Patent ID: 7301701

Claim:
A polarization conversion system (PCS) for outputting polarized light having a predetermined cone angle and a predetermined intensity in response to receiving unpolarized light having plural polarization states, comprising: polarization means for converting the unpolarized light to polarized light; and a homogenizer, in optical communication with the polarization means, including an optically-transmissive body having an entrance surface for receiving input light and an exit surface for outputting light having substantially the predetermined cone angle and the predetermined intensity, the homogenizer being configured to pass a predetermined first portion of the input light through the exit surface and to recycle a predetermined second portion of the input light within the optically-transmissive body between the entrance and exit surfaces, whereby the polarization means and the homogenizer cooperatively convert the unpolarized light into the polarized light having the predetermined cone angle and the predetermined intensity; wherein the homogenizer's optically-transmissive body comprises: a first array of optical elements formed on a surface of a first optically-transmissive, planar substrate for receiving the input light; and a second array of optical elements formed on a surface of a second optically-transmissive planar substrate receiving light output from the first array of optical elements, the second array of optical elements being configured to pass the predetermined first portion of the input light and to return the predetermined second portion of the input light back into the body of the homogenizer.