Patent ID: 7137704
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A color splitting/combining optical system comprising: a first optical member which splits light from a light source into a first color light component and a second color light component, the first optical member directing the first color light component to a first image-forming element; a second optical member which has a polarization splitting surface and splits the second color light component into a third color light component and a fourth color light component by using the polarization splitting surface, the second optical member directing the third color light component to a second image-forming element and directing the fourth color light component to a third image-forming element, and furthermore, the second optical member combining the third color light component from the second image-forming element with the fourth color light component from the third image-forming element by using the polarization splitting surface; a third optical member which combines the third and fourth color light components, which are combined by the second optical member, with the first color light component from the first image-forming element; a first color-selective wave plate disposed between the first optical member and the second optical member, which converts the polarization direction of a light component in a first wavelength region by 90 degrees; and a second color-selective wave plate disposed between the second optical member and the third optical member, which converts the polarization direction of a light component in a second wavelength region by 90 degrees, wherein the following condition is satisfied: where λ 1 represents a wavelength in which the ratio of the light component having the polarization direction converted by 90 degrees by the first color-selective wave plate becomes substantially 50%, and λ 2 represents a wavelength in which the ratio of the light component having the polarization direction converted by 90 degrees by the second color-selective wave plate becomes substantially 50%, and wherein 80% or more of a light component, in a wavelength region between the λ