Opposing electrode light modulator array and method for manufacturing the same
First Claim
1. A light modulator linear array of multiple modulator elements comprising:
- electrooptic material having opposing optical surfaces; and
a plurality of spaced apart pairs of opposing electrodes, each pair of opposing electrodes being disposed along at least a portion of opposing electrode surfaces extending between said opposing optical surfaces, each pair of opposing electrodes defining one of the multiple modulator elements within the light modulation material.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved linear light modulator array is formed with opposing electrodes which extend away from the optic surfaces of optoelcctronic material used to form the array. A uniform electric field is created across a modulator volume, generally perpendicular to light propagation within the modulator volume. The modulator volume of an element in the array is a function of electrode length, width and separation. Additional elements are defined by additional pairs of electrodes. The geometry is obtained by cutting optoelectronic material into strips. Cut sides of the strips are metallized, one at a time, with the opposite side temporarily affixed to a carrier. Aligned trenches are cut in the metallized strips to separate electrode pairs and define array elements.
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A light modulator linear array of multiple modulator elements comprising:
-
electrooptic material having opposing optical surfaces; and
a plurality of spaced apart pairs of opposing electrodes, each pair of opposing electrodes being disposed along at least a portion of opposing electrode surfaces extending between said opposing optical surfaces, each pair of opposing electrodes defining one of the multiple modulator elements within the light modulation material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for manufacturing a light modulator linear array from a wafer of electrooptic material, the method comprising steps of:
-
cutting the wafer through its width to form at least one strip of electrooptic material;
temporarily affixing a cut side of said at least one strip to a carrier;
forming metal onto an opposite cut side of said at least one strip;
forming trenches to separate deposited metal into discrete electrodes;
repeating said steps of temporarily affixing, forming metal, and forming trenches to form opposing discrete electrodes and define discrete modulator elements thereby completing a linear array. - View Dependent Claims (9)
-
-
10. A light modulator linear array of multiple modulator elements comprising:
-
electrooptic material having opposing optical surfaces; and
a plurality of spaced apart registered pairs of opposing electrodes, each pair of opposing electrodes being disposed along at least a portion of opposing electrode surfaces extending between and perpendicular to said opposing optical surfaces, each pair of opposing electrodes defining one of the multiple modulator elements within the light modulation material.
-
Specification