Patent · US Expired

Near bandgap radiation modulation spatial light modulators

US4828368A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
6References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 1986
Grant dateMay 9, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F2203/12
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A near bandgap radiation modulation spatial light modulator (NBRM SLM) using multiple quantum wells (MQWs) is disclosed. Generally, the MQW NBRM SLM of the present invention comprises a MQW optical modulator and driver means for driving the MQW optical modulator. The MQW NBRM SLMs of the present invention can be configured in a plurality of configurations. The driver and MQW optical modulator may be configured in hybrid or monolithic configurations. The MQW optical modulator can be operated in either transverse or longitudinal electric field modes. The MQW NBRM SLM structures can be operated using either electroabsorption or electrorefraction effects, and in transmissive or reflective modes. The structures are operable with different addressing and write-in mechanisms, including photoactivation and electronic addressing. Alternate embodiments have special features such as cascaded heterojunction MQWs and pixelized submicron metal mirror. The disclosed invention provides an improved, high speed, high resolution, semiconductor driver-compatible, spatial light modulator using multiple quantum wells.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.