Flat diffraction grating light valve
First Claim
1. A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light comprising:
- a. a plurality of elongated elements, each element having a first end and a second end and a light reflective planar surface, wherein the elements are grouped into a first group and a second group such that the elements of the first group are interdigitated with the elements of the second group, the elements being arranged parallel to each other;
b. means for suspending the elements of the first group and the second group by their ends;
c. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the first group in each row together;
d. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the second group in each row together;
e. means for applying a first bias voltage to the first group and means for applying a second bias voltage to the second group such that the reflective surfaces are substantially coplanar and in a first plane such that the incident beam of light is reflected; and
f. means for selectively deflecting the elements of the first group perpendicular to the first plane toward a second plane which is parallel to the first plane such that the incident beam of light is diffracted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diffraction grating light valve modulates an incident beam of light. A plurality of elongated elements each have a reflective surface. The elongated elements are suspended with their respective ends substantially coplanar. Alternate ones of the elongated elements are electrically coupled for receiving a first bias voltage. The interdigitated elongated elements are electrically coupled for receiving a second bias voltage. By applying a appropriate first and second biasing voltages, all the reflective surfaces can be maintained in a first plane. When all the elongated elements are in the first plane, the diffraction grating light valve reflects the beam of light. A predetermined group of the elongated elements, preferably alternate ones, are deformable to be substantially coplanar in a second plane which is parallel to the first plane. When the predetermined group of elements is in the second plane, the diffraction grating light valve diffracts the beam of light.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light comprising:
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a. a plurality of elongated elements, each element having a first end and a second end and a light reflective planar surface, wherein the elements are grouped into a first group and a second group such that the elements of the first group are interdigitated with the elements of the second group, the elements being arranged parallel to each other; b. means for suspending the elements of the first group and the second group by their ends; c. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the first group in each row together; d. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the second group in each row together; e. means for applying a first bias voltage to the first group and means for applying a second bias voltage to the second group such that the reflective surfaces are substantially coplanar and in a first plane such that the incident beam of light is reflected; and f. means for selectively deflecting the elements of the first group perpendicular to the first plane toward a second plane which is parallel to the first plane such that the incident beam of light is diffracted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A digital display system for displaying an image comprising:
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a. a plurality of pixels, each pixel for displaying a portion of the image, wherein the pixels are arranged in an array having a plurality of rows and plurality of columns, and further wherein each pixel comprises; (1) a plurality of elongated elements, each element having a first end and a second end and a light reflective planar surface, wherein the elements are grouped into a first group and a second group such that the elements of the first group are interdigitated with the elements of the second group, the elements being arranged parallel to each other; and (2) means for suspending the elements of the first group and the second group over a substrate by their ends; b. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the first group in each row together; c. means for electrically coupling all the elongated elements of the second group in each row together; d. means for applying a first bias voltage to the first group and means for applying a second bias voltage to the second group such that the reflective surfaces are substantially coplanar and in a first plane such that the incident beam of light is reflected; and e. means for selectively deflecting the elements of the first group perpendicular to the plane to a second plane which is parallel to the first plane such that the incident beam of light is diffracted. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification