Patent ID: 6081376
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A reflective dispersing polarizer device for generally separating a source light beam within the visible or near visible spectrum into two generally orthogonally polarized beams and reflecting a majority of one of the beams in more than one angular orientation, the device comprising:a generally parallel arrangement of a plurality of thin, elongated, spaced-apart elements configured for disposition in the source light beam, spacing of the elements being narrower than the wavelength of visible light and providing means for interacting with electromagnetic waves of the source light beam to generally (i) transmit light having a polarization orientation perpendicular to the elements and defining a transmitted beam of a first polarization, and (ii) reflect light having a polarization orientation parallel with the elements and defining a reflected beam of a second polarization,each elongated element having an exposed surface that together with the exposed surfaces of the other elements reflect a majority of the light of the second polarization in a diffuse manner.