Patent ID: 6846079

Claim:
A polarization converter, comprising: a polarizing conversion element body, including; a plurality of polarization separating films which are inclined relative to an incident light beam and which separate the incident light beam into two linearly polarized beams, a plurality of reflecting films that reflect one of the linearly polarized beams separated by the polarization separating films, a plurality of light-transmissive members provided with the polarization separating films and the reflecting films, and a plurality of retardation plates provided on a light-irradiation side of the light-transmissive member to convert the polarization axis of the other linearly polarization beam; and a light-shielding member provided on a light-incident side of the light-transmissive members at a position not opposite to the retardation plates, wherein the light-shielding member shields a part of the incident light beam irradiated by the light source from entering the polarizing conversion element body, and the light-shielding member has a holder that holds an end of the polarizing conversion element body and a fixing portion for the polarization converter to be attached on an optical parts housing that houses the polarization converter.