Optical interference pixel display

• US 20060082863A1
• Filed: 12/04/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam L. Ghozell, Arthur Piehl, Eric T. Martin, James R. Przybyla
• Original Assignee: Adam L. Ghozell, Arthur Piehl, Eric T. Martin, James R. Przybyla
• Inventors: Piehl, Arthur, Martin, Eric T., Przybyla, James R., Ghozell, Adam L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,221,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/291
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0809 Several active elements per pixel in active matrix panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 based on interferometric effect

Abstract

An electronic device of an embodiment of the invention is for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image. The electronic device includes a first reflector and a second reflector that define an optical cavity therebetween, and which is selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference. The electronic device also includes a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied. The visible wavelength and/or the intensity are thus variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

Claims

1. An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image comprising:

a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween and selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference; and

,

a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied, such that at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image,

the mechanism comprising a non-linear flexure operatively coupled to one of the first and the second reflectors and having non-linear spring functionality.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first reflector is a top, semi-reflective reflector, and the second reflector is a bottom, highly reflective reflector.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism allows a thickness of the optical cavity to be varied to variably select at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical cavity operates in accordance with a contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors come into contact with one another, and a non-contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors are separated from one another, such that a thickness of the optical cavity therebetween is controllable by the mechanism to select color.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical cavity is analog, such that both the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the optical cavity is one of reflectively selective and transmissively selective.

7. A display device comprising:

a plurality of electrically adjustable optical resonant cavities to correspondingly display a plurality of pixels of a displayable image by optical interference; and

,

a non-linear flexure for each cavity that has non-linear spring functionality.

wherein the plurality of cavities are divided into a plurality of cavity groups, each cavity group variably selecting a visible wavelength at an intensity corresponding to a color and an intensity of a corresponding pixel of the displayable image.

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein each cavity group comprises a sub-plurality of the plurality of cavities, each cavity of the sub-plurality of each cavity group selecting a different static color wavelength at a variably intensity corresponding to a different color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

9. The display device of claim 7, wherein each cavity group comprises a red wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a red color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, a green wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a green color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, and a blue wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a blue color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

10. The display device of claim 7, further comprising, for each optical resonant cavity, a first reflector and a second reflector defining the optical resonant cavity therebetween, the non-linear flexure operatively coupled to one of the first and the second reflectors.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein each optical resonant cavity is operable in a contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors come into contact with one another, and a non-contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors are separated from one another.

12. A method comprising:

for each pixel of a pixilated displayable image, varying one or more corresponding optical resonant cavities to select a corresponding visible wavelength at a corresponding intensity by optical interference to display the pixel,

the cavities each including a non-linear flexure having non-linear spring functionality.

13. An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image comprising:

a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween and selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference;

a third reflector between the first reflector and the second reflector such that the optical cavity encompasses a first gap between the first reflector and the third reflector and a second gap between the third reflector and the second reflector; and

,

a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied, such that at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first reflector is a top, semi-reflective reflector, and the second reflector is a bottom, highly reflective reflector.

15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the optical cavity operates in accordance with a contact mode in which the third reflector come into contact with the first or the second reflector, and a non-contact mode in which the third reflector remains separated from both the first and the second reflectors.

16. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the mechanism allows a thickness of the optical cavity to be varied to variably select at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity.

17. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the optical cavity is analog, such that both the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

18. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the optical cavity is one of reflectively selective and transmissively selective.

19. A display device comprising:

a plurality of electrically adjustable optical resonant cavities to correspondingly display a plurality of pixels of a displayable image by optical interference; and

,

for each optical resonant cavity,

a first reflector and a second reflector defining the optical resonant cavity therebetween; and

,

a third reflector between the first reflector and the second reflector such that the optical cavity encompasses a first gap between the first reflector and the third reflector and a second gap between the third reflector and the second reflector,

wherein the plurality of cavities are divided into a plurality of cavity groups, each cavity group variably selecting a visible wavelength at an intensity corresponding to a color and an intensity of a corresponding pixel of the displayable image.

20. The display device of claim 19, wherein the third reflector results in definition of a first variable capacitor between the first reflector and the third reflector, and a second variable capacitor between the second reflector and the third reflector.

21. The display device of claim 19, wherein each cavity group comprises a sub-plurality of the plurality of cavities, each cavity of the sub-plurality of each cavity group selecting a different static color wavelength at a variably intensity corresponding to a different color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

22. The display device of claim 19, wherein each cavity group comprises a red wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a red color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, a green wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a green color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, and a blue wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a blue color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

23. A method comprising:

for each pixel of a pixilated displayable image, varying one or more corresponding optical resonant cavities to select a corresponding visible wavelength at a corresponding intensity by optical interference to display the pixel,

the cavities each including;

a first reflector and a second reflector defining the optical resonant cavity therebetween; and

,

a third reflector between the first reflector and the second reflector such that the optical cavity encompasses a first gap between the first reflector and the third reflector and a second gap between the third reflector and the second reflector.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing light for illumination of the corresponding visible wavelength.

25. An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image comprising:

a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween and selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference, the optical cavity being digital and operating in accordance with multiple levels, each level corresponding to at least one of a different color and a different intensity of the different color; and

,

a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied, such that at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the first reflector is a top, semi-reflective reflector, and the second reflector is a bottom, highly reflective reflector.

27. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the mechanism allows a thickness of the optical cavity to be varied to variably select at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity.

28. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the optical cavity operates in accordance with a contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors come into contact with one another, and a non-contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors are separated from one another, such that a thickness of the optical cavity therebetween is controllable by the mechanism to select color.

29. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the optical cavity is one of reflectively selective and transmissively selective.

30. A display device comprising:

a plurality of electrically adjustable optical resonant cavities to correspondingly display a plurality of pixels of a displayable image by optical interference,

wherein the plurality of cavities are digital and operate in accordance with multiple levels, such that the plurality of cavities are divided into a plurality of cavity groups, each cavity group variably selecting a visible wavelength at an intensity corresponding to a color and an intensity of a corresponding pixel of the displayable image.

31. The display device of claim 30, wherein each cavity group comprises a sub-plurality of the plurality of cavities, each cavity of the sub-plurality of each cavity group selecting a different static color wavelength at a variably intensity corresponding to a different color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

32. The display device of claim 30, wherein each cavity group comprises a red wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a red color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, a green wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a green color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, and a blue wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a blue color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

33. The display device of claim 30, wherein each optical resonant cavity is operable in a contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors come into contact with one another, and a non-contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors are separated from one another.

34. A method comprising:

for each pixel of a pixilated displayable image, varying one or more corresponding optical resonant cavities to select a corresponding visible wavelength at a corresponding intensity by optical interference to display the pixel,

wherein each optical cavity is digital and operates in accordance with multiple levels, each level corresponding to at least one of a different color and a different intensity of the different color.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing light for illumination of the corresponding visible wavelength.

36. The method of claim 34, further initially comprising dividing a displayable image into the pixilated displayable image.

37. An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image comprising:

a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween and selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference, the optical cavity operating in at least three different states; and

,

a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied, such that at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

38. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the first reflector is a top, semi-reflective reflector, and the second reflector is a bottom, highly reflective reflector.

39. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the mechanism allows a thickness of the optical cavity to be varied to variably select at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity.

40. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the optical cavity operates in accordance with a contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors come into contact with one another, and a non-contact mode in which the first and the second reflectors are separated from one another, such that a thickness of the optical cavity therebetween is controllable by the mechanism to select color.

41. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the optical cavity is analog, such that both the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

42. The electronic device of claim 37, wherein the optical cavity is one of reflectively selective and transmissively selective.

43. A display device comprising:

a plurality of electrically adjustable optical resonant cavities to correspondingly display a plurality of pixels of a displayable image by optical interference,

wherein the plurality of cavities are divided into a plurality of cavity groups, each cavity group variably selecting a visible wavelength at an intensity corresponding to a color and an intensity of a corresponding pixel of the displayable image,

and wherein each cavity operates in at least three different states.

44. The display device of claim 43, wherein each cavity group comprises a sub-plurality of the plurality of cavities, each cavity of the sub-plurality of each cavity group selecting a different static color wavelength at a variably intensity corresponding to a different color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

45. The display device of claim 43, wherein the plurality of cavities are each of one of a plurality of types, each of the plurality of types having the three different operable states.

46. The display device of claim 43, wherein each cavity group comprises a red wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a red color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, a green wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a green color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds, and a blue wavelength-selecting cavity selecting a red intensity corresponding to a blue color component of a pixel of the displayable image to which the cavity group corresponds.

47. A method comprising:

for each pixel of a pixilated displayable image, optically modifying one or more corresponding optical resonant cavities to select a corresponding visible wavelength at a corresponding intensity by optical interference to display the pixel,

wherein each cavity has at least three different states.

48. An electronic device for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image comprising:

a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween and selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference;

a mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied, such that at least one of the visible wavelength and the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image; and

,

a single self-sealed layer to seal the optical cavity and to anti-reflectively coat the optical cavity.

49. The electronic device of claim 48, further comprising an absorbing layers to cover non-active areas surrounding the optical cavity to mask the non-active areas.

50. The electronic device of claim 48, wherein the first reflector is a top, semi-reflective reflector, and the second reflector is a bottom, highly reflective reflector.

51. The electronic device of claim 48, wherein the optical cavity is one of reflectively selective and transmissively selective.

52. A display device comprising:

a plurality of electrically adjustable optical resonant cavities to correspondingly display a plurality of pixels of a displayable image by optical interference; and

,

a single self-sealed layer for each cavity to seal the optical cavity and to anti-reflectively coat the optical cavity,

wherein the plurality of cavities are divided into a plurality of cavity groups, each cavity group variably selecting a visible wavelength at an intensity corresponding to a color and an intensity of a corresponding pixel of the displayable image.

53. The display device of claim 52, wherein upon deposition of the layer onto the electronic device, the device is releasable from a clean room without potential for the device to become contaminated.

54. The display device of claim 52, further comprising a border layer covering non-active areas between the cavities to mask the non-active areas.

55. A method comprising:

for each pixel of a pixilated displayable image, varying one or more corresponding optical resonant cavities to select a corresponding visible wavelength at a corresponding intensity by optical interference to display the pixel,

the cavities each including a single self-sealed layer for each cavity to seal the optical cavity and to anti-reflectively coat the optical cavity.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein upon deposition of the layer onto an electronic device encompassing the cavities, the device is releasable from a clean room without potential for the device to become contaminated.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein an electronic device encompassing the cavities further includes a border layer covering non-active areas between the cavities to mask the non-active areas.