Projection display systems for light valves

Abstract

Projection display systems for light valves such as liquid crystal display panels, and in particular to the use of color component rotators, such as retardation filters, to provide for improved projection display architectures.

1 . A method for displaying an image, comprising: 
 (a) providing light comprised of a first color component, a second color component, and a third color component;    (b) converting said light to a single polarization state;    (c) separating said first color component from said second and third color components while said first, second, and third color components are in the same beam;    (d) mismatching said polarization states of said second and third color components relative to each other while said second and third color components are within the same beam;    (e) separating said second color component from said third color component while said second and third color components are within the same beam;    (f) generating respective images from each of said first, second, and third color components separated from one another into different beams; and    (g) projecting said images.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third color components are green, blue, and red respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first color component is separated from said second and third color component using a dichroic filter.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said second color component is separated from said third color component using a polarizing beamsplitter.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polarization state of said second color component is changed using a color component rotator.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third color components are reflected onto respective liquid crystal display panels to generate said images.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said first, second and third color components are reflected onto respective liquid crystal display panels using only two polarizing beamsplitters.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of changing the polarization state of said first color component before generating said image from said first color component.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of changing the polarization state of said first color component again after generating said image from said first color component.