High efficiency electromagnetic beam projector, and systems and methods for implementation thereof

• US 6,697,197 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Sedlmayr, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FINEMAN, LEE A
• Application Number:
  US09/821,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20020024742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 359/495, 359/487, 359/483, 359/485, 359/494, 353/8, 353/20, 349/8, 349/9, 362/19
• US Class Current: 359/487.02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1006 for splitting or combining different wavelengths G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1046 for use with transmissive spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1053 having a single light modulator for all colour channels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1073 characterized by manufacturing or alignment methods
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/142 Coating structures, e.g. thin films multilayers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/145 having sequential partially reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/149 using crossed beamsplitting surfaces, e.g. cross-dichroic cubes or X-cubes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 33/06 by additive-colour projection apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/26 using polarised or coloured light separating different viewpoint images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/334 using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3105 : for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3152 : for shaping the light beam beam shaping per se G02B27/09
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3167 : for polarizing the light beam polarizing optical systems per se G02B27/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 : Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53

Abstract

This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (*PEMFVORD*) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.

Claims

1. A method of producing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vector and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths;

[b] resolving from the substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vector and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors are different from each another; and

[c] forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein step [c] includes forming the single beam of electromagnetic energy further having a rectangular cross sectional area.

3. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising between steps [b] and [c] the step of producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein step [b] includes resolving from the substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy further having substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, and step [c] further includes forming the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy further having substantially the same uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy as that of each of the resolved beam of electromagnetic energy.

5. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising between steps [b] and [c] the step of producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy are parallel and noncollinear.

6. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors includes passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a liquid crystal device for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

8. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors and changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors of one of the substantially collimated resolved beam of electromagnetic energy to match substantially the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors of the other substantially collimated resolved beam of electromagnetic energy.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein step [c] further comprises the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors includes reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating, each planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

11. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors includes reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more mirrors having a thin film dielectric material, each mirrors having a thin film dielectric material including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein step [a] includes providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy further having randomly changing orientations of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors.

13. A method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of removing from at least one of the beams of electromagnetic energy at least a predetermined portion of a predetermined range of wavelengths.

14. A method as described in claim 13 further including directing the removed portions to an absorption means.

15. A method of producing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths and substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors;

[b] resolving from the substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors are substantially the same; and

[c] forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy.

16. A method for producing a substantially collimated beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, comprising:

[a] providing a substantially collimated beam of light having a predetermined range of wavelengths;

[b] resolving from the substantially collimated beam of light a substantially collimated first resolved beam of light having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of light having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors are different from one another; and

[c] forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated single beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light.

17. A method as described in claim 16 wherein step [c] includes forming the single beam of light further having a rectangular cross sectional area.

18. A method as described in claim 16 further comprising between steps [b] and [c] the step of producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

19. A method as described in claim 16 wherein step [b] includes resolving from the substantially collimated beam of light a substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and substantially collimated second resolved beam of light further having substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, and step [c] further includes forming the substantially collimated single beam of light further having substantially the same uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light as that of each of the resolved beams of light.

20. A method as described in claim 16 further comprising between steps [b] and [c] the step of producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light are parallel and noncollinear.

21. A method as described in claim 16 further comprising the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

22. A method as described in claim 21 wherein the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors includes passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beam of light through a liquid crystal device for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

23. A method as described in claim 16 further comprising the step of passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing a selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of electric field vectors and changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors of one of the substantially collimated resolved beam of light to match substantially the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors of the other substantially collimated resolved beam of light.

24. A method as described in claim 16 wherein step [c] further comprises the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

25. A method as described in claim 24 wherein the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, includes reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating, each planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

26. A method as described in claim 24 wherein the step of reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, includes reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more mirrors having a thin film dielectric material, each mirror having a thin film dielectric material including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

27. A method as described in claim 16 wherein step [a] includes providing a substantially collimated beam of light further having randomly changing orientations of a chosen component of electric field vectors.

28. A method as described in claim 16 further comprising the step of removing from at least one of the beams of light at least a predetermined portion of a predetermined range of wavelengths.

29. A method as described in claim 28 further including directing the removed portions to an absorption means.

30. A method of producing a substantially collimated beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, comprising:

[a] providing a substantially collimated beam of light having a predetermined range of wavelengths and substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors;

[b] resolving from the substantially collimated beam of light a substantially collimated first resolved beam of light having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of light having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors are substantially the same; and

[c] forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated single beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light.

31. A method as described in claim 30 wherein the means for providing a substantially collimated beam includes producing a substantially collimated beam of ultraviolet.

32. A system of producing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] means for providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths;

[b] means for resolving from the substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors are different from one another; and

[c] means for forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy.

33. A system as described in claim 32 wherein the means for forming includes means for forming the single beam of electromagnetic energy further having a rectangular cross sectional area.

34. A system as described in claim 32 further comprising means for producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

35. A system as described in claim 32 wherein the means for resolving the substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy includes means for providing a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, and the means for forming the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy includes means for providing substantially the same uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy as that of each of the resolved beams of electromagnetic energy.

36. A system as described in claim 32 further comprising means for producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy are parallel and noncollinear.

37. A system as described in claim 32 further comprising means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

38. A system as described in claim 37 wherein the means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors includes means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a liquid crystal device for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

39. A system as described in claim 32 further comprising the means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy through a means for changing a selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors and changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors of one of the substantially collimated resolved beam of electromagnetic energy to match substantially the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors of the other substantially collimated resolved beam of electromagnetic energy.

40. A system as described in claim 32 wherein the means for forming further comprises the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

41. A system as described in claim 40, wherein the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means includes means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, the means for changing includes means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more planar reflecting surface, having a dielectric coating, each planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

42. A system as described in claim 40 wherein the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more reflecting means, includes means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, the means for changing including means for reflecting one or the substantially collimated resolved beams of electromagnetic energy from one or more mirrors having a thin film dielectric material, each mirrors having a thin film dielectric material including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors.

43. A system as described in claim 32 wherein the means for providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy includes means for randomly changing orientations of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors.

44. A system as described in claim 32 further comprising the means for removing from at least one of the beams of electromagnetic energy at least a predetermined portion of a predetermined range of wavelengths.

45. A system as described in claim 44 including means for directing the removed portions to an absorption means.

57. A system as described in claim 45 wherein the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, includes means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, the means for changing including means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more mirrors having a thin film dielectric material, each mirror having a thin film dielectric material including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

46. A system of producing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] means for providing a substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having a predetermined range of wavelengths and substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors;

[b] means for resolving from the substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electromagnetic wave field vectors are substantially the same as one another; and

[c] means for forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electromagnetic wave field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of electromagnetic energy.

47. A system of producing a substantially collimated beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, comprising:

[a] means for providing a substantially collimated beam of light having a predetermined range of wavelengths;

[b] means for resolving from the substantially collimated beam of light a substantially collimated first resolved beam of light having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of light having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors are different from one another; and

[c] means for forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated single beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light.

48. A system as described in claim 47 wherein the means for forming includes means for forming the single beam of light further having a rectangular cross sectional area.

49. A system as described in claim 47 further comprising means for producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

50. A system as described in claim 47 wherein the means for resolving the substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and substantially collimated second resolved beam of light includes means for providing a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, and the means for forming the substantially collimated single beam of light includes means for forming substantially the same uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light as that of each of the resolved beams of light.

51. A system as described in claim 47 further comprising means for producing from the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light a substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the substantially collimated first and second resolved beam of light are parallel and noncollinear.

52. A system as described in claim 47 further comprising the means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

53. A system as described in claim 52 wherein the means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors includes passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a liquid crystal device for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

54. A system as described in claim 47 further comprising the means for passing one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light through a means for changing a selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors and changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors of one of the substantially collimated resolved beam of light to match substantially the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors of the other substantially collimated resolved beam of light.

55. A system as described in claim 47 wherein means for forming further comprises the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, each of the reflecting means having means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

56. A system as described in claim 55 wherein the means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more reflecting means, includes means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors, the means for changing including means for reflecting one of the substantially collimated resolved beams of light from one or more planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating, each planar reflecting surface having a dielectric coating including means for changing the selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors.

58. A system as described in claim 47 wherein the means for providing a substantially collimated beam of light includes means for randomly changing orientations of a chosen component of electric field vectors.

59. A system as described in claim 47 further comprising the means for removing from at least one of the beams of light at least a predetermined portion of a predetermined range of wavelengths.

60. A system as described in claim 59 including means for directing the removed portions to an absorption means.

61. A system as described in claim 47 wherein the means for providing a substantially collimated beam includes means for producing a substantially collimated beam of ultraviolet.

62. A system of producing a substantially collimated beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the beam of light, comprising:

[a] means for providing a substantially collimated beam of light having a predetermined range of wavelengths and substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors;

[b] means for resolving from the substantially collimated beam of light a substantially collimated first resolved beam of light having substantially a first selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors and a substantially collimated second resolved beam of light having substantially a second selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of the electric field vectors, whereby the first and second selected predetermined orientation of the chosen component of the electric field vectors are substantially the same; and

[c] means for forming from the substantially collimated first resolved beam of light and the substantially collimated second resolved beam of light a substantially substantially collimated single beam of light having substantially the same selected predetermined orientation of a chosen component of electric field vectors substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light and a substantially uniform flux intensity substantially across the substantially collimated single beam of light.