Polarizing element and liquid crystal projector

A polarizing element comprising:

• a first polarizing element including a first substrate transparent to visible light, and
• first inorganic particle layers in each of which first inorganic particles are linearly disposed on the first substrate, the first inorganic particle layers being disposed on the first substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure,
• wherein the first inorganic particles each have shape anisotropic properties in which a diameter in a disposed direction is long and a diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is short,
• wherein the first polarizing element further includes convex portions, which are made of a material transparent to visible light and which extend in one direction, provided on the first substrate,
• wherein the first inorganic particle layers are each provided on a top part or at least one of sidewall parts of each of the convex portions;
• and
• a second polarizing element including a second substrate transparent to visible light, and
• second inorganic particle layers in each of which second inorganic particles are linearly disposed on the second substrate, the second inorganic particle layers being disposed on the second substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure,
• wherein the second inorganic particles each have shape anisotropic properties in which a diameter in a disposed direction is long and a diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is short,
• wherein the second polarizing element further includes reflection layers of strip-shaped thin films, which are made of a metal and which extend in one direction, provided on the second substrate at predetermined intervals;
• and first dielectric layers provided on the reflection layers,
• wherein the second inorganic particle layers are provided on the first dielectric layers at positions corresponding to those of the strip-shaped thin films, and
• wherein the first and second substrates are adhered to each other at rear surfaces thereof.

A liquid crystal projector comprising:

• a lamp;
• a liquid crystal panel;
• and
• the polarizing element including a substrate transparent to visible light;
• and
• first inorganic particle layers in each of which first inorganic particles are linearly disposed on the substrate, the first inorganic particle layers being disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals to form a wire grid structure,
• wherein the first inorganic particles each have shape anisotropic properties in which a diameter in a disposed direction is long and a diameter in a direction perpendicular thereto is short.