System and method for solid state illumination for spatial light modulators

Claim 1

An improved method of illuminating area array reflective spatial light modulators using an optical system comprising: generating source illumination from an array of solid-state light-emitting elements fabricated on a substrate, wherein said elements are configured to direct ray patterns of individual emitting elements into a bundle of light; positioning a condenser lens having a rear aperture such that said bundles of light from said array of emitting elements uniformly fill said rear aperture of said condenser lens and travels through said condenser lens along a first optical path; providing an imager lens having an aperture along a second optical path, wherein the area between said first optical path and said second optical path comprises a region of uniform illumination; locating said area array reflective spatial light modulator in said region such that said modulator receives said uniform illumination along a first optical path and selected ones of individual elements on said modulator reflect light along said second optical path, wherein said light reflected along said second optical path completely fills said aperture of said imager lens; and tailoring illumination received by said modulator such that said modulator receives a maximum amount of said illumination.