Image forming apparatus and projector using the same

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact image forming apparatus having a high light utilization efficiency and a high resolving power and a projector using the same.
In order to achieve the above object according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a plurality of imaging means for forming color-separated images and color-synthesizing means for synthesizing the image light components from the plurality of imaging means, characterized by comprising a plurality of light sources, wherein the plurality of imaging means are illuminated with different color light components.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projector comprising an elliptical reflector and a light source located near one focal point of the elliptical reflector and a projection lens located such that a pupil thereof is located near the other focal point of the elliptical reflector, wherein imaging means is located at a position equidistantly spaced apart from both the focal points, so that non-image light reflected by the imaging means is directed near the light source.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projector having a reflector of a shape having at least one focal point, a light source arranged near the focal point, imaging means for modulating light from the light source to form an image, and a mosaic color filter for color-separating the light incident on the imaging means into red, green, and blue light components in a mosaic distribution, wherein the mosaic color filer comprises an interference filter for transmitting any of the red, green, and blue light components and reflecting remaining color components, and the reflected remaining light components are directed near the light source.