Patent ID: 6650474
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: G02B,H04N

Abstract:
An optical filter comprising:a plurality of birefringent plates comprising optical elements that spatially divide incident light along directions each extending perpendicular to a direction in which the incident light advances to achieve two separate light fluxes respectively; and at least one phase plate provided between said plurality of birefringent plates, that is capable of creating a specific quantity of a phase difference between a light component vibrating in one vibrating direction and a light component vibrating in another vibrating direction extending perpendicular to said one vibrating direction for the two light fluxes emitted from one of said plurality of birefringent plates, wherein: said plurality of birefringent plates are thinner than said phase plate; and at least one of said plurality of birefringent plates which is thinner than said phase plate comprises a material with a larger difference between an extraordinary ray refractive index and an ordinary ray refractive index compared to that of a quartz.