Illuminator and projector

An illuminator comprising:

• a light source that emits light;
• a first lens array including a plurality of first lenslets;
• a second lens array including a plurality of second lenslets corresponding to the plurality of first lenslets;
• a polarization conversion element that converts light fluxes from the second lens array into polarized light fluxes and outputs the polarized light fluxes;
• and
• a superimposing lens that superimposes sub-light fluxes from the polarization conversion element, wherein
• the plurality of first lenslets and the plurality of second lenslets are each arranged in a matrix;
• the polarization conversion element is formed of a plurality of columns of polarization conversion units that convert the light fluxes from the plurality of second lenslets into the polarized light fluxes on a column basis, each of the polarization conversion units having a polarization separation layer, a reflection layer, and a wave plate;
• and
• the number of columns of the polarization conversion units is fewer than the number of columns of the first lenslets and the number of columns of the second lenslets.