Abstract: Throughput efficiency of an optical system is enhanced by using a directional light source coupled to a non-imaging optical element matched to a size and acceptance angle of an imaging lens. In various embodiments, a beam projection system and accompanying method are described that include a lamp body formed from a dielectric material. A bulb, placed adjacent to the lamp body, has a fill that forms a plasma when RF power is coupled to the fill from the lamp body. An optical train is optically coupled to the bulb to transform light generated by the plasma. The optical train includes a non-imaging optical element, an aperture, and at least one imaging lens element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electronic contrast enhancement for an LCD panel for use in an imaging device. The method comprises the step of coupling the LCD panel with a trim retarder in a pre-determined azimuthal orientation for at least partially compensating the residual in-plane retardance, followed by the step of non-mechanical fine-tuning of a dark state of the LCD panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fine-tuning of the dark state of the LCD panel is realized by adjusting the dark-state magnitude of the LC voltage. The method can be used in batch, e.g. wafer-level manufacturing of integrated trim retarder/LCD panels assemblies that can be electronically tuned to provide high on/off contrast.

Abstract: A fold mirror for a projection display system is designed to lessen a perceived variation in white color balance of light reflected across the mirror wherein the white light is comprised of sub-beams of orthogonal polarization states. The mirror comprises a metal reflective layer and a plurality of optically transparent layers, wherein thicknesses and materials of the optically transparent layers are such that wavelength-averaged reflectance for p-polarized incident green light varies by less than 1%, wavelength-averaged reflectance for s-polarized blue light varies by less than 1.5%, and wavelength-averaged reflectance for s-polarized red light varies by about 4% over a range of angles of incidence between 0 and 65 degrees.

Abstract: A display system is described comprising a light source, color wheel and a light modulator. The light source is configured to emit a beam of white light along a first light path. The color wheel may be provided on a first light path and be configured to filter the beam of white light, the color wheel having a plurality of color segments, including a red color segment, a blue color segment, a green color segment and a magenta color segment. The magenta color segment is the only subtractive primary color segment and has a duty cycle of greater than 0.1. The light modulator may be configured to receive filtered light from the color wheel and modulate the received light to produce an image. The light source may be an electrodeless plasma lamp and the lamp may have a bulb containing a fill that includes Indium Bromide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polarization recovery device which includes a reflective PBS plate having an embedded Mac-Neille type multilayer polarization splitting structure, a reflective back surface and a front surface shaped as a saw-tooth grating for providing normal incidence for beams entering and exiting the plate at the Brewster angle to the polarization splitting structure, when the reflective PBS plate is positioned at an oblique angle to input unpolarized light so as to output spatially separated polarized beams in a same direction through the front surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an imager panel subassembly for use in an optical projection system. The subassembly includes a reflective imager panel, such an LCoS microdisplay, for spatially modulating an optical beam incident upon a front surface thereof for producing an image. An optically transparent birefringent trim retarder is disposed in front of the front surface of the imager panel for enhancing the image contrast, and for protecting the imager panel from the outside dust. The subassembly further includes a spacer separating the imager panel and the trim retarder for forming an enclosed airspace therebetween, and adjustable coupling means for securely coupling the trim retarder and the imager panel together in a pre-determined relative position independent of the optical projection system, so that to allow rotation of the trim retarder relative to the imager panel while maintaining dust-tight sealing of the enclosed airspace.

Abstract: A fold mirror for a projection display system is designed to lessen a perceived variation in white color balance of light reflected across the mirror wherein the white light is comprised of sub-beams of orthogonal polarization states. The mirror comprises a metal reflective layer and a plurality of optically transparent layers, wherein thicknesses and materials of the optically transparent layers are such that wavelength-averaged reflectance for p-polarized incident green light varies by less than 1%, wavelength-averaged reflectance for s-polarized blue light varies by less than 1.5%, and wavelength-averaged reflectance for s-polarized red light varies by about 4% over a range of angles of incidence between 0 and 65 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electronic contrast enhancement for an LCD panel for use in an imaging device. The method comprises the step of coupling the LCD panel with a trim retarder in a pre-determined azimuthal orientation for at least partially compensating the residual in-plane retardance, followed by the step of non-mechanical fine-tuning of a dark state of the LCD panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fine-tuning of the dark state of the LCD panel is realized by adjusting the dark-state magnitude of the LC voltage. The method can be used in batch, e.g. wafer-level manufacturing of integrated trim retarder/LCD panels assemblies that can be electronically tuned to provide high on/off contrast.