Backlight and display for stray light control

A display comprising:

• an array of light sources;
• refracting optics arranged to receive and diverge light from the light sources, wherein the refracting optics are positioned a distance away from the array of light sources so that the light emitted by the array of light sources and received by the refracting optics is at least partially collimated;
• a Fresnel lens arranged to receive diverged light from the refracting optics and to converge the diverged light to provide converged light within a predetermined size at a focal plane;
• a liquid crystal layer arranged such that the converged light from the Fresnel lens passes through the liquid crystal layer;
• and
• a diffuser arranged between the Fresnel lens and the liquid crystal layer such that the converged light from the Fresnel lens passes through and is diffused by the diffuser;
• wherein the Fresnel lens and the refracting optics cooperatively direct the light emitted by the light sources within the predetermined size at the focal plane.

A method of operating a display comprising:

• collimating light emitted by an array of light sources with collimating optics;
• diffusing collimated light from the collimating optics with a diffuser;
• directing diffused light from the diffuser to a liquid crystal layer to display an image;
• and
• controlling the array of light sources such that only some of the light sources emit light;
• wherein the collimating optics are positioned between the array of light sources and the diffuser, and the diffuser is positioned between the liquid crystal layer and the collimating optics.