Patent ID: 7027671

Claim:
A polarized-light-emitting waveguide comprising: an entry side face via which, in operation, light from a light source arranged adjacent the entry side face enters the waveguide; a waveguiding layer for waveguiding light entered via the entry side face; an exit surface via which, in operation, polarized light exits the waveguide: a polarization-selection layer provided adjacent to the waveguiding layer and, preferably, opposite the exit surface; a planar polarization-selective beam-splitting interface formed at an interface of the waveguiding layer and the polarization-selection layer; a relief-structured surface which is situated on the polarization-selection layer side of and is spatially separated from the polarization-selective beam-splitting interface, the relief-structured surface being adapted to redirect light polarized by the beam-splitting interface and incident on the relief-structured surface, via the exit surface, out of the waveguide; and the waveguide comprises an outcoupling layer having a major surface in which the relief-structured surface is accommodated, the outcoupling layer being provided on the side of the polarization-selection layer facing away from the exit surface.