Embossed diffraction grating alone and in combination with changeable image display
US6101036A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03H2225/24
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A static diffracting grating display system provides a fixed image representing high digital content information. A plurality of physical diffracting features are fixed into the surface of a substrate. The diffracting features are positioned and oriented to selectively diffract or reflect a first incident beam of light which is then collected by a first display optical system. For color, preferably three light sources, red, green and blue, are used to form three incident beams of light. The period between adjacent ones of the diffracting features can be adjusted to appropriately form full-color image from the collected light. Preferably the diffracting features are formed by embossing a deformable substrate. Where the material of the deformable substrate is not reflective, a reflective coating is then applied. In some circumstances a protective overcoat applied over the reflective surface to obviate scratches or other damage to the diffracting features of the embossed surface. The diffracting features can also be formed using photolithographic techniques. To display changeable information in the image, a selectively deformable diffraction grating light valve is provided. A second i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.