Patent ID: 6882379

Claim:
A light source device, comprising: a first light source for emitting first light of a first color; a second light source for emitting second light of a second color; a third light source for emitting third light of a third color; a first polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of said first light by converting one polarization component to the other polarization component; a second polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of said second light by converting one polarization component to the other polarization component; a third polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of said third light by converting one polarization component to the other polarization component; and a color synthesizing optical system for synthesizing said first, second and third light of which the polarization directions are respectively aligned by said first, second, and third polarization converters, wherein the first polarization converter comprises a first reflecting polarizer positioned between the first light source and the color synthesizing optical system, and a first reflector provided inside the first light source so that polarized light that is returned to the first light source is reflected by the first reflector toward the first reflecting polarizer, the second polarization converter comprises a second reflecting polarizer positioned between the second light source and the color synthesizing optical system, and a second reflector provided inside the second light source so that polarized light that is returned to the second light source is reflected by the second reflector toward the second reflecting polarizer, the third polarization converter comprises a third reflecting polarizer positioned between the third light source and the color synthesizing optical system, and a third reflector provided inside the third light source so that polarized light that is returned to the third light source is reflected by the third reflector toward the third reflecting polarizer.