Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the bias point of a Mach-Zehnder modulator. The method begins by applying a dither signal to a DC bias that is applied to a Mach-Zehnder modulator. A component of an optical output signal provided by the Mach-Zehnder modulator that is synchronous with the dither signal is detected. The dither signal is adjusted to maintain the detected component of the optical output signal at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator apparatus for an optical microscope system including an optical head with a mounting flange for mounting the optical head to a port of the microscope, a DMD for generating a pattern image of light, a light source mount for receiving a source of illumination, and one or more optical elements for directing light from the source of illumination to the DMD and to direct the pattern image generated by the DMD to the microscope. A DMD controller has a digital input and is connected to the DMD for driving the individual micromirrors of the DMD to generate the pattern image. A pattern generation subsystem is configured to output pattern image data and a digital interface is connected between the digital input of the DMD controller and the pattern generation subsystem, the digital interface configured to provide a digital drive signal to the DMD controller corresponding to the pattern image data.

Abstract: A micromirror array lens consists of many micromirrors with two degrees of freedom rotation and actuating components. As a reflective variable focal length lens, the array of micromirrors makes all lights scattered from one point of an object converge at one point of image plane. As operational methods for the lens, the actuating components control the positions of micromirrors electrostatically and/or electromagnetically. The optical efficiency of the micromirror array lens is increased by locating a mechanical structure upholding micromirrors and the actuating components under micromirrors. The known semiconductor microelectronics technologies can remove the loss in effective reflective area due to electrode pads and wires. Independent control of each micromirror is possible by known semiconductor microelectronics technologies. The micromirror array can form a lens with arbitrary shape and/or size, as desired.

Abstract: A circuit for exciting an optical modulator, in accordance with the present invention, includes an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal, a first strip line electrically connected to the optical modulator and directing a modulation RF signal to the optical modulator, and a second strip line electrically connected to the first strip line through the optical modulator. The first strip line includes a first electrical device and has a first characteristic impedance, the second strip line includes a second electrical device and has a second characteristic impedance, the first characteristic impedance is equal to a characteristic impedance of a path through which the modulation RF signal is input into the first strip line, and a parallel-combined impedance of the first and second electrical devices is equal to the characteristic impedance of the path.

Abstract: A display system includes a light source 110 and a spatial light modulator 122 located to receive light from the light source. The spatial light modulator (e.g., a DMD) includes a number of independently controllable elements that are activated for a period of time to display light of a desired brightness. A light sensor 136 is located to determine a characteristic of light from the light source 110. A control circuit 126 is coupled to the spatial light modulator 122 and controls the period of time that the independently controllable elements are activated. This period of time is based at least in part by an input received from the light sensor 136.

Abstract: A method for forming a light modulator includes supporting a plurality of optical devices on a substrate, and attaching a sheet of glass over the optical devices. The method also includes slicing the sheet of glass into a plurality of pieces of glass.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a MEMS device. The MEMS device comprises a plurality of functional components including at least one moveable component; and a sacrificial component to at least reduce movement of the moveable component during shipping of the microelectromechanical systems device, wherein the sacrificial component can be removed after shipping.

Abstract: Light in the visible spectrum is modulated using an array of modulation elements, and control circuitry connected to the array for controlling each of the modulation elements independently, each of the modulation elements having a surface which is caused to exhibit a predetermined impedance characteristic to particular frequencies of light. The amplitude of light delivered by each of the modulation elements is controlled independently by pulse code modulation. Each modulation element has a deformable portion held under tensile stress, and the control circuitry controls the deformation of the deformable portion. Each deformable element has a deformation mechanism and an optical portion, the deformation mechanism and the optical portion independently imparting to the element respectively a controlled deformation characteristic and a controlled modulation characteristic. The deformable modulation element may be a non-metal.

Abstract: The present invention intends to control DC drift phenomenon in a light control element having ridge structure, and to provide a light control element with high drive stability in a large area. The present invention has character that, in a light control element being equipped with a base plate that has an electrooptic effect, an optical guide and an electrode for modulation that are formed on said base plate, which has ridge structure, an anti-DC drift layer is installed on the surface of the above mentioned base plate where the optical guide is formed, and annealing treatment is performed after ridge processing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transparent film substrate and a second substrate which are disposed opposite to each other with a spacing therebetween, a plurality of charged particles which are disposed in the spacing, a reflection layer having a thickness sufficient to scatter light transmitted through the first substrate and reflect the light toward the first substrate, a transparent first electrode disposed on the first substrate, and a second electrode for moving the charged particles between the first and second electrodes by applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes. Both of a position of the charged particles after being moved to the first electrode and a position of the charged particles after being moved to the second electrode are substantially apart from a surface of the reflection layer.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices and methods for their fabrication having enhanced and controllable rates of the radiative relaxation of triplet light emitters are provided exemplified by organic light emitting devices based on phosphorescent materials with enhanced emission properties. Acceleration of the radiative processes is achieved by the interaction of the light emitting species with surface plasmon resonances in the vicinity of metal surfaces. Non-radiative Förster-type processes are efficiently suppressed by introducing a transparent dielectric or molecular layer between the metal surface and the chromophore. For materials with low emission oscillator strengths (such as triplet emitters), the optimal separation distance from the metal surface is determined, thus suppressing energy transfer and achieving a significant acceleration of the emission rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing contrast in micromirror-based image display devices. As a result the displayed image is a more faithful reproduction of the original and is more pleasing to human perception than is possible with a low contrast display. The method and apparatus comprise a micromirror design and a modulation scheme for driving micromirrors with a combination of analog and digital techniques to achieve partial and full micromirror deflection. The analog techniques permit the mirrors to be deflected to positions intermediate between the resting position and the position of maximum deflection. These intermediate deflections appear as intermediate light levels in an image. Compared to digital modulation, the analog techniques provide an increase in the number of light levels that can be displayed by a system that is limited by its incoming data rate and maximum micromirror speed.

Abstract: A device (100, 140, 150) for differentially absorbing light, depending on the state of linear polarization of the light, is disclosed. This polarizing effect is induced and controllable by the level of ambient light impinging on the device. The device (100, 140) may be used as an anti-glare vision protection device which selectively absorbs specularly reflected sunlight in brightly lit environments while permitting all light to pass in dimly lit environments. The device (100) includes a carrying medium which may be a film (142) or opposed substrates (112) that are sealed. A film or the opposed substrates carry a mixture (120) of fluid material (124) and photochromic dyestuffs (122), wherein the photochromic material is activated upon the detection of ultraviolet light so as to absorb some of the light and wherein the energization of the photochromic material effects the material so as to simultaneously selectively absorb the specularly reflected sunlight.

Abstract: The apparatus controls a tilt angle of a tilt mirror in high speed with high stability, realizing non-linearity compensation. The apparatus includes: a control signal producing unit, which produces a control signal, for feed-forward controlling of the mirror into a target tilt angle, based on a parameter that determines the target tilt angle; a digital filter for removing a resonance frequency component, which is caused by an angle response of the tilt mirror, in the control signal, which is produced by the control signal producing unit; and a square root calculating unit for performing digital square-root calculation so that non-linearity of the control signal, from which the resonance frequency component has been removed, is compensated for.

Abstract: A MEMS device having a spring structure formed by two flexible beams attached between a substrate and a movable bar. When non-end sections of the beams are pulled in opposite directions, the beam ends attached to the movable bar pull that bar toward the substrate, thereby transforming in-plane motion of the non-end sections into out-of-plane motion of the movable bar. When the non-end sections are displaced symmetrically, the movable bar translates toward the substrate. Alternatively, when the non-end sections are displaced non-symmetrically, the movable bar rotates with respect to the substrate. In one embodiment, each flexible beam is attached to a comb-shaped portion of a motion actuator, which has two such portions, each portion interleaved with the other portion and adapted to move with respect to the substrate and that other portion.

Abstract: Between each transparent pixel electrode driven by TFT as a drive device and a common electrode, a polymer layer located in contact with the transparent pixel electrode and electrically active to change in color by electrochemical oxidization or reduction and a polymeric solid electrolytic layer located in contact with the polymer layer and containing a coloring agent are interposed. since electrochemical oxidization or reduction brings about a color change, the contrast and the black concentration can be enhanced, and bronzing after long-time use does not occur.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical device capable of improving a high light projection efficiency to the outside while maintaining sealing ability for providing high recognition of vision. An organic electroluminescence display can include a light permeable substrate, and an organic electroluminescence element having a luminous layer and positive hole transfer layer interposed between a pair of electrodes. Additionally, a low refractivity film having a lower refractivity than the substrate, and a seal layer for blocking the air from invading from the substrate side to the organic electroluminescence element are laminated between the substrate and electrode of the organic electroluminescence element.

Abstract: Various layered arrays utilizing encapsulated bichromal balls are disclosed that can be used in display applications. Also disclosed are related methods for manufacturing the layered arrays using adhesive layers, and forming displays. The methods are particularly well-suited for forming displays having one or more monolayer(s) of closely-packed encapsulated bichromal balls.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical switching. Rapid, low-power optical switching is achieved by selectively substantially depleting majority carriers in a plurality of planes of semiconducting material to alter their transmissive response to incoming radiation.

Abstract: A simplified MEMS optical display device driven by electrostatic forces and associated arrays are provided for. The optical display device includes an optically transparent substrate, an optically transparent fixed electrode disposed on the substrate and a pigmented translucent film disposed on the substrate. A moveable optical shutter is affixed to the substrate and is generally aligned with the fixed electrode and the pigmented translucent film. The moveable optical shutter comprises an electrode element and a biasing element. In addition, a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion defines the optical shutter. When an electrostatic voltage differential is established between the fixed electrode and the optical shutter electrode element the distal portion of the optical shutter will move to controllably regulate the pigmentation of an optical signal.