Abstract: This disclosure provides photovoltaic apparatus and methods of forming the same. In one implementation, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a plurality of substrate features on a surface of a glass substrate, the substrate features having a depth dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a width dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m. The method further includes forming a thin film solar cell over the surface of the glass substrate including over the plurality of substrate features.

Abstract: A laser absorption layer is first selectively formed in a seal pattern region surrounding an array of electromechanical systems elements, followed by depositing an antistiction layer as a blanket layer over the substrate and the laser absorption layer. The antistiction layer is then selectively removed from the seal pattern using a laser. An epoxy sealing material is provided in the seal pattern where the antistiction layer was removed and a backplate is sealed to the substrate using epoxy.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an interferometric modulator device configured to provide improved saturation. In some embodiments, saturation is improved by optically matching the impedance of two materials with different refractive indices using a multilayer having a refractive index gradient. In various embodiments, the thickness one or more of the layers in the multilayer are selected to provide increased saturation. Accordingly, in various embodiments the multilayer having a refractive index gradient helps to narrow the resonance of a pixel such that the band of wavelengths that are reflected from the pixel is smaller. In turn, a device including a combination of red, green and blue pixels may expand the spectrum of colors that are reflected by the device in operation. Additionally, there may be better contrast between whites and blacks, as darker blacks with less hue are produced.

Abstract: This disclosure provides photovoltaic modules and methods of making the same. In one implementation, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of photovoltaic devices configured to absorb light and generate electrical power and a plurality of conductors disposed over the photovoltaic devices. The photovoltaic module further includes a glass layer disposed over the photovoltaic devices, and the glass layer includes a textured surface opposite the plurality of photovoltaic devices. The textured surface includes features configured to diffract light incident the photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module further includes a diffusive layer disposed over at least a portion of the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for storage capacitors. In one aspect, a device includes an array having at least a first display element and a second display element, at least one switch configured to control a flow of charge between a source and the first display element, and at least one interferometric optical mask structure disposed in a non-active area of the array between the first display element and the second display element. The optical mask structure includes a storage capacitor formed by a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The storage capacitor is electrically coupled to the at least one switch and the first display element.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for storage capacitors. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems (EMS) device includes a substrate, an optical stack disposed over the substrate, a mechanical layer positioned over the optical stack, and a storage capacitor. The optical stack includes a stationary electrode and at least one dielectric layer disposed over the stationary electrode, and the storage capacitor includes a first plate, a second plate and a dielectric structure disposed between the first and second plates. The first plate includes a portion of the mechanical layer positioned over an optically non-active region of the device, and the dielectric structure of the storage capacitor includes a portion of the at least one dielectric layer of the optical stack.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for driving a pixel of a display. In one aspect, a segment driver and a common driver may be used to substantially concurrently address all display elements in the pixel. This addressing may reduce write time of the pixel, and may reduce the power consumed during the write process.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for estimating the lifetime or remaining lifetime of an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. In one aspect, a parameter of the device, such as a release or actuation voltage, is measured. The parameter measurement is used in conjunction with a model of the aging of the device according to the measured parameter to determine an estimated remaining lifetime of the device.

Abstract: A laser absorption layer is first selectively formed in a seal pattern region surrounding an array of electromechanical systems elements, followed by depositing an antistiction layer as a blanket layer over the substrate and the laser absorption layer. The antistiction layer is then selectively removed from the seal pattern using a laser. An epoxy sealing material is provided in the seal pattern where the antistiction layer was removed and a backplate is sealed to the substrate using epoxy.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying data includes a first array of display elements having a plurality of rows and columns, a second array display of display elements having a plurality of rows and columns, and a third array of display elements having a plurality of rows and columns. In some implementations, the third array is disposed between the first and second arrays. The apparatus further includes a first set of busses connected to supply display signals to columns of the first array, a second set of busses connected to supply display signals to columns of the second array, and a third set of busses connected to supply display signals to columns of the third array.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems combined resonator and passive circuit components. In one aspect, passband flattened filter apparatus includes a resonator structure and input and output passband flattening components. The resonator structure has a first input, a second input coupled to a ground terminal, a first output, and a second output coupled to the ground terminal. The input passband flattening component includes a first inductor having an output coupled to the first input of the resonator structure, and a second inductor having an input coupled to the first input of the resonator structure and an output coupled to the ground terminal. The output passband flattening component includes a first inductor having an input coupled to the first output of the resonator structure, and a second inductor having an input coupled to the first output of the resonator structure and an output coupled to the ground terminal.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems combined resonator and passive circuit component structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, the device includes a piezoelectric resonator structure formed over an insulating substrate. A portion of the piezoelectric resonator structure is spaced apart from the substrate by a first gap. A passive circuit component structure such as an inductor or a capacitor is formed over the insulating substrate. A portion of the passive circuit component structure is spaced apart from the substrate by a second gap. The first gap and the second gap are defined by removal of a sacrificial (SAC) layer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and apparatuses having pixels connected to various drive lines. In one implementation, a passive matrix display apparatus comprises a plurality of display elements, arranged in rows and columns, each common line driving display elements of a single color, wherein at least one common line of the plurality of common lines is coupled to display elements in two or more rows to drive the two or more rows, and a plurality of sets of multiple segment lines, each set of multiple segment lines associated with a column of display elements, wherein one segment line of the set of multiple segment lines addresses display elements of a given color of one row along the column and an other segment line in the set of multiple segment lines addresses display elements of the given color of another row along the column.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and apparatuses having pixels with various display element arrangements. In one aspect, a passive matrix display apparatus includes a plurality of red display elements extending along a direction parallel to a first row, the plurality of red display elements addressed by a single first common line, a plurality of green display elements extending along a direction parallel to a second row, the plurality of green display elements addressed by a single second common line, and a plurality of blue display elements extending along a direction parallel to a third row, the plurality of blue display elements addressed by a single third common line, where the number of green display elements in the display is greater than one of a number of red display elements in the display and a number of blue display elements in the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of a panel lighting apparatus and methods of its manufacture are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a light source, an at least partially transparent panel comprising a planar front surface and a planar back surface, the panel disposed in conjunction with the light source such that light from the light source is input into at least one edge of the panel and guided therein, and a plurality of light extraction dots disposed on the planar back surface, the plurality of light extraction dots configured to reflect light incident on the planar back surface and extract light from the light source propagating in the panel through the planar front surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying data on bi-stable and non-bi-stable displays is provided. The apparatus includes a controller chip capable of being connected to a non-bi-stable display through a first interface channel and also capable of being connected to a bi-stable display via the first interface channel and an additional second interface channel. When connected the non-bi-stable display, the second interface channel is not connected. The second interface channel may carry mode information bits to the bi-stable display module to allow the bi-stable display to utilize power-saving features.

Abstract: Static IMOD structures may be formed in a border area of a substrate. In some implementations, conductive layers such as an absorber or a reflector of a static IMOD may be used to make electrical connections from the electrodes of a touch sensor to the flex cable or controller of the touch sensor. In some implementations, static IMODs may be configured to provide a border with a single, uniform color, whereas in other implementations static IMODs may be configured to provide artwork for the substrate. A variety of images and/or patterns of colors may be formed using the static IMODs. Some such static IMODs may be configured as numerous individual pixels or subpixels, such as red, blue and green subpixels.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems reflective display device. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device includes a reflective layer and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is spaced apart from the reflective layer to define a cavity between the absorber layer and the reflective layer. The absorber layer is capable of transmitting light into the cavity, absorbing light, and reflecting light, and includes a metal layer. A plurality of matching layers are on a surface of the absorber layer facing away from the cavity, the plurality of matching layers including a first matching layer disposed on the absorber layer and a second matching layer disposed on the first matching layer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for alternating the polarity of a voltage across a display element. In one aspect, a display element is maintained in a current state following an alternation of polarity. A driving signal waveform is transitioned from a hold voltage of a first polarity substantially directly to a write voltage of a second polarity, and transitioned substantially directly from the write voltage of the second polarity to a hold voltage of the second polarity.

Abstract: A illumination device comprises a light guide having a first end for receiving light and configured to support propagation of light along the length of the light guide. A turning microstructure is disposed on a first side of the light guide configured to turn light incident on the first side and to direct the light out a second opposite side of the light guide, wherein the turning microstructure comprises a plurality of indentations. A cover is physically coupled to the light guide and disposed over the turning microstructure. An interlayer is between the cover and the light guide, wherein the interlayer physically couples the cover to the light guide. A plurality of open regions is between the interlayer and the plurality of indentations. Various embodiments include methods of coupling the cover to the light guide while preserving open regions between the cover and plurality of indentations.