Direct view display based on a micromechanical modulation
First Claim
1. A direct-view display comprising:
- a plurality of micromechanical modulators which have a variable and controllable reflectivity to an incident optical signal wherein the micromechanical modulators are organized in an array characterized by rows and columns, each micromechanical modulator comprising;
a substrate having a refractive index; and
an optically transparent membrane in spaced and superposed relation to the substrate defining a gap therebetween, the membrane comprising at least a first layer of material, the first layer having a refractive index which is approximately equal to the square root of the refractive index of the substrate, wherein,the membrane is movable between a first position and a second position in response to a data signal, changing the gap resulting in a change in modulator reflectivity;
drive electronics for individually controlling the reflectivity of each of the micromechanical by selective application of the data signal; and
a light source for generating the optical signal.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A direct-view display comprising an array of micro-mechanical modulators is disclosed, he modulator used to form the display comprises a suspended, vertically moving membrane and a substrate. The device functions based on optical interference effects between the membrane and the substrate which cause the modulator to either substantially reflect or absorb an optical signal. The interference effects are a function of the size of the air gap between the membrane and substrate, which varies as the membrane moves. The membrane moves in response to a data signal, representative of an image, delivered to the modulator. The display generates an image based on the pattern of light and dark sections of the display corresponding to the reflectivity of each modulator at a given point in time.
381 Citations
9 Claims
-
1. A direct-view display comprising:
a plurality of micromechanical modulators which have a variable and controllable reflectivity to an incident optical signal wherein the micromechanical modulators are organized in an array characterized by rows and columns, each micromechanical modulator comprising; a substrate having a refractive index; and an optically transparent membrane in spaced and superposed relation to the substrate defining a gap therebetween, the membrane comprising at least a first layer of material, the first layer having a refractive index which is approximately equal to the square root of the refractive index of the substrate, wherein, the membrane is movable between a first position and a second position in response to a data signal, changing the gap resulting in a change in modulator reflectivity; drive electronics for individually controlling the reflectivity of each of the micromechanical by selective application of the data signal; and a light source for generating the optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Specification