Abstract: A structure for optical interconnection is disclosed along with methods of manufacture and operation. In one embodiment, the structure consists of optical fibers connected to an array of microlenses, either through integrated waveguides or not, that direct light onto a mirror formed in a substrate, which reflects light to a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator in turn reflects the light back to another mirror, which reflects the light through another microlens array, through integrated waveguides or not, and out another optical fiber. The structure is manufactured by forming the mirrors out of the substrate, forming waveguides if desired, forming troughs for the fibers and the microlenses, attaching external pieces such as the fibers, the lenses, and the spatial light modulator package, and packaging the device to maintain alignment.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optic system for illuminating a DMD array in a xerographic printing process consisting of an array of LED emitters constructed to efficiently replace the conventional tungsten source used in prior art. The array can be geometrically configured or electrically operated by strobing or varying the brightness of individual pixels to compensate for other system optical deficiencies and results in improved printing process. By exposure strobing the LED source correction for fuzzy line edges can be achieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a micro-mechanical switch mounted on a waveguide structure that can be utilized as a switching device in optical networks. The device comprises an individually deflectable element suspended over a gap in a waveguide. The individually deflectable element has attached to its underside a vertical metal shutter which can be raised or lowered by the movement of the element. The raising or lowering of the shutter is used to control light propagating through the waveguide.

Abstract: It is possible to control the amplitude and phase modulation of light independently and simultaneously. The invention described here details how to do so by dividing a picture element into smaller modulating elements, providing independent addressing for each element, setting the necessary angle for each element and then resolving them into the picture element. The invention also show one embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Bidirectional operation of the bistable DMD is preferred over unidirectional operation because it eliminates contrast degradation caused by duty-factor effects and permits lower voltage operation. However, bidirectional addressing requires either two drain lines and two transistors per pixel or one drain line and three transistors per pixel. An addressing scheme for bidirectional operation is disclosed that requires only a single drain line and one transistor per pixel. For megapixel DMDs used for high-definition television applications, this addressing scheme dramatically lowers the transistor count, with expected improvements in chip yield and cost.

Abstract: There is disclosed a deformable mirror device (DMD) exposure unit and method of operation for use in a xerographic printing system. The exposure unit is constructed with an integral unmodulated light source condensing light onto a substrate containing, in one embodiment, a multi-row set of deflectable mirrors. The deflection of each mirror is controlled by electronic circuitry established on the same monolithic integrated substrate. The substrate is arranged with mirror elements which can be adjusted easily during assembly to eliminate time consuming construction or maintenance routines. An optic structure, using integral light baffles and deflection edges, assures the proper contrast and light energy level at the image. In the case of multiple rows of pixels, the on-chip circuitry acts to reregister the spatially separated images through a suitable time delay.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for enhancing resolution of a xerographic process by submodulation of each individual pixel. The submodulation is achieved by anamorphically reducing the square pixel presentation of light rays to a rectangle having a number of controllable segments within each square pixel scan line. By controlling the presentation of light rays to selected segments within each pixel gray scale an enhanced resolution can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical system is described for combining separate deformable mirror device images into a single image. The resulting image is a single continuous image comprising left and right halves corresponding to the original individual images. The system is particularly useful for presenting DMD images to the printing drum of a xerographic process for letter quality documents. The combined image width allows a substantially greater printing width than was previously possible.