Abstract: An n by m array of lenses layer where n is greater than 1 and m is greater than 1 is disposed on a combination of layers comprised of a first walk-off layer, a first non-reciprocal rotator layer, a first half-wave plate layer, a second half-wave plate layer, a second walk-off layer, a second non-reciprocal rotator layer, and a mirror layer. A method of forming optical p by q structures, where p is greater than 1 is provided. An n by m array of lenses layer where n is greater than 1 and m is greater than 1 is disposed on a combination of layers. The combination of layers is formed of the layers described above. An n by m structure comprising the array of lenses and the combination of layers is formed which is then divided into p by q structures having a p by q array of lenses layer, where p is greater than 1. Preferably p by 1 optical circulator strips are formed. Preferably all layers are formed by lithographic methods. The n by m array of lenses can be formed by reactive ion etching.

Abstract: Structured materials for photonic devices, at wavelengths of X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave radiation, can be made using layer growth techniques. Such a structure can be made layer by layer, by homogeneous deposition followed by localized modification for refractive index differentiation. Alternatively, the structure can be made by simultaneous growth of regions whose refractive index differs. The structures can be used as selective bandpass filters, and in photovoltaic solar cells, for example.

Abstract: An optical modulation element is constructed of an electro-optic crystal substrate, which includes individual electrodes arrayed and formed one-dimensionally on one surface of the substrate and also includes a common electrode formed on the other surface in opposition to the plurality of individual electrodes. The portion of the electrode-optic crystal substrate, interposed between the common electrode and each the individual electrode, constitutes an aperture portion. The aperture portion is switched between a light-transmitting state and a light cut-off state by controlling voltage between the opposite electrodes. Light incident on the aperture portion in a direction perpendicular to the arrayed direction of the individual electrodes from one surface of the electro-optic crystal substrate is modulated.

Abstract: A photo-induced electro-optic oscillator using a multiple quantum well structure PIN diode using a negative resistance characteristic of a photocurrent-voltage is disclosed. The present invention can generate the modulated optical signal as well as the electrical AC signal of a high output by using the multiple quantum well structure having the electro-absorption as the intrinsic layer of the PIN diode, regulate the electrical AC signal frequency and signal amplitude by means of regulating the PIN diode and electrical elements, regulate the modulated optical signal frequency and the modulated signal difference and extinction ratio by means of regulating the multiple quantum well structure, as a result, to generate the electrical and optical signal of a high output, high frequency.

Abstract: Thin film AMA and method for manufacturing the thin film AMA are disclosed. The thin film AMA has an active matrix, a supporting member, actuating parts, a reflecting member, and a flatness enhancing member. The flatness enhancing member such as the stress balancing layer or the stiffening member is formed beneath the reflecting member in order to enhance the flatness of the reflecting member without a bending of the reflecting member. Therefore, the reflecting member can have the level surface by the flatness enhancing member though the deformation stress such as residual stress is generated in the reflecting member during forming the reflecting member, so the light efficiency is enhanced and the quality of the picture projected onto the screen is increased.

Abstract: An integrated optical modulator of the Mach-Zehnder type has a waveguide which, for part of its length, is divided into two waveguide sections (11, 12) arranged logically in parallel. Incoming light is divided to pass along the two sections (11, 12) and is then recombined before leaving the modulator. Each waveguide section has a pair of electrodes (13, 14) and (14, 15) associated therewith to generate an electric field through which the respective waveguide section passes, though there may be a single electrode (14) between the two waveguide sections (11, 12) to serve as one electrode of each pair, with the other electrode of each pair commoned.

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.

Abstract: A display device includes a spatial light modulator capable of writing therein an image and capable of reading therefrom the written image by converting the image, and an illumination device which transmissively illuminates the spatial light modulator through respective different paths for writing the image and for reading the image.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A micromirror light valve target configuration that overcomes the problems of limited deflection range, electrostatic and resolution by forming the secondary electron collector grid of a fine conductive mesh and placing it in close proximity to the micromirror array. The source, preferably a fixed beam array, addresses the micromirror array such that it exhibits a secondary emission coefficient less than one to write a negative charge pattern onto the mirrors so that they are attracted to the collector grid. If the anode is also in close proximity to the array, the mirrors can be addressed so that they deflect up toward the grid and down toward the anode thereby increasing the deflection range.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for actuating electro-mechanical ribbon elements which are suspended over a channel. The channel defines a bottom surface and having a bottom conductive layer formed below said bottom surface. A data generator provides a data stream. The data generator is connected to a modulator. Additionally, an actuation voltage generator, connected to the modulator, produces a periodic high frequency voltage signal that has a frequency close to mechanical resonant frequency .function..sub.R of the ribbon elements. The signal from the modulator is applied to the ribbon elements 31 of the electro-mechanical grating device.

Abstract: An optical modulator (39) includes a substrate (7) exhibiting an electro-optical Pockels effect and having first and second end surfaces (31, 33) opposite to each other. An optical waveguide (9) of a branched interferometer type is formed on the substrate (7) and has first and second branched waveguide portions (11, 13) with an input end and a reflection side end respectively exposed in the first and second end surfaces (31, 33) of the substrate (7). A modulating electrode (15) is formed on the substrate (7) in a vicinity of the branched interferometer type optical waveguide (9). A reflection plate (35) is mounted on the second end surface (33) of the substrate (7) at an angle of inclination (.theta.) with respect thereto. Still further, a spacer (41) is disposed between a side of the reflection plate (35) and the second end surface (33) of the substrate (7) to thereby define the angle of inclination (.theta.) of the reflection plate (35) with respect to the second end surface (33) of the substrate (7).

Abstract: A stress-optic beam scanner and system which includes a stress-optic material selected to permit the scanning of an optical beam on a target typically over a scanning angle of greater than five degrees. The system includes a piezoelectric element controlled by a microprocessor to control the mechanical stress applied to the stress-optic material.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LCDs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: A bright, high contrast, compact, large area, high-resolution light modulator uses a field emitter array (FEA) to address a charge controlled mirror (CCM). The FEA deposits a charge pattern onto the CCM, which in turn produces electrostatic forces that deflect the micromirrors in accordance with the amount of accumulated charge. The CCM that is used in combination with the FEA can be configured in many different ways to implement different actuation modes, e.g. attractive, repulsive, grid-actuated or membrane-actuated and different charge control modes, e.g. RC decay, RC sustain and charge control.

Abstract: Optical plasmon-wave attenuator and modulator structures for controlling the amount of coupling between an guided optical signal and a surface plasmon wave. Optical power coupled to the plasmon wave mode is dissipated in varying amounts producing an intensity modulation effect on the optical signal. For electrical modulation, an additional dielectric (or polymer) layer with variable refractive index in optical contact with a metal layer supporting at least one plasmon wave mode is used to perturb or vary the propagation constant of plasmon wave. Propagation constant variation results in the power coupling variation between the surface plasmon wave and the optical wave. The refractive index variation of the dielectric (or polymer) layer can be accomplished via an electro-optic traveling-wave, a lump-element, or any other integrated optics modulator configuration situated to affect the layer, thereby permitting data rates into tens of GHz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Schlieren projection system with a large aperture reflective imager. The combination of a beam-addressed CCM design with flat-panel manufacturing techniques configuration produces a large aperture imager that overcomes the problems of limited deflection range, high beam current, electrostatic instability and limited resolution associated with known electrostatically-actuated micromirror targets. The CCM imager includes a thin insulating membrane that decouples the electron beam from the micromirror array. Decoupling also allows the mirror to be designed to optimize reflectivity, exhibit a higher resonant frequency for better video performance, and be fabricated simultaneously with the hinges. The CCM imager is fabricated using flat-panel manufacturing techniques that are ideally suited to producing large aperture devices at low cost.

Abstract: A flat-panel direct view display positions an array of electrostatically-actuated cantilevered micromirrors in front of a contrasting background and opposite a flat-panel electron beam source. Depending upon the display configuration, the electron beam source addresses either the array of micromirrors or a reference surface a row at a time while the other is held at a reference potential. The electron beams modulate the potential difference between each micromirror and the reference surface thereby adjusting the magnitude of the attractive electrostatic force between the two. This in turn modulates the deflection of the micromirrors between their quiescent and fully actuated states to selectively cover and uncover the background thereby producing a grey scale direct-view image.

Abstract: A beam addressed electrostatically-actuated charge controlled mirror (CCM) with frame time utilization approaching 100% is provided by partially coating the CCM's pixelized beam addressing surface with a material having the opposite electron affinity. Each pixel of the pixelized beam addressing surface has first and second portions that exhibit secondary emission coefficients that are respectively less than and greater than one for the same beam energy. A beam or beams that are capable of subpixel resolution selectively address each pixel's first and second portions to control the amount of charge on the pixelized beam addressing surface and its localized potentials.

Abstract: When an intensity modulating operation and a phase modulating operation are carried out by employing a 2-electrode MachZehnder type optical modulator preferably a LN-MZ type optical modulator, a drive signal of this 2-electrode LN-MZ type optical modulator is produced from an intensity modulation signal and a phase modulation signal with a low loss and a simple arrangement.