Polarized projection system and method

A projection system for use with a polarized projection screen having a screen polarization direction, the projection system comprising:

• a projector operable to generate a polarized light output and project the polarized light output along a beam path towards the polarized projection screen, the polarized light output including at least a first light component having a first polarization direction and a second light component having a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction;
• and
• a waveplate situated in the beam path, the waveplate structured to rotate at least one of the first light component and the second light component such that the first light component and the second light component have a common polarization direction to be aligned with the screen polarization direction to minimize absorption loss of the polarized light output;
• and
• wherein the waveplate comprises a birefringent material having a first refractive index in a first direction that is higher than a second refractive index in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first and second directions being orthogonal to a propagation direction of the polarized light output along the beam path.

A method of increasing a color gamut of an image of a projection system:

• generating a polarized light output including a first polarized light component having a first wavelength and a first polarization direction and a second polarized light component having a second wavelength and a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first linear polarization direction;
• and
• projecting the polarized light output along a beam path through a waveplate and towards a polarized projection screen having a linear screen polarization direction, the waveplate structured to rotate at least one of the first polarized light component and the second polarized light component such that the first polarized light component and the second polarized light component have a common linear polarization direction aligned with the linear screen polarization direction to minimize absorption loss of the polarized light output, and
• wherein the waveplate is structured to elliptically polarize a further polarized light component having a further wavelength that is between the first wavelength and the second wavelength.