High efficiency field-sequential color projector using two SLMs

A display comprising:

• a light source for providing a polarized light having a first polarization;
• a wheel which separates the polarized light into a plurality of colors, reflects a first colored light and transmits a second colored light;
• a retardation film for converting a polarization of said second colored light from said first polarization to a second polarization;
• a first light valve for receiving said first colored light having said first polarization;
• a second light valve for receiving said second colored light having said second polarization;
• said first and second light valves providing first and second image forming lights;
• and
• a projection lens for projecting the first and second image forming lights onto a screen.

A color wheel for field-sequential color projection comprising:

• a first surface having first color segments which convert a polarized white light having a first polarization to different colors;
• a second surface having second color segments which convert said polarized white light to said different colors;
• and
• a retardation film for converting a polarization of colors reflected from said second surface from said first polarization to a second polarization;
• said first color segments being offset from said second color segments to provide alternating dual color and single color bands, said dual color bands including a first colored light having the first polarization and a second colored light having the second polarization.