Optical switching element and image display device

• US 6,591,037 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yonekubo, Masatoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Curtis, Craig
• Application Number:
  US09/907,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 385/15, 385/16, 385/18, 385/19, 385/25, 385/30-32, 385/36, 385/37, 385/47, 385/48
• US Class Current: 385/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3522 the optical element enabling or impairing total internal reflection using evanescent coupling G02B6/3536
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/355 1x2 switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of two possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3558 1xN switch, i.e. one input and a selectable single output of N possible outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/357 Electrostatic force electrostatic forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0841
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3578 Piezoelectric force piezoelectric forces controlling reflecting elements in general G02B26/0858; piezo-optic devices G02F1/0131
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3594 Characterised by additional functional means, e.g. means for variably attenuating or branching or means for switching differently polarized beams
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3596 With planar waveguide arrangement, i.e. in a substrate, regardless if actuating mechanism is outside the substrate

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical switching element causing less loss of light and permitting high response, thinning of an optical system for illumination, and the realization of an image display device exhibiting precise grayscale properties. In the optical switching element, an extraction surface of a light extraction unit mounted to a thin film is brought into contact with the total reflection surface of a light guide serving as a light guide unit comprising a glass plate or the like for transmitting light by total reflection, or near at a distance from the total reflection, surface for allowing extraction of evanescent waves, to extract the incident light transmitted through the light guide and emit the extracted light to the outside through an emission member. Such optical switching permits the light extract unit to be operated in a range of approximately a wavelength or half a wavelength, thereby providing an optical switching element capable of high-speed operation and having high contrast because the incident light does not leak due to total reflection during an off time.

Claims

1. An optical switching element comprising:

a light guide unit having a total reflection surface that transmits light by total reflection;

a supporting film;

a light extraction unit having a transparent extraction surface and including at least a transparent electrode and an emission member as a reflector, the light extraction unit being supported by the supporting film so that the extraction surface is movable between a first position and a second position, a distance between the first position and the total reflection surface being equal to or less than an extraction distance that an evanescent wave leaks from the total reflection surface through the extraction surface, a distance between the second position and the total reflection surface being greater than the extraction distance; and

the reflector arranged so as to reflect light traveling through the extraction surface, the supporting film being located between the transparent electrode of the light extraction unit and the reflector.

2. An optical switching element comprising:

a light guide unit having a total reflection surface that transmits light by total reflection;

a supporting film;

a light extraction unit having a transparent extraction surface and including at least a transparent electrode and an emission member, the light extraction unit being supported by the supporting film such that the emission member and the transparent electrode are supported on one or more sides of the supporting film and so that the extraction surface is movable between a first position and a second position, a distance between the first position and the total reflection surface being equal to or less than an extraction distance that an evanescent wave leaks from the total reflection surface through the extraction surface, a distance between the second position and the total reflection surface being greater than the extraction distance; and

a reflective portion located at a back side of the emission member of the light extraction unit and arranged so as to reflect light traveling through the extraction surface.

3. The optical switching element according to claim 2 wherein the transparent electrode of the light extraction unit is supported on an upper side of the supporting film and the emission member is supported on a lower side of the supporting film.

4. The optical switching element according to claim 2, wherein the reflective portion comprises a back surface of the emission member.

5. The optical switching element according to claim 2, wherein the emission member and the transparent electrode are both supported on an upper side of the supporting film.

6. The optical switching element according to claim 2, wherein the light extraction unit is located between the light guide unit and the supporting film.

7. The optical switching element according to claim 4, wherein the emission member composes a micro prism.

8. The optical switching element according to claim 5, wherein the reflective portion comprises a reflecting film located in contact with a back surface of the emission member.