Projection display apparatus

A white light emitted from a light source is homogenized by an integrator optical system, transmitted through a color polarizer (113) to be turned into an R light and a G light of a P polarized light, and transmitted through a color polarizer (118) to be turned into a G light of an S polarized light and an R light of a P polarized light. These R light and G light are subjected to light modulation in a reflection type spatial light modulation element for G and a reflection type spatial light modulation element for R arranged at unequal distances from a polarization split surface of a polarizing beam splitter (103), and emitted from a projection lens having an axial chromatic aberration corresponding to the unequal distances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a projection display apparatus using reflection type spatial light modulation elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

A color projection display apparatus separates color lights of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) concerning three primary color lights from a white light, leads the separated color lights to spatial light modulation elements for corresponding colors, combines the color lights subjected to light modulation by the spatial light modulation elements in accordance with a video signal, and projects a combined light, thereby displaying a color projected image on a screen.

A scheme using reflection type spatial light modulation elements as a color projection display apparatus is advantageous in an increase in resolution but has a tendency that an optical configuration is complicated. That is because the projection display apparatus to which the reflection type spatial light modulation elements are applied requires polarizing beam splitters in order to separate an incident light, with which the spatial light modulation elements are irradiated, from a reflection light modulated by the spatial light modulation elements. Usually, two or more polarizing beam splitters must be operated with respect to one spatial light modulation element in order to realize high contrast, and this makes the optical configuration of the reflection type projection display apparatus complicated. In order to solve this problem, various configurations have been proposed (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-174755).

Meanwhile, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-174755 mentioned above, in order to reduce a size of a color projection display apparatus using reflection type spatial light modulation elements, it is necessary to adopt a configuration in which two spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter in a plurality of polarizing beam splitters to be operated.

Color lights of two colors corresponding to respective color lights enter the polarizing beam splitter for which the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged in a state where polarization states of the two color lights are different from each other by 90 degrees, and these color lights are separated by a polarization split surface of the polarizing beam splitter. That is, the two color lights which have entered the polarizing beam splitter are separated by transmission or reflection depending on each polarization state, and the separated lights respectively enter the reflection type spatial light modulation elements.

Considering general characteristics of the polarization split surface of this polarizing beam splitter, it is difficult to achieve full transmission, i.e., 100% of transmission, and slight reflection occurs. Now, of two incident color lights, attention is paid to a color light which is transmitted through the polarization split surface of this polarizing beam splitter and caused to enter the corresponding reflection type spatial light modulation element. This color light is transmitted through the polarization split surface, caused to enter the corresponding reflection type spatial light modulation element, and modulated by an image signal corresponding to this color light in this spatial light modulation element, namely, a polarization state of this color light is changed and this color light is reflected.

This reflected modulated light is caused to again enter the polarization split surface, but reflected by the polarization split surface since the polarization state of this light is changed, projected to a polarizing beam splitter which combines color lights, and the combined light is projected onto a screen through a projection lens.

Of the color lights as the object of attention, the light reflected by slight reflection is caused to enter the reflection type spatial light modulation element corresponding to one color light different from the color light to which attention is paid. Although the light reflected by slight reflection is further reflected by this spatial light modulation element and caused to again enter the polarization split surface, but the polarization state of this light is not changed, and this light is transmitted through the polarization split surface, projected to the polarizing beam splitter which combines color lights, and projected onto the screen through the projection lens.

Usually, in the projection display apparatus, in order to uniform focal points of images projected onto the screen with respect to respective color lights, distances from the screen to the respective reflection type spatial light modulation elements are uniformed, and an axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens is set to become minimum with respect to each color light. Therefore, there is a problem that the color light as the object of attention which has been reflected by the reflection type spatial light modulation element corresponding to the color light as the object of attention interferes with the color light as the object of attention which has been reflected by the reflection type spatial light modulation element corresponding to one color light different from the color light as the object of attention on the screen onto which the color lights are projected, resulting in interference fringes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projection display apparatus which can reduce interference fringes of projected images and project an image of high grade.

In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a projection display apparatus (300) comprising: a light source (111) that emits an indefinitely polarized light; first to third reflection type spatial light modulation elements (161,162,163) that light-modulate three primary color lights obtained by subjecting the indefinitely polarized light to color separation; first wavelength selective polarization converting means (113) for separating the indefinitely polarized light emitted from the light source (111) into a first color component light having a first polarized wave surface and second and third color component lights having a second polarized wave surface as another polarized wave surface different from the first polarized wave surface by 90 degrees, and emitting the separated color component lights; a first polarization split element (102) that receives a light beam transmitted through the first wavelength selective polarization converting means (113) and divides the light beam into the first color component light and the second and third color component lights; second wavelength selective polarization converting means (118) for receiving the second and third color component lights from the first polarization split element (102) and emitting the second color component light and the third color component light in a state where the polarized wave surface of the second color component light and the polarized wave surface of the third color component light are orthogonal to each other; a second polarization split element (103) that has a polarization split surface (131) that receives the second and third color component lights from the second wavelength selective polarization converting means (118), the polarization split surface (131) transmitting the second color component light therethrough so that the second color component light enters the second reflection type spatial light modulation element (162) set with a first distance from the polarization split surface (131), and reflecting the third color component light so that the third color component light enters the third reflection type spatial light modulation element (161) set with a second distance from the polarization split surface (131), the second distance being different from the first distance; a polarization combining element (105) that receives modulated lights modulated by the first to third reflection type spatial light modulation elements (161,162,163), the modulated lights, and emits the combined lights; and a projection lens (130) that has an axial chromatic aberration corresponding to a difference between the first distance and the second distance.

According to the projection display apparatus of the present invention, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged in such a manner that distances between a screen and the respective reflection type spatial light modulation elements become different from each other, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements having a configuration in which two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter, and an axial chromatic aberration of a projection image forming lens is provided in accordance with a difference between the distances. As a result, it is possible to provide the projection display apparatus which can reduce interference fringes of images projected onto the screen and project an image of high grade. In particular, the present invention demonstrates an advantage in an improvement of an image grade of a dark image.

In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, an axial chromatic aberration ΔL of the projection lens (130) is constituted to have a relationship of 20 μm<ΔL=|fb1−fb2|≦70 μm, in which fb1 is a back focal distance of the projection lens (130) with respect to a central wavelength λ1 of the second color component light that enters the second reflection type spatial light modulation element (162), and fb2 is a back focal distance of the projection lens (130) with respect to a central wavelength λ2 of the third color component light that enters the third reflection type spatial light modulation element (161).

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided a projection display apparatus (301) comprising: a light source (111) that emits an indefinitely polarized light; first to third reflection type spatial light modulation elements (161,162,163) that light-modulate three primary color lights obtained by subjecting the indefinitely polarized light to color separation; first wavelength selective polarization converting means (113) for separating the indefinitely polarized light emitted from the light source (111) into a first color component light having a first polarized wave surface and second and third color component lights having a second polarized wave surface as another polarized wave surface different from the first polarized wave surface by 90 degrees, and emitting the separated color component lights; a first polarization split element (102) that receives a light beam transmitted through the first wavelength selective polarization converting means (113)and divides the light beam into the first color component light and the second and third color component lights; second wavelength selective polarization converting means (118) for receiving the second and third color component lights from the first polarization split element (102) and emitting the second color component light and the third color component light in a state where the polarized wave surface of the second color component light and the polarized wave surface of the third color component light are orthogonal to each other; a second polarization split element (103) that has a polarization split surface (131) that receives the second and third color component lights from the second wavelength selective polarization converting means (118), the polarization split surface (131) transmitting the second color component light therethrough so that the second color component light enters the second reflection type spatial light modulation element (162) set with a first distance from the polarization split surface (131), and reflecting the third color component light so that the third color component light enters the third reflection type spatial light modulation element (161) set with a second distance from the polarized split surface (131), the second distance being different from the first distance; a polarization combining element (105) that receives modulated lights modulated by the first to third reflection type spatial light modulation elements (161,162,163), combines the modulated lights, and emits the combined lights; and a light transparent member (126) that has an axial chromatic aberration corresponding to a difference between the first distance and the second distance and that is provided at a next stage of the second polarization split element (103).

According to the projection display apparatus of the present invention, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged in such a manner that distances between a screen and the respective reflection type spatial light modulation elements become different from each other, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements having a configuration in which the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter, and a light transparent member having an axial chromatic aberration provided thereto in accordance with a difference between the distances is arranged between the polarizing beam splitter and a projection image forming lens system. As a result, it is possible to provide a projection display apparatus which can reduce interference fringes of images projected onto the screen and project an image of high grade. In particular, the present invention demonstrates an advantage in an improvement of an image grade of a dark image.

In another preferable embodiment of the present invention, an axial chromatic aberration ΔI of the light transparent member (126) is constituted to have a relationship of 20 μm<ΔI=|t/n1−t/n2|≦70 μm, in which t is a thickness of a glass plate constituting the light transparent member (126), n1 is a refractive index with respect to a central wavelength λ1 of the second color component light that enters the second reflection type spatial light modulation element (162), and n2 is a refractive index with respect to a central wavelength λ2 of the third color component light that enters the third reflection type spatial light modulation element (161).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A best mode for embodying a projection display apparatus according to the present invention will now be described hereinafter based on preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1is a schematic plan view showing an optical configuration of a projection display apparatus applied to Embodiment 1.

In a color separation/combination optical system290surrounded by a broken line, first, second and third polarizing beam splitters102,103and104which serve as cubic or prismatic polarization split elements and a fourth polarizing beam splitter105which serves as a polarization combining element are arranged so that polarization split surfaces121,131,141and151of these polarizing beam splitters form a substantially X-like shape as a whole. Moreover, a color polarizer113having a function of rotating polarized wave surfaces of an R light and a G light by 90 degrees is provided on a light transmission surface of the first polarizing beam splitter102on an incidence side (an upper surface of the first polarizing beam splitter), and a color polarizer118having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of the G light by 90° is provided between the first and second polarizing beam splitters102and103. Additionally, a color polarizer124having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of the R light by 90° is provided between the second and the fourth polarizing beam splitters103and105, and a color polarizer115having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of a B light by 90° is provided between the third and fourth polarizing beam splitters104and105.

The projection display apparatus300applied to Embodiment 1 operates as follows.

Indefinitely polarized white lights emitted from a light source111enter an integrator optical system112. Further, the white lights are homogenized and uniformed as an S polarized light, and this light enters the color polarizer113. Since the color polarizer113is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates polarized wave surfaces of the R light and the G light by 90°, the S polarized light concerning the R light and the G light transmitted through the color polarizer113is converted into P polarized light. Furthermore, since the color polarizer113does not affect the B light at all, the S polarized light remains unchanged with respect to the B light.

A description will now be given as to an optical path and a change in polarized wave surface of each color light.

First, the G light of the P polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the color polarizer118. Since the color polarizer118is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates a polarized wave surface of the G light by 90°, the P polarized light concerning the G light transmitted through the color polarizer118is converted into the S polarized light. The G light of the S polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer118is caused to enter the second polarizing beam splitter103, reflected on the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, exits from a light transmission surface103a, and enters a reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G. Then, the G light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for G and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element161.

A P polarized light component of the G light generated by light modulation is transmitted straight through in the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the color polarizer124. Since the color polarizer124is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates a polarized wave surface of the R light by 90°, it does not affect the G light at all, and the P polarized light component of the G light is transmitted and advances forward as the P polarized light and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Then, the P polarized light component is transmitted straight through a polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from a light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

The R light will now be described. The R light of the P polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the color polarizer118. Since the color polarizer118is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates a polarized wave surface of the G light by 90°, it does not affect the R light at all, and the R light is caused to enter the second polarizing beam splitter103as the P polarized light. The R light of the P polarized light caused to enter the second polarizing beam splitter103is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, exits from the light transmission surface103b, and enters a reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R. Then, the R light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for R and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element162.

An S polarized light component of the R light generated by light modulation is reflected by the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the color polarizer124. Since this color polarizer124is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates a polarized wave surface of the R light by 90°, the S polarized light component of the R light is polarized and converted into a P polarized light and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Then, this light is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from a light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

The B light will now be described. The color polarizer113does not affect the B light at all. Therefore, since the B light remains as the S polarized light, the B light of the S polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is reflected by the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the third polarizing beam splitter104.

The B light of the S polarized light is reflected by the polarization split surface141of the third polarizing beam splitter104, exits from a light transmission surface104d, and enters a reflection type spatial light modulation element163for B. Furthermore, the B light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for B and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element162.

A P polarized light component of the B light generated by light modulation is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface141of the third polarizing beam splitter104, and enters the color polarizer115. Since this color polarizer115is wavelength selective polarization converting means which rotates a polarized wave surface of the B light by 90° as mentioned above, the P polarized light component of the B light is polarized and converted into an S polarized light, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Then, the this light is reflected by the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarization beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

In this manner, the R light, the G light and the B light exiting from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105enlarge and display a color image on a non-illustrated screen through a projection lens130arranged on a rear stage.

A description will now be given as to generation of interference fringes, which is a problem in a conventional optical system with reference toFIG. 2. This drawing shows a part where the second polarizing beam splitter103, the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R are arranged in an enlarged manner. As described in the section about “the description of the related art”, there is adopted a structure in which two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter, and interference fringes are generated in color lights which are transmitted straight through the polarization split surface of this polarizing beam splitter, light-modulated and reflected by the reflection type spatial light modulation element and reflected by the polarization split surface. Therefore, the R light of the P polarized light which has entered the second polarizing beam splitter103is a problem.

Reference symbols R, Rmi, Rmo, Rsi and Rso denote the respective lights in the drawing for the convenience's sake. The R light which enters the second polarizing beam splitter103enters as a P polarized light R as described above. Further, this light is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103to be turned into the light Rmi, exits from the light transmission surface103b, and enters the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for the light R.

However, due to generation characteristics of the polarization split surface of the polarizing beam splitter, a part of the incident R light R is reflected by the polarization split surface131, exits from the light transmission surface103aof the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G as the R light Rsi.

This R light Rsi is reflected by the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G to become the R light Rso. Since the R light Rso is a P polarized light, it is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Furthermore, it is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

On the other hand, the R light Rmi which has been transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, exited from the light transmission surface103band entered the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for R and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element162. An S polarized light component Rmo generated by light modulation is reflected by the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the color polarizer124. The S polarized light component of the R light is polarized and converted into a P polarized light in this color polarizer124, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Moreover, this light is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

The R light Rso and the R light Rmo which have exited from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105interfere with each other on the screen through the projection lens123, resulting in interference fringes. Such interference fringes become most distinctive in a dark screen in which a level of the R light Rmo is small and the R light Rmo and the R light Rso are equal in level when a distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G matches with a distance Lr between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R.

Usually, the projection display apparatus adopts a structure in which distances from the screen to the reflection type spatial light modulation elements for the respective colors become uniform in order to homogenize focal points of images projected onto the screen in accordance with each color light. That is, the distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G is matched with the distance Lr between the polarization split surface131an the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R.

A description will now be given as to an optical arrangement with which this arrangement relationship is improved and the projection lens130. The reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R are set at positions by which the distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G becomes different from the distance Lr between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R.

However, when the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R are set at positions by which the distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type light modulation element161for G becomes different from the distance Lr between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R, a focal point of the R light and that of the G light deviate from each other.

Therefore, the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R are set at positions by which the distance Lr between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R becomes larger than the distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G, and an axial chromatic aberration is provided to the projection lens130so that an axial chromatic aberration in an R area is large and a focal position in a G area becomes different from a focal position in the R area.

That is, an axial chromatic aberration corresponding to a difference between the distance Lr between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and the distance Lg between the polarization split surface131and the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G is provided to the projection lens130.FIG. 3Ashows an example in which spherical aberration is provided, andFIG. 3Bshows an example in which astigmatism is provided. The spherical aberration and the astigmatism shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Brepresent aberration quantities generated on the incidence side of the projection lens130when an image is projected onto the screen. A horizontal axis represents an intensity of the aberration as each aberration quantity, and its unit is μm. A vertical axis in the spherical aberration shown inFIG. 3Arepresents a height of a light ray which enters the projection lens130, and a distance from an optical axis (a distance from the center) of the projection lens130is expressed with its maximum value being normalized as 1. A vertical axis in the astigmatism shown inFIG. 3Brepresents a distance from a lens optical axis (a distance from the center) of the projection lens130at a position of each reflection type spatial light modulation element arranged at a back focal position of the projection lens130, and this distance is expressed with its maximum value being normalized as 1.

A value of each of the spherical aberration and the astigmatism shown inFIGS. 3A and 3Bat 0 on each vertical axis, namely, on the optical axis of the projection lens130is an axial chromatic aberration. Existence of a difference in color between the aberration in the green area and the aberration in the red area means that back focal positions are different, and this difference between the aberrations corresponds to a difference in distance between the back focal position in the green area and the back focal position in the red area. It can be understood from these drawings that the axial chromatic aberration in the red area is large and there is a difference of approximately 67 μm between the focal position in the green area and the focal position in the red area. Therefore, a difference between the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G is also set to approximately 67 μm.

It is to be noted that G indicates the aberration of a light ray wavelength 0.54607 μm, and R indicates the aberration of a light ray wavelength 0.630 μm. The astigmatism S indicates aberration of a sagittal ray; T, aberration of a tangential ray; SR, aberration of a sagittal ray of the R light; SG, aberration of a sagittal ray of the G light, TR, aberration of a tangential ray of the R light, and TG, aberration of a tangential ray of the G light.

That is, a difference between the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G corresponds to a difference between a back focal distance of the projection lens130with respect to the reflection spatial light modulation element162for R and a back focal distance of the projection lens130with respect to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G.

That is because the reflection type spatial light modulation element for each color is placed at a position of a back focal distance of the projection lens130when an image is focalized on the screen.

Therefore, assuming that ΔL is an axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens130, a lower limit value of ΔL, i.e., a lower limit value of a difference between the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R is a value with which no interference fringe is generated under conditions of a coherence length, and it is a value exceeding 20 μm taking manufacture errors of each polarizing beam splitter and the projection lens130into consideration. More preferably, it is desirable to set the lower limit value to a value which is not less than 30 μm.

Assuming that λ0is a central wavelength of a light which generates interference fringes and Δλ is a spread of a spectrum, a coherence length is generally represented as λ02/Δλ. Assuming that λ0=0.6 μm and Δλ=0.018 μm, λ02/Δλ=20 μm is achieved, and it is desirable that the lower limit value is larger than this value.

Additionally, it is good enough to set an upper limit value of ΔL based on conditions of the axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens130. However, when a white light is divided into or obtained by combining three colors G/B/R, since each color of G/B/R does not correspond to a monochromatic light but a light having a spread of a spectrum, a blur is generated in each color light when the axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens130becomes excessive, and hence a desired image formation performance cannot be obtained. Accordingly, the present inventor has obtained a result from an experiment that 70 μm with which the axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens130does not become excessive is desirable as the upper limit value of ΔL.

As described above, it is desirable that a value of the axial chromatic aberration of the projection lens130is 20 μm to 70 μm, and more preferably, 30 μm to 70 μm.

In this manner, in the projection display apparatus using the reflection type spatial light modulation elements, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged in such a manner that the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter and distances from the respective reflection type spatial light modulation elements to the screen become different from each other, and the axial chromatic aberration of the projection image forming lens is provided in accordance with a difference between these distances. As a result, a light in the P polarization state can enter the polarizing beam splitter, interference fringes of color lights reflected and projected in the S polarization state can be made indistinctive, and an image grade of a dark image can be greatly improved.

Further, the configuration of the optical system according to Embodiment 1 is the same as the prior art, and it can be realized without adding new components. Furthermore, a change in adjustment method and others are not required.

An optical configuration of a projection display apparatus applied to Embodiment 2 will now be described with reference toFIG. 4. This drawing is a schematic plan view showing an optical configuration of a projection display apparatus applied to Embodiment 2, and like reference numerals denote the same configurations as those in Embodiment 1 mentioned above.

FIG. 4is a schematic plan view showing the optical configuration of the projection display apparatus applied to Embodiment 2.

A color separation/combination optical system290surrounded by a broken line has a structure in which first, second and third polarizing beam splitters102,103and104serving as cubic or prismatic polarization split elements and a fourth polarizing beam splitter105serving as a polarization combining element are arranged in such a manner that their polarization split surfaces121,131,141and151form a substantially X-like shape as a whole. Furthermore, a color polarizer113having a function of rotating polarized wave surfaces of an R light and a G light by 90 degrees is provided to a light transmission surface (an upper surface of the first polarizing beam splitter) of the first polarizing beam splitter102on the incidence side, and a color polarizer118having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of a G light by 90° is provided between the first and second polarizing beam splitters102and103. Moreover, a color polarizer124having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of the R light by 90° is provided between the second and the fourth polarizing beam splitters103and105, and a color polarizer115having a function of rotating a polarized wave surface of a B light by 90° is provided between the third and fourth polarizing beam splitters104and105.

The projection display apparatus301applied to Embodiment 2 operates as follows.

White lights as indefinitely polarized lights emitted from a light source111enter an integrator optical system112. The white lights are homogenized and uniformed as an S polarized light, and this light enters the color polarizer113. Since the color polarizer113is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating polarized wave surfaces of the R light and the G light by 90°, the S polarized light concerning the R light and the G light transmitted through the color polarizer113is converted into a P polarized light. Further, since the color polarizer113does not affect the B light at all, the S polarized light remains unchanged.

An optical path and a change in polarized wave surface of each color light will now be described hereinafter.

First, the G light of the P polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the color polarizer118. Since the color polarizer118is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating a polarized wave surface of the G light by 90°, the P polarized light concerning the G light which is transmitted through the color polarizer118is converted into an S polarized light. The G light of the S polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer118enters the second polarizing beam splitter103, is reflected by the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, exits from the light transmission surface103a, and enters the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G. Then, this light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for G and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element161.

A P polarized light component of the G light generated by light modulation is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the color polarizer124. Since the color polarizer124is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating a polarized wave surface of the R light by 90°, it does not affect the G light at all, and the P polarized light component of the G light is transmitted and advances forward as the P polarized light, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Further, this light is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

A description will now be given as to the R light. The R light of the P polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the color polarizer118. Since the color polarizer118is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating a polarized wave surface of the G light by 90°, it does not affect the R light at all, and the R light enters the second polarizing beam splitter103as the P polarized light. The R light of the P polarized light which has entered the second polarizing beam splitter103is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, exits from the light transmission surface103b, and enters the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for the R light. Furthermore, this light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for R and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element162.

An S polarized light component of the R light generated by light modulation is reflected by the polarization split surface131of the second polarizing beam splitter103, and enters the color polarizer124. Since this color polarizer124is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating the polarized wave surface of the R light by 90°, the S polarized light component of the R light is polarized and converted into a P polarized light, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. Moreover, this light is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

A description will now be given as to the B light. Since the color polarizer113does not affect the B light at all, the B light remains as an S polarized light. Therefore, the B light of the S polarized light transmitted through the color polarizer113is reflected by the polarization split surface121of the first polarizing beam splitter102, and enters the third polarizing beam splitter104.

The B light of the S polarized light is reflected by the polarization split surface141of the third beam splitter104, exits from the light transmission surface104d, and enters the reflection type spatial light modulation element163for B. Then, this light is subjected to light modulation corresponding to a video signal for B and reflected in this reflection type spatial light modulation element162.

A P polarized light component of the B light generated by light modulation is transmitted straight through the polarization split surface141of the third polarization beam splitter104, and enters the color polarizer115. This color polarizer115is wavelength selective polarization converting means for rotating the polarized wave surface of the B light by 90°, the P polarized light component of the B light is polarized and converted into an S polarized light, and enters the fourth polarizing beam splitter105. This light is reflected by the polarization split surface151of the fourth polarizing beam splitter105, and exits from the light transmission surface150cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105.

In this manner, the R light, the G light and the B light which have exited from the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105enlarge and display a color image on a non-illustrated screen through a projection lens123arranged on a rear stage.

The principle of occurrence of interference fringes, which was a problem in a conventional optical system, is as described above in conjunction withFIG. 2.

In Embodiment 2, as shown inFIG. 4, the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R are set at positions by which the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R becomes larger than the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G, and the chromatic aberration plate126having the axial chromatic aberration in the R area corresponding to a difference between the distance Lr and the distance Lg is set in a gap between the light transmission surface105cof the fourth polarizing beam splitter105and the projection lens123. However, these differences must be set in such a manner that an image on the screen is not defocused, and Table 1 shows an example of the chromatic aberration plate126. Here, it should be noted that the “chromatic aberration plate” means a “light transparent member” provided with an axial chromatic aberration corresponding to a difference between a first distance and a second distance using dispersion thereof and the dispersion means a difference in refractive index of a member (optical glass) dependent upon color (wavelength of light).

Numeric values in Table 1 are as follows:Axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate: ΔI=|t/n1−t/n2|;nd: a refractive index of a glass substrate used for the chromatic aberration plate126;vd: an Abbe number of the glass substrate used for the chromatic aberration plate126;t: a thickness of the glass substrate used for the chromatic aberration plate126;n1: a refractive index in case of a central wavelength λ1 corresponding to the second reflection type liquid crystal element162; andn2: a refractive index in case of a central wavelength λ2 corresponding to the third reflection type liquid crystal element163.

Examples 1 to 3 shown in Table 1 indicate that the axial chromatic aberration in the red area is large and there are differences of approximately 51 μm, approximately 55 μm and approximately 57 μm between a back focal position in the green area and a back focal position in the red area. Therefore, it is good enough to set a difference between the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element for G to approximately 51 μm, approximately 55 μm and approximately 57 μm.

That is, the difference between the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G corresponds to a difference between a back focal distance of the projection lens123with respect to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R and a back focal distance of the projection lens123with respect to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G.

That is because the reflection type spatial light modulation element for each color is placed at a position of the back focal distance of the projection lens130when an image is focused on the screen.

Therefore, assuming that ΔI is an axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate, a lower limit value of ΔI, i.e., a lower limit value of the difference between the distance Lg from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element161for G and the distance Lr from the polarization split surface131to the reflection type spatial light modulation element162for R is set as a value with which no interference fringes are not generated based on the conditions of a coherence length, and as a value which exceeds 20 μm taking manufacture errors of each polarizing beam splitter and the chromatic aberration plate126into consideration. More preferably, it is desirable to set this lower limit value as a value which is not less than 30 μm.

Assuming that λ0is a central wavelength of a light which generates interference fringes and Δλ is a spread of a spectrum, the coherence length is generally expressed as λ02/Δλ. Assuming that λ0=0.6 μm and Δλ=0.018 λm, λ02/Δλ=20 μm is achieved, and it is desirable that the coherence length is larger than this value.

Further, it is good enough to set the upper limit value of ΔI based on the conditions of the axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate126. However, when a white light is divided into or obtained by combining three colors of G/B/R, each color of G/B/R does not correspond to a monochromatic light but a light which has more or less a spread of a spectrum. Therefore, when the axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate126becomes excessive, a blur is generated in each color light, and a desired image formation performance cannot be obtained. Accordingly, the present inventor has obtained from an experiment a result that 70 μm with which the axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate126does not become excessive is desirable for the upper limit value of ΔL.

As described above, it is desirable for a value of the axial chromatic aberration of the chromatic aberration plate126to be 20 μm to 70 μm, and more preferably, 30 μm to 70 μm.

In this manner, in the projection display apparatus using the reflection spatial light modulation elements, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged so that distances between the respective reflection type spatial light modulation elements and the screen become different from each other, the reflection type spatial light modulation elements being configured in such a manner that the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter, and the chromatic aberration plate is provided in accordance with a difference between the distances. As a result, a light can enter the polarizing beam splitter in a P polarized light state, interference fringes of a color light reflected and projected in an S polarized light state can be made indistinctive, and an image grade of a dark image can be considerably improved.

It is to be noted the chromatic aberration plate is provided in the above description, but a desired axial chromatic aberration may be provided by using the polarizing beam splitter arranged between the projection lens and the reflection type spatial light modulation element corresponding to a color light by which interference fringes are generated, or axial chromatic aberrations of the polarizing beam splitter and the chromatic aberration plate may be added up to obtain a desired axial chromatic aberration.

Furthermore, since the configuration of an optical system according to Embodiment 2 can be realized by adding the chromatic aberration plate to the same configuration as the prior art, it is possible to realize a projection display apparatus which can project an image of high grade without requiring a change in configuration of the optical system, a change in adjustment method and others.

Although the interference fringes of the red light has been described based on the color arrangement of the optical system in the structural example in conjunction with each of the foregoing embodiments, the projection display apparatus using the reflection type spatial light modulation elements may be constituted in such a manner that the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged with respect to one polarizing beam splitter so that interference fringes of a blue light or a green light can be reduced since this is a problem which can occur with a color light which enters the polarizing beam splitter in a P polarized light state, and is reflected and exits in an S polarized light state.

Moreover, the two color lights in the white light emitted from the light source are transmitted straight through the polarizing beam splitter to enter another polarizing beam splitter, the former polarizing beam splitter being arranged on a preceding stage of the latter polarizing beam splitter for which the two reflection type spatial light modulation elements are arranged in the description of each of the foregoing embodiments, but these color lights may be reflected by the polarizing beam splitter arranged on the preceding stage to enter the latter polarizing beam splitter.

It should be understood that many modifications and adaptations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended to encompass such obvious modifications and changes in the scope of the claims appended hereto.