High speed deformable mirror light valve
First Claim
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1. A light valve comprising:
- a plurality of individually addressable and micro-machined ribbons of silicon nitride each forming an energizable capacitor which may be selectively deformed into an approximately cylindrical form;
a mirror surface formed on each silicon nitride ribbon, said mirror surface having a focus which changes in accordance with the deformation of said eneraizable capacitor;
a target surface remote from the mirror surfaces; and
an aperture, positioned between the mirror surfaces and the target surface, for converting the change in focus of each mirror surface into a light intensity change; and
a source of electrical energy coupled to and configured to selectively energize and deform each capacitor.
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Abstract
A deformable mirror light valve comprised of an array of silicon nitride ribbons, metalized to reflect light. Each ribbon is electrostatically deformed to form a cylindrical mirror. Each deformable ribbon modulates the light of one pixel by focusing the reflected light through a slit. An alternative embodiment focuses the light onto a stop. The ribbon structure has a fast response time combined with high contrast.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A light valve comprising:
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a plurality of individually addressable and micro-machined ribbons of silicon nitride each forming an energizable capacitor which may be selectively deformed into an approximately cylindrical form; a mirror surface formed on each silicon nitride ribbon, said mirror surface having a focus which changes in accordance with the deformation of said eneraizable capacitor; a target surface remote from the mirror surfaces; and an aperture, positioned between the mirror surfaces and the target surface, for converting the change in focus of each mirror surface into a light intensity change; and a source of electrical energy coupled to and configured to selectively energize and deform each capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of forming a high speed deformable mirror light valve comprising the acts of:
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(1) forming a ribbon including an electrically conductive surface on a silicon nitride surface, the ribbon having first and second ends; (2) supporting the ribbon at its first and second ends; (3) deforming the ribbon into a mirror having an approximately cylindrical shape by applying an electrical signal to the conductive surface; (4) providing a source of light reflected by said mirror; (5) placing an element including transparent and nontransparent areas in a manner that converts said deformation of said mirror into changes of intensity of said reflected light at approximately the focal point of the mirror. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification