A projector is provided which can realize a bright projected image of high
light utilization efficiency while combining a reflective-type liquid
crystal device and an integrator optical system. The projector may include
a light source lamp, a light beam dividing optical element, a polarization
conversion element, a polarization selection element having a polarization
selection surface, and an electro-optical device. When a plane of
incidence including a normal line of the polarization selection surface
and the central axis of an incident light is assumed, the direction
parallel to the plane of incidence and perpendicularly intersecting the
central axis is assumed to be the X-axis direction, and the direction
perpendicularly intersecting the plane of incidence is assumed to be the
Y-axis direction, the direction of polarization beam separation by the
polarization conversion element is the X-axis direction.