A diffraction based polarisation independent lightvalve

Polarisation dependence of LC lightvalves results in losses in projection systems and viewers alike. Recently this is typically overcome by the use of polarisation conversion optics (PCOS) in higher efficiency projection systems at the cost of increased optical extent. An alternative approach is to overcome the polarisation dependence at the light valve. Here we report practical, diffraction based, polarisation independent operation and the options for the structure of the lightvalve pixel