Abstract:
The disclosure is directed to projectors, optical compensation methods and liquid crystal devices. In one example, a liquid crystal panel has a liquid crystal layer pinched between a pair of substrates. A pair of polarizing plates is disposed with the liquid crystal panel in between the polarizing plates. A first phase difference plate is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates for compensating for a phase difference of the liquid crystal panel. A second phase difference plate is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates for compensating for a phase difference of the pair of polarizing plates. In certain embodiments, the first phase difference plate may have an optically anisotropic layer having a negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate. This abstract is intended only to aid those searching patents, and is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims in any manner.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-292193 filed on Oct. 27, 2006, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-188350 filed on Jul. 19, 2007, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a projector, an optical compensation method therefor, and a liquid crystal device. 
         [0003]    Recently, liquid crystal projectors (projection-type display devices) have been in practical use as display devices for large screen displays. A light valve structure has been proposed for such projectors that has a liquid crystal device driven in a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode in which liquid crystal molecules having a negative dielectric anisotropy are vertically aligned with respect to a substrate thereof and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned horizontally by application of voltage. In addition, in order to improve the contrast level of this kind of liquid crystal projector, technology in which a phase difference plate is disposed to be tilted with respect to the liquid crystal light valve has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-11298). 
         [0004]    By using the above-described technology, the contrast level of the liquid crystal projector can be improved as compared with where the phase difference plate is not tilted. However, when the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-11298 is used for a liquid crystal projector, it can be difficult to obtain a sufficient contrast level due, at least in part, to the combination of the polarizing plate and the refraction element. 
         [0005]    For example, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) film may be used as a protection film for the polarizing plate, and this protection film has a phase difference. However, it is difficult to compensate for this using the phase difference plate. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, when a refraction element such as a micro lens array is provided in the liquid crystal projector, a phase difference of light is generated depending on a position in which the light passes through a micro lens, and diffusion of the light further occurs. In such a case, even when a tilt angle is set to a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal, light that cannot be compensated for is included, and accordingly, the contrast level of the liquid crystal projector decreases. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In certain embodiments, a projector includes a light source and a liquid crystal light valve that modulates light emitted from the light source. The liquid crystal light valve includes a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer pinched between a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizing plates disposed with the liquid crystal panel therebetween, a first phase difference plate that is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates for compensating at least for a phase difference of the liquid crystal panel, and a second phase difference plate that is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates for compensating at least for a phase difference of the pair of polarizing plates. 
         [0008]    In accordance with these embodiments, the phase difference of the polarizing plates that are not compensated with first phase difference plate may be compensated by the second phase difference plate. Accordingly, it is possible to configure a projector capable of displaying with higher contrast. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, since luminance non-uniformity due to a phase difference of the polarizing plate can be reduced by the second phase difference plate, a projector capable of higher-quality display with luminance uniformity and high contrast can be achieved. 
         [0010]    In certain embodiments, the second phase difference plate is configured to compensate for a phase difference due to an optical element having a diffraction functionality which is included in the liquid crystal light valve. This configuration is effective when the phase difference due to the diffraction cannot be compensated by the first phase difference plate. In addition, the luminance non-uniformity generated by the optical element can be reduced. 
         [0011]    According to other embodiments, a projector may include a light source, a liquid crystal light valve that modulates light emitted from the light source, a first optical control unit for tilting a first phase difference plate with respect to a panel face of a liquid crystal panel, and a second optical control unit for rotating a second phase difference plate around an axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the panel face of the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal light valve may include a liquid crystal panel sandwiching a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizing plates disposed with the liquid crystal panel therebetween, and the first and second phase difference plates disposed between the pair of polarizing plates. 
         [0012]    In accordance with certain embodiments in which the control unit for tilting the first phase difference plate and the control unit for rotating the second phase difference plate are provided, it is possible to help prevent a decrease in the contrast level due to a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal by tilting the first phase difference plate. Furthermore, it is possible to help compensate for the phase difference of the polarizing plates in a relatively easy manner, which cannot be completely compensated by the first phase difference plate, by rotating the second phase difference plate. Thus, the phase difference that cannot be individually compensated for by the first phase difference plate can be compensated for with the second phase difference plate. Accordingly, it is possible to implement a projector capable of a higher-quality display with a higher contrast level and less luminance non-uniformity. 
         [0013]    In addition, a phase difference of the first phase difference plate can be compensated for by rotating the second phase difference plate. For example, the phase difference of the first phase difference plate which can be generated due to certain manufacturing errors (or deviances) generated by, for example, the manicuring process, may be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, the first optical control unit rotates the first phase difference plate around an axis that is perpendicular to a viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel on a plate face of the first phase difference plate. 
         [0015]    In such cases, an optical axis of the first phase difference plate can be disposed with respect to the liquid crystal panel while maintaining a moving face of the optical axis of the first phase difference plate to be parallel to an orientation direction of the plate direction. Accordingly, it is possible to implement a projector having an optical control unit that can relatively easily perform optimized disposition of the first phase difference plate in a short time. 
         [0016]    In certain embodiments, the first phase difference plate has an optically anisotropic layer having a negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate, and the second phase difference plate has an optically anisotropic layer having either a positive or negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a face direction of the second phase difference plate. 
         [0017]    By using the above-described phase difference plates as the first and second phase difference plates, optical compensation of the liquid crystal panel and optical compensation of the polarizing plate can be effectively performed, and thereby a higher-quality display with higher contrast and less luminance non-uniformity can be acquired. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, the optical axis of the first phase difference plate in the thickness direction and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel are substantial similar or even approximately identical to each other. 
         [0019]    Accordingly, the phase difference, depending on the viewing angle of the liquid crystal panel, can be sufficiently compensated and a higher-contrast display acquired. 
         [0020]    According to other embodiments, an optical compensation method is provided for a projector having a light source and a liquid crystal light valve modulating light emitted from the light source. The liquid crystal light valve has a liquid crystal panel formed by pinching a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates, a pair of polarizing plates disposed with the liquid crystal panel therebetween, and first and second phase difference plates disposed between the pair of polarizing plates. The optical compensation method may include tilting the first phase difference plate with respect to a panel face of the liquid crystal panel, and rotating the second phase difference plate around an axis aligned in a normal line of the panel side of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0021]    By using the optical compensation method including the optical control process of tilting the first phase difference plate and the optical control process of rotating the second phase difference plate, a decrease in the contrast level due to the pre-tilt of the liquid crystal can be prevented by tilting the first phase difference plate. Furthermore, it is possible to relatively easily compensate for the phase difference of the polarizing plate or the like, which cannot be completely compensated for by the first phase difference plate, by rotating the second phase difference plate. 
         [0022]    In addition, a phase difference of the first phase difference plate can be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate. For example, the phase difference of the first phase difference plate which can be generated due to a manufacturing error generated in a manufacturing process thereof may be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate. 
         [0023]    Accordingly, a phase difference, which may not be individually compensated for by the first phase difference plate may be compensated for by the second phase difference plate. As a result, higher-quality displays with higher contrast and less luminance non-uniformity can be acquired. 
         [0024]    In certain embodiments, the tilting of the first phase difference plate compensates for at least the phase difference of the liquid crystal panel and the rotating of the second phase difference plate compensates for at least a phase difference of the pair of polarizing plates. 
         [0025]    Since the phase difference of the polarizing plates is not sufficiently compensated for by only the first phase difference plate, compensating for the phase difference of the liquid crystal panel that depends on the viewing angle of the liquid crystal panel may be compensated by the second phase difference plate. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire a higher-contrast display. Furthermore, since luminance non-uniformity due to a phase difference of the polarizing plate can be reduced by compensating the phase difference of the polarizing plate using the second phase difference plate, a higher-quality display with luminance uniformity and higher contrast can be acquired. 
         [0026]    An optical element that can serve to diffract incident light may be provided in the liquid crystal panel. In accordance with certain embodiments, the rotating of the second phase difference plate may compensate for a phase difference due to the diffraction of the optical element. As such, a display with higher contrast can be achieved. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, the rotating of the first optical control unit involves rotating the first phase difference plate around an axis that is perpendicular to the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel on a panel face of the first phase difference plate. 
         [0028]    In accordance with these embodiments, an optical axis of the first phase difference plate can be disposed with respect to the liquid crystal panel while maintaining a moving face of the optical axis of the first phase difference plate to be parallel to an orientation direction of the plate direction. Accordingly, it is possible to relatively easily optimize a disposition process of the first phase difference plate in a relatively short period of time. 
         [0029]    In certain embodiments, the first phase difference plate may have an optically anisotropic layer having a negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate. The rotating of the first optical control unit may involve having the optical axis oriented in the thickness direction and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel be substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. 
         [0030]    In such manner, the optical compensation of the liquid crystal panel performed by the first phase difference plate and the optical compensation of the polarizing plate performed by the second phase difference plate may be performed, and thereby a higher-quality display with higher contrast and less luminance non-uniformity can be acquired. 
         [0031]    According to other embodiments, a liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer pinched between a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer pinched between a pair of substrates, a first phase difference plate that is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates compensating at least for a phase difference of the liquid crystal panel, and a second phase difference plate that is disposed between the pair of polarizing plates compensating at least for a phase difference of the pair of polarizing plates. 
         [0032]    Since the phase difference of the polarizing plates that cannot be completely compensated for by only the first phase difference plate may be compensated by the second phase difference plate, it is possible to configure a liquid crystal device capable of a higher-contrast display. Furthermore, since luminance non-uniformity due to the phase difference of the polarizing plate can be reduced by compensating for the phase difference of the polarizing plate using the second phase difference plate, a higher-quality display with luminance uniformity and higher contrast can be acquired. 
         [0033]    A phase difference of the first phase difference plate can be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate. For example, the phase difference of the first phase difference plate which may be generated due to a manufacturing error generated in a manufacturing process may be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate. 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments, the first phase difference plate may have an optically anisotropic layer having a negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate. The second phase difference plate may have an optically anisotropic layer having a positive or negative refractive index anisotropy and an optical axis oriented in a face direction of the second phase difference plate. 
         [0035]    In this manner, the optical compensation of the liquid crystal panel performed by the first phase difference plate and the optical compensation of the polarizing plate performed by the second phase difference plate can be effectively performed, and thereby a liquid crystal device capable of a higher-quality display with higher contrast and less luminance non-uniformity can be acquired. 
         [0036]    In certain embodiments, the optical axis of the first phase difference plate in the thickness direction and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel are substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. 
         [0037]    In such cases, the phase difference due to the viewing angle of the liquid crystal panel can be sufficiently compensated, thereby acquiring a higher-contrast display. 
         [0038]    In the above-described exemplary projector, the first phase difference plate may include a first plate-shaped optical member having one surface and the other surface that faces the one surface and is tilted with respect to the one surface, and an optically anisotropic layer that is formed on the other surface, has a negative refractive index anisotropy, and has an optical axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the other surface. 
         [0039]    The other surface of the first plate-shaped optical member (which may be formed of glass) is formed so as to be tilted at a predetermined angle (for example, in accordance with a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal), and the optically anisotropic layer is disposed on the other surface. Typically, the first plate-shaped optical member is in the shape of a trapezoid having one surface formed without tilt and the other surface formed to be tilted. Here, “the shape of a trapezoid” according to certain embodiments indicates that a section vertically cut with respect to the one surface in a predetermined direction of the untilted one surface of the first plate-shaped optical member forms a trapezoid shape. 
         [0040]    Thus, an angle of the first phase difference plate tilted by the first optical control unit may be set to be small or substantially zero. Since the optically anisotropic layer of the first phase difference plate is tilted with respect to the surface of the first phase difference plate, even when the angle of the first phase difference plate tilted by the first optical control unit is small, it is possible to make the optical axis of the optically anisotropic layer and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel identical to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the contrast level due to the pre-tilt of the liquid crystal with scarcely tilting or without tilting the first phase difference plate using the first optical control unit. 
         [0041]    In addition, since the angle by which the first phase difference plate is tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel can be set to small, radiation performance of the liquid crystal panel can be improved. In other words, the obstruction of the cooling air flow can be reduced or prevented where the cooling air flow is for cooling the liquid crystal panel disposed inside the projector due to disposition of the first phase difference plate tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0042]    In addition, it is possible to increase the pre-tilt angle that is formed by the liquid crystal molecules and a direction of a normal line of the panel face of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the response time of the liquid crystal molecules or decrease a reverse-tilt domain. 
         [0043]    In the case where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the one surface and the other surface may have substantially rectangular shapes, and the other surface may be tilted in a direction that is perpendicular to one side of the one surface, viewed from a direction of a normal line of the one surface. 
         [0044]    In such manner, the other surface of the first plate-shaped optical member can be formed to be tilted with respect to the one surface in an easy manner. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the projector. 
         [0045]    In certain embodiments where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the first surface and the second surface may have substantially rectangular shapes, and the second surface may be tilted in a direction that forms an acute angle with one side of the first surface, viewed from a direction of a normal line of the first surface. 
         [0046]    In such case, the second surface of the first plate-shaped optical member is formed, for example, to be tilted at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to one side of the first surface. Thus, when the orientation of the liquid crystal panel is formed to be in a direction, for example, of an angle of 45° with one side of the liquid crystal panel, by disposing the first plate-shaped optical member and the liquid crystal panel such that one side of the first surface of the first plate-shaped optical member and one side of the liquid crystal panel are in accordance with each other, it is possible to make the optical axis of the optically anisotropic layer and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. In other words, the rotating of the first phase difference plate around an axis that is perpendicular to the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel on the plate face of the first phase difference plate by using the first optical control unit may scarcely be necessary-or not necessary at all. 
         [0047]    In the embodiments where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the first phase difference plate may further include a second plate-shaped optical member disposed so as to interpose the optically anisotropic layer between the first plate-shaped optical member and the second plate-shaped optical member, and one surface of the second plate-shaped optical member facing the optically anisotropic layer may be formed to be tilted with respect to the other surface of the second plate-shaped optical member facing the one surface. 
         [0048]    In such cases, the second plate-shaped optical member typically may have the same shape as that of the first plate-shaped optical member. As an example, the second plate-shaped optical member may have a trapezoid shape. The optically anisotropic layer is interposed between the first plate-shaped optical member and the second plate-shaped optical member. The first and second plate-shaped optical members are disposed such that directions (tilt directions of the one surfaces of the first and second plate-shaped optical members) in which thickness thereof decreases become opposite. In other words, the first and second plate-shaped optical members may be disposed such that the other surface without a tilt of the first plate-shaped optical member and the other surface without a tilt of the second plate-shaped optical member may be in accordance with each other (or approximately parallel to each other). 
         [0049]    Accordingly, it can help prevent light emitted from the first phase difference plate from being tilted with respect to light incident on the first phase difference plate. Since refraction of light caused by the first plate-shaped optical member and refraction of light caused by the second plate-shaped optical member can be offset, the directionality of light in passing through the first phase difference plate can be improved. 
         [0050]    In addition, since light incident on the first phase difference plate is incident on the optically anisotropic layer after passing through the first plate-shaped optical member or the second plate-shaped optical member, it is possible to help suppress deterioration of the optically anisotropic layer. In other words, the light resistance of the first phase difference plate can be improved. 
         [0051]    In the above-described exemplary optical compensation method, the first phase difference plate may include a first plate-shaped optical member having one surface and the other surface that faces the one surface and is tilted with respect to the one surface, and an optically anisotropic layer that is formed on the other surface, has a negative refractive index anisotropy, and has an optical axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the other surface. 
         [0052]    In such embodiments, an angle of the first phase difference plate tilted by the first optical control unit can be set to be small or substantially zero. Accordingly, it is possible to help prevent a decrease in the contrast level due to the pre-tilt of the liquid crystal with scarcely tilting or without tilting the first phase difference plate using the first optical control unit. 
         [0053]    In addition, since the angle by which the first phase difference plate is tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel can be set to be small, radiation performance of the liquid crystal panel can be improved. 
         [0054]    In the above-described exemplary liquid crystal device, the first phase difference plate may include a first plate-shaped optical member having one surface and the other surface that faces the one surface and is tilted with respect to the one surface, and an optically anisotropic layer that is formed on the other surface, has a negative refractive index anisotropy, and has an optical axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the other surface. 
         [0055]    In such embodiments, an angle of the first phase difference plate tilted by the first optical control unit can be set to be small or substantially zero. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the contrast level due to the pre-tilt of the liquid crystal with scarcely little tilting or without tilting the first phase difference plate using the first optical control unit. 
         [0056]    Since the angle by which the first phase difference plate is tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel can be set to be small, radiation performance of the liquid crystal panel can be improved. 
         [0057]    In addition, it is possible to increase the pre-tilt angle that is formed by the liquid crystal molecules and a direction of a normal line of the panel face of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the response time of the liquid crystal molecules or decrease a reverse-tilt domain. 
         [0058]    In the embodiments where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the first surface and the second surface may have substantially rectangular shapes, and the second surface may be tilted in a direction that is perpendicular to one side of the first surface, viewed from a direction of a normal line of the first surface. 
         [0059]    In such cases, the second surface of the first plate-shaped optical member can be formed to be tilted with respect to the first surface in a relatively easy manner. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the projector. 
         [0060]    In the embodiments where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the first surface and the second surface may have substantially rectangular shapes, and the second surface may be tilted in a direction that forms an acute angle with one side of the first surface, viewed from a direction of a normal line of the first surface. 
         [0061]    In such cases, the second surface of the first plate-shaped optical member may be formed, for example, to be tilted by an angle of approximately 45° with respect to one side of the first surface. Thus, when the orientation of the liquid crystal panel is formed to be in a direction, for example, for forming an angle of 45° with one side of the liquid crystal panel, by disposing the first plate-shaped optical member and the liquid crystal panel such that one side of the first surface of the first plate-shaped optical member and one side of the liquid crystal panel are in accordance with each other, it is possible to make the optical axis of the optically anisotropic layer and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. 
         [0062]    In the embodiments where the first phase difference plate has the first plate-shaped optical member and the optical anisotropic layer, the first phase difference plate may further include a second plate-shaped optical member disposed so as to interpose the optically anisotropic layer between the first plate-shaped optical member and the second plate-shaped optical member, and one surface of the second plate-shaped optical member facing the optically anisotropic layer may be formed to be tilted with respect to the other surface of the second plate-shaped optical member facing the one surface. 
         [0063]    In such embodiments, light emitted from the first phase difference plate can be prevented from being tilted with respect to light incident on the first phase difference plate. Since refraction of light caused by the first plate-shaped optical member and refraction of light caused by the second plate-shaped optical member can be offset, the directionality of light in passing through the first phase difference plate can be improved. 
         [0064]    Since light incident on the first phase difference plate is incident on the optically anisotropic layer after passing through the first plate-shaped optical member or the second plate-shaped optical member, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the optically anisotropic layer. 
         [0065]    Additional details and exemplary embodiments are disclosed below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0066]    Various embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate like elements. 
           [0067]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of an exemplary liquid crystal projector. 
           [0068]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram illustrating the structure of an exemplary liquid crystal panel. 
           [0069]      FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2A  taken along line H-H′. 
           [0070]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a structure of an exemplary liquid crystal light valve. 
           [0071]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the disposition of optical axes of constituent members of an exemplary liquid crystal light valve. 
           [0072]      FIG. 5  is a graph for illustrating the operation of an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0073]      FIGS. 6A to 6E  are schematic diagrams illustrating arrangements of constituent members of an exemplary liquid crystal light valve. 
           [0074]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary projector. 
           [0075]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views illustrating a first phase difference plate according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0076]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views illustrating a first phase difference plate according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0077]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a liquid crystal projector according to certain embodiments. The projector  10  is a front projection type projector that projects an image on a screen  11  provided on a front side. The projector  10  has a light source  12 , dichroic mirrors  13  and  14 , liquid crystal light valves  15  to  17 , a projection optical system  18 , a cross dichroic prism  19 , and a relay system  20 . 
         [0078]    The light source  12  is constituted by an ultra high-pressure mercury lamp that supplies light of a red color, a green color, and a blue color. The dichroic mirror  13  is configured so as to transmit red light LR emitted from the light source  12  and reflects green light LG and blue light LB. From among the green light LG and the blue light LB that have been reflected by the dichroic mirror  13 , the dichroic mirror  14  transmits the blue light LB and reflects the green light LG. As described above, the dichroic mirrors  13  and  14  constitute a color separating optical system that separates the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB from the light emitted from the light source  12 . Between the dichroic mirror  13  and the light source  12 , an integrator  21  and a polarized light converting element  22  are disposed in a mentioned order from a light source  12  side. The integrator  21  makes luminance distribution of the light emitted from the light source  12  uniform. The polarized light converting element  22  converts the light emitted from the light source  12  into a polarized light having a predetermined oscillation direction such as s polarized light. 
         [0079]    The liquid crystal light valve  15  is a projection type liquid crystal device (electro-optical device) that modulates the red light LR transmitted through the dichroic mirror  13  and reflected by a reflection mirror  23  on the basis of an image signal. The liquid crystal light valve  15  has a first polarizing plate  15   b , a liquid crystal panel  15   c , a first phase difference plate  15   a , a second phase difference plate  15   e , and a second polarizing plate  15   d.    
         [0080]    The red light LR that has been incident on the liquid crystal light valve  15  is transmitted through the first polarizing plate  15   b  so as to be converted into, for example, s polarized light. The liquid crystal panel  15   c  converts the incident s polarized light into p polarized light (for an intermediate gray scale level, circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light) by a modulation process on the basis of the image signal. The second polarizing plate  15   d  transmits the p polarized light by blocking the s polarized light. Thus, the liquid crystal light valve  15  is configured so as to modulate the red light LR on the basis of the image signal and emit the modulated red light LR toward the cross dichroic prism  19 . 
         [0081]    The liquid crystal light valve  16  is a projection type liquid crystal device for modulating the green light LG, which has been reflected by the dichroic mirror  13  and then reflected by the dichroic mirror  14 , on the basis of an image signal and emitting the modulated green light LG toward the cross dichroic prism  19 . Like the liquid crystal valve  15 , the liquid crystal light valve  16  has a first polarizing plate  16   b , a liquid crystal panel  16   c , a first phase difference plate  16   a , a second phase difference plate  16   e , and a second polarizing plate  16   d.    
         [0082]    The liquid crystal light valve  17  is a projection type liquid crystal device for modulating the blue light LB, which has been reflected by the dichroic mirror  13 , has passed through the dichroic mirror  14 , and then passing through the relay system  20 , on the basis of an image signal and emitting the modulated blue light LB toward the cross dichroic prism  19 . Like the liquid crystal valves  15  and  16 , the liquid crystal light valve  17  has a first polarizing plate  17   b , a liquid crystal panel  17   c , a first phase difference plate  17   a , a second phase difference plate  17   e , and a second polarizing plate  17   d.    
         [0083]    The relay system  20  has relay lenses  24   a  and  24   b  and reflection mirrors  25   a  and  25   b . The replay lenses  24   a  and  24   b  are provided so as to prevent loss of the blue light LB due to its long light path. The relay lens  24   a  is disposed between the dichroic mirror  14  and the reflection mirror  25   a . The relay lens  24   b  is disposed between the reflection mirrors  25   a  and  25   b . The reflection mirror  25   a  is disposed so as to reflect the blue light LB, which has been transmitted through the dichroic mirror  14  and emitted from the relay lens  24   a , toward the relay lens  24   b . The reflection mirror  25   b  is disposed so as to reflect the blue light LB, which has been emitted from the relay lens  24   b , toward the liquid crystal light valve  17 . 
         [0084]    The cross dichroic prism  19  is an optical system for color composition which is formed by disposing two dichroic films  19   a  and  19   b  to be orthogonal to each other in the shape of a letter “X”. The dichroic film  19   a  reflects the blue light LB and passes the green light LG. On the other hand, the dichroic film  19   b  reflects the red light LR and passes the green light LG. Thus, the cross dichroic prism  19  is configured so as to compose the red light LR, the green light LG, and the blue light LB which are modulated by the liquid crystal light valves  15  to  17  and emit the composed light toward the projection optical system  18 . The projection optical system  18  has a projection lens (not shown) and is configured so as to project the light composed by the cross dichroic prism  19  onto a screen  11 . 
         [0085]    Alternatively, a configuration in which λ/2 phase difference plates are provided in the liquid crystal light valves  15  and  17  for the red color and the blue color, light incident on the cross dichroic prism  19  from the liquid crystal light valves  15  and  17  is formed to be s polarized light, a λ/2 phase difference plate is not provided in the liquid crystal light valve  16 , and light incident on the cross dichroic prism  19  from the liquid crystal light valve  16  is formed to be p polarized light may be used. In such a case, it is possible to configure the optimized optical system for color composition in consideration with reflection property of the dichroic films  19   a  and  19   b  by forming light incident on the dichroic prism  19  to be different types of polarized light. Generally, since the dichroic films  19   a  and  19   b  have an excellent reflection property for the s polarized light, as described above, the red light LR and the blue light LB that are reflected by the dichroic films  19   a  and  19   b  are configured to be the s polarized light and the green light LG passing through the dichroic films  19   a  and  19   b  is configured to be the p polarized light. 
         [0086]    Next, exemplary liquid crystal light valves (liquid crystal devices)  15  to  17  will be described. 
         [0087]    Although the liquid crystal light valves  15  to  17  have different wavelengths of light for modulation, their basic structures are the same. Thus, hereinafter, a liquid crystal panel  15   c  and a liquid crystal light valve  15  having the liquid crystal panel  15   c  will be described as an example. 
         [0088]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram showing the whole structure of the liquid crystal panel.  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2A  taken along line H-H′.  FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a structure of the liquid crystal light valve.  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing disposition of optical axes of constituent members shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0089]    The liquid crystal panel  15   c , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , has an opposing substrate  31  and a TFT array substrate  32  which are disposed to face each other and connected to each other through a sealing member  33 . A liquid crystal layer  34  is sealed in an area surrounded by the opposing substrate  31 , the TFT array substrate  32 , and the sealing member  33 . The liquid crystal layer  34  has liquid crystals having a negative refractive index anisotropy. In the liquid crystal panel  15   c  according to this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , liquid crystal molecules  51  are interposed between the orientation films  43  and  98  so as to be in a vertical orientation with a predetermined tilt (pre-tilt angle). 
         [0090]    The liquid crystal panel  15   c  has a liquid crystal layer  34  in an area defined by the TFT array substrate  32 , the opposing substrate  31 , and the sealing member  33 . In the liquid crystal panel  15   c , on an inner side of an area in which the sealing member  33  is formed, a shielding film  35  that becomes a boundary is formed. In corners of an outer periphery side of the sealing member  33 , inter-substrate conduction members  57  for electrical conduction between the TFT array substrate  32  and the opposing substrate  31  are disposed. 
         [0091]    On an outer side of the sealing member  33  forming area of the TFT array substrate  32 , viewed from a front side of the liquid crystal panel, a data line driving circuit  71 , external circuit mounting terminals  75 , and two scanning line driving circuit  73  are formed. In addition, on the area of the TFT array substrate  32 , a plurality of wires  74  used for connecting the scanning line driving circuits  73  that are provided on both sides of the image display area are formed. Instead of forming the data line driving circuit  71  and the scanning line driving circuit  73  on the TFT array substrate  32 , for example, a TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) substrate in which a driving LSI is built and a terminal group formed on a peripheral portion of the TFT array substrate  32  may be connected to each other electrically and mechanically through an anisotropic conduction layer. 
         [0092]    The opposing substrate  31 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , is a micro lens substrate (light collecting substrate) having a plurality of micro lenses disposed in a plane. The opposing substrate  31  is constituted by a substrate  92 , a resin layer  93 , and a cover glass  94  as primary components. 
         [0093]    The substrate  92  and the cover glass  94  are transparent substrates made of glass or the like, and substrates made of silica glass, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass (blue plate glass), crown glass (white plate glass), or the like may be used as the substrate  92  and the cover glass  94 . On a liquid crystal layer  34  side (bottom side of the figure) of the substrate  92 , a plurality of concave portions (micro lenses)  95  are formed. The micro lens  95  collects light incident on the substrate  92  from a side opposite the liquid crystal layer  34  and emits the collected light toward the liquid crystal side  34 . 
         [0094]    The resin layer  93  is formed of a resin material filled on the micro lenses  95  of the substrate  92 . The resin layer  93  is formed of a resin material through which light can pass, for example, an acrylic resin. The resin layer  93  is provided so as to cover one side of the substrate  92  and fill in insides of concaved portions of the micro lenses  95 . An upper side of the resin layer  93  is formed as a flat face, and the cover glass  94  is attached to the flat face. 
         [0095]    On a liquid crystal layer  34  side of the micro lens substrate  36 , the light shielding film  35 , a common electrode  97 , and the orientation film  98  are formed. The light shielding film  35  has an approximate lattice shape and is formed on the cover glass  94 . The micro lenses  95  are located between the light shielding films  35 . The micro lenses  95  are disposed in areas overlapped with pixel areas (pixel electrode  42  forming areas) of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  in a plane. The orientation film  98  is a vertical orientation film that arranges liquid crystal molecules forming the liquid crystal layer  34  to be approximately vertical with respect to the substrate face. The orientation film  98 , for example, is made of a silicon oxide film formed to have a columnar structure by an oblique evaporation process, a polyimide film for which an orientation process is performed, or the like. 
         [0096]    The TFT array substrate  32  has a transparent substrate  41  made of glass, silica, or the like, pixel electrodes  42  formed on a liquid crystal layer  34  side of the substrate  41 , TFTs  44  driving the pixel electrodes, and the orientation film  43  as primary components. 
         [0097]    The pixel electrodes  42  are, for example, conduction films made of a transparent conduction material such as ITO and formed to be in the planar shape of an approximate rectangle and, as shown in  FIG. 2A , are arranged in the planar shape of a matrix on the substrate  41 . The pixel electrodes  42  are formed in areas overlapped with the micro lenses  95  in a plane. 
         [0098]    Although being shown in a simplified manner, the TFTs  44  are formed on the substrate  41  in correspondence with the pixel electrodes  42 . Commonly, the TFTs  44  are disposed in areas (non-display areas, light-shielding areas) that are overlapped with the light shielding film  35  on the opposing substrate  31  side. 
         [0099]    Like the orientation film  98 , the orientation film  43  formed to cover the pixel electrodes  42  is a vertical orientation film that is made of a silicon oxide film or the like formed by a oblique evaporation process. 
         [0100]    The orientation films  43  and  98  are formed to have their orientation directions (orientation directions of columnar structures) substantially parallel to each other. The orientation films  43  and  98  serve to arrange liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer  34  to be almost vertical with a predetermined tilt with respect to the substrate face and arrange the tilt direction of the liquid crystal molecules to be uniform in a substrate face direction. 
         [0101]    In addition, in an area, which is located on an inner side of the sealing member  33  forming area in a plane, on a liquid crystal layer  34  side surface of the substrate  41 , data lines (not shown) and scanning lines (not shown) which connect the pixel electrodes  42  or the TFTs  44   s  are formed. The data lines and the scanning lines are formed in areas overlapped with the light shielding film  35  in a plane. Areas surrounded by the light shielding film  35 , the TFTs  44 , the data lines, and the scanning lines become pixel areas of the liquid crystal panel  15   c . An image display area is formed by arranging a plurality of the pixel areas in the planar shape of a matrix. 
         [0102]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the exemplary liquid crystal light valve  15  has the above-described liquid crystal panel  15   c , a first polarizing plate  15   b  disposed on an outer side of the opposing substrate  31  of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  which are disposed on an outer side of the TFT array substrate  32 , and a second polarizing plate  15   d  disposed on an outer side of the second phase difference plate  15   e.    
         [0103]    In the liquid crystal light valve  15  according to this embodiment, a side (upper side in the figure) in which the first polarizing plate  15   b  is disposed is a light incident side, and a side in which the second polarizing plate  15   d  is disposed is a light emitting side. 
         [0104]    The orientation films  43  and  98  of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  that pinch the liquid crystal layer  34  and face each other are formed, for example, by evaporating silicon oxide in a direction tilted by about 50° with respect to a direction of a normal line of the substrate. The thickness of the orientation film  43  or  98  is about 40 nm. Orientation directions  43   a  and  98   a  denoted by arrows attached to the orientation films  43  and  98  shown in  FIG. 3  are identical to a direction inside the substrate face of directions of evaporation for formation of the films. The orientation direction  43   a  of the orientation film  43  and the orientation direction  98   a  of the orientation film  98  are parallel to each other. 
         [0105]    Depending on a restraining force of the orientation films  43  and  98 , the liquid crystal molecules  51  are oriented to be tilted by 2° to 8° with respect to a normal line of the substrate and a director direction (pre-tilt direction P) of the liquid crystal molecules  51  changes from the substrate face direction to a direction along the orientation directions  43   a  and  98   a.    
         [0106]    The first polarizing plate  15   b  and the second polarizing plate  15   d  respectively have a three-layer structure in which a polarizing element  151  made of colored PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is interposed between two protection layers  152  made of TAC (triacetyl cellulose). As shown in  FIG. 4 , a transmission axis  151   b  of the first polarizing plate  15   b  and a transmission axis  151   d  of the second polarizing plate  15   d  are disposed to be orthogonal to each other. Directions of the transmission axes  151   b  and  151   d  of the polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  are deviated by about 45° from the orientation direction (evaporation direction)  43   a  of the orientation film  43  of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  in a plane. 
         [0107]    The first phase difference plate  15   a  includes an optically anisotropic layer having a negative refractive index anisotropy and has an optical axis aligned in a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate. In particular, a negative C plate may be used as the first phase difference plate  15   a , and although the C plate using a discotic liquid crystal is used in this embodiment, a non-stretched cellulose ester film (for example, a non-stretched triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film, a non-stretched cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) film, or the like), an optical film using a biaxially-stretched norbornene resin or the like may be used. 
         [0108]    Next to the first phase difference plate  15   a  in FIG.  3 , an average index ellipsoid  255   a  of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is schematically shown. In the figure, nx and ny denote principal refractive indexes for face directions of the first phase difference plate  15   a , and nz denotes a principal refractive index for a thickness direction of the first phase difference plate  15   a . In this embodiment, a structure in which the principal refractive indexes nx, ny, and nz satisfy a relationship of nx=ny&gt;nz is used. In other words, an index of refraction nz for the thickness direction is smaller than those for the other directions, which makes the index ellipsoid to be in the shape of a disk. The index ellipsoid is oriented to be parallel to a plate face of the first phase difference plate  15   a , and a direction of an optical axis of first phase difference plate  15   a  (a direction of a short axis of the index ellipsoid) is parallel to a normal line of the plate face. 
         [0109]    The second phase difference plate  15   e  includes an optically anisotropic layer having anisotropy of a positive or negative refractive index and has an optical axis aligned in a face direction of the second phase difference plate. In particular, an A plate or a biaxial plate may be used as the second phase difference plate  15   e . The A plate is an optical film in which principal refractive indexes nx, ny, and nz satisfy relationship of nx&gt;ny=nz. The A plate may be formed of a liquid crystal composition having a rod shape, a uniaxially-stretched polymer (for example, polycarbonate or the like), or the like. 
         [0110]    The biaxial plate is an optical film in which the principal refractive indexes nx, ny, and nz satisfy relationship of nx&gt;ny&gt;nz. The biaxial plate may be formed of stretched cellulose acetate ester (for example, stretched cellulose acetate propionate (stretched CAP), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), or the like) or the like. 
         [0111]    In the above described liquid crystal light valve  15 , the liquid crystal layer  34  sealed in the liquid crystal panel  15   c  shows an optically positive uniaxial property, and a refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules  51  for its director direction is configured to be greater than those for other directions. In other words, the liquid crystal layer  34  is formed to have an index ellipsoid in the shape of a rugby ball, as the average index ellipsoid  250   a  shown in  FIG. 3 . Since the liquid crystal molecules  51  of the liquid crystal layer  34  are oriented to be tilted in the pre-tilt direction P, a remaining phase difference is generated at a time when black is displayed. In addition, since elliptical shapes of the liquid crystal molecules  51  vary as the liquid crystal molecules  51  are observed from a tilt side, a phase difference depending on a viewing angle is generated. This phase difference causes light leakage, whereby a contrast ratio of the liquid crystal panel decreases. 
         [0112]    However, the discotic liquid crystal  155  constituting the first phase difference plate  15   a  optically shows a negative uniaxial property, and when an optical axis of the disk-shaped index ellipsoid  255   a  for the z direction in the first phase difference plate  15   a  is disposed to be parallel to an optical axis  251   a  of the rugby ball-shaped index ellipsoid  250   a , optical properties thereof become opposite to each other, whereby a birefringence effect of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be eliminated. 
         [0113]    Thus, in this embodiment, the first phase difference plate  15   a  is disposed to be tilted at an angle α from a position parallel to the substrate side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , so that the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is approximately parallel to the pre-tilt direction of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel  15   c . Accordingly, it is possible to compensate for the phase difference generated by the liquid crystal panel  15   c  three dimensionally. 
         [0114]    A rotation axis for tilting the first phase difference plate  15   a  is an axis expanding in a direction perpendicular with respect to the orientation direction  43   a  ( 98   a ) of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  in the substrate face direction. By tilting the first phase difference plate  15   a  around this axis, the tilt of the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  can be controlled to be in a direction identical to the pre-tilt direction P while the orientation direction  43   a  of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  are maintained to be parallel to each other in the substrate face direction, and accordingly, it is possible to acquire optimized display in an easy manner. 
         [0115]    In addition the liquid crystal light valve  15  according to this embodiment has the second phase difference plate  15   e . As described above, although the first phase difference plate  15   a  can be used for compensating for a phase difference due to an orientation status of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , phase differences due to the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  or the micro lenses  95  provided in the liquid crystal panel  15   c  cannot be compensated by the first phase difference plate  15   a . Thus, in this embodiment, the second phase difference plate  15   e  having its optical axis aligned in the plate face direction is provided together with an optically anisotropic layer having anisotropy of a positive or negative refractive index, and rotation around a rotation axis aligned in a direction of a normal line to the plate face can be made, as shown in  FIG. 4 , and thereby it is possible to compensate for the phase difference due to the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  and the phase difference due to diffraction of the micro lenses  95 . 
         [0116]    An optical control process of the liquid crystal light valve  15  for a projector according to this embodiment can be performed by a first optical control step in which a tilt angle of the first phase difference plate  15   a  provided to be tilted with respect to the substrate face of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  is controlled and a second optical control step in which a rotation angle of the second phase difference plate  15   e  provided to be rotatable around a rotation axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the substrate of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  as is controlled. 
         [0117]    In the first optical control step, a rotation axis  81   a  of the first phase difference plate  15   a  disposed to face the liquid crystal panel  15   c , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is set on the plate face of the first phase difference plate  15   a  in a direction perpendicular to the orientation direction  43   a  ( 98   a ) of the liquid crystal panel  15   c . Then, the tilt angle a is controlled by rotating the first phase difference plate  15   a  around the rotation axis  81   a , and thereby the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  and the pre-tilt direction P of the liquid crystal layer  34  are adjusted to be substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. Accordingly, the first phase difference plate  15   a  can be disposed in a position in which a phase difference of the liquid crystal layer  34  constituted by liquid crystal molecules  51  oriented to be approximately vertical so as to have the predetermined tilt angle with respect to the substrate face can be compensated three dimensionally. 
         [0118]    In the second optical control step, a rotation axis  82   a  of the second phase difference plate  15   e  disposed to face the liquid crystal panel  15   c , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is set in a direction of a normal line of the second phase difference plate  15   e  (and the liquid crystal panel  15   c ). Then, the second phase difference plate  15   e  is disposed in a position in which the phase difference due to the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  and the phase difference due to diffraction of the micro lenses  95 , which cannot be compensated by the first phase difference plate  15   a , can be compensated by rotating the second phase difference plate  15   e  around the rotation axis  82   a  so as to control the rotation angle θ. As described above, since the second phase difference plate  15   e  has one to two optical axes in a face direction, the positional relationship between the optical axis of the second phase difference plate  15   e  and the optical axes of the polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  or the optical axis of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  is changed by changing the rotation angle θ, and thereby it is possible to optimize the position of the second phase difference plate  15   e.    
         [0119]    The process for optical control of the second phase difference plate  15   e  may be performed while a contrast level (or luminance level of black display) is measured. Generally, an optical axis of the protection film  152  of the polarizing plate aligned in a face direction is not set in a constant direction. Furthermore, an optical axis of a polarizing plate may be deviated. Thus, the rotation angle θ of the second phase difference plate  15   e  cannot be set to a constant angle, and accordingly, the optimal position of the second phase difference plate  15   e  is determined on the basis of a position in which a maximum contrast level can be acquired or a position in which a black level becomes the minimum. 
         [0120]    Although the first and second optical control steps may be performed in a random order, the first optical control step is performed for matching optical axes of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the first phase difference plate  15   a , and the second optical control step is performed for compensating for a phase difference that cannot be compensated by using the first phase difference plate  15   a , and accordingly, the first optical control step may be performed first for optimization of the first phase difference plate  15   a  and thereafter the phase difference due to the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  or the phase difference due to diffraction of the micro lenses  95  may be compensated by performing the second optical control step. By performing the optical control steps in this order, it is possible to efficiently perform an optical compensation process of a projector in a relatively short period of time. 
         [0121]    Hereinafter, an operation according to certain embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0122]      FIG. 5  is a graph for describing an operation according to the embodiment. The graph shown in  FIG. 5  represents contrast change of the liquid crystal light valve  15  with respect to the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  in cases with/without the phase difference of the polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  and the second phase difference plate  15   e.    
         [0123]    First, in a case where only the polarizing element  151  from which the protection film  152  is detached is used as the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  (a graph of “WITHOUT TAC”), when the first phase difference plate  15   a  is provided (α=0°) to the structure having only the polarizing plates, the contrast level increases slightly, but the contrast level can be improved much by controlling the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a . When the tilt angle is controlled to be α=6°, the maximum contrast level can be acquired. 
         [0124]    Next, in a case where the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  having the protection layers  152  are used an a structure in which the second phase difference plate  15   e  is not provided (a graph of “WITH TAC (WITHOUT SECOND PHASE DIFFERENCE PLATE)”) is used, when the first phase difference plate  15   a  is provided (α=0°) to the structure having only the polarizing plates, the contrast level decreases, and even by controlling the tile angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a , only the contrast level equivalent to that of the structure having only the phase difference plates can be acquired. As described above, when an ordinary polarizing plates having the protection layers  152  are used, a sufficient contrast level cannot be acquired even when the first phase plate  15   a  is disposed to be able to be tilted. 
         [0125]    On the other hand, when the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  having the protection layers  152  are used and the second phase difference plate  15   e  is provided (a graph “WITH TAC (WITH SECOND PHASE DIFFERENCE PLATE)”), the contrast level decreases by only providing the first phase difference plate  15   a  (α=0°), but the contrast level is improved much by controlling the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a . In such a case, the contrast level increases markedly, compared to a case where the same polarizing plates are used and the second phase difference plate  15   e  is not provided (a graph “WITH TAC (WITHOUT PHASE DIFFERENCE PLATE)”). 
         [0126]    As described above, in the projector according to this embodiment, the phase difference due to the protection layers  152  of the first and second polarizing plates  15   b  and  15   d  and diffraction of-the micro lenses  95  can be effectively compensated by the second phase difference plate  15   e , and accordingly, it is possible to acquire high-contrast display. Furthermore, an optical axis may be deviated within a face of the protection layer  152  of the polarizing plate, and thus non-uniform luminance may be generated within the image display area due to the protection layer  152 , but in this embodiment, by using the second phase difference plate  15   e , the non-uniform luminance can be suppressed together with improving the contrast level, and accordingly, it is possible to acquire high quality display. 
         [0127]    In addition, in a graph “WITH TAC (WITHOUT SECOND PHASE DIFFERENCE PLATE)”, a high contrast level is acquired by using a structure having only the polarizing plates, compared to a case where only the polarizing elements is used without any protection layer. However, the reason for the acquisition of the high contrast level is attributed to that the protection layer  152  having a phase difference serves as an optical compensation plate incidentally. However, in a general polarizing plate, since the optical axis of the protection layer  152  varies, there is a high possibility that, on the contrary, that the contrast level decreases much when the polarizing plate is changed. However, in this embodiment, since the phase difference of the protection layer  152  is compensated by the second phase difference plate  15   e , even when the polarizing plate is changed, it is possible to acquire an optimized display by only controlling the position of the second phase difference plate  15   e.    
         [0128]    In the above-described embodiment, although a structure in which the first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  are disposed in a light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  is described as the structure of the liquid crystal light valve  15   c , the disposition of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  in the liquid crystal light valve  15  is not limited thereto, and other various disposition forms may be used. 
         [0129]      FIGS. 6A to 6F  are schematic diagrams showing forms of disposition of constituent members of the liquid crystal light valve  15 . 
         [0130]      FIG. 6A  shows an arrangement in which the first phase difference plate  15   a  and the second phase difference plate  15   e  are sequentially disposed on a light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  from a first polarizing plate  15   b  side.  FIG. 6B  shows an arrangement in which the first phase difference plate  15   a  is disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the second phase difference plate  15   e  is disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c .  FIG. 6C  shows an arrangement in which the second phase difference plate  15   e  is disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the first phase difference plate  15   a  is disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c .  FIG. 6D  shows an arrangement in which the first phase difference plate  15   a  and the second phase difference plate  15   e  are sequentially disposed on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  from a liquid crystal panel  15   c  side, which is employed in certain embodiments.  FIG. 6E  shows an arrangement in which the second phase difference plate  15   e  and the first phase difference plate  15   a  are sequentially disposed on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  from a first polarizing plate  15   b  side.  FIG. 6F  shows an arrangement in which the second phase difference plate  15   e  and the first phase difference plate  15   a  are sequentially disposed on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  from the liquid crystal panel  15   c  side. 
         [0131]    A projector according to exemplary embodiments may employ any one of the six types of arrangements shown in  FIGS. 6A to 6F . 
         [0132]    When the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6B  is employed, since the first phase difference plate  15   a  is disposed to be tilted on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , bending of a light path on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal light valve can be prevented. In addition, since the second phase difference plate  15   e  is disposed on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , total light passing through the first phase difference plate  15   a  and light passing through the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be compensated, and thereby a further improved optical compensation effect can be acquired. 
         [0133]    When the arrangements shown in  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C  in which phase difference plates are disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  are employed, it is easy to acquire sufficient space for performing control operations for the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  and the rotation angle θ of the second phase difference plate  15   e  and there is sufficient space for disposition of a control mechanism. 
         [0134]    When the first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  are disposed on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , as shown in  FIG. 6D , the phase difference plates can be located far from the light source, and thus deterioration of the phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  due to light emission and a resultant increase in the temperature thereof can be effectively prevented, and thereby a projector having high reliability can be provided. 
         [0135]    Although a case where the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is in a direction of a normal line of a plate face of the first phase difference plate  15   a  has been described in this embodiment, a phase difference plate having an optical axis aligned in a direction tilted with respect to a direction of the normal line of the plate face may be used as the first phase difference plate  15   a . As such a phase difference plate, for example, a phase difference plate having an optically anisotropic layer including discotic liquid crystal that is oriented to be tilted (tilt-oriented) with respect to the plate face of the phase difference plate may be used. This phase difference plate may be formed by providing an orientation film on a support body made of triacetyl cellulose (TAC) or the like and coating a discotic liquid crystal such as a triphenylene derivative on the orientation film. In particular, orientation films made of polyimide or the like are formed on surfaces of a pair of support bodies are provided, a discotic liquid crystal is coated on one support body, and then the discotic liquid crystal is interposed therebetween by the other support body. Thereafter, a discotic nematic (ND) phase is formed by a heating process, and then fixing the orientation thereof by polymerizing the discotic nematic phase by using ultraviolet rays or the like. When the ND phase is formed, a pre-tilt is given to the discotic liquid crystal by the orientation film, and thereby an optical axis is formed to be tilted. A tilt angle of the optical axis can be controlled by an orientation process (a rubbing process or the like) of the orientation film. 
         [0136]    Alternatively, the phase difference plate having the tilt optical axis may be produced by stretching poly carbonate, a norbornene resin, or the like by application of a sharing force. In such a case, a material resin is heated to an approximate glass transition point, then is stretched in two directions, and the stretched material resin is interposed between a pair of heated substrates. Then, the pair of the substrates is made to cross each other in opposite directions while pressure is applied to the material resin from an outer side of one substrate. Accordingly, a shearing force is applied to upper and lower sides of the material resin in opposite directions, and a direction of the optical axis of the optical body constituting the material resin is tilted. A tilt angle of the optical axis can be controlled by strength of the shearing force. 
         [0137]    When the first phase difference plate  15   a  whose optical axis is tilted with respect to the normal line of the plate face is used, if the optical axis is identical to the pre-tilt direction of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , the first phase difference plate  15   a  is not required to be tilted with respect to the liquid crystal panel  15   c . However, there may be a case where disposition of the optical axes may be far apart from an optimal position due to production deviations or the like of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the phase difference plate  15   a . Thus, when the first phase difference plate  15   a  is configured to be tilted as in this embodiment, the first phase difference plate  15   a  and the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be controlled to a position in which an optical compensation process can be performed well. 
         [0138]    Next, certain embodiments will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing appropriate arrangement for a case where a first phase difference plate  15   a  and a second phase difference plate  15   e  according to this embodiment are built in a liquid crystal projector. In  FIG. 7 , a front side (a side on which a first polarizing plate  15   b  is disposed) of a liquid crystal light valve  15  is a light incident side. 
         [0139]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the projector according to this embodiment has a structure in which the first polarizing plate  15   b , the second phase difference plate  15   e , a liquid crystal panel  15   c , the first phase difference plate  15   a , and a second polarizing plate  15   d  are sequentially disposed from the light incident side. In other words, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6C  is employed in the liquid crystal valve  15  according to this embodiment. 
         [0140]    The projector according to this embodiment has a first optical control unit  81  that tilts the first phase difference plate  15   a  together with a support base  315   a  supporting the first phase difference plate  15   a  with respect to the liquid crystal panel  15   c . The support base  315  is rotated around a rotation axis  81   a  by the first optical control unit  81 , and thereby the first phase difference plate  15   a  can be tilted. The rotation axis  81   a  is set in a direction perpendicular to an orientation direction  43   a  ( 98   a ) of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  on a plate face of the first phase difference plate  15   a . In this embodiment, since the orientation direction  43   a  is set to form an angle of 45° with respect to a horizontal direction, the support base  315   a  is disposed such that the rotation axis  81   a  thereof forms an angle of 135° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
         [0141]    The disposition of the support base  315   a  is changed in accordance with the orientation direction  43   a  or  98   a  (that is, a viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel  15   c ). For example, when the orientation direction  43   a  of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  forms an angle of 135° with respect to the horizontal direction, the angle of the rotation axis  81   a  with respect to the horizontal direction is set to 135°. Since the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel in the liquid crystal light valve is typically set to a direction of 45° or 135° with respect to the horizontal direction, when the rotation axis  81   a  of the support base  315   a  is set to be controlled (or switched) in the range of 45° to 135° with respect to the horizontal direction, in consideration with a case where a liquid crystal panel  15   c  whose orientation direction (viewing direction) is different is disposed, it is possible to implement a structure capable of responding to change of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  without making the structure thereof too complicated. 
         [0142]    The projector according to this embodiment has a second optical control unit  82  that supports a second phase difference plate  15   e  and rotates the second phase difference plate  15   e  around an axis aligned in a direction of a normal line of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , although detail of the second optical control unit is not shown in the figure. The second phase difference plate  15   e  can be rotated around the rotation axis set as a center position of a plate face of the second phase difference plate  15   e  by the second optical control unit  82 . 
         [0143]    Since the liquid crystal light valve  15  has the first optical control unit  81  that moves the first phase difference plate  15   a  in a direction for being tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , a tilt of the optical axis P′ of the first phase difference plate  15   a  can be freely controlled, and accordingly, it is possible to precisely perform an optical compensation process of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  in an easy manner. Accordingly, a decrease in the contrast level due to a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal molecules  51  or light passing through the liquid crystal layer  34  in the tilt direction can be prevented, and thereby display with a high contrast level can be acquired. In addition, since the liquid crystal light valve  15  has the first optical control unit  81 , when a center axis of an optical system of the light valve, for example, a center axis of a lens or a light source is not in accordance with the center axis of the liquid crystal panel  15   c , a compensation condition can be optimized by controlling an angle of the phase difference plate  15   a  without controlling the light source side, and thereby a decrease in the contrast level can be prevented. In addition, by using the structure in which the first optical control unit  81  is included, even when a phase difference plate having an optical axis tilted with respect to a normal line of the plate face, delicate control can be performed in an easy manner, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the contrast level due to deviations of an optical property of the phase difference plate. 
         [0144]    In addition, since the liquid crystal light valve  15  according to this embodiment has the second optical control unit  82  that rotates the second phase difference plate  15   e  within the plate face, it is possible to dispose the second phase difference plate  15   e  in a position in which a phase difference of the phase difference plates  15   b  and  15   d  having high deviations in a production process thereof or a phase difference due to diffraction of the micro lenses  95  can be effectively compensated. Accordingly, even a phase difference that cannot be compensated by the first phase difference plate  15   a  is effectively compensated, and thus the contrast level can be improved and non-uniformity of luminance caused by the phase differences can prevented, and thereby high-quality display can be acquired. 
         [0145]    In addition, in this embodiment, the first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  are spaced apart from a surface of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  by a predetermined distance so as not to disturb an optical control process performed by the optical control units  81  and  82 . In addition, since the first and second phase difference plates  15   a  and  15   e  are far from the liquid crystal panel  15   c , heat stored between the liquid crystal panel  15   c  and the phase difference plates can be minimized, whereby deterioration of the liquid crystal panel and the phase difference plates can be suppressed. 
         [0146]    Next, certain embodiments will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A, and  9 B. 
         [0147]    First, a structure of a first phase difference plate included in a projector according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
         [0148]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are perspective views illustrating a first phase difference plate according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view of a first phase difference plate according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of a first phase difference plate according to certain embodiments. In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , an angle β is enlarged for the convenience of description. 
         [0149]    The exemplary projector according to these embodiments is different from that according to the above described embodiments in that a first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is provided instead of the first phase difference plate  15   a  according to the above-described embodiments. However, the other parts of the exemplary projector are essentially the same as that according to the above-described embodiments. 
         [0150]    As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  according to certain embodiments has a first plate-shaped optical member  511 , a second plate-shaped optical member  512 , and an optically anisotropic layer  513 . 
         [0151]    As shown in  FIG. 8A , the first plate-shaped optical member  511 , for example, is made of plate-shaped glass. A surface  511   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  is tilted by an angle of β with respect to a surface  511   b , which faces the surface  511   a , of the first plate-shaped optical member  511 . The angle β is set in accordance with a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal and, for example, is set in the range of 6° to 10°. In other words, the first plate-shaped optical member  511  is formed in the shape of a wedge having a surface  511   a  formed to be tilted and a surface  511   b  formed without a tilt. Thus, a section cut vertically with respect to the surface  511   b  in an azimuth direction  511   c  forming an angle of 90° with a side  511   b   1  of the untilted surface  511   b  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  is in the shape of a trapezoid. In other words, the surface  511   a  is tilted in the azimuth direction  511   c  forming an angle of 90° with the side  511   b   1  of the untilted surface  511   b . Thus, a section cut vertically with respect to the surface  511   b  along the side  511   b   1  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  is in the shape of a rectangle. In other words, a side  511   s   1  including the side  511   b   1  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  forms a rectangle, and a side  511   s   2  facing the side  511   s   1  forms a rectangle. 
         [0152]    The side  511   b   1  is an example of “one side of one surface” according to certain embodiments. 
         [0153]    The second plate-shaped optical member  512 , like the first plate-shaped optical member  511 , is made of, for example, plate-shaped glass and is in substantially the same shape of that of the first plate-shaped optical member  511 . For example, a surface  512   a  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  is tilted by an angle of β with respect to a surface  512   b  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  facing the surface  512   a . The second plate-shaped optical member  512  may be formed in the shape of a wedge having the surface  512   a  formed to be tilted and the surface  512   b  formed without a tilt. Thus, a section cut vertically with respect to the surface  512   b  along a side  512   b   1  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  may be in the shape of a rectangle. In other words, a side  512   s   1  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  may form a rectangle, and a side  512   s   2  facing the side  512   s   1  may form a rectangle. 
         [0154]    The first plate-shaped optical member  511  and the second plate-shaped optical member  512  are disposed such that the tilted surface  511   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  and the tilted surface  512   a  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  face each other and are in directions in which the decreasing thicknesses are opposite of each other. 
         [0155]    The optically anisotropic layer  513  is formed of a negative uniaxial phase difference plate (that is, C plate) which is, for example, a film-like organic compound and is interposed between the first plate-shaped optical member  511  and the second plate-shaped optical member  512 . Thus, an optical axis  513   p  of the optically anisotropic layer  513  is in accordance with a direction of a normal line of the surface  511   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511 . The optically anisotropic layer  513  is bonded to the surface  511   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  511  and the surface  512   a  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512 , for example, with an adhesive. 
         [0156]    By using the above-described first phase difference plate  15   a   1 , since the optically anisotropic layer  513  of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is tilted with respect to the surface  511   b  or  512   b  forming the surface of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1 , even when the angle α tilted by rotating the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  around the rotation axis  81   a  (see  FIG. 7 ) using the first optical control unit  81  (see  FIG. 7 ) is small, it is possible to make the optical axis  513   p  of the optically anisotropic layer  513  and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  substantially similar to, or even approximately identical to, each other, with scarcely tilting or without tilting the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  by using the first optical control unit  81 . Thus, a decrease in the contrast level due to a pre-tilt of the liquid crystal molecules  51  (see  FIG. 3 ) or light passing through the liquid crystal layer  34  (see  FIG. 3 ) in the tilt direction can be prevented, and accordingly, it is possible to acquire a display with higher-contrast. 
         [0157]    In addition, since the angle α by which the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be set to be small, radiation performance of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be improved. In other words, blocking of cooling air flow for cooling the liquid crystal panel  15   c  disposed inside a case of the projector  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) due to disposition of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  tilted with respect to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  can be reduced or prevented. 
         [0158]    In addition, it is possible to increase the pre-tilt angle that is an angle formed by the liquid crystal molecules  51  and a direction of a normal line of the panel face of the liquid crystal panel  15   c . Accordingly, it is possible to improve a response time of the liquid crystal molecules  51  or decrease a reverse-tilt domain. 
         [0159]    In this embodiment, as described above, since the optically anisotropic layer  513  is interposed between the first plate-shaped optical member  511  and the second plate-shaped optical member  512 , it can be prevented that light emitted from the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is tilted with respect to light incident on the first phase difference plate  15   a   1 . In other words, since refraction of light caused by the first plate-shaped optical member  511  and refraction of light caused by the second plate-shaped optical member  512  can be offset, directionality of light in passing through the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  can be improved. In addition, since light incident on the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is incident on the optically anisotropic layer  513  after passing through the second plate-shaped optical member  512 , it is possible to suppress deterioration of the optically anisotropic layer  513 . In other words, light resistance of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  can be improved. 
         [0160]    Next, a first phase difference plate according to a modified example of these embodiments will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
         [0161]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of a first phase difference plate according to a modified example of certain embodiments.  FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of a first phase difference plate according to the modified example of certain embodiments.  FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a first phase difference plate according to the modified example of these embodiments. 
         [0162]    The projector according to the embodiment may have a first phase difference plate  15   a   2  instead of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  described above with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In  FIG. 9A , the angle β is enlarged for the convenience of description. 
         [0163]    As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the first phase difference plate  15   a   2  according to the modified example of the embodiment has a first plate-shaped optical member  521 , a second plate-shaped optical member  522 , and an optically anisotropic layer  523 . 
         [0164]    The first plate-shaped optical member  521 , like the above-described first plate-shaped optical member  511 , for example, is made of plate-shaped glass. A surface  521   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  521  is tilted by an angle of β with respect to a surface  521   b , which faces the surface  521   a , of the first plate-shaped optical member  521 . In other words, the first plate-shaped optical member  521  is formed in the shape of a wedge having a surface  521   a  formed to be tilted and a surface  521   b  formed without a tilt. 
         [0165]    In this modified example, a section cut vertically with respect to a surface  521   b  in an azimuth direction  521   c  forming an angle of 45° with a side  521   b   1  of the untilted surface  521   b  of the first plate-shaped optical member  521  is in the shape of a trapezoid. In other words, the surface  521   a  is tilted in the azimuth direction  521   c  forming an angle of 45° with the side  521   b   1  of the untilted surface  521   b . Thus, all sides  521   s   1 ,  521   s   2 ,  521   s   3 , and  521   s   4  of the first plate-shaped optical member  521  are in the shape of trapezoids. In addition, the sides  521   s   1  and  521   s   2  face each other, and the sides  521   s   3  and  521   s   4  face each other. 
         [0166]    The side  521   b   1  is an example of “one side of one surface” according to this modified example. 
         [0167]    The second plate-shaped optical member  522 , like the first plate-shaped optical member  521 , is made of, for example, plate-shaped glass and is in the same shape of that of the first plate-shaped optical member  521 . In other words, a surface  522   a  of the second plate-shaped optical member  522  is tilted by an angle of β with respect to a surface  522   b  of the second plate-shaped optical member  522  facing the surface  522   a . A section cut vertically with respect to the surface  522   b  in an azimuth direction forming 45° with a side  522   b   1  of the untilted surface  522   b  of the second plate-shaped optical member  512  is in the shape of a trapezoid. Thus, all sides  522   s   1 ,  522   s   2 ,  522   s   3 , and  522   s   4  of the second plate-shaped optical member  522  are in the shape of trapezoids. In addition, the sides  522   s   1  and  522   s   2  face each other, and the sides  522   s   3  and  522   s   4  face each other. 
         [0168]    The first plate-shaped optical member  521  and the second plate-shaped optical member  522  are disposed such that the tilted surface  521   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  521  and the tilted surface  522   a  of the second plate-shaped optical member  522  face each other and directions in which thickness thereof decreases become opposite. 
         [0169]    The optically anisotropic layer  523 , like the above-described optically anisotropic layer  513 , is formed of a negative uniaxial phase difference plate and is interposed between the first plate-shaped optical member  521  and the second plate-shaped optical member  522 . Thus, an optical axis  523   p  of the optically anisotropic layer  523  is in accordance with a direction  521   an  of a normal line of the surface  521   a  of the first plate-shaped optical member  521 . 
         [0170]    By using the above-described first phase difference plate  15   a   2 , in a case where the orientation direction  43   a  of the liquid crystal panel  10   c  is set to form an angle of 45° with the horizontal direction, as shown in  FIG. 7 , by disposing the first phase difference plate  15   a   2  and the liquid crystal panel  15   c  such that a side of the first phase difference plate  15   a   2  and a side of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  are in accordance with each other, it is possible to make the optical axis  523   p  of the optically anisotropic layer  523  and the viewing direction of the liquid crystal panel  15   c  substantially similar or even approximately identical to each other. In other words, by using the first phase difference plate  15   a   2 , it is not necessary to tilt the first phase difference plate  15   a   2  to form an angle of 45° with respect to the horizontal direction, unlike the above-described first phase difference plate  15   c  according to the embodiments described above with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0171]    Next, advantages of the above-described first phase difference plate according to this modified example will be described in more detail. 
         [0172]    As described above with reference to  FIG. 5 , under a predetermined condition, when the tilt angle α (see  FIG. 4  or  7 ) of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is set to 6°, the maximum contrast level can be acquired. However, when the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules  51  is larger than the pre-tilt angle under the predetermined condition shown in  FIG. 5 , the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  should be set to be greater than 6° so as to acquire the maximum contrast level. In other words, when the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules  51  is relatively large, in order to acquire the maximum contrast level, the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is required to be increased on the basis of the pre-tilt angle. For example, when the pre-tilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules  51  is in the range of 6° to 9°, the maximum contrast level cannot be acquired unless the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  is set to 10°. Thus, when space for tilting the first phase difference plate  15   a  is not sufficiently acquired inside the projector, the tilt angle α of the first phase difference plate  15   a  cannot be set to 10°, and thereby there is a possibility that the maximum contrast level cannot be acquired. 
         [0173]    However, in the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  according to this modified example, as described above, since the optically anisotropic layer  513  of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  is tilted by an angle β with respect to the surface  511   b  (or surface  512   b ) of the first phase difference plate  15   a   1 , even when the tilt angle α is small, the maximum contrast level can be acquired. In other words, for example, when the above described pre-tilt angle is in the range of 6° to 9°, the maximum contrast level can be acquired by setting the tilt angle to 4°. In other words, the tilt angle α for acquisition of the maximum contrast level can decreases by the angle β. In other words, in the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  according to this modified example, the contrast level can be increased when the tilt angle α is decreased, compared to the first phase difference plate  15   a  according to the above-described embodiments or setting the tilt angle α to zero. Accordingly, the space for tilting the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  inside the projector may be scarcely provided or may not be provided. Accordingly, it is possible to miniaturize the projector. 
         [0174]    By using the first phase difference plate  15   a   2  according to this modified example, the same advantages as those of the above-described the first phase difference plate  15   a   1  can be acquired. 
         [0175]    The preceding is merely a description of several embodiments. While specific embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the precise configuration and components disclosed herein is illustrative only and not limiting in any sense. Having the benefit of this disclosure, various modifications, changes, and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles disclosed. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing description.