Patent ID: 6286961
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G02B,G02F,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
An illumination system, comprising:a light source configured to emit a substantially parallel light flux;a first lens array including a plurality of lenses configured to divide the substantially parallel light flux into a plurality of partial light fluxes;a second lens array including a plurality of lenses corresponding to the plurality of lenses included in the first lens array;a superimposing lens configured to cause the plurality of light fluxes emitted from the second lens array to be substantially superimposed on an illumination area; anda light flux contraction section disposed on an optical path between one of 1) the first and second lens arrays, 2) the light source and the first lens array, and 3) the second lens array and the superimposing lens, said light flux contraction section being configured to constitute an afocal optical system to change an incident light flux to an emitting light flux having a width narrower than a width of the incident light flux.