Light modulator structure for producing high-contrast operation using zero-order light
US6822797B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0808
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical system provides high-contrast operation by collecting zero order light. The optical system comprises a light modulator and a collector. The light modulator is preferably a grating light valve™ light modulator including a plurality of elements selectively operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein a gap between adjacent elements is equal to or less than a wavelength of an incident light beam. The plurality of elements in the first mode reflect light along a return path, where the plurality of elements in the second mode direct light away from the return path. The collector is coupled to the light modulator to collect zero order light along the return path while the plurality of elements are in the first mode and to collect zero order light along the return path while the plurality of elements are in the second mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.