Normally emitting pixel architecture for frustrated total internal reflection displays

US8320036B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rambus Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kevin Joseph Derichs · Buda, US
• Carey King · Austin, US
• Daniel Keith Van Ostrand · Leander, US
• Berry Tod Cox · Spring, US
• Reed J. Killion · Spring, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2009
• Grant date: Nov 27, 2012
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B26/02
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus that includes a waveguide and one or more pixels deployed adjacent the top surface of the waveguide which contains TIR light therein. Each pixel includes a deformable active layer having a first conductor and a driver electronics layer having a second conductor. The driver electronics layer is deployed in spaced-apart relation to the active layer and opposite the waveguide. In a quiescent state of a pixel, the active layer is in contact or near contact with the top surface of the waveguide so as to optically couple light out via FTIR (i.e., pixel's ON state). To actuate the pixel, the electronics layer is configured to selectively apply an electrical potential difference to the second conductor thereby causing the active layer to move away from the top surface so as to prevent the optical coupling of light out of the waveguide (i.e., pixel's OFF state).