Abstract: An optical component including: a substrate made from heat absorptive glass having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one of said surfaces being a crenulate surface having optical power.

Abstract: A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image uniformizes polychromatic light from a light source (20) and provides magnification to the uniformized illumination beam using a base condenser relay (80), providing a reduced numerical aperture for conditioning at a dichroic separator (27). For each monochromatic component color provided from the dichroic separator (27), a reducing relay (82) then demagnifies the illumination beam to provide source illumination to a spatial light modulator (30) at an increased numerical aperture. The modulated beam from the spatial light modulator (30) is then magnified by a magnifying relay lens assembly (28) and directed, at a lower numerical aperture, to a dichroic combiner (26) and to a projection lens (32). As a result, the projection lens (32) has reduced working distance, color shading across the field is minimized, and brightness is optimized.

Abstract: A flashlight that generates a flashlight beam to illuminate an object at a selectable distance from the flashlight by imaging a uniformly bright pattern of light onto the object. A light modifying component can be used to manipulate the pattern of light into particular shapes and images. In one embodiment, light from a light source is coupled into a light pipe. The light is homogenized as it travels along the light pipe. The light exits the light pipe with a more uniform intensity than when it entered. The light exiting the light pipe is then reimaged by an imaging lens onto an object. Yet in other embodiments, one or more lens arrays having two or more lenlets are used to homogenize the light originating from the light source.

Abstract: A projector 1 is mainly composed of a polarized light beam illumination device, a collimating lens 170a, polarized beam splitter, a reflection-type liquid crystal device, and a projection optical system. The polarized light beam illumination device includes a light source, a first optical element, and a second optical element. Light emitted from the light source is divided into a plurality of intermediate light beams by the first optical element, and then converted into polarized light beams having substantially one polarization direction by the second optical element. The polarized light beams enter the collimating lens, are transmitted by the polarized beam splitter, modulated by the reflection-type liquid crystal device, reflected by the polarized beam splitter, and then projected on a projection plane via the projection optical system.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a light source emitting a randomly polarized light and a polarization recapture system including a tunnel integrator and a transmitting/reflecting polarizer coupled to the output end of the tunnel integrator. The input end of the tunnel integrator includes an input aperture and a reflective inside surface coated with a quarter wave retarder. In operation, the randomly polarized light enters the tunnel integrator through the input aperture. The polarization recapture system transmits light having a first polarization as polarized light output and recycles light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The light having the second polarization is reflected by the transmitting/reflecting polarizer back into the tunnel integrator. The polarization recapture system recycles the light having the second polarization by reflecting and reorienting the light having the second polarization to light of the first polarization.

Abstract: An illumination engine for a projection display using a TLP including a reflector having a first focal point and second focal points. A source of electro-magnetic radiation disposed proximate to the first focal point of the reflector emits rays of radiation that reflect from the reflector toward the second focal point. A TLP collects and transmits substantially all of the radiation converged at the second focal point, adjusting the numerical aperture of the radiation, but curving the surface formed by the images of the radiation. A SLP or a lens collects and transmits substantially all of the radiation transmitted by the TLP, flattening the surface formed by the images of the radiation. A condenser lens collects and transmits substantially all of the radiation transmitted by the contoured delay element to a PBS and a projection system.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus illuminating an objective illumination region comprises a plurality of illuminants having light-emitting surfaces radiating diffused light, an illuminant substrate in which the illuminants are disposed so as to be set in array on the circumference, at least one optical member configured to guide the diffused light to the objective illumination region, a movable section configured to drive the optical member so as to be rotatable around the center of the circumference serving as a rotation center, and a lighting control section configured to control a light-emitting timing of the plurality of illuminants. The movable section and the lighting control section operate together such that the quantity of light per unit time of the diffused light guided to the objective illumination region is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A projector is provided which can realize a bright projected image of high light utilization efficiency while combining a reflective-type liquid crystal device and an integrator optical system. The projector may include a light source lamp, a light beam dividing optical element, a polarization conversion element, a polarization selection element having a polarization selection surface, and an electro-optical device. When a plane of incidence including a normal line of the polarization selection surface and the central axis of an incident light is assumed, the direction parallel to the plane of incidence and perpendicularly intersecting the central axis is assumed to be the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicularly intersecting the plane of incidence is assumed to be the Y-axis direction, the direction of polarization beam separation by the polarization conversion element is the X-axis direction.

Abstract: Projector is suggested, including a light source for emitting beams of lights, a rod lens for receiving the beams of lights from the light source for making a distribution of the beams uniform, and a polarization beam converter. The polarization beam converter has a lens part for receiving the beams from the rod lens and focusing onto a plurality of focusing points, and a polarization beam split array. The polarization beam split array receives the beams inclusive of a P wave and an S wave, and forwards the P wave as it is, and converting the P wave into the S wave before forwarding. The employment of the rod lens permits to fabricate a thinner polarization converter, and minimizes a light loss.

Abstract: An image display projector includes a lens element for focusing a light beam from a lamp light source, a reflecting mirror for reflecting a light beam emitted from the lens element, an elliptical mirror for reflecting a light beam emitted from the reflecting mirror, a light valve for modulating a light beam reflected by the elliptical mirror, thereby forming an image light, and a projection lens for projecting the image light onto a screen. In this image display projector, a light focusing point, where the light beam emitted from the lens element is focused, is symmetric to one of the two focal points of the elliptical mirror with respect to the reflecting mirror, and the center of an entry pupil of the projection lens is symmetric to the second focal point of the elliptical mirror with respect to the light valve.

Abstract: By mounting a projection lens to a first supporting member for fixing spatial light modulators, polarization beam splitters and a cross dichroic prism, and providing a second supporting member having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the first supporting member between the projection lens and the first supporting member, afluctuation of distance between the spatial light modulators and the projection lens due to heat generated by a light source lamp of a projection type display apparatus and temperature change in use environment can be canceled so that an optimum projected image having nothing to do with being out of focus can always be obtained.

Abstract: A projector device is provided which is capable of reducing its costs by making it possible to increase luminance of outgoing light from a rod integrator with an output from a light source being remained unchanged and by making it possible to achieve a compact illuminating optical system using a shortened total length of the rod integrator. Notches each having a predetermined angle or a convex portion is formed in a vicinity of a light incident face and in a vicinity of a light outgoing face of a rod integrator. A sloped line produced at an angle formed by one portion of each of the notches on the light incident side relative to a center line is approximately parallel to a light incident line produced at an angle formed by incident light relative to the center line.

Abstract: A projection lens includes a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a positive refractive power, a third lens having a negative refractive power and including§a first component lens having a negative refractive power and a second component lens having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power. The first, second, third and fourth lens are arranged in that order from a screen side toward an image surface side to form a telecentric system toward the image surface side. A surface on the image surface side of the first lens, and a surface (33) on the image surface side of the second component lens of the third lens are aspherical.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises an illuminant which radiates diffused light from an outgoing plane and generates heat, a light guiding member configured to guide the diffused light from the illuminant while reflecting the diffused light at the internal surface thereof, and a holding member configured to integrally hold the illuminant and the light guiding member at a predetermined interval. The light guiding member includes an incident end which is close to the outgoing plane of the illuminant, and into which the diffused light is incident and which is larger than the outgoing plane of the illuminant, and an outgoing end which is larger than the incident end. The holding member includes a heat conducting portion configured to conduct the heat generated at the illuminant, and a heat radiating portion configured to radiate heat from the heat conducting portion.

Abstract: A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image includes a magnifying relay lens assembly (28) as part of the light modulation assembly (38) for each component color. The relay lens assembly (28) increases the effective f/# of incident light to the V-plate assembly (25) or V-prism assembly (27) that serves as dichroic combiner, used to combine modulated light of each color from each light modulation assembly (38) in order to form the multicolor image. The magnifying relay lens assembly (28) also provides a reduced working distance for the projection lens (32), allowing a lower-cost design and facilitating substitution of the projection lens (32) best suited for a display surface (40).

Abstract: A projection system that projects a text or subtitle box onto an image minimizes the contrast between the text box and the image. A transition region surrounding the text box minimizes visual disruption to the image onto which the text box is projected. The positions of optical elements of a text projector enable the text box to gradually fade out. The text projector has a lamp that defines an object plane and a light path modifier. The light path modifier is offset from the object plane, toward the lamp to blend the borders of the text box into the image projected by an image projector.

Abstract: In a projection apparatus, an optical integrator is illuminated with light from a light source, one or more image display elements is irradiated with a plurality of beams from the integrator, and image light from the image display element or elements is projected by a projection optical system. The illuminating range of some of the plurality of beams is made smaller than the illuminating range of the other beams.

Abstract: An illuminating optical system includes a light source device for emitting a substantially parallel light beam, a first lens array for dividing the light beam into a plurality of sub light beams, and a superimposing lens for superimposing the sub light beams on a surface to be illuminated. In the first lens array, the size of each of the small lenses disposed on the outer periphery is set to be smaller than the size of each of the small lenses disposed on the center so that light application areas formed by the plurality of sub light beams emitted from the plurality of small lenses have substantially the same size within a predetermined error range. Therefore, light emitted from a light source can be efficiently utilized.

Abstract: A conventional optical illumination device has a problem in which uneven brightness appears in an inclining direction when an illuminated region inclined with respect to an optical axis is illuminated.

Abstract: An illumination optical system has a light source, an integrator for making the intensity distribution of the light from the light source even, and a relay optical system for imaging the light from the integrator on a plane conjugate with the exit surface of the integrator. The relay optical system includes a rear lens unit of which the refractive power is asymmetrical in one direction so that the plane on which the light is imaged is inclined relative to the optical axis of the relay optical system. This makes it possible to direct light to an inclined surface with an even intensity distribution and with minimum loss of the illumination light.

Abstract: A projection system for projecting a stereographic image onto a viewing surface is provided, the stereographic image including a left-eye image and a right-eye image. The projection system includes a light source for producing a beam, a beam splitter for splitting the beam of light into a right image beam and a left image beam, an image engine for producing the stereographic image, and a projection lens. The image engine includes a left optical path for producing the left-eye image from the left image beam, the left optical path including an upstream left polarizer, a left image-producing element and a downstream left polarizer, and a right optical path configured to produce the right-eye image from the right image beam, the right optical path including an upstream right polarizer, a right image-producing element and a downstream right polarizer.

Abstract: A projector including an illumination system that illuminates a modulation device modulating light according to image information. The illumination system includes a light source that emits a light beam along a light source optical axis, a first lens array having a plurality of small lenses which divide the light beam emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams, a superimposing lens that superimposes the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the first lens array on the modulation device, and an entrance angle reducing system disposed between the superimposing lens and the modulation device. The entrance angle reducing system reduces an entrance angle of light rays, which are emitted from the superimposing lens and enter the modulation device, compared with an illumination system without the entrance angle reducing system.

Abstract: A multimedia projector (30) includes a light source (32) producing a nonuniform illumination pattern and a light integrating tunnel (110, 130) having parallelogram-shaped input and output apertures (132, 134) with an average diagonal dimension. The input and output apertures are spaced apart by a length dimension (136) that is less than five-times the average diagonal dimension of the apertures. A light pattern (150) propagating from the output aperture is substantially more uniform than a light pattern (146) propagating from a rectangular tunnel of the same length. Alternatively, a light pattern (164) propagating from the output aperture has substantially the same uniformity as the light pattern (146) propagating from a substantially longer rectangular tunnel.

Abstract: An image projector, having a light source, an LCD panel into which a light emitted from the light source enters, and a projection lens into which the light emitted from the LCD panel enters. There exists, in an entrance pupil of the projection lens, a range in which light emitted from respective pixels of the LCD panel overlap with each other at least in a horizontal direction. The image projector forms part of an image display.

Abstract: For providing the image projecting system capable of substantially superimposing images without image blur which are provided from a plurality of image projecting apparatus when the original images are superimposed using the plurality of image projecting apparatus, distortion value of distortion aberration of images from projecting optical system comprised in the image projecting system is made substantially coincided in a region of using image height.

Abstract: A projector has a housing, a screen installed in the front of the housing for displaying an image, a projecting modole installed in the housing, a control module, and at least One detector. The projecting module includes an image generator that converts image signals into an image with a corresponding resolution, and a projecting lens set used for projecting the image onto the back of the screen. When the control module receives a focus-changing signal, the control module will change the focus of the projecting lens set to adjust the size of the image. The detector is installed on the screen for sensing the image on the screen. When the control module receives the focus-changing signal, the control module will continuously change the focus of the projecting lens set to adjust the size of the image until the detector senses the edge of the image.

Abstract: A video projector using a reflection type optical modulation element whose lens system is simple in configuration and which can produce a high-brightness, high-contract projected image.

Abstract: An image projector employs a prism assembly that receives incident light, illuminates a reflective light modulator, and receives therefrom reflected imaging light for direction toward a small-diameter light entry pupil of a light-weight, compact projection lens. The prism assembly includes compensating and output prism components having opposed surfaces separated by an air gap. The prism assembly sets up a correct illumination angle on the DMD and then separates the incident illumination light from the reflected imaging light. Each on-state micromechanical DMD mirror reflects the illumination light nearly normal to a horizontal datum plane, forming reflected imaging light that reflects off the air gap and reenters the prism assembly through the output prism component. A focusing lens disposed between the prism assembly and the DMD refracts the reflected imaging light into a converging imaging light bundle compatible with the small diameter light entry pupil of the projection lens.

Abstract: For increasing the illumination efficiency to a liquid-crystal display element, an illuminating apparatus has a reflector for reflecting light from a light source, a negative meniscus lens, which is convex on the light source side, a first lens array unit of lens elements, a second lens array unit of lens elements, which is conjugate with the light source, and an optical polarization converting element in the stated order along a traveling direction of the light from the light source. The illuminating apparatus illuminates the liquid-crystal display element through the optical polarization converting element.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus and a projection type display apparatus of lower cost are provided, in which extra-axial aberrations, especially distortion and lateral aberration, are favorably corrected, and the dimensional margin of illumination is suppressed to enhance the utilization factor of light. The illumination apparatus includes a first group of lenses which includes a meniscus lens having a positive refracting power, a second group of lenses which includes first lens means having a negative refracting power and second lens means having a positive refracting power, and lens means whose surface immediately before a surface to-be-illuminated is a plane surface, whereby an illuminating light beam is caused to exit in a telecentric state.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus is constructed to illuminate an effective range of a surface, rectangular in shape, to be illuminated with light from a light source via a first lens array, a second lens array, and a condensing optical system. Wherein the illumination apparatus satisfies conditions defined by the length along a longitudinal direction of the area to be illuminated, a length along a transverse direction thereof, a focal length of individual lenses forming the second lens array, a focal length of the optical system, a width of transverse aberration caused by the optical system in the longitudinal direction against an object at infinity, a width of transverse aberration caused by the optical system in the transverse direction, a length along a longitudinal direction of individual lenses of the first array, and a length along a transverse direction of the lenses of the first lens array.

Abstract: A transparent member having refractive power as a result of curved surface thereon is used in one or more light paths of a three-color projection device in order to correct for the lateral color aberration of the projection lens. The transparent member is positioned between one or more optical modulation element(s) and the beam combining prism of a prism optical system, or alternatively, is on or affixed to the beam combining prism surface. When correcting an image that is enlarged by the projection lens, the curved surface of the transparent member should be convex and positioned on the side of the transparent member nearest the display panels. The focal length of a correction lens that optimally corrects the lateral color of the projection lens depends on the maximum image height at the image input display panel, the lateral color aberration generated by the projection lens, and the air conversion length from the image input display panel to the on axis position of the curved surface.

Abstract: An optical image projector is provided with: a light source, an optical integrator which converges the light from the light source into a number of secondary light sources, a separator which separates each light ray from the secondary light sources into a plurality of color component rays, an optical image generator which generates a plurality of optical images utilizing separated color component rays, an image combiner which combines the plurality of optical images into a single optical image, and an optical system provided between the optical integrator and the image combiner such that the most intensive light rays strike the image combiner at a predetermined incident angle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the image is a uniformly intense rectangle having a 4:3 aspect ratio to match an imager for a projection display. The diffuser prescription and resulting illumination image can be selected to match any desired imager. The present systems and methods may provide the advantages of high level of light efficiency, reduction or elimination of speckle and worminess and reduction or elimination of cosine4 and gaussian intensity falloff, all of which are common in prior art designs.

Abstract: An optical illumination system for a projection-type display unit is disclosed wherein multiple light sources are oriented so as to cause the optical axes of their emitted light beams to be non-parallel to one another and to overlap at a first lenticular lens array of an integrator section. The function of the integrator section is to make the light from the multiple light sources even, and to serve as a secondary light source in the projection-type display unit. The overlapping of the light beams on the first lenticular lens array of the integrator allows the optical illumination system to be more compact in three dimensions. It also allows the diameter of a polarization converter and a field lens to be made smaller. Thus, production costs are reduced without reducing the brightness of a projected image.

Abstract: A light pipe is designed for a projector system. The light pipe gathers the light from a light source and guides the gathered light to an image device in the projector system. The area of the exit pupil of the light pipe is smaller than the area of the entrance pupil, and the shape of the exit pupil is scaled from that of the entrance pupil. This improves the light gathering efficiency of the light pipe.

Abstract: A projection display unit which has a light source, a reflecting mirror for reflecting a light pencil from the light source, a first multilens array for dividing a light pencil gathered by the reflecting mirror into a plurality of light pencils, a second multilens array for forming an image of the first multilens array, a polarization conversion element for converting light pencils in an irregular polarization state into linearly polarized light, a condenser having positive power for superposing the light pencils provided through the multilens array, a collimator lens having positive power for correcting the angle of a light beam, a display element for forming an image by electric modulation, a projection lens for enlarging and projecting the image formed on the display element, and a correction lens being disposed between the condenser and the collimator lens for correcting the light pencil.

Abstract: The invention concerns achieving an increase in illumination efficiency of an illumination optical system in a projector using an optical modulation device. A projector may include an optical modulation device for controlling a direction of emission of illumination light applied to a substantially rectangular light application surface, including a plurality of pixels, for each pixel according to image information to thereby emit image light representing an image, an illuminating optical system for emitting the illumination light so that the central axis of the illumination light applied to the light application surface enters the light application surface at a predetermined angle, and a projection optical system for projecting the image light emitted from the optical modulation device. The illuminating optical system may include a light source, and a light-transmitting rod through which the light emitted from the light source passes.

Abstract: An optical illumination system wherein an increased amount of light from a light source can reach a light valve, in which a luminous flux of the light source is irradiated upon a first lens array. The luminous flux having passed through the first lens array is introduced to the polarization conversion system provided immediately before a second lens array, and a luminous flux coming out from the polarization conversion system is introduced to the second lens array and then irradiated upon the light valve. The first lens array has an image forming position f which satisfies S<f<L where L is an optical path length of a longer one of optical paths of P polarized light and S polarized light decomposed from the luminous flux from the light source by the polarization conversion system and S is an optical path length of a shorter one of the optical paths.

Abstract: A polarization luminaire is disclosed having a light source, a system of the optical integrator, a polarized light splitting device for splitting a light emitted from the light source into two kinds of polarized lights whose polarization directions are perpendicular to each other and whose traveling directions are apart from each other by an angle of less than 90 degrees, and a polarization conversion device for causing the two kinds of polarized lights to have the same polarization direction. The polarized light splitting device is placed on one of the entrance side and the outputting side of the first lens plate of the system of the optical integrator or is placed within the second lens plate. A prism beam splitter having a polarized light splitting film constituted by a thermally stable dielectric multi-layer film is suitable for the polarized light splitting device. Most of the polarized lights can be utilized by causing the polarized lights to have the same polarization direction.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus for projecting an image onto a screen includes a light source, a beam shape converter, a beam divider, a beam superimposer, a processing unit, and a projection lens. In operation, the light source emits a light beam. The beam shape converter converts a sectional shape of the light beam into a different shape. For example, the beam shape converter can convert a circular cross section into a rectangular cross section. The beam divider then spatially divides the converted light beam into plural light beams. The beam divider can include, for example, a first prism array that divides the converted light beam horizontally and vertically into four beams. The beam superimposer superimposes the plural light beams onto a target surface, such as a liquid crystal panel. The beam superimposer can include, for example, a second prism array and a beam collimator that superimpose the plural light beams on the target surface.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus comprises an optical element including a first end surface, a second end surface and a reflection surface for connecting the first and second surfaces and constructed so that light beams are incident on the first end surface, and at least some of the light beams are reflected by the reflecting surface and emerge from the second end surface. The apparatus also comprises a reflection type optical modulating device for modulating the light beams from the second end surface, and a projection optical system for projecting an image of the reflection type optical modulating device on a screen. The first end surface of the optical element is supplied with a light source or a light source image. A position of the first end surface of the optical element and a position of a stop of the projection optical system are set in a conjugate relationship.

Abstract: This specification discloses a light source device having a light source and condensing means for converging the light from the light source, the condensing means being provided with a meniscus lens convex toward the light source side in the optical path of the convergent light. The specification also discloses an illuminating system having such light source device and an irradiating optical system for applying a light beam from the light source device to a surface to be illuminated. The specification further discloses an image projecting apparatus having such illuminating system, image forming means such as a liquid crystal panel illuminated by the illuminating system, and a projection lens for projecting the image of the image forming means.

Abstract: A light source device or a projection type display apparatus has a pillar optical element; a condenser means; and a first lens effective to focus the image of the emitting end face of the pillar optical element at a surface to be irradiated; wherein the pillar optical element includes a tapered portion on a side of the incident end face and a non-tapered pillar portion on a side of the emitting end face, a cross-sectional area of the tapered portion continuously increasing from the incident end face toward the emitting end face and a cross-sectional area of the non-tapered pillar portion being constant.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus includes an inner surface reflection type integrator, a condensing optical system for condensing light from a light source on or near the light incidence portion of the integrator, and an imaging optical system for imaging the light emergence portion of the integrator or the vicinity thereof on a surface to be illuminating. The integrator reflects at least part of light which has entered the interior thereof from the light incidence portion thereof by the inner surface thereof to thereby propagate it to the light emergence portion thereof, thereby forming light of which the intensity distribution has been uniformized on or near the light emergence portion. The imaging optical system has a polarizing beam splitter for dividing the light from the integrator into a plurality of polarized lights differing in the direction of polarization from one another.

Abstract: A projector is provided with an illuminator, dichroic mirror for splitting illumination light into a plurality of light components, a plurality of light propagating paths in which the plurality of light components are introduced to corresponding image panels. In a propagating path having a largest distance, there are provided a relay optical system having a relay lens and a field lens. The relay lens and/or the field lens have a refractive index of 1.75 or more.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector with an illuminating light collecting unit which can efficiently collect illuminating light emitted from a lamp of the projector to a scrambler. The projector with an illuminating light collecting unit, includes: a lamp for emitting illuminating light; a reflector for reflecting the illuminating light; a rod-shaped scrambler for guiding the reflected illuminating light to pass therethrough; an illuminating light collecting unit for collecting and diffusing the reflected illuminating light in order to prevent the fluctuation of the illuminating light which may occur at a region between the scrambler and the lamp; and a projection lens for projecting the illuminating light which has passed through the scrambler.

Abstract: A light source for projecting rectangular color light bands includes a white-light source, a color separation device for separating the white light into red, green and blue components, and separate optics for forming images of rectangular red, green and blue light bands at predetermined positions. The light source is particularly useful in projection television apparatus having single panel light valves.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inexpensive, bright, compact, lightweight, high-definition projection-type display device that has a comparatively simple structure but satisfies demands for oblique projection, uniform illumination, a deep focal depth, and magnified projection over a short distance.

Abstract: An image display system such as an LCD projection display includes an illumination homogenizer and a centrifugal relay lens system. The illumination homogenizer, such as a reflective tunnel homogenizer or integrator, efficiently provides uniform distribution of light over a region matched to the configuration of an LCD, or other type of image source. The centrifugal relay lens system includes, for example, an S-curve aspheric lens surface that functions to increase the illumination distribution toward the edges and corners of the image source relative to the center. The projection system provides illumination with improved uniformity and efficiency while also providing a shortened optical pathway.