a polarizing wavelength separating optical element , pws , in the form of a flat panel causes each of a plurality of polychromatic optical beams from a source , entering at one surface and transmitted to the other surface , to be converted with high conversion efficiency into beams circularly polarized , spectrally separated and spatially separated . the input optical beams are identical and in the form of a linear periodic array illuminating the pws element . output circularly polarized beams are spatially separated by a variable distance and have separated wavelengths that can be in any order : ascending , descending or random . the pws is made of a periodic array of cells whose period is identical to that of the optical source . each cell comprises a plurality of subcells . one subcell functions as a broadband reflector , while each of the remaining subcells functions as a polarizing wavelength selective reflector . the number of the latter subcells depends on the number of wavelengths or wavelength bands to be separated . each subcell in turn comprises a plurality of layers that are bonded together at their surfaces which are oriented at a 45 ° angle relative to the horizontal surfaces of the pws panel . in each subcell , the plurality of layers comprise two cholesteric liquid crystal , clc , films which reflect at a selected wavelength , at least one phase shifting layer , and an appropriate number of clear substrates which provide mechanical supports . the thicknesses of the supporting substrates are designed to cause the optical beams transmitted through the pws to be spatially separated by appropriate distances . direct view displays and projection displays are simplified .