Method and structure capable of changing color saturation
First Claim
1. A device for modulating light, the device comprising:
- a movable reflector;
a partial reflector positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector;
a substrate positioned at a fixed distance from the partial reflector, the substrate having an index of refraction different from the partial reflector; and
a multilayer configured to provide a refractive index gradient between the partial reflector and the substrate, the multilayer including at least two dielectric layers, wherein the respective indices of refraction of the at least two dielectric layers are configured to provide a reduction in the index of refraction from the partial reflector to the substrate thereby increasing the color saturation of light reflected by the device.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments include an interferometric modulator device configured to provide improved saturation. In some embodiments, saturation is improved by optically matching the impedance of two materials with different refractive indices using a multilayer having a refractive index gradient. In various embodiments, the thickness one or more of the layers in the multilayer are selected to provide increased saturation. Accordingly, in various embodiments the multilayer having a refractive index gradient helps to narrow the resonance of a pixel such that the band of wavelengths that are reflected from the pixel is smaller. In turn, a device including a combination of red, green and blue pixels may expand the spectrum of colors that are reflected by the device in operation. Additionally, there may be better contrast between whites and blacks, as darker blacks with less hue are produced.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A device for modulating light, the device comprising:
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a movable reflector; a partial reflector positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector; a substrate positioned at a fixed distance from the partial reflector, the substrate having an index of refraction different from the partial reflector; and a multilayer configured to provide a refractive index gradient between the partial reflector and the substrate, the multilayer including at least two dielectric layers, wherein the respective indices of refraction of the at least two dielectric layers are configured to provide a reduction in the index of refraction from the partial reflector to the substrate thereby increasing the color saturation of light reflected by 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)
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22. A device for modulating light, the device comprising:
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a movable reflector; a partial reflector positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector; a substrate positioned at a fixed distance from the partial reflector, the substrate having an index of refraction different from the partial reflector; and a dielectric layer having an index of refraction between that of the partial reflector and the substrate and a thickness sufficient to produce an interference filtering effect that increases saturation of light reflected by the device, wherein metal layers are excluded from between the dielectric layer and the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A device for modulating light, the device comprising:
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means for reflecting, the reflecting means being movable; means for partially reflecting positioned at a first distance from the movable reflecting means; means for supporting positioned at a fixed distance from the partially reflecting means, the supporting means having an index of refraction different from the partially reflecting means; and means for providing a refractive index gradient between the partially reflecting means and the supporting means, the refractive index gradient providing means including at least two means for insulating, wherein the respective indices of refraction of the at least two insulating means are configured to provide a reduction in the index of refraction from the partially reflecting means to the supporting mean thereby increasing the color saturation of light reflected by the device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A device for modulating light, the device comprising:
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means for reflecting, the reflecting means being movable; means for partially reflecting, the partially reflecting means being positioned at a first distance from the movable reflecting means; a supporting means positioned at a fixed distance from the partially reflecting means, the supporting means having an index of refraction different from the partially reflecting means; and means for insulating having an index of refraction between that of the partially reflecting means and the supporting means and a thickness sufficient to produce an interference filtering effect that increases saturation of light reflected by the device, wherein metal layers are excluded from between the insulating means and the supporting means. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of making a device for modulating light, the method comprising:
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providing a movable reflector; providing a partial reflector, the partial reflector positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector; providing a substrate, the substrate positioned at a fixed distance from the partial reflector, the substrate having an index of refraction different from the partial reflector; and including a multilayer configured to provide a refractive index gradient between the partial reflector and the substrate, the multilayer including at least two dielectric layers, wherein the respective indices of refraction of the at least two dielectric layers are configured to provide a reduction in the index of refraction from the partial reflector to the substrate thereby increasing the color saturation of light reflected by the device.
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38. A method of making a device for modulating light, the method comprising:
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providing a movable reflector; providing a partial reflector, the partial reflector positioned at a first distance from the movable reflector; providing a substrate, the substrate positioned at a fixed distance from the partial reflector, the substrate having an index of refraction different from the partial reflector; and including a dielectric layer having an index of refraction between that of the partial reflector and the substrate and a thickness sufficient to produce an interference effect that increases saturation of light reflected by the device, wherein metal layers are excluded from between the dielectric layer and the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification