System and method of illuminating interferometric modulators using backlighting
First Claim
1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:
- a light-modulating array comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements each having a cavity defined by first and second optical surfaces, said second optical surface movable with respect to the first optical surface;
at least one optical aperture region in said light-modulating array; and
at least one reflecting element formed between a substrate and the plurality of light-modulating elements and configured to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and to reflect at least a portion of the received light to said cavity, wherein the at least one reflecting element has a sloped surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interferometric modulator array device with backlighting is disclosed. The interferometric modulator array device comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator elements, wherein each of the interferometric modulator elements comprises an optical cavity. The interferometric modulator array includes an optical aperture region, and at least one reflecting element is positioned so as to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and reflect at least a portion of the received light to the cavities of the interferometric modulator elements. In some embodiments, the interferometric modulator elements may be separated from each other such that an optical aperture region is formed between adjacent interferometric modulator elements.
463 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:
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a light-modulating array comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements each having a cavity defined by first and second optical surfaces, said second optical surface movable with respect to the first optical surface; at least one optical aperture region in said light-modulating array; and at least one reflecting element formed between a substrate and the plurality of light-modulating elements and configured to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and to reflect at least a portion of the received light to said cavity, wherein the at least one reflecting element has a sloped surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification