Invited Paper: Detailed optical characteristics of multi‐layer optical film polarization beam splitter

Abstract

Abstract— 3M polarization beam splitter (PBS) technology has been shown to be the most light‐efficient solution currently available for use in LCOS projection. It also provides short back focal length, very high contrast, and extremely uniform dark states without the use of lead‐glass prisms. Recent improvements in contrast performance, increased understanding of the effects of pupil shape and size on contrast, effects of temperature on optical performance, and improved photostability are reported. New light‐engine architectures employing the 3M PBSs with associated light budget analyses are suggested.

3.6L: LateNews Paper: High Transmission and High Contrast PBS for Mobile Projection Applications

“…This result shows that polarization of 3M MOF does 3.6L / S. T. Lee not strongly depend on the operating temperature up to 70ºC. However, the DPCR shows little bit different behavior, which can be explained not by the operating temperature effects on the MOF, but by gradients of temperature across the input prism [4]. Polarization contrast does not strongly depend on the temperature of the 3M PBS-A, but the thermally induced stress in the glass can strongly affect the contrast of system.…”

“…To avoid the contrast limits imposed by the LCOS imagers themselves, we use the conventional approach of substituting a front-surface mirror and quarter-wave plate for the LCOS imager and report the double pass contrast ratio(DPCR). More details on this measurement were described in the previous report [4]. and do not significantly affect the contrast of the system.…”

“…Prior publications have introduced the concept of a multilayer optical film (MOF) PBS for LCOS projection systems. Those have reported on the skew-ray advantages, the reflection and transmission properties of the PBS, contrast stability with temperature, and photo-stability of the PBS films [1][2][3][4]. This paper will add detailed information on the typical optical performance, temperature stability, and optical performance characteristics with beams of different f/#s.…”

70.1: LED‐Illuminated Pico Projector Architectures

“…Three technologies could provide these characteristics: (1) dielectric coatings (MacNeille), (2) wire-grid arrays, and (3) birefringent film stacks such as 3M's "multi-layer optical film" (MOF). Figure 3 shows our measurements made as described in , with contrast ratios approaching 10 000:1 [7]. Table 2 compares PBS optical throughput characteristics.…”