Optical System

An optical system includes an optical cavity defined by a reflective polarizer and a partial reflector. The optical cavity includes one or more optical components including a first optical lens spaced apart from the reflective polarizer. Each optical component within the optical cavity has a substantially uniform retardance or a maximum retardance of less than about 10 nm. The optical system includes a second optical lens disposed outside the optical cavity. The reflective polarizer is disposed on and conforms to a major surface of the second optical lens. The second optical lens has a substantially nonuniform retardance and a maximum retardance in a largest active region of the second optical lens of greater than about 12 nm.