Co-planar surface and torsion device mirror structure and method of manufacture for optical displays
First Claim
1. A spatial light modulator, the spatial light modulator comprising:
- a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrically activated electrodes and a bias grid;
a standoff structure coupled to the first substrate, the standoff structure comprising;
a central portion projecting to a first height above the first substrate, andan extension portion projecting to a second height above the first substrate, the extension portion including two sets of lateral extension arms coupled to and extending away from the central section, each set comprising at least two arms coupled to the first substrate and defining a cavity region bounded on two sides by the at least two arms and a third side by the first substrate, wherein the second height is less than the first height;
a mirror plate comprising;
a central contact structure integrally formed with the central portion of the standoff structure,a torsion beam coplanar with the central contact structure and free from contact with the standoff structure, anda reflective surface coupled to the torsion beam and free from contact with the standoff structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spatial light modulator is provided. The spatial light modulator includes a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrically activated electrodes and a bias grid and a standoff structure coupled to the first substrate. The standoff structure includes a central portion projecting to a first height above the first substrate and an extension portion projecting to a second height above the first substrate, the second height being less than the first height. The spatial light modulator also includes a mirror plate comprising a central contact structure integrally formed with the central portion of the standoff structure, a torsion beam coplanar with the central contact structure and free from contact with the standoff structure, and a reflective surface coupled to the plurality of torsion arms and free from contact with the standoff structure.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A spatial light modulator, the spatial light modulator comprising:
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a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrically activated electrodes and a bias grid; a standoff structure coupled to the first substrate, the standoff structure comprising; a central portion projecting to a first height above the first substrate, and an extension portion projecting to a second height above the first substrate, the extension portion including two sets of lateral extension arms coupled to and extending away from the central section, each set comprising at least two arms coupled to the first substrate and defining a cavity region bounded on two sides by the at least two arms and a third side by the first substrate, wherein the second height is less than the first height; a mirror plate comprising; a central contact structure integrally formed with the central portion of the standoff structure, a torsion beam coplanar with the central contact structure and free from contact with the standoff structure, and a reflective surface coupled to the torsion beam and free from contact with the standoff structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A micro-mirror flexibly supported by a standoff structure, the micro-mirror comprising:
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a mirror layer having an upper surface operable for reflecting incident radiation and a lower surface opposite the upper surface; a first portion of the standoff structure integrally formed with the mirror layer comprising; a first planar interface coupled to the lower surface of the mirror layer; a second planar interface opposite the first planar interface; and a body section extending along a first axis from the first planar interface to the second planar interface; and a second portion of the standoff structure coupled to the first portion of the standoff structure and including a set of lateral extension arms extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the second portion comprising; an upper surface physically separated from the plane of the first planar interface by a first distance; a lower surface coplanar with the second planar interface; and a body section including the set of lateral extension arms extending along the second axis and defining a cavity region between the set of lateral extension arms; and a substrate coupled to the second planar interface of the first portion of the standoff structure and to the lower surface of the second portion of the standoff structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of fabricating a spatial light modulator, the method comprising:
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providing a first substrate structure comprising a plurality of layers; forming a standoff structure in a first layer selected from the plurality of layers of the first substrate structure; providing a second substrate comprising a bonding surface and a support surface; joining the standoff structure to the bonding surface of the second substrate; removing at least a second layer selected from the plurality of layers of the first substrate structure; selectively pafterning the first layer of the first substrate structure to form a micro-mirror; and selectively patterning the first layer to remove a portion of the standoff structure and form a torsion spring hinge co-planar with the micro-mirror. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification