Phosphor based illumination system having a light guide and an interference reflector

A method of manufacturing an illumination system, comprising:

• providing a light source that emits light comprising a first optical characteristic;
• positioning emissive material to receive light emitted by the light source, wherein the emissive material emits light comprising a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light comprising the first optical characteristic;
• positioning an interference reflector such that the emissive material is between the light source and the interference reflector, wherein the interference reflector substantially transmits light comprising the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light comprising the first optical characteristic;
• and
• positioning a light guide to receive light transmitted by the interference reflector, wherein the light guide directs at least a portion of light transmitted by the interference reflector through an output surface of the light guide.

A display, comprising:

• an illumination system, wherein the illumination system comprises:
• a light source that emits light comprising a first optical characteristic;
• a light guide comprising an output surface;
• an interference reflector positioned between the light source and the output surface of the light guide, wherein the interference reflector substantially transmits light comprising a second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light comprising the first optical characteristic;
• and
• emissive material positioned between the light source and the interference reflector, wherein the emissive material emits light comprising the second optical characteristic when illuminated light comprising the first optical characteristic;
• and
• a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the illumination system, wherein the spatial light modulator comprises a plurality of controllable elements operable to modulate at least a portion of light from the illumination system.