Light source device and projector

Abstract

To provide a small and high-efficient light source device.SOLUTION: The light source device includes a first laser light source part emitting first light, a second laser light source part emitting second light, a third laser light source part emitting third light, and a fourth laser light source part emitting fourth light. Each laser light source part includes a semiconductor laser. In a virtual plane perpendicular to a central axis of a light flux, any two of the laser light source parts are disposed facing each other with the central axis on a first virtual line intersecting with the central axis interposed therebetween and the other two are disposed facing each other with the central axis on a second virtual line intersecting with the first virtual line interposed therebetween. The respective laser light source parts are disposed at the equal distance from the central axis. The first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light exhibit linear polarization with the same polarization direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light source device and a projector. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a projector that modulates light emitted from a light source to generate image light based on image information and projects the generated image light. Patent Document 1 below discloses a projector that includes a lamp light source and a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels has four sub-pixels. The four sub-pixels are a sub-pixel that modulates blue light, a sub-pixel that modulates red light, a sub-pixel that modulates blue-green light, and a sub-pixel that modulates yellow-green light.

[0003] The following Patent Document 2 discloses a projector including a laser light source and a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels has three sub-pixels. The three sub-pixels are a sub-pixel that modulates blue light, a sub-pixel that modulates green light, and a sub-pixel that modulates red light.

[0004] Patent Document 3 listed below discloses a projector including a light source device and a light modulation device made up of one liquid crystal panel. In this projector, blue light, red light, and two green light beams with the same polarization direction are emitted from the light source device and incident on blue sub-pixels, red sub-pixels, and two green sub-pixels of the liquid crystal panel, respectively, in a state where the light beams are spatially separated by a microlens array provided on the entrance side of the liquid crystal panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-53241 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2000-131762 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-160236 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, when realizing a projector equipped with a single liquid crystal panel having multiple pixels, each consisting of four sub-pixels, a so-called single-panel type projector, the configuration described in the above patent document results in a large light source device, making it difficult to miniaturize the projector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a light source device according to one embodiment of the present invention has a first wavelength band. A first laser light source unit that emits a first light and a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band. a second laser light source unit that emits a second light and a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band; a laser light source unit and a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band; and a fourth laser light source unit that emits a fourth light. The laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit The first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, and the semiconductor laser. Any two of the third laser light source unit and the fourth laser light source unit are , in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of a light flux consisting of the second light, the third light, and the fourth light, In the embodiment, the first imaginary line intersecting the central axis faces the first imaginary line, the first imaginary line being located between the first imaginary line and the central axis. and the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, and the third laser light source unit are disposed at a position The other two of the light source unit and the fourth laser light source unit are arranged in front of each other in the virtual plane. At positions facing each other across the central axis on a second virtual line perpendicular to the first virtual line, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, and the third laser light source unit The fourth laser light source units are spaced apart from the central axis at equal distances in the virtual plane. The first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light are arranged in the same manner. It is linearly polarized light having a polarization direction. In addition, a light source device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first laser for emitting a first light having a first wavelength band. a second laser light source unit for emitting a second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band; a fourth laser that emits a fourth light having a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band; a first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, and the third laser light source unit, each of the laser light source unit and the fourth laser light source unit has a semiconductor laser; The first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the front Any two of the fourth laser light source units are the first light, the second light, the third light, and in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light flux consisting of the fourth light, a plane intersecting the central axis. The first level is disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on the first virtual line. the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit The other two of the laser light source units are arranged along a second line perpendicular to the first virtual line in the virtual plane. The first laser is disposed at a position facing each other across the central axis on the virtual line. the light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit , are disposed at equal distances from the central axis in the virtual plane, The second light, the third light, and the fourth light are linearly polarized lights having the same polarization direction. The first light emitted from the first laser light source unit and the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit the second light emitted from the third laser light source unit, the third light emitted from the third laser light source unit, and a diffusion plate for diffusing each of the fourth lights emitted from the fourth laser light source unit; A driving device that rotates the diffusion plate about a rotation axis parallel to the axis of the light source. On the optical path of the first light between the first laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the second light between the third laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the third light, and on the optical path of the fourth light between the fourth laser light source unit and the diffusion plate. The optical system further includes a condenser lens provided on each of the optical paths. In addition, a light source device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first laser for emitting a first light having a first wavelength band. a second laser light source unit for emitting a second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band; a fourth laser that emits a fourth light having a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band; a first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, and the third laser light source unit, each of the laser light source unit and the fourth laser light source unit has a semiconductor laser; The first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the front Any two of the fourth laser light source units are the first light, the second light, the third light, and in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light flux consisting of the fourth light, a plane intersecting the central axis. The first level is disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on the first virtual line. the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit The other two of the laser light source units are arranged along a second line perpendicular to the first virtual line in the virtual plane. The first laser is disposed at a position facing each other across the central axis on the virtual line. the light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit , are disposed at equal distances from the central axis in the virtual plane, The second light, the third light, and the fourth light are linearly polarized lights having the same polarization direction. The first light emitted from the first laser light source unit and the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit the second light emitted from the third laser light source unit, the third light emitted from the third laser light source unit, and a diffusion plate for diffusing each of the fourth lights emitted from the fourth laser light source unit; A driving device that rotates the diffusion plate about a rotation axis parallel to the axis of the light source. The rotation axis is disposed at a position away from the central axis, and the diffusion plate is disposed on the first light incident side. a first diffusion region, a second diffusion region into which the second light and the third light are incident, and a fourth diffusion region into which the fourth light is incident. and a third diffusion region into which the light is incident.

[0008] A projector of one aspect of the present invention comprises a light source device of one aspect of the present invention, a light modulation device that modulates light emitted from the light source device in accordance with image information, and a projection optical device that projects the light modulated by the light modulation device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing the deflection direction of light emitted from a blue semiconductor laser. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the deflection direction of light emitted from a red semiconductor laser. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the light modulation device. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a front view of a light source device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a light source device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing modified examples of the light source unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector according to a first embodiment. In the drawings, the dimensions of the components may be shown on different scales in order to make the components easier to see.

[0011] The projector 1 according to this embodiment modulates light emitted from the light source device 2 to form an image according to image information, and enlarges and projects the formed image onto a projection surface such as a screen. In other words, the projector 1 modulates the light emitted from the light source device 2 by one light modulation device 6 having one liquid crystal panel 61 to form an image, and projects the formed image. The projector 1 is a so-called single-panel type projector.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the projector 1 includes a light source device 2, a uniformizing device 4, a field lens 5, a light modulation device 6, and a projection optical device 7. The light source device 2, the uniformizing device 4, the field lens 5, the light modulation device 6, and the projection optical device 7 are arranged at predetermined positions along a system optical axis Ax. Four color lights consisting of blue light LB, green light LG1, green light LG2, and red light LR emitted from the light source device 2 are combined into one light beam L. The system optical axis Ax is the optical axis of the light source device 2, and is defined as the central axis of the light beam L emitted from the light source device 2. The system optical axis Ax of this embodiment corresponds to the central axis of the claims.

[0013] In the following description, the axis parallel to the traveling direction of the light flux L emitted from the light source device 2 along the system optical axis Ax is the Z axis, and the traveling direction of the light flux L is the +Z direction. In addition, two axes that are perpendicular to the Z axis and perpendicular to each other are the X axis and the Y axis. Of the directions along these axes, the vertical upward direction in the space in which the projector 1 is installed is the +Y direction. In addition, the horizontal right direction when viewing an object into which light is incident along the +Z direction so that the +Y direction faces vertically upward is the +X direction. Although not shown in the figure, the opposite direction to the +X direction is the -X direction, the opposite direction to the +Y direction is the -Y direction, and the opposite direction to the +Z direction is the -Z direction.

[0014] The configuration of the light source device 2 will be described in detail later. The homogenizer 4 homogenizes the illuminance of the light beam L in an image forming area of ​​the light modulation device 6 that is irradiated with the light beam L emitted from the light source device 2. The homogenizer 4 has a first multi-lens 41, a second multi-lens 42, and a superimposing lens 43. Note that instead of the above configuration, a homogenizer having another configuration may be provided, or a homogenizer may not be provided.

[0015] The first multi-lens 41 has a plurality of lenses 411 arranged in a matrix in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light beam L incident from the light source device 2, i.e., the system optical axis Ax. The first multi-lens 41 splits the light beam L incident from the light source device 2 into a plurality of partial light beams by the plurality of lenses 411.

[0016] The second multi-lens 42 is arranged in a matrix in a plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax, and has a plurality of lenses 421 corresponding to the plurality of lenses 411 of the first multi-lens 41. A partial light beam emitted from the lens 411 facing the lens 421 is incident on each lens 421. Each lens 421 causes the partial light beam to be incident on the superimposing lens 43.

[0017] The superimposing lens 43 superimposes the multiple partial light beams incident from the second multi-lens 42 in the image formation area of ​​the light modulation device 6. In detail, the blue light LB, the red light LR, and the two green lights LG, each of which has been split into multiple partial light beams, are incident at different angles on each of the multiple microlenses 621 constituting a microlens array 62 (described later) of the light modulation device 6 via the field lens 5 by the second multi-lens 42 and the superimposing lens 43.

[0018] The field lens 5 is disposed between the uniformizer 4 and the light modulator 6. The field lens 5 guides the light flux L emitted from the uniformizer 4 to the light modulator 6.

[0019] The light modulation device 6 modulates the light emitted from the light source device 2. More specifically, the light modulation device 6 modulates each color light emitted from the light source device 2 and incident via the uniformizer 4 and the field lens 5 in accordance with image information, thereby forming image light in accordance with the image information. The light modulation device 6 includes one liquid crystal panel 61 and one microlens array 62.

[0020] The configuration of the light source device 2 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light source device 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the light source device 2 includes a blue laser light source unit 2B, a first green laser light source unit 2G1, a second green laser light source unit 2G2, a red laser light source unit 2R, a plurality of collimator lenses 22, a plurality of phase difference plates 23B, 23G, a plurality of focusing lenses 24, a rotating diffusion plate 25, and a plurality of pickup lenses 26. The blue laser light source unit 2B of this embodiment corresponds to the first laser light source unit in the claims. The first green laser light source unit 2G1 of this embodiment corresponds to the second laser light source unit in the claims. The second green laser light source unit 2G2 of this embodiment corresponds to the third laser light source unit in the claims. The red laser light source unit 2R of this embodiment corresponds to the fourth laser light source unit in the claims.

[0021] The blue laser light source unit 2B has a blue semiconductor laser 20B. The blue semiconductor laser 20B emits blue light LB having a blue wavelength band of, for example, 445 to 485 nm. The first green laser light source unit 2G1 has a first green semiconductor laser 20G1. The second green laser light source unit 2G2 has a second green semiconductor laser 20G2. The second green semiconductor laser 20G2 emits green light LG2 having a green wavelength band of, for example, 520 to 550 nm. The red laser light source unit 2R has a red semiconductor laser 20R. The red semiconductor laser 20R emits red light LR having a red wavelength band of, for example, 620 to 645 nm. The peak wavelength of the green light LG1 and the peak wavelength of the green light LG2 may be the same or different from each other within the range of the above-mentioned green wavelength band. The blue light LB of this embodiment corresponds to the first light in the claims. The green light LG1 of this embodiment corresponds to the second light in the claims. The green light LG2 of this embodiment corresponds to the third light in the claims. The red light LR of this embodiment corresponds to the fourth light in the claims.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a front view of the light source device 2 as viewed from the -Z side. In Fig. 3, in order to make the drawing easier to see, the collimator lens 22, the retardation plates 23B and 23G, etc. are omitted from the illustration. As shown in FIG. 3, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed on a first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed on the first virtual line K1 at positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax. The first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed on a second virtual line K2 that is perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed on the second virtual line K2 at positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax. The blue semiconductor laser 20B, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed at equal distances from each other to the system optical axis Ax. Incidentally, the imaginary plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax is a plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0023] More specifically, the blue semiconductor laser 20B is disposed at a position on the +X side and -Y side with the system optical axis Ax as the center in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. The red semiconductor laser 20R is disposed at a position on the -X side and +Y side with the system optical axis Ax as the center in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. The first green semiconductor laser 20G1 is disposed at a position on the +X side and +Y side with the system optical axis Ax as the center in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. The second green semiconductor laser 20G2 is disposed at a position on the -X side and -Y side with the system optical axis Ax as the center in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax.

[0024] As a result, the four colored lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R are incident on four mutually spaced positions on the light incident surface 251a of the diffuser 251. Specifically, the four colored lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR are incident on the light incident surface 251a parallel to the XY plane at a position on the -Y side on the +X side, a position on the +Y side on the -X side, a position on the +Y side on the +X side, and a position on the -Y side on the -X side, with the system optical axis Ax as the center.

[0025] 2, a collimator lens 22 is provided on the light emission side of each of the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R. The collimator lens 22 collimates the colored light LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R corresponding to the collimator lens 22, respectively.

[0026] In current high-power semiconductor lasers for projectors, it is common to use an AlInGaN-based semiconductor laser as the blue semiconductor laser and an AlGaInP-based semiconductor laser as the red semiconductor laser. As described above, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are made of different materials and have different crystal structures, and therefore the polarization direction of the blue light LB emitted from the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the polarization direction of the red light LR emitted from the red semiconductor laser 20R are different from each other.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the deflection direction of the blue light LB emitted from the blue semiconductor laser 20B. As shown in FIG. 4, the blue semiconductor laser 20B has a rectangular light-emitting surface 20ab having a short side and a long side when viewed from the direction along the principal ray Ab of the blue light LB. The divergence angle of the blue light LB emitted from the blue semiconductor laser 20B in the short direction of the light-emitting surface 20ab is larger than the divergence angle in the long direction of the light-emitting surface 20ab. As a result, the cross section of the blue light LB perpendicular to the principal ray Ab is an ellipse having a long axis along the short direction of the light-emitting surface 20ab and a short axis along the long direction of the light-emitting surface 20ab. The polarization direction PB of the blue light LB coincides with the long direction of the light-emitting surface 20ab, i.e., the short axis direction of the ellipse, which is the cross-sectional shape.

[0028] Although not shown, the green light LG1, LG2 emitted from the two green semiconductor lasers 20G1, 20G2 is similar to the blue light LB. That is, the cross section perpendicular to the principal ray of the green light LG1, LG2 is an ellipse having a major axis along the short direction of the light exit surface and a minor axis along the long direction of the light exit surface. The polarization direction of the green light LG1, LG2 coincides with the long direction of the light exit surface, that is, the minor axis direction of the ellipse, which is the cross-sectional shape.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the deflection direction of the red light LR emitted from the red semiconductor laser 20R. 5, in the red semiconductor laser 20R, similarly to the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the cross section perpendicular to the principal ray Ar of the red light LR is an ellipse having a major axis along the short side direction of the light emitting surface 20ar and a minor axis along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting surface 20ar. However, due to the difference in the constituent materials described above, the polarization direction PR of the red light LR coincides with the short side direction of the light emitting surface 20ar, i.e., the major axis direction of the ellipse which is the cross-sectional shape.

[0030] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are all arranged so that the short side direction of the light emitting surface faces the Y axis direction and the long side direction of the light emitting surface faces the X axis direction. Therefore, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green lights LG1 and LG2 and the polarization direction of the red light LR are mutually orthogonal on the XY plane. In this way, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green lights LG1 and LG2 and the polarization direction of the red light LR are different from each other immediately after emission from each semiconductor laser.

[0031] 2, retardation plates 23B and 23G are provided on the optical path of blue light LB emitted from blue semiconductor laser 20B, on the optical path of green light LG1 emitted from first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and on the optical path of green light LG2 emitted from second green semiconductor laser 20G2. Retardation plate 23B on the optical path of blue light LB is composed of a 1 / 2 wavelength plate for the blue wavelength band. Retardation plate 23G on the optical path of green light LG1 and LG2 is composed of a 1 / 2 wavelength plate for the green wavelength band.

[0032] By transmitting the phase difference plates 23B and 23G, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green light LG1, LG2 before entering the phase difference plates 23B and 23G rotates 90° in a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction of the light. As a result, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green light LG1, LG2 and the polarization direction PR of the red light LR are both in the Y-axis direction and coincide with each other. In addition, instead of the configuration of this embodiment, a phase difference plate may be provided on the optical path of the red light LR emitted from the red semiconductor laser 20R. In this case, the phase difference plate is composed of a 1 / 2 wavelength plate for the red wavelength band. According to this configuration, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green light LG1, LG2 and the polarization direction PR of the red light LR are both in the X-axis direction and coincide with each other. The blue light LB, the green light LG1, the green light LG2, and the red light LR are linearly polarized light having the same polarization direction.

[0033] The rotating diffuser 25 is provided in common on the light emission side of the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2. The rotating diffuser 25 has a diffuser 251 and a driving device 252.

[0034] The diffuser plate 251 is rotatable about a rotation axis Ac parallel to the system optical axis Ax. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the position of the rotation axis Ac of the diffuser plate 251 coincides with the position of the system optical axis Ax. The diffuser plate 251 is a transmissive diffuser plate having a light entrance surface 251a and a light exit surface 251b. The diffuser plate 251 diffuses each of the blue light LB emitted from the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the green light LG1 emitted from the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, the green light LG2 emitted from the second green semiconductor laser 20G2, and the red light LR emitted from the red semiconductor laser 20R at a predetermined diffusion angle.

[0035] The driving device 252 is composed of a motor that rotates the diffusion plate 251 around a rotation axis Ac parallel to the system optical axis Ax. In the case of this embodiment, the rotation axis Ac of the diffusion plate 251 is directly connected to the drive shaft of the motor. The driving device 252 is disposed on the light incident surface 251a side of the diffusion plate 251. In other words, the driving device 252 is provided on the same side of the diffusion plate 251 as the side on which the condenser lens 24 is provided.

[0036] The condenser lens 24 is provided on the optical path of the blue light LB between the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the diffusion plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG1 between the first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the diffusion plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG2 between the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 and the diffusion plate 251, and on the optical path of the red light LR between the red semiconductor laser 20R and the diffusion plate 251. The condenser lens 24 condenses the respective color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR incident on the condenser lens 24 toward the diffusion plate 251.

[0037] When viewed from the direction of the system optical axis Ax, the condenser lens 24 does not have a circular shape, but has a shape with both sides in the X-axis direction cut out. That is, the shape of the condenser lens 24 when viewed from the direction of the system optical axis Ax has a short side direction parallel to the long side direction of the light exit surface of each of the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R, and a long side direction parallel to the short side direction of the light exit surface of each of the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R.

[0038] Pickup lenses 26 are provided on the optical path of blue light LB emitted from diffuser plate 251, on the optical path of green light LG1 emitted from diffuser plate 251, on the optical path of green light LG2 emitted from diffuser plate 251, and on the optical path of red light LR emitted from diffuser plate 251. Pickup lenses 26 guide the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from diffuser plate 251 to homogenizer 4 in the downstream stage.

[0039] In this embodiment, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the blue light LB, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical paths of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2, and the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the red light LR are different from each other. Specifically, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the blue light LB is shorter than the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical paths of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2. The distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical paths of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2 is shorter than the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the red light LR. Note that instead of the above configuration, the distance between each pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 may be the same as each other.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of the light modulation device 6 as viewed from the -Z direction. In other words, Fig. 6 shows the correspondence between the pixels PX of the liquid crystal panel 61 and the microlenses 621 of the microlens array 62. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal panel 61 has a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a matrix in a plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax (Z axis).

[0041] One pixel PX has multiple sub-pixels SX that modulate color light of different colors. In this embodiment, each pixel PX has four sub-pixels SX (SX1 to SX4). Specifically, a first sub-pixel SX1 is disposed at a position in the -X direction and +Y direction with respect to the center of the rectangular pixel PX. A second sub-pixel SX2 is disposed at a position in the +Y direction with respect to the +X direction. A third sub-pixel SX3 is disposed at a position in the +Y direction with respect to the -X direction. A fourth sub-pixel SX4 is disposed at a position in the -Y direction with respect to the +X direction.

[0042] 1, the microlens array 62 is provided on the light incident side (-Z side) of the liquid crystal panel 61. The microlens array 62 guides a plurality of colored lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR incident on the microlens array 62 to each pixel PX. The microlens array 62 has a plurality of microlenses 621 corresponding to the plurality of pixels PX.

[0043] 6, the multiple microlenses 621 are arranged in a matrix on a plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. In other words, the multiple microlenses 621 are arranged in a matrix on a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light incident from the field lens 5. In this embodiment, one microlens 621 is provided corresponding to two sub-pixels arranged in the +X direction and two sub-pixels arranged in the +Y direction. That is, one microlens 621 is provided corresponding to four sub-pixels SX1 to SX4 arranged in two rows and two columns on the XY plane.

[0044] The blue light LB, the green light LG1, the green light LG2, and the red light LR superimposed by the uniformizing device 4 are incident at different angles on one microlens 621. In this way, the microlens 621 distributes the colored light incident on the microlens 621 to the sub-pixels SX corresponding to the colored light.

[0045] 1, the projection optical device 7 projects the light modulated by the light modulation device 6, i.e., the light forming an image, onto a projection surface (not shown) such as a screen. The projection optical device 7 has one or more projection lenses.

[0046] [Effects of the first embodiment] The light source device 2 of this embodiment includes a blue laser light source unit 2B that emits blue light LB, a first green laser light source unit 2G1 that emits green light LG1, a second green laser light source unit 2G2 that emits green light LG2, and a red laser light source unit 2R that emits red light LR. The blue laser light source unit 2B, the first green laser light source unit 2G1, the second green laser light source unit 2G2, and the red laser light source unit 2R each have a semiconductor laser 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R. The blue laser light source unit 2B and the red laser light source unit 2R are disposed in positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax on a first virtual line K1 intersecting with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax, the first green laser light source unit 2G1 and the second green laser light source unit 2G2 are disposed in positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax on a second virtual line K2 perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 in the virtual plane, and the blue laser light source unit 2B, the red laser light source unit 2R, the first green laser light source unit 2G1, and the second green laser light source unit 2G2 are disposed at equal distances from the system optical axis Ax in the virtual plane. The blue light LB, the green light LG1, the green light LG2, and the red light LR emitted from the light source device 2 are linearly polarized light having the same polarization direction.

[0047] According to this configuration, the four color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR can be emitted from four spatially separated positions of the light source device 2, so that each color light can be efficiently incident on the light modulation device 6 having the pixel PX consisting of four sub-pixels SX. In addition, since the four color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR with the same polarization direction are emitted from the light source device 2, a polarization conversion element with a narrow pitch is not used, and the light source device 2 can be made compact. Furthermore, since the light emission source is a semiconductor laser and there is no need to use a wavelength conversion element such as a phosphor, the light source device 2 can be made compact and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, since two green lights LG1 and LG2 are emitted, the brightness of the image can be increased when used in the projector 1.

[0048] The light source device 2 of this embodiment further includes retardation plates 23B, 23G respectively provided on the optical path of the blue light LB emitted from the blue laser light source unit 2B, on the optical path of the green light LG1 emitted from the first green laser light source unit 2G1, and on the optical path of the green light LG2 emitted from the second green laser light source unit 2G2.

[0049] According to this configuration, even if the polarization directions of the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the laser light source units 2B, 2G1, 2G2, and 2R are different from one another, the four color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR with the same polarization direction can be obtained by using the retardation plates 23B and 23G. Furthermore, the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R of the laser light source units 2B, 2G1, 2G2, and 2R can be arranged in the same direction regardless of the difference in the polarization direction.

[0050] The light source device 2 of this embodiment further includes a diffusion plate 251 that diffuses each of the blue light LB emitted from the blue laser light source unit 2B, the green light LG1 emitted from the first green laser light source unit 2G1, the green light LG2 emitted from the second green laser light source unit 2G2, and the red light LR emitted from the red laser light source unit 2R, and a drive device 252 that rotates the diffusion plate 251 around a rotation axis Ac parallel to the system optical axis Ax.

[0051] According to this configuration, the intensity distribution of each of the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the light source device 2 can be made uniform by the diffusion plate 251. Also, speckles can be suppressed when used in the projector 1. Also, since the diffusion plate 251 is rotated by the drive device 252, heat generated by the diffusion plate 251 is suppressed, and the reliability of the diffusion plate 251 can be improved.

[0052] The light source device 2 of this embodiment further includes focusing lenses 24 respectively provided on the optical path of the blue light LB between the blue laser light source unit 2B and the diffusion plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG1 between the first green laser light source unit 2G1 and the diffusion plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG2 between the second green laser light source unit 2G2 and the diffusion plate 251, and on the optical path of the red light LR between the red laser light source unit 2R and the diffusion plate 251.

[0053] According to this configuration, the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the light source device 2 can be made to enter the diffusion plate 251 efficiently by the condenser lens .

[0054] In the light source device 2 of this embodiment, the driving device 252 is provided on the same side of the diffuser 251 as the focusing lens 24, and the shape of the focusing lens 24 viewed from the direction of the system optical axis Ax has a short side direction parallel to the long side direction of the light emission surface of each semiconductor laser 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R, and has a long side direction parallel to the short side direction of the light emission surface.

[0055] Since the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the principal ray of each of the colored lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from each of the semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, 20G2, and 20R is elliptical, even if the condenser lens 24 having an elongated shape in one direction is used as described above, each of the colored lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR can be efficiently incident on the diffusion plate 251. Furthermore, even if the driving device 252 and the condenser lens 24 are arranged on the same side of the diffusion plate 251, by using the condenser lens 24 having an elongated shape in one direction, the condenser lens 24 is less likely to interfere with the driving device 252.

[0056] The light source device 2 of this embodiment further includes pickup lenses 26 respectively provided on the optical path of the blue light LB emitted from the diffuser plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG1 emitted from the diffuser plate 251, on the optical path of the green light LG2 emitted from the diffuser plate 251, and on the optical path of the red light LR emitted from the diffuser plate 251.

[0057] According to this configuration, the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the diffusion plate 251 can be efficiently guided to the uniformizing device 4.

[0058] In the light source device 2 of this embodiment, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the blue light LB, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2, and the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 on the optical path of the red light LR are different from each other.

[0059] According to this configuration, the distance between the pickup lens 26 and the diffusion plate 251 can be optimized for each wavelength of light, so that the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the diffusion plate 251 can be guided to the homogenizer 4 more efficiently.

[0060] The projector 1 of this embodiment comprises a light source device 2 having the above-described configuration, a light modulation device 6 that modulates the light beam L emitted from the light source device 2 in accordance with image information, and a projection optical device 7 that projects the light beam L modulated by the light modulation device 6.

[0061] According to this configuration, a compact and highly efficient projector 1 can be realized.

[0062] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The configuration of the projector in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, but the positional relationship between each laser light source unit and the diffusion plate is different from that in the first embodiment, so a description of the overall configuration of the projector will be omitted. Fig. 7 is a front view of a light source device according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 7, in order to make the drawing easier to see, a collimator lens, a retardation plate, a condenser lens, etc. are omitted. In FIG. 7, components common to those in the drawings used in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, in the light source device 8 of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed on a first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed at positions facing each other on the first virtual line K1 with the system optical axis Ax in between. The first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed on a second virtual line K2 that is perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed at positions facing each other on the second virtual line K2 with the system optical axis Ax in between. The blue semiconductor laser 20B, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed at equal distances from the system optical axis Ax. An imaginary plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax is a plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the rotation axis of the diffuser coincides with the position of the system optical axis Ax. In contrast, in this embodiment, the rotation axis Ac of the diffuser 253 is disposed at a position away from the system optical axis Ax. That is, the rotation axis Ac of the diffuser 253 is disposed at a position shifted to the +Y side on the +X side with respect to the system optical axis Ax. In a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax, the rotation axis Ac of the diffuser 253 and the system optical axis Ax are separated by a predetermined distance. As a result, the incidence positions of the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR on the light incidence surface 253a of the diffuser 253 are located at different distances from the rotation axis Ac. On the light incidence surface 253a of the diffuser 253, the distance from the rotation axis Ac to the incidence position of the blue light LB is longer than the distance from the rotation axis Ac to the incidence positions of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2. The distance from the rotation axis Ac to the incidence positions of the green light LG1 and the green light LG2 is longer than the distance from the rotation axis Ac to the incidence position of the red light LR.

[0065] In this embodiment, the diffusion plate 253 has a first diffusion region 253B into which the blue light LB is incident, a second diffusion region 253G into which the green light LG1 and the green light LG2 are incident, and a third diffusion region 253R into which the red light LR is incident. The first diffusion region 253B, the second diffusion region 253G, and the third diffusion region 253R are provided concentrically. The first diffusion region 253B is provided on the outer periphery side of the diffusion plate 253. The third diffusion region 253R is provided on the inner periphery side of the diffusion plate 253. The second diffusion region 253G is provided between the first diffusion region 253B and the third diffusion region 253R. The positional relationship between the first diffusion region 253B, the second diffusion region 253G, and the third diffusion region 253R is not limited to the above example, and can be appropriately changed according to the direction in which the rotation axis Ac of the diffusion plate 253 is shifted relative to the system optical axis Ax.

[0066] The first diffusion region 253B, the second diffusion region 253G, and the third diffusion region 253R have different diffusion characteristics. Specifically, the third diffusion region 253R diffuses incident light more strongly than the second diffusion region 253G. The second diffusion region 253G diffuses incident light more strongly than the first diffusion region 253B. The other configuration of the light source device 8 is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0067] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the light source device 8 of this embodiment, the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR can be efficiently incident on the light modulation device 6 having a pixel PX consisting of four sub-pixels SX, and the light source device 8 can be made smaller and its configuration can be simplified, which are similar to the effects of the first embodiment.

[0068] In the light source device 8 of this embodiment, the rotation axis Ac of the diffusion plate 253 is positioned at a position away from the system optical axis Ax, and the diffusion plate 253 has a first diffusion region 253B onto which blue light LB is incident, a second diffusion region 253G onto which green light LG1 and green light LG2 are incident, and a third diffusion region 253R onto which red light LR is incident.

[0069] According to this configuration, the diffusion characteristics can be optimized in accordance with the wavelengths of the colored light incident on each of the diffusion regions 253B, 253G, and 253R.

[0070] In the light source device 8 of the present embodiment, the first diffusion region 253B, the second diffusion region 253G, and the third diffusion region 253R have different diffusion characteristics. Specifically, the third diffusion region 253R diffuses incident light more strongly than the second diffusion region 253G. The second diffusion region 253G diffuses incident light more strongly than the first diffusion region 253B.

[0071] When colored light is incident on a diffusion plate having the same diffusion characteristics, light with a short wavelength is more likely to be diffused than light with a long wavelength. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the diffusion angle distributions of the colored light LB, LG1, LG2, and LR emitted from the diffusion plate 253 can be made substantially equal.

[0072] [Third embodiment] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the projector in the third embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, but the arrangement of the semiconductor lasers in each laser light source unit is different from that in the first embodiment, so a description of the overall configuration of the projector will be omitted. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a light source device 9 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, components common to those in the drawings used in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, in the light source device 9 of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed on a first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the blue semiconductor laser 20B and the red semiconductor laser 20R are disposed on the first virtual line K1 at positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax. The first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed on a second virtual line K2 that is perpendicular to the first virtual line K1 that intersects with the system optical axis Ax in a virtual plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1 and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed on the second virtual line K2 at positions facing each other across the system optical axis Ax. The blue semiconductor laser 20B, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are disposed at equal distances from the system optical axis Ax. An imaginary plane perpendicular to the system optical axis Ax is a plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0074] In the first embodiment, all four semiconductor lasers are arranged in the same direction. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are arranged in the same direction, but these three semiconductor lasers 20B, 20G1, and 20G2 and the red semiconductor laser 20R are arranged in different directions. That is, the red semiconductor laser 20R is arranged so that the short side direction of the light emitting surface faces the Y-axis direction and the long side direction of the light emitting surface faces the X-axis direction, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are arranged so that the short side direction of the light emitting surface faces the X-axis direction and the long side direction of the light emitting surface faces the Y-axis direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green light LG1, LG2 and the polarization direction of the red light LR are all the same as the Y-axis direction. In this way, the polarization direction of the blue light LB and the green light LG1, LG2 and the polarization direction of the red light LR are the same as each other immediately after emission from each semiconductor laser 20B, 20G1, 20G2, 20R. Therefore, the retardation plates 23B, 23G provided on the optical path of the blue light LB, the optical path of the green light LG1, and the optical path of the green light LG2 in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment are not necessary in this embodiment.

[0076] In addition, since the orientations of the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 have been changed from those in the first embodiment, the orientations of the condenser lenses 24 onto which the blue light LB and the green lights LG1, LG2 are incident have also been changed from those in the first embodiment. Of the four condenser lenses 24, the condenser lenses 24 onto which the blue light LB and the green lights LG1, LG2 are incident are arranged so that their longitudinal direction faces the X-axis direction and their lateral direction faces the Y-axis direction. The other configuration of the light source device 9 is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0077] [Effects of the third embodiment] The light source device 9 of this embodiment also has the same advantages as the first embodiment, such as being able to efficiently cause each color of light to enter the light modulation device 6 having a pixel consisting of four sub-pixels, and being able to reduce the size of the light source device 9 and simplify its configuration.

[0078] In the light source device 9 of the present embodiment, the red semiconductor laser 20R, the blue semiconductor laser 20B, the first green semiconductor laser 20G1, and the second green semiconductor laser 20G2 are arranged in different orientations from one another.

[0079] According to this configuration, the polarization directions of the color lights LB, LG1, LG2, and LR can be aligned without using a phase difference plate, and the light source device 9 can be simplified.

[0080] [Variations] In each of the above embodiments, each laser light source section has one semiconductor laser, but each laser light source section may have a plurality of semiconductor lasers. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a laser light source unit 2X of a modified example.

[0081] 9, the laser light source section 2X of the modified example includes a first semiconductor laser 20X1, a second semiconductor laser 20X2, a collimator lens 22, and a total reflection mirror 28. In this manner, the laser light source section 2X of the modified example includes two semiconductor lasers 20X1 and 20X2.

[0082] The first semiconductor laser 20X1 is disposed so as to emit light in the +Z direction. The second semiconductor laser 20X2 is disposed so as to emit light in the -X direction. That is, the emission direction of light from the first semiconductor laser 20X1 and the emission direction of light from the second semiconductor laser 20X2 are perpendicular to each other. A collimator lens 22 is provided on the light emission side of each of the semiconductor lasers 20X1 and 20X2. A total reflection mirror 28 is provided on the optical path of the light emitted from the second semiconductor laser 20X2. The light emitted from the second semiconductor laser 20X2 is reflected by the total reflection mirror 28 and travels in the +Z direction.

[0083] In this way, by arranging the first semiconductor laser 20X1 and the second semiconductor laser 20X2 so that their emission directions are perpendicular to each other, the light emitted from the first semiconductor laser 20X1 and the light emitted from the second semiconductor laser 20X2 can be arranged at a narrow pitch without interference between the collimator lenses 22. With this configuration, the two beams can be made incident on the unidirectionally elongated focusing lens 24 without any hindrance.

[0084] For example, if the power of a particular color light is insufficient with a laser light source unit having one semiconductor laser, the power of the particular color light can be increased by using a laser light source unit having multiple semiconductor lasers as in this modification, thereby adjusting the color balance of the light emitted from the light source device.

[0085] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a configuration in which red light and blue light are incident diagonally on four sub-pixels arranged in two rows and two columns, and two green light beams are incident in the other diagonal direction, a so-called Bayer array, but instead of this configuration, the red light, blue light, and two green light beams may each be arranged vertically or horizontally.

[0086] In addition, the specific description of the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of each component of the light source device and the projector is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed. In addition, the light source device of the present invention may be applied to a display device that does not have a projection optical device.

[0087] A light source device according to one aspect of the present invention may have the following configuration. A light source device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first laser light source unit that emits a first light having a first wavelength band, a second laser light source unit that emits a second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band, a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band, and a fourth laser light source unit that emits a fourth light having a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, wherein each of the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit has a semiconductor laser, and any two of the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit emit the first light, the second light, the third light, and In a virtual plane perpendicular to a central axis of a light beam consisting of the fourth light, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit are arranged at positions opposing each other across the central axis on a first virtual line intersecting the central axis, and the other two of the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit are arranged at positions opposing each other across the central axis on a second virtual line perpendicular to the first virtual line, and the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and the fourth laser light source unit are arranged at equal distances from each other from the central axis in the virtual plane, and the first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light are linearly polarized light having the same polarization direction.

[0088] In the light source device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first light may be blue light, the second light and the third light may be green light, and the fourth light may be red light.

[0089] The light source device of one embodiment of the present invention may further include a phase difference plate provided on the optical path of the first light emitted from the first laser light source unit, on the optical path of the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit, and on the optical path of the third light emitted from the third laser light source unit.

[0090] The light source device according to an aspect of the present invention may further include a phase difference plate provided on an optical path of the fourth light emitted from the fourth laser light source section.

[0091] The light source device of one embodiment of the present invention may further include a diffusion plate that diffuses each of the first light emitted from the first laser light source unit, the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit, the third light emitted from the third laser light source unit, and the fourth light emitted from the fourth laser light source unit, and a driving device that rotates the diffusion plate around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis.

[0092] The light source device of one embodiment of the present invention may further include focusing lenses respectively provided on the optical path of the first light between the first laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the second light between the second laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the third light between the third laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, and on the optical path of the fourth light between the fourth laser light source unit and the diffusion plate.

[0093] In one embodiment of the light source device of the present invention, the driving device is provided on the same side of the diffusion plate as the focusing lens, and the shape of the focusing lens viewed from the direction of the central axis has a short side direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light emission surface of the semiconductor laser, and may have a long side direction parallel to the short side direction of the light emission surface.

[0094] In one embodiment of the light source device of the present invention, the rotation axis may be positioned at a position away from the central axis, and the diffusion plate may have a first diffusion region onto which the first light is incident, a second diffusion region onto which the second light and the third light are incident, and a third diffusion region onto which the fourth light is incident.

[0095] In the light source device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first diffusion region, the second diffusion region, and the third diffusion region may have diffusion characteristics different from one another.

[0096] A light source device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include pickup lenses respectively provided on the optical path of the first light emitted from the diffuser plate, on the optical path of the second light emitted from the diffuser plate, on the optical path of the third light emitted from the diffuser plate, and on the optical path of the fourth light emitted from the diffuser plate.

[0097] In one embodiment of the light source device of the present invention, the distance between the pickup lens and the diffuser plate provided on the optical path of the first light, the distance between the pickup lens and the diffuser plate provided on the optical paths of the second light and the third light, and the distance between the pickup lens and the diffuser plate provided on the optical path of the fourth light may be different from each other.

[0098] A projector according to one aspect of the invention may have the following configuration. A projector of one aspect of the present invention comprises a light source device of one aspect of the present invention, a light modulation device that modulates light emitted from the light source device in accordance with image information, and a projection optical device that projects the light modulated by the light modulation device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1...projector, 2,8,9...light source device, 2B...blue laser light source section (first laser light source section), 2G1...first green laser light source section (second laser light source section), 2G2...second green laser light source section (third laser light source section), 2R...red laser light source section (fourth laser light source section), 2X...laser light source section, 6...light modulation device, 7...projection optical device, 20B...blue semiconductor laser, 20G1...first green semiconductor laser, 20G2...second green semiconductor laser, 20 R...red semiconductor laser, 20X1...first semiconductor laser, 20X2...second semiconductor laser, 23B, 23G...phase difference plate, 24...condenser lens, 26...pickup lens, 251, 253...diffusion plate, 252...driving device, 253B...first diffusion region, 253G...second diffusion region, 253R...third diffusion region, K1...first virtual line, K2...second virtual line, LB...blue light (first light), LG1...green light (second light), LG2...green light (third light), LR...red light (fourth light).

Claims

1. a first laser light source unit that emits a first light having a first wavelength band; a second laser light source unit that emits second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; 、 a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band; and emitting a fourth light having a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band. A fourth laser light source unit; Equipped with the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and Each of the fourth laser light source units has a semiconductor laser, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and Any two of the fourth laser light source units are configured to receive the first light, the second light, and the third light. and in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light beam consisting of the fourth light, the light beam intersects with the central axis. are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on a first virtual line, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and The other two of the fourth laser light source units are aligned along the first virtual line and the second virtual line in the virtual plane. are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on a second virtual line perpendicular to the first imaginary line, The first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, The four laser light source units are disposed at equal distances from the central axis in the virtual plane. R, The first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light have the same polarization direction. is linearly polarized light, The first light emitted from the first laser light source unit and the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit the second light emitted from the third laser light source unit, the third light emitted from the fourth laser light source unit, a diffusion plate that diffuses each of the fourth lights emitted from the laser light source unit; a driving device that rotates the diffusion plate around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis; Further equipped with The second laser is disposed on the optical path of the first light between the first laser light source unit and the diffusion plate. On the optical path of the second light between the light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the third light between the fourth laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, The light source device further includes a condenser lens provided on each optical path of the fourth light.

2. a first laser light source unit that emits a first light having a first wavelength band; a second laser light source unit that emits second light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; 、 a third laser light source unit that emits a third light having the second wavelength band; and emitting a fourth light having a third wavelength band different from the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band. A fourth laser light source unit; Equipped with the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and Each of the fourth laser light source units has a semiconductor laser, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and Any two of the fourth laser light source units are configured to receive the first light, the second light, and the third light. and in a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the light beam consisting of the fourth light, the light beam intersects with the central axis. are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on a first virtual line, the first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, and The other two of the fourth laser light source units are aligned along the first virtual line and the second virtual line in the virtual plane. are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis on a second virtual line perpendicular to the first imaginary line, The first laser light source unit, the second laser light source unit, the third laser light source unit, The four laser light source units are disposed at equal distances from the central axis in the virtual plane. R, The first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light have the same polarization direction. is linearly polarized light, The first light emitted from the first laser light source unit and the second light emitted from the second laser light source unit the second light emitted from the third laser light source unit, the third light emitted from the fourth laser light source unit, a diffusion plate that diffuses each of the fourth lights emitted from the laser light source unit; a driving device that rotates the diffusion plate around a rotation axis parallel to the central axis; Further equipped with The rotation axis is disposed at a position away from the central axis, The diffusion plate has a first diffusion region to which the first light is incident and a second diffusion region to which the second light and the third light are incident. a second diffusion region into which the fourth light is incident, and a third diffusion region into which the fourth light is incident.

3. The first light is blue light, the second light and the third light are green light, and the fourth light The light source device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitted from the light source is red light.

4. On the optical path of the first light emitted from the first laser light source unit, on the optical path of the second light emitted from the third laser light source unit, The light source device according to claim 3 , further comprising a retardation plate provided on each optical path of the third light. Place.

5. a phase difference plate provided on an optical path of the fourth light emitted from the fourth laser light source unit; The light source device according to claim 3 .

6. The second laser is disposed on the optical path of the first light between the first laser light source unit and the diffusion plate. On the optical path of the second light between the light source unit and the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the third light between the fourth laser light source unit and the diffusion plate, The light source according to claim 2 , further comprising a condenser lens provided on each optical path of the fourth light. Device.

7. The driving device is provided on the same side of the diffusion plate as the condenser lens. R, The shape of the condenser lens as viewed from the direction of the central axis is A short side direction is parallel to the long side direction, and a long side direction is parallel to the short side direction of the light exit surface, 7. A light source device according to claim 1 or 6.

8. The first diffusion region, the second diffusion region, and the third diffusion region have mutually different diffusion characteristics. The light source device according to claim 2 or 6, wherein the light sources are different.

9. On the optical path of the first light emitted from the diffusion plate, on the optical path of the third light emitted from the diffusion plate, and on the optical path of the third light emitted from the diffusion plate. a pickup lens provided on each of the optical paths of the fourth light beams, 9. The light source device according to claim 1 .

10. a distance between the pickup lens and the diffusion plate provided on the optical path of the first light; The pickup lens and the diffusion plate are provided on the optical paths of the second light and the third light. a distance between the pickup lens and the diffusion plate provided on the optical path of the fourth light; The light source device of claim 9 , wherein the distances are different from each other.

11. A light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a light modulation device that modulates the light emitted from the light source device in accordance with image information; a projection optical device that projects the light modulated by the light modulation device; A projector equipped with

Images