The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 21, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2002
Anthony D. McGettigan, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Clark Pentico, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Markus Duelli, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Edward S. Sherman, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
John D. Corless, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc., Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Abstract
A recirculating light polarizer utilizes a reflective polarizer on the exit face of a light integrator, such as a light pipe or light tunnel. Light is provided to the light integrator and light of one polarization is transmitted through the polarizer, the remaining light being reflected back into the integrator. The back-reflected light accumulates polarization shift before it eventually is reflected back to the polarizer. The reflected light is further homogenized on its trip back to the polarizer. This process is typically repeated several times to enhance the light output from the light pipe assembly, with some light being lost in each cycle due to various loss mechanisms. A polarization state modifier, such as a retarder plate or phase-shifting coatings, may be included in the recirculating light path to enhance polarization shift.