MEMS-actuated color light modulator and methods
US6747785B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0841
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light modulator has one or more gratings and one or more MEMS actuators operable to move the gratings for selectively modulating light from an input light source. Certain embodiments have a plurality of blazed gratings arranged parallel to a plane and movable linearly parallel to the plane by MEMS actuators. Each of the gratings is individually blazed for light of a selected color such as red, green or blue. Associated with the gratings may be portions providing black and/or white outputs. An aperture spaced apart from the plane allows color(s) selected from an input white-light source to be directed to an output. An array of MEMS-actuated modulation devices provides a color spatial light modulator. Other embodiments have a grating adapted to be tilted by a MEMS actuator, either continuously through a range of angles or to a selected angle of a set of predetermined discrete angles, to direct selected wavelengths diffracted by the grating toward collection optics for a modulated light output. Methods specially adapted for making and using such light modulators are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.