Color liquid crystal projector having an improved optical system

A color liquid crystal projector including

• an optical system for splitting light from a light source into first primary-color light, second primary-color light and third primary-color light,
• first, second and third reflection type liquid crystal display panels corresponding to said first primary-color light, said second primary-color light and said third primary-color light, respectively, and
• a projection lens for projecting said first primary-color light, said second primary-color light and said third primary-color light from said optical system onto a screen,
• said optical system comprising:
• a linear polarizer receiving the light from the light source;
• a mirror for reflecting said first primary-color light in the light from said linear polarizer and transmitting said second primary-color light and said third primary-color light in the light from said linear polarizer;
• a first phase plate for rotating a direction of polarization of said second primary-color light from said mirror through 90° and transmitting said second primary-color light, and for transmitting said third primary-color light without changing a direction of polarization thereof;
• a first prism for transmitting said second primary-color light from said first phase plate and then entering said second primary-color light into said second liquid crystal display panel, and reflecting said third primary-color light from said first phase plate and then entering said third primary-color light into said third liquid crystal display panel;
• a second prism for entering said first primary-color light from said mirror into said first liquid crystal display panel;
• and
• a dichroic prism for combining said first primary-color light, said second primary-color light and said third primary-color light reflected from said first, second and third liquid crystal display panels, respectively.