Patent Description:
In a case where an optical device including a lens has a light combining efficiency that changes by a large amount with respect to the amount of movement of the lens, it is not easy to adjust the light combining efficiency so that the light combining efficiency is within a suitable range. The optical device thus desirably has a light combining efficiency that changes by only a small amount with respect to the amount of movement of the lens. The optical device, in other words, desirably has a small lens positioning sensitivity.

The description below uses (<NUM>) the term "single-lens device" to refer to an optical device including a single lens to collimate or focus light emitted from a light source and (<NUM>) the term "two-lens device" to refer to an optical device including two lenses to collimate or focus light emitted from a light source. On the assumption that the focal length of a single-lens device and the effective focal length of a two-lens device are equal to each other, the two-lens device normally has a lower lens positioning sensitivity.

Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM> and Non-patent Literature <NUM> each disclose a two-lens device.

From <CIT>, a three-lens optical system is known which includes a collimating lens, a condenser lens and a diffusion lens.

The paper by <NPL>, presents the optical design of a miniature 3D scanning system, which is fully compatible with the vertical integration technology of micro-optical-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS).

<CIT> relates to an optical pickup lens device that includes, in the order from the light source side, collimating means for converting a bundle of rays into parallel rays or predetermined convergent or divergent rays, the collimating means being movably held along a direction of an optical axis of a bundle of rays emitted from a light source; an aberration correcting element for allowing a bundle of rays emitted from the collimating means to be transmitted therethrough; and an objective lens element having a numerical aperture of <NUM> or more, and converging a bundle of rays coming from the aberration correcting element onto the information recording medium to form a spot. The aberration correcting element and the objective lens element are integrally held together in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis so as to perform tracking on the information recording medium, and satisfy predetermined conditions.

<CIT> teaches an optical system that has projector optics aligned on a projection axis that is orthogonal to an offset axis. A first laser is positioned in a first plane orthogonal to the projection axis. First folding optics are positioned in the first plane to fold a first beam from the first laser to a first portion of the projector optics. A second laser is in a second plane parallel to, and offset along the offset axis from, the first plane. Second folding optics is positioned in the second plane to fold a second beam from the second laser to a second portion of the projector optics to synthesize the first and second beam.

Unfortunately, none of the two-lens devices disclosed in Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM> and Non-patent Literature <NUM> is configured to carry out collimation adjustment and beam steering in view of the balance between collimation sensitivity and beam steering sensitivity. In that regard, the optical devices disclosed in Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM> and Non-patent Literature <NUM> leave room for improvement in terms of lens positioning sensitivity.

The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above issue. It is an object of the present invention to provide (i) a two-lens optical system, (ii) a beam combining module, (iii) a projector, and (iv) a method for assembling a two-lens optical system each of which allows for an improved lens positioning sensitivity.

The above problems are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

In order to attain the above object, a two-lens optical system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is a two-lens optical system, including: a first lens for use in collimation adjustment, the first lens being configured to move along only an optical axis of light emitted from a light source; and a second lens for use in beam steering, the second lens being configured to move along only two axes perpendicular to the optical axis.

With the above configuration, the two-lens optical system is configured such that the first lens is used for collimation adjustment, whereas the second lens is used for beam steering.

The above configuration thus allows each of the first lens and the second lens to have a small positioning sensitivity. The two-lens optical system is configured such that the respective positions of the first lens and the second lens can be adjusted with increased accuracy and that the first lens and the second lens can be aligned with improved tolerances as compared to a single-lens device.

In order to attain the above object, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for assembling a two-lens optical system is a method for assembling a two-lens optical system, the two-lens optical system including: a first lens; a first support base configured to constrain movement of the first lens in such a manner that the first lens is movable along only an optical axis of light emitted from a light source; a second lens; and a second support base configured to constrain movement of the second lens in such a manner that the second lens is movable along only two axes perpendicular to the optical axis, the method comprising the steps of: (a) moving the first lens along the optical axis for collimation adjustment of the two-lens optical system; (b) after the step (a), moving the second lens along at least one of the two axes for beam steering of the two-lens optical system; (c) after the step (a) or (b), fixing the first lens to the first support base; and (d) after the step (b), fixing the second lens to the second support base.

In order to attain the above object, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for assembling a two-lens optical system is a method for assembling a two-lens optical system, the two-lens optical system including: a first support base configured to move along only an optical axis of light emitted from a light source, a first lens configured to move together with the first support base; a second support base configured to move along only two axes perpendicular to the optical axis; and a second lens configured to move together with the second support base, the method including the steps of: (a) moving the first support base for collimation adjustment of the two-lens optical system; (b) after the step (a), moving the second support base for beam steering of the two-lens optical system; (c) after the step (a) or (b), fixing the first lens to the first support base; and (d) after the step (b), fixing the second lens to the second support base.

The above arrangement makes it possible to easily assemble a two-lens optical system capable of producing the above effects.

An embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to provide (i) a two-lens optical system, (ii) a beam combining module, (iii) a projector, and (iv) a method for assembling a two-lens optical system each of which allows for an improved lens positioning sensitivity.

The following description will discuss an embodiment of the present invention with reference to, for example, <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a collimation system (two-lens optical system) <NUM> of the present embodiment.

The description below first deals with the x axis, y axis, and z axis shown in <FIG>. The z axis extends in the direction in which light emitted from a light source <NUM> travels (that is, the optical axis direction). The z axis thus extends in the left-right direction of <FIG>. The y axis extends in a direction orthogonal to the z axis, and extends in the up-down direction of <FIG>. The x axis extends in the direction orthogonal to the y axis and z axis.

The collimation system <NUM> is configured to collimate light emitted from a light source <NUM>, and includes a first lens <NUM>, a second lens <NUM>, a first support base <NUM>, a second support base <NUM>, and a light source <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be understood as either being included in the collimation system <NUM> or not being included in the collimation system <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> may be a laser element or a light-emitting diode (LED), for example. The light emitted from the light source <NUM> is not limited to any particular wavelength. The description below assumes that the light source <NUM> is a laser element.

The first lens <NUM> is a planoconvex lens. The first lens <NUM> has a flat surface 1a and a convex surface 1b. The light emitted from the light source <NUM> is incident on the flat surface 1a and exits from the convex surface 1b. The first lens <NUM> guides light from the light source <NUM> toward the second lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> has a focal length f<NUM>. The first lens <NUM> may be a lens other than a planoconvex lens, and may be a biconvex lens, for example.

The second lens <NUM> is a planoconvex lens. The second lens <NUM> has a flat surface 2a and a convex surface 2b. The light traveling from the first lens <NUM> is incident on the flat surface 2a and exits from the convex surface 2b. The second lens <NUM> has a focal length f<NUM>. The second lens <NUM> may be a lens other than a planoconvex lens, and may be a biconvex lens, for example.

The description below uses (i) the term "front" about a lens to refer to the side on which light is incident and (ii) the term "back" about a lens to refer to the side from which light exits. In the description below, the first lens <NUM> has a back principal plane <NUM>, and the second lens <NUM> has a front principal plane <NUM>. The back principal plane <NUM> and the front principal plane <NUM> are separated from each other by a separation s.

The first lens <NUM> is placed on a first support base <NUM>. The first support base <NUM> is connected to a first moving section (not shown) configured to move the first support base <NUM> along the z axis. The first moving section may alternatively be contained in the first support base <NUM>. The first moving section is, for example, an actuator. The first support base <NUM> is constrained along the x axis and/or y axis.

The first support base <NUM> includes a first support base component 11a and a first support base component 11b. The first support base component 11a and the first support base component 11b sandwich the first lens <NUM> by being in contact with two respective side surfaces of the first lens <NUM> that are different from the flat surface 1a and the convex surface 1b. The first support base component 11a and the first support base component 11b are configured to move together. The first support base component 11a and the first support base component 11b may be separate from each other or integrated with each other.

The second lens <NUM> is placed on a second support base <NUM>. The second support base <NUM> is connected to a second moving section (not shown) configured to move the second support base <NUM> along the x axis and/or y axis. The second moving section may alternatively be contained in the second support base <NUM>. The second moving section is, for example, an actuator. The second support base <NUM> is constrained along the z axis.

The flat surface 2a of the second lens <NUM> is in contact with the second support base <NUM>. The second support base <NUM> is in the shape of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, and has an aperture <NUM> at its center. The light traveling from the first lens <NUM> is incident on the second lens <NUM> through the aperture <NUM>.

The combination of the first support base <NUM> and the first lens <NUM> and the combination of the second support base <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> may be configured as follows: The first support base <NUM> is fixed to a housing (not shown), and is thus immovable relative to the housing. The first lens <NUM> is attached to the first support base <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> is movable within and/or on the first support base <NUM>. Similarly, the second support base <NUM> is fixed to the housing (not shown), is thus immovable relative to the housing. The second lens <NUM> is attached to the second support base <NUM>. The second lens <NUM> is movable within and/or on the second support base <NUM>. After collimation adjustment and beam steering (described later), the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> are fixed respectively to the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM> with use of, for example, an adhesive. The adhesive may, depending on the kind thereof, form a thin layer. This allows the adhesive to keep its adhesive force strong even in a case where the external environment (for example, air temperature) has changed. The first support base <NUM> may include a lens holder (not shown) configured to receive the first lens <NUM>. The second support base <NUM> may include a lens holder (not shown) configured to receive the second lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> may be fixed respectively to the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM> with use of a member other than an adhesive (for example, a fastener).

With the above configuration, (i) in a case where the first lens <NUM> has been fixed to the first support base <NUM>, the first support base <NUM> constrains the movement of the first lens <NUM> (or the combination of the first lens <NUM> and the corresponding lens holder), whereas (ii) in a case where the second lens <NUM> has been fixed to the second support base <NUM>, the second support base <NUM> constrains the movement of the second lens <NUM> (or the combination of the second lens <NUM> and the corresponding lens holder).

As described above, the collimation system <NUM> may be configured such that the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM> are fixed to the housing and that the first lens <NUM> is moved within and/or on the first support base <NUM>, whereas the second lens <NUM> is moved within and/or on the second support base <NUM>. This configuration is also applicable to Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> described later.

Although the description below assumes that the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM> are movable relative to the housing, Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> may each alternatively be configured as described above.

The following description will discuss how the collimation system <NUM> operates. Light emitted from the light source <NUM> is incident on the first lens <NUM>. The first lens <NUM> is movable along the z axis by means of the operation of the first support base <NUM>. In other words, the first support base <NUM> adjusts the position of the first lens <NUM> along the z axis. This allows collimation adjustment to be carried out for the collimation system <NUM>.

The light from the light source <NUM> travels through the first lens <NUM> and is then incident on the second lens <NUM>. The second lens <NUM> is movable along the x axis and/or y axis by means of the operation of the second support base <NUM>. In other words, the second support base <NUM> adjusts the position of the second lens <NUM> along the x axis and/or y axis. This allows beam steering to be carried out for the collimation system <NUM>.

The collimation adjustment and beam steering for the collimation system <NUM> are followed by fixing the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> to the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM>, respectively, with use of an adhesive, for example. Alternatively, the first lens <NUM> may be fixed to the first support base <NUM> after the collimation adjustment and before the beam steering. In this case, fixing after the beam steering is for the second lens <NUM> to the second support base <NUM>.

The collimation system <NUM> is, as described above, configured such that the first support base <NUM> is used for collimation adjustment, whereas the second support base <NUM> is used for beam steering.

The following description will discuss beam-steer sensitivity with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating beam-steer sensitivity. <FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is related to the respective beam-steer sensitivities of the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is related to the respective beam-steer sensitivities of the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM>, the graph illustrating a case where the separation (s) between the back principal plane <NUM> of the first lens <NUM> and the front principal plane <NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is changed between <NUM> to <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> assume that the two-lens device illustrated in <FIG> has an effective focal length f of <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, light emitted from the light source <NUM> is incident on the first lens <NUM>, and is then incident on the second lens <NUM>. The following description will discuss the respective beam-steer sensitivities of the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM> for a case where the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM> are each moved in a lateral direction (that is, along the x axis or y axis).

The two-lens device illustrated in <FIG> is configured such that shifting one of the lenses laterally results in a beam-steer angle expressed in Formula <NUM> or <NUM> below.

Once f<NUM> and s have been determined, f<NUM> can be calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM> below.

As described above, the collimation system <NUM> has a beam-steer sensitivity significantly lower than the beam-steer sensitivity of a single-lens device.

The following description will discuss collimation sensitivity of the collimation system <NUM>. The collimation can be quantified on the basis of the position of the focus of a light source (for example, a laser diode). The collimation (c), expressed in diopters, is the inverse of the displacement v measured in meters.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a two-lens device. <FIG> shows a plane <NUM>, which extends through the apex of the convex surface 2b of the second lens <NUM> and which is parallel to the flat surface 2a. The displacement v is the distance between the focus of the two-lens device and the plane <NUM>. In this case, the collimation c is calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM> below. <MAT> where Z<NUM> is the distance between the light source <NUM> and the flat surface 1a, Z<NUM> is the distance between the light source <NUM> and the flat surface 2a, ΔZ<NUM> is a small shift of the first lens <NUM> from Z1c, ΔZ<NUM> is a small shift of the second lens <NUM> from Z2c, Z1c is the position of the first lens <NUM> for perfect collimation (lcl -> <NUM>) at the effective focal length f, and Z2c is the position of the second lens <NUM> for perfect collimation (lcl -> <NUM>) at the effective focal length f.

The collimation c of a two-lens device with a virtual focus can also be calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a two-lens device with a virtual focus. <FIG> shows light diverging from the second lens <NUM>. The two-lens device illustrated in <FIG> has a virtual focus on a side of the first lens <NUM> on which side the light source is present. The displacement v is the distance between the virtual focus of the two-lens device and the plane <NUM>. The collimation c of the virtual two-lens device illustrated in <FIG> can also be calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM>.

The collimation c of a single-lens device is calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM> below. <MAT> where Δz is a small shift of the lens from the position for perfect collimation.

The collimation sensitivity of the first lens <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) is calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM> below with reference to Formula <NUM>.

Similarly, the collimation sensitivity of the second lens <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (Z direction) is calculated on the basis of Formula <NUM> below.

The above calculations result in <FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is related to the respective collimation sensitivities of the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is related to the respective collimation sensitivities of the first lens <NUM> and second lens <NUM>, the graph illustrating a case where the separation (s) between the back principal plane <NUM> of the first lens <NUM> and the front principal plane <NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is changed between <NUM> to <NUM>. In <FIG>, f = <NUM>.

With reference to Formula <NUM>, the effective focal length is expressed as in Formula <NUM> below.

The effective focal length of a collimation optical system influences the achievable spot size. In a case where a light source has a plurality of separated emission areas for emitting light, the effective focal length sets the angular separation of collimated light from each emission area. Designing a projector including such a light source involves knowledge of the angular separation. A light source having a plurality of separated, individually drivable emission areas is useful for speckle reduction and/or for increasing the resolution of the display whilst keeping a high frame rate.

The effective focal length (f) of a two-lens device is more resilient to lens fabrication tolerances than the focal length of a single-lens device. After collimation adjustment of the first lens <NUM>, the effective focal length variation depends on the respective focal lengths of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> as shown in Formula <NUM> below.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is related to Δf/ f, the graph illustrating a case where the separation (s) between the back principal plane <NUM> of the first lens <NUM> and the front principal plane <NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is changed between <NUM> to <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the effective focal length f is <NUM>, and Δf/f indicates the fractional effective focal length change (rms). The focal length variation Δf<NUM>/f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is <NUM>%, and the focal length variation Δf<NUM>/f<NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is <NUM>%. The respective focal length variations of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> are statistically independent of each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the fractional effective focal length change becomes less sensitive as f<NUM> increases, and the fractional effective focal length becomes less sensitive as the separation (s) increases.

The collimation system <NUM> is configured as described above. The collimation system <NUM> is, as described above, configured such that collimation adjustment and beam steering can be carried out independently of each other. Specifically, one of the two lenses is used for collimation adjustment, while the other lens is used for beam steering.

The collimation system <NUM> is configured such that the position of the first lens <NUM> is adjusted with use of the first support base <NUM>, whereas the position of the second lens <NUM> is adjusted with use of the second support base <NUM>.

This configuration allows each of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> to have a small positioning sensitivity. The collimation system <NUM> is configured such that the respective positions of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> can be adjusted with increased accuracy and that the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> can be aligned with improved tolerances as compared to a single-lens device.

The first lens <NUM> is placed on the first support base <NUM>, whereas the second lens <NUM> is placed on the second support base <NUM>. This configuration reduces the amount of an adhesive and/or the like for fixing the first lens <NUM> to the first support base <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> to the second support base <NUM>, and thereby reduces the thickness of the layer of the adhesive and/or the like. This in turn allows the collimation system <NUM> to be more stable against environmental changes such as the temperature.

The following description will discuss a collimation system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> with reference to <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a collimation system <NUM> of the present embodiment. For convenience of description, any member of the present invention that is identical in function to a member described for Embodiment <NUM> is assigned the same reference sign, and is not described again here. This applies also to Embodiments <NUM> and later.

The collimation system <NUM> differs from the collimation system <NUM> in that in the collimation system <NUM>, light emitted from the light source <NUM> is first incident on the second lens <NUM> and is then incident on the first lens <NUM>. In terms of other configuration and operation (for example, the operation of the first support base <NUM> or second support base <NUM>), the collimation system <NUM> is identical to the collimation system <NUM>.

The collimation adjustment and beam steering for the collimation system <NUM> are followed by fixing the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> to the first support base <NUM> and the second support base <NUM>, respectively, with use of an adhesive, for example. Alternatively, the first lens <NUM> may be fixed to the first support base <NUM> after the collimation adjustment and before the beam steering. In this case, fixing after the beam steering is only for the second lens <NUM> to the second support base <NUM>.

The collimation system <NUM> will achieve the advantages (a) and (b) over a single-lens device on the assumption that (i) the collimation system <NUM> (two-lens device) satisfies Formula <NUM> below and (ii) the effective focal length of the collimation system <NUM> is equal to the focal length of the single-lens device.

After collimation adjustment of the first lens <NUM>, the effective focal length variation depends on the respective focal lengths of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> as shown in Formula <NUM> below.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating how the focal length f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is related to Δf/f. Δf/f indicates the fractional effective focal length change (rms). The effective focal length f of the two-lens device is <NUM>. The focal length variation Δf<NUM>/f<NUM> of the first lens <NUM> is <NUM>%, and the focal length variation Δf<NUM>/f<NUM> of the second lens <NUM> is <NUM>%. The respective focal length variations of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> are statistically independent of each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the fractional effective focal length becomes more sensitive as f <NUM> increases. A comparison between the collimation system <NUM> (Embodiment <NUM>) and the collimation system <NUM> (Embodiment <NUM>) thus shows that the collimation system <NUM> is more suitable for a projector.

The following description will discuss a beam combining module <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> with reference to <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a beam combining module <NUM> of the present embodiment.

The beam combining module <NUM> includes a collimation system 100a, a collimation system 100b, a collimation system 100c, a housing <NUM>, a mirror 31a, a dichroic mirror 31b, and a dichroic mirror 31c.

The collimation system 100a, the collimation system 100b, and the collimation system 100c each correspond to the collimation system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. However, the beam combining module <NUM> includes only one second support base 12a. This point will be described later. The mirror 31a, the dichroic mirror 31b, and the dichroic mirror 31c are contained in the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may be made of glass so the combination <NUM>, 31a, 31b, 31c form a dichroic prism.

The collimation system 100a, the collimation system 100b, and the collimation system 100c are provided respectively with a light source 5a, a light source 5b, and a light source 5c. The light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c are configured to emit light having respective colors different from each other. For instance, the light source 5a is configured to emit red light, the light source 5b is configured to emit green light, and the light source 5c is configured to emit blue light. In Embodiment <NUM>, the light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c do not need to be placed on the same plane.

As mentioned above, the beam combining module <NUM> includes only one second support base 12a. In other words, the three second lenses <NUM> share a single second support base 12a. The three second lenses <NUM> are thus moved together by means of the operation of the second support base 12a.

The second support base 12a has an aperture 50a, an aperture 50b, and an aperture 50c. The aperture 50a corresponds to the collimation system 100a. The aperture 50b corresponds to the collimation system 100b. The aperture 50c corresponds to the collimation system 100c.

Light emitted from the light source 5a travels through the collimation system 100a to be reflected on the mirror 31a. The light reflected on the mirror 31a travels through the dichroic mirror 31b and the dichroic mirror 31c to exit from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light emitted from the light source 5b travels through the collimation system 100b to be reflected on the dichroic mirror 31b. The light reflected on the dichroic mirror 31b travels through the dichroic mirror 31c to exit from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light emitted from the light source 5c travels through the collimation system 100c to be reflected on the dichroic mirror 31c. The light reflected on the dichroic mirror 31c exits from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light with mixed colors of red, green, and blue is emitted to the outside of the beam combining module <NUM> as described above. The respective colors of light emitted by the light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c are not limited to any particular ones. The light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c may each be a laser configured to emit, for example, an ultraviolet ray, an X ray, or an infrared ray.

For an optical system including a lens, the lens material (glass or plastic) has a refractive index that varies according to the wavelength of light incident on the lens. It follows that the properties of an image formed also vary according to the wavelength. The term "chromatic aberration" refers to how an image varies according to the wavelength of light incident on the lens. The beam combining module <NUM> is configured to, in view of chromatic aberration, adjust the separation between the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> of each collimation system in correspondence with the wavelength of light emitted from the corresponding light source <NUM>. This configuration allows each collimation system to have an intended effective focal length.

More specifically, the beam combining module <NUM> is configured to adjust (<NUM>) the respective positions of the light sources 5a to 5c in correspondence with the respective wavelengths of light emitted from the light sources 5a to 5c, (<NUM>) the respective positions of the three first lenses <NUM> individually, and/or (<NUM>) the respective positions of the three second lenses <NUM> together by means of the operation of the second support base 12a. This configuration allows the beam combining module <NUM> to (i) correct chromatic aberration of each of the collimation system 100a, the collimation system 100b, and the collimation system 100c and (ii) emit light with mixed colors of red, green, and blue to the outside of the beam combining module <NUM>.

The above description assumes that the beam combining module <NUM> includes three collimation systems <NUM>. However, the beam combining module <NUM> may include any plurality (that is, any number that is two or more) of collimation systems <NUM>.

The beam combining module <NUM> includes a collimation system 110a, a collimation system 110b, a collimation system 110c, a housing <NUM>, a mirror 31a, a dichroic mirror 31b, and a dichroic mirror 31c.

The collimation system 110a, the collimation system 110b, and the collimation system 110c each correspond to the collimation system <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>. However, the beam combining module <NUM> includes only one second support base <NUM>. This point will be described later.

The collimation system 110a, the collimation system 110b, and the collimation system 110c are provided respectively with a light source 5a, a light source 5b, and a light source 5c. The light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c are configured to emit light having respective colors different from each other. For instance, the light source 5a is configured to emit red light, the light source 5b is configured to emit green light, and the light source 5c is configured to emit blue light.

As mentioned above, the beam combining module <NUM> includes only one second support base <NUM>. In other words, the three second lenses <NUM> share a single second support base 12a. The three second lenses <NUM> are thus moved together by means of the operation of the second support base 12a.

The second support base 12a has an aperture 50a, an aperture 50b, and an aperture 50c. The aperture 50a corresponds to the collimation system 110a. The aperture 50b corresponds to the collimation system 110b. The aperture 50c corresponds to the collimation system 110c.

Light emitted from the light source 5a travels through the collimation system 110a to be reflected on the mirror 31a. The light reflected on the mirror 31a travels through the dichroic mirror 31b and the dichroic mirror 31c to exit from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light emitted from the light source 5b travels through the collimation system 110b to be reflected on the dichroic mirror 31b. The light reflected on the dichroic mirror 31b travels through the dichroic mirror 31c to exit from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light emitted from the light source 5c travels through the collimation system 110c to be reflected on the dichroic mirror 31c. The light reflected on the dichroic mirror 31c to exit from the beam combining module <NUM>.

Light with mixed colors of red, green, and blue is emitted to the outside of the beam combining module <NUM> as described above.

The beam combining module <NUM> is configured to adjust (<NUM>) the respective positions of the light sources 5a to 5c in correspondence with the respective wavelengths of light emitted from the light sources 5a to 5c, (<NUM>) the respective positions of the three first lenses <NUM> individually, and/or (<NUM>) the respective positions of the three second lenses <NUM> together by means of the operation of the second support base 12a. This configuration allows the beam combining module <NUM> to (i) correct chromatic aberration of each of the collimation system 110a, the collimation system 110b, and the collimation system 110c and (ii) emit light with mixed colors of red, green, and blue to the outside of the beam combining module <NUM>.

The beam combining module <NUM> differs from the beam combining module <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> on points (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) below.

The beam combining module <NUM>, which is configured as described in (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) above, can be compact. This in turn allows a device (for example, a projector) including the beam combining module <NUM> to be compact as well. Further, since the light source 5a, the light source 5b, and the light source 5c are placed on the same plane <NUM>, the beam combining module <NUM> can be handled easily. As a result, a device designed to include the beam combining module <NUM> can be assembled easily and rapidly.

The collimation system <NUM>, <NUM> is, as described above, configured such that collimation adjustment and beam steering can be carried out independently of each other. Specifically, one of the two lenses is used for collimation adjustment, while the other lens is used for beam steering.

This configuration allows each of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> to have a small positioning sensitivity. The collimation system <NUM>, <NUM> is configured such that the respective positions of the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> can be adjusted with increased accuracy and that the first lens <NUM> and the second lens <NUM> can be aligned with improved tolerances as compared to a single-lens device.

As described above, the collimation system <NUM>, <NUM> enjoys various benefits that are unachievable by conventional single-lens devices.

Combining a plurality of collimation systems <NUM>, <NUM> makes it possible to produce a beam combining module that enjoys the above benefits. Such a beam combining module is any of the beam combining modules <NUM> to <NUM> of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> as proposed.

As described above, the beam combining modules <NUM> to <NUM> are each advantageously configured to (<NUM>) enjoy the benefits of the collimation system <NUM>, <NUM>, (<NUM>) efficiently generate light having a plurality of colors that are not limited to any particular ones and emit such generated light to the outside of the beam combining module, and (<NUM>) be compact.

Claim 1:
A two-lens optical system (<NUM>, 100a, 100b, 100c), comprising:
a first lens (<NUM>) for use in collimation adjustment, the first lens (<NUM>) being configured to move along only an optical axis of light emitted from a light source (<NUM>, 5a, 5b, 5c); and
a second lens (<NUM>) for use in beam steering, the second lens (<NUM>) being configured to move along only two axes perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein
the light source (<NUM>, 5a, 5b, 5c), the first lens (<NUM>), and the second lens (<NUM>) are arranged in this order along the optical axis, and characterized in that <MAT>
where f = (f<NUM>f<NUM>)/(f<NUM>+f<NUM>-s), where f is an effective focal length of the two-lens optical system (<NUM>, 100a, 100b, 100c);
f<NUM> is a focal length of the first lens (<NUM>);
f<NUM> is a focal length of the second lens (<NUM>); and
s is a separation between a back principal plane (<NUM>) of the first lens (<NUM>) and a front principal plane (<NUM>) of the second lens (<NUM>).