Modulating the intensity of light from an interferometric reflector
First Claim
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1. An optical device comprising:
- an at least partially optically transmissive first surface;
an optical stack spaced from the first surface, the optical stack comprisinga reflective first layer,a partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, wherein the reflective first layer has a greater thickness than the partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, anda dielectric third layer that separates and supports the first and second layers in a fixed relationship with respect to one another to create an optically resonant cavity between the first and second layers, the optical stack adapted to reflect light having a set of wavelengths determined by interference of light reflected from the first layer and from the second layer;
a first fluid between the first surface and the optical stack; and
a second surface between the first surface and the optical stack, the first fluid covering a first portion of the second surface when a first voltage is applied to the device, and the first fluid covering a second portion of the second surface when a second voltage is applied to the device.
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Abstract
An optical device for modulating the intensity of light from an interferometric reflector. In one embodiment, the optical device can include an optical stack having a reflective layer and a partially reflective, partially transmissive layer for reflecting light. The optical device can also include a fluid cell comprising an absorptive fluid and a transmissive fluid. The optical device can also include a mechanism for controlling the portion of the reflector which is shadowed by the absorptive fluid.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. An optical device comprising:
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an at least partially optically transmissive first surface; an optical stack spaced from the first surface, the optical stack comprising a reflective first layer, a partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, wherein the reflective first layer has a greater thickness than the partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, and a dielectric third layer that separates and supports the first and second layers in a fixed relationship with respect to one another to create an optically resonant cavity between the first and second layers, the optical stack adapted to reflect light having a set of wavelengths determined by interference of light reflected from the first layer and from the second layer; a first fluid between the first surface and the optical stack; and a second surface between the first surface and the optical stack, the first fluid covering a first portion of the second surface when a first voltage is applied to the device, and the first fluid covering a second portion of the second surface when a second voltage is applied to the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of modulating light, comprising:
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providing an optical device comprising an at least partially optically transmissive first surface; an optical stack spaced from the first surface, the optical stack comprising a reflective first layer, a partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, wherein the reflective first layer has a greater thickness than the partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, and a dielectric third layer that separates and supports the first and second layers in a fixed relationship with respect to one another to create an optically resonant cavity between the first and second layers, the optical stack adapted to reflect light having a set of visible wavelengths determined by interference of light reflected from the first layer and from the second layer; a first fluid between the first surface and the optical stack; and a second surface between the first surface and the optical stack; applying a first voltage to the device to cause the first fluid to cover a first portion of the second surface; and applying a second voltage to the device to cause the first fluid to cover a second portion of the second surface. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A method of forming an optical device, comprising:
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forming an optically transmissive first surface; forming an optical stack, the optical stack comprising a reflective first layer, a partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, wherein the reflective first layer has a greater thickness than the partially reflective, partially transmissive second layer, and a dielectric third layer that separates and supports the first and second layers in a fixed relationship with respect to one another to create an optically resonant cavity between the first and second layers; forming a perimeter wall of a cavity between the first surface and the optical stack; and placing fluid in the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An optical device comprising:
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means for at least partially transmitting incident light; means for reflecting light having a set of visible wavelengths determined by interferometry, wherein the means for reflecting light comprises reflective first means, partially reflective, partially transmissive second means, wherein the reflective first means has a greater thickness than the partially transmissive second means, and third means for creating an optically resonant cavity between the first and second means; and means for selectively varying an optical transmissivity of a region between the at least partially transmitting means and the reflecting means upon application of a voltage to the device. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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Specification