Application of wire-grid polarizers to projection displays

Abstract

We have measured the optical properties of wire-grid polarizers (WGPs). The implications of these results to the application of WGPs in projectors that use reflective light valves are discussed. In particular, the brightness and the contrast ratio of the projection system are investigated as functions of the angle of incidence of the light beam onto the WGP. It was found that the optimal incident angle is dependent on the physical design of the wire grids. In the sample that we describe, the optimal incident angle was 35 degrees instead of 45 degrees. At the optimal incident angle, both the transmission and the reflection extinction ratios can be quite good. However, WGPs suffer from the drawback of free-carrier absorption by the metal grid.

Confocal scanning Mueller polarimeter

“…The diattenuation decreased in this region by as much as 35%. Using the region shown in the dotted white box, the average diattenuation was found to be 0.882±0.006 (mean ± SD) which compares favorably to previous reports of 0.88.6 for similar WGPs measured with a nonimaging technique at 544 nm 14,15 . The measured high degree of uniformity is evident in the Figure, as are a few dust particles on the surface.…”

LED projector with two liquid crystal on silicon light valves and a fly’s eye integrator

“…This can be easily verified by formulating the matrix expression of this lens system. Wire-grid polarizers have a less angle dependent behavior than a MacNeille PBS and other interference filter devices [17]. In the next section we verify experimentally the consequences of our choice to place a wire-grid polarizer in position s on the uniformity of the light distribution on the light valve.…”

Design and Fabrication of Wire Grid Polarizer by Nanoimprinting and Glancing Angle Deposition Processes

“…Furthermore, WGPs can be applied for a variety of applications including illumination, laser optics, high-lumen projectors, and imaging devices. [6][7][8][9][10] For industrialization of WGPs, considerable efforts have been made to develop fabrication methods that are low in cost.…”