Abstract: A light valve for controlled transmission of light comprises first and second elements at least one of which is controllably movable into optical contact with the other element. Means are provided for projecting light on the first of the two elements on the side remote from the second of the two elements. Each facing side of the elements is provided with an interference filter layer, which interference filter layers, when being in optical contact with each other, have a transmission for light projected onto the light valve in a wavelength range determined by the interference filter layers. This transmission differs from the transmission that would occur in the case where the interference filter layers are not in optical contact with each other.

Abstract: A light valve (1) for controlled transmission of light comprises a first (4, 5, 6) and a second (8, 9) element at least one (8, 9) of which two elements is controllably movable into optical contact with the other element (4, 5, 6). Each facing side of the elements is provided with an interference filter layer (6, 8), which interference filter layers (6, 8), when being in optical contact with each other, have a transmission for light projected onto the light valve in a wavelength range determined by the interference filter layers (6, 8), which transmission differs from the transmission in the case where the interference filter layers (6, 8) are not in optical contact with each other. Such light valves (1) are used in devices comprising a light source (3) and for displaying signals that are present in an electronic form. The light valve (1) is used to control the transmission of light emitted by the light source (3) based on signals which are present in an electronic form.