SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR
A spatial light modulator includes a first portion and a second portion. Both the first portion and the second portion include a planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the non-polar solvent are supported by the first planar electrode. A coating of molecules is attached to the first planar electrode and includes a head end. The head end changes between a first shape and a second shape.
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Displays are used in televisions and computers. Projectors are most commonly used in televisions. Display types include cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). CRTs use electron beam technology that has been present for many years in consumer products such as television (TV) tubes and computer monitors. CRTs use hot cathode electrodes to create a source of electrons that are directed to and focused on the viewing screen. The viewing screen generally includes glass. Directing the electrons to the viewing screen requires some distance. In addition, the viewing screen is generally made of glass, so CRTs are heavy, especially in larger displays or monitors. Consequently, CRTs are heavy and use a relatively large space when compared to LCD monitors.
LCD monitors are lightweight and thin in comparison to CRTs. An LCD may use two pieces of polarized glass. A special polymer is dispensed on a side of the glass that does not have a polarizing film on it. A special polymer creates microscopic grooves in the glass surface to form a first light filter. The grooves are in the same direction as the polarizing film. The grooves are coated with pneumatic liquid crystals to finish a light filter. The grooves cause the first layer of molecules to align with the filter's orientation. The second piece of polarized glass is supported by the first piece of polarized glass at a right angle. Each successive layer of molecules gradually twists until the uppermost layer or portion of the molecule is at a 90-degree angle to the bottom layer or portion. The twisted molecules, therefore, act as light guides that twist to match the polarized glass filters.
As light strikes the first filter, it is polarized. The molecules in each layer then guide the light they receive to the next layer. As the light passes through the liquid crystal layers, the molecules also change the light's plane of vibration to match their own angle. When the light reaches the far side of the liquid crystal substance, it vibrates at the same angle as the final layer of molecules. If the final layer is matched up with the second polarized glass filter, then the light may pass through.
Applying an electric charge to the liquid crystal molecules causes the molecules to straighten out or untwist. When they straighten out, they change the angle of the light passing through them so that it no longer matches the angle of the top polarizing filter. Consequently, no light can pass through that “charged” area of the LCD, which makes that area darker than the surrounding areas. LCDs switch pixels through polarization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following description, the drawings illustrate specific embodiments sufficiently to enable those skilled in the art to practice it. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The scope encompasses the full ambit of the claims and all available equivalents. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims.
It should be noted that in the example shown in
It should be noted that in the example discussed, the non-polar solvent 314 includes the colorant. The polar portion of the solvent 312 could also be provided with the colorant with similar results. The amount of colorant that is placed into either the polar or non-polar solvent is sufficient to filter the light when the colorized portion of either the non-polar solvent 314 or the polar solvent 312 is distributed across the cell or over the planar electrode 120. The polar solvent and the non-polar solvent are immiscible. Therefore, the polar solvent 312 does not mix with the non-polar solvent 314. Any number of solvents may be used. Water is one common polar solvent that may be used.
In one embodiment, the molecules of the monolayer of molecules 400 include chainlike polymers called alkanethiols, which naturally assemble into what looks like rows of tightly packed miniature cornstalks. The chain-like polymers act as tethers 410. The molecules of the monolayer of molecules 400 include synthesized alkanethiols with different chemical properties on their tops and sides which are attached to the planar electrode 320. In one embodiment, sulfur atoms are placed on one end of the alkanethiols. The sulfur atoms at one end of the molecules 400 bind to a gold surface on the electrode 320. The molecular stalks or tethers 410 have little choice but to stand straight up if packed in densely enough. To bend over, however, the alkanethiols use additional space. Initially, the alkanethiol stalks 410 are synthesized with bulky mushroom-like heads 412. A solution of them is poured over a gold plate. The molecules 400, named (16-mercapto) hexade-canoic acid (2-chlorophenyl) diphenyl-methyl ester, or MHAE, latch onto the gold surface. The bulky headgroups 412 prevent them from packing tightly together. Then hydrolysis is used to lop off the tops of the mushrooms or from a smaller head 412 on each tether 410. Hydrolysis leaves each molecular cornstalk or tether 410 tipped with a negatively charged, water-loving carboxylic acid group 412.
The surface wettability of the planar electrode 320 exploits conformational transitions (switching) of the molecules above confined as a low-density film on the surface of the electrode 320 (
In some embodiments, the molecules of the monolayer of molecules 400 may include an anchor that retains the assembly on the substrate. One molecular group may serve more than one role in the molecular assembly 400. For example, in the single chain molecular assembly 410 (shown in
The surface properties that may be switched using the methods disclosed herein include any surface property.
In an embodiment, any substrate, including all classes of materials such as metals, ceramics, glasses, non-crystalline materials, semiconductors, polymers and composites, can be used or adapted for use herein. Substrates may also be combined. For example, a substrate of one material may be coated or patterned with a second material. Such coatings may be desirable to provide a specifically tailored set of bulk and surface properties for the substrate. Exemplary deposition techniques for such coatings include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), metal oxide CVD, sputtering, sol-gel techniques, evaporation, pulsed laser deposition, ion beam assisted deposition, and CVD polymerization. It is not necessary to coat the entire substrate with the second material. The second material may be deposited according to a periodic or other pattern. For example, an electrical circuit may be deposited on the material. The substrates may also be pretreated before deposition of the molecular assemblies. A range of methods are known in the art that can be used to charge, oxidize, or otherwise modify the composition of a surface if desired, including but not limited to plasma processing, corona processing, flame processing, and chemical processing, e.g., etching, microcontact printing, and chemical modification. Optical methods, such as UV or other high energy electromagnetic radiation or electron beams, may also be employed.
Films including the monolayer of molecules 400 can be deposited on a surface, such as the electrode 320, using a variety of techniques. For example, the any of the deposition techniques described above may be used to form the films herein. In addition, any thin film deposition technique can be used to apply the films containing the monolayer of molecules 400. The films may be easily patterned on a surface using photolithographic or lithographic techniques. For instance, inkjet printing and automated (robotic) techniques can precisely deposit small spots of material containing the monolayer of molecules 400 on a portion of the electrode 320.
In one embodiment, the tether 410 may include an anchor group that facilitates molecular self assembly. Anchor groups form chemical bonds with functional groups on the surface of the electrode 320 to form a self assembled monolayer (SAM). SAMs having different anchor groups, such as silane and thiol can be deposited on a wide variety of electrodes 320. SAMs may be deposited from both the solution and the gas phases onto the substrate.
Single chain molecular assemblies may be used in both dense and low-density nanolayers to tailor the surface properties of a substrate. Spontaneous self-assembly allows free energy considerations to determine the distance between individual molecular assemblies. Favorable interactions between tethers, for example, non-covalent interactions, may lead to densely packed SAMs. As discussed below, the assemblies in such monolayers are typically too closely packed to undergo the change in conformation shown in
Low density nanolayers of single chain molecular assemblies 400 can be produced by temporarily attaching a bulky endgroup to the assembly, as shown in
In other embodiments, alternative methods besides bulky endgroups or head ends 412 can be used to control the density of a nanolayer on the substrate surface. For example, two different molecules, a long chain molecule and a short bulky molecule may be co-deposited in a single monolayer or nanolayer.
In one embodiment, straight chain tethers 410 have between 5 and 30 carbons. The carbon chains of the tethers 410 may be long enough to bend over, but not so long that solvent interactions with either the active group or the tether dominate the energetic considerations leading to a transition between the extended and bent conformations. However, it is not necessary that the chain be a hydrocarbon. A polar or other functional group may be disposed in the middle of the chain. For example, rigid chemical groups such as double and triple bonds, aromatic, polyaromatic, polycyclic, and fused aromatic groups may be incorporated into the tether 410. These groups stiffen the monolayer of molecules 400 in the upright conformation and help dictate the conformation of the assembly when it bends.
In other embodiments, it may be desirable to fabricate a nanolayer that is more geometrically stable with respect to both chemical and physical environmental influences. Thus, a nanolayer with a more rigid tether than the long chain hydrocarbons described above might be used.
Several techniques may be used to switch the properties of the thin film having the monolayer of molecules 400. For example, the monolayer of molecules 400 with a charged active group exhibits one conformation when the substrate is neutral and a second conformation when a voltage is applied to the substrate, as shown in
The second portion or cell 732 includes a second planar electrode 722, the polar solvent 712, and a second non-polar solvent 715. The polar solvent 712 and the second non-polar solvent 715 cover the second planar electrode 722. A coating or film of molecules 740 is attached at one end to the second planar electrode 722. The molecules also have a free end or head. The molecules change between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the second planar electrode 722. The first portion or cell 731 is stacked on the second portion or cell 732. As shown in
Each of the cells 731, 732, 733, 734 is attached to the controller 750. The controller 750, in response to image data input, controls the voltage on each of the electrodes 721, 722, 723, and 724 to either place the colorized portion substantially in a light path through the stacked cells 731, 732, 733, 734 or substantially remove the colorized portion of the cells 731, 732, 733, 734 from a light path depicted by arrows 770 and 772. By controlling each cell 731, 732, 733, 734, a selected color of filtered light is output from the spatial light modulator 700. The spatial light modulator 700 also includes a light source (arrow 770) positioned to project light through the cells 731, 732, 733, 734. In some embodiments, a reflective surface (such as reflective surface 220 shown in
Each of the cells 831, 832, 833 is attached to a controller 850. The controller 850, in response to image data input, controls the voltage on each of the electrodes 821, 822, and 823 to either place the dyed portion substantially in a light path through the adjacent cells 831, 832, 833 or substantially remove the colorized portion of the cells 831, 832, 833 from the light path depicted as two arrows in
Transmitting light through the first cell and the second cell, in some embodiments, includes reflecting the light transmitted through the first cell and the second cell. Applying an external force on the first cell and on the second cell includes controlling a voltage on the electrode of the first cell and on the electrode of the second cell.
A display includes a plurality of display elements capable of controlling light within a visible light spectrum. The display elements are positioned over a display surface. At least some of the display elements include a first portion that includes a first planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a first non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the first non-polar solvent cover the first planar electrode. The first portion of the display element also includes a coating of molecules attached at one end to the first planar electrode. A free end of the molecules changes between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the first planar electrode. At least some of the display elements also include a second portion that includes a second planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a second non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the second non-polar solvent cover the second planar electrode. A coating of molecules is attached at one end to the second planar electrode. Free ends of the molecular chains in the molecular layer change between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the second planar electrode. The display also includes a device for controlling the first portion and the second portion to control the light passing through the display element. In some embodiments of the display, the first portion is stacked on the second portion. The display also includes a plurality of receivers coupled to the plurality of display elements. The plurality of receivers is adapted to receive transmitted image information and activate the display elements in response to the image information. The device for controlling the first portion and the second portion controls at least some of the portions of the display elements in response to image information received at the receivers. The display also includes a light source for projecting light through the plurality of display elements. In some embodiments, the display further includes a reflective surface positioned near the plurality of display elements.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of various embodiments of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A spatial light modulator comprising:
- a first portion that includes: a first planar electrode; a polar solvent; a first non-polar solvent, wherein the polar solvent and the first non-polar solvent are supported by the first planar electrode; and a first coating of molecules attached at one end to the first planar electrode, wherein the first coating includes a free end changing between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the first planar electrode; and
- a second portion that includes: a second planar electrode; the polar solvent; and a second non-polar solvent, wherein the polar solvent and the second non-polar solvent are supported by the second planar electrode; and a second coating of molecules attached at one end to the second planar electrode, wherein the second coating includes a free end changing between the first shape and the second shape in response to a change in voltage on the second planar electrode.
2. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the first portion is stacked on the second portion.
3. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein the first portion is adjacent the second portion.
4. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein a portion of molecules of the first coating of molecules attracts the polar solvent when in the first shape and repels the polar solvent when in the second shape.
5. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein one of the first non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a dye of a first color, and wherein one of the second non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a dye of a second color.
6. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 wherein one of the first non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a first color, and wherein one of the second non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a second color.
7. The spatial light modulator of claim 6 further comprising a third portion that includes:
- a third planar electrode;
- the polar solvent; and
- a third non-polar solvent, wherein the polar solvent and the third non-polar solvent are supported by the third planar electrode; and
- a third coating of molecules attached at one end to the third planar electrode, wherein the third coating of molecules includes a head end of the molecules changing between the first shape and the second shape in response to a change in voltage on the third planar electrode.
8. The spatial light modulator of claim 7 wherein the first portion, the second portion and the third portion are stacked with respect to each other.
9. The spatial light modulator of claim 7 wherein one of the first non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a first color, and wherein one of the second non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a second color, and wherein one of the third non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a third color.
10. The spatial light modulator of claim 9 further comprising a light source positioned to project light through the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.
11. The spatial light modulator of claim 9 further comprising a reflective surface positioned adjacent at least one of the first portion, second portion or third portion.
12. The spatial light modulator of claim 6 further comprising a fourth portion that includes:
- a fourth planar electrode;
- the polar solvent;
- a fourth non-polar solvent, wherein the polar solvent and the fourth non-polar solvent are supported by the fourth planar electrode; and
- a fourth coating of molecules attached at one end to the fourth planar electrode, wherein the fourth coating includes a free end changing between the first shape and the second shape in response to a change in voltage on the fourth planar electrode.
13. The spatial light modulator of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a first color, and wherein one of the second non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a second color, and wherein one of the third non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a third color, and wherein one of the fourth non-polar solvent and the polar solvent includes a pigment of a fourth color.
14. The spatial light modulator of claim 13 wherein the first color, the second color, the third color and the fourth color include cyan, yellow, magenta, and black, respectively.
15. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 further comprising:
- an area of the first planar electrode that is devoid of the first coating of molecules; and
- an area of the second first planar electrode that is devoid of the second coating of molecules.
16. The spatial light modulator of claim 1 further comprising a lens positioned adjacent one of the first portion and the second portion.
17. A method comprising:
- adding a polar solvent to a first cell and to a second cell;
- adding a non-polar solvent to the first cell and to the second cell;
- stacking the first cell and the second cell;
- applying a first external force to a first electrode of the first cell to move molecules coupled to the first electrode between a first surface that attracts a polar solvent and a second surface that repels the polar solvent; and
- applying a second external force to a second electrode of the second cell to move molecules coupled to the second electrode between a third surface that attracts a polar solvent and a fourth surface that repels the polar solvent.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
- dying one of the polar solvent and the non-polar solvent in the first cell with a first color; and
- dying one of the polar solvent and the non-polar solvent in the second cell with a second color.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising at least one of applying the first external force to the first cell to cause the dyed one of the non-polar solvent and the polar solvent to be interposed into a light path traversing the first cell, and applying the second external force to the second cell to cause the dyed one of the non-polar solvent and the polar solvent to be interposed into a light path traversing the second cell.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein applying one of the first and second external forces to one of the first cell and the second cell concentrates the dyed one of the non-polar solvent or polar solvent in a position within one of the first cell and the second cell.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising transmitting light through the first cell and the second cell.
22. The method of claim 18 further comprising applying the first external force to the first cell to cause the dyed one of the non-polar solvent and the polar solvent to be positioned across the first cell; and
- removing the second external force to the second cell to cause the dyed one of the non-polar solvent and the polar solvent to be positioned in one area with respect to the first cell, wherein light is transmitted through the first cell and the second cell and the transmitted light is colored by the dyed one of the non-polar solvent and the polar solvent extending across the first cell.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein transmitting light through the first cell and the second cell includes reflecting the light transmitted through the first cell and the second cell.
24. The method of claim 18 further comprising wherein applying an external force on the first cell and on the second cell includes controlling a voltage on the electrode of the first cell and on the electrode of the second cell.
25. A display device comprising:
- a plurality of display elements capable of controlling light within a visible light spectrum, the plurality of display elements positioned over a display surface of the display, at least some of the display elements further comprising:
- a first portion that includes: a first planar electrode; a polar solvent; a first non-polar solvent, the polar solvent and the first non-polar solvent supported by the first planar electrode; and a first coating of molecules attached at one end to the first planar electrode, the first coating including molecules having a free end changing between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the first planar electrode; and
- a second portion that includes: a second planar electrode; a polar solvent; and a second non-polar solvent, the polar solvent and the second non-polar solvent supported by the second planar electrode; and a second coating of molecules attached at one end to the second planar electrode, the second coating including molecules having a free end changing between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the second planar electrode; and
- means for controlling the first portion and the second portion to control the light passing through the display element.
26. The display device of claim 25 wherein the first portion is stacked on the second portion.
27. The display device of claim 26 further comprising a plurality of receivers coupled to the plurality of display elements and adapted to receive transmitted image information and activate the display elements in response to the image information.
28. The display device of claim 27 wherein the means for controlling the first portion and the second portion controls at least some of the portions of the display elements in response to image information received at the plurality of receivers.
29. The display device of claim 26 further comprising a light source for projecting light through the plurality of display elements.
30. The display device of claim 29 further comprising a reflective surface positioned near the plurality of display elements.
31. The display device of claim 29 wherein the light source is ambient light.
32. A system comprising:
- a display including plurality of display elements capable of controlling light within a visible light spectrum, the plurality of display elements positioned over a display surface of the display, at least some of the display elements further comprising:
- a first portion that includes: a first planar electrode; a polar solvent; a first non-polar solvent, the polar solvent and the first non-polar solvent supported by the first planar electrode; and a first coating of molecules attached at one end to the first planar electrode, the first coating including molecules having a free end changing between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the first planar electrode; and
- a second portion that includes: a second planar electrode; a polar solvent; and a second non-polar solvent, the polar solvent and the second non-polar solvent supported by the second planar electrode; and a second coating of molecules attached at one end to the second planar electrode, the second coating including molecules having a free end changing between a first shape and a second shape in response to a change in voltage on the second planar electrode; and
- a controller controlling the first portion and the second portion to control light passing through the display.
33. The system of claim 32 wherein the controller further comprises:
- a microprocessor; and
- a memory device coupled to the microprocessor.
34. The system of claim 32 further comprising image information, the controller controlling the first portion and the second portion in response to the image information.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 17, 2004
Publication Date: May 18, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Paul Benning (Corvallis, OR), Kenneth Faase (Corvallis, OR)
Application Number: 10/990,797
International Classification: G02B 26/00 (20060101);