Projector

A projector comprising:

• a light source configured to output illumination light containing first color light in a first wavelength band and second color light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band;
• a light combiner onto which the illumination light output from the light source is incident;
• a light modulator configured to modulate light incident from the light combiner to generate image modulated light;
• a light separator configured to separate the image modulated light incident from the light modulator into image generating light used to generate an image and image non-generating light not used to generate the image;
• an image forming unit configured to modulate the image generating light incident from the light separator to generate image light;
• a projection optical apparatus configured to project the image light incident from the image forming unit;
• a light guide system configured to guide the image non-generating light incident from the light separator to the light combiner;
• and
• a polarization converter disposed in an optical path between the light combiner and the light modulator and configured to align polarization directions of the light incident from the light combiner,
• wherein the illumination light output from the light source is light polarized in a first polarization direction with respect to the light combiner, and
• the image non-generating light caused to be incident on the light combiner by the light guide system is light polarized in a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction with respect to the light combiner, is combined with the illumination light incident from the light source at the light combiner, and is caused to be incident on the light modulator.