Method and apparatus for multi-color display

Abstract

A field sequential color shutter display system including a light source emitting light rays having substantially first and second different primary colors. First and second light polarizing filters are included. The filters are aligned in optical communication with the source. Each filter includes a color selective polarizing filter having substantially orthogonally oriented absorption axes. The first absorption axis of each light polarizing filter passes linearly polarized light of the first color and a uniform first polarization. The second absorption axis of each light polarizing filter passes linearly polarized light of both the first and second colors and a uniform second polarization. Variable optical retarding filters are disposed between the first and second light polarizing filters. Switching filters are in communication with the variable optical retarding filters to selectively provide first and second switching states to produce respective first and second amounts of optical retardation to develop, over a relatively broad range of viewing angles, a light output through the second light polarizing filter of either the first color, or, a composite light output containing both the first color, having both the first and second polarizations, and the second color having only the second polarization.