An optical combining device for combining the paths of two light beams
having different polarizations is provided. The device includes a scroll
direction change prism and a polarized beam splitter. The scroll
direction change prism is disposed in the path of a first light beam and
changes a scroll direction of the first light beam to as to be the same
as that of a second light beam. The polarized beam splitter is disposed
in the path of both the first light beam, reflected from the scroll
direction change prism, and the second light beam and combines the first
and second beams by selectively transmitting or reflecting them according
to the polarization direction thereof.