Abstract: An apparatus and method is discloses for providing a substantially uniform, homogenous, polarized light. A beam of substantially un-polarized light is provided by a conventional light source. The un-polarized light is converted to at least four real images by using a light pipe and appropriate lensing. Each of the real images have a light region and one more dark regions at a first image plane. A portion of light from a light region in each real image is directed to one or more dark regions in each of the real images in a polarization dependent manner and the altered image is into a single image of substantially polarized light.

Abstract: This invention discloses a reflective illumination system for supplying an optical radiation beam along a folded path for illuminating a planar object. The system includes a radiation source, and two facing parabolic dish-shaped arrays of parabolic or dished reflectors. Divergent light received from the light source incident on a first of the arrays is reflected as a larger collimated beam comprising plural separated sub-beams. Each of the reflectors or facets from the first array directs one of the sub-beams to a facet on the second array. The second array reflects the light it receives with a substantially uniform intensity onto a rectangular target location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is discloses for providing a substantially uniform, homogenous, polarized light. A beam of substantially un-polarized light is provided by a conventional light source. The un-polarized light is converted to at least four real images by using a light pipe and appropriate lensing. Each of the real images have a light region and one more dark regions at a first image plane. A portion of light from a light region in each real image is directed to one or more dark regions in each of the real images in a polarization dependent manner and the altered image is into a single image of substantially polarized light.

Abstract: This invention discloses a reflective illumination system for supplying an optical radiation beam along a folded path for illuminating a planar object. The system includes a radiation source, and two facing parabolic dish-shaped arrays of parabolic or dished reflectors. Divergent light received from the light source incident on a first of the arrays is reflected as a larger collimated beam comprising plural separated sub-beams. Each of the reflectors or facets from the first array directs one of the sub-beams to a facet on the second array. The second array reflects the light it receives with a substantially uniform intensity onto a rectangular target location.