Differential interferometric light modulator and image display device

• US 7,193,766 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mantis Vision, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alces Technology, Inc. (Mantis Vision, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bloom, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben; Loha
• Application Number:
  US11/391,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 359245-247, 359/279, 359/497, 359/280, 359/338, 359/334, 359/231, 359/290, 359/291, 369/94, 369/100, 369/110.04, 369/112.17, 369/13.16, 369/13.32, 369/44.23, 369/54, 369/116, 356/450, 356/457, 356/487, 356/499, 356/364, 324/76.36, 324/76.21, 324/765, 353/31, 353/33
• US Class Current: 359/279
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/06 for controlling the phase of light G02B26/08 takes precedence , measuring optical phase difference G01J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means

Abstract

A light modulator incorporates a polarization sensitive prism and a novel MEMS ribbon device to impart a relative phase shift to polarization components of an incident light beam. A linear array of phase shifting elements in the MEMS device creates a linear image which is scanned to form a two dimensional scene. Alternatively the deflection of each cantilever in a linear array of atomic force microscope cantilevers may be measured simultaneously.

Claims

1. A light modulator comprising:

a polarizing prism that splits a light beam into different paths corresponding to polarization components of the light; and

,

a microelectromechanical device that imparts a relative phase shift to the light in the paths prior to recombination of the light in the polarizing prism.

2. A light modulator as in claim 1 further comprising:

a light source that generates the light beam, the light source incorporating beam shaping optics.

3. A light modulator as in claim 2 wherein the beam shaping optics include a slit.

4. A light modulator as in claim 2 wherein the beam shaping optics include a cylinder lens.

5. A light modulator as in claim 1 further comprising an optical 1/4-wave plate placed between the polarizing prism and the microelectromechanical device.

6. A light modulator as in claim 5 wherein the polarization components are orthogonally polarized.

7. A light modulator as in claim 5 wherein the polarization components are not linearly polarized.

8. A light modulator as in claim 1 wherein the polarizing prism is made of quartz.

9. A light modulator as in claim 1 wherein the polarizing prism is made of calcite.

10. An atomic force microscope comprising:

a polarizing prism that splits a light beam into different paths corresponding to polarization components of the light; and

,

an array of atomic force microscope cantilevers that impart relative phase shifts to light in the paths.

11. A light modulator comprising:

a polarizing prism that splits a light beam into different paths corresponding to polarization components of the light; and

,

a linear array of phase shift surface elements that impart phase shifts to the light in the paths prior to recombination of the light in the polarizing prism.