Abstract: Beamsplitters are frequently used in projectors based on reflective liquid crystal displays for separating input and output light, and more recently for color management systems. Retarder stack filters are used in such systems to orthogonally polarize primary colors, converting polarizing beamsplitters to color splitters and combiners. Geometric polarization rotations induced by beamsplitters at moderate f-numbers have the effect of significantly degrading performance. Because retarder stacks in general rely on a specific input polarization to perform properly, such skew rays are responsible for color cross-talk. Retarder stacks designed according to the present invention are sensitive to the symmetries that exit between input and output polarizer configurations. These stacks provide the polarization transformations that will compensate for skew rays, such that normal incidence performance is maintained for all incident light.

Abstract: Beamsplitters are frequently used in projectors based on reflective liquid crystal display for separating input and output light, and more recently for color management systems. Rather stack filters are used in such systems to orthogonally polarize primary colors, converting polarizing beamsplitters to color splitters and combiners. Geometric polarization rotations induced by beamsplitters at moderate f-numbers have the effect of significantly degrading performance. Because retarder stacks in general rely on a specific input polarization to perform properly, such skew rays are responsible for color cross-talk. Retarder stacks designed according to the present invention are sensitive to the symmetries that exist between input and output polarizer configurations. These stacks provide the polarization transformations that will compensate for skew rays, such that normal incidence performance is maintained for all incident light.

Abstract: The present application describes color management architecture for a three-panel projection system that utilizes color selective polarization filters (CSPF) and polarizing beam splitting elements. An exemplary embodiment describes a color management architecture with a dichroic input beam splitter and three polarizing beam splitters. An output polarizing beam splitter is used as an analyzer. The color management system architecture can isolate any color channel from those remaining whose separation and combination are then carried out by a single beamsplitting element. The disclosed embodiments also provide an improvement in the ANSI contrast. In some embodiments, an achromatic quarter-wave plate is used in combination with a color filter to block the light reflected from projection optics.

Abstract: The selective filtering of light by polarization interference may be used to enhance vision and/or protect eyes from harmful light rays. For example, such filtering may be used in sunglasses, color corrective eyewear or protective eyewear. The selective filtering of incident light may provide any desired spectral transmission (including visible light and light not visible to the eye) and is performed by a pair of polarizing elements that sandwich a retarder stack. The filtering structure may be formed by multi-layer polarizing structures and may be formed by fabricating sheet laminates that are die cut to form inexpensive laminates. The laminates may be flat or curved in one (e.g., wrap-around) or more dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first panel that receives image information for a first color, a second panel that receives image information for a second color and a third color, a temporal modulator and polarizing unit that receives light that includes a first color light, a second color light, and a third color light, and passes either said first color light and said second color light or said first color light and said third color light, and a single beamsplitting and combining device for directing said first color light to said first panel and said second or third color light to said second panel.

Abstract: Projection systems having o-plate compensation elements are described. The compensation elements may be negative, positive or biaxial anisotropic element and may have a homogeneous tilt or a splayed tilt. The compensation elements may be formed from a polymer liquid crystal. The compensation elements are designed to maximize azimuth-averaged contrast. The compensation elements may be placed on the same side of a liquid crystal panel when a micro-lens array is used to improve the ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-panel field-sequential full color display systems that are less complex, smaller in size and less costly than prior additive split-path color systems, while exhibiting higher light output, greater flexibility and greater reliability than prior single-panel field-sequential systems. In the first preferred embodiment, the display system includes a “frame buffer” style spatial light modulator, in which a frame buffer pixel circuit is integrated into the spatial light modulator. The display system of the present invention also preferably includes on opto-electronic color sequencer which allows for the electronic control of the transmission of additive primary colors.

Abstract: An optical system divides a light source into its component color bands red, green and blue by making the light travel different physical paths, at least two of these paths use stack retardation films and a polarization beamsplitter. By creating distinct paths, each code can be independently processed and combined to form a single path using a polarization splitter and retarder stack. The system preferably includes an input retarder that aligns a first spectrum of a light from a light source, along a first polarization state, and aligns a second spectrum of the light from the light source, along a second polarization state different than the first polarization state, and a beam splitting unit, optically coupled to the input retarder, and including a first beamsplitter that transmits the first spectrum, as a transmitted spectrum, and that reflects the second spectrum, as a reflected spectrum.

Abstract: A birefringent network can be formed from a pair of beam directing elements that sandwich a birefringent filter. One of the beam director elements can be a polarizing beam splitter and the other of the beam director elements can be a reflector or polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitters can be formed by an anisotropic material sandwiched between two isotropic pieces and can include optical films to couple both polarizations of light into and out of the beam splitters. The polarizing beam splitters also can be formed by anisotropic material on either side of an isotropic bow-tie piece, all of which is sandwiched a pair of isotropic pieces. A birefringent network also can be formed by a pair of bulk birefringent beam splitters sandwiching a birefringent filter. Little or no polarization mode dispersion occurs in these birefringent networks since all of the beams travel the same distances through the same elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by apolarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: Beamsplitters are used in projectors with retarder stack filters to orthogonally polarize primary colors, converting polarizing beamsplitters to color splitters and combiners. Geometric polarization rotations induced by beamsplitters at moderate f-numbers significantly degrading performance. Because retarder stacks may rely on a specific input polarization to perform properly, such skew rays result in color cross-talk. Retarder stacks according to the present invention are sensitive to the symmetries between input and output polarizer configurations. These stacks provide the polarization transformations that will compensate for skew rays, such that normal incidence performance is maintained for all incident light. Additionally, systems that utilize color selective polarization filters (CSP) and polarizing beam splitting elements such that an output analyzer is not required are disclosed. The CSP may be included in the above system.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first panel that receives image information for a first color, a second panel that receives image information for a second color and a third color, a temporal modulator and polarizing unit that receives light that includes a first color light, a second color light, and a third color light, and passes either said first color light and said second color light or said first color light and said third color light, and a single beamsplitting and combining device for directing said first color light to said first panel and said second or third color light to said second panel.

Abstract: A film welding apparatus is provided for solvent welding a first film to a second film. The apparatus has a movable backing surface adapted to support the first film, a pressing roller adapted to press the second film against the first film, and a solvent dispenser adapted to dispense a solvent between the first and second films.

Abstract: Beamsplitters are frequently used in projectors based on reflective liquid crystal displays for separating input and output light, and more recently for color management systems. Retarder stack filters are used in such systems to orthogonally polarize primary colors, converting polarizing beamsplitters to color splitters and combiners. Geometric polarization rotations induced by beamsplitters at moderate f-numbers have the effect of significantly degrading performance. Because retarder stacks in general rely on a specific input polarization to perform properly, such skew rays are responsible for color cross-talk. Retarder stacks designed according to the present invention are sensitive to the symmetries that exit between input and output polarizer configurations. These stacks provide the polarization transformations that will compensate for skew rays, such that normal incidence performance is maintained for all incident light.

Abstract: This invention provides achromatic compound retarders, achromatic polarization switches, and achromatic shutters using the liquid crystal compound retarders. It further provides achromatic variable retardance smectic and nematic liquid crystal retarders. The achromatic compound retarders according to the invention are used to create achromatic inverters for display applications. The display comprises one or more retarders having in-plane retardance and in-plane orientation, at least one of the retarders being an actively controlled liquid crystal retarder, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal display, wherein the one or more retarders work in combination with the ferroelectric liquid crystal display to provide four states of brightness.

Abstract: A retarder stack for transforming at least partially polarized light includes a first retarder and a second retarder. The first retarder has a first retardance and a first orientation and the second retarder has a second retardance and a second orientation both orientations with respect to the partially polarized light. The first retardance, first orientation, second retardance, and second orientation can be arranged to yield the desired polarization transformed light which includes a first spectrum and a second spectrum. The polarization of the first spectrum and the polarization of the second spectrum can be made orthogonal to each other. The polarizations can be linear or elliptical. If the polarization transformed light is linear, the directions of polarizations are different and in one case can be made perpendicular.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by apolarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: This invention provides achromatic compound retarders, achromatic polarization switches, and achromatic shutters using the liquid crystal compound retarders. It further provides achromatic variable retardance smectic and nematic liquid crystal retarders. The achromatic compound retarders according to the invention are used to create achromatic inverters for display applications. The display comprises one or more retarders having in-plane retardance and in-plane orientation, at least one of the retarders being an actively controlled liquid crystal retarder, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal display, wherein the one or more retarders work in combination with the ferroelectric liquid crystal display to provide four states of brightness.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first panel that receives image information for a first color, a second panel that receives image information for a second color and a third color, a temporal modulator and polarizing unit that receives light that includes a first color light, a second color light, and a third color light, and passes either said first color light and said second color light or said first color light and said third color light, and a single beamsplitting and combining device for directing said first color light to said first panel and said second or third color light to said second panel.