POLARIZER Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: optics. SUBSTANCE: invention refers to optical polarizers that can be used in liquid-crystal displays, projection type included, in lighting fixtures, in optical instrumentation. Proposed polarizer has aid to convert incoming non-polarized light into assemblage of identical light beams, polarizing aid to split non-polarized light beams into polarized transmitted and reflected light beams having opposite polarization, aid to change polarization of light beams reflected from polarizing aid and reflecting aid guiding light beams coming out of polarizer along one and same direction. Polarizer is manufactured in the form of at least one film or plate and above-mentioned aids are deposited on its surface. Mentioned polarizing aid includes at least one birefrigent layer whose surface is substantially perpendicular to axis of light beams. Aid to change polarization of light beams reflected from polarizing aid and reflecting aid guiding light beams coming out of polarizer along substantially one and same direction are integrated and include sectionalized metal mirror which surface is substantially perpendicular to axis of light beams. Polarizing aid has at least one layer of cholesteric liquid crystal or birefrigent layer with directions of optical axes constant over thickness of layer. EFFECT: enhanced degree of polarization of light coming out of polarizer with keeping of high energy coefficient of conversion of non-polarized light into polarized one, simplified design of polarizer. 17 cl, 9 dwg