Polarization recovery system using light pipes
US6836576B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/283
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A polarization recovery system using light pipes has a reflector having a first and a second focal points. A source of electro-magnetic radiation is disposed proximate to the first focal point of the reflector to emit rays of light that reflect from the reflector and converge substantially at the second focal point. A light pipe having an input surface with a first transmissive portion disposed proximate to the second focal point and a second reflective portion disposed distal to the second focal point and an output surface collects and transmits substantially all of the light. The output surface has a radius of curvature substantially equal to a length of the light pipe, a first focal area proximate to the first transmissive portion and a second focal area proximate to the second reflective portion. A polarizer applied to the output surface transmits the light of a first polarization and reflects the light of a second polarization toward the second reflective area, and the light of the second polarization is substantially reflected by the second reflective area toward the output surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.