Liquid crystal light valve including between light and light valve microlenses and two reflecting layers with a matrix of openings

摘要

A liquid-crystal light valve unit and a projection display system using same are provided. The liquid-crystal light valve includes a light valve having openings defining pixels in a matrix arrangement, first light-reflecting layer for reflecting light projected from a light source entering out of the openings of the light valve, a second light-reflecting layer, including openings in a matrix arrangement, located between the light source and the first light-reflecting layer, for directing the light reflected from the first light-reflecting layer toward the light valve while allowing the light from the light source to be propagated through the openings to the light valve, and a lens array including a plurality of positive lens elements in a matrix arrangement for directing the light from the light source to the second light-reflecting layer, a focal point of each of the positive lens elements being defined on a given area in the vicinity of each of the openings of the second light-reflecting layer. With this arrangement, an effective aperture ratio is increased for projection of bright images.