Method and device for modulating light with semiconductor substrate
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal. The elements are made by forming a sandwich of two layers and a sacrificial layer between them, the sacrificial layer having a thickness related to the final cavity dimension, and using water or an oxygen based plasma to remove the sacrificial layer.
138 Citations
81 Claims
-
1-53. -53. (canceled)
-
54. A light modulation device, comprising:
-
a substrate comprising a semiconductor material; and
first and second layers formed on the substrate, the first and second layers having a cavity therebetween, wherein the first layer is at least partially transparent and the second layer is opaque and is configured to move relative to the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
-
-
69. A method of manufacturing a light modulation device, the method comprising:
-
providing a semiconductor substrate;
forming a first layer on the substrate;
forming a sacrificial layer on the first layer;
forming a second layer on the sacrificial layer, wherein the second layer is spaced apart from the first layer, and the first layer is at least partially transparent and the second layer is opaque and is configured to move relative to the substrate; and
removing the sacrificial layer. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71, 72, 73, 74)
-
-
75. A light modulation device, comprising:
-
first and second means for reflecting light, the first and second reflecting means having a cavity therebetween, wherein the first reflecting means is at least partially transparent and the second reflecting means is opaque and is configured to move relative to the first reflecting means; and
.means for supporting the first and second reflecting means, the supporting means comprising a semiconductor material. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
-
Specification