Polarization Converting Element and Projector Provided with Same

Abstract

A polarization converting element includes: a main body that is made from a transparent member; an incident section that is provided to the main body, and upon which light generated from a light source is incident; an annular reflecting section that is formed on the periphery of the incident section; and a polarization splitting section that is formed opposite to the annular reflecting section on the emission side of light incident upon the incident section. One polarized light component of the incident light passes through the main body and is emitted from the polarization splitting section. Another polarized light component of the incident light is reflected towards the annular reflecting section by the polarization splitting section, and is emitted from the polarization splitting section after having again been reflected by the annular reflecting section and having been converted into light of a same polarization component as the light of the one polarized light component.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.