56.1: Distinguished Paper: A Higher‐Contrast, Ghost‐Ray‐Deflecting, Total‐Internal‐Reflection Light Separator for LED DLP Projectors

In this paper, we present a novel light separator with the ability to enhance the contrast ratio and maintain the optical efficiency in a digital light processing (DLP) projection system. The working theorem for the novel light separator is derived as well. In this novel light separator design, the ghost ray is directed away from the projection lens by a total internal reflection surface. Since the ghost ray does not even enter the projection lens, the contrast ratio enhancement is more effective than that achieved by an asymmetrical stop. Compared with the conventional method, the full-on/full-off (FO:FO) contrast ratio is increased from 921:1 to 46347:1 and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) contrast ratio is increased from 177:1 to 295:1. The imaging system efficiency can maintain at 79.8% under the contrast ratio enhancement process.