Very high resolution light valve writing system based on tilting lower

Abstract

Projection apparatus comprising high resolution projection display systems that generate a relatively large high resolution image on a display screen, wherein seams and tiling artifacts in observation (image) space are eliminated or minimized. The projection apparatus comprises an image source that includes a plurality of small tiled image displays, relay optics, and a photoactivated reflective liquid crystal light valve. The small tiled or mosaic-like displays that provide source images that are displayed. The images projected by the image displays are imaged onto the light valve. A polarizing beamsplitter is disposed adjacent an output surface of the light valve, and an illumination source provides illumination light that is projected by way of the polarizing beamsplitter onto an output surface of the light valve. The illumination light is reflected from the output surface of the light valve back through the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens projects the illumination light onto the display screen. When the tiles are aligned so that the seams are a small fraction of a pixel, the light valve spatially low pass filters the tiled image, thereby eliminating the seams, and minimizing any tiling artifacts in the displayed image. A partially reflecting and transmitting beamsplitter may be disposed between the plurality of tiled image displays and the relay optics. This beamsplitter may be a thin glass plate, a thin quartz plate, or a pellicle. The plurality of tiled image displays may comprise flat panel displays or active matrix light valves. The relay optics may comprises a plurality of relay lenses or a single relay lens. The projection light may be continuous or sequentially imaged monochrome or red-green-blue (RGB) light provided by the illumination source.