Spectroscopic Optical Element for Light Source Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image projection apparatuses face challenges in achieving efficient light utilization and maintaining excellent color reproducibility due to the polarization dependency of dichroic mirrors, leading to insufficient blue light and increased component complexity, making it difficult to achieve a compact and simple configuration.
Innovation Solution
A light source apparatus with a spectroscopic optical element having distinct areas with specific spectral characteristics, allowing for the reflection and transmission of different light components, effectively combining blue, green, and red light to enhance light utilization and color reproducibility without the need for polarization separation, thereby simplifying the configuration and increasing blue light availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a dichroic mirror with polarization dependency is used to combine blue light, then blue light can be separated and combined, but light utilization efficiency decreases and blue light amount becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into two separate paths: one for blue light using a blue light reflector, and another for combined green and red light using a dichroic mirror. This segmentation allows each optical element to be optimized for its specific function without the losses associated with polarization-dependent dichroic mirrors handling all wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
A blue light reflector is introduced as an intermediary optical element specifically designed to reflect blue light without polarization dependency. This intermediary component handles the blue light path separately, preventing the light utilization efficiency losses that would occur with a polarization-dependent dichroic mirror.
2Manufacturing precision
If a dichroic mirror with polarization dependency is used, then spectral separation can be achieved, but the configuration becomes complex and compact design is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate functional modules: a blue light reflector for blue light handling and a dichroic mirror for green and red light combination. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall configuration by assigning specific functions to specific components, making the system more compact and easier to design while maintaining precise spectral control.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple components including retardation plates are added to achieve polarization dependency, then color reproducibility can be improved, but the number of components increases and compact design becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The requirement for polarization dependency and associated components like retardation plates is extracted from the main optical path. Instead of using a polarization-dependent dichroic mirror for all wavelengths, the solution extracts blue light handling into a separate path with a dedicated reflector, eliminating the need for additional polarization-controlling components while maintaining excellent color reproducibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact and simple image projection apparatus with improved light utilization efficiency and color reproducibility by optimizing the spectral characteristics of the spectroscopic optical element, ensuring sufficient blue light and maintaining white balance without increasing the number of components.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscopic optical element configured to reflect the first light to the phosphor and to combine the first light reflected without being absorbed by the phosphor, the second light, and the third light with one another
Implementation Method 2
a phosphor to be excited by the first light to generate second light
Implementation Method 3
The first area has a spectral characteristic of reflecting the first light, of transmitting the second light, and of reflecting the third light
Implementation Method 4
The second area has a spectral characteristic of transmitting the first light and the second light, and of reflecting the third light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source apparatus includes a first light source configured to generate first light, a phosphor to be excited by the first light to generate second light, a second light source configured to generate third light, and a spectroscopic optical element configured to reflect the first light to the phosphor and to combine the first light reflected without being absorbed by the phosphor, the second light, and the third light with one another. The spectroscopic optical element has a first area and a second area. The first area has a spectral characteristic of reflecting the first light, of transmitting the second light, and of reflecting the third light. The second area has a spectral characteristic of transmitting the first light and the second light, and of reflecting the third light.