Housing for a spatial light modulator

• US 6,902,277 B1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Ehrne, Franklin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mahoney, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/752,338
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 353/101, 353/119, 353/122, 349/58
• US Class Current: 353/119
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/003 Alignment of optical elements G02B7/001, G02B7/002 take precedence; for mirrors G02B7/1822
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/006 Filter holders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3105 for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53

Abstract

A housing (100) for a spatial light modulator (30) includes a first frame (102) for supporting the spatial light modulator (30) in the path of an incident illumination beam. A second frame (104) having an aperture (124) is fitted against the first frame (102) and provides a support element for disposing an optical component such as a compensator (90) proximate the aperture (124). The support element is rotatably adjustable about an axis.

Claims

1. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator,

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatable adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element comprises a pinion gear.

2. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said spatial light modulator is a transmissive LCD.

3. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said spatial light modulator is a reflective LCD.

4. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said optical component is a compensator.

5. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said optical component is a polarizer.

6. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said optical component is a filter.

7. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said support element is rotatably adjustable about an optical axis.

8. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 1 wherein said first frame further comprises a second aperture for said incident illumination beam.

9. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator;

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element comprises a ring having gear teeth.

10. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator;

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatable adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element is rotatably adjustable by more than 90 degrees.

11. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said incident illumination beam to said spatial light modulator and for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator;

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element comprises a pinion gear.

12. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 11 wherein said spatial light modulator is an LCD.

13. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 11 wherein said optical component is a compensator.

14. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 11 wherein said optical component is a polarizer.

15. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 11 wherein said optical component is a filter.

16. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 11 wherein said support element is rotatably adjustable about an optical axis.

17. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said incident illumination beam to said spatial light modulator and for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator;

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatable adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element comprises a ring having gear teeth.

18. A housing for a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator provides a modulated image beam, the housing comprising:

(a) a first frame for supporting the spatial light modulator in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising;

(i) an aperture for said incident illumination beam to said spatial light modulator and for said modulated image beam from said spatial light modulator;

(ii) a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatable adjustable about an axis such that said optical component rotates in a plane nominally parallel to a plane of said spatial light modulator; and

wherein said support element is rotatably adjustable by more than 90 degrees.

19. A light modulation subsystem in an imaging apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination source for providing an illumination beam to a polarizing beamsplitter, said polarizing beamsplitter forming a polarized illumination beam;

(b) a spatial light modulator for modulating said polarized illumination beam to form a modulated image beam;

(c) a housing for said spatial light modulator, the housing comprising;

(i) a first frame for supporting said spatial light modulator in a path of said polarized illumination beam;

(ii) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising an aperture for said modulated image beam; and

a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis; and

wherein said support element comprises a pinion gear.

20. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said spatial light modulator is a transmissive LCD.

21. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said spatial light modulator is a reflective LCD.

22. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said optical component is a compensator.

23. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said optical component is a polarizer.

24. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said optical component is a filter.

25. A housing for a spatial light modulator according to claim 19 wherein said first frame further comprises a second aperture for said polarized illumination beam.

26. A light modulation subsystem in an imaging apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination source for providing an illumination beam to a polarizing beamsplitter, said polarizing beamsplitter forming a polarized illumination beam;

(b) a spatial light modulator for modulating said polarized illumination beam to form a modulated image beam;

(c) a housing for said spatial light modulator, the housing comprising;

(i) a first frame for supporting said spatial light modulator in a path of said polarized illumination beam;

(ii) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising an aperture for said modulated image beam; and

a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis; and

wherein said support element comprises a ring having gear teeth.

27. A light modulation subsystem in an imaging apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination source for providing an illumination beam to a polarizing beamsplitter, said polarizing beamsplitter forming a polarized illumination beam;

(b) a spatial light modulator for modulating said polarized illumination beam to form a modulated image beam;

(c) a housing for said spatial light modulator, the housing comprising;

(i) a first frame for supporting said spatial light modulator in a path of said polarized illumination beam;

(ii) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising an aperture for said modulated image beam; and

a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis; and

wherein said support element is rotatably adjustable by more than 90 degrees.

28. A light modulation subsystem in an imaging apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination source for providing an illumination beam to a polarizing beamsplitter, said polarizing beamsplitter forming a polarized illumination beam;

(b) a spatial light modulator for modulating said polarized illumination beam to form a modulated image beam;

(c) a housing for said spatial light modulator, the housing comprising;

(i) a first frame for supporting said spatial light modulator in a path of said polarized illumination beam;

(ii) a second frame, fitted against said first frame, said second frame comprising an aperture for said modulated image beam; and

a support element for disposing an optical component proximate said aperture, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis; and

wherein said axis is an optical axis.

29. A method of mounting a spatial light modulator comprising:

(a) supporting the spatial light modulator within a base frame, in a path of an incident illumination beam;

(b) providing a cover frame comprising an aperture and supporting an optical component proximate said aperture within a support element, said support element rotatably adjustable about an axis;

(c) mounting said cover frame against said base frame; and

wherein the step of supporting an optical component proximate said aperture comprises the step of seating a compensator within a rotatable ring.