Patent · US Expired

Polarizer, polarization light source and image display unit using them

US7443585B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
26References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 2003
Grant dateOct 28, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 11, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/13362
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A polarization component, capable of efficiently reflecting an obliquely transmitted light beam toward a light source without degrading the transmission-polarization property of a perpendicular incident light beam, is provided. A C-plate having an oblique retardation of at least λ/8 with respect to a light beam inclined by at least 30° is disposed between at least two reflective circular polarizer layers whose selective reflection wavelength bands of polarized light overlapping each other. A combination of a reflective linear polarizer and a quarter wavelength plate may be used instead of the reflective circular polarizer. Alternatively, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and two quarter wavelength plate layers (Nz≧2) disposed therebetween can provide a similar effect. Further, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and a half wavelength plate (Nz≧1.5) disposed therebetween may be used.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.