Compact Projection Display for Polarized Stereoscopic Viawing with Large Coler Gamut

Abstract

This thesis concervs a stereoscopic projection system that simultaneously generates two linear polarized images with orthogonal state of polarization. The 3-D image can be perceived by the viewer using polarization sensitive eyeglasses. Such a system has already been demonstrated at the Department of Applied Physics and Photonics of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. In this thesis we will improve the optical performance of this system and reduce its dimensions.
The optical core of this projection system consists of two independent light paths, realized by four components that separate the light in two orthogonal states of polarization, which can be polarizing beam splitters or wire-grid polarizers. We investigate which components are the best suitable for this system and opt for the wire-grid polarizers. Further, we reduce the size of the optical core by investigating the minimal dimensions of the optical components.
Light emitting diodes are used as light sources. To extend the colour gamut of the projection system, an extra colour will be added to the three primary colours. We investigate how different colours extend the colour gamut. Cyan will enlarge the colour gamut the most. An additional illumination system is used to create a cyan illumination light beam that illuminates the light modulators. The images are modulated with two Liquid Crystal on Silicon light modulators. Each light modulator is illuminated sequentially with red, green, blue and cyan light. The dimensions of the optical components are calculated, simulated and optimized with a nonsequential ray tracing software. We estimated the throughtput of the optical core to be around 21% for each colour, equally divided over both polarized images.
A demostrator setup is realized to investigate the properties of this system. We investigate the influence of different polarizers on the contrast and light throughput of the system. Further experimental characterization can be done when the demonstrator setup is fully operative.

Date of Award	May 2009
Original language	English
Supervisor	Hugo Thienpont (Promotor), Youri Meuret (Co-promotor) & Lawrence Bogaert (Advisor)