US 11,841,503 B2
Efficiency of catadioptric system by means of recycling polarized light
Eric P. Stratton, Portland, OR (US); and Christopher A. Keith, Wilsonville, OR (US)
Assigned to Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Filed by Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Filed on Feb. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/180,363.
Prior Publication US 2022/0269072 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 27/01 (2006.01); G02B 27/30 (2006.01); G02B 27/28 (2006.01); G02B 5/30 (2006.01); G02B 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 27/0101 (2013.01) [G02B 5/3083 (2013.01); G02B 17/08 (2013.01); G02B 27/283 (2013.01); G02B 27/30 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical system comprising:
collimating optics, comprising:
a polarization beam splitter comprising one or more polarization selection reflection surfaces configured to split image light from a light source into a first light beam and a second light beam;
a field lens disposed on the polarization beam splitter configured to receive the image light from the light source;
a first waveplate configured to receive the first light beam;
a first mirror configured to receive the first light beam from the first waveplate and reflect the first light beam back through the first waveplate, wherein the first light beam transmits through or reflects from one of the one or more polarization selection reflection surfaces, wherein the first light beam that transmits through or reflects from the one of the one or more polarization selection reflection surfaces is configured as (s)-polarized light;
a second waveplate configured to receive the second light beam;
a second mirror configured to receive the second light beam from the second waveplate and reflect the second light beam back through the second waveplate, wherein the second light beam transmits through or reflects from the one of the one or more polarization selection reflection surfaces, wherein the second light beam that transmits through or reflects from the one or more polarization selection reflection surfaces is configured as (p)-polarized light; and
a corrector lens configured to receive the first light beam reflected from the first mirror and the second light beam reflected from the second mirror, wherein a length of a light path of the first light beam and a length of a light path of the second light beam are substantially equal, wherein the first light beam and the second light beam are configured to combine to form a user image.