Polarized light source system with dual optical paths

A polarized light source system comprising:

• a light source to produce light having multiple polarization states;
• a tunnel to receive the light from the light source at an entrance aperture and to provide substantially telecentric light at an exit aperture;
• a polarization separator proximate the exit aperture to receive light from the tunnel exit aperture and to direct light of a first polarization in a first direction and light of a second orthogonal polarization in a second direction;
• a relay optical system to relay light of the first polarization and of the second polarization from the polarization separator onto a display;
• and
• a polarization conversion element between the polarization separator and the display to receive light having the second polarization and convert its polarization to the second polarization.

A method comprising:

• receiving light having multiple polarization states;
• collimating the received light;
• separating polarization states of the collimated light into two orthogonally polarized beams;
• directing the two beams in offset directions;
• receiving a first one of the two beams at a first portion of a relay optical system and relaying the first beam to a display;
• receiving a second one of the two beams at a second portion of said relay optical system and relaying the second beam to the display;
• rotating the polarization of the first beam to the polarization of the second beam after directing the two beams in offset directions.