Polarization beam splitter and polarization conversion element

Abstract

A polarization beam splitter is effective when light to undergo polarization-splitting has an incidence angle that falls in a range of 54 degrees through 66 degrees. The polarization beam splitter includes, between two transparent substrates, an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a first transparent substrate of the two transparent substrates, two or more types of dielectric multilayer films having different design basis wavelengths, and a single-layer dielectric film. The dielectric multilayer films and the single-layer dielectric film form a polarization split film, which performs a polarization split function with respect to light that is substantially in the visible wavelength region.

Description

Polarizing Beam Splitters and Polarization Conversion Elements technical field The present invention relates to polarization beam splitters and polarization conversion elements. Background technique Polarizing beam splitters typically include a polarization splitting film sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates. A polarizing beam splitter is an optical element that splits incident light into "transmitted light and reflected light" with mutually perpendicular polarization planes. Polarizing beam splitters are used in various types of optics. When the polarization beam splitter is used in an "optical device using monochromatic light" such as an optical pickup, good polarization separation characteristics can be relatively easily achieved. However, when a polarization beam splitter is used as a polarization conversion element in a liquid crystal projector, "good polarization separation characteristics over the entire visible wavelength range" are required. Pa...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Both such high-refractive-index glass and high-refractive-index substances are relatively expensive, which makes it unfavorable to mass-produce polarizing beam splitters at low cost and high efficiency

Images