POLARIZED LIGHT ILLUMINATOR AND PROJECTING TYPE IMAGE DISPLAY

摘要

A polarized light illuminator wherein the light from a light source (106) the polarization direction of which is random is made to enter a polarized light separating section (103) via an integrator optical system (102) including a second lens plate (110) which is subjected to deformed aperture designing, the polarized light separating section (103) being adapted to separate the incident light into two polarized light beams the polarization directions of which cross each other at right angles, the polarization directions of the polarized light beams being then set properly by a polarized light conversion section (104), whereby the light the polarization direction of which is random is converted into light of an arbitrary polarization direction, this enabling a polarized light illuminator in which the expanse of the illuminating light is minimized to be obtained, such a polarized light illuminator being able to be suitably utilized as an illuminator for a projecting type image display using a liquid crystal light bulb which carries out modulation by utilizing polarized light, whereby the reduction of the cost of the illuminator and the improving of the illuminance thereof can be compatible with each other.