An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays
that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display
unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the
display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The
display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a
first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially
parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct
light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.
