Systems and methods using interferometric optical modulators and diffusers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display comprising a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising:
- a movable reflector;
a partial reflector positioned at a distance from the movable reflector thereby forming an optical resonator cavity, said movable reflector and said partial reflector separated by a gap;
a diffuser portion disposed forward the movable and partial reflectors; and
an electrode configured to cause said movable reflector to move with respect to said partial reflector and to alter said optical resonator cavity, wherein (i) the plurality of display elements has a reflectivity at a viewing angle of about 45°
that is greater than about 75% of the reflectivity of the plurality of display elements when viewed from normal and (ii) the diffuser portions are disposed sufficiently close to the partially reflective layers such that the plurality of display elements achieve a contrast of greater than about 5 to 1 while using a displayed test pattern of alternating white and black lines of a spatial period of less than about 0.45 millimeters.
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Abstract
Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker substrate. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A display comprising a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising:
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a movable reflector;
a partial reflector positioned at a distance from the movable reflector thereby forming an optical resonator cavity, said movable reflector and said partial reflector separated by a gap;
a diffuser portion disposed forward the movable and partial reflectors; and
an electrode configured to cause said movable reflector to move with respect to said partial reflector and to alter said optical resonator cavity, wherein (i) the plurality of display elements has a reflectivity at a viewing angle of about 45°
that is greater than about 75% of the reflectivity of the plurality of display elements when viewed from normal and (ii) the diffuser portions are disposed sufficiently close to the partially reflective layers such that the plurality of display elements achieve a contrast of greater than about 5 to 1 while using a displayed test pattern of alternating white and black lines of a spatial period of less than about 0.45 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A display comprising a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising:
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means for spatially modulating light by interferometrically modulating reflectivity, said spatial modulating means having a maximum resolution less than about 0.45 millimeters; and
means for diffusing said light, wherein (i) in one state, said plurality of display element have a reflectivity at a viewing angle of about 45°
that is greater than about 75% of the reflectivity of the display when viewed from normal, and (ii) said plurality of display elements produce a display contrast greater than about 5 to 1 for a test pattern comprising alternating white and black lines with said maximum resolution of said spatial modulating means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of manufacturing a display comprising a plurality of display elements, said method comprising:
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forming a movable reflector;
forming a partial reflector positioned at a distance from the movable reflector thereby forming an optical resonator cavity, said movable reflector and said partial reflector separated by a gap such that said movable reflector can move toward said partial reflector to modulate said optical resonator cavity;
forming a diffuser disposed within about 0.45 millimeters or less of the partially reflective layer; and
forming an electrode configured to cause said movable reflector to move with respect to said partial reflector. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A display comprising a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising:
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a movable reflector;
a partial reflector positioned at a distance from the movable reflector thereby forming an optical resonator cavity;
an electrode configured to cause said movable mirror to move with respect to said partial reflector to alter said optical resonator cavity; and
a substrate, said movable reflector, said partial reflector and said electrode disposed on one side of a substrate, said substrate having a thickness of about 0.45 millimeters or less. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A display comprising a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising:
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a movable reflector;
a partial reflector positioned at a distance from the movable reflector thereby forming an optical resonator cavity, said movable reflector and said partial reflector separated by a gap;
a diffuser portion disposed forward the movable and partial reflectors; and
an electrode configured to cause said movable reflector to move with respect to said partial reflector and to alter said optical resonator cavity, wherein said diffuser portion is disposed within about 0.45 millimeters of said partial reflector. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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Specification