Integrated modulator illumination
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A spatial light modulator comprising:
- a light-modulating array comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements each comprising an optical cavity defined by first and second reflective surfaces that produce optical interference, said optical cavity configured to enable modulation of said optical interference, said plurality of light-modulating elements having a front side for viewing light modulated by said light-modulating array; and
at least one reflecting element, said at least one reflecting element comprising a first layer configured to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the plurality of light-modulating elements into at least one of said optical cavities for modulation,said at least one reflecting element further comprising a second layer configured to absorb light.
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Abstract
A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.
536 Citations
29 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 comprising an optical cavity defined by first and second reflective surfaces that produce optical interference, said optical cavity configured to enable modulation of said optical interference, said plurality of light-modulating elements having a front side for viewing light modulated by said light-modulating array; and at least one reflecting element, said at least one reflecting element comprising a first layer configured to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the plurality of light-modulating elements into at least one of said optical cavities for modulation, said at least one reflecting element further comprising a second layer configured to absorb light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of manufacturing a spatial light modulator, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of light-modulating elements so as to form a light-modulating array, each light modulating element comprising an optical cavity defined by first and second reflective surfaces, said second reflective surface movable with respect to the first reflective surface, said plurality of light-modulating elements having a front side for viewing light modulated by said light-modulating array, and printing or embossing at least one reflecting element so as to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the plurality of light-modulating elements into said optical cavity for modulation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A spatial light modulator comprising:
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means for modulating light, the light modulating means having a front side for allowing a viewer to view the modulated light, the light modulating means comprising means for creating an optical resonance, the resonance creating means comprising a first means for reflecting light and a second means for reflecting light that produce optical interference, the resonance creating means configured to enable modulation of the optical interference; and means for scattering light, said scattering means comprising a third means for reflecting configured to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the light modulating means into the resonance creating means, said scattering means further comprising a means for absorbing configured to absorb light. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A spatial light modulator comprising:
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a light-modulating array comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements each comprising an optical cavity defined by first and second reflective surfaces that produce optical interference, said optical cavity configured to enable modulation of said optical interference; a transparent substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein light modulated by the plurality of light modulating elements is viewable by a viewer through said first side; and a plurality of illumination dots disposed on the first side of the substrate and configured to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the plurality of light-modulating elements into at least one of said optical cavities for modulation. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A spatial light modulator comprising:
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a light-modulating array comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements each comprising an optical cavity defined by first and second reflective surfaces that produce optical interference, said optical cavity configured to enable modulation of said optical interference; a transparent substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein light modulated by the plurality of light modulating elements is viewable by a viewer through said first side; and at least one reflecting element disposed on the first side of the substrate and configured to reflect light propagating from a rear side of the plurality of light-modulating elements into at least one of said optical cavities for modulation, wherein said at least one reflecting element has a size below the resolution of a human eye.
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Specification