CN1225220A - Color selective light modulators - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a high brightness subtractive color filter formed by an electro-optic modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The second retarder stack echoes the first retarder stack, having the same sequence of retardances but in reverse order and having an orientation rotated with respect to the first stack. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of the second stack so that, in a first switching state of the modulator, the two stacks cooporate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state they vanish, leaving white light. Two or more stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent analog control of a primary color.

Description

Color selective light modulators

Related application

No. 08/645,580, the U.S. Patent application of submitting in No. 08/447,522, the U.S. Patent application that submit to May 23 nineteen ninety-five and on May 14th, 1996; Their full content is incorporated herein by reference.

Other related applications

" the Color Selective Light Modulators (color selective light modulators) " that submits on May 9th, 1997 by inventor Gary D.Sharp and Kristina M.Johnson; " Optical Retarder Stack (the optics Yan Xiangpiandui) " that submits on May 9th, 1997 by inventor Gary D.Sharp and Kristina M.Johnson; " A PolarizationManipulating Device (a kind of polarization manipulation device) " submitted in May, 1997 by inventor Gary D.Sharp and Kristina M.Johnson; And " the A RetarderStack for Preconditioning light for Modulation (a kind of being used for modulated pretreated Yan Xiangpiandui to light) " that submit on May 9th, 1997 by inventor Gary D.Sharp and Kristina M.Johnson; Their full content all is incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the present invention

1, the field of the invention

The present invention relates to select chromatic polarization modulation, its application in having the colour filter of subtractive color system, and such as video camera that utilizes colour filter and the such device of display.

2, the background of relevant technologies

Generally, the colored demonstration utilizes the space or the time that add the primary colors red, green, blue to mix realization.In the mixed display of space, each colored pixels is divided into three sub-pixs, the corresponding primary colors of each sub-pix.Ideal situation is, compares with the viewing distance of distance eyes, and these pixels are little of making color spatially can be fused into a full-colour image.The result who each pixel is resolved into three sub-pixs makes the resolution of demonstration will be reduced to 1/3 at least.In the time mixing, between three kinds of primary colors, in turn switch color, if switching frequency is enough fast, then eyes will merge three images in time, form a full-colour image.In these two kinds of situations, colour filter typically is serially connected with a two-value display or the display that can produce a certain gray scale, wherein the gray scale that is produced and colour filter spatially be aim at, be synchronous in time, thereby can modulate the intensity of every kind of color.In the mixed scenario of space, in order to demonstrate white, all three sub-pixs will see through a kind of primary colors simultaneously; In the time mixing, three kinds of primary colors in turn see through.No matter any situation, what can show can only be at most 1/3rd of input light intensity.

In color subtractive display, color comes together to produce No. 5,124,818, United States Patent (USP) (for example see people such as No. 4,416,514, the United States Patent (USP) of Plummer and Conner) by three monochrome displays are deposited in.Between each display floater, place polarizer, make that each panel can be controlled a transmissivity that adds primary colors independently in the ideal case.The advantage of color subtractive display is that each pixel all is one three color pixel, so this display does not have the light energy losses of mixing associated with space or time on principle.Yet enforcement in the past can not be modulated every kind of color usually fully independently.In addition, past people pleochroism dye polarizing device as the unique chromatic polarization element that selects between each display floater.Because the bad performance of pleochroism dye polarizing device, this comprises bad color contrast, big insertion loss and filters slope slowly, did not have to realize the advantage of color subtractive display in the past.

This specification will be quoted aforementioned each reference in suitable place, to provide the corresponding instruction about additional or other details, characteristic and/or technical background.

General introduction of the present invention

The invention provides a kind of chromatic polarization modulator and a kind of high brightness colour filter or display system selected.Color separated is with finishing near the loss-free phase device film that prolongs, and it can provide the high color contrast between printing opacity and the delustring, and precipitous transition slope is arranged simultaneously.First colour filter level all is one and selects the coloured light valve that it can change the transmitance (or reflectivity) of a color and can not change complementary color.A colour filter level can see through white (or black) and switch between the spectrum of colour filter through one.Can use two or more levels, each grade controlled the transmissivity to a primary colors independently with contacting.In a preferred embodiment, each grade can both carry out analog strength control to the primary colors at each pixel place, thereby no longer needs the gray-scale monitor that is divided into pixel of an outside.Preferred embodiment has been removed the polarizer between at different levels, thereby only just provides panchromatic demonstration with an input polarization device and an output polarization device.Selecting the chromatic polarization modulator for example can be that an electrooptic modulator with a modulating polarization attitude and an isotropism polarization state or magneto optical modulator and one are contained one or more Yan Xiangpiandui that prolong photograph.The modulating polarization attitude is a kind of like this input polarization, and is relevant with the voltage that imposes on modulator for this kind polarization transmission polarization state.The isotropism polarization state is a kind of like this input polarization, for this kind polarization transmission polarization state basically with the independent from voltage that imposes on modulator.Yan Xiangpiandui carries out the colourity preliminary treatment to light, make its first spectrum be positioned at the modulation attitude of modulator, and its second spectrum (complementary spectrum) is positioned at the isotropism attitude.Thus, modulator will be modulated the polarization state of first spectrum, but not modulate the polarization state of complementary light spectrum basically.In a preferred embodiment, these spectrum are to add primary color spectra and primary subtractive colour spectrum.

Colour filter is by constituting selecting the chromatic polarization modulator to combine with an analyzer.Analyzer can be second Yan Xiangpiandui who combines with a neutral polarizer, perhaps can be one and select the chromatic polarization device, for example linear polarization or circular polarization colour filter, object lesson is respectively as pleochroism dye polarizing device and cholesteric liquid crystal and cholesteric liquid crystal polymer.

For analyzer is the situation of the combination of second Yan Xiangpiandui and neutral polarizer, and second to prolong mutually heap be the counter-rotating of first Yan Xiangpiandui, and promptly both contain the identical photograph series of prolonging, and just the order of series is opposite.The orientation of second Yan Xiangpiandui is also rotated to some extent with respect to the orientation of first Yan Xiangpiandui.Consequently, when modulator was in a kind of switching state, second prolonged the orientation quadrature of photograph pair and first Yan Xiangpiandui, has offset first and has prolonged the polarization conversion that the photograph heap is caused, thereby when the orientation of input and output polarizer is parallel, with the transmission white light.For the situation of the orientation quadrature of two polarizers, then transmissivity is zero (transmission black light).When modulator was in second kind of switching state, two were prolonged photograph heap and can regard a unit as, and wherein second Yan Xiangpiandui will finish first and prolong the conversion that the photograph heap is begun, thereby make the polarization state quadrature of first and second spectrum.This colour filter will be through the spectrum through colour filter under this state.

In this pair of heap colour filter, two polarizers and two prolong photograph heap and can be orientated to such an extent that make colour filter or normal white, promptly as not existing modulator to obtain white light, or normal colour filter.In last situation, the effect of modulator is to produce the output through colour filter, and in one situation of back, then utilizes modulator to produce white state.No matter the sort of situation is applied to " having degree " that the voltage on the modulator is all piled control combination, i.e. " cooperation " degree of two Yan Xiangpiandui rather than " counteracting " degree.If modulator can carry out analog modulation, then the voltage-controlled program that exists of combined stack also will be analog.The analog control of voltage will cause the variable transmitance of filter spectra.

Each Yan Xiangpiandui contains one or more photographs that prolong.In order to allow two to prolong photograph and pile up under a kind of switching state and can cancel each other, then have Γ as first Yan Xiangpiandui ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NXiang Yanliang and α ₁, α ₂... α _NThe azimuth time, second Yan Xiangpiandui should have Γ _N... Γ ₂, Γ ₁Xiang Yanliang and 90 ° ± α _N... 90 ° ± α ₂, 90 ° ± α ₁The azimuth.When two polarizers are parallel, if the azimuth of second Yan Xiangpiandui is 90 °+α _N, then colour filter will be normal white; And if the azimuth of second Yan Xiangpiandui is 90 °-α _N, then colour filter will be normal colour filter.

Can design suitable two heaps like this: the number N that photograph is prolonged in selection, at Γ _NAnd α _NEqual difference ground is given and is respectively prolonged photograph appointment Γ and α value in the scope, determine second Yan Xiangpiandui by the above-mentioned photograph orientation rule of prolonging, calculate the transmitance of filter spectra, and select to produce the colour filter design of required spectrum, the wherein required spectrum primary color spectra that adds deduct typically.Perhaps also can use the colour filter design of some type, white/colour filter structure that the result obtains.Especially, can as adopting the resolution element colour filter, adopt fan-shaped and Zhe Shi Suoerke (Solc) colour filter that changes satisfies and is orientated requirement.

Except prolonging photograph heap, can also between input and output polarization device, other polarization converted element be set, to solve for example compatibling problem between the polarizer and modulator type.For polarized light source, do not need the input polarization device.In the embodiment that does not contain internal polarizer, each colour filter can be operated in the polarization state structure separately, and this structure contains the polarization beam splitting/bundling device relevant for the input and output polarizer.Colour filter also can adopt the reflective mode operation design.

Utilize the colour filter of the present invention that combines with other actives or passive type colour filter can make the mixing colour filter.Colour filter of the present invention can with such as combining, with blocking-up ultraviolet, infrared or other optical bands based on trap colour filter that prolongs photograph or dichroism colour filter.Colour filter of the present invention can be used in combination with other active colour filters, for example polarization interference colour filter and suitching type polarization filter device.

Spectrum colour filter of the present invention is especially suitable for use as and is the colour filter in the visible spectrum.They also can make to such an extent that can be applied to other wavelength period, beam split night vision filtering or the wavelength division multiplexing of spectroscopy.Colour filter of the present invention can have many application, particularly coloured image record and demonstration Application for Field.They can be aligned to pel array more than, can carry out space or time and mix, and can also use the optical means addressing.

Various other advantages of the present invention, purpose and a characteristics part will point out in the following description that a part will obviously be seen by checking following explanation by persons skilled in the art, perhaps by practice of the present invention is acquired.As particularly pointing out in claims, each purpose of the present invention and advantage can realize and obtain.

The simple declaration of accompanying drawing

The present invention will describe in detail with reference to following each accompanying drawing, and components identical represented in code name identical in each accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a kind of colour filter that selects the chromatic polarization modulator that combines with an analyzer that utilizes.

Polarizer 40 can be a holographic polarizer, and it is one and can " sees " a certain polarization state but can not " see " hologram of another polarization state.Holographic polarizer produces diffraction to the light of first polarization state, but the light of another polarization state is not produced diffraction.Polarizer 40 also can be an EM Industries Transmax (company and trade (brand) name) polarizer.

Fig. 2 comprises Fig. 2 a and 2b, and a colour filter is shown, and analyzer wherein is a Yan Xiangpiandui who combines with a neutral polarizer, and (a) it sees through white light under the first switching attitude of modulator, and (b) it sees through filter spectra under the second switching attitude.

Fig. 3 comprises Fig. 3 a and 3b, and a colour filter is shown, and analyzer wherein is a coloured linear polarization colour filter, and (a) it sees through white light under the first switching attitude of modulator, and (b) it sees through gold-tinted under the second switching attitude.

Fig. 4 comprises Fig. 4 a and 4b, and a colour filter is shown, and wherein analyzer is a cholesteric liquid crystal device, and 9a) it sees through white light under the first switching attitude of modulator, and (b) it sees through gold-tinted under the second switching attitude.

Fig. 5 is the normal white embodiment of Fig. 2 colour filter.

Fig. 6 is the normal colour filter embodiment of Fig. 2 colour filter.

Fig. 7 comprises Fig. 7 a to 7d, (a) is shown contains 2 altogether and prolong the colour filter of photograph and (b-d) contain 4 colour filters that prolong photograph altogether.

Fig. 8 illustrates the measurement transmitance of a G/W (green/white) colour filter.

Fig. 9 illustrates the measurement transmitance of a W/C (white/green grass or young crops) colour filter.

Figure 10 illustrates the measurement transmitance of a W/M (white/magenta) colour filter.

Figure 11 illustrates the measurement transmitance of a W/Y (white/Huang) colour filter.

Figure 12 illustrates the variation of the measurement transmitance of Figure 10 W/M colour filter when the azimuth is 0 ° with incidence angle.

Figure 13 illustrates the variation of the measurement transmitance of Figure 10 W/M colour filter when the azimuth is 90 ° with incidence angle.

Figure 14 illustrates the measurement transmitance of Figure 10 W/M colour filter with all square variation of wanting voltage that imposes on LCD (liquid crystal device).

Figure 15 illustrates the continuous modulation to the W/C filter stage.

Figure 16 illustrates the continuous modulation to the W/M filter stage.

Figure 17 illustrates the continuous modulation to the W/Y filter stage.

Figure 18 illustrates two extreme attitudes of switching of M/W colour filter level.

Figure 19 illustrates a multistage colour filter that has polarizer between at different levels.

Figure 20 illustrates a colour filter that comprises B (indigo plant), G (green) and R (red) modulating stage but do not contain internal polarizer.

Figure 21 illustrates a kind of three grades of specific colour filter designs.

Figure 22 comprises Figure 22 a-22c, and wherein (a) is R (red) output of Figure 21 colour filter, (b) with the G (green) and B (indigo plant) output that (c) are Figure 21 colour filter respectively.

Figure 23 comprises Figure 23 a-23c, and wherein (a) is C (green grass or young crops) output of Figure 21 colour filter, (b) with the Y (Huang) and M (magenta) output that (c) are Figure 21 colour filter respectively.

Figure 24 illustrates white, the black and gray scale output of Figure 21 colour filter.

Figure 25 comprises Figure 25 a-25c, and the red, green, blue transmitted spectrum of (a) three grades of colour filters is shown, the dark state when (b) inter-stage contains polarizer, (c) the dark state during no internal polarizer.

Figure 26 is a multistage colour filter that has nothing to do with polarization state.

Figure 27 is one the colour filter that includes the polarizer heap.

Figure 28 is three grades of colour filters that adopt the cholesteric liquid crystal device as analyzer.

Figure 29 illustrates a Yan Xiangpiandui, wherein contain have respectively first and second azimuths and first and second mutually the amount of prolonging first and second prolong photograph.

Figure 30 comprises Figure 30 a and 30b, and two general examples when partial poolarized light is input on the heap that is equivalent to Figure 29 Yan Xiangpiandui are shown respectively.

Figure 31 comprises Figure 31 a and 31b, and two Yan Xiangpiandui that have additional polarizer are shown.

Figure 32 comprises Figure 32 a and 32b, and the device that is used for the processing section polarised light and exports the modulator output light that obtains is shown.

Figure 33 a illustrates a kind of device that is used for handling the light that is at least partial polarization, and Figure 33 b is corresponding with Figure 33 a, just only elliptical polarization of wherein partial polarization.

Figure 34 is the colour filter of losing lustre of conventional art.

Figure 35 comprises Figure 35 a and 35b, and a colour filter that has the twisted-nematic electrooptic modulator is shown.

Figure 36 is three grades of colour filters that utilize Figure 35 colour filter.

Figure 37 illustrates a conllinear colour filter, wherein with the first order is mixed two primary colors times, and the second level then is exclusively used in the 3rd primary colors.

Figure 38 illustrates the example of a passive pre-filtering device, and wherein photograph is prolonged in each square frame representative, and its azimuth is shown in the bottom of each square frame.

Figure 39 illustrates the transmitance when visible light incides on this colour filter.

Figure 40 illustrates a straight watching display, has wherein utilized the above-mentioned chromatic polarization modulator that selects for example shown in Figure 1.

Figure 41 illustrates a helmet-mounted display system, has wherein used the above-mentioned chromatic polarization modulator that selects for example shown in Figure 1.

Figure 42 illustrates a two light valve system, has wherein used the above-mentioned chromatic polarization modulator that selects for example shown in Figure 1.

Figure 43 is the schematic diagram according to a kind of double-colored shutter display system of the present invention.

Figure 44 illustrates the use of shutter system in projecting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

Fig. 1 illustrates the chromatic polarization modulator that selects of the present invention, and light polarization modulator 60 is by modulator 10 and prolong constituting of photograph heap 20.This light polarization modulator adopts the input light of polarization, polarization state P in this case _OProvide by polarizer 40.This light polarization modulator can be combined and form a colour filter with analyzer 70.

As shown in Figure 1, the incident white light can be regarded light with spectrum F and the combination with light of complementary spectrum F as.Prolong photograph and pile the modulating polarization attitude P that the polarization state of light of 20 reflective spectrum F converts modulator 10 to _M, simultaneously the light of spectrum F is converted to isotropism polarization state P _IFor this conversion of a kind of spectrum wherein is a kind of conversion that is equal to, and promptly can not change polarization state.The polarization state P that is seen through for modulator 10 _ILight, its polarization state does not change with the voltage that applies.Polarization state P _MPolarization state of light be modulated into polarization state P by the voltage that is applied _M'.Like this, the polarization state of a part is modulated in the input light, and remainder is then not modulated.

Modulator is a kind ofly can control device through polarization state of light by the voltage that applies.Modulator has a modulating polarization attitude and an isotropism polarization state simultaneously, also promptly exist a kind of its see through polarization state depend on the input polarization state of the voltage that imposes on modulator and a kind of its see through polarization state basically with the input polarization state of the independent from voltage that imposes on modulator.Typically, be constant for isotropism attitude polarization state, but the conversion relevant with voltage may take place in polarization state in some system, for example make line polarisation half-twist or the rotation direction of rotatory polarization is reversed.Here two terms of polarization and polarization state can exchange use.

The modulator that one class is suitable is the variable photograph that prolongs of electric light with constant bearing angle and amount of prolonging mutually that can be voltage-controlled.Two isotropism polarization states are parallel and perpendicular to optical axial plane respectively.They all are eigenmodes or ordinary light wave and the unusual light waves that prolongs photograph in this case.Between ordinary and abnormal polarization, there is one and is subjected to voltage-controlled phase shift.This can not influence through polarisation of light under two kinds of isotropism attitudes.Seeing through polarisation of light when not excessive input light all has projection on two isotropism attitudes will be changed.Preferred modulation attitude is the linear polarization along the angular bisector direction of two isotropism attitudes.Because the projection on two isotropism attitudes at this moment has identical amplitude, this linear polarization there is maximum modulation degree.Comprise LiNbO ₃(lithium niobate), quartzy and for example zero twisted nematic liquid crystal, promptly evenly aiming at electrically conerolled birefringence (ECB) liquid crystal, evenly aiming at light-operated birefringence (OCB) liquid crystal, hybrid-alignment is one of preferred embodiment of electrooptic modulator to row (HAN) liquid crystal, π box/surface modes to organizing electrooptic modulator to the various liquid crystal of liquid crystal etc. at interior this.

Rotatory device is the suitable electrooptic modulator of another combination.Rotatory device is a polarization rotator, its rotation and polarization of incident light orientation-independent.Two isotropism attitudes here are left-handed and right-hand circular polarization.Modulator is realized circularly polarized voltage-controlled phase shift, but is not influenced circularly polarized state.But, for linear polarization, it can resolve into two circular polarization that wait amplitude, and seeing through light will be linear polarization, but its orientation will be determined by the phase shift between two circular polarization.So the optically-active modulator plays a part polarization rotator to linear polarization, the modulating polarization attitude then is any linear polarization.

Have chiral smectic type liquid crystal (CSLC) to prolong photograph and make the relative axle reflection of polarization rather than make the polarization rotation, but their isotropism is similar to rotatory device with the modulating polarization attitude.Opposite with zero twisted nematic liquid crystal, CSLC is the rotatable photograph that prolongs, and it has fixing Xiang Yanliang and by applying the optical axis orientation that voltage is determined.Prolong photograph for half-wavelength, CSLC has the modulation attitude of circularly polarized isotropism attitude and linear polarization.The orientation of can voltage-controlled azimuth having determined to see through the line polarisation of CSLC optical axis.

Also there be modulation attitude and the electrooptic modulator of isotropism attitude, for example tn lc device that has between two parties.Confirmed that the twisted-nematic device is that photograph is prolonged in a kind of elliptical polarization, has the eigenstate of elliptical polarization.To prolong photograph similar to linear polarization, a kind of specific helicity (J.L.Pezzaniti and the R.A.Chipman of polarization state depended in its phase shift basically, " Phase-onlymodulation Of a twisted nematic ligquid-crystal TV by use Of theeigenpolarization states (utilizing the only phase modulated of the twisted nematic liquid crystal TV of polarization eigen state) " Opt.Lett (optics letter), 18,1567-1569,1993).

The nematic liquid crystal box that is applicable to electrooptic modulator comprises: twisted-nematic (TN), supertwist are to row (STN), electrically conerolled birefringence, mixing field effect, π box and surface modes, and liquid crystal such as zero twisted mode and hybrid-alignment Xiang Lie prolong photograph.Suitable smectic crystal box comprises: chiral smectic type, ferroelectric, SmC are arranged ^*Phase, surface-stable SmC ^*Phase, volume stability SmC ^*Phase, two-value SmC ^*Phase, analog SmC ^*Phase, SmA ^*Phase, electricity tilt (electroclinic), the distortion spiral is ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, flexible electrical (flexoelectric) and do not have liquid crystal such as chirality is ferroelectric and prolong photograph.If adopting deposit transparency electrode in transverse electrode rather than the relative substrate in the substrate of device at device, then nematic liquid crystal can be used as the rotation with the immobile phase amount of prolonging and prolongs photograph work, and smectic crystal can be used as have a constant bearing angle variable and prolongs photograph work.

Also can adopt in the electrooptic modulator by the active liquid crystal and prolong photograph and one or more passive compound photograph that prolongs that photograph combines that prolongs, useful especially is as U.S. Patent application 08/419, illustrated achromatism is compound in No. 593 prolongs photograph and as U.S. Patent application 08/549, illustrated achromatism polarization polarization apparatus in No. 963, the full content of these two applications all is incorporated herein by reference.This achromatism is compound to be prolonged photograph and comprises that one is passively prolonged the rotatable half-wavelength of liquid crystal that photograph is connected and prolongs photograph with some, and wherein passive azimuth of prolonging photograph and Xiang Yanliang make this compoundly prolong mutually that device is achromatic.This achromatism polarization polarization apparatus comprises that one is prolonged the rotatable half-wavelength of liquid crystal that photograph combines with a passive half-wavelength and prolongs photograph.

For the compatibility between Yan Xiangpiandui and the electrooptic modulator, can in electrooptic modulator, comprise some passive photographs that prolong.For example, if Yan Xiangpiandui will produce two separately linearly polarized lights of 45 °, then they should be respectively a variable modulating polarization attitude and isotropism polarization states of prolonging photograph with constant bearing angle.The passive quarter-wave that its orientation is parallel to one of them linear polarization is prolonged photograph and will be converted these two linear polarizations to a linear polarization and a circular polarization, and this latter two polarization state is rotatable modulation and the isotropism polarization state of prolonging sheet mutually with the immobile phase amount of prolonging.Therefore, if electrooptic modulator comprises a passive quarter-wave lengthy motion picture at the two ends of a CSLC, just can be with substituting the rotatable photograph that prolongs by the variable Yan Xiangpiandui that prolongs the photograph design.

Prolong photograph heap 20 and contain one or more passive photographs that prolong.If there be N to prolong photograph, their azimuth is from α ₁To α _N, their Xiang Yanliang is from Γ ₁To Γ _NProlong the phase material that prolongs that can adopt any kind of in the photograph heap.As the material that prolongs photograph following characteristic is arranged preferably: high optical transparency, uniformly mutually the amount of prolonging, prolong that scope can meet design requirement (scope and actual thickness range that this depends on the induced birefringence size), good environmental resistance and large tracts of land in many situations and low cost mutually.

Yan Xiangpiandui for example can constitute with following material: the polymer of the birefringence device layer of shaping, liquid crystal polymer film, stretching prolongs the phase thin slice or crystal prolongs photograph.Can utilize multiple material to obtain having arbitrarily the stretching polymer film of the amount of prolonging mutually (corresponding to optical path delay amount 0 to 2000nm) with unique birefringence dispersion characteristic.Can be to buy large-area thin slice at a low price, to make the colour filter of big clear aperature.The characteristic of z-stretching polymer film (NittoNRZ) makes can have the little quantitative changeization of prolonging mutually with great visual angle down.Also have some other polymeric materials can be used for making colour filter, comprising (but being not limited to): polyvinyl alcohol, Merlon, polyester film, polypropylene, polystyrene, triacetate (three butyl acetates) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

Liquid crystal polymer film, polymer nematic liquid crystal linear polarization that especially can be UV-crosslinked is prolonged photograph, is particularly suitable for being used for making Yan Xiangpiandui.Because this material can have very high birefringence, so its an attractive characteristic is to produce the thin senior inferior photograph that prolongs.This makes can produce multilayer Yan Xiangpiandui at low cost on monolithic substrate.Liquid crystal polymer is particularly suitable for making and contains two or more Yan Xiangpiandui that prolong photograph.In order to make liquid crystalline polymer layer, at first alignment of deposit in substrate is carried out photopolymerization with polarised light then.The orientation of this polarised light has determined the azimuth of the liquid crystalline polymer layer of alignment and deposit thereafter.Owing to be used for photopolymerisable polarization state of light is easily control, makes liquid crystal polymer Yan Xiangpiandui so can prolong in the photograph heap each azimuth of prolonging photograph by control.This is for the situation of the relative bearing that inclination is arranged, and the relative bearing situation of promptly non-0 ° or 90 ° is particularly advantageous, because the aligning that prolongs photograph in this case difficulty relatively.

These common crystal of image-stone English, mica and calcite prolong mutually sheet material than the higher resolution of the easy realization of thin polymer film, the application of resolution so they are suitable for having relatively high expectations.They also are suitable for the application of little wavefront distortion of requirement and/or handle high power.But they prolong the photograph costliness than polymer, and are difficult to accomplish large tracts of land especially when requiring the little amount of prolonging mutually.

Utilize Pa'anga (Poincare) ball analytical method,, calculated the proper orientation angle of respectively prolonging photograph having the modulator situation of 0 ° of isotropism or 90 ° of linear polarization and modulation ± 45 ° linear polarization (for example zero scan is to row (2TN) liquid crystal).If all prolong photograph the same amount of prolonging is mutually arranged all, then following relation should be satisfied in their azimuth:

α _N-α _N-1-…α ₂-α ₁=π/8+πm/4????(1)

Wherein m is an integer.For example, if having only one to prolong photograph, then its azimuth can be π/8,3 π/8,5 π/8 ... (corresponding to m=0,1,2 ...).If there are two to prolong photograph, then selected α ₁Just can determine α afterwards ₂For example, if α ₁=π/16 then provide α by equation (1) ₂=3 π/16+ π m/4 are 3 π/16 when m=0.Also can determine each azimuth similarly for the situation of prolonging photograph more than 2.The poincare sphere analysis also can be used for other isotropism and the calculating of modulating polarization attitude situation are prolonged the photograph azimuth.

Light polarization modulator 60 will generate a colour filter with combining of analyzer 70, and it can carry out intensity modulated to first spectrum, obtain the output represented by %F among Fig. 1, but spectrum F is had constant output.Along with the difference of analyzer, F exports on a certain value that will be fixed between 0 to 100%.Analyzer can be the combination of one second Yan Xiangpiandui and a polarizer.When analyzer can not need second Yan Xiangpiandui to spectrum F during for isotropism.So can be used as analyzer to coloured linear polarization or circular polarization colour filter.

Fig. 2 illustrates a colour filter, and analyzer wherein contains second Yan Xiangpiandui.This colour filter prolongs photograph heap 20 and second and prolongs formation between the photograph heap 30 by modulator 10 being placed on first.This modulator will change the apparent orientation of second Yan Xiangpiandui, make and switch under the attitude spectrum that two Yan Xiangpiandui import collaborative filtering light at one of modulator, and effect of two Yan Xiangpiandui is with basic neutralisation under another switching attitude, and the result obtains not colour filter or white output spectrum, and (Fig. 2 a).

It can be the input polarization device 40 and the analyzer 50 of neutral polarizer that this colour filter also contains.The azimuth is with respect to the definition of input polarisation of light direction, in this case by polarizer 40 definition.If what light source sent is exactly polarised light, then no longer need the input polarization device.This colour filter can be coupled with an independent polarizer that can be used as analyzer.In the present embodiment, colour filter has used the inclined to one side device of line.In general they can be line, circle or elliptical polarizers.Suitable polarizer has: absorption, dichroism, based on polarizers such as absorptive-type, polarization dielectric film dyestuff, non-, polarization beam apparatus, calcite, quartz, scattering, prism, cholesteric liquid crystal and heap formula cholesteric liquid crystals.This polarizer can contain additional polarization pretreatment element, and for example quarter-wave is prolonged photograph, is used for making polarization state to change between linear polarization and circular polarization.

Shown colour filter has used zero twisted-nematic modulator, and it can and (b) zeroly switch between the amount of prolonging mutually in (a) half-wave appearance amount of prolonging.Yan Xiangpiandui is by box indicating, and the top in it has marked the amount of prolonging mutually, and the below is that unit has marked the azimuth with respect to input polarization with the degree.Prolong photograph and pile up the amount of prolonging mutually that there is regulation at the design wavelength place, this wavelength typical case status and can be adjusted to such an extent that can optimize the performance of colour filter in the working range of colour filter.Here all given azimuths all are similar to, and can change the output that some degree are adjusted colour filter.

In the colour filter of Fig. 2, modulator 10 is an electric light zero twisted nematic liquid crystals, and its azimuth is 0 °, its mutually λ/2 of the amount of prolonging when not applying electric field (" off (break) ") with apply the ideal of full electric field when (" on (lead to) ") zero between variation.For this modulator, the isotropism attitude is the linear polarization of 0 ° or 90 °, the modulation attitude is ± and 45 ° linear polarization.Modulator is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) in the present embodiment, and wherein LCD one speech is used to refer to any liquid crystal device that contains the liquid crystal cell of one or more pixels.Typically, LCD is a liquid crystal cell pel array more than, and wherein each pixel can be controlled independently.Colour filter can be realized with pixel LCD more than or an electrooptic modulator of not dividing pixel.Shown in Fig. 2 is the amount of prolonging mutually of the pixel of LCD.

In an illustrated embodiment, inciding on the polarizer 20 is white light.For designing to such an extent that work in the colour filter of visible spectrum outside, " in vain " only refers to all input wavelengths of light, and for example in infrared wdm applications, it will be the wavelength of all infrared channels.This white light can be regarded as and be made up of the first spectrum F and the second complementary spectrum F.

Prolong Xiang Yanliang that photograph has and the azimuth of prolonging in the photograph heap 20 make spectrum F with 45 ° output of modulation lines polarization state or transmission.Spectrum F exports or transmission with 0 ° isotropism line skewness.First switch attitude (Fig. 2 a) under, modulator has the amount of prolonging mutually of λ/2 ideally, will be converted into-45 ° so be in the spectrum polarizing attitude of modulation attitude.The isotropism attitude is not changed.Switch under the attitude (Fig. 2 b) second, modulator has the zero amount of prolonging mutually, so no matter be modulation attitude or isotropism attitude, the light polarization of exporting from modulator can not change.

Second prolongs photograph heap 30 is arranged on the modulator back.When modulator is in the first switching attitude, second Yan Xiangpiandui will offset the conversion of first Yan Xiangpiandui, so F that sees through and F are 0 ° of linear polarizations.Polarizer 50 will be through these two spectrum, so the output of colour filter is white light.Switch under the attitude second, second Yan Xiangpiandui will finish conversion, make the polarized orthogonal of F and F.Polarizer 50 will block the light that spectrum is F, and output simultaneously has the colour filter light of spectrum F.If the azimuth of polarizer 50 is 90 °, then colour filter will also be between the complementary light of white light and F between dark output and F spectrum, switching.Because at this moment the output under second attitude " see " effect less than modulator through colour filter, so claim that the colour filter of this moment is normal colour filter (NF).One can see through (or stopping) whole colour filter of spectrum be known as normal white (NW) when having removed LCD.Generally, what at first list when primary colors of name/white or white/primary color filter is normal state, but " white/primary colors " speech also is used for broadly referring to simultaneously both.

In a preferred embodiment, colour filter is a colour light filter device, and spectrum F and the corresponding respectively primary subtractive colour (blue or green, pinkish red or yellow) that adds a primary colors (red, green or blue) and a complementation of F.F or F spectrum can be to add primary colors.Therefore in the visible region, colour filter is primary colors/white colour filter to parallel input polarization device/analyzer, is primary colors/black colour filter to quadrature input polarization device/analyzer.Though in general colour filter can be used as white/colour filter switch that filter spectra is not defined as primary color spectra, colour filter described herein typically refers to colorized optical filtering.Colour filter is to name according to spectrum of its institute's transmission rather than spectrum that it is modulated.Though therefore for example electricity consumption light modulator modulates of colour filter of Fig. 2 F spectrum, but still be referred to as a F/W (F/ is white) colour filter.

Polymer is the mixing of compound or compound, and this compound constitutes two or more less repeated arrangement of the formed construction unit of molecule greatly that molecule was combined into by a plurality of by chemical reaction.

Liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is such base polymer, and wherein a plurality of liquid crystal monomers are combined into grand molecular structure along main chain (trunk) or as the side chain unit.

The orientation of LCP is aimed at can use mechanical friction surface and cutting method, and also proof also can be used optical means recently.Comprise in the optical means that at first applying can be by (LPP) film or the azo group dyestuff of line polarisation polymerization on the polymer alignment.(see people's such as Schadt paper, Jpn.J.Appl.phys (Japanese Applied Physics periodical), Vo134, pp3240-3249,1995) in last method, deposit LPP material in a substrate improves temperature then and makes it to solidify.Film after solidifying with the polarized ultraviolet irradiation then.Then in same substrate with getting rid of the method for being coated with or coating method plates LCP, thereby aim at the orientation of LPP film.It is crosslinked to utilize the unpolarized ultraviolet light irradiation that LCP is taken place then.In one method of back (see people's such as Shannon paper, Nature (Nature Journal), Vol 368, pp.532-533,1994), the azo group molecule is added on the polymer alignment (or a plurality of layer) that is deposited in the various substrates (comprise glass, silicon and other).Deposit or between two substrates, sandwich liquid crystal monomer or polymer in a substrate.LC (liquid crystal) molecular guide will be along the direction orientation perpendicular to polarized ultraviolet, and wherein polarized ultraviolet is to be radiated on the alignment in advance.Thereafter exposure will make the liquid crystal reorientation, and this may be a shortcoming concerning some is used.

Fig. 2 illustrates two extreme switching states of modulator.If the Xiang Yanliang of LCD pixel is not equal to 0 or λ/2, then the light of F spectrum remains 0 ° polarization orientation and sees through fully.Yet the light of F spectrum will be converted into elliptical polarization, it on 0 ° of polarization be projected in 0% (Fig. 2) and 100% (Fig. 2 a) between.Therefore the analog control of modularot voltage will provide analog modulation to the F spectral light.

One of illustrating as analyzer of Fig. 3 selects chromatic polarization (CSP) colour filter, for example a pleochroism dye polarizing device.Represent the propagation of light among the figure with arrow, the arrow top has indicated that (B: indigo plant, Y: Huang), the azimuth has been indicated in the below to color.In illustrated specific embodiment, prolong photograph and pile 20 preliminary treatment and go out 0 ° blue light and 45 ° gold-tinted.Electrooptic modulator 10 is the ZTN in 45 ° of orientation, will be 0 ° linear polarization for this modulators modulate attitude, and the isotropism attitude will be 45 ° a linear polarization.Analyzer 80 is CSP that select yellow, and the azimuth is 90 °, and it can see through 0 ° gold-tinted and 90 ° all wavelengths light.(Fig. 3 a), blue light will be rotated to 90 °, so seen through by the CSP colour filter when ZTN has the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging.When ZTN has zero (Fig. 3 b) during the amount of prolonging mutually, blue light remains 0 °, so blocked by this CSP.For the amount of prolonging mutually of median, the transmitance of blue light changes between 0 to 100%.

Fig. 4 illustrates a colour filter that has coloured circuit polarizer, and this circuit polarizer is a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) or a CLC polymer here.Yan Xiangpiandui sees through 45 ° blue light and 0 ° gold-tinted.Electrooptic modulator 10 is 0 ° of azimuthal ZTN, and amount of prolonging can (Fig. 4 a) and between λ/4 (Fig. 4 b) switches in 3 λ/4 mutually for it.Therefore for 45 ° blue light, its polarization state will be modulated between left-handed and right-hand circular polarization.Elliptical polarization in the middle of the amount of prolonging will produce mutually for the centre.Element 90 is blue CLC of a dextrorotation, and it can reflect the blue light of dextrorotation, the blue light that transmission is left-handed, and other wavelength light of all polarization states of transmission.Because this CLC is reflection rather than absorbs the light that does not see through, this filter provides changeable blue light output with transmission mode and reflective-mode simultaneously.

The remainder of this explanation relates generally to two photographs that prolong and piles colour filter, but wherein many contents also extend to any analyzer.In order to make second to prolong the conversion that the photograph heap can be offset first Yan Xiangpiandui, normal white colour filter is needed to connect together by the photograph that prolongs two heaps shown in Figure 5; Normal colour filter colour filter is needed to connect together by the photograph that prolongs two heaps shown in Figure 6.Modulator 10 all is on the inoperative switching attitude in these two figure, and shown in institute's diagrammatic sketch is the regular transmission situation of colour filter.First Yan Xiangpiandui contains and prolongs photograph 21,22 and 23, and their Xiang Yanliang is Γ ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _N, the azimuth is α ₁, α ₂α _NFor the situation that the phase homophase amount of prolonging is arranged, the relation of equation (1) is satisfied at each azimuth.Second Yan Xiangpiandui contains and prolongs photograph 33a, b, and 32a, b and 31a, b, their Xiang Yanliang and first prolong the identical of sheet heap, but order is opposite.The photograph azimuth of prolonging of second heap rotates to some extent with respect to the photograph azimuth of prolonging of first heap, is rotated into 90 °+α for NW (normal white) _N, (normal colour filter) is rotated into 90 °-α for NF _NIn the NW structure, Jones of first and second Yan Xiangpiandui (Jones) matrix is reciprocal.

When modulator 10 switches to the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging, the NW structure will provide filter spectra, and the NF structure will provide white spectrum.If LCD is achromatic fully, then the colour filter of Fig. 5 will provide spectrum same as shown in Figure 6, vice versa under this switching attitude.The main difference of NW and NF structure is that the colourity effect by LCD causes.In the NW structure, white attitude is desirable, but the colourity effect of LCD may reduce the color contrast of colour filter attitude.For white/primary color filter (W/C (white/green grass or young crops), W/M (white/magenta) or W/Y (white/Huang)) that NW is lost lustre, LCD need be achromatic in modulation adds the bandwidth range of primary colors (R (red), G (green) or B (indigo plant)) only.Otherwise when LCD is achromatism in modulation primary subtractive colour bandwidth range, the NW design of W/R, W/G or W/B colour filter will provide best effect.Preferably switch by for example the design wavelength of LCD being set in the modulation band of optimizing LCD in the modulation bandwidth.This optimal design is the most challenging for normal white W/G colour filter, because modulation band wherein is the primary subtractive colour magenta, it includes red and blue two wavelength period.

In the NF structure, white attitude may have color.But, no matter because the Xiang Yanliang of LCD, always has at least one to add the long section of primary colors filter and be through why, so can select the amount of prolonging mutually of LCD according to optimally seeing through modulation primary subtractive colour wavelength period.The infringement that color under the white attitude causes little than under the colour filter attitude, this is because the transmitance loss that causes under the white attitude is less than leakage under the colour filter attitude to the influence of quality of colour.So from colorimetry, the G/W colour filter can have more performance than W/G colour filter.

Practical Yan Xiangpiandui design can be from the colour filter design, and for example the structure of Sol gram colour filter or discrete component colour filter can satisfy restriction condition just naturally.Perhaps, the colour filter that can utilize the design of network synthetic technology for example to have useful transmission spectrum (is seen people's such as Harris paper, J.Opct.Soc.Am.54,1267,1964; People's such as Ammann paper, J.Opt.Soc.Am.56,1746,1966; The paper of Ammann, J.Opt.Soc.Am, 56,943,1966; With the U.S. Patent application No.08/447 that submits to May 23 nineteen ninety-five, 522, the full text of all these data all is incorporated herein by reference), therefrom filter out the child group that meets design requirement then.The 3rd method is that systematic assessment is carried out in all designs that can meet design requirement, and therefrom finds out the design that those have useful spectral distribution.

This 3rd method as shown in Figure 7.Shown colour filter is obeyed the NF designing requirement of Fig. 6.The LCD modulator can switch between the amount of prolonging mutually at two.These two amounts all mark in the drawings, between the two every a comma.For analog modulator, Xiang Yanliang can regulate between these two extremums continuously.Fig. 7 a illustrates the design of the simplest colour filter, and wherein each prolongs photograph heap 20 and 30 and all only contains one and prolong photograph, always has two and prolongs photograph.Fig. 7 b-7d illustrates three kinds of designs, and every kind of design all always has 4 and prolongs photograph.For α ₂=45 ° of these special case, it is equivalent to one three and prolongs the photograph colour filter under normal state, and the Xiang Yanliang that its central authorities prolong photograph is 2 Γ ₂, the azimuth is 45 °.

Shown in each colour filter in, each the heap in two prolong photograph or have the identical amount of prolonging mutually, perhaps Xiang Yanliang differs one times, will provide real impulse response function thus.But this is not essential requirement, each mutually the amount of prolonging can be incoherent, the result provides multiple impulse response function.Identical Xiang Yanliang can simplify making.These examples never are whole useful designs.They just show one group simply can produce the useful structure that adds primary colors or primary subtractive colour wavelength period colour filter.

Design is performed such according to the colour filter of Fig. 7, progressively enhances α ₁Value (5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 ° ...), and to each α ₁Value progressively enhances α ₂Value.Every kind of colour filter is calculated its transmitted spectrum, define the spectrum of usefulness then.These spectrum can use Miller (Mueller) matrix or Jones matrix to calculate.The spectrum that is applied to show preferably has the duty ratio that is complementary with required spectrum and near the distribution of rectangle.Colour filter preferably has precipitous transition slope, and more smooth transmission peak wavelength band and the more smooth wavelength band that stops are arranged simultaneously.More smooth wavelength band can be reached by a series of high contrast null value in the spectrum or the analysis of peak value.Increasing the number that prolongs photograph can produce near desirable spectrum.In fact, must carefully select acceptable transition slope and secondary lobe amplitude and position to reach with a limited number of element near saturated optimization.

The resolution of colour filter must sufficiently be hanged down to support the peak transmittance in the whole dominant wavelength band.From saturated viewpoint, the resolution of passband again must be sufficiently high only to select desirable dominant wavelength band.Preferred design is that precipitous transition slope (a plurality of peak values are perhaps arranged in passband) is arranged again when can produce enough low resolution.

The table I shows some useful designs.List in the table two photographs that prolong that prolong in the photograph heap all are meant situation under the normal switching attitude, and at this moment LCD is inoperative.Also listed the sum M of prolonging photograph.The relation of equation (1) is obeyed in attention for their azimuth of situation of the phase homophase amount of prolonging.Can improve by progressively enhancing α by the fine tuning azimuth ₁And α ₂The time resulting design.Having determined after the basic design can the amount of prolonging Γ produces desirable primary subtractive colour or adds the primary colors modulation by choosing mutually.

Fan-shaped Sol gram colour filter is the structure that a class be able to satisfy Fig. 6 designing requirement.This satisfies is the coincidence of a chance, and the design of Sol gram deliberately wants to have this characteristic anything but.At United States Patent (USP) 5,469, in No. 08661498, No. 279 and the U.S. Patent application submitted on June 11st, 1996, Sol gram colour filter is had illustrated, the full content of quoting them here is as a reference.Fan-shaped and folding type Sol gram colour filter needs the photograph that prolongs of a series of uniform thickness, and they are respectively that all-wave length and half-wavelength are prolonged photograph for design wavelength.For fan-shaped Sol gram colour filter, the azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph is α, 3 α, 5 α ... (be α _N=(2N-1) α ₁).For folding type Sol gram colour filter, the azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph is saltus step back and forth: α ,-α, α ... (be α _N=(1) ^N+1α ₁).

The table II shows some and requires the fan-shaped Sol gram colour filter of design according to these.Notice that fan-shaped Sol gram designs the requirement of satisfying Fig. 6 just.When M was odd number, it was 45 ° that the central authorities in the design of fan-shaped Sol gram prolong the photograph azimuth, and α=90 °-α is here arranged.Be divided into two halves simply so these central authorities prolong photograph, each Yan Xiangpiandui occupies half.Two for central authorities under normal state are prolonged photograph and are equivalent to a situation of prolonging photograph, and the sum that prolongs photograph is marked in the quotation marks, as " 3 " or " 5 ".The azimuth of prolonging photograph is the function that prolongs the photograph sum, i.e. α=π/4M.

For fan-shaped Sol gram colour filter situation, the criterion of white/primary color filter that this colour filter satisfies the present invention naturally.On the other hand, the discontented unabridged version invention criterion of folding type Sol gram colour filter.Wherein the amount of prolonging can satisfy restrictive condition mutually, but α is not satisfied at the azimuth _N=90 ° ± α _NBut shown in the table III, the design of folding type Sol gram may be modified as the accurate folding type Sol gram design that can satisfy criterion of the present invention.This term of accurate folding type Sol gram design is used to refer to all such designs, and wherein all photographs that prolong all have the identical amount of prolonging mutually, and prolongs at each that they all get identical azimuth approx in the photograph heap, and just sign alternately changes.

The same with fan-shaped colour filter in the folding type Sol gram colour filter of classics, α=π/4M is arranged.For example, contain classical folding type Sol gram colour filter that N=6 prolongs photograph and require α=8 °.But accurate folding type Sol gram colour filter to angle [alpha] without limits.As show shown in the III, this angle can have obvious variation, but still can produce useful spectral response.Shown in table I-III is the NF design.For NW design, second prolongs in the photograph heap each prolongs the angle of photograph and all will get opposite sign.

The same with Sol gram colour filter, the discrete component colour filter also satisfies the requirement of Fig. 5 and 6 naturally.United States Patent (USP) 5,528 has illustrated a kind of discrete component colour filter that is applicable to color monitor No. 393, and the full content of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.This colour filter comprise first and second mutually the discrete component that is complementary of the amount of prolonging prolong photograph and central authorities prolong photograph, the above two orientation is ± 45 ° with respect to the input polarization device, the latter's orientation is 0 °.These discrete components under the parallel condition constitute the NF colour filter, and they constitute the NW colour filter under the orthogonality condition.

For form of the present invention white/primary color filter, each discrete component constitutes two Yan Xiangpiandui, central authorities prolong that photograph then can be placed on LCD and a discrete component prolongs between the photograph heap.The photograph that prolongs of LCD both sides does not mate under this asymmetric layout, but can think that it is that discrete component prolongs photograph that each Yan Xiangpiandui contains the single photograph that prolongs, and central authorities prolong photograph and then can regard the add ons that does not belong to any Yan Xiangpiandui as.Because central authorities prolong the orientation of photograph or are parallel to or perpendicular to electrooptic modulator, do not hinder and obtain white cut and change state so lack symmetry.The table IV shows preferred embodiment.The central photograph that prolongs is listed with the photograph that prolongs of heap 1 in this table.For shown in the amount of prolonging mutually, an approximate two-stage Laue (Lyot) colour filter that is equivalent to of the transmitance of this colour filter.Because prolong the amount of prolonging mutually that has all added half wavelength on the photograph at each discrete component, this structure belongs to recovering pulse response colour filter.

For above-mentioned all designs, in case selected to obtain the element orientation that optimal spectrum distributes, the Xiang Yanliang that can select each element with that is to obtain best color saturation at each primary colors place.Can analyze each design parameter with the Miller Matrix Technology of standard, this technology comprises each specific chromatic dispersion coupling of prolonging the phase sheet material.The criterion of estimating the colour filter design is from color saturation, and color harmony transmitance several respects are considered.Can assess color saturation and tone with CIE (Commission Internationale De L'Eclairage) chromatic diagram.The quality of colour that is produced by certain certain color filter output can characterize by calculating one group of overlap integral, and these integrations comprise the transmittance function of a certain certain color filter state, the power spectrum and the CIE color matching functions of light source.

Saturated primaries obtains by making following ratio maximization, and this ratio is the ratio of light source power that sees through in desired primary colors wavelength band and the light source power that sees through outside this primary colors wavelength band.Can make optimizing process very concrete by making the colour filter design be matched with light source characteristic.For example, the real white light source as the 6000K black matrix will be higher than the requirement of the distributed light source as CRT fluorescent material to the colour filter performance demands.Stop that zero spectral position in the wavelength band depends on the amount of prolonging mutually of element.It is favourable that these resets are on the strategy in the light source power spectrum maximum that is positioned at the wavelength band outside.Similarly, it also is favourable being arranged on secondary lobe maximum away from wavelength band external spectrum maximum place.Can insert passive colour filter and stop the wavestrip of position, to increase saturation in primary colors wavelength band outside.

Fig. 8-11 shows the spectrum of the white/primary color filter that records.The structure of these colour filters is shown in the table V.Switch has used a 3TN box, and it has the amount of prolonging mutually of half-wavelength when not pressurizeing, and its centre wavelength is as listed in the table.Polarizer is the Nitto-DenkoEG1425 type polarizer that only has hard coating.Therefore transmitance only is subjected to the influence of two lip-deep Fresnel reflection losses.Respectively prolonging photograph all is that NRZ prolongs the phase plate sheet, each design of prolonging photograph mutually the amount of prolonging as listed in the table.For the NW design, the optical energy loss under the white attitude is relevant with following factor: the last phase amount of prolonging of polarizer, the last ITO of LCD (the indium tin oxygen) absorption of transparency electrode, the reflection of outer surface and LC.This mutually the amount of prolonging typically be about 20nm.Scan spectrum with an ANDO spectroanalysis instrument, wherein used light source light spectrum under the condition of two parallel Glan-Thomson (Glan-Thompson) polarizers, to carry out automatic normalization.

Passively prolong the design wavelength that photograph and LCD prolong photograph and also provide in Table V.For initiatively and the passive photograph that prolongs, design wavelength is meant that all prolonging photograph provides appointment pairing wavelength during the amount of prolonging mutually.For passive this wavelength of photograph that prolongs is the wavelength that prolongs photograph corresponding to all-wave length.Exceptional situation is the passive photograph that prolongs that is used for the W/M colour filter, and they are that 2 λ prolong photograph in this case.The foundation of choosing of prolonging photograph heap design wavelength is to make modulation stop that peak position is in the scope of wishing the color wavelength band.The design wavelength of LCD is corresponding to λ/2 wavelength of the amount of prolonging mutually when making alive not.Be noted that for the color that makes LCD itself has minimum influence, design wavelength be chosen in the central authorities of modulation wavelength band.

G/W, W/C and W/M colour filter all are the designs of accurate folding type Sol gram.The G/W design is identical with the 3rd design in the table III.W/M design is identical with second design in the table III, for no other reason than that it is normally white rather than normal colour filter, so second prolong the azimuth that photograph respectively prolongs photograph in piling opposite sign is arranged.In the W/C design, adjusted the orientation of respectively prolonging photograph, to improve the transition steepness.W/Y design is the 5th design in the table I as can be seen, wherein the amount of prolonging Γ=2 λ mutually.

What the filter spectra that please notes Fig. 8-11 had splendid passband transmitance, a barrier strip stops rate and precipitous Transition edges.The reduction of colour filter transmitance is to have the sheet of blue loss type polarizer to cause owing to having used in the blue region.Do not cause by prolonging the design of photograph or colour filter.Can improve transmitance with improved polarizer.

A benefit of the present invention is that LCD does not contain the mechanism that causes color shift.That is to say that transition band width is definite by Yan Xiangpiandui, and irrelevant with the state of LCD.So the change at visual angle (or change of LCD color) is very little to the influence of colour filter transmitance.For example determine these characteristics such as transition band central wavelength even to Yan Xiangpiandui and angle is irrelevant also can work by Yan Xiangpiandui.The visual angle only can make optical density that loss is arranged slightly to stopping color, but position that can mobile wavelength band.

The W/M colour filter of Figure 10 has confirmed this point.For the azimuth is 0 ° situation, and Figure 12 shows the variation with incidence angle of the transmitance that records.Angle up to incident light and normal arrives greatly in-50 ° the scope, and spectrum does not have great changes.Transmitance to magenta changes slightly, but to stopping of green glow be splendid all the time, and the position of wavelength band does not change yet.Half maximum position of indigo plant/green transition and red/green transition has all been fixed by Yan Xiangpiandui.With the same with the incidence angle variation, spectrum is also with azimuthal variation.The poorest azimuth that records is 90 °, as shown in figure 13.Transmitance for two azimuthal 0 ° of incidence angles is actually identical, and the measurement difference between Figure 12 and 13 is that with the polarization state relevant coupling shortcoming of light source during by optical fiber causes.Even in 90 ° of these the poorest situations of azimuth, it is splendid to stop that optical density is still, and wavelength band does not move yet.This feasible color converter that can obtain splendid wide visual angle, thus splendid display system can be obtained.

The unique property showing of losing lustre according to the present invention is can utilize simulation or LCD to carry out the gray-scale Control of light modulated transmitance and the transmitance that do not influence non-modulation primary colors.This point is shown in Figure 14, and this illustrates the experiment measuring output of Figure 10 W/M colour filter.Show the transmitted spectrum under different driving voltage.This colour filter is normal white, therefore sees through all wavelengths fully under the amount of the prolonging state (10V) mutually zero.Along with the increase of Xiang Yanliang, the modulation primary colors is that the transmission of green primary color is blocked the minimum transmitance under the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging state (OV) gradually.This colour filter has shown does not influence magenta light to the separate modulation of green glow.

Figure 15 to 17 further shows the gray modulation to W/C, W/M and W/Y colour filter respectively, has wherein controlled the transmitance that adds primary colors R, G, B in the mode that is totally independent of complementary primary subtractive colour.The design of these colour filters provides in first three hurdle of table VI.Respectively prolonging photograph all is Nitto Denko polycarbonate membrane.Optical modulator is that the azimuth is 0 ° a zero twisted nematic liquid crystal, can continuously change between zero and half-wavelength (π) Xiang Yanliang.To marking on each spectrum from the face inclination angle of column direction, wherein 0 ° corresponding to the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging, and 75 ° corresponding to the amount of prolonging mutually that is approximately zero.Though 90 ° may more be approached zero the amount of prolonging mutually, because the surface adsorption effect is difficult to accomplish such inclination.Can come the compensate for residual amount of prolonging mutually mutually with passive prolonging.

A M/W colour filter is shown in Figure 18, is listed in the hurdle, the end of table VI.This is a discrete component colour filter, and central authorities prolong photograph and are contained in first and prolong in the photograph heap.The azimuth of LCD is that 90 ° of faces are not 0 ° in this colour filter.Prolong photograph for other colour filter, it is identical with 90 ° of its color filtration that the azimuth is 0 °.But to discrete element structure, though two kinds of orientations can both work because its asymmetry spectrum is inequality.For this concrete colour filter, can provide output preferably by assessment and bright 90 ° of orientations to two kinds of orientations.This colour filter can change between two extreme switching states shown in Figure 180 continuously.Because it is the NF colour filter, so white spectrum can have color.

Shown in Figure 15 to 17, a unique property of the colour filter of losing lustre of the present invention is that non-modulation spectrum F sees through fully, and is irrelevant with the voltage-controlled modulation of F spectrum.Consequently, can contact and use two or more colour filter levels, each level adds primary colors to one and carries out independently analog control and do not influence two primary colors in addition.The single-stage colour filter has two kinds of outputs, and primary colors and black (crossed polarizers) or white (parallel polarizer) promptly add deduct.The two-stage colour filter can provide 4 kinds of outputs, i.e. 3 primary colors (two one of additive color lose lustre or two of an additive color is lost lustre) and black or white.Three grades of colour filters can provide 8 kinds of outputs, and promptly 3 add primary colors, 3 primary subtractive colours, black and white.If modulator is analog, then these colour filters also can provide the various gray scales between each extreme color in addition.Illustrated as U.S. Patent application 08/758, No. 122 (submission on November 25th, 1996), in multistage colour filter, can reduce chroma, the full content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.U.S. Patent application 08/645, No. 580 (submission on May 14th, 1996) has also illustrated a kind of multistage colour filter, and the full content of this application is also quoted as a reference at this.

As shown in figure 19, colour filter can come combination with the input and output polarizer in each grade.At this moment, the output of colour filter equals the product of each grade output.The first order comprises prolongs photograph heap 20a and 30a, LCD10a and polarizer 40a and 50a.N the level that has polarizer between always total at different levels, last n level comprise prolongs photograph heap 20n and 30n, LCD10n and polarizer 40n and 50n.The output polarization device of each grade is as the input polarization device of next stage.For example, if having only two-stage, then 50a and 40n will be same polarizers.

By correctly selecting the relative bearing of each filter stage and they, might not need inter-stage internal polarizer and in conjunction with two or more levels, as shown in figure 20.Because polarizer is the main root of optical energy loss, thus the logical light quantity that greatly increases can not arranged with the multistage colour filter of internal polarizer, all the more so for reflecting color switch and display.

Three grades of colour filters shown in Figure 20 contain three levels that are placed between polarizer 40 and 50, and they modulate blue light, green glow and ruddiness respectively independently.In this embodiment, first order modulation blue light, so it or W/Y or Y/W colour filter level.This one-level comprises that first prolongs photograph heap 20a, second and prolong photograph heap 30a and LCD10a.These Yan Xiangpiandui and LCD can be this any designs.The second level comprises prolongs photograph heap 20b, 30b and LCD10b, the modulation green glow, thereby be W/M or M/W colour filter.The third level comprises that prolonging photograph piles 20c, 30c and LCD10c, modulated red light, thereby be W/C or C/W colour filter.

Figure 21 illustrates three grades of concrete colour filters.These colour filter levels identical with shown in Fig. 9 to 11 just is serially connected without internal polarizer.The output look is shown in the table VII.Not pressurization (modulation) the LCD state of each grade of null representation, 1 expression pressurization (isotropism) state.All be in modulation during attitude when whole three grades, the first order with block blue light, the second level with block green light, the third level with block red light, the result obtains dark (deceive) and exports under the situation that adopts parallel input, output polarization device.When third level LCD was switched to the isotropism attitude, it is block red light no longer, so colour filter is output as ruddiness.If all three LCD switch to the isotropism attitude, then output will be white light.

The brightness of this white (light) output can be space mixing colour filter or display or time mixing colour filter or display three times, the red, green, blue sub-pix combines generation white in mix in the space, thereby pixel is switched generation white between red, green, blue three looks in the time mixing.In colour filter of the present invention, can on whole room and time, see through whole white-light spectrum.

Generally speaking, if arrange alternative being arranged in parallel, then will obtain complementary spectrum with crossed polarizers.For example, the C/W colour filter that deposits of parallel polarizer cloth can substitute R/B (red/black) colour filter under the quadrature arrangement.For not with three grades of serial connection situations of internal polarizer, promptly use cross-polarization to arrange and also can obtain white state.Owing to stopped by internal polarizer without any color, so under quadrature arrangement, can obtain whole complementary spectrum.Contain the output under the quadrature arrangement in the table VII.State (000) provides white and no longer is black, and (001) provides cyan and no longer is red, and so on.

An advantage of crossed polarizers color filters arranged is an optical density (OD) of having improved black state.Black state is pressurization (being isotropism) that whole three LCD are in them output when switching attitude, so the chroma minimum.Usually would rather lose the increase that stops that exchanges under the dark state with some of logical light quantity under the white state.

For Figure 21 colour filter that crossed polarizers cloth deposits, Figure 22 shows some extra primary colors outputs, and Figure 23 shows some primary subtractive colour outputs.This colour filter just provides the splendid spectrum of all 6 primary colors, also can obtain the analog control to each primary colors simultaneously.In addition, as shown in figure 24, can also provide white, black and gray scale output.Wherein also show corresponding to Xiang Yanliang from λ/2 up to 0 ° to 75 ° the inclination angle that is slightly larger than zero.Note having obtained splendid black state.In order to obtain the gray modulation in whole visible range shown in Figure 24, the inclination angle of all three LCD changes simultaneously.

Work in coordination with the wavelength band that stops between each primary colors by removing internal polarizer by each Yan Xiangpiandui, can improve the black state that parallel polarizer cloth deposits.Perhaps can deposit the white state that obtains than minor swing at crossed polarizers cloth.In order to see this point, consider a color subtractive display or a coloured shutter of being formed by C/W, M/W and Y/M switch heap.Can attentively allow the transition band of yellow levels and magenta level and the transition band of magenta level and cyan levels on their the big transmitance point of half-shadow, intersect.Each adds primary color spectra and is shown in Figure 25 a.

Consider between each switch, to have the situation of parallel neutral polarizer earlier, as shown in figure 19.Because the neutral polarizer of each grade quilt is kept apart, so C, M that dark state is each grade to be produced and the product of Y spectrum.Because each spectrum intersects at half maximum place, so the light leak transmitance of transition band centre is 25%, shown in Figure 25 b.This is representing the obvious deficiency of optical density under the dark state, and its degree is relevant with the light source light spectrum characteristic.Yellow secondary lobe when indigo plant/green secondary lobe when this is also representing red output and blue output.

There is certain methods can reduce light leak size between this primary colors.For example, can be by the spectral separation of each color polarizer being got the more farther overlay region that reduces.For example in order to guarantee that green glow can be passed through fully by yellow levels, blue light can be passed through fully by the magenta level, reduces the overlay region and usually means the necessary transition slope that increases.This is representing again needs extra photograph and the thing followed extra cost of prolonging.Perhaps, can remove the light of wavelength between primary colors in principle with passive type band resistance colour filter.But also representing, this needs the insertion of extra colour filter and associated loss and cost.A better solution is to use the light source of not launching wavelength between primary colors simply, but this usually is infeasible.

The method that another kind is dealt with problems is to remove the polarizer of each inter-stage, as shown in figure 20.Subsidiary results of doing like this are to have removed the optical energy loss that closes with two neutral polarizations.Difficulty is to determine that a scheme makes each heap can collaborative work improve the stopping of wavelength between primary colors, rather than makes problem more serious.Solution can illustrate by the polarization state of considering the crossing greatly wavelength points place of half-shadow between Huang/magenta level or between the magenta/green grass or young crops level.At crossing wavelength place, the light in the two adjacent heaps all is on two intermediate polarisation attitudes between the orhtogonal linear polarizaiton attitude usually.This means that this polarization state has ovality arbitrarily, just the azimuth of elliptical polarization is ± 45 °.Suppose that two heaps are compatible and appropriate orientation, then their polarization conversion effect can add up, thus the wavelength that makes half maximum joining polarization orthogonally.For example, if double maximum joining wavelength of two heaps plays a part circuit polarizer, the associating that then can obtain them amount of prolonging mutually is a half wavelength.This will produce desirable null value in transition band.Figure 25 c shows that the result who obtains like this makes optical density ratio use Figure 25 b output big of additional polarizer.Any this colour filter can be serially connected so that good dark state to be provided with a shutter.

As previously mentioned, in not containing the multistage colour filter of internal polarizer, can obtain complementary fully spectrum, thereby can adopt crossed polarizers to arrange.This characteristic also makes can realize the polarization separation colour filter, as shown in figure 26.In the polarization separation colour filter, the input and output polarizer is polarized beam splitter and bundling device replaces.Incide the only unpolarized white light on the polarization beam apparatus 41.A linear polarization composition is through, and the linear polarization composition of another quadrature is reflected, upwards directive prism 42.The polarized component of two quadratures by color filter structure, is reconfigured by outgoing prism 52 and polarization beam combiner 51 independently at last.For the light on two light paths, outgoing is modulated spectrum on direction, and corresponding to parallel incident and outgoing polarizer, that outgoing then is complementary crossed polarizers spectrum F on another direction.To polarization state in insensitive colour filter, the non-polarized light of all incidents has all obtained colour filter, and can not lose half incident light energy because of the absorption of incident polarization device at this.This colour filter that has polarization beam apparatus is specially adapted to the small-bore applicable cases.Use can provide the polarization film of polarization state separation can accomplish the large aperture.

Multistage colour filter has been described with several colour filters of serial connection mutually.In addition, can be as shown in figure 27, several Yan Xiangpiandui are arranged on realize two modulation between the independent spectrum in the level.This is to make another heap be orientated realization by NF by a heap is orientated by NW.Prolong photograph heap 20a and 30a and combine with LCD10 and form the NW colour filter of a modulated spectrum F1, see through when LCD making alive (non-isotropy) thus white, and when LCD does not pressurize through F1.Prolong photograph heap 20b and 30b and combine with LCD10 and form the NF colour filter of a modulated spectrum F2, then when LCD pressurizes through F2.When not pressurizeing, see through white light.Therefore when the LCD making alive these include Yan Xiangpiandui will be through F2, will be when making alive not through F1.This structure can with can not combine with the interpolation polarizer yet, perhaps with the passive of any other or initiatively colour filter combine.

As long as add the switching that a speculum just can be realized reflective-mode in the structure back of any transmission mode simply.Perhaps also can design various structures for reflective-mode work specially.Except the illustrated design rule of front dialogue/primary colors switch, also has extra symmetry requirement for the reflective-mode colour filter.Consider such design, wherein there is a Yan Xiangpiandui in LCD the place ahead, and there is a speculum at the rear.This structure is launched to obtain two Yan Xiangpiandui, and in fact these two heaps have identical orientation.A kind of method that relates to neutral polarization optics system can be with generating second Yan Xiangpiandui that in fact have the different azimuth orientation.For example, can make light by prolonging to seem when photograph is piled different orientation arranged for the second time at achromatic quarter waveplate of placement on the speculum.But, because light also seems different orientation is arranged for the second time by LCD the time, so this will change the effect of LCD.Also have, the additional half-wave appearance amount of prolonging will make the spectrum counter-rotating, the primary subtractive colour switching become add the primary colors switching, and will be perhaps opposite.

If LCD is placed on the back of achromatic quarter waveplate, doubles this and wish condition just can reach the effect that makes LCD.But, because quarter-wave plate will transit into the polarization state of light that is mapped on the LCD, so the photograph that prolongs of combination is piled and can not be provided isotropism/modulation attitude to modulator.In order to address this problem, perhaps can perhaps can adopt different Yan Xiangpiandui designs with a more compatible different modulator.Can be with an optically-active element about last method, for example a CSLC quarter-wave on the speculum is prolonged photograph.Like this, as United States Patent (USP) 5,381, No. 253 described, and whole modulator will have the adjustable structure of prolonging photograph of quarter-wave/half-wavelength, and the full content of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.If modulator must remain zero twisted nematic liquid crystal,, just must change the design of Yan Xiangpiandui then in order when combining, to provide suitable isotropism/modulation attitude to modulator with achromatic quarter waveplate.

For analyzer is the situation of a CLC, can design transmission mode and multistage colour filter reflective-mode, as shown in figure 28.First order modulation blue light comprises and prolongs photograph heap 20a, electrooptic modulator 10a and blue CLC90a.The second modulation green glow comprises and prolongs photograph heap 20b, electrooptic modulator 10b and green CLC90b.Third level modulated red light comprises electrooptic modulator 10c and red CLC90c.Because red CLC is isotropic to blue light and green glow, so by electrooptic modulator 10c being orientated to such an extent that allow ruddiness be in the modulation attitude, afterbody just no longer needs Yan Xiangpiandui.In the first order, along with the covert amount of prolonging Γ _vDifference, a certain percentage %B in the blue light is through, and remainder is reflected.Reverberation is indicated by the arrow of device below.Owing to have only blue CLC reflect blue selectively, also promptly green, red CLC is isotropic to blue light, so the polarization state of blue light and at different levels haveing nothing to do thereafter.Similarly, second and the third level partly reflect and see through green glow and ruddiness.

Colour filter of the present invention can with any other active or the use that combines of passive colour filter.Also can form and mix colour filter with active and passive colour filter.For example, colour filter can adopt coloured polarizer to substitute neutral colour filter, for example adopts the coloured polarizer or the coloured polarizer of polarization Yan Xiangpiandui (PRS) of dye-type.In this case, " in vain " state only contains those wavelength that can be seen through by coloured polarizer.In vain/primary color filter also can combine with the polarization interference colour filter.

Colour filter of the present invention can be used the optical means addressing.For example, the optics addressing system can comprise one such as PN diode or such the surveying light signal and can control the photo-detector that colour filter is exported according to light signal of phototransistor.The application of optics addressing colour filter has: coloured shutter glass that eye protection, welding protection and data two and three dimensions show etc.

Colour filter can use or use by many pel arrays by single pixel.Single pixel is used and is comprised: by a coloured shutter, spectroscopic measurements, colorimetry, illumination (family, house, Wu Tai) spectroscopy and optical fiber optical communication etc.Many pixels are used and are comprised: information demonstration, imaging, printing, decomposition storage and communicate by letter etc.In many pel arrays, each pixel can realize independently control with independently applying voltage.Each pixel can both provide all three the analog strength control that add primary colors or primary subtractive colour simultaneously, comprises black, white whole color spectrums thereby can provide.

For with existing device compatibility, each pixel can contain the sub-pix of each color, for example W/R, W/G and W/B sub-pix.Each sub-pix can layout precedent such as pattern strip or square, for example pattra leaves that (Bayer) picture mosaic or other coloured color filter array pattern (CFA).Each pixel that is made of several sub-pixs of the present invention with respect to the advantage of the colour filter of space mixing in the past is, each sub-pix can both see through whole white spectrums rather than only see through its 1/3rd, it is three times that white luminance is increased.

Display application comprises: forward direction and rear orientation projection's display, virtual monitor and straight watching display.Display can be used for many application, for example: comprise automobile, the forward sight display of the vehicles such as truck and aircraft, indoor projecting apparatus, desktop computer, home theater, stage lighting, handheld device, large-scale console (three peacekeeping two dimensions), laptop display, hand-held beep-pager, the individual shows the assistant, the global location display, instrument such as oscilloscope and spectroscope, crawler, communicator, Helmet Mounted Display and virtual reality visual display, the augmented reality display, portable mount type computer, simulator, camcorder and demonstration glass, goggles or protect the order shutter.

For display application, many pixel color filter can be used in combination with for example following various illuminated display: cathode ray tube (CRT), electroluminescence (EL) display, active array electroluminescence (AMEL) display, field effect active display (FED) and plasma scope.Many pixel color filter also can be used in combination with modulator display, comprising transmissive displays such as for example TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor one liquid crystal device) and many silicon LCD, the reflective display of silicon base liquid crystal (LCOS) device, digital speculum (DMD) and diffraction grating device etc. for example, and passive array display such as STN device for example.

Electronic imaging is used and is comprised: file camera, amateurish electronic photography and other application such as input and file scanner, Internet video camera and file scanner, photo studio photography digital camera, microscope, multispectral imaging, optics identity card page by page, for example fluorescence spectrophotometer instrument, colorimeter and medical imaging, for example endoscope and other medical diagnostic apparatus.

In order to form imaging device, colour filter of the present invention can combine with static state or video camera with the single pixel of charge coupled device, charge integration device or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) or many pixels imager.

Figure 29 illustrates one and prolongs photograph heap 290, and it contains the azimuth and is respectively first party parallactic angle α ₁With second party parallactic angle α ₂, Xiang Yanliang is respectively first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂First prolong photograph 291 and second and prolong photograph 292.Shown in Figure 29 is that partial poolarized light 294 incides the situation on the heap 290.This partial poolarized light 294 can have any frequency spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, and can be the part elliptically polarized light with arbitrary ellipse degree, azimuth and rotation direction.Partial poolarized light is made up of polarized component and unpolarized component.Unpolarized component is seen through without change.Indicated the effect of the element that the polarisation of light composition is worked in the drawings.Polarized component can have polarization state arbitrarily, comprises the ovality and the rotation direction at arbitrary orientation angle.For example see also the chapter 1 of " Optical waves in Layered Media (light wave in the layered medium) " book (Johnwiley sons, New York, version in 1988), this chapter is incorporated herein by reference.The meaning of partial poolarized light is meant and is not complete unpolarized light.

Prolong photograph heap 290 according to first and second azimuth angle alpha ₁And α ₂And first and second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁And Γ ₂Value come conversion fraction polarised light 294 in known manner.First and second azimuth angle alpha ₁And α ₂Be to measure with respect to the polarization state of partial poolarized light 294.If partial poolarized light 294 is elliptical polarization, then α ₁And α ₂Can determine by the axle that inputs or outputs polarization ellipse.

Heap 290 is transformed into secondary polarisation transformation light 296 through polarisation transformation to partial poolarized light 294.Specifically, partial poolarized light 294 prolongs photograph 291 receptions and is transformed into elementary conversion light (not shown) by first.Be transfused to second from the first elementary conversion light that prolongs photograph 291 outputs then and prolong photograph 292.Secondary polarisation transformation light 296 contains first 297 and second portion 298.First 297 has the first polarization state P _M1, second portion 298 has the second polarization state P _M2Simultaneously, first 297 has the first spectrum F ', and first 298 has the second spectrum F '.

Prolonging photograph heap 290 is light preliminary treatment devices, is used for light is carried out preliminary treatment with the input as certain type optical modulation device (not shown).Under special circumstances, the first spectrum F ' and the second spectrum F ' can be complementary, and they have constituted the spectrum of partial poolarized light 294 altogether, thereby they are correspondingly corresponding to spectrum F and the complementary spectrum F of Fig. 1.The first spectrum F ' has the first polarization state P _M1, it is than having the second polarization state P _M2The second spectrum F ' be subjected to more modulation.In case given partial poolarized light 294 and the characteristic of cicada modulator (not shown), just can determine one jiao of α of first orientation according to the discussion of front ₁, first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁With second party parallactic angle α ₂, second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂As previously mentioned, add for heap 290 and other prolong photograph to obtain the performance of some appointment.

In a special case, the polarization state P of the first output light 297 _M1Be subjected to the influence or the modulation of modulator, yet as illustrated with reference to figure 1 etc., the polarization state P of the second output light 298 _M2Be not subjected to modulators modulate.In whole discussion below, use " quadrature " speech not necessarily to be meant two mutually perpendicular linear polarizations to two polarization states, but usually refer to any two polarization states that comprise elliptical polarization with following character.If one first polarizer has the first this film attitude corresponding to first polarization state, one second polarizer has second eigenstate corresponding to second polarization state, and if non-polarized light be imported on first polarizer and second polarizer then will do not have luminous energy to export from second polarizer.That is to say that first and second polarizers are " quadratures " on broader terms.Therefore, under the special case of linearly polarized light, first polarization state and second polarization state will be quadratures when two polarization directions are orthogonal.At circularly polarized light in particular cases, when the rotation direction of the rotation direction of first polarization state and second polarization state is opposite, also promptly when first polarization state turns clockwise that second polarization state is rotated counterclockwise or be opposite, first polarization state and second polarization state will be quadratures.At last, for elliptical polarization situation (circular polarization is one of them special case), the major and minor axis of first polarization state will be respectively perpendicular to the major and minor axis of second polarization state.

Get back to Figure 29, the first polarization state P _M1With the second polarization state P _M2Be not the same, and can be can not be quadrature also.Partial poolarized light 294 can be can not be visible light also.As previously mentioned, prolong photograph heap 290, specifically first prolongs photograph 291 and second and prolongs photograph 292, can be that polymer prolongs that birefringent material, the polymeric birefringent that photograph, liquid crystal polymer prolong photograph, shaping prolonged photograph, liquid crystal polymer is prolonged photograph, birefringece crystal and liquid crystal or the like.Prolonging photograph heap 290 and can comprise that the photograph that prolongs that Fig. 1 is discussed piles all possible material of being mentioned at 20 o'clock and prolong photograph, in fact also is to have comprised these materials and prolonged photograph really.Therefore, first party parallactic angle α ₁With second party parallactic angle α ₂Be unequal, but according to the polarization state of partial poolarized light 294 and the polarization state P of the desirable first output light 297 _M1And the polarization state P of the second output light 298 _M2, first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂May equate also may be unequal.

Figure 30 a and 30b illustrate two partial poolarized lights 294 and 294 ' respectively and incide corresponding to the general example on the heap 300 and 300 ' that prolongs photograph heap 290 of Figure 29.Here, to comprise polarization state be P to secondary polarisation transformation light 296 _M1The first spectrum F ' and polarization state be P _M2Second spectrum F ', the wherein P _M1And P _M2All be linear polarization, but not necessarily orthogonal.It is P that secondary polarisation transformation light 296 ' comprises polarization state _M1The first spectrum F " and polarization state be P _M2The second spectrum F ", the first polarization P wherein _M1With the second polarization P _M2Quadrature not necessarily.

Figure 31 a and 31b illustrate two of being added with polarizer 311 and 311 ' respectively and prolong photograph heap 300 and 300 '.The situation of Figure 31 a correspondence is that wherein secondary transformation output light 296 comprises a first 297 and a second portion 298, and they are respectively to have the first polarization state P _M1With the second polarization state P _M2Linearly polarized light.The situation of Figure 31 b correspondence is that wherein secondary transformation output light 296 ' comprises a first 297 and a second portion 298, and they are respectively to have the first polarization state P _M1With the second polarization state P _M2Elliptically polarized light.In these two situations, non-polarized light 312 is polarized device 311 and 311 ' polarization at least in part, thereby has produced the partial poolarized light 294 and 294 ' corresponding to Figure 30 a and 30b.Polarizer 311 also can be identical with the polarizer 40 of Fig. 1 with 311 ', polarizer 311 and 311 ' can be the absorptive polarizers of dichroism or dye-based polarizing device and so on, also can be cholesteric liquid crystal, courage steroid polymer liquid crystal, prolong photograph type polarizer or the so non-absorptive polarizers of beam splitter.Polarizer 311 and 311 ' also can be for example so non-absorptive polarizers: the polarization thin dielectric film, comprising the film that is used for polarization beam apparatus, calcite, quartz, scattering polarizer, prism polarizers, have the heap shape cholesteric liquid crystal of quarter-wave plate, perhaps other cholesteric polarizer.

Figure 32 a and 32b illustrate device 321 and 321 ' respectively, and they are used for processing section polarised light 294 and 294 ' respectively, the resulting output light 325 and 325 ' of output modulator.Referring to Figure 32 a, processing apparatus 321 comprises and prolongs photograph 322 and modulator 320.Prolong photograph 322 and above-mentioned to prolong photograph 291 similar, have azimuth angle alpha with respect to partial poolarized light 294 ₁The amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁Partial poolarized light 294 is transformed into conversion light 296 after prolonging photograph 322, the latter comprises one and has the first polarization state P _M1Has the second polarization state P with the first 297 of the first spectrum F ' and one _M2Second portion 298 with the second spectrum F '.Conversion light 296 is input on the modulator 320 then, and the latter modulates first 297 and second portion 298 in a different manner.In a special case, can be the second polarization state P _M2Be elected to be to corresponding to such polarization state,, all will show as isotropism second portion 298 no matter make when whether modulator 320 applies driving voltage.At this moment, no matter modulator 320 is in which kind of state (no matter promptly whether modulator 320 having been applied driving voltage), the second polarization state P after conversion light 296 has passed through modulator 320 _M2To remain unchanged or unaffected.Here, if second portion 298 is in a kind of like this isotropism attitude, the inevitable such isotropism attitude (for example it must be applied in driving voltage modulation) that can not be in of first 297 then.

In another embodiment, has the first polarization state P _M1First 297 should have polarization state P to be different from by modulated device 320 _M2The mode of second portion 298 modulate.As can be seen from the figure, has polarization state P _M1The modulated devices 320 of first 297 receive and modulated, produce and have one the 3rd spectrum F3 and the 3rd polarization state P ₃Modulator output light 325.Has the second polarization state P _M2Receive with the also modulated device 320 of the second portion 298 of the second spectrum F ', output has one the 4th spectrum F4 and the 4th polarization state P ₄The second portion 324 of modulator output light 325.In general, first 297 is subjected to the influence mode of modulator 320 can all not be subjected to the influence mode of modulator 320 identical with second portion 298 to all voltage (may under some voltage both affected modes identical).

Figure 32 b is suitable with Figure 32 a, and just being input on the modulator 320 is not linearly polarized light but elliptically polarized light.Specifically, conversion light 296 ' comprises one and has the first polarization state P _M1' and the first spectrum F " first 297 ' and one have the second polarization state P _M2' the second spectrum F " second portion 298 '.First's 297 ' modulated device 320 of conversion light 296 ' receives and is transformed into has the 3rd polarization state P ₃' and the third part 323 ' of the modulator of the 3rd spectrum F3 ' output light 325 '.Second portion 298 ' the modulated device 320 of conversion light 296 ' is transformed into has the 4th polarization state P ₄' and the second portion 324 ' of the modulator of the 4th spectrum F4 ' output light 325 '.In a special case, polarization state P _M2' be in the isotropism attitude of modulator 320, make the second portion light 298 ' of conversion light 296 ' not be subjected to the influence or the modulation of modulator 320.No matter how the first 297 ' of the conversion light 296 ' voltage that imposes on modulator 320 all wants modulated device 320 modulation in this case.

Modulator 320 can be other optical units of electrooptic modulator, magneto optical modulator or any energy light modulated.Therefore modulator 320 can be a liquid crystal modulator, for example nematic liquid crystal device, surface modes device, twisted-nematic device, supertwist to row device, electrically conerolled birefringence device, light-operated birefringence device, mixing field effect device and hybrid orientation to the row device.Perhaps, modulator 320 can be π box, zero twisted mode box and the main type dye liquid crystal device that holds.Modulator 320 can be smectic crystal also, have hand to levy the smectic type material devices, can also be FmC ^*, surface-stable type FLC, volume stability type FLC, FmA ^*Electricity causes apsacline, ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, the electric type of deformation of distortion spiral type and does not have hand and levy ferroelectric liquid crystal devices.Prolonging photograph 322 can make of any manufacturing materials of prolonging photograph of prolonging in the photograph heap that discussed the front.

Figure 33 a illustrates the device 330 of a light 294 that is used for handling being at least partial polarization.Specifically, Figure 32 a and 32 device 330 comprise and prolong photograph 322 and modulator 320, device 330 also comprises one and prolongs photograph 331, wherein prolong the side of photograph 322 at modulator 320, prolong the opposite side of photograph 331 at modulator 320, referring to Figure 33 a, partial poolarized light 294 becomes intermediate light 326 after prolonging photograph 322 and modulator 320, and this intermediate light contains first 323 and second portion 324.The first 323 of intermediate light 326 has the 3rd spectrum F3 and the 3rd polarization state P ₃, second portion 324 has the 4th spectrum F4 and the 4th polarization state P ₄, this situation with Figure 32 a is identical.The first 323 of intermediate light 326 is converted into the first 333 that exports light 335 after prolonging photograph 331 by second.This first 333 has the 5th spectrum F5 and the 5th polarization state P ₅The second portion 324 of intermediate light 326 also prolongs photograph 331 by second, is converted into the second portion 334 of output light 335, has the 6th spectrum F6 and the 6th polarization state P ₆First prolongs photograph 322 has first party parallactic angle α ₁First amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁, second prolongs photograph 331 has second party parallactic angle α ₂With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂, wherein first and second azimuths are to measure with respect to the polarization direction of partial poolarized light 294.As before, the mode of modulator 320 modulation firsts 297 should be different from the mode of modulating second portion 298.

First party parallactic angle α In a particular embodiment ₁With first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁Selection can be to make the first of conversion light 296 297 be subjected to the modulation of modulator 320, and the second portion 298 of conversion light 296 is not subjected to modulator 320 modulation, is that modulator 320 is isotropic for second portion 298 yet.In the case, the second portion 324 of intermediate light 326 changes not modulated device 320 or modulation or influence.Therefore F ' will be similar to identical with F4, P _M2To be similar to and P ₄Identical.

In another particular embodiment, second party parallactic angle α ₂With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂Selection can be to make the 5th polarization state P ₅Perpendicular to the 6th polarization state P ₆, the 5th spectrum F5 and the 6th spectrum F6 complementation.In the case, the first 333 or the second portion 334 of output light 335 be can filter out effectively, the 5th spectrum F5 or the 6th spectrum F6 obtained respectively with an analyzer.

In another embodiment, first party parallactic angle α ₁With first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁Selection can be to make modulator 320 have at least a state can allow first 297 be modulated and second portion 290 is not modulated.

In another embodiment, first party parallactic angle α ₁Can equal α, and second party parallactic angle α ₂Equal 90 ° ± α.

In yet another embodiment, for all driving voltages, the 4th spectrum F4 by the formed second portion 324 of transmission of the second spectrum F ' of second portion 298 is identical with the second spectrum F ' basically, and the 4th polarization state P ₄Basically with the second polarization state P _M2Identical; And the first 297 of conversion light 296 changes continuously along with the driving voltage of modulator 320, thereby produces the first 323 of continually varying intermediate light 326.One of them special circumstances is second party parallactic angle α ₂With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂Can be select make output light 335 first 333 will be when the driving voltage of modulator 320 continuously changes continuously at the 0 and the 5th spectrum F5 and the 5th polarization state P ₅Between change.

Figure 33 b is suitable with Figure 33 a, and just part polarised light 294 ' wherein is elliptical polarization.

In a preferred embodiment, modulator 320 can switch attitude and one second at one first and switch between the attitude and switch, and wherein first switches attitude and second switch attitude corresponding to the isotropism polarization state corresponding to the modulating polarization attitude.Prolong the first party parallactic angle α of photograph 322 in this case ₁The amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁Selected the first spectrum F that makes conversion light 296 firsts 297 has the first polarization state P corresponding to the Polarization Modulation attitude of modulator 320 _M1Also has first party parallactic angle α ₁With first amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₁Selected the complementary spectrum F that makes the second spectrum F ' equal the first spectrum F, and the second polarization state P _M2Isotropism polarization state corresponding to modulator 320.In addition, second party parallactic angle α ₂With second amount of the prolonging Γ mutually ₂Selection make, when modulator 320 is in first the 5th spectrum F when switching attitude ₅Be approximately equal to the first spectrum F, the 6th spectrum F6 is approximately equal to complementary spectrum F, and the 5th polarization state P ₅With the 6th polarization state P ₆Quadrature.That is to say the polarization state of the first 333 of output light 335 and the polarization state quadrature of second portion 334.

When angle is between 0 ° and 90 °, this colour filter will provide the analog control of each color intensity.First order T _G=Sin ²θ ₁The modulation green glow.Because cyan and yellow LCPF can both see through the green glow of all polarization states, so the back two-stage can not influence the transmitance of green glow.T is pressed in the second level _R=Sin ²θ ₂Modulated red light, and the third level can not influence ruddiness.Problem goes out in the modulation for blue light.Have only the polarizer 7 of the third level just to change the polarization state of blue light, and LCD4 and LCD6 can have influence on the orientation of blue light.So T _B=Sin ²(θ ₂+ θ ₃), visible blue is not to be independent of T _RModulation.

This problem can solve with color selection property light polarization modulator of the present invention.Figure 35 shows when the modulation attitude of electrooptic modulator and isotropism attitude and is respectively light polarization modulator under linear polarization and the circular polarization situation, and it comprises prolongs photograph heap 20 and modulator 10.The twisted nematic liquid crystal box belongs to this class modulator.Prolong photograph heap 20 blue or green light is transformed into circularly polarized light (being dextrorotation in this example), and maintenance ruddiness is linearly polarized light.(Figure 35 is a) time, and ruddiness is rotated into 90 °, and circularly polarized blue or green light remains circularly polarized light when TN10 is in 0 attitude.When TN10 was in one state (Figure 35 b), still on 0 °, blue or green light also was still circularly polarized light to ruddiness.Electrooptic modulator 10 can rotate ruddiness with analog form between 0 ° and 90 °, but that blue or green light then remains forever is circularly polarized.Can prolong the light modulated that analyzer that photograph heap 30 and cyan LCPF80 formed analyzes polarization by second with one.This Yan Xiangpiandui gets back to linearly polarized light to the circularly polarized light conversion, but does not change the linear polarization of linearly polarized light.Coloured polarizer 80 all sees through blue or green light under all switching states, but the red light intensity that sees through is variable.

A key characteristic of Figure 35 light polarization modulator is, it is modulated red light selectively, but different with the second level ( element 3,4,5) of Plummer device, and it does not modulate blue light.Its advantage as shown in figure 36.The first order utilizes the neutral polarizer 40 of magenta LCPF80a, LCD10a to modulate green glow. Partial element 20,10b and 30 modulated red polarization state of light but the polarization state of not modulating blue light.Because except any never again element of the first order can influence the polarization state of green glow, so all it doesn't matter no matter green glow is in modulation attitude, the isotropism attitude of electrooptic modulator 10b or contains the composition of two kinds of attitudes simultaneously.The blue light that not influenced by the second level is carried out intensity modulated by the combination of LCD10c and yellow LCPF80c.In these three grades of colour filters, each primary colors all can be carried out intensity modulated independently.

Polarizer heap 20 makes spectrum F circular polarization, makes spectrum F linear polarizationization.The simplest heap is that single azimuth is 45 ° a quarter-wave plate, the somewhere of design wavelength in spectrum F.Can realize preferably polarization state control with such heap, this heap can provide the quarter-wave amount of prolonging mutually to whole spectrum F but spectrum F be provided the amount of prolonging mutually of the long or half-wavelength of all-wave.Such heap can be called the compound quarter-wave of arrowband achromatism and prolong photograph.Prolonging photograph about THREE-IN-ONE COMPOSITE ACHROMATIC has illustratedly in No. 08/491,593, U.S. Patent application, and the full content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.The example of achromatism Yan Xiangpiandui be contain three grades mutually the amount of prolonging prolong photograph, the azimuth is respectively π/12,5 π/12 and π/12.Can be by changing these angles and selecting three Xiang Yanliang that prolong photograph to revise quarter-wave to prolong wavelength, bandwidth and the Transition edges of spectral regions mutually.The azimuth is that the Yan Xiangpiandui of 14 °, 85 ° and 14 ° is the example of a suitable heap.

The colour filter of Figure 36 only is an embodiment who has used the colour filter of a TN in light polarization modulator.It has only used Yan Xiangpiandui in a level.Can also design other colour filter.For example, neutral polarizer can be placed on back rather than the front of selecting the chromatic polarization modulator.Can reduce prolonging the requirement of photograph heap Transition edges steepness though modulate green glow, but still different colour filter order can be arranged with the first order.Having that one-level of selecting the chromatic polarization modulator can colouredly combine soon with existing in the art other, not necessarily is limited to the shutter that utilizes LCPS.

Colour filter of the present invention can be used in combination with the colour filter of any other active or passive type.Also can form and mix colour filter with active or passive colour filter.For example, colour filter can not adopt neutral polarizer and adopt coloured polarizer, for example coloured polarizer of dye-type or the coloured polarizer of polarization Yan Xiangpiandui (PRS).At this moment " in vain " state only contains the wavelength components that is seen through by coloured polarizer.In vain/primary color filter also can combine with the polarization interference colour filter.

Figure 37 illustrates another conllinear colour filter of the present invention, and it mixes two primary colors time of carrying out with the first order, and the second level is then specially at the 3rd primary colors design.This be one be in colour filter that whole three primary colors time of carrying out is mixed with of the present invention to lose lustre mix colour filter colour filter between of each primary colors with a level.Coloured shutter 100 is seeing through alternately change between two primary subtractive colours, and these two primary subtractive colours are cyan and magenta in this example.These two primary subtractive colours are common adds primary colors, promptly blue, by second level modulation, and in addition two add primary colors, promptly red and green, then alternately modulate by the first order.This coloured shutter can be anyly can see through the shutter that switches between two primary subtractive colours.It can contain a liquid crystal cell.Even LCD10a and 10b are divided into a plurality of pixels, this coloured shutter neither be divided pixel.

In order to allow blue light pass through the first order steadily, prolong photograph heap 20 blue light is converted to circularly polarized light, but allow ruddiness and green glow (being gold-tinted altogether) remain linearly polarized light.Electrooptic modulator 10a makes ruddiness and green glow rotation θ ₁The angle, but do not change blue light; Second prolongs the linearly polarized light that photograph heap 30 reverts to blue light 0 ° of orientation.Second level modulator 10b makes blue light rotation θ ₂The angle, LCPF80 is according to θ ₂Size see through the blue light of a part.Modulator 16b also can make the rotation of ruddiness and green glow, but is in the ruddiness and the green glow of any polarization state because LCPF80 can see through, so can not influence their output size.

Compare with the colour filter that the time that all three primary colors are carried out mixes, an advantage of the two-stage colour filter of Figure 37 is can be reduced to prevent and observe the required operating rate of defective.Owing to have a primary colors all being shown in if having time, so reduced flicker in institute.If shown primary colors is green in each frame, then will increase brightness.If this primary colors is red, then can improve colour balance.If the first order does not adopt the time of using coloured shutter 100 to mix, then can adopt the space of the combination realization first order of coloured passive colour filter of branch pixel and branch pixel LCD10a to mix.Common characteristic is, the second level aims at some primary colors designs, and owing to used and prolong photograph heap 20 these primary colors and can not modulated by the first order.Afterbody can be modulated blue light with the device of any not modulated red light and green glow, for example blue cholesteric liquid crystal.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 40, and one of them direct-viewing type display 302 ' and a keyboard 304 ' constitute a notebook computer or handheld personal digital assistant 300 '.Display 302 ' utilizes the chromatic polarization modulator that selects of Fig. 1 to form.This PC or hand-hold type display unit 300 ' are battery-powered, can comprise a modulator-demodulator 306 ' to support the visit of Internet or World Wide Web, can also comprise floppy disk or CDROM (read-only optical disc) driver, digital camera or scanner 308 ', perhaps can be connected to above them.

Can also use for many kinds, comprise helmet-mounted display system 400 ' shown in Figure 41, make Fig. 1 design of mini system of Diagonal Dimension between 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches.System 400 ' has a framework or band 412 ', system be fixed tightly in user's head and make display 402 ', 404 ' respectively in alignment with user's right eye and left eye 420 ', 422 '.Two displays 402 ' 404 ' utilize lens combination 408 ', 406 ' that coloured image is imported in user's eye respectively.A shell 410 ' that is installed on framework or the band 412 ' has held each optical element, and also can hold electronics display driver and sound parts.Two displays 402 ', 404 ' all have a slim back light source separately as light source, the low profile light source of for example fluorescent type, electroluminescence type or other light emitting-types.

Figure 42 illustrates another preferred embodiment, wherein selects the chromatic polarization modulator to be used to the back of the body and looks porjection type computer monitor and television set.Speculum 502 ', 504 ' is used for a back of the body of the image orientation screen curtain 506 ' that is produced by system 500 '.

See Figure 43, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is one and contains first and second LCD 22 ', 28 ' optical projection system 10 ' here, and these two displays are respectively in alignment with first and/or second coloured shutter or switch 20 ', 26 '.

System 10 ' contains a light source 12 ' and one, and speculum 16 ' is divided into two-way to light the reflective mirror 14 ' of photoconduction to dichroism speculum 16 ', propagates along light path 42 ' and 44 ' respectively.The light that the is directed to light path 42 ' mirror 18 ' reflection that at first is reflected, one first coloured shutter 20 ' of directive enters beam cementing prism 30 ' by LCD 22 ' then.Light source can be metal halid lamp, tungsten halogen lamp or xenon arc lamp.

The light that the is directed to light path 44 ' mirror 24 ' reflection that is reflected after by one second coloured shutter 26 ' and one second LCD 28 ', enters beam cementing prism 30 '.Beam cementing prism 30 ' can contain two 36 ' locates contacted element 32 ', 34 ' at the interface, and this interface is combined into a picture to two pictures, projects on the sightingpiston 40 ' by projecting lens 38 ' again.Coloured shutter 20 ', 26 ' is used for controlling selectively the transmitance of the selected wavelength that is mapped to the light on the LCD 22 ', 28 ' respectively.Coloured shutter 20 ', 22 ' is with smectic type and/or levy the smectic crystal material by hand and form, to this United States Patent (USP) 5 people such as Johnson, 132, No. 826,5,231, No. 521 and 5,243, more detailed explanation is arranged in No. 455, and the full content of these patents is incorporated herein by reference, and these two shutters also can be π-box, even nematic liquid crystal box or can be as the liquid crystal cell of other nematic structures of polarization switch.Shutter 20 ' and 26 ' can be used in combination in turn to see through three primary colors, and promptly the red, green and blue look makes two pictures that produced by display 22 ', 28 ' can provide full-colour image after by beam cementing prism 30 ' combination.

In a preferred embodiment, only need to use one and between two primary colors, replace the shutter that switches.In this embodiment, a display receives the primary colors of shutter in two transmission primary colors that a certain given time provides, and another display is then only controlled the transmitance of a primary colors.In the example of this embodiment, removed shutter 26 ', and dichroism speculum 16 ' is blue light guiding light path 44 ' and by display 28 ', ruddiness and green glow then are directed to light path 42 ', biography is to single shutter 20 ', and the latter is switched in turn ruddiness and green glow are transmitted on the display 22 ' between two states.The operating rate of display 22 ' is higher than display 28 ', each blue frame is produced red and green two frames.

System shown in Figure 1 can be installed in the box shell, to be used for projecting apparatus.Where the box shell 108 ' that Figure 44 illustrates the color shutter system that is provided for projecting apparatus 102 ' is placed on.Light source 104 ' in the projecting apparatus makes the light that sends along axis 110 ' propagation and by bearing the panel 106 ' of monochrome or colour transparency usually, obtain monochrome or replace through the display box shell 108 ' of colour filter a high-resolution coloured image is provided, this image is throwed away by the lens combination 112 ' and 114 ' of projecting apparatus.

Box shell 108 ' can bear a light modulation system for example illustrated in fig. 1, and includes the modulation control circuit of control light modulation system.Box shell 108 ' has one along its peripheral supporting member, in order to bear light-modulating cell, makes it can modulate the light that sends from the projecting apparatus light-emitting area.Box shell 108 ' has improved storage, portability and functional, is being used for stopping that the unnecessary light time from the projecting apparatus light-emitting area penetrates still has enough sizes simultaneously.

Aforesaid each embodiment only is exemplary, should not be construed limitation of the present invention.Instruction of the present invention can easily be applied in the equipment of other types.Illustrative purposes of the present invention is just in order to illustrate, it should not limit the category of claim.Many changes, modification or change are tangible for those skilled in the art that.

Table I, colour filter design

???????????????????????????????????α,Γ
			Prolong photograph M	Heap 1	Heap 2
??????4	?10,Γ????-20,Γ/2	-70,Γ2??????80,Γ
			??????4	?15,Γ????-45,Γ/2	-45,Γ/2?????75,Γ
??????4	?80,Γ????25,Γ/2	?65,Γ/2?????10,Γ
			??????4	?60,Γ????-20,Γ/2	-70,Γ/2?????30,Γ
??????4	?80,Γ????-25,Γ/2	-65,Γ=/2????10,Γ
			??????4	?34,Γ????11,Γ	?79,Γ???????56,Γ
??????4	?45,Γ????-22,Γ	-68,Γ???????45,Γ
			??????4	?45,Γ/2??15,Γ	?75,Γ???????45,Γ/2
??????4	?20,Γ/2??-10,Γ	-80Γ????????70,Γ/2

Table II, the design of fan-shaped Sol gram

??????????????????????????????????α,Γ
			Prolong photograph M	Heap	1	Heap 2
???????2	???????22,Γ	?????68,Γ
			?????″3″	???15,Γ???45,Γ/2	?????45,Γ/2???75,Γ
???????4	???11,Γ???34,Γ	?????56,Γ?????79,Γ
			?????″5″	9,Γ?27,Γ?45,Γ/2	??45,Γ/2??63,Γ?81,Γ
???????6	7,Γ?22,Γ?37,Γ	???53,Γ???68,Γ?83,Γ

Table III, the design of accurate folding type Sol gram

???????????????????????????????????α,Γ
			Prolong photograph M	Heap	1	Heap 2
???????4	?????1l,Γ????-11,Γ	????-79,Γ?????79,Γ
			???????6	????8,Γ??-8,Γ???8,Γ	???82,Γ??-82,Γ??82,Γ
???????6	???15,Γ??-15,Γ??15,Γ	???75,Γ??-75,Γ??75,Γ
			???????6	????68,Γ?-68,Γ??68,Γ	???22,Γ??-22,Γ??22,Γ

Table IV, discrete component design

?????????????????????????????α,Γ
			????M	??????????1	?????????2
????3	??45,Γ+π/2???0,Γ	?????45,Γ+π/2

The colour filter design of table V, measurement

	?????????????????????????α,Γ			?????λ(nm)
						Color	Heap	1	??LCD	Heap	2	Heap	???LCD
?G/W	????15,2λ????45,1λ	?0,λ/2	??????45,1λ,75,2λ	540	???540
						?W/C	?12,λ???-12,λ???12,λ	?0,λ/2	?-78,λ??78,λ??-78,λ	450	???650
?W/M	?82,2λ??-82,2λ?82,2λ	?0,λ/2	?-8,2λ??8,23λ?-8,2λ	435	???540
						?W/Y	????80,2λ?????-25,λ	?0,λ/2	??????65,λ??-10-2λ	600	???430

Table VI, specific white/primary subtractive colour design

	???????????????????????????α,Γ			????λ(nm)
						Color	Heap 1	?LCD	Heap 2	Heap	???LCD
????W/C	??10,λ??-12,λ??10,λ	0,λ/2	??-80,λ??-78,λ??-80,λ	???450	???660
						????W/M	????8,λ??-8,λ??8,λ	0,λ/2	??-82,λ??82,λ???-82,λ	???760	???540
????W/Y	???????80,2λ???-25,λ	0,λ/2	?????65,λ?????-10,2λ	???590	???440
						????M/W	????45,λ+λ/4????0,λ	90,λ/2	????????45,λ+λ/4	???540	???540

The output of table VII, three grades of colour filters

Level			Output
					???W/M	???W/M	???W/C	????11	?????1-
????0	????0	????0	Black	In vain
					????0	????0	????1	????R	?????C
????0	????1	????0	????G	?????M
					????1	????0	????0	????B	?????Y
????1	????1	????0	????C	?????R
					????1	????0	????1	????M	?????G
????0	????1	????1	????Y	?????B
					????1	????1	????1	In vain	Black

Claims (214)

1, a kind of device of handling the light that is at least partial polarization, it comprises:

One have the first party parallactic angle with first mutually the amount of prolonging first prolong photograph, be used for receiving the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization as input light, and above-mentioned input light be transformed into conversion light;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and exports intermediate light; And

One have the second party parallactic angle with second mutually the amount of prolonging second prolong photograph, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light be transformed into output light.

2, according to the device of claim 1, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second design of prolonging photograph makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned partial poolarized light is not modulated and has at least a state that an above-mentioned part that is at least the light of partial polarization is modulated and remainder is not modulated.

3, according to the device of claim 1, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least the partial line polarization that only has a polarization direction that is at least partial polarization.

4, according to the device of claim 3, wherein above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is approximately equal to the angle [alpha] with respect to above-mentioned polarization direction, and above-mentioned second party parallactic angle is approximately equal to the 90 ° ± α of angle with respect to above-mentioned polarization direction.

5, according to the device of claim 1, wherein above-mentioned be at least partial polarization only be at least the circularly polarized light of part.

6, according to the device of claim 1, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second design of prolonging photograph makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned partial poolarized light is not modulated and has at least a state that an above-mentioned part that is at least the light of partial polarization is modulated and remainder is not modulated.

7, according to the device of claim 6, wherein said modulator comprises an electrooptic modulator.

8, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind of liquid crystal.

9, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind of nematic liquid crystal.

10, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises one of following material: twisted-nematic (TN), supertwist are to row (STN), electrically conerolled birefringence (ECB) and mixing field effect (HFE) material.

11, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a surface modes device.

12, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises one of following device: π box, zero twisted mode device, mixed mode effect device and polymer dispersed (dispered) liquid crystal device.

13, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind of smectic crystal.

14, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind of smectic crystal.

15, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind ofly having hand to levy the smectic type material.

16, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises SmC*.

17, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a kind of among surface-stable type FLC and the volume stability type FLC.

18, according to the device of claim 7, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises SmA ^*-electricity causes inclination, ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, the flexible electrical of distortion spiral and does not have the chirality ferroelectric liquid crystals.

19, according to the device of claim 1, wherein said modulator comprises a magneto optical modulator.

20, according to the device of claim 2, wherein said modulator comprises a magneto optical modulator.

21, according to the device of claim 1, wherein said modulator comprises a reflection type modulator.

22, according to the device of claim 2, wherein said modulator comprises a reflection type modulator.

23, according to the device of claim 1, wherein said modulator comprises a transmission-type modulator.

24, according to the device of claim 2, wherein said modulator comprises a transmission-type modulator.

25, according to the device of claim 3, wherein said modulator comprises a phase mask type modulator.

26, a kind of device that is used for receiving the light that is at least partial polarization with a polarization direction, it comprises:

One have with respect to the first party parallactic angle of polarization direction with first mutually the amount of prolonging prolong photograph, be used for receiving the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization as input light, and above-mentioned input light be transformed into conversion light;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and exports intermediate light; And

One have with respect to the second party parallactic angle of polarization direction with second mutually the amount of prolonging prolong photograph, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light be transformed into output light.

27, according to the device of claim 26, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second design of prolonging photograph makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned partial poolarized light is not modulated, and has at least a state that the part of above-mentioned partial poolarized light is modulated and remainder is not modulated.

28, according to the device of claim 26, wherein above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is approximately equal to the angle α with respect to above-mentioned polarization direction, and above-mentioned second party parallactic angle is approximately equal to the 90 ° ± α in angle with respect to above-mentioned polarization direction.

29, according to the device of claim 26, wherein said modulator comprises an electrooptic modulator.

30, according to the device of claim 26, wherein said modulator comprises a magneto optical modulator.

31, according to the device of claim 26, wherein said modulator comprises a transmission-type modulator.

32, according to the device of claim 26, wherein said modulator comprises a kind of liquid crystal.

33, a kind of device that is used for receiving the light that is at least partial polarization, it comprises:

One first is prolonged photograph, is used for receiving the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization and also above-mentioned input light is transformed into conversion light;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and output intermediate light; And

One second is prolonged photograph, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second design of prolonging photograph makes said modulator have at least a state that one first spectrum and one second spectrum are not modulated, and has at least a state that a spectrum in above-mentioned first spectrum and second spectrum is modulated but another spectrum is not modulated.

34, according to the device of claim 33, wherein above-mentioned second spectrum is the complementary spectrum of above-mentioned first spectrum.

35, according to the device of claim 33, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph and above-mentioned second, and to prolong photograph be different.

36, according to the device of claim 33, wherein above-mentioned first orientation angular direction is approximately perpendicular to above-mentioned second orientation angular direction.

37, according to the device of claim 33, wherein above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is α with respect to the angle of an assigned direction, and above-mentioned second party parallactic angle equals with respect to the angle of this assigned direction or is approximately equal to 90 ° ± α.

38, a kind of device that is used for handling the characteristic of the light that is at least partial polarization, it comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned polarisation of light direction that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving this light and output changes light;

A modulator is used for receiving change light and exporting intermediate light; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned polarization direction of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, be used for receiving intermediate light and output output light, the wherein above-mentioned first and second azimuth differences, and above-mentioned first prolongs design that photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second prolong photograph makes when said modulator is in a state above-mentioned change light not be subjected to the modulation of said modulator, but the part of above-mentioned change light is subjected to the modulation of said modulator when said modulator is in another state.

39, according to the device of claim 38, wherein said modulator comprises an electro-optical device.

40, a kind of device, it comprises:

One first is prolonged photograph, is used for receiving input light and above-mentioned input light being transformed into conversion light;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and output intermediate light, and

One second is prolonged photograph, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, wherein above-mentioned first prolongs photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second design of prolonging photograph makes said modulator have at least a non-modulation attitude can make above-mentioned conversion light and above-mentioned intermediate light near identical, and has at least a modulation attitude that the part of above-mentioned conversion light is modulated and the remainder of above-mentioned conversion light is not modulated.

41, a kind of being used for handled the polarization manipulation device that polarisation of light distributes, and it comprises:

One have first mutually the amount of prolonging and first party parallactic angle first prolong photograph, be used for receiving light and output changes light;

A light polarization modulator is used for receiving change light and exporting intermediate light; And

One have second mutually the amount of prolonging and second party parallactic angle second prolong photograph, be used for receiving intermediate light, handle the change output light of the polarisation distribution that changes that polarisation of light distributes and output device changes, make that the part of above-mentioned change output light can be with an analyzer colour filter selectively.

42, a kind of device, it comprises:

One first is prolonged photograph, is used for receiving input light and above-mentioned input light is transformed into the conversion light that contains first spectrum and second spectrum;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and exports intermediate light; And

One second Yan Xiangpiandui, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, wherein above-mentioned first design of prolonging photograph, said modulator and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum and above-mentioned second spectrum are not modulated, and has at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum is modulated with a spectrum in above-mentioned second spectrum and another spectrum is subjected to different modulation.

43, according to the device of claim 42, wherein above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and the elementary conversion light of output; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and the above-mentioned output light of output, and above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is different with above-mentioned second party parallactic angle.

44, a kind of device, it comprises:

One first Yan Xiangpiandui is used for receiving input light and above-mentioned input light is transformed into the conversion light that contains first spectrum and second spectrum;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and exports intermediate light; And

One second Yan Xiangpiandui, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, the design of wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui, said modulator and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum and above-mentioned second spectrum are not modulated, and has at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum is modulated with a spectrum in second spectrum and another spectrum is subjected to different modulation.

45, according to the device of claim 44, wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned partial poolarized light and the elementary conversion light of output; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and the above-mentioned conversion light of output, and wherein above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is different with above-mentioned second party parallactic angle.

46, a kind of device, it comprises:

One first Yan Xiangpiandui is used for receiving input light and above-mentioned input light is transformed into the conversion light that contains first spectrum and second spectrum;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and exports intermediate light; And

One second Yan Xiangpiandui, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, the design of wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui, said modulator and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui makes said modulator have at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum and second spectrum are not modulated, and has at least a state that above-mentioned first spectrum is modulated with a spectrum in above-mentioned second spectrum and another spectrum is subjected to different modulation.

47, according to the device of claim 46, wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned partial poolarized light and the elementary conversion light of output; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and the above-mentioned conversion light of output, the above-mentioned first and second azimuth differences.

48, according to the device of claim 46, wherein above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui comprises:

One has the third phase amount of prolonging and prolongs photograph with respect to the 3rd of third party's parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization, is used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and the elementary conversion light of output, and

One has the 4th amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to the 4th of the cubic parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and the above-mentioned output light of output, and the above-mentioned the 3rd is different with cubic parallactic angle.

49, according to the device of claim 46, it is polarization that the layout of wherein above-mentioned first and second Yan Xiangpiandui makes win spectrum and second spectrum.

50, according to the device of claim 46, wherein above-mentioned first spectrum and the above-mentioned second spectrum complementation.

51, according to claim 50 device, wherein above-mentioned first spectrum has first polarization state, above-mentioned second spectrum has second polarization state, and the design of above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui makes that the polarization state of above-mentioned first spectrum is different with the polarization state of above-mentioned second spectrum.

52, a kind of device, it comprises:

One first Yan Xiangpiandui is used for receiving input light and above-mentioned input light is transformed into the conversion light that contains first spectrum and second spectrum;

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light and output intermediate light; And

One second Yan Xiangpiandui, be used for receiving above-mentioned intermediate light and above-mentioned intermediate light is transformed into output light, the design of wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui, said modulator and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui makes said modulator have one at least can make above-mentioned conversion light and the essentially identical non-modulation attitude of above-mentioned intermediate light, and has the modulation attitude that a characteristic that can make the part of above-mentioned conversion light is modulated at least.

53, according to the device of claim 52, above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui, said modulator and above-mentioned second are prolonged photograph heap and can be designed to make the polarization state of the above-mentioned part of above-mentioned conversion light to be modulated.

54, according to the device of claim 52, wherein above-mentioned characteristic is that polarisation of light distributes.

55, according to the device of claim 52, wherein above-mentioned characteristic is the PHASE DISTRIBUTION of light.

56, a kind of being used for changes the polarization manipulation device that polarisation of light distributes, and it comprises:

Have more than first orientation-α respectively _NWith more than the first individual amount of prolonging Γ mutually _NMore than first prolong photograph, be used for handling polarisation of light and distribute to produce polarization manipulation light;

A Polarization Modulation device is used for receiving polarization manipulation light and output intermediate light; And

Have more than second azimuth angle alpha respectively _N' with more than second amount of prolonging Γ mutually _N' more than second prolong photograph, be used for receiving and handle that the polarisation distribution of intermediate light and the promising color of output device are chosen and the change output light of the polarisation distribution that changes.

57, according to the polarization manipulation device of claim 56, it also comprises an analyzer, is used for receiving the above-mentioned light of choosing the polarisation distribution that changes for color that has.

58, according to the polarization manipulation device of claim 56, α wherein _N'=90 ° ± α _N

59, a kind of spectrum colour filter that is used to be at least the light of partial polarization, it comprises white/colour filter level of one or more serial connections, each level comprises:

A modulator, it can switch between the attitude first and second and switch, and has a modulating polarization attitude and an isotropism polarization state;

One first Yan Xiangpiandui, it is positioned at a side of said modulator, comprise one or more photographs that prolong, wherein above-mentioned number N of respectively prolonging photograph and the above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang that respectively prolongs photograph and azimuth make first spectrum transmitting under above-mentioned modulating polarization attitude, complementary second spectrum transmitting under above-mentioned isotropism polarization state; And

One second Yan Xiangpiandui, it is positioned at the opposite side of said modulator, comprises that N prolongs photograph, and wherein above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang that respectively prolongs photograph and azimuth make that switching above-mentioned first and second spectrum under the attitude above-mentioned first sees through with the polarization state of quadrature.

60, according to the colour filter of claim 59, the wherein above-mentioned second above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang that respectively prolongs photograph that prolongs in the photograph heap makes that with the azimuth above-mentioned first and second spectrum see through with identical polarization state under the above-mentioned second switching attitude.

61, according to the colour filter of claim 59, it also comprise one with the above-mentioned analyzers of serial connection mutually at different levels.

62, according to the colour filter of claim 61, it also comprise one with the above-mentioned input polarization devices of serial connection mutually at different levels.

63, according to the colour filter of claim 61, wherein the azimuth of this analyzer is 0 °.

64, according to the colour filter of claim 61, wherein the azimuth of this analyzer is 90 °.

65, according to the colour filter of claim 61, wherein above-mentioned analyzer is a linear polarizer.

66, according to the colour filter of claim 64, the wherein above-mentioned volume device that shakes is selected polarizer from following this group: absorption, dichroism, dye-type, non-absorption and the polarizer polarization dielectric film, polarization beam apparatus, and calcite, quartz, diffuse transmission type, lens type polarizer.

67, according to the colour filter of claim 63, wherein above-mentioned linear polarizer comprises that one is prolonged the circuit polarizer that photograph combines with quarter-wave.

68, according to the colour filter of claim 61, wherein analyzer is a circuit polarizer.

69, according to the colour filter of claim 68, wherein above-mentioned circuit polarizer is a courage steroid LC (liquid crystal) polarizer.

70, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein said modulator is an electrooptic modulator, and comprises that has a constant bearing angle and can be at the photograph that prolongs of first and second amounts of switching between the amount of prolonging mutually of prolonging mutually.

71, according to the colour filter of claim 70, wherein above-mentioned azimuth be 0 ° and above-mentioned first and second mutually the amount of prolonging be respectively zero amount of prolonging and the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging mutually.

72, according to the colour filter of claim 70, the wherein above-mentioned amount of prolonging mutually can continuously change between the amount of prolonging mutually above-mentioned first and second.

73, according to the colour filter of claim 70, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs comprises that nematic liquid crystal prolongs photograph.

74, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises that one is prolonged of selecting the photograph from following this group and prolongs photograph: twisted-nematic, supertwist prolong photograph to row, electrically conerolled birefringence, mixing field effect, surface modes, π box, zero twisted mode, mixed mode and PDLC.

75, according to the colour filter of claim 74, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is one and has hand to levy smectic type A* nematic liquid crystal to prolong photograph.

76, according to the colour filter of claim 74, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is that a distortion spiral ferroelectric liquid crystals prolongs photograph.

77, according to the colour filter of claim 74, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is simulation or SmC ^*Liquid crystal prolongs photograph.

78, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises azimuthal photograph that prolongs that has the immobile phase amount of prolonging and can switch between first and second azimuths.

79, according to the colour filter of claim 78, wherein said fixing mutually the amount of prolonging be the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging.

80, according to the colour filter of claim 79, above-mentioned first party parallactic angle is 0 °, and above-mentioned second party parallactic angle is 45 °.

81, according to the colour filter of claim 78, wherein above-mentioned azimuth can continuously change between above-mentioned first and second values.

82, according to the colour filter of claim 78, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is that smectic crystal prolongs photograph.

83, according to the colour filter of claim 78, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises that also being positioned at above-mentioned first and second quarter-waves of prolonging the photograph both sides prolongs photograph.

84, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises that one is prolonged the photograph of selecting the photograph that prolongs from following this group: have hand to levy smectic type, ferroelectric, SmC ^*, surface-stable SmC ^*, volume stability SmC ^*, diadic SmC ^*, analog SmC ^*, SmA ^*, the distortion spiral is ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, flexible ferroelectric and do not have hand and levy ferroelectric liquid crystals and prolong photograph.

85,4 colour filter according to Claim 8, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is to have hand to levy smectic type A ^*Prolong photograph.

86,4 colour filter according to Claim 8, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is the ferroelectric photograph that prolongs of distortion spiral.

87,4 colour filter according to Claim 8, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is analog SmC ^*Prolong photograph.

88, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein said modulator comprises a compound photograph that prolongs.

89,8 colour filter according to Claim 8, the wherein above-mentioned compound photograph that prolongs is a compound photograph that prolongs of achromatism.

90,8 colour filter according to Claim 8, the wherein above-mentioned compound photograph that prolongs comprises that a liquid crystal prolongs photograph and the passive photograph that prolongs.

91, according to the colour filter of claim 90, wherein said modulator comprises a magneto optical modulator.

92, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein the design wavelength of above-mentioned electrooptic modulator is positioned at above-mentioned first spectrum.

93, according to the colour filter of claim 92, the centre wavelength that wherein respectively adds primary colors is λ=450nm, λ=550nm and λ=590nm.

94, according to the colour filter of claim 59, the wherein above-mentioned second above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang and the azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph of prolonging in the photograph heap makes that above-mentioned colour filter is normal white.

95, according to the colour filter of claim 94, the wherein above-mentioned first above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd azimuth angle alpha ₁, α ₂... α _N, and the above-mentioned first above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually _N... Γ ₂, Γ ₁With the 90 °+α in azimuth _N... 90 °+α ₂, 90 °+α ₁

96, according to the colour filter of claim 59, the wherein above-mentioned second above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang and the azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph of prolonging in the photograph heap makes that above-mentioned colour filter is normal colour filter.

97, according to the colour filter of claim 96, the wherein above-mentioned first above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd azimuth angle alpha ₁, α ₂... α _N, and the above-mentioned second above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually _N... Γ ₂, Γ ₁With the 90 °-α in azimuth _N... 90 °-α ₂, 90 °-α ₁

98, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned first spectrum is one and adds primary color spectra that above-mentioned second spectrum is a primary subtractive colour spectrum.

99, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned first spectrum is a primary subtractive colour spectrum, and above-mentioned second spectrum is one and adds primary color spectra.

100, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned colour filter contains the first order and the second level.

101, according to the colour filter of claim 59, wherein above-mentioned colour filter contains the first order, the second level and the third level.

102, according to the colour filter of claim 101, wherein first and second spectrum of first and second spectrum of the above-mentioned first order, above-mentioned partial first and second spectrum and the above-mentioned third level make colour filter output to switch between first primary color spectra, second primary color spectra and three primary colors spectrum.

103, according to the colour filter of claim 102, wherein above-mentioned first, second and three primary colors spectrum all are to add primary color spectra.

104, according to the colour filter of claim 102, wherein above-mentioned colour filter output can also switch to white.

105, according to the colour filter of claim 101, it also comprises an input polarization device and an analyzer, but does not have internal polarizer above-mentioned between at different levels.

106, according to the colour filter of claim 101, it also comprise an input polarization device, analyzer, one first internal polarizer between above-mentioned first and second grades and one above-mentioned second and the third level between second internal polarizer.

107, a kind of many pixel color filter, it comprises the colour filter of a plurality of claims 59.

108, a kind of video camera, it comprises many pixel color filter of claim 107, also comprises a receiver.

109, according to the video camera of claim 108, wherein above-mentioned video camera is a still camera.

110, according to the video camera of claim 108, wherein above-mentioned video camera is a video camera.

111, a kind of display, it comprises many pixel color filter of a claim 107, also comprises light source.

112, according to the display of claim 111, wherein aforementioned display device is a photography display.

113, according to the display of claim 111, wherein aforementioned display device is a straight watching display.

114, according to the colour filter of claim 59, it is applicable to the optics address signal, also contains a photo-detector that is coupled with above-mentioned colour filter.

115, the method for a kind of acquisition light that can between white light and colour filter light, switch, it may further comprise the steps:

The colour filter of a claim 1 is provided; And

Switch the above-mentioned electrooptic modulator of switching between the attitude above-mentioned first and second.

116,, wherein above-mentionedly switch to analog switching according to the method for claim 115.

117, a kind of method that the red, green, blue colour filter is provided, it may further comprise the steps:

The colour filter of claim 43 is provided, and

Switch the above-mentioned first, second, third grade electrooptic modulator of switching between the attitude above-mentioned first and second.

118, a kind of spectrum colour filter that is used for polarised light, it comprises the white/colour filter level of one or more mutual serial connections, each level all comprises:

A light polarization modulator;

First Yan Xiangpiandui who is placed on first side of said modulator, it comprises that N is prolonged photograph, and wherein N is 1 or bigger, and the above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd azimuth angle alpha ₁, α ₂... α _NAnd

Second Yan Xiangpiandui who is placed on the opposite side of above-mentioned electrooptic modulator, it comprises that N is prolonged photograph, the above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually _N... Γ ₂, Γ ₁With the 90 ° ± α in azimuth _N..., 90 ° ± α ₂, 90 ° ± α ₁

119, according to the colour filter of claim 118, N 〉=1 wherein.

120, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein N=2 and Γ ₁=Γ ₂

121, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein N=2 and Γ ₁=2 Γ ₂

122, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein N=2 and Γ ₂=2 Γ ₁

123, according to the colour filter of claim 118, fan-shaped Sol gram (Solc) design is obeyed at wherein above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang and azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph.

124, according to the colour filter of claim 123, α wherein _N=(2N-1) α ₁

125, according to the colour filter of claim 124, wherein N=1 and α ₁22 ° of ≈.

126, according to the colour filter of claim 124, wherein N=2, Γ ₁=Γ ₂And α ₁11 ° of ≈.

127, according to the colour filter of claim 123, wherein N=2, Γ ₁=2 Γ ₂And α ₁15 ° of ≈.

128, according to the colour filter of claim 123, wherein N=3, Γ ₁=Γ ₂-Γ ₃And α ₁7 ° of ≈.

129, according to the colour filter of claim 123, N=3 wherein, Γ ₁=Γ ₂-2 Γ ₃And α ₁9 ° of ≈.

130, according to the colour filter of claim 118, the design of accurate folding type Sol gram is obeyed at wherein above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang and azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph.

131, according to the colour filter of claim 130, α wherein _N=(1) ^N+1α ₁

132, according to the colour filter of claim 131, N=2 wherein, Γ ₁=Γ ₂And α ₁11 ° of ≈.

133, according to the colour filter of claim 131, wherein N=3, Γ ₁=Γ ₂-Γ ₃And α ₁8 ° of ≈.

134, according to the colour filter of claim 131, N=3 wherein, Γ ₁=Γ ₂-Γ ₃And α ₁15 ° of ≈.

135, according to the colour filter of claim 131, N=3 wherein, Γ ₁=Γ ₂-Γ ₃And α ₁22 ° of ≈.

136, according to the colour filter of claim 118, the discrete component design is obeyed at wherein above-mentioned Xiang Yanliang and azimuth of respectively prolonging photograph.

137, according to the colour filter of claim 136, wherein N=1 and α ₁45 ° of ≈.

138, according to the colour filter of claim 137, it comprises that also central authorities prolong photograph, and the latter is between above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui and said modulator, and azimuth angle alpha c=0 °, Xiang Yanliang are Γ c, wherein Γ ₁=Γ ₂+ pi/2.

139, according to the colour filter of claim 136, wherein N=2, α ₁45 ° of ≈, α ₂0 ° of ≈ and Γ ₁=2 Γ ₂+ pi/2.

140, according to the colour filter of claim 118, the wherein above-mentioned second above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the 90 °+α in azimuth _N..., 90 °+α ₂, 90 °+α ₁

141, according to the colour filter of claim 118, the wherein above-mentioned second above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs that prolongs in the photograph heap has the 90 °-α in azimuth _N..., 90 °-α ₂, 90 °-α ₁

142, according to the colour filter of claim 118, it also comprise one with the above-mentioned analyzers of serial connection mutually at different levels.

143, according to the colour filter of claim 142, it also comprise one with the above-mentioned input polarization devices of serial connection mutually at different levels.

144, according to the colour filter of claim 143, wherein the azimuth of above-mentioned analyzer is 0 °.

145, according to the colour filter of claim 142, wherein above-mentioned analyzer is a neutral line polarizer.

146, according to the colour filter of claim 145, wherein above-mentioned polarizer is one and comprises the linear polarizer that prolongs the circuit polarizer that photograph combines with quarter-wave.

147, according to the colour filter of claim 145, wherein above-mentioned linear polarizer is an EMIndustries, the Inc.Transmax polarizer.

148, according to the colour filter of claim 143, wherein above-mentioned analyzer is a circuit polarizer.

149, according to the colour filter of claim 148, wherein above-mentioned circuit polarizer is a courage steroid circuit polarizer.

150, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein above-mentioned light polarization modulator comprises that one contains the constant bearing angle and can prolong photograph at the electric light of first and second amounts of switching between the amount of prolonging mutually of prolonging mutually.

151, according to the colour filter of claim 150, wherein above-mentioned azimuth be 0 °, above-mentioned first mutually the amount of prolonging be zero mutually the amount of prolonging and above-mentioned second mutually the amount of prolonging be the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging.

152, according to the colour filter of claim 150, the wherein above-mentioned amount of prolonging mutually can change between the amount of prolonging mutually continuously above-mentioned first and second.

153, according to the colour filter of claim 150, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs comprises that nematic liquid crystal prolongs photograph.

154, according to the colour filter of claim 153, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs comprises among TN or STNGW surface modes IT one box ECB and the HFE one.

155, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein said modulator comprises that an azimuthal LC who has the immobile phase amount of prolonging and can switch prolongs photograph between first and second azimuths.

156, according to the colour filter of claim 155, wherein said fixing mutually the amount of prolonging be the half-wave appearance amount of prolonging.

157, according to the colour filter of claim 155, wherein above-mentioned azimuth can continuously change between above-mentioned first and second azimuths.

158, according to the colour filter of claim 155, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs is that a smectic crystal prolongs photograph.

159, according to the colour filter of claim 158, the wherein above-mentioned photograph that prolongs includes chiral smectic type, SMA ^*, DHF, SMC ^*Prolong in the photograph one with anti ferroelectric liquid crystal.

160, according to the colour filter of claim 156, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises that also being positioned at above-mentioned first and second quarter-waves of prolonging the photograph both sides prolongs photograph.

161, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein above-mentioned electrooptic modulator comprises a compound photograph that prolongs.

162, according to the colour filter of claim 161, the wherein above-mentioned compound photograph that prolongs comprises that a liquid crystal prolongs photograph and the passive photograph that prolongs.

163, according to the colour filter of claim 118, N wherein, Γ ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd α ₁, α ₂... α _NThe spectrum of winning is seen through with first polarization state, and the second complementary spectrum sees through with the polarization state of quadrature.

164, according to the colour filter of claim 163, wherein the design wavelength of above-mentioned electrooptic modulator is positioned at the scope of above-mentioned first spectrum.

165, according to the colour filter of claim 163, wherein above-mentioned first spectrum is one and adds primary color spectra that above-mentioned second spectrum is a primary subtractive colour spectrum.

166, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein above-mentioned colour filter contains two levels.

167, according to the colour filter of claim 118, wherein above-mentioned colour filter comprises at least three levels.

168, according to the colour filter of claim 167, the N of each grade wherein, Γ ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd α ₁, α ₂... α _NMake colour filter output between first primary color spectra, second primary color spectra and three primary colors spectrum, to switch.

169, according to the colour filter of claim 168, wherein above-mentioned first, second and three primary colors spectrum all are to add primary color spectra.

170, according to the colour filter of claim 169, wherein above-mentioned colour filter output also can be switched white.

171, a kind of liquid crystal polymer Yan Xiangpiandui, it comprises:

A substrate;

One is arranged on above-mentioned suprabasil first liquid crystal polymer and prolongs photograph, and its azimuth is α 1; And

One is located at above-mentioned first second liquid crystal polymer of prolonging on the photograph and prolongs photograph, and its azimuth is α ₂, α wherein ₂With α ₁Unequal.

172, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 171, it comprises that also one is arranged on above-mentioned second the 3rd liquid crystal polymer of prolonging on the photograph and prolongs photograph, and its azimuth is α ₃

173, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 172, α wherein ₃With α ₂Unequal.

174, a kind of spectrum colour filter, it comprises that second Yan Xiangpiandui of first Yan Xiangpiandui of a claim 171, a claim 171 and a liquid crystal that is arranged between them prolong photograph.

175, according to the spectrum colour filter of claim 174, wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui comprises that N is prolonged photograph, and wherein N equals 2 or bigger, and the above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually ₁, Γ ₂... Γ _NAnd azimuth angle alpha ₁, α ₂... α _N, and wherein above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui comprises that N prolongs photograph, the above-mentioned photograph that respectively prolongs has the amount of prolonging Γ mutually _N, Γ ₂, Γ ₁, and the 90 ° ± α in azimuth _N..., 90 ° ± α ₂, 90 ° ± α ₁

176, according to the device of claim 1, wherein said modulator comprises a light polarization modulator.

177, according to the device of claim 176, wherein above-mentioned light polarization modulator can switch between the attitude first and second and switch, and has a modulating polarization attitude and an isotropism polarization state.

178, according to the device of claim 177, wherein above-mentioned second party parallactic angle with above-mentioned second mutually the amount of prolonging make that above-mentioned output light is in identical polarization state when above-mentioned light polarization modulator is in the above-mentioned second switching attitude.

179, according to the device of claim 52, wherein above-mentioned first Yan Xiangpiandui comprises that more than first is prolonged photograph, and above-mentioned second Yan Xiangpiandui comprises that more than second is prolonged photograph.

180, according to the device of claim 179, the design of fan-shaped Sol gram is obeyed at the Xiang Yanliang of wherein above-mentioned first and second Yan Xiangpiandui and azimuth.

181, according to the device of claim 179, the design of accurate folding type Sol gram is obeyed at wherein above-mentioned more than first and second Xiang Yanliang and azimuths of prolonging photograph.

182, according to the device of claim 179, the discrete component design is obeyed at wherein above-mentioned more than first and second Xiang Yanliang and azimuths of prolonging photograph.

183, according to the device of claim 1, wherein said modulator comprises that one has the constant bearing angle and can prolong photograph at the electric light of first and second amounts of switching between the amount of prolonging mutually of prolonging mutually.

184, according to the device of claim 183, wherein above-mentioned azimuth can continuously change between above-mentioned first and second azimuths.

185, a kind ofly be used for the Yan Xiangpiandui that conversion is at least the light of partial polarization, it comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned partial poolarized light and exports elementary conversion light; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and exports secondary polarisation transformation light, the above-mentioned first and second azimuth differences.

186, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 185, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises first spectrum and second spectrum, and above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make that the polarization state of first and second spectrum of above-mentioned secondary polarisation transformation light is unequal.

187, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 186, the wherein above-mentioned first and second spectrum complementations.

188, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 185, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises first and second spectrum, and above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make the polarization state mutually orthogonal of first and second spectrum of above-mentioned secondary polarisation transformation light.

189, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 185, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises visible light.

190, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 189, wherein above-mentioned visible light is the partial line polarization.

191, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 185, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises invisible light.

192, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 191, wherein above-mentioned invisible light is the partial line polarization.

193, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 186, partial polarization partial line polarization only wherein, and the polarization direction of first spectrum of above-mentioned secondary polarisation transformation light and second spectrum is orthogonal.

194, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 186, partial polarization partial line polarization only wherein, and the polarization direction of first spectrum of above-mentioned secondary polarisation transformation light and second spectrum is not orthogonal.

195, a kind of being used to inputs to a modulator and preliminary treatment is at least the Yan Xiangpiandui of the light of partial polarization, and it comprises:

One has first amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to first of the first party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, is used for receiving above-mentioned partial poolarized light and exports elementary conversion light; And

One has second amount of prolonging and prolong photograph with respect to second of the second party parallactic angle of the above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization mutually, be used for receiving above-mentioned elementary conversion light and export the output light that comprises first's light and second portion light, wherein above-mentioned first and second azimuths and first and second selection of the amount of prolonging mutually make the above-mentioned second portion output of above-mentioned first's output light ratio light be subjected to the modulation of modulator more.

196, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, wherein above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make above-mentioned first output light have first polarization state, above-mentioned second portion output light has second polarization state, and above-mentioned first and second polarization states are unequal.

197, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 196, wherein above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make above-mentioned first output light have first polarization state, and above-mentioned second portion output light has second polarization state, and first and second polarization states are non-orthogonal.

198, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, wherein above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make above-mentioned first output light have first polarization state, above-mentioned second portion output light has second polarization state, and first and second polarization states are quadratures.

199, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 197, wherein above-mentioned first and second designs of prolonging photograph make above-mentioned first output light have first polarization state, above-mentioned second portion output light has second polarization state, and first and second polarization states can be separated by an analyzer.

200, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises visible light.

201, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, the wherein above-mentioned light that is at least partial polarization comprises invisible light.

202, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, wherein partial polarization partial line polarization only, and first's output light and second portion output polarisation of light direction are not orthogonal.

203, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, wherein only part elliptical polarization of partial polarization, and first output light and second portion output polarization state of light are unequal.

204, according to the Yan Xiangpiandui of claim 195, wherein above-mentioned first and second prolong and have at least to comprise a birefringent material in the photograph.

205, a kind of device that is used to handle the light that is at least partial polarization, it comprises:

One has one the amount of prolonging and one is used for receiving the above-mentioned light of partial polarization and the conversion light that output contains first and second portion of being at least with respect to the above-mentioned azimuthal photograph that prolongs that is at least the light of partial polarization mutually; And

A modulator is used for receiving above-mentioned conversion light, and wherein above-mentioned first design of prolonging photograph and modulator makes said modulator to the polarization state of above-mentioned first and second portion different influences be arranged, and the modulator that output obtains is exported light.

206, according to the device of claim 205, wherein said modulator to the modulation of above-mentioned first more than modulation to second portion.

207, according to the device of claim 205, wherein said modulator is modulated above-mentioned first but is not modulated above-mentioned second portion.

208, according to the device of claim 205, wherein said modulator has one first attitude at least, and it is compared above-mentioned second portion to above-mentioned first and presents more isotropic when said modulator is at least a state.

209, according to the device of claim 205, wherein said modulator and the design of prolonging photograph and above-mentionedly prolong the above-mentioned azimuth of photograph and the selection of the amount of prolonging mutually and can make above-mentioned conversion light comprise respectively first spectrum and second spectrum that interrelates with above-mentioned first and second portion.

210, according to the device of claim 205, wherein said modulator and above-mentioned design of prolonging photograph and the above-mentioned above-mentioned azimuth of photograph of prolonging can make above-mentioned first have first polarization state with the selection of the amount of prolonging mutually and above-mentioned second portion has second polarization state, and above-mentioned first and second polarization states are different.

211, according to the device of claim 210, wherein above-mentioned first and second polarization states all are linear polarization.

212, according to the device of claim 210, wherein above-mentioned first and second polarization states all are elliptical polarization.

213, according to the device of claim 210, wherein above-mentioned first and second polarization states all are circular polarization states.

214, according to the device of claim 211, the inequality or quadrature of wherein above-mentioned first and second polarization states.

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