Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a modulator for modulating incident light in accordance with an image signal, and an optical path deflector that is provided in the neighborhood of the modulator and reflects the incident light to the modulator, wherein the modulator includes plural pixel portions arranged in a matrix form and a light shielding portion provided between the pixel portions, and the optical path deflector is a prism element having a reflection portion for reflecting the incident light to the pixel portions, the prism element being disposed at a position corresponding to the light shielding portion on a reference face, and the length of the prism element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference face being set in the range from 15 times to 250 times of the length of the prism element in a direction substantially parallel to the reference face.

Abstract: A projector includes a laser beam source that outputs a laser beam and modulates the laser beam in a beam form based on an image signal, a scanning unit that scans the laser beam output by the laser beam source at least in one-dimensional direction, a scan driving unit that drive controls the scanning unit by a first force, a retaining unit that stops and retains the scanning unit at a predetermined position by a second force, and a light shielding unit that shields the laser beam from the scanning unit that is retained by the retaining unit. The scan driving unit releases the scanning unit retained by the retaining unit, and drives it when the first force is larger than the second force. The retaining unit stops and retains the scanning unit at the predetermined position when the second force is larger than the first force.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a screen or the like that enables a bright, homogeneous projection image to be observed in a wide range across an area where viewers are present. A screen having a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of micro-lens elements each having a first surface having a curvature and a second surface of an almost planar shape through which incident light that comes incident on the first surface can be transmitted.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a prism group and satisfies either of the following conditions d<0.95×?/(2×(n?1)), d>1.05×?/(2×(n?1)) where d is a distance between a reference surface and a flat surface, ? is a wavelength of an incident light, and n is a refractive index of the prism group.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator has a modulating unit, a refracting part, and a flat part. The modulating unit includes a matrix of pixels, and a light-shielding portion between each of the pixels. The refracting part is a prism group composed of prism elements, each having at least a refracting surface. The modulated light from one of the pixels is incident on at least a portion of the prism group. The refracting surface is oriented to project an image of the pixel over an image of the light-shielding portion on a screen at a predetermined distance, making an apex with an angle with respect to a reference surface that is orthogonal to an optical axis at the apex. A distance d between the reference surface and the flat part satisfies d<0.95×?/(2×(n?1)) or d>1.05×?/(2×(n?1)), ? being a wavelength of the light, and n being a refractive index of the prism elements.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a modulator for modulating incident light in accordance with an image signal, and an optical path deflector that is provided in the neighborhood of the modulator and reflects the incident light to the modulator, wherein the modulator includes plural pixel portions arranged in a matrix form and a light shielding portion provided between the pixel portions, and the optical path deflector is a prism element having a reflection portion for reflecting the incident light to the pixel portions, the prism element being disposed at a position corresponding to the light shielding portion on a reference face, and the length of the prism element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference face being set in the range from 15 times to 250 times of the length of the prism element in a direction substantially parallel to the reference face.

Abstract: An image display device modulates light from a light source according to display image data and displays an image, and includes a first light modulation element that modulates light from the light source, a second light modulation element that modulates light from the first light modulation element, and an illumination optical system that leads a light beam, which has been modulated by the first light modulation element, to the second light modulation element; the illumination optical system comprising an optical element that spectrally illuminates a light beam from the first light modulation element to the second light modulation element at a predetermined position, the optical element being provided between the first light and second light modulation elements and the optical element including a prism group including prism elements, each prism element including a refractive surface that refracts an incident light in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a spatial light modulator that is inexpensive, has a long life and a high light use efficiency, and with which can be obtained a high-contrast image, and a projector disposed with the spatial light modulator. Exemplary embodiments provide a spatial light modulator including a liquid crystal layer that includes plural aperture regions AP, modulates light in accordance with image signals and emits the modulated light; and microlens elements that are disposed at an incident side of the liquid crystal layer in correspondence to the aperture regions AP and condense the light made incident so that the light passes through the aperture regions AP. The microlens elements include plural focal positions f1 and f2 that are different per plural substantially annular portions R1 and R2 around an optical axis AX.

Abstract: An illumination device includes: an integrator that transmits light from an incident side thereof to an emitting side thereof; a light source that supplies the light to the incident side of the integrator, the light source including a reflector and a lamp located on a center axis of the reflector; and a center mirror located on a line connecting the center the incident side of the integrator and the lamp, the center mirror being capable of reflecting light from the integrator back to the integrator. The center mirror has a smaller diameter than that of an opening of the reflector.

Abstract: A screen includes a lens array having a plurality of spherical lens elements. A first length of the spherical lens elements, along a first direction at substantially a center of each of respective spherical lens elements, and a second length of the spherical lens elements, along a second direction at substantially the center of each of the respective lens elements and substantially orthogonal to the first direction, are set such that the second length is larger than the first length. A curvature center position of any one of the plurality of spherical lens elements is arranged to be at substantially a half of the first length along the first direction, with respect to a curvature center position of another spherical lens element adjacent to the lens element in the second direction.

Abstract: A projector includes a super-high pressure mercury lamp a spatial light-modulator that modulates a light from the super-high mercury lamp based on an image signal, a projection lens that projects the light modulated, and an optical filter that is used to insert a prism group in the optical path and to remove the prism group that is inserted in the optical path, and a position fixing part that makes a relative-angle between each spatial light-modulator and the prism group constant.

Abstract: The invention provides a rod integrator or the like having high efficiency for light utilization and suitable for a color-recapture system. The present invention can include a rod integrator having a reflective inner circumference (reflecting surface) for emitting light incident on an incident-end opening from a light source through an emerging-end opening. An end face on the outer periphery of the emerging-end opening can be a scattering surface for reflecting the incident light on the end face toward the optical axis that agrees with the central axis of the rod integrator.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a manufacturing method for fine structure elements having a first flat portion forming step of forming an upper flat surface serving as a first flat portion on a substrate with a flat cutting tool serving as a cutting section a second flat portion forming step of cutting the upper flat surface serving as the first flat portion by a predetermined depth and forming a lower flat portion serving as a second flat portion with the flat cutting tool serving as the cutting section, a refractive surface forming step of forming a slope serving as a refractive surface having a predetermined angle with respect to the lower flat surface serving as the second flat portion by the flat cutting tool serving as the cutting section.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a spatial light modulator that is inexpensive, has a long life and a high light use efficiency, and with which can be obtained a high-contrast image, and a projector disposed with the spatial light modulator. Exemplary embodiments provide a spatial light modulator including a liquid crystal layer that includes plural aperture regions AP, modulates light in accordance with image signals and emits the modulated light; and microlens elements that are disposed at an incident side of the liquid crystal layer in correspondence to the aperture regions AP and condense the light made incident so that the light passes through the aperture regions AP. The microlens elements include plural focal positions f1 and f2 that are different per plural substantially annular portions R1 and R2 around an optical axis AX.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a screen or the like that enables a bright, homogeneous projection image to be observed in a wide range across an area where viewers are present. A screen having a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of micro-lens elements each having a first surface having a curvature and a second surface of an almost planar shape through which incident light that comes incident on the first surface can be transmitted.

Abstract: A projector includes a super-high pressure mercury lamp a spatial light-modulator that modulates a light from the super-high mercury lamp based on an image signal, a projection lens that projects the light modulated, and an optical filter that is used to insert a prism group in the optical path and to remove the prism group that is inserted in the optical path, and a position fixing part that makes a relative-angle between each spatial light-modulator and the prism group constant.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a prism group and satisfies either of the following conditions d<0.95×?/(2×(n?1)), d>1.05×?/(2×(n?1)) where d is a distance between a reference surface and a flat surface, ? is a wavelength of an incident light, and n is a refractive index of the prism group.

Abstract: A projector with high safety is provided by directly shutting down the laser beam production when normal scanning of the laser beam is not carried out, thereby reducing exposure to the laser beam. For this purpose, the projector is provided with a laser beam source (10) that outputs a laser beam and modulates the laser beam in a beam form based on an image signal, a scanning unit (30) that scans the laser beam output by the laser beam source (10) at least in one-dimensional direction, a scan driving unit (50) that drive controls the scanning unit by a first force, a retaining unit (40) that stops and retains the scanning unit at a predetermined position by a second force, and a light shielding unit (70) that shields the laser beam from the scanning unit (30) that is retained by the retaining unit (40). The scan driving unit (50) releases the scanning unit (30) retained by the retaining unit (40), and drives it when the first force is larger than the second force.

Abstract: To provide a space light modulating apparatus and a projector that offers a smooth image without a light-shielding part such as a black matrix being recognized, the projector includes a space light modulating apparatus (110R) that modulates incident light based on an image signal, and that outputs modulated light, and a group of prisms (210) that is installed on output-side of the space light modulating apparatus (110R). The space light modulating apparatus (110R) includes opening sections (230) that are a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and a black matrix (220) placed between the opening sections. The group of prisms (210) is constituted by prism elements (211) each of which has at least a refracting surface (212). Light from one of the opening sections (230) is incident on at least one portion of the group of prisms (210).

Abstract: The invention provides a rod integrator or the like having high efficiency for light utilization and suitable for a color-recapture system. The present invention can include a rod integrator having a reflective inner circumference (reflecting surface) for emitting light incident on an incident-end opening from a light source through an emerging-end opening. An end face on the outer periphery of the emerging-end opening can be a scattering surface for reflecting the incident light on the end face toward the optical axis that agrees with the central axis of the rod integrator.