Method and apparatus for modulating an incident light beam for forming a two-dimensional image
US6215579A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B5/1828
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for modulating an incident light beam for forming a two-dimensional projection image. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated elements each having a reflective surface. The elongated elements are suspended substantially parallel to each other above a substrate with their respective ends supported, forming a column of adjacent reflecting surfaces grouped according to display elements. Alternate ones of each group are deformable by a applying a voltage with respect to the substrate. An approximately flat center section of each deformed element is substantially parallel to and a predetermined distance from a center section of each undeformed element. Limiting the predetermined distance avoids hysteresis in deforming the elements and avoids adhesion of the elements to the substrate. A light beam incident to the column of adjacent reflecting surfaces is reflected from a group of elongated elements when the alternate ones are undeformed and diffracted when alternate ones are deformed. A distance of movement is controlled or a ratio of between reflection and diffraction periods determines a display intensity for the corresponding display element. Diffracted…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.