Patent ID: 6669797
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a polarizing beam splitter array that comprises a polarizing conversion element that converts non-polarized light into specified polarized light, said method comprising:preparing k sets of light transmissive members, k being an integer of 2 or greater, each of the sets comprising a plurality of first light transmissive plates and a plurality of second light transmissive plates; preparing (k+1) third light transmissive plates having a greater thickness than those of the first light transmissive plates and the second light transmissive plates; producing a composite plate member by alternately arranging and bonding one set of the plurality of first light transmissive plates and the plurality of second light transmissive plates to each of spaces between the (k+1) third light transmissive plates, and alternately arranging a plurality of polarization separating films and a plurality of reflecting films in each interface between the first light transmissive plates, the second light transmissive plates and the third light transmissive plates in the composite plate member; producing a block substrate having a light receiving surface and a light emitting surface by cutting the composite plate member along a first section parallel to a surface inclining at a predetermined angle â€œ&thgr;â€  with a surface of the composite plate member, the light receiving surface and the light emitting surface being in parallel to the first section; polishing the light receiving surface and the light emitting surface of the block substrate; and producing k polarizing beam splitter arrays from one of the block substrates by dividing the block substrate along a plane that is perpendicular to the first section at positions of the third light transmissive plates that are disposed inside the block substrate.