Color separation prism assembly compensated for contrast enhancement and implemented as reflective imager

Abstract

This invention discloses a color separation prism assembly. The prism assembly includes three triangular-shaped prisms having identical shape and size. Each of the three triangular-shaped prisms has two triangular surfaces as interfacing surfaces bonded to two identical triangular surfaces of two other prisms. At least two triangular surfaces of the three triangular-shaped prisms are coated with color separation filtering films for reflecting a first color light and transmitting a second color light therethrough. At least two triangular surfaces of the three triangular-shaped prisms are coated with a total reflective coating constituting at least two total internal reflective (TIR) surfaces for reflecting a light projected thereon. Each of the TIR surfaces further comprising a phase-shift compensating coating coated thereon. The color separation prism assembly further includes three liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) modulating means for modulating a separated color beam color-separated and projected thereon through the color separation prism assembly. The three triangular-shaped prisms with identical shape and size are further assembled as a combined prism.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.