Integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators
First Claim
1. An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators comprising:
- an array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels formed on a substrate with each pixel including a control circuit formed in the substrate, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate, a mirror positioned on the substrate in overlying relationship to the control circuit, and spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the mirror so that light passing through the spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the spatial light modulator material;
a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels;
a housing with an internal cavity formed to receive the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels and the light polarizing layer therein, the housing defining an opening generally parallel with and spaced from the light polarizing layer and including an optical layer positioned in the opening;
an at least partially reflective member affixed to the optical layer;
a light source mounted in the housing so that light emanating from the light source is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected substantially uniformly onto the light polarizing layer; and
the optical layer including a diffuser forming an image plane for reflected light from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An array of reflective LCSLM pixels and control circuits formed on a substrate with a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the array. A housing having the array and polarizing layer mounted therein, and defining an opening covered by an optical layer with a reflective member affixed to the optical layer. A light source mounted in the housing so that light is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected uniformly onto the polarizing layer. Electrical connections are made from the array, through leads in the housing and to external contacts. The optical layer including a diffuser forming an image plane for reflected light from the array.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators comprising:
-
an array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels formed on a substrate with each pixel including a control circuit formed in the substrate, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate, a mirror positioned on the substrate in overlying relationship to the control circuit, and spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the mirror so that light passing through the spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the spatial light modulator material; a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels; a housing with an internal cavity formed to receive the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels and the light polarizing layer therein, the housing defining an opening generally parallel with and spaced from the light polarizing layer and including an optical layer positioned in the opening; an at least partially reflective member affixed to the optical layer; a light source mounted in the housing so that light emanating from the light source is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected substantially uniformly onto the light polarizing layer; and the optical layer including a diffuser forming an image plane for reflected light from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
12. An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 12 wherein the polished pad of metal for each pixel is a polished pad of aluminum.
-
16. An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising:
-
a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact mirror positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact mirror defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact mirrors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, and an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel; a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material; a housing with an internal cavity formed to receive the light polarizing layer and the stack therein, the housing defining an opening generally parallel with and spaced from the light polarizing layer and including an optical layer positioned in the opening; an at least partially reflective member affixed to the optical layer; a light source mounted in the housing so that light emanating from the light source is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected substantially uniformly onto the light polarizing layer; and the optical layer including a diffuser forming an image plane for reflected light from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising:
-
a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact minor positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact minor defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact minors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, and an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel; a housing with an internal cavity formed to receive the stack therein and the stack being positioned in the internal cavity; a light polarizing layer positioned in the internal cavity of the housing in overlying relationship to the electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material, the housing defining an opening in the internal cavity generally parallel with and spaced from the light polarizing layer and including an optical layer positioned in the opening so as to receive polarized reflected light from the electrical contact minors on the substrate of the stack; an at least partially reflective member affixed to the optical layer of the housing; a light source mounted in the housing so that light emanating from the light source is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected substantially uniformly through the light polarizing layer and onto the stack; and the optical layer of the housing including a diffuser forming an image plane for reflected light from the stack. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
-
21. A method of fabricating an integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators comprising the steps of:
-
providing a stack including a plurality of reflective spatial light modulators formed in a two dimensional array on a semiconductor substrate with drive electronics formed in the substrate for each spatial light modulator of the array of spatial light modulators and control terminals for the drive electronics positioned adjacent outer edges of the substrate, the stack further including a light transparent surface defining a light input and light output for each of the spatial light modulators in the two dimensional array of reflective spatial light modulators; forming a housing with an internal cavity constructed to receive the stack therein and positioning the stack in the cavity; forming a light polarizing layer and positioning the light polarizing layer in the internal cavity of the housing in overlying relationship to the stack, the housing defining an opening in the internal cavity generally parallel with and spaced from the light polarizing layer; forming an optical layer and positioning the optical layer in the opening of the housing so as to receive polarized light from the stack; forming an at least partially reflective member and affixing the partially reflective member to the optical layer of the housing; providing a light source and mounting the light source in the housing so that light emanating from the light source is directed onto the reflective member and is reflected substantially uniformly through the light polarizing layer and onto the stack; and diffusing light reflected from the stack to form an image. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification