POLARIZATION COMPONENT, POLARIZATION LIGHT SOURCE AND IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A polarization component comprising, at least, two reflective polarizer layers and an intermediate layer disposed between the reflective polarizer layers, whereinthe two reflective polarizer layers are reflective linear polarizer layers that selectively transmit one of linearly polarized light beams crossing each other at right angles while selectively reflecting the other,the two reflective linear polarizer layers have selective reflection wavelength bands for selective reflection of polarized light, the bands overlapping each other at least partially,the intermediate layer comprises a single optical layer or a laminate of at least two optical layers, and the intermediate layer has a function of transmitting an incident linearly polarized light beam while changing or not changing the polarization direction, according to the incidence direction,the two reflective linear polarizer layers are disposed at an angle so as to have in-plane slow axis directions for transmitting a light beam that is included in incident linearly polarized light and that enters in a direction (normal direction) perpendicular to the incidence surface while efficiently reflecting a light beam entering from an oblique direction.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A polarization component, capable of efficiently reflecting an obliquely transmitted light beam toward a light source without degrading the transmission-polarization property of a perpendicular incident light beam, is provided. A C-plate having an oblique retardation of at least λ/8 with respect to a light beam inclined by at least 30° is disposed between at least two reflective circular polarizer layers whose selective reflection wavelength bands of polarized light overlapping each other. A combination of a reflective linear polarizer and a quarter wavelength plate may be used instead of the reflective circular polarizer. Alternatively, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and two quarter wavelength plate layers (Nz≧2) disposed therebetween can provide a similar effect. Further, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and a half wavelength plate (Nz≧1.5) disposed therebetween may be used. When reflective linear polarizer layers are used, they must be bonded together with their axial directions set at a certain angle. The polarization component is preferably used in various image display apparatuses such as liquid crystal display apparatuses and organic EL display apparatuses.
44 Citations
2 Claims
-
1. A polarization component comprising, at least, two reflective polarizer layers and an intermediate layer disposed between the reflective polarizer layers, wherein
the two reflective polarizer layers are reflective linear polarizer layers that selectively transmit one of linearly polarized light beams crossing each other at right angles while selectively reflecting the other, the two reflective linear polarizer layers have selective reflection wavelength bands for selective reflection of polarized light, the bands overlapping each other at least partially, the intermediate layer comprises a single optical layer or a laminate of at least two optical layers, and the intermediate layer has a function of transmitting an incident linearly polarized light beam while changing or not changing the polarization direction, according to the incidence direction, the two reflective linear polarizer layers are disposed at an angle so as to have in-plane slow axis directions for transmitting a light beam that is included in incident linearly polarized light and that enters in a direction (normal direction) perpendicular to the incidence surface while efficiently reflecting a light beam entering from an oblique direction.
Specification