Spatial light modulator assembly

• US 5,196,767 A
• Filed: 01/04/1991
• Issued: 03/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optron Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optron Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Tsakiris, Todd N., Leard, Francis L., Warde, Cardinal
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, SON T
• Application Number:
  US07/638,317
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 315/349, 315/169.1, 313/309, 313/336, 359/245, 359/291
• US Class Current: 315/349
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0333 addressed by a beam of charged particles G02F1/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133348 Charged particles addressed liquid crystal cells, e.g. controlled by an electron beam
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/12 spatial light modulator

Abstract

The disclosed optical signal processor includes a matrix-addressable field emitter array for supplying a controlled electron emission to a two-dimensional signal processor element that may be either a processor of electrical or two-dimensional optical signals.

Claims

1. A two-dimensional light modulator comprising a vacuum cell comprising an output port having a two-dimensional signal processing element mounted in said output port;

a field emitter array for supplying a controlled electron emission located within said vacuum cell and spaced from said signal processing element; and

a conductive grid for providing a controlled voltage located within said vacuum cell between and spaced from said field emitter array and said signal processing element.

2. A light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said field emitter array comprises a matrix addressed field emitter array having a plurality of horizontal and vertical gates, and including means coupled to said horizontal and vertical gates to selectively activate emitters in said array.

3. A light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing element comprises a two dimensional optical signal processing element.

4. A light modulator according to claim 3 wherein said signal processing element comprises a spatial light modulator.

5. A light modulator according to claim 4, and including a transparent electrode overlying said optical signal processing element.

6. A light modulator according to claim 3 wherein said signal processing element comprises a deformable mirror.

7. A light modulator according to claim 3 wherein said signal processing element comprises liquid crystals.

8. A light modulator according to claim 3 wherein said signal processing element comprises an organic polymer.

9. A light modulator according to claim 3 wherein said signal processing element comprises inorganic crystals.

10. A light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing element comprises a two dimensional electronic signal processing device.

11. A light modulator according to claim 10 wherein said signal processing device comprises an array of diodes capable of performing 2-D parallel electrical signal processing.

12. A light modulator according to claim 10 wherein said signal processing device comprises an array of multiplexers capable of performing 2-D parallel electrical signal processing.

13. A light modulator according to claim 10 wherein said signal processing device comprises an array of electronic chips capable of performing 2-D parallel electrical signal processing.

14. A light modulator according to claim 10 wherein said signal processing device comprises a VLSI circuit capable of performing 2-D parallel electrical signal processing.

15. A light modulator according to claim 10, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said two dimensional electronic signal processing device.

16. A light modulator according to claim 3, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element.

17. A light modulator according to claim 4, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element and spatial light modulator.

18. A light modulator according to claim 6, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element.

19. A light modulator according to claim 7, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element.

20. A light modulator according to claim 8, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element.

21. A light modulator according to claim 9, and including a charge transfer plate underlying said optical signal processing element.