the reflective polarizer.
  • wavelength selective mirrors such as color-selective dichroic mirrors are placed in the path of input light from each of the different colored light sources.
  • Each of the color-selective dichroic mirrors is selected to reflect light having a wavelength spectrum of one input light source, and transmit light having a wavelength spectrum of at least one of the other input light sources.
  • each of the color-selective dichroic mirrors is selected to reflect light having a wavelength spectrum of one input light source, and transmit light having a wavelength spectrum of all of the other input light sources.
  • a retarder is placed between the reflective polarizer and the light source to enhance light recycling efficiency, as described elsewhere.
  • the retarder is a quarter- wave retarder aligned at approximately 45 degrees to a polarization state of the reflective polarizer.
  • the alignment can be from 35 to 55 degrees; from 40 to 50 degrees; from 43 to 47 degrees; or from 44.5 to 45.5 degrees to a polarization state of the reflective polarizer.
  • the first color light comprises an unpolarized red light
  • the second color light comprises an unpolarized green light
  • the third color light comprises an unpolarized blue light
  • the color light combiner combines the red light, blue light and green light to produce polarized white light.
  • the color light combiner combines the red, green and blue light to produce a time sequenced polarized red, green and blue light.
  • each of the first, second and third color lights are disposed in separate light sources.
  • more than one of the three color lights is combined into one of the sources.
  • more than three color lights are combined in the illumination module to produce a combined light.
  • the light beam includes light rays that can be collimated, convergent, or divergent when it enters the X-cube.
  • the light beam includes light rays that are collimated.
  • Convergent or divergent light entering the X-cube can be lost through one of the faces or ends of the X-cube.
  • all of the exterior faces of a prism based X- cube can be polished to enable total internal reflection (TIR) within the X-cube. Enabling TIR improves the utilization of light entering the X-cube, so that substantially all of the light entering the X-cube within a range of angles is redirected to exit the X-cube through the desired face.
  • TIR total internal reflection
  • Each of the components of the illumination module including prisms, reflective polarizers, quarter-wave retarders, mirrors, filters or other components can be bonded together by a suitable optical adhesive.
  • the optical adhesive used to bond the components together has a lower index of refraction than the index of refraction of the prisms used in the optical element.
  • An optical element that is fully bonded together offers advantages including alignment stability during assembly, handling and use.
  • two adjacent prisms can be bonded together using an optical adhesive.
  • a unitary optical component can incorporate the optics of the two adjacent prisms; e.g., such as a single triangular prism which incorporates the optics of two adjacent triangular prisms, as described elsewhere.
  • FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of an illumination module 100 according to one aspect of the disclosure.
  • the illumination module 100 includes an X-cube 101 having a first prism 102, a second prism 104, a third prism 106, and a fourth prism 108.
  • a first dichroic mirror 170 and a second dichroic mirror 175 are positioned on diagonals of the X-cube.
  • Each of the first and second dichroic mirrors 170, 175 can be formed by any suitable technique including, for example, deposition of multiple layers of dielectrics on the prism faces, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • the illumination module 100 further includes a first light source 110, a second light source
  • Each of the first, second, and third light sources 110, 120, 130 can comprise light from a light emitting diode (LED) source.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • Various light sources can be used such as lasers, laser diodes, organic LED's (OLED's), and non solid-state light sources such as ultra high pressure (UHP), halogen or xenon lamps with appropriate collectors or reflectors.
  • An LED light source can have advantages over other light sources, including economy of operation, long lifetime, robustness, efficient light generation and improved spectral output.
  • a reflective polarizer 150 is aligned to a first polarization direction 195 and disposed in the path of each of the first light beam 111 and the second light beam 121, such that a first polarization state light (represented by solid lines) reflects from the reflective polarizer 150 to be recycled, and a second orthogonal polarization state light (represented by dashed lines) passes through the reflective polarizer 150 into the X-cube 101.
  • an optional retarder 160 is positioned between the reflective polarizer 150 and the light collimator 140 to convert the recycled first polarization state light to the second polarization state light.
  • the recycled first polarization state light is first converted to circularly polarized light as it passes through optional retarder 160, passes through light collimator 140, reflects from the respective light source thereby changing the direction of circular polarization, passes back through light collimator 140, and again passes through optional retarder 160 to become second polarization state light.
  • a Cartesian reflective polarizer has a polarization axis state, and includes both wire-grid polarizers and polymeric multilayer optical films such as can be produced by extrusion and subsequent stretching of a multilayer polymeric laminate.
  • reflective polarizer 150 is aligned so that one polarization axis is parallel to a first polarization direction 195, and perpendicular to a second orthogonal polarization direction.
  • the first polarization direction 195 can be the s-polarization state
  • the second orthogonal polarization direction can be the p-polarization state.
  • the first polarization direction 195 can be the p-polarization state
  • the second orthogonal polarization direction can be the s- polarization state.
  • a Cartesian reflective polarizer film provides the illumination module with an ability to pass input light rays that are not fully collimated, and that are divergent or skewed from a central light beam axis, with high efficiency.
  • the Cartesian reflective polarizer film can comprise a polymeric multilayer optical film that comprises multiple layers of dielectric or polymeric material. Use of dielectric films can have the advantage of low attenuation of light and high efficiency in passing light.
  • the multilayer optical film can comprise polymeric multilayer optical films such as those described in U.S. Patent 5,962,114 (Jonza et al.) or U.S. Patent 6,721,096 (Bruzzone et al.).
  • Optional retarders 160 such as quarter- wave retarders 160 can be used to change the polarization state of incident light.
  • quarter- wave retarder 160 can be aligned at any degree orientation to first polarization direction 195, for example from 90° in a counter-clockwise direction to 90° in a clockwise direction. It can be advantageous to orient the retarder at approximately +/- 45° to the first polarization direction 195; however, other orientations of quarter-wave retarders can also be used.
  • the third light source 130 includes actinic light, such as blue and/or ultraviolet light, as described elsewhere. As such, the third light beam 131 is prevented from intercepting the reflective polarizer 150, and passes through X-cube 101 without any change to the polarization state.
  • An optional clean-up polarizer 151 can be aligned to the first polarization direction 195 such that only the second polarization state of each of the first light beam 111, second light beam 121 and third light beam 131 can pass through the illumination module 100.
  • the illumination module 100 further includes an optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190 disposed in the output light path.
  • the optional homogenizer 180 can be any suitable homogenizer that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light passing through the illumination module such as those described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 61/346183 entitled “Fly Eye Integrator Polarization Converter”; 61/346190 entitled “Polarized Projection Illuminator”; and 61/346193 entitled “Compact Illuminator”, all filed on May 19, 2010.
  • the optional relay optics 190 can be any suitable optical elements that are useful for transporting the light to, for example, an imager and projection system, as described elsewhere.
  • a first light beam 111 from first light source 110 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140, passes unchanged through optional retarder 160 and intercepts reflective polarizer 150 where it splits into reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state, and transmitted first light ray 112 having the second polarization state. Reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward first light source 110.
  • reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 160 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 114 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted first light ray 112 having the second polarization state enters X-cube through fourth prism 108, reflects from first dichroic mirror 170, passes through second dichroic mirror 175, exits X-cube 101 through first prism 102, passes unchanged through optional clean-up polarizer 151, and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • a second light ray 121 from second light source 120 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140, passes unchanged through optional retarder 160 and intercepts reflective polarizer 150 where it splits into reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state, and transmitted second light ray 122 having the second polarization state. Reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward second light source 120. In one particular embodiment, reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 160 where it can be rotated to the reflected second light ray 124 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted second light ray 122 having the second polarization state enters X-cube through third prism 106, passes through first dichroic mirror 170, passes through second dichroic mirror 175, exits X-cube 101 through first prism 102, passes unchanged through optional clean-up polarizer 151, and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • a third light ray 131 from third light source 130 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140.
  • Third light ray 131 enters X-cube through second prism 104, reflects from second dichroic mirror 175, passes through first dichroic mirror 170, exits X-cube 101 through first prism 102 and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • third light ray 131 instead exits X-cube 101 through first prism 102, passes through optional clean-up polarizer 151 where only polarized third light 132 having the second polarization state passes through to optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • FIG. IB shows a schematic view of an illumination module 100' according to one aspect of the disclosure.
  • the X-cube 101 comprised of four separate prisms shown in FIG. 1A has been replaced by dichroic mirror plates.
  • the illumination module 100' includes a first dichroic mirror plate 170' and a second dichroic mirror plate 175' disposed in an X-cube configuration.
  • Each of the first and second dichroic mirror plates 170', 175 ' can be formed by any suitable technique including, for example, deposition of multiple layers of dielectrics on a glass plate, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • each of the dichroic mirror plates 170', 175' can instead be replaced by dichroic mirror films that are held in position as pellicles, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • the illumination module 100' further includes a first light source 110, a second light source 120, and a third light source 130, each configured to inject a first light beam 111, a second light beam 121, and a third light beam 131, respectively, through a light collimator 140 such that collimated light is directed toward the first and second dichroic mirror plates 170', 175'.
  • a combined light output 199 exits the illumination module 100'.
  • Each of the first, second, and third light sources 110, 120, 130 can comprise light from a light emitting diode (LED) source.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • LED light sources can be used such as lasers, laser diodes, organic LED's (OLED's), and non solid-state light sources such as ultra high pressure (UHP), halogen or xenon lamps with appropriate collectors or reflectors.
  • An LED light source can have advantages over other light sources, including economy of operation, long lifetime, robustness, efficient light generation and improved spectral output.
  • a reflective polarizer 150 is aligned to a first polarization direction 195 and disposed in the path of each of the first light beam 111 and the second light beam 121, such that a first polarization state light (represented by solid lines) reflects from the reflective polarizer 150 to be recycled, and a second orthogonal polarization state light (represented by dashed lines) passes through the reflective polarizer 150 toward the dichroic mirror plates 170', 175'.
  • an optional retarder 160 is positioned between the reflective polarizer 150 and the light collimator 140 to convert the recycled first polarization state light to the second polarization state light.
  • the recycled first polarization state light is first converted to circularly polarized light as it passes through optional retarder 160, passes through light collimator 140, reflects from the respective light source thereby changing the direction of circular polarization, passes back through light collimator 140, and again passes through optional retarder 160 to become second polarization state light.
  • the alignment and properties of both the reflective polarizer 150 and the optional retarder 160 have been described previously, for example with reference to FIG. 1 A.
  • the third light source 130 includes actinic light, such as blue and/or ultraviolet light, as described elsewhere. As such, the third light beam 131 is prevented from intercepting the reflective polarizer 150.
  • An optional clean-up polarizer 151 can be aligned to the first polarization direction 195 such that only the second polarization state of each of the first light beam 111, second light beam 121 and third light beam 131 can pass through the illumination module 100'.
  • the illumination module 100' further includes an optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190 disposed in the output light path, as described elsewhere, for example with reference to FIG. 1A.
  • a first light beam 111 from first light source 110 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140, passes unchanged through optional retarder 160 and intercepts reflective polarizer 150 where it splits into reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state, and transmitted first light ray 112 having the second polarization state. Reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward first light source 110.
  • reflected first light ray 113 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 160 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 114 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted first light ray 112 having the second polarization state reflects from first dichroic mirror plate 170', passes through second dichroic mirror plate 175', passes unchanged through optional clean-up polarizer 151, and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • a second light ray 121 from second light source 120 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140, passes unchanged through optional retarder 160 and intercepts reflective polarizer 150 where it splits into reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state, and transmitted second light ray 122 having the second polarization state. Reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward second light source 120. In one particular embodiment, reflected second light ray 123 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 160 where it can be rotated to the reflected second light ray 124 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted second light ray 122 having the second polarization state passes through first dichroic mirror plate 170', passes through second dichroic mirror plate 175', passes unchanged through optional clean-up polarizer 151, and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • a third light ray 131 from third light source 130 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 140.
  • Third light ray 131 reflects from second dichroic mirror plate 175', passes through first dichroic mirror plate 170', and passes through optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • third light ray 131 instead passes through optional clean-up polarizer 151 where only polarized third light 132 having the second polarization state passes through to optional homogenizer 180 and optional relay optics 190.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an illumination module 200, according to one aspect of the disclosure.
  • the illumination module 200 includes a first prism cube 201 having a first prism 202, a second prism 204 and a first dichroic mirror 278 disposed on a diagonal between them.
  • the illumination module 200 further includes a second prism cube 203, having a third prism 206, a fourth prism 208, and a second dichroic mirror 270 disposed on a diagonal between them.
  • Each of the first and second dichroic mirrors 278, 270 can be formed by any suitable technique including, for example, deposition of multiple layers of dielectrics on the prism faces, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • the illumination module 200 further includes a first light source 210, a second light source 220, and a third light source 230, each configured to inject a first light beam 211, a second light beam 221 , and a third light beam 231, respectively, through a light collimator 240 such that collimated light is directed toward the first prism cube 201 and second prism cube 203.
  • a combined light output 299 exits the illumination module 200.
  • Each of the first, second, and third light sources 210, 220, 230 can comprise light from a light emitting diode (LED) source.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • a reflective polarizer 250 is aligned to a first polarization direction 295 and disposed in the path of each of the first light beam 211 and the second light beam 221, between the first prism cube 201 and the second prism cube 203.
  • the reflective polarizer 250 is positioned and aligned such that a first polarization state light (represented by solid lines) reflects from the reflective polarizer 250 to be recycled, and a second orthogonal polarization state light (represented by dashed lines) passes through the reflective polarizer 250 into the second prism cube 203.
  • an optional retarder 260 is positioned between the reflective polarizer 250 and the first prism cube 201 to convert the recycled first polarization state light to the second polarization state light.
  • the recycled first polarization state light is first converted to circularly polarized light as it passes through optional retarder 260, passes through light collimator 240, reflects from the respective light source thereby changing the direction of circular polarization, passes back through light collimator 240, and again passes through optional retarder 260 to become second polarization state light.
  • the optional retarder 260 can instead be positioned anywhere within the light path between each of the respective first and second light sources 210, 220, and the reflective polarizer 250, and as such a separate optional retarder 260 can be used for each light source.
  • the alignment and properties of both the reflective polarizer 250 and the optional retarder(s) 260 have been described previously, for example with reference to reflective polarizer 150 and optional retarder 160 of FIG. 1A.
  • the third light source 230 includes actinic light, such as blue and/or ultraviolet light, as described elsewhere. As such, the third light beam 231 is prevented from intercepting the reflective polarizer 250, and passes through second prism cube 203 without any change to the polarization state.
  • An optional clean-up polarizer (not shown, but similar to optional clean-up polarizer 151 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B) can be aligned to the first polarization direction 295 such that only the second polarization state of each of the first light beam 211, second light beam 221 and third light beam 231 can pass through the illumination module 200.
  • the illumination module 200 further includes an optional homogenizer 280 and optional relay optics 290 disposed in the output light path.
  • the optional homogenizer 280 can be any suitable homogenizer that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light passing through the illumination module such as those described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 61/346183 entitled “Fly Eye Integrator Polarization Converter”; 61/346190 entitled “Polarized
  • the optional relay optics 290 can be any suitable optical elements that are useful for transporting the light to, for example, an imager and projection system, as described elsewhere.
  • the path of light rays through illumination module 200 will now be described.
  • a first light ray 211 from first light source 210 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 240, passes through first dichroic mirror 278, passes unchanged through optional retarder 260 and intercepts reflective polarizer 250 where it splits into reflected first light ray 213 having the first polarization state, and transmitted first light ray 212 having the second polarization state.
  • Reflected first light ray 213 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward first light source 210.
  • reflected first light ray 213 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 260 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 214 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted first light ray 212 having the second polarization state enters second prism cube 203 through third prism 206, reflects from second dichroic mirror 270, exits second prism cube 203 through third prism 206, and passes through optional homogenizer 280 and optional relay optics 290.
  • a second light ray 221 from second light source 220 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 240, reflects from first dichroic mirror 278, passes unchanged through optional retarder 260 and intercepts reflective polarizer 250 where it splits into reflected second light ray 223 having the first polarization state, and transmitted second light ray 222 having the second polarization state. Reflected second light ray 223 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward second light source 220. In one particular embodiment, reflected second light ray 223 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 260 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 224 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted second light ray 222 having the second polarization state enters second prism cube 203 through third prism 206, reflects from second dichroic mirror 270, exits second prism cube 203 through third prism 206, and passes through optional homogenizer 280 and optional relay optics 290.
  • a third light ray 231 from third light source 230 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 240.
  • Third light ray 231 enters second prism cube 203 through fourth prism 208, passes through second dichroic mirror 270, exits second prism cube 203 through third prism 206 and passes through optional homogenizer 280 and optional relay optics 290.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an illumination module 300, according to one aspect of the disclosure.
  • the illumination module 300 includes a first prism cube 301 having a first prism 302, a second prism 304 and a first dichroic mirror 370 disposed on a diagonal between them.
  • the illumination module 300 further includes a second prism cube 303, having a third prism 306, a fourth prism 308, and a second dichroic mirror 378 disposed on a diagonal between them.
  • the illumination module 300 still further includes a third prism cube 305, having a fifth prism 307, a sixth prism 309, and a third dichroic mirror 379 disposed on a diagonal between them.
  • Each of the first, second, and third dichroic mirrors 370, 378, 379 can be formed by any suitable technique including, for example, deposition of multiple layers of dielectrics on the prism faces, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • the illumination module 300 further includes a first light source 310, a second light source 320, and a third light source 330, each configured to inject a first light beam 311, a second light beam 321, and a third light beam 331, respectively, through a light collimator 340 such that collimated light is directed toward the first prism cube 301, second prism cube 303, and third prism cube 305, respectively.
  • a combined light output 399 exits the illumination module 300.
  • Each of the first, second, and third light sources 310, 320, 330 can comprise light from a light emitting diode (LED) source.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • each light collimator 340 can include a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) shaped light collimator, as known to one of skill in the art.
  • CPC Compound Parabolic Concentrator
  • a reflective polarizer 350 is aligned to a first polarization direction 395 and disposed in the path of each of the first light beam 311 and the second light beam 321, between the first prism cube 301 and the light collimator 340, and the second prism cube 303 and the light collimator 340, respectively.
  • the reflective polarizer 350 is positioned and aligned such that a first polarization state light (represented by solid lines) reflects from the reflective polarizer 350 to be recycled, and a second orthogonal polarization state light (represented by dashed lines) passes through the reflective polarizer 350 into the respective prism cube 301, 303.
  • an optional retarder 360 is positioned between the reflective polarizer 350 and the light collimator 340, to convert the recycled first polarization state light to the second polarization state light.
  • the recycled first polarization state light is first converted to circularly polarized light as it passes through optional retarder 360, passes through light collimator 340, reflects from the respective light source thereby changing the direction of circular polarization, passes back through light collimator 340, and again passes through optional retarder 360 to become second polarization state light.
  • the third light source 330 includes actinic light, such as blue and/or ultraviolet light, as described elsewhere. As such, the third light beam 331 is prevented from intercepting the reflective polarizer 350, and passes through third prism cube 305 without any change to the polarization state.
  • An optional clean-up polarizer (not shown, but similar to optional clean-up polarizer 151 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B) can be aligned to the first polarization direction 395 such that only the second polarization state of each of the first light beam 311, second light beam 321 and third light beam 331 can pass through the illumination module 300.
  • the illumination module 300 further includes an optional homogenizer 380 and optional relay optics 390 disposed in the output light path.
  • the optional homogenizer 380 can be any suitable homogenizer that can be used to improve the uniformity of the light passing through the illumination module such as those described in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 61/346183 entitled “Fly Eye Integrator Polarization Converter”; 61/346190 entitled “Polarized
  • the optional relay optics 390 can be any suitable optical elements that are useful for transporting the light to, for example, an imager and projection system, as described elsewhere.
  • a first light ray 311 from first light source 310 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 340, passes unchanged through optional retarder 360 and intercepts reflective polarizer 350 where it splits into reflected first light ray 313 having the first polarization state, and transmitted first light ray 312 having the second polarization state. Reflected first light ray 313 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward first light source 310. In one particular embodiment, reflected first light ray 313 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 360 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 314 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted first light ray 312 having the second polarization state enters first prism cube 301 through second prism 304, reflects from first dichroic mirror 370, exits first prism cube 301 through second prism 304, passes through second dichroic mirror 378 and second prism cube 303, and enters third prism cube 305 through fifth prism 307.
  • Transmitted first light ray 312 then reflects from third dichroic mirror 379, exits third prism cube 305 through fifth prism 307 and passes through optional homogenizer 380 and optional relay optics 390.
  • a second light ray 321 from second light source 320 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 340, passes unchanged through optional retarder 360 and intercepts reflective polarizer 350 where it splits into reflected second light ray 323 having the first polarization state, and transmitted second light ray 322 having the second polarization state. Reflected second light ray 323 having the first polarization state is recycled back toward second light source 320. In one particular embodiment, reflected second light ray 323 having the first polarization state passes through optional retarder 360 where it can be rotated to the reflected first light ray 324 having a circular polarization state, and a conversion to the second polarization state proceeds as described elsewhere.
  • Transmitted second light ray 322 having the second polarization state enters second prism cube 303 through fourth prism 308, reflects from second dichroic mirror 378, exits second prism cube 303 through fourth prism 308, and enters third prism cube 305 through fifth prism 307.
  • Transmitted second light ray 322 having the second polarization state reflects from third dichroic mirror 379, exits third prism cube 305 through fifth prism 307, passes through optional homogenizer 380 and optional relay optics 390.
  • a third light ray 331 from third light source 330 becomes collimated as it passes through light collimator 340.
  • Third light ray 331 enters third prism cube 305 through sixth prism 309, passes through third dichroic mirror 379, exits third prism cube 305 through fifth prism 307, and passes through optional homogenizer 380 and optional relay optics 390.
  • each of the first prism cube 301 having the first dichroic mirror 370, the second prism cube 303 having the second dichroic mirror 378, and the third prism cube 305 having the third dichroic mirror 379 can instead be replaced with corresponding dichroic mirror plates in a manner similar to that shown by comparison of FIG. 1A and FIG. IB.
  • dichroic mirror plates or dichroic mirror pellicles can be preferred over their prism-based counterparts.
  • An image projector can include any of the illumination modules described previously, along with an imager and projection optics.
  • the illumination module provides a combined polarized light output.
  • the combined light output can pass through light engine optics to projector optics, as described, for example, in copending U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 13/129152 entitled “HIGH DURABILITY COLOR COMBINER", and also 13/129884 entitled
  • the light engine optics can generally comprise lenses and a reflector, and the projector optics can comprise a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) and projection lenses.
  • PBS polarizing beam splitter
  • One or more of the projection lenses can be movable relative to the PBS to provide focus adjustment for a projected image.
  • a reflective imaging device e.g., an imager such as a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device or the like
  • LCOS liquid crystal on silicon
  • a control circuit is coupled to the reflective imaging device and to the light sources to synchronize the operation of the reflective imaging device with sequencing of the light sources.
  • the light combining systems disclosed can be used with other projection systems as well, including reflective micro-mirror imaging devices and the like.
  • a transmissive imaging device can be used.
  • Item 1 is an illumination module, comprising: a first light collimator disposed to collimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to collimate a second light beam from a second light source; a third light collimator disposed to collimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam toward a combined output region; a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam toward the combined output region; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed between the first light collimator and the first dichroic filter, the first reflective polarizer perpendicular to the first collimated light beam and aligned to pass a first polarization direction; a second reflective polarizer disposed adjacent the third light collimator and opposite the third light source, the second reflective polarizer perpendicular to the third collimated light beam and aligned to pass the first
  • Item 2 is the illumination module of item 1 , further comprising at least one of a first quarter-wave retarder disposed facing the first reflective polarizer, the first quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction; and a second quarter-wave retarder disposed facing the second reflective polarizer, the second quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction.
  • Item 3 is the illumination module of item 1 or item 2, wherein at least one of the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed on glass plates.
  • Item 4 is the illumination module of item 1 to item 3, wherein the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed within an X-cube.
  • Item 5 is the illumination module of item 1 to item 4, wherein the first light beam comprises red light, the second light beam comprises blue light, and the third light beam comprises green light.
  • Item 6 is an illumination module, comprising: a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect a first collimated light beam toward a combined output region; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect a second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed to pass a first polarization direction of the first collimated light beam to the first dichroic mirror, and recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first collimated light beam; and a second reflective polarizer disposed to pass the first polarization direction of a third collimated light beam toward the combined output region, and recycle the second orthogonal polarization direction of the third collimated light beam.
  • Item 7 is the illumination module of item 6, further comprising at least one of a first quarter- wave retarder disposed facing the first reflective polarizer, the first quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction; and a second quarter-wave retarder disposed facing the second reflective polarizer, the second quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction.
  • Item 8 is the illumination module of item 6 or item 7, wherein the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed on glass plates.
  • Item 9 is the illumination module of item 6 to item 8, wherein the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed within an X-cube.
  • Item 10 is the illumination module of item 6 to item 9, wherein the first light beam comprises red light, the second light beam comprises blue light, and the third light beam comprises green light.
  • Item 11 is an illumination module, comprising: a first light collimator disposed to coUimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to coUimate a second light beam from a second light source; a third light collimator disposed to coUimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam through a second dichroic mirror toward a combined output region; a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam toward the second dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam and the second collimated light beam to the combined output region; a reflective polarizer disposed between the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror, the first reflective polarizer perpendicular to both the first collimated light beam and the second collimated light beam, and aligned to pass a first polarization direction; and wherein the reflective polarizer and the first dichroic mirror cooperate to recycle a
  • Item 13 is the illumination module of item 11 or item 12, wherein at least one of the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed on glass plates.
  • Item 14 is the illumination module of item 11 to item 13, wherein at least one of the first dichroic mirror and the second dichroic mirror are disposed on prism diagonals.
  • Item 15 is the illumination module of item 11 to item 14, wherein the first light beam comprises red light, the second light beam comprises green light, and the third light beam comprises blue light.
  • Item 16 is an illumination module, comprising: a first light collimator disposed to coUimate a first light beam from a first light source; a second light collimator disposed to coUimate a second light beam from a second light source; a third light collimator disposed to coUimate a third light beam from a third light source and direct the third collimated light beam through a third dichroic mirror toward a combined output region; a first dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first collimated light beam toward the third dichroic mirror; a second dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the second collimated light beam toward the third dichroic mirror, the third dichroic mirror disposed to reflect the first and the second collimated light beams toward the combined output region; a first reflective polarizer disposed to pass a first polarization direction of the first collimated light beam to the first dichroic mirror, and recycle a second orthogonal polarization direction of the first collimated light beam; and a second reflective polarizer
  • Item 17 is the illumination module of item 16, further comprising at least one of a first quarter-wave retarder disposed facing the first reflective polarizer, the first quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction; and a second quarter-wave retarder disposed facing the second reflective polarizer, the second quarter-wave retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction.
  • Item 18 is the illumination module of item 16 or item 17, wherein at least one of the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, and the third dichroic mirror are disposed on glass plates.
  • Item 19 is the illumination module of item 16 to item 18, wherein at least one of the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, and the third dichroic mirror are disposed on prism diagonals.
  • Item 20 is the illumination module of item 16 to item 19, wherein the first light beam comprises green light, the second light beam comprises red light, and the third light beam comprises blue light.
  • Item 21 is the illumination module of item 16 to item 20, wherein at least one of the first light collimator, the second light collimator, and the third light collimator comprises a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC).
  • CPC compound parabolic concentrator
  • Item 22 is the illumination module of item 1 to item 21 wherein at least one of the first reflective polarizer and the second reflective polarizer comprises a curved reflective polarizer.
  • Item 23 is an image projector comprising the illumination module of item 1 to item 22, wherein a combined light output including the first polarization direction of the first light beam, the first polarization direction of the second light beam, and the third light beam are directed toward an imager.
  • Item 24 is the image projector of item 23, further comprising a clean-up polarizer disposed between the illumination module and the imager.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
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  • Projection Apparatus (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne de façon générale des modules d'éclairage et des projecteurs d'images utilisant lesdits modules d'éclairage. La présente invention concerne également une technique visant à réduire la dégradation du polariseur réfléchissant utilisé dans de tels modules d'éclairage, et peut par conséquent conduire à une amélioration du rendement global d'un projecteur d'images sans restriction excessive de sa durée de vie.
PCT/US2012/047528 2011-07-22 2012-07-20 Module d'éclairage Ceased WO2013016163A2 (fr)

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US61/510,569 2011-07-22

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