Abstract: A package is made of a transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator and a back plate. A non-hermetic seal joins the back plate to the substrate to form a package, and a desiccant resides inside the package. A method of packaging an interferometric modulator includes providing a transparent substrate and manufacturing an interferometric modulator array on a backside of the substrate. A back plate is provided and a desiccant is applied to the back plate. The back plate is sealed to the backside of the substrate with a back seal in ambient conditions, thereby forming a package.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an image display apparatus for displaying an image by modulating light from a light source based on display image data. The apparatus can include a first light modulator device can modulate light from the light source, a second light modulator device that can modulate the light from the first light modulator device, and a polarization compensation system disposed between the first light modulator device and the second light modulator device for compensating a polarization state of light.

Abstract: An electronic device of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that at least partially displays a pixel of a display image. The device includes a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween that is selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity. The device includes a mechanism to allow optical properties of the cavity to be varied such that the visible wavelength and/or the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image. The device also includes one or more transparent deposited films, one or more absorbing layers, an integral micro-lens, and/or one or more anti-stiction bumps. The deposited films are over one of the reflectors, for self-packaging of the device. The absorbing layers are over one of the reflectors, to reduce undesired reflections. The integral micro-lens is over one of the reflectors, and the anti-stiction bumps are between the reflectors.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for generating and analyzing states of polarization in light using multiple adjustable polarization rotators in various applications.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes: a first optical element having a first polarizing layer containing a material having a refractive index that changes in accordance with the magnitude of applied voltage and first and second transparent electrodes sandwiching both sides of the first polarizing layer in the direction of thickness and polarizing light passing through the first polarizing layer in the direction of thickness; and a second optical element having a second polarizing layer containing a material having a refractive index that changes in accordance with the magnitude of applied voltage and third and fourth transparent electrodes sandwiching both sides of the second polarizing layer in the direction of thickness and polarizing light passing through the second polarizing layer in the direction of thickness.

Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus using a micromirror or an image display device. The display apparatus is designed to eliminate dark regions, usually formed by pixel partitions or black matrixes, display a high-quality image by increasing light usage efficiency, and improve the power consumption. A display apparatus using a microlens includes a micromirror array, a substrate, and a microlens array. The micromirror array includes a plurality of micromirrors arranged to reflect incident light rays from a light source. The substrate supports the micromirror array. The microlens array includes a plurality of microlenses disposed between the light source and the micromirror array to condense the incident light rays from the light source upon the micromirror array and correct a traveling path of reflected light rays from the micromirror array.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical filter for filtering light from an object. The filter is arranged for receiving the light via a first imaging element and comprises a plurality of reflective elements for receiving and reflecting the light. Each reflective element has an optical property that is dependent on an intensity of the light at or near the reflective element. The optical property controls local filtering of the light intensity in a manner such that, above a predetermined intensity threshold, the filter reduces intensity differences of light originating from bright and dark regions of the object.

Abstract: A display apparatus is constituted by display cells, arranged in a row direction and a column direction, each comprising a color filter and an optical modulation device for modulating a brightness and a color of an incident light by voltage application. The optical modulation device modulates color of the incident light over at least three colors and the color filter is provided in a set of color filters including a color filter which transmits light of two colors in the above-mentioned at least three colors. Two types of display modes consisting of a large pixel display mode using a group of display cells containing color filters of all of the above-mentioned at least three colors as a display unit and a small pixel display mode using groups of display cells each containing color filters of a part of the above-mentioned set of color filters as display units are executed.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for modulating an optical signal. The apparatus includes a spatial dispersion mechanism and a modulating mechanism. The spatial dispersion mechanism spatially disperses the optical signal. The spatially dispersed optical signal has a plurality of frequency components where each frequency component has an associated beam size. The modulating mechanism includes an array of modulating components where each modulating component has a pitch. The pitch of each modulating component is substantially equal to or less than the beam size of each frequency component.

Abstract: A projection system including at least a laser light source, an image generator, a projection lens assembly, and a despeckling device. The image image generator modulates laser light from the laser light source to form a projection image. The projection lens assembly is positioned downstream of the image generator and projects the projection image. The despeckling device limits laser speckle of the projected projection image.

Abstract: An optical transmission device for providing stable communication with a partner device by reducing errors in optical axis misalignment. Such errors are caused by uneven distribution of the light intensity in a received light beam resulting from atmospheric microscopic fluctuations. A cross pattern filter having at least two cross patterns is used at a partner transmission device side with respect to an incident direction detecting means, and arranged so that a cross pattern generated on the position detecting photodetector by the cross pattern filter and parting lines for dividing a position detecting photodetector do not overlap with each other, but intersect with each other.

Abstract: An optical wavelength filter uses birefringence and polarization to discriminate and block a wavelength stop band. Birefringent elements, each having a fixed retarder and a liquid crystal, are placed along the signal path with the fast and slow axes in each pair being aligned and rotationally displaced from other pairs. The birefringence parts are arranged by their thickness, birefringence and progressive rotational orientation so that each pair contributes to achieving a specific polarization state for specific periodic wavelength discrimination bands. A selection polarizer at the output blocks bands that have this polarization state. The birefringence elements are tuned in a coordinated manner and thereby to select one or more wavelengths as the band stop discrimination band.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display panel of a flat panel display device of a four-color structure in which color mixture may not occur in a white sub-pixel and a method for fabricating the same. The display device includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel includes a thin film transistor. A color filter is formed adjacent to the thin film transistor of each of the first, second, and third sub-pixels, a planarization layer is formed on the color filters, and a pixel electrode is connected to each thin film transistor.

Abstract: A light modulator comprises a plurality of discrete variable transmission electro-optic layers arranged so that light will pass successively through the plurality of layers; the light modulator has a higher transmission range than any of the individual electro-optic layers separately.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator, in which light modulation elements are arranged in a same plane. In the spatial light modulator, a plurality of the light modulation elements are arranged such that there are at least two periods of periodic structure corresponding to an arrangement of the light modulation elements in an arbitrary direction in the plane where the light modulation elements are arranged.

Abstract: A lens system for use in a two-stage projection system that relays light output from a first imager on a pixel-by-pixel basis onto a second imager (e.g. an LCOS). The lens system includes a double gauss lens set having a distortion of less than about 0.015% with at least about 90% of the light energy of a specific pixel projected within about a 15.4 micrometer square. Thus a projection system that enhances the contrast ratio for video images, particularly in the dark state, and reduces contouring artifacts, can be achieved.

Abstract: An electrophoretic device includes barrier walls that contact a first and second substrate to form a plurality of cubicles (spaces) arranged in a matrix shape for containing an electrophoretic dispersion liquid. A series of cubicles communicate with each other through an opening to contain the same color electrophoretic dispersion liquid. Adjacent series of cubicles can be filled with an electrophoretic dispersion liquid having a different color. Series of cubicles for containing the same color electrophoretic dispersion liquid may be formed in a staggered, diagonal, or honeycomb shape.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for modulating an optical signal. The apparatus includes a modulating mechanism comprising a plurality of modulating component arrays, each modulating component array comprising a plurality of modulating components, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating components in each modulating component array are separated by gaps, and wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating component arrays are offset along a dispersion direction of an incident optical signal such that the gaps associated with the adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating component arrays are offset. In one embodiment, rows of the modulating components in the modulating component arrays are offset along the dispersion direction of the incident optical signal by a fraction of the modulating component pitch.

Abstract: Modulation device for laser radiation, having at least one modulation means which can change at least in part the laser radiation which passes through the modulation device, the modulation device having splitter means which can split the laser radiation into at least two component beams of radiation, the device furthermore in the direction of beam propagation downstream of the beam splitter means having beam combining means which can recombine at least two of the component beams of radiation, and at least one modulation means being located between the beam splitter means and beam combining means such that at least one of the component beams can be changed by at least one modulation means such that the laser radiation which has been combined by the beam combining means or in the area of the beam combining means at least in a given area of space has the desired modulation as a result of the interference of at least two component beams.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for generating and analyzing states of polarization in light using multiple adjustable polarization rotators in various applications.

Abstract: An optical electronic device with a partial reflector layer is disclosed. The device includes a first reflector and a second reflector that define an optical cavity therebetween. The second reflector includes at least one material having a refractive index and an extinction coefficient, each ranging between about 1 and about 5 across the visible spectrum. A mechanism is included which is configured to permit variation of the optical cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device which displays image of high quality without forming poorly oriented regions that stem from the presence of pole-like spacers, yet achieving a high numerical aperture. Pole-like spacers according to the invention are provided on at least either one of a first substrate and a second substrate holding a liquid crystal layer and on the to-be-provided surface of the one substrate on the side facing the liquid crystal layer, the pole-like spacers having, at the roots thereof, a slope portion with a surface smoothly connecting to the to-be-provided surface.

Abstract: This specification discloses a polarizing. element for dividing light into first and second polarized lights differing in polarized state from each other by a polarizing dividing surface, directing the first polarized light in a first direction, reflecting the second polarized light by a reflecting surface and directing it in the first direction, and varying the polarized state of at least one of the first and second polarized lights to thereby make the polarized states of the first and second polarized lights coincident with each other, characterized in that the polarizing dividing surface is disposed on one surface of a plane parallel plate and the reflecting surface is disposed on the other surface of the plane parallel plate, and the light enters obliquely from the one surface or the other surface. The specification also discloses a polarizing conversion unit provided with such polarizing element, and a projector provided with such polarizing conversion unit.

Abstract: An electro-optical device is provided comprising an electro-optical material and means for applying an electric field to the electro-optical material, in which a plurality of pixel regions DR, DG and DB capable of separately controlling optical states of the electro-optical material are arranged and each pixel region is provided with a light transmitting portion (an aperture portion (212aR, 212aG, and 212aB)) and a light reflecting portion (a reflective surface (212R, 212G, and 212B)). At adjacent pixel regions that are arranged in a predetermined direction, end edges Ea and Eb of each of the light transmitting portions orthogonal to the predetermined arrangement direction are aligned with each other.

Abstract: A package is made of a transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator and a back plate. A non-hermetic seal joins the back plate to the substrate to form a package, and a desiccant resides inside the package. A method of packaging an interferometric modulator includes providing a transparent substrate and manufacturing an interferometric modulator array on a backside of the substrate. A back plate is provided and a desiccant is applied to the back plate.

Abstract: A device that comprises: a) a first optical waveguide; b) a second optical waveguide; c) an optical coupling region including the first and second optical waveguides, the optical coupling region characterized as having at least one coupling length and comprising a first bias section, a modulation section, and a second bias section arranged such that light propagates serially through the first bias section, the modulation section, and the second bias section; d) a first bias electrode for biasing the first bias section; e) a modulating electrode for applying a modulating voltage to the modulation section, the modulating electrode being positioned to control the refractive index of the first optical waveguide; and f) a second bias electrode for biasing the second bias section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light illumination apparatus comprising at least one exposure head (12) and at least two light modulating arrangements (20), each of said two light modulating arrangements (20) comprising a spatial light modulator (31, 32) and an associated light emitter arranged for illumination of an illumination surface (15) via said spatial light modulator (31, 32), each of said two light modulating arrangements (20) being digitally controlled, said apparatus comprising means for performing a relative movement between said at least one exposure head and said illumination surface (15) in at least one direction (x;y).

Abstract: One embodiment of a light modulator apparatus includes a first light modulator and a second light modulator diagonally offset from and in series with the first light modulator.

Abstract: An optical signal amplification device for outputting an output signal light which has the same wavelength as an input signal light and an intensity variation identical in phase with an intensity variation of the input signal light.

Abstract: A display device includes a spatial light modulator, two microretarders of stripes superposed with one another and placed behind the spatial light modulator, a polarizer placed behind the two microretarders, a back light placed behind the polarizer, first and second driving devices and a carrier. The horizontal relative movement of the two microretarders is able to selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image.

Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.

Abstract: An optically addressed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) modulator in which a spatial amplitude or phase pattern is provided to an EUV beam that is reflected from, or transmitted through the modulator. The modulator includes a modulator structure that includes a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion. When a thermal impulse is incident on one part of the modulator, the resulting expansion changes the reflected phase or amplitude of the EUV beam from that part. A thermal pattern is imprinted on the modulator by absorption of a visible or ultraviolet pattern, resulting in a corresponding modulation of the EUV beam. A lithography system is based on the optically addressed EUV modulator.

Abstract: An optical sampling method and apparatus are provided for modulating an optical signal using a first electroabsorption modulator (EAM) driven by a sinusoidal RF voltage signal to provide substantially jitter free temporal gating of the optical signal. The gated optical signal from the first EAM is routed through a second EAM to provide an optical output signal having a reduced repetition rate. The second EAM is driven using an electrical pulse train having a repetition rate that is a subharmonic of the frequency of the sinusoidal RF voltage signal driving the first EAM.

Abstract: An electro-optic crystal based beam-steering device preferably based on KTN, having a first deflector and a second deflector. The first deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of first electrode lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the first electrode lines. The second deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of second electrode lines extending along a second direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the second electrode lines. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a first portion and a second portion. Both the first portion and the second portion include a planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the non-polar solvent are supported by the first planar electrode. A coating of molecules is attached to the first planar electrode and includes a head end. The head end changes between a first shape and a second shape.

Abstract: This application describes optical monitoring devices and applications in optical systems for monitoring various optical parameters of light, including the signal to noise ratio, the degree of polarization, and the differential group delay (DGD).

Abstract: An optical imaging system including an illumination system, a Cartesian PBS, and a prism assembly. The illumination system provides a beam of light, the illumination system having an f/# less than or equal to 2.5. The Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter has a first tilt axis, oriented to receive the beam of light. A first polarized beam of light having one polarization direction is folded by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter and a second polarized beam of light having a second polarization direction is transmitted by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter nominally polarizes the beam of light with respect to the Cartesian beam-splitter to yield the first polarized beam in the first polarization direction. The color separation and recombination prism is optically aligned to receive the first polarized beam. The prism has a second tilt axis, a plurality of color separating surfaces, and a plurality of exit surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical modulator allowing appropriate interaction between signal electrodes and an optical waveguide, only by matching phases at input ends of the signal electrodes. The optical modulator includes an optical waveguide with its center part branched into two at two Y-branch waveguides, forming first and second waveguide arms, a first signal electrode transmitting a first electric signal interacting with first light propagating through the first waveguide arm in a predetermined manner, a second signal electrode transmitting a second electric signal interacting with second light propagating through the second waveguide arm in a predetermined manner, and earthed electrodes, and can match the interacting timing between the first electric signal and the first light to the interacting timing between the second electric signal and the second light, at a first input end supplying the first electric signal and a second input end supplying the second electric signal.

Abstract: A projector apparatus includes a color separation optical system which separates illumination light into color light components, image forming panels illuminated with the color light components, respectively, a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light components from the illuminated image forming panels, and a projecting optical system which projects light from the color synthesis optical system. Transparent substrates are arranged on at least one of incident and exit surface side of the image forming panels. Each of the transparent substrates holds a polarizer. A surface area of at least one of the transparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator imaging system comprises an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (EASLM 4, 30) whose optical image output is projected onto different areas of an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM, 6, 8, 31) in a sequence. The OASLM carries electrodes which allow separate areas to be selectively addressed by application of a voltage whilst receiving light from the EASLM. The combined output from all areas of the OASLM forms a visible image to an observer (11). When illuminated by coherent light the OASLM may produce a holographic image, otherwise incoherent light is used to provide a two dimensional image. The OASLM in one example contains a layer of nematic liquid crystal material between two cell walls both treated with an alignment layer providing low tilt surface alignment that is parallel in opposite direction; the product of layer thickness d and material birefringence ?n approximately equals one quarter of the wavelength ? of read light (12, 37).

Abstract: A multi-wavelength generating apparatus generates a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) signal by modulating light with a single central frequency and with an electric signal having a particular pulse repetition frequency. The resulting optical spectrum configuration is controllable so that a Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) or Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) requirement may be achieved. A modulated or pulsed light source is used to obtain a discrete spectrum with particular mode spacing, which is then modulated to permit dynamic power control for specific modes of the discrete spectrum.

Abstract: An optical modulator whose cutoff frequency is not halved even in differential driving, as well as a mounting substrate of such an optical modulator and a driving method of such an optical modulator. An optical modulator manner that two electroabsorption EA modulators A and B are connected in series to each other via a transparent waveguide. When voltages are applied to the two EA modulators simultaneously, light that is input from an end face of the optical modulator is absorbed first by the EA modulator and then by the second EA modulator. Therefore, an extinction ratio that is two times larger than in a conventional optical modulator can be obtained. To prevent pulse superimposition in a modulated light waveform, one line may be made longer than another line so that a drive electrical signal reaches the second EA modulator with a delay. To mount the optical modulator, flip-chip mounting with a coupled coplanar substrate and gold balls or the like may be used.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel (441) has an optical modulator body (500), an accommodating portion (511) for accommodating the optical modulator body (500), a holding frame (510) for pressing and holding the optical modulator body (500) against the accommodating portion (511), and a frame member (512C) made of heat-conductive material and interposed between the optical modulator body (500) and a fixing plate (512), the frame member (512C) being provided on an outer periphery of a first substrate (501A) of a pair of substrates (501A, 501B) disposed on the side of the fixing plate (512), the fixing plate (512) and the frame member (512C) being integrally formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projector apparatus including a color separation optical system which separates illumination light into a plurality of color light components, a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with the plurality of color light components, respectively, a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light components from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated, a projecting optical system which projects light from the color synthesis optical system, and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incident and exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each of the transparent substrates holding a polarizer, wherein a surface area of at least one of the plurality of transparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.

Abstract: A polarized light color filter for producing R, G and B primary lights from inputted white light in time division. The filter is small in size and strong against mechanical vibration. The projections of the R, G and B lights can be arbitrarily varied in one period. The varying speed is high, and the ratio of utilization of the quantity of light from the light source is high. Elements 36(1), 38(1), 40(1), 38(2), 40(2), 38(3), 40(3), 38(4) and 36(2) are in order stacked and bonded between glass substrates (30, 32). The elements 38(1) to 38(4) are polarized light converting elements for selecting either a mode in which the inputted light is outputted as it is by applied voltage control or a mode in which the inputted light is converted from one polarized light to the other and outputted. The elements 40(1) to 40(3) are narrow-band polarization spectroscopic elements reflecting only the S-polarized components of the R, G and B lights and transmitting the other components.

Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal cell units are used for reflecting or transmitting incident light responsive to control signals. A cholesteric liquid crystal cell unit has a first cholesteric liquid crystal cell and a second cholesteric liquid crystal cell. The second cholesteric liquid crystal cell respectively reflects or transmit lights from the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell responsive to a control signal when the first cholesteric liquid crystal cell reflects circularly polarized light of one state or transmits the incident light. In one embodiment of the cell unit, a &pgr;-phase waveplate element is located between the first and second cholesteric liquid crystal cells. With the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, devices such as optical switches, and WDM add/drop multiplexers, and optical switch systems with arrays of input and output optical fibers between a switching matrix formed by the cholesteric liquid crystal cell units, may be constructed.

Abstract: Amulti-wavelength generating apparatus generates a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) signal by modulating light with a single central frequency and an electric signal having a particular pulse repetition frequency. The resulting optical spectrum configuration is conntrollable so that a Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) or Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) requirement may be achieved. A modulated or pulsed light source in used to obtain a descrete spectrum with particular mode spacing, which is then modulated to permit dynamic power control for specific modes of the discrete spectrum.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel (441) has an optical modulator body (500), an accommodating portion (511) for accommodating the optical modulator body (500), a holding frame (510) for pressing and holding the optical modulator body (500) against the accommodating portion (511), and a frame member (512C) made of heat-conductive material and interposed between the optical modulator body (500) and a fixing plate (512), the frame member (512C) being provided on an outer periphery of a first substrate (501A) of a pair of substrates (501A, 501B) disposed on the side of the fixing plate (512), the fixing plate (512) and the frame member (512C) being integrally formed.

Abstract: Optical variable delay devices for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. A ladder-structured variable delay device comprises multiple basic building blocks stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic building block has two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array arranged to form a trihedron; Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes a beam passing through the array element either going up to a basic building block above it or reflect back towards a block below it. The beams going higher on the “ladder”experience longer optical path delay. An index-switched optical variable delay device comprises of many birefringent crystal segments connected with one another, with a polarization rotator array sandwiched between any two adjacent crystal segments.

Abstract: Optical variable delay devices for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. A ladder-structured variable delay device comprises multiple basic building blocks stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic building block has two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array arranged to form a trihedron; Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes a beam passing through the array element either going up to a basic building block above it or reflect back towards a block below it. The beams going higher on the “ladder” experience longer optical path delay. An index-switched optical variable delay device comprises of many birefringent crystal segments connected with one another, with a polarization rotator array sandwiched between any two adjacent crystal segments.