Abstract: A single hollow element (12) surrounds the cavity (72) lying between a first surface (36) and a second surface (312) of a liquid crystal cell (8). An inside side surface (20) of element (12) bounds a perimeter (43) of the first surface (36) and extends between the first surface (36) and an end surface (14) of the hollow element (12). The end surface (14) of the hollow element (12) contains an opening (28) formed by the cavity (72). The second surface (312) overlaps the end surface (14) and covers opening (28) to contain a liquid crystal material (129) in the cell (8).

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell (10) is formed with a hollow cylinder (12) and a solid cylinder (32) inserted into a hole (32) of the hollow cylinder (12) so that a first reference surface (34) of the solid cylinder (32) lies between a first reference surface (14) of the hollow cylinder (12) and a second surface (13) of the hollow cylinder (12). The first reference surface (14) of the hollow cylinder (12) and the second surface (13) of the hollow cylinder (12) are essentially parallel surfaces which are perpendicular to the axis of revolution (18) of the hollow cylinder (12). The solid cylinder (34) is affixed to the hollow cylinder (12) to maintain a fixed gap (38) between the first reference surface (14) of the hollow cylinder (12) and the first reference surface (34) of the solid cylinder (32).

Abstract: A surface deformation type wavefront phase modulator (36) utilizes a transmissive deformable conductor (30) affixed to a single layer of transmissive deformable media (24). Media (24) is affixed to a substrate (12). A dielectric reflector (18) is affixed to the substrate (12). Conductor (30) is opposite the substrate (12). Electrostatic forces are applied to the conductor (30) to vary the deformation of media (24) and conductor (30) to phase modulate a wavefront which is incident on conductor (30), traverses media 24 and is reflected by reflector (18) to again traverse the media (24). Several advantages are inherent in my invention. Utilizing a transmissive deformable conductor (30) avoids the compromises involving reflectivity and conductor thickness which has plagued prior art devices.

Abstract: A charge storage target (66) comprising an electron collector mesh (112) and a plurality of column conductors (86) affixed to a substrate (74) is bombarded with electrons from a row addressed array (12). The array (12) comprises a monolithic electrode (20) overlapped by a plurality of row electrodes (32). Associated with each row electrode (32) is a plurality of sources (44) comprising an electron emissive means (50) for emitting a plurality of electrons dependent upon a potential difference applied between the row electrode (32) and the monolithic electrode (20) by a sequencer (58). Electrons are accelerated toward and focused on target (66) in a high velocity equilibrium mode of writing. A potential control means (192) is provided to apply a potential to each column conductor (86).

Abstract: A reflective deformable conductor (40) is separated from a transmissive electrode (60) to form a capacitance transducer (C2) and separated from a second electrode (18) to form a modulator pixel (66). The pixel (66) and transducer (C2) are series coupled capacitors. Transmissive electrode (60) and deformable conductor (40) are electrically connected to a feedback control loop (68) which sums an input signal and a negative feedback signal related to the deformations of conductor (40) to control the potential difference applied between the second electrode (18) and the conductor (40). Varying the input signal varies the deformation of the conductor (40) thereby phase modulating a wavefront incident on the transmissive electrode (60) traversing the capacitance transducer (C2) to impinge on and be reflected by the conductor (40) and exit the transducer (C2).

Abstract: A plurality of first electrodes (18) are affixed to an insulating substrate (12). Overlapping each first electrode (18) is a respective reflective conductor (20). Each reflective conductor (20) is affixed to the substrate (12). Each first electrode (18) is electrically connected to a respective thin film transistor (30) by a feedthrough means (32). Each thin film transistor (30) is formed on the substrate (12). Applied between each first electrode (18) and the respective reflective conductor (20) is a respective potential difference. Varying each respective potential difference varies a separation distance (86) between the electrode (18) and the respective reflective conductor (20) thereby modulating an electromagnetic wavefront incident thereon.

Abstract: A plurality of reflective conductors (28) are affixed to an insulating substrate (12). Each reflective conductor (28) overlaps and is separated from a first electrode (18) affixed to the substrate (12) thereby forming a plurality of capacitive pixel elements (32). Each capacitive pixel element (32) is electrically connected to a respective thin film transistor (40) to assist in controlling the potential difference applied to the pixel element (32). Varying each potential difference varies separation between the reflective conductor (28) and first electrode (18) thereby phase modulating a wavefront incident thereon. Thin film transistors (40) are formed on the substrate (12).

Abstract: A plurality of first electrodes affixed to an insulating substrate is arranged in a matrix of p rows and q columns. Each first electrode is overlapped by a respective deformable reflective conductor. Each first electrode is electrically connected to a respective third switch terminal of a respective thin film transistor. Each transistor is affixed to the substrate. A suitable potential control means is provided to control the potential difference between each first electrode and the respective conductor in accordance with a input signal enabling a wavefront incident on the reflective conductors to be modulated in accordance with the information bearing signal.

Abstract: A wavefront phase modulator device utilizes a dielectric reflector affixed to a substrate. Overlapping the dielectric reflector is a transmissive deformable media layer possessing rubbery attributes. Affixed to the surface of the layer which is opposite to the substrate is a transmissive deformable conductor. Affixing reflectors to the substrate avoids compromises associated with deformable reflectors affixed to deformable media, thereby enhancing reflectivity. Furthermore, affixing a deformable transmissive conductor to the surface of the transmissive deformable layer which opposes the substrate eliminates extraneous components, such as a second substrate, and/or gaps.

Abstract: A membrane light modulator contains a substrate, the substrate contains a first face and a second face. A plurality of first electrodes is arranged in a matrix of p rows and q columns. Each first electrode is affixed to the substrate by a suitable means. Each column of first electrodes is overlapped by a respective deformable reflective column conductor. Each column conductor is affixed to the first face by a suitable means. Each first electrode is electrically connected to a respective third switch terminal of a respective switching element. Each switching element is affixed to the second face by a suitable means. Each first electrode overlapps the respective switching element. A suitable potential control means is provided to control the potential difference between each first electrode and the respective column conductor in accordance with a input signal. Affixing switching elements to the second face and column conductors to the first face provides fabrication flexibility to enhance commercial viability.

Abstract: A electron beam row at a time addressed storage target includes substrate with a plurality of column electrodes affixed to the substrate by a suitable means. Adjacent column electrodes are displaced by a first period.The target includes a grid for collecting secondary electrons generated by bombarding the secondary electron emission means affixed to the substrate with a plurality of electron beams. Each beam strikes the target at a beam landing area. The beam landing areas of adjacent electron beams are displaced by the first period.The beam landing areas are positioned so each beam landing area is overlapped by a respective column electrode. A respective potential difference is applied between each electrode and the grid. Charge acquired by the target at each beam landing area is dependent upon the respective potential difference applied between the electrode which overlaps the beam landing area and the grid. Charge transfer is an equilibrium process involving secondary emissions.

Abstract: A surface deformation type spatial light modulator is electronically addressed by an active matrix array affixed to a second surface of an insulating substrate. Optically reflective electrodes are affixed to the substrate. Each electrode is electrically connected to a respective electronic addressing element by a feedthrough. Overlapping each electrode is a transmissive deformable media layer. Affixed to a first media layer face of the media layer is a transmissive conductor. A potential control is provided to control the potential difference between each electrode and the conductor in accordance with an information bearing signal. A wavefront to be modulated traverses the media, impinges on the electrodes, traverses the media layer a second time before exiting the modulator. Several advantages exist in the invention including increasing the modulation sensitivity of electronic addressed surface deformation type spatial light modulators.

Abstract: A deformable media spatial light modulator utilizes a transmissive deformable media disposed between a deformable transmissive conductor and a substrate. A plurality of electrodes are affixed to the substrate. A potential control is provided to control the potential difference between each electrode and the conductor. A wavefront to be modulated is incident upon the transmissive conductor, traverses the media and is incident upon a reflector, reverses direction, traverses the media a second time and exits the modulator. By allowing the wavefront to be modulated to traverse the media, several enhancements occur including an increase in sensitivity. The increase in sensitivity exhibits a dependence upon the index of refraction of the media.

Abstract: A surface deformation light modulator contains a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a matrix of p rows and q columns affixed to a substrate by a suitable means. Each electrode is electrically connected to a third terminal of a respective switching element. Each switching element is affixed to a second face of the substrate. Each column of electrodes is overlapped by a respective flexible, reflective conductor. Each conductor is affixed by a suitable means to a first face of the substrate. Having the switch matrix and the conductors affixed to opposite face of the substrate allows several processing options to be considered to reduce the influence of contamination and hence enhancing the commercial viability of the modulator. Each switch element further includes a first switch terminal and a second switch terminal. Every second terminal in each row is electrically connected by a respective second buss.

Abstract: An electrostatic shutter mosaic modulator contains a substrate, said substrate contains a first face and a second face. A plurality of first electrodes are arranged in a matrix of p rows an q columns. Each first electrode is affixed to the substrate by a suitable means. Each first electrode is overlapped by a respective deformable reflective conductor. Each conductor is affixed to the first face by a suitable means. Every conductor in each column is electrically connected by a respective column buss. Each first electrode is electrically connected to a respective third switch terminal of a respective switching element by a suitable feedthrough means. Each switching element is affixed by a suitable means to the second face. Each first electrode overlapps the respective switching element. A suitable means is provided to control the potential difference between each first electrode and the respective conductor, in accordance with an information bearing signal.

Abstract: To provide electrical isolation to piezoelectric parallel shear mode elements in wavefront phase modulators arrays, the functionality of the mounting configuration is increased. The mounting configuration involves embedding a respective interface electrode affixed to a second face of each piezoelectric element of the array in an insulating ridge. This allows the ridge to provide electrical isolation to interface electrodes affixed to adjacent elements. A first surface of every element is electrically connected to a common potential source by a suitable means. Electrically connecting the first surface of every adjacent element in the array to a common potential source avoids electrical interference between adjacent elements. By increasing the functionality of the ridges and making judicious use of common potential interconnects between adjacent elements, extraneous components, such as electrical insulators can be eliminated. This facilitates implementation of piezoelectric wavefront phase modulator arrays.

Abstract: A new mounting configuration for piezoelectric shear mode elements is described. The element is mounted in a cantilever beam fashion. The polarization axis forms an acute angle with the mounting surface normal. A reflective electrode is affixed to a first surface of the element. The first surface normal is perpendicular to the polarization axis. A second electrode is affixed to a second surface which is parallel to the first surface. A voltage is applied across the reflective electrode and the second electrode to generate strain in the element. This results in a deflection of the reflective electrode, phase modulating electromagnetic and/or acoustic wavefronts incident on the reflective electrode. Stress distribution and hence phase modulation properties may be influenced using this mounting technique. Elements may be coupled end to end to form new devices. Anti-parallel polarization coupled elements exhibit large rates of change of deflection.