Color polarizers for polarizing an additive color spectrum along a first axis and it's compliment along a second axis

• US 5,751,384 A
• Filed: 05/23/1995
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RealD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Sharp, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARKER, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US08/447,522
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 349/97, 349/119, 349/18, 349/78, 359/499, 359/498
• US Class Current: 349/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/288 Filters employing polarising elements, e.g. Lyot or Solc filters G02B5/3016 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0136 for the control of polarisation, e.g. state of polarisation [SOP] control, polarisation scrambling, TE-TM mode conversion or separation G02F1/0353 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13363 Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133638 Waveplates, i.e. plates with a retardation value of lambda/n
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13473 for wavelength filtering or for colour display without the use of colour mosaic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/23 for the control of the colour G02F1/03 - G02F1/21 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2413/04 Number of plates greater than or equal to 4
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2413/08 with a particular optical axis orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/66 Transforming electric information into light information scanning details H04N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3111 for displaying the colours sequentially, e.g. by using sequentially activated light sources sequential projection in colour photography G03B33/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3126 for spatial light modulators in series
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3167 for polarizing the light beam polarizing optical systems per se G02B27/28

Abstract

This invention provides a complementary color polarizer using a single polarizing film followed by a stack of two or more retarders. In a preferred embodiment, the color polarizers of this invention produce orthogonally polarized complementary primary colors (red/cyan, green/magenta, or blue/yellow). This invention further provides color filters which utilize the color polarizers of this invention in combination with a polarization separator to separate the orthogonally polarized colors. The polarization separator can be passive, such as a polarizing beam splitter, or active, such as a switchable polarizer. The switchable polarizer can employ a nematic or a smectic liquid crystal cell. Two color filters of this invention can be cascaded to provide a three color (RGB) filter with an off-state. In combination with a monochrome display or camera, the color filters of this invention provide color displays or cameras.

Claims

1. A complementary color polarizer comprising:

a first linear polarizer; and

a first retarder stack comprising two or more retarders, said first retarder stack positioned in series with said polarizer, wherein the number, N, of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are such that a first additive primary color spectrum is transmitted along a first polarization axis and the complementary first subtractive primary color spectrum is transmitted along a second, orthogonal, polarization axis.

2. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein the number of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are such that said first additive primary color spectrum is an approximate square wave.

3. The color polarizer of claim 2 wherein said approximate square wave contains more than one transmission maximum and within the pass-band more than one transmission minimum within the stop-band.

4. The color polarizer of claim 3 wherein the transition band slope of said approximate square wave is less than 70 nm.

5. The color polarizer of claim 3 wherein said transition band slope is less than 50 nm.

6. The color polarizer of claim 3 wherein said approximate square wave contains more than two transmission maxima within the pass-band and more than two transmission minima within the stop-band.

7. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein the number of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are based on a Solc design.

8. The color polarizer of claim 7 wherein said retarders are half-wave retarders and wherein the orientations of said retarders alternate in sign between +α

and -α

a, where α

=π

/4N.

9. The color polarizer of claim 8 wherein said retarders are multi-order half-wave retarders.

10. The color polarizer of claim 7 wherein said retarders are full-wave retarders and wherein the orientations of said retarders are α

, 3α

, 5α

, . . . (2N-1)α

, where α

=π

/4N.

11. The color polarizer of claim 10 wherein said retarders are multi-order full-wave retarders.

12. The color polarizer of claim 7 wherein N is between 2 and 4, inclusive.

13. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said retarders have equal retardance.

14. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein the number of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are based on a split-element design.

15. The color polarizer of claim 14 wherein N=3.

16. The color polarizer of claim 15 wherein the first retarder has orientation ±

π

/4, the second retarder has orientation 0 or π

/2, and the third retarder has orientation ±

π

/4.

17. The color polarizer of claim 16 wherein said first retarder is oriented perpendicular to said third retarder.

18. The color polarizer of claim 17 wherein said first retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, said second retarder has retardance Γ

₂ +π

, and said third retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, where Γ

₁ is approximately equal to Γ

₂.

19. The color polarizer of claim 17 wherein said first retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, said second retarder has retardance Γ

₂ +, and said third retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, where 0<

|Γ

₁ -Γ

₂ |<

π

/4.

20. The color polarizer of claim 16 wherein said first retarder is oriented parallel to said third retarder.

21. The color polarizer of claim 20 wherein said first retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, said second retarder has retardance Γ

2, and said third retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, where Γ

₁ is approximately equal to Γ

2.

22. The color polarizer of claim 20 wherein said first retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, said second retarder has retardance r₂, and said third retarder has retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, where 0<

|Γ

₁ -₂ |<

π

/4.

23. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein the number of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are based on a double-split-element design.

24. The color polarizer of claim 23 wherein N=5.

25. The color polarizer of claim 24 wherein the first retarder has orientation ±

π

/4, the second retarder has orientation 0 or π

/2, the third retarder has orientation ±

π

/4, the fourth retarder has orientation 0 or π

/2, and the fifth retarder has orientation ±

π

/4.

26. The color polarizer of claim 25 wherein said first retarder is oriented perpendicular to said fifth retarder and wherein said second retarder is oriented perpendicular to said fourth retarder.

27. The color polarizer of claim 26 wherein said first and fifth retarders each have retardance Γ

₁ /2+π

/2, said second and fourth retarders each have retardance Γ

₁ +π

/2, and said third retarder has retardance Γ

₂ +π

, where 0<

|Γ

₁ -Γ

₂ |<

π

/8.

28. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein the throughput of unpolarized light at the maximum of said first additive primary spectrum is greater than 35%.

29. The color polarizer of claim 28 wherein said throughput is greater than 40%.

30. A color polarizer comprising the color polarizer of claim 1 and further comprising a blocking filter positioned in series with said color polarizer.

31. The color polarizer of claim 30 wherein said blocking filter blocks a second additive primary color spectrum, wherein said second additive primary color spectrum in combination with a third additive primary color spectrum comprise said first subtractive primary color spectrum, whereby said first additive primary color spectrum is transmitted along said first polarization axis and said third additive primary color spectrum is transmitted along said second polarization axis.

32. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said first linear polarizer is a pleochroic color polarizer.

33. A color filter comprising the color polarizer of claim 1 and further comprising a first polarization separator, positioned on the opposite side of said first retarder stack from said first linear polarizer.

34. The color filter of claim 33 wherein said first polarization separator is a first polarizing beam splitter, for separating a first beam polarized along said first polarization axis and having said first additive primary spectrum from a second beam polarized along said second polarization axis and having said first subtractive primary spectrum.

35. The color filter of claim 34 further comprising a second retarder stack positioned to receive said second beam, said second retarder stack comprising two or more retarders, wherein the number of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are such that a second additive primary color spectrum is transmitted along a first polarization axis and a third additive primary color spectrum is transmitted along a second, orthogonal, polarization axis, wherein said second additive primary color spectrum in combination with said third additive primary color spectrum comprise said first subtractive primary spectrum.

36. The color filter of claim 35 further comprising a second polarization separator, positioned on the opposite side of said second retarder stack from said first polarization separator.

37. The color filter of claim 36 wherein said second polarization separator is a polarizing beam splitter.

38. The color filter of claim 35 wherein said first polarization separator is a switchable polarizer for switching between transmission of light polarized along said first polarization axis and having said first additive primary spectrum, and transmission of light polarized along said second polarization axis and, having said first subtractive primary spectrum.

39. The color filter of claim 38 wherein said switchable polarizer comprises a second linear polarizer oriented at 0 or π

/2, and a first polarization switch, said polarization switch positioned between said first retarder stack and said second linear polarizer.

40. The color filter of claim 39 wherein said second linear polarizer is a pleochroic color polarizer.

41. The color filter of claim 40 wherein said pleochroic color polarizer polarizes light of said first additive primary color spectrum and of a second additive primary color spectrum but does not polarize light of a third additive primary color spectrum, wherein said second additive primary color spectrum in combination with said third additive primary color spectrum comprise said first subtractive primary color spectrum.

42. The color filter of claim 39 wherein said first polarization switch comprises a nematic liquid crystal cell.

43. The color filter of claim 42 wherein said nematic liquid crystal cell is selected from the group consisting of homogeneous nematic cells, π

-cells and twisted nematic cells, and supertwisted nematic cells.

44. The color filter of claim 42 wherein said first polarization switch comprises two nematic liquid crystal cells.

45. The color filter of claim 39 wherein said first polarization switch comprises a smectic liquid crystal cell.

46. The color filter of claim 45 wherein said smectic liquid crystal cell is selected from the group consisting of homogeneously aligned SmC*, homogeneously aligned SmA*, surface-stabilized ferroelectric, distorted helix ferroelectric, antiferroelectric and achiral ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal cells.

47. The color filter of claim 45 wherein said smectic liquid crystal cell is a SmC* half-wave retarder having orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

48. The color filter of claim 45 wherein said first polarization switch comprises an achromatic compound half-wave retarder, said achromatic retarder having composite orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

49. The color filter of claim 48 wherein said achromatic retarder comprises a first passive half-wave retarder oriented at π

/12, a second passive half-wave retarder oriented at π

/12, and a liquid crystal half-wave retarder positioned between said first and second passive retarders, and having an orientation switchable between 5π

/12 and 8π

/12.

50. The color filter of claim 49 wherein said liquid crystal half-wave retarder is a homogeneously aligned SmC* half-wave retarder.

51. The color filter of claim 39 further comprising a third linear polarizer oriented at 0 or π

/2 and positioned on the opposite side of said second linear polarizer from said first retarder stack, a second retarder stack, comprising two or more retarders and positioned between said second and third linear polarizers, and a second polarization switch, positioned between said second and third linear polarizers.

52. The color filter of claim 51 wherein the number of said retarders in said second retarder stack and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are such that said color filter is switchable between red, green, blue and off-state transmission spectra.

53. The color filter of claim 52 wherein said first and second polarization switches each comprise an achromatic compound half-wave retarder, said achromatic retarders having composite orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

54. The color filter of claim 53 wherein each of said achromatic retarders comprises a first passive half-wave retarder oriented at π

/12, a second passive half-wave retarder oriented at π

/12, and a liquid crystal half-wave retarder, positioned between said first and second passive retarders, and having an orientation switchable between 5π

/12 and 8π

/12.

55. A color display comprising the color filter of claim 52 and further comprising a monochrome display in series with said color filter.

56. The color display of claim 55 wherein said monochrome display comprises an emissive display.

57. The color display of claim 56 wherein said emissive display is selected from the group consisting of CRT, FED and AMEL displays.

58. The color display of claim 55 wherein said monochrome display comprises a modulator display.

59. The color display of claim 58 wherein said modulator display comprises a multipixel array of liquid crystal analog or binary shutters.

60. The color display of claim 58 wherein said modulator display comprises a multipixel array of digital mirror devices.

61. The color display of claim 55 comprising a multi-pixel array of the color filters of claim 54.

62. The color display of claim 55 further comprising electronic switching means for field sequential switching said color filter.

63. A digital camera comprising the color filter of claim 51 and further comprising a receiver in series with said color filter.

64. The digital camera of claim 63 further comprising electronic switching means for field sequential switching said color filter.

65. The digital camera of claim 63 wherein said receiver is a multiple element detector.

66. The digital camera of claim 63 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

67. The digital camera of claim 66 wherein said second retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

'"'"' there Γ

'"'"' is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

68. The digital camera of claim 67 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm and Γ

'"'"' is a full-wave at about 643 nm.

69. The digital camera of claim 67 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a smectic liquid crystal cell.

70. The digital camera of claim 69 wherein said first and second polarization switches each comprise an achromatic compound half wave retarder, said achromatic retarder having composite orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

71. The digital camera of claim 67 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a nematic liquid crystal cell.

72. The color filter of claim 51 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

73. The color filter of claim 53 wherein said second retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

'"'"' where Γ

'"'"' is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

74. The color filter of claim 73 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm and Γ

'"'"' is a full-wave at about 643 nm.

75. The color filter of claim 73 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a smectic liquid crystal cell.

76. The color filter of claim 75 wherein said first and second polarization switches each comprise an achromatic compound half-wave retarder, said achromatic retarder having composite orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

77. The color filter of claim 73 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a nematic liquid crystal cell.

78. A method of providing light switchable between three primary colors, comprising the steps of:

providing the color filter of claim 51;

impinging white light on said color filter; and

switching said first and said second polarization switches;

wherein the number of retarders in said first and second retarder stacks, and the retardances and orientations thereof are such that sail color filter switches between three primary colors.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein said three primary colors are red, green and blue.

80. A color display comprising the color filter of claim 38 and further comprising a monochrome display in series with said color filter.

81. The color filter of claim 38 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

82. The color filter of claim 81 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is blue and said first subtractive primary color is yellow.

83. The color filter of claim 38 wherein said first retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

84. The color filter of claim 83 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 643 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is red and said first subtractive primary color is cyan.

85. A digital camera comprising the color filter of claim 38 and further comprising a receiver in series with said color filter.

86. The digital camera of claim 85 wherein said receiver is a multiple element detector.

87. The digital camera of claim 86 wherein said color filter is divided into two or more segments, each of said segments being independently switchable.

88. The digital camera of claim 86 further comprising imaging optics optically coupled to said receiver.

89. The digital camera of claim 85 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

90. The digital camera of claim 89 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is blue and said first subtractive primary color is yellow.

91. The digital camera of claim 85 wherein said first retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

92. The digital camera of claim 71 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 643 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is red and said first subtractive primary color is cyan.

93. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

94. The color polarizer of claim 93 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is blue and said first subtractive primary color is yellow.

95. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said first retarder stack comprises three retarders, the first through third retarders having retardances Γ

, 2Γ and

2Γ

, where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and having orientations about 45, -15, and 10 degrees, respectively.

96. The color polarizer of claim 95 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is blue and said first subtractive primary color is yellow.

97. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said first retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

98. The color polarizer of claim 97 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 643 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is red and said first subtractive primary color is cyan.

99. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders the first through fifth retarders having retardances Γ

, 2Γ

, Γ

, Γ and

Γ

, where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and having orientations about 8.3, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

100. The color polarizer of claim 99 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 643 nm, whereby said first additive primary color is red and said first subtractive primary color is cyan.

101. The color polarizer of claim 1 wherein said retarders are selected from the group consisting of form-birefringence devices, liquid crystal polymer films, stretched polymer retarder sheets and crystalline retarders.

102. A color polarizer comprising:

a pleochroic color polarizer of a third additive primary color; and

a first retarder stack comprising two or more retarders, said first retarder stack positioned in series with said polarizer, wherein the number, N, of said retarders and the retardances and orientations of said retarders are such that a first additive primary color spectrum as well as said third additive primary color spectrum are transmitted along a first polarization axis and the complementary first subtractive primary color spectrum as well as said third additive primary spectrum are transmitted along a second, orthogonal, polarization axis.

103. A color polarizer made by the process comprising the steps of:

specifying a desired transmission spectrum profile for said color polarizer, said spectrum having an additive primary color along a first polarization axis and the complementary subtractive primary color along a second, orthogonal, axis;

approximating said profile by a Fourier series;

apodizing said series;

using network synthesis to determine a retarder stack which provides the apodized series; and

assembling said color polarizer by combining in series a linear polarizer and said retarder stack.

104. The color polarizer of claim 103 wherein said desired profile is a square wave.

105. The color polarizer of claim 103 wherein said step of apodizing comprises multiplying said Fourier series by a tapered window function.

106. A method of providing light switchable between three primary colors, comprising the steps of:

providing a color filter comprising;

first, second and third linear polarizers positioned in series;

first and second retarder stacks, each comprising two or more retarders, said first and second retarder stacks positioned between said first and second polarizers and between said second and third polarizers, respectively; and

first and second polarization switches, positioned between said first retarder stack and said second polarizer and between said second retarder stack and said second polarizer, respectively;

impinging white light on said color filter; and

switching said first and said second polarization switches;

wherein the number of retarders in said first and second retarder stacks, and the retardances and orientations thereof are such that said color filter switches between three primary colors.

107. The method of claim 106 wherein said three primary colors are red, green and blue.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

109. The method of claim 108 wherein said second retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

'"'"' where Γ

'"'"' is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

110. The method of claim 109 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm and Γ

'"'"' is a full-wave at about 643 nm.

111. A digital camera comprising:

a color filter comprising;

first, second and third linear polarizers positioned in series;

first and second retarder stacks, each comprising two or more retarders, said first and second retarder stacks positioned between said first and second polarizers and between said second and third polarizers, respectively; and

first and second polarization switches, positioned between said first retarder stack and said second polarizer and between said second retarder stack and said second polarizer, respectively;

wherein the number of retarders in said first and second retarder stacks, and the retardances and orientations thereof are such that said color filter switches between three primary colors; and

a receiver in series with said color filter.

112. The digital camera of claim 111 wherein said three primary colors are red, green and blue.

113. The digital camera of claim 112 wherein said first retarder stack comprises five retarders, each having retardance Γ

where Γ

is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through fifth retarders are about 45, -15, -15, 10 and 10 degrees, respectively.

114. The digital camera of claim 113 wherein said second retarder stack comprises six retarders, each having retardance Γ

'"'"' where Γ

'"'"' is a fixed retardance, and wherein the orientations of the first through sixth retarders are about 8.3, 18, 18, -3.7, -45 and -78 degrees, respectively.

115. The digital camera of claim 114 wherein Γ

is a full-wave at about 600 nm and Γ

'"'"' is a full-wave at about 643 nm.

116. The digital camera of claim 111 wherein said receiver is a multiple element detector.

117. The digital camera of claim 116 wherein said color filter is divided into two or more segments, each of said segments being independently switchable.

118. The digital camera of claim 116 further comprising imaging optics positioned on the same side of said receiver as said color filter.

119. The digital camera of claim 111 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a smectic liquid crystal cell.

120. The digital camera of claim 119 wherein said first and second polarization switches each comprise an achromatic compound half-wave retarder, said achromatic retarder having composite orientation switchable between a first orientation of 0 or π

/2 and a second orientation of ±

π

/4.

121. The digital camera of claim 111 wherein said first and said second polarization switches each comprise a nematic liquid crystal cell.

122. A field sequential electronic camera comprising:

an electronic receiver array;

an optical imaging system that is optically coupled to the electronic receiver array;

a color filter system that is optically coupled to the electronic receiver array, the color filter system controlling the transmission of a plurality of colors that are received by the electronic receiver array in sequence, and including;

first and second retarder stacks, each comprising a plurality of retarders, wherein the first retarder stack transmits a first additive primary color along a first polarization axis and transmits a complementary color of the additive primary color along a second polarization axis; and

a polarization switch positioned between the first retarder stack and the second retarder stack, the number of retarders in the first retarder stack, and the retardances and orientations thereof, are such that the color filter switches between a first color and a second color that are recorded by the electronic receiver array in sequence to form a color image.

123. The camera of claim 122 wherein the camera comprises a video camera.

124. The camera of claim 122 wherein the color filter is positioned between the optical imaging system and the electronic receiver array.

125. The camera of claim 122 wherein the optical imaging system is positioned between the color filter and the electronic receiver array.

126. The camera of claim 122 wherein the color filter switches between three primary colors.

127. The camera of claim 126 wherein the three primary colors comprise red, green and blue.

128. The camera of claim 122 wherein each retarder comprises a stretched polymer film.

129. The camera of claim 122 wherein the electronic receiver array is pixelated.

130. The camera of claim 122 wherein the polarization switch comprises a pixelated liquid crystal device.

131. A method of making a color polarizer, comprising the steps of:

specifying a desired transmission spectrum profile for said color polarizer, said spectrum having an additive primary color along a first polarization axis and the complementary subtractive primary color along a second, orthogonal, axis;

approximating said profile by a Fourier series;

apodizing said series;

using network synthesis to determine a retarder stack which provides the apodized series; and

assembling said color polarizer by combining in series a linear polarizer and said retarder stack.