A color separation/combination prism is disclosed which has an optical
film arrangement capable of performing color separation, light analysis
and color combination. The prism includes four prism members and at least
five optical surfaces as outer surfaces thereof. Each of the prism
members has at least three optical surfaces including two optical
surfaces which intersect orthogonally with each other at a first side
thereof. The four prism members are joined together such that the first
sides of the prism members are adjacent to or contact each other. Joining
portions of the four prism members are provided with wavelength-selective
polarizing films.