Interferometric modulation of radiation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An array of interferometric modulators, each of the interferometric modulators comprising a cavity defined by two walls, at least two arms connecting the two walls to permit motion of the walls relative to each other, the walls and arms of different ones of the modulators being configured to achieve different spring constants associated with motion of the walls relative to each other.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment the invention provides an interferometric modulator comprising a cavity defined by two walls held by a support. The support comprises two materials such that the electrical or mechanical properties of the mechanical support differ at different locations in a cross-section of the mechanical support.
761 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. An array of interferometric modulators, each of the interferometric modulators comprising a cavity defined by two walls, at least two arms connecting the two walls to permit motion of the walls relative to each other, the walls and arms of different ones of the modulators being configured to achieve different spring constants associated with motion of the walls relative to each other.
- 3. An interferometric modulator comprising three walls that are generally parallel to one another, the walls being supported for movement of at least one of the walls relative to the other two, and control circuitry for driving at least one of the walls to discrete positions representing three discrete states of operation of the modulator.
- 6. An interference interferometric modulator comprising a cavity defined by two walls that are movable relative to one another to and from a contact position in which the two walls are essentially adjacent to one another, and spacers mounted to form part of one of the walls to reduce the surface area over which the two walls touch in the contact position.
- 8. An interference interferometric modulator comprising at least two walls that are movable relative to each other to define a cavity between them, the relative positions of the walls defining two modes, one in which the modulator reflects incident light and appears white and another in which the modulator absorbs incident light and appears black.
- 10. An interferometric modulator comprising a cavity defined by two walls held by a support comprising two materials such that the electrical or mechanical properties of the mechanical support differ at different locations in a cross-section of the mechanical support.
-
14. An interference modulation device comprising:
-
a plurality of interference modulators fabricated in an array, each interference modulator comprising first and second walls that cooperate to interferometrically modulate light to produce first and second optical responses; and
a mounting arrangement mounting the second wall relative to the first wall so that the second wall is spaced from the first wall corresponding to an undriven condition in which the first optical response is produced, the mounting arrangement allowing displacement of the second wall towards the first wall corresponding to a driven condition in which the second optical response is produced, wherein the mounting arrangement allows for movement of the second wall when it is in the undriven condition thereby to relieve residual stress in the second wall. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. An interferometric modulator comprising:
-
first and second walls which cooperate to interferometrically modulate light in a first operative position in which the walls are spaced apart by a gap and in a second operative position in which the position in which the walls are displaced to close the gap; and
an actuation mechanism comprising an electrode to electrostatically displace the second wall from the first operative position to the second operative position, the electrode having a reduced surface area so as to reduce charge build-up through contact with the second wall in the second operative position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification