Light Recycling System with an Inorganic, Dielectric Grid Polarizer

摘要

A light recycling system includes a light source capable of producing a visible light beam. An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizing beam splitter is disposable in the light beam to separate the light beam into two light beams of orthogonal polarization orientation including a transmitted beam and a reflected beam. The grid polarizer includes a stack of film layers disposed over the substrate. Each film layer is formed of a material that is both inorganic and dielectric. Adjacent film layers have different refractive indices. At least one of the film layers is discontinuous to form a form birefringent layer with an array of parallel ribs with a period less than approximately 260 nm. Light reorientation means is disposable in the transmitted or reflected beam for changing the polarization orientation of the transmitted or reflected beam.