Patent ID: 8851680

Claim:
A stereoscopic imaging system, comprising: an image source subsystem operable to output light of first and second states of polarization (SOP); an analyzer subsystem operable to substantially block light of the first SOP from traveling along a first path, and to substantially block light of the second SOP from traveling along a second path; wherein the image source subsystem comprises a first optical element operable to cause a first polarization change on light passing therethrough, and the analyzer subsystem comprises a second optical element operable to cause a second polarization change on light passing therethrough, further wherein the first optical element comprises a polarizer and a quarter wave retarder, both of which optically follow an image source of the image source subsystem, further wherein the second optical element comprises a polarizer and a quarter wave retarder in the analyzer subsystem; wherein the first and second polarization changes, if not compensated, would at least partially cause at least one of a leakage of light of the first SOP along the first path or a leakage of light of the second SOP along the second path; and wherein the image source subsystem or the analyzer subsystem comprises a compensator configured to at least reduce both the first and second polarization changes.