Patent · US Expired

Double substrate reflective spatial light modulator with self-limiting micro-mechanical elements

US7009754B2 · kind B2 · utility

107Cited by
70References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 2005
Grant dateMar 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 2, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S359/904
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A spatial light modulator includes an upper optically transmissive substrate held above a lower substrate containing addressing circuitry. One or more electrostatically deflectable elements are suspended by hinges from the upper substrate. In operation, individual mirrors are selectively deflected and serve to spatially modulate light that is incident to, and then reflected back through, the upper substrate. Motion stops may be attached to the reflective deflectable elements so that the mirror does not snap to the bottom substrate. Instead, the motion stop rests against the upper substrate thus limiting the deflection angle of the reflective deflectable elements.

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