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US 9,958,699 B2Granted
Hybrid polarizing beam splitter
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsPhilip E. Watson, Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Polarizing beam splitters and systems incorporating such beam splitters are described. More specifically, hybrid polarizing beam splitters and systems with such beam splitters that incorporate polymeric reflective polarizers aligned with MacNeille or wire grid reflective polarizers are described.
Claims27
A system, comprising:
- an optical component, comprising:
- a first reflective polarizer disposed to reflect light having a first polarization state and transmit light having a second polarization state different from the first polarization state;
- and
- a second reflective polarizer positioned adjacent the first reflective polarizer and disposed to reflect light having the first polarization state and transmit light having the second polarization state;
- wherein the first reflective polarizer is a polymeric reflective polarizer and the second reflective polarizer comprises inorganic dielectric layers or a wire grid;
- a light source directing light towards the optical component, light from the light source intercepting the first reflective polarizer at an angle of about 45 degrees, wherein light intercepting the first reflective polarizer and having the first polarization state is reflected from the first reflective polarizer;
- a polarization rotating reflector disposed such that the light reflected from the first reflective polarizer intercepts the polarization rotating reflector at an angle of about 90 degrees, the light being reflected back towards the first reflective polarizer and converted to the second polarization state;
- and,
- a reflective imager disposed so that the light reflected from the polarization rotating reflector passes through the first and second reflective polarizers, intercepts the reflective imager at an angle of about 90 degrees, and is imaged;
- wherein imaged light is reflected from the reflective imager, intercepts the second reflective polarizer at an angle of about 45 degrees, is reflected and exits the system.
7 more elements
A system comprising:
- an optical component, comprising:
- a first prism having a first diagonal surface;
- a first reflective polarizer adjacent the first diagonal surface and disposed to reflect light having a first polarization state and transmit light having a second polarization state different from the first polarization state;
- a second reflective polarizer adjacent the first reflective polarizer opposite the first prism and disposed to reflect light having the first polarization state and transmit light having the second polarization state;
- and,
- a second prism having a second diagonal surface disposed so that the second diagonal surface is adjacent the second reflective polarizer opposite the first reflective polarizer;
- wherein the first reflective polarizer is a polymeric reflective polarizer and the second reflective polarizer comprises inorganic dielectric layers or a wire grid;
- a light source emitting light towards the optical component, light from the light source intercepting the first reflective polarizer at an angle of about 45 degrees, wherein light intercepting the first reflective polarizer and having the first polarization state is reflected from the first reflective polarizer;
- a polarization rotating reflector disposed adjacent the first prism so that the light reflected from the first reflective polarizer intercepts the polarization rotating reflector at an angle of about 90 degrees;
- the light being reflected towards the first reflective polarizer and converted to the second polarization state;
- and,
- a reflective imager disposed adjacent the second prism opposite the polarization rotating reflector so that the light reflected from the polarization rotating reflector passes through the first and second reflective polarizers and intercepts the reflective imager at an angle of about 90 degrees and is imaged;
- wherein an imaged light is reflected from the reflective imager, intercepts the second reflective polarizer at an angle of about 45 degrees, is reflected and exits the system.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.