Color separating/combining system and image display apparatus using the same

A color separating and/or combining device comprising:

• a color separating and/or combining system configured to guide a first color light in a light beam from a light source to a first light modulation element configured to modulate the first color light and to emit a first modulated light and to guide a second color light that is different in wavelength from the first color light to a second modulation element configured to modulate the second color light and to emit a second modulated light, the color separating and/or combining system comprising:
• (i) a first polarization element configured to guide one of the first color light and the second color light in a direction different from a direction of the other color light;
• (ii) a first phase difference imparting portion;
• (iii) a first optical portion configured to guide the first color light to the first light modulation element and to suppress the second color light from being guided to the first light modulation element;
• a second optical portion configured to guide the first color light and the second color light in the light beam from the light source in a direction different from a direction of a third color light that is different in wavelength from the first color light and the second color light;
• a second polarization element configured to guide a light component in a first polarization direction of the third color light in a direction different from a direction of a light component in a second polarization direction that is different in polarization direction from the light component in the first polarization direction;
• a second phase difference imparting portion;
• a third light modulation element configured to modulate the third color light and to emit a third modulated light;
• and
• a light combining element configured to combine the first modulated light, the second modulated light, and the third modulated light,
• wherein the first phase difference imparting portion and the first optical portion are provided between the first light modulation element and the first polarization element, and
• wherein the first optical portion is provided between the first polarization element and the first phase difference imparting portion.

An image display apparatus comprising:

• a light source device;
• a color separating and/or combining device;
• and
• an illumination optical system configured to guide a light beam from the light source device to the color separating and/or combining device,
• wherein the color separating and/or combining device includes:
• a color separating and/or combining system configured to guide a first color light in the light beam from the light source device to a first light modulation element configured to modulate the first color light and to emit a first modulated light and to guide a second color light that is different in wavelength from the first color light to a second light modulation element configured to modulate the second color light and to emit a second modulated light, the color separating and/or combining system comprising:
• (i) a first polarization element configured to guide one of the first color light and the second color light in a direction different from a direction of the other color light;
• (ii) a first phase difference imparting portion;
• (iii) a first optical portion configured to guide the first color light to the first light modulation element and to suppress the second color light from being guided to the first light modulation element;
• a second optical portion configured to guide the first color light and the second color light in the light beam from the light source device in a direction different from a direction of a third color light that is different in wavelength from the first color light and the second color light;
• a second polarization element configured to guide a light component in a first polarization direction of the third color light in a direction different from a direction of a light component in a second polarization different that is different in polarization direction from the light component in the first polarization direction;
• a second phase difference imparting portion;
• a third light modulation element configured to modulate the third color light and to emit a third modulated light;
• and
• a light combining element configured to combine the first modulated light, the second modulated light, and the third modulated light,
• wherein the first phase difference imparting portion and the first optical portion are provided between the first light modulation element and the first polarization element, and
• wherein the first optical portion is provided between the first polarization element and the first phase difference portion.