Projection display for the generation of two orthogonal polarized images using liquid crystal on silicon panels and light emitting diodes

Abstract

We present a projection system that is capable of two-dimensional and three-dimensional image display. A novel projection architecture is discussed that can simultaneously generate two linear polarized full-color images with orthogonal states of polarization using only one optical system. Both images are modulated by using two high-resolution liquid crystal on silicon panels that are illuminated with high-power light emitting diodes. The optical core and the illumination system are simulated, characterized, and optimized with nonsequential ray tracing software. A proof-of-concept demonstrator of the entire projection system is built and characterized. Important component specifications are discussed to improve the system performance.

State of the Art in Stereoscopic and Autostereoscopic Displays

“…The difficulty in aligning two projectors, increased cost, and power consumption may also be eliminated by employing a single projection unit [22], [23]. In this method, light-emitting diode (LED) illumination was used for the generation of two full-color images with orthogonal polarization states by a single modulation unit containing four liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) devices (two for each eye) and some polarization controlling optics.…”

3.3: Efficient PolarizationBased Stereoscopic Projector with Extended Color Gamut: Combining Two Projectors into One

“…The original concept of the optical engine consists of four MacNeille polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) that are positioned with their polarization splitting surfaces in a cross shape [5]. We have adapted this design to enable illumination by two illumination systems as is shown in Figure 3.…”

Design of a compact projection display for the visualization of 3‐D images using polarization sensitive eyeglasses

“…We have built a demonstrator of the optical engine that uses four PBSs with identical size. 4 We have used air spacings of 1 cm between the PBSs and between the LCOS panels and the PBSs. These were necessary to position the additional optical components.…”

“…In order to solve these issues, we have designed and demonstrated a projection display that incorporates the functionality of both projectors and polarizer sheets into one optical engine. 4 It simultaneously generates two fullcolor images and does not halve the efficiency as in other polarization-based systems. This is because there are no polarizers at the projection lens to block one polarization direction.…”