Active yoke hidden hinge digital micromirror device
First Claim
1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:
- a) a substrate;
b) addressing circuitry comprising a first portion provided proximate said substrate and a second portion elevated above said substrate;
c) a yoke supported over said addressing circuitry first portion;
d) at least one hinge connected to said yoke and supporting said yoke, said hinge permitting deflection of said yoke; and
e) a pixel elevated above and supported by said yoke, said pixel positioned over said elevated addressing circuitry second portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spatial light modulator (10) of the DMD type having increased performance parameters. A pixel mirror (30) is supported by a yoke (32), whereby electrostatic attraction forces (70, 76, 80, 82) are generated between several structures. First, between the elevated mirror (30) and an elevated address electrode (50, 52). Second, between the yoke (32) and an underlying address electrode (26, 28). The pixel (30) achieves high address torque, high latching torques, high reset forces, and greater address margins over previous generation devices. The proximity of the yoke (32) over the substrate address electrodes (26, 28) realizes large attraction forces whereby the pixel is less susceptible to address upset, requires lower reset voltages and provides higher switching speeds.
686 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:
-
a) a substrate; b) addressing circuitry comprising a first portion provided proximate said substrate and a second portion elevated above said substrate; c) a yoke supported over said addressing circuitry first portion; d) at least one hinge connected to said yoke and supporting said yoke, said hinge permitting deflection of said yoke; and e) a pixel elevated above and supported by said yoke, said pixel positioned over said elevated addressing circuitry second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A spatial light modulator, comprising:
-
a) a substrate; b) addressing circuitry comprising a first portion provided proximate said substrate and a second portion residing above a plane defined by said first portion; c) a yoke supported over said addressing circuitry first portion; d) at least one hinge connected to said yoke and supporting said yoke, said hinge permitting deflection of said yoke; and e) a pixel elevated above and supported by said yoke, said pixel positioned over said elevated addressing circuitry second portion.
-
Specification