Abstract: The invention provides an electrode plate for a color display, a manufacturing method thereof, and a color display using the display plate, capable of preventing the physical/chemical damage of a color filter or an organic protective film in a more convenient way and capable of improving the adhesive properties with a conductive film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating a phase of optical beam with reduced contact loss. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. The first region has a first conductivity type. The apparatus further includes a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material. The second region has a second conductivity type, which is opposite to the first conductivity type. A first contact is coupled to the optical waveguide at a first location, which is outside an optical path of an optical beam that is to be directed through the optical waveguide. A first buffer of insulating material is disposed along the optical waveguide between the first contact and the optical path of the optical beam. A buffer plug of insulating material disposed in the optical waveguide on a same side as the first location.

Abstract: An electroabsorption modulator comprises a tandem arrangement of a conventional electroabsorption (EA) modulator element and a phase modulator element. The EA modulator element is driven by the digital data signal and the phase modulator is driven by a chirp tuning control signal, such as the complement of the data signal. By controlling the amplitude and/or bias of the chirp tuning control signal, the frequency chirp of the intensity-modulated output signal from the EA modulator element can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical space switch accommodating a plurality of input light paths and output light paths. The optical space switch comprises a plurality of polarization control optical switches, each consisting essentially of: polarization control means having elements, one for each input light path, for rotating through 90° the polarizing direction of light information incident from each input light path or otherwise retaining the polarizing direction thereof for output; and a light path routing element for routing the light path for the light information output from the polarization control means in accordance with the polarizing direction of the light information. These polarization control optical switches are arranged in a matrix pattern or coupled in cascade to implement a polarization control optical space switch.

Abstract: An optical head having a laser source of beams at an input end and image forming beams at an output end and a plurality of optical components arranged along the beams between the input and output ends to obtain an image on a photosensitive printing plate from the beams. The optical components include reflecting surfaces adapted to fold the beams several times between the input and output ends times in such a way as to reduce the width and height of the optical head. The folded beams are located in a plurality of parallel surfaces perpendicular to the image formed on the photosensitive printing plate. The optical head further includes optical components adapted to adjust the width, location, orientation and intensity of the image from the beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing modulated light, that includes: a VCSEL array for generating an illumination beam from a plurality of emissive elements within the VCSEL array; a linear array of electromechanical grating devices for modulating the illumination beam to provide a plurality of diffracted orders; an obstructing element for blocking at least one of the plurality of diffracted orders; and means for conditioning the illumination beam to provide a suitable aspect ratio for incidence onto the linear array of electromechanical grating devices and/or remove unwanted spatial content.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical signal transmission system with phase modulation and the implementation method. The system adds a phase modulator in the optical signal-emitting module. The optical pulses after intensity modulation and a high-speed data stream are input to the phase modulator synchronously, where the optical pulses are modulated in phase according to the high-speed data stream into high-speed optical signals with chattering. According to the invention, the phase modulator added in the optical signal-emitting module modulates optical signals in phase, which has been modulated in intensity. Appropriate chattering modulation can depress effectively the non-linear effect in the transmission of optical pulses through the interaction between chromatic dispersion and non-linear effects. Thus, the power input of individual channels is increased effectively, and the passive relay regeneration distance is extended.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical spatial light modulator for modulating a polarization state of an incident beam (20) comprises a plurality of rotatable elements. Each of the rotatable elements (170) comprises a plurality of structures (300). The structures are spaced apart at sub-wavelength distances relative to the wavelength of the incident beam (20). Each of the plurality of structures (300) exhibits an interaction with the polarization state of the incident beam. An actuator is coupled to each of the rotatable elements. The actuator is capable of controllably positioning the rotatable element to any two positions, and each of the positions has a corresponding polarization state. A substrate (110) supports each plurality of rotatable elements and houses each actuator.

Abstract: The optical system includes a plurality of light modulators, one or more combining filters, and an optical relay system including a filter. Each light modulator modulates a corresponding incident light beam. The one or more combining filters superimpose the modulated light beams from each of the plurality of light modulators. The optical relay system filters the superimposed light and relays the filtered light to an image plane.

Abstract: Flakes or platelets of polymer liquid crystals (PLC) or other birefringent polymers (BP) suspended in a fluid host medium constitute a system that can function as the active element in an electrically switchable optical device when the suspension is either contained between a pair of rigid substrates bearing transparent conductive coatings or dispersed as microcapsules within the body of a flexible host polymer. Optical properties of these flake materials include large effective optical path length, different polarization states and high angular sensitivity in their selective reflection or birefringence. The flakes or platelets of these devices need only a 3-20° rotation about the normal to the cell surface to achieve switching characteristics obtainable with prior devices using particle rotation or translation.

Abstract: An image display system, e.g. for projection type displays, has an electrically addressed spatial light modulator or EASLM (1) and an optically addressed spatial light modulator or OASLM (5). An image formed on the EASLM (1) is transferred to a part of the OASLM (5) by an image transfer means (3) and the image produced by the OASLM (5) is formed from a plurality of successive images formed by the EASLM.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a phase modulator configured to drive light with an NRZI-coded drive signal for phase modulation and an intensity modulator to modulate the intensity of a phase-modulated NRZI-coded optical signal received from the phase modulator. The operating point of the intensity modulator is set such that the output of the intensity-modulated optical signal is eliminated when the NRZI-coded optical signal is not varied.

Abstract: Several optical heads are mounted on a common carriage adapted to scan a photosensitive printing plate. Each head is equipped with a laser source, a modulator and projection optics and can project a segment containing a plurality of pixels. The optical track of beams in each head is folded several times in such a way as to reduce the width of the head as well as its height. When the carriage moves from one edge of the plate to the other edge a swath of pixels is projected. Each head includes means to adjust the width, location, orientation and intensity of the segment it generates. Each head is accurately positioned on the carriage so that at least two abutting swaths are projected during each sweep of the carriage to produce a wider swath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projector apparatus including a color separation optical system which separates illumination light into a plurality of color light components, a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with the plurality of color light components, respectively, a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light components from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated, a projecting optical system which projects light from the color synthesis optical system, and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incident and exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each of the transparent substrates holding a polarizer, wherein a surface area of at least one of the plurality of transparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.

Abstract: An optical element has of a set of a plurality of three-dimensional cells. A specific amplitude and a specific phase are defined in each individual cell. Each cell has a concave part formed by hollowing a part having an area corresponding to the specific amplitude by a depth corresponding to the specific phase. The individual cell has a specific optical property so that, when incident light is provided to the cell, emission light is obtained by changing an amplitude and a phase of the incident light in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell.

Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).

Abstract: To prevent the substrate floating effect that is caused when a transistor channel region fabricated of a monocrystal silicon layer covered with an insulator is in a floating state, and to stabilize the electrical characteristics of the transistor. A channel region of a semiconductor layer includes an extension portion. The end of the extension portion is connected to a contact hole. The contact hole is in turn connected to an interconnect line. The interconnect line is configured with one end thereof connected to the contact hole and with the other end connected to a contact hole leading to a light-shielding layer.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical spatial light modulator for modulating a polarization state of an incident beam (20) comprises a plurality of rotatable elements. Each of the rotatable elements (170) comprises a plurality of structures (300). The structures are spaced apart at sub-wavelength distances relative to the wavelength of the incident beam (20). Each of the plurality of structures (300) exhibits an interaction with the polarization state of the incident beam. An actuator is coupled to each of the rotatable elements. The actuator is capable of controllably positioning the rotatable element to any two positions, and each of the positions has a corresponding polarization state. A substrate (110) supports each plurality of rotatable elements and houses each actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for modulating the optical intensity, with the noises suppressed by using a linear optical modulator, are disclosed, so that the characteristics of signals transmitted from an optical communication system can be improved, and that the resolution of the measured physical quantities can be improved in an optical measuring instrument. The method is carried out in the following manner. That is, the magnitude of frequency is measured by utilizing pilot signals and electrical signals to transfer negatively fed-back signals to an optical intensity modulator. The phase is delayed by generating pilot signals so as to suppress an amplitude noise from the pilot signal caused by nonlinear modulation at the optical intensity modulator. A linear modulation is carried out on the phase-delayed signals and on optical signals from an external source to provide a linear component.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode plate for a color display, a manufacturing method thereof, and a color display using the display plate, capable of preventing the physical/chemical damage of a color filter or an organic protective film in a more convenient way and capable of improving the adhesive properties with a conductive film.

Abstract: An image projection system includes an image generator, a screen and a focus and aim component. The focus and aim component receives modulated light from the image generator and focuses and deflects the light as a function of a position on the screen. The component consists of an array of lenslets with wedge. The wedge or prism refracts the light and the lens focuses the light. As a result, the optics are selectively tailored to provide a clear image over the entire field of view, even in systems compact in depth that would otherwise rely on a short focal length lens. Acute incidence angles at the periphery of the screen are handled by TIR Fresnel lens elements or by diffractive elements. The focus and aim capability is alternatively provided by holographic elements in a holographic array.

Abstract: Among other things, a cavity having a cavity dimension is configured so that the cavity dimension changes in response to electrostatic forces applied to the cavity, and at least two electrical structures are configured to apply electrostatic forces in the vicinity of the cavity, the electrical structures being independently controllable.

Abstract: A demodulation system used in connection with an analog optical link. An optical carrier signal modulated with an RF signal is split into two portions. One carrier signal portion is applied to a coarse demodulator that generates a demodulated signal representative of the RF signal and the additive inverse of an error signal. The coarse demodulator output is inverted and applied to a phase modulator along with the second carder signal portion. The phase modulator modulates the optical carrier signal with the additive inverse of the demodulated signal from the coarse demodulator, and the RF signal components of the carrier signal and the demodulated signal cancel, leaving the carrier signal modulated with the error signal. The modulated carrier signal is filtered, then demodulated to regenerate the error signal, which is combined with the demodulated signal from the coarse demodulator to recreate the RF signal with minimal excess noise and distortion.

Abstract: There are provided an optical element which can reduce an assembly cost by simplifying focus adjustment of the optical element, decreasing the number of parts required for the adjustment, and shortening the adjustment time, and an optical scanning device using the element. The optical element has a plurality of sets of positioning references for defining the position of the element in the optical axis direction. The plurality of sets of positioning references respectively define different positions in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed that provide for simultaneously upconverting electrical signals carrying information at electric frequencies onto optical subcarrier lightwave frequencies that are greater and less than the carrier frequency of the lightwave onto which the electrical frequencies were upconverted. The upconversion of the electrical signals can be performed with or without suppression of the optical carrier frequency.

Abstract: An antiglare optical device for selectively attenuating bright light sources in an object field. This device comprises at the object end, the optics necessary for focusing incoming rays onto a focal plane, at the eyepiece end, the optics necessary to view the image of the object field, and at the focal plane, a photochromic layer for moderating rays originating from intense objects in the object field. A sharp focusing of the object field on the photochromic layer is achieved by means of asymmetrical optical components such as polarizing beam splitter and half lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to radiation, such as a photomask, a display panel or a microoptical device. The apparatus comprises a radiation source, a spatial modulator (SLM) having a multitude of modulating elements (pixels), a projection system, an electronic data processing and delivery system controlling the modulator and a precision mechanical system for moving said workpiece. Specifically, the pixels could be set in a number of states larger than two, and the electronic processing system is adapted to create one type of pixel map inside pattern features, another type of pixel map outside features, and intermediate pixel maps at a boundary. The intermediate pixel map is generated in dependence on the placement of the boundary in a grid finer than that of the pixels of the SLM projected on the workpiece.

Abstract: An optical modulation device which can facilitate a reduction in size of a device and prevent overheating of the optical modulation device, and a projection display device utilizing the optical modulation device are provided. In the optical modulation device, sapphire glasses are affixed to the light-incident side and the light-emitting side surfaces of liquid crystal panels which respectively modulates light of three colors of red, green, and blue emitted from a light source according to image information. Therefore, heat generated on optical modulation devices can be discharged, so that overheating of the optical modulation devices can be prevented, and a reduction in size can be achieved. In addition, since the sapphire glass is difficult to scratch, it becomes easy-to-handle, thereby facilitating the management of the optical modulation devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal pixel current sensing technique is described that increases LC (Liquid Crystal)-based micro display contrast fidelity and lowers production costs. A spatial light modulator has an electro-optical material (such as a liquid crystal layer) between an array of pixel electrodes and a common electrode (such as an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer). An amplifier biases the common electrode of the spatial light modulator and outputs a differential current proportional to the electro-optical material current. The output is used to determine delay of a light source to compensate for switching delay of the modulator. For one embodiment, the amplifier has a common-source push-pull output stage and current mirrors. For another embodiment, the output stage is a cascode common-source push-pull output stage. Because the current sensor does not perform current-to-voltage conversion, it does not alter the impedance between the pixel driver and the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A signal image is transmitted by write light from a transmission type liquid crystal element 4 to an optically-addressed type parallel-aligned nematic-liquid-crystal spatial light modulator 6. The numerical aperture NAL of a relay lens 5, the pitch P of the pixel structure of the transmission type liquid crystal element 4, and the wavelength &lgr; of light from the write light source 1 are set with the condition 1/2P<NAL/&lgr;<1/P. As a result, the signal component caused by the pixel structure can be erased. Furthermore, no degradation is generated in the entire range of the spatial frequencies of the signal image that can be produced by the transmission type liquid crystal element 4.

Abstract: The present invention,is directed to an optical space switch accommodating a plurality of input light paths and output light paths. The optical space switch comprises a plurality of polarization control optical switches, each consisting essentially of: polarization control means having elements, one for each input light path, for rotating through 90° the polarizing direction of light information incident from each input light path or otherwise retaining the polarizing direction thereof for output; and a light path routing element for routing the light path for the light information output from the polarization control means in accordance with the polarizing direction of the light information. These polarization control optical switches are arranged in a matrix pattern or coupled in cascade to implement a polarization control optical space switch.

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 invention features systems and methods for generating optical beams having substantially orthogonal polarizations for use in distance measuring interferometry. In one embodiment, the invention features a system including a source which during operation generates two nonparallel propagating source beams; and a retarder element positioned to receive the two nonparallel propagating source beams and convert them into two nonparallel propagating output beams that are polarized substantially orthogonal to one another. The system can further include a birefringent prism positioned to receive the two nonparallel propagating output beams and produce two parallel output beams.

Abstract: A light modulation apparatus includes: a light modulation device including first light transmission control elements each for controlling the amount of transmission of a light beam, for generating and applying a modulation light beam representing a modulation signal by controlling the amount of transmission of the light beam in each of the first light transmission control elements in accordance with the modulation signal; and a detection light beam generating device that always allows transmission of a part of the light beam for generating and applying a detection light beam for detecting a displacement of the irradiation position of the modulation light beam.

Abstract: A demodulation system used in connection with an analog optical link that provides a wide dynamic range and SNR potential for large RF signal bandwidths. An optical carrier signal modulated with an RF signal is applied to an optical splitter in the demodulation system that splits the signal into first and second carrier signals. One of the carrier signals is applied to a coarse demodulator that provides either PM or FM demodulation to generate a demodulated signal representative of the signal that includes the RF signal and the additive inverse of an error signal. The output from the coarse demodulator is inverted, and integrated in the FM case, and then applied to a phase modulator along with the second optical carrier signal from the optical splitter.

Abstract: A delay element and method for delaying an RF/microwave signal. The delay element uses a laser and an RF modulator to modulate a laser beam using an applied RF/microwave input signal. Collimating optics collimate the modulated laser beam and couple the beam to a delay element that controllably delays the modulated laser beam and hence the RF/microwave signal. The delay element has fixed retroreflectors, moveable retroreflectors disposed on a moveable armature or permanent magnet, and a coil disposed on a spring and coupled to the moveable armature. The beam is reflected multiple times between the fixed and multiple moveable retroreflectors. A dash pot may be used to suppress mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet and moveable retroreflectors. A delay control current source supplies current to the coil to control movement of the moveable retroreflectors and thus the path length and delay experienced by the modulated laser beam.

Abstract: A tunable optical wavelength selective filter is constituted by a dynamic holographic diffraction element (3) in combination with a fixed diffraction grating or hologram (2). The dynamic diffraction element (3) is preferably implemented as an electronically controlled image displayed on a pixelated spatial light modulator and in particular a spatial light modulating using photo-electronic integrated circuits fabricated using silicon VLSI technology and integrated with ferro-electric liquid crystals. Amongst other uses the filter can be implemented to form a digitally tunable laser.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical space switch accommodating a plurality of input light paths and output light paths. The optical space switch comprises a plurality of polarization control optical switches, each consisting essentially of: polarization control means having elements, one for each input light path, for rotating through 90.degree. the polarizing direction of light information incident from each input light path or otherwise retaining the polarizing direction thereof for output; and a light path routing element for routing the light path for the light information output from the polarization control means in accordance with the polarizing direction of the light information. These polarization control optical switches are arranged in a matrix pattern or coupled in cascade to implement a polarization control optical space switch.

Abstract: A two-dimensional imaging system employs a multiplicity of radiation sensors disposed in an array of rows and columns. In order to couple signals from each of the sensors from an inaccessible location to an accessible location for processing of the sensor signals to produce an image of a subject viewed by the sensors, a fiber optic link employing both frequency multiplexing and frequency modulation of sensor data connects the sensor array with the signal processing equipment. In each column of the array, the sensors produce electrical signals which are coupled via a multiplexer to modulate the frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator. A plurality of oscillators are provided for the concurrent generation of frequency-modulated signals which are then summed together to produce a composite signal. The composite signal is transmitted via a fiber-optic link to the signal processing equipment wherein the composite signal is demodulated and the frequency contributions of the various sensors are identified.

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: A spatial light modulator for use in a optical printer where the spatial light modulator includes a plurality of cells, having a shape that is defined to decrease artifacts in an image produced on a recording medium by the optical printer. The shape of the plurality of cells merges a portion of the optical radiation passing through an individual cell of the spatial light modulator with optical radiation from that of adjacent cell to form a pixel on the recording medium. In one implementation each of the cells of the spatial light modulator independently modulate the optical radiation so as to print horizontally-displaced pixels. When LEDs are used as the colored light source, the light is either first diffused to minimize shadows from electrical contacts on the LEDs, thus removing linear artifacts in the image.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a driving voltage generator that generates a pulse driving voltage having a rising edge and a decaying edge. An optical modulator produces a first pulse at the rising edge of the pulse driving voltage and a second pulse at the decaying edge of the pulse driving voltage. Therefore, the first and second pulses are both produced from a single driving pulse voltage. The frequency of the first pulse is determined by the slope of the rising edge of the pulse driving voltage and the frequency of the second pulse is determined by the slope of the decaying edge of the pulse driving voltage. The first and second pulses are transmitted through a transmission line. A detection device detects the first and second pulses after being transmitted through the transmission line.

Abstract: Optical variable delay devices for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. A ladder-structured variable delay device comprises multiple basic building blocks stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic building block has two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array arranged to form a trihedron; Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes a beam passing through the array element either going up to a basic building block above it or reflect back towards a block below it. The beams going higher on the "ladder" experience longer optical path delay. An index-switched optical variable delay device comprises of many birefringent crystal segments connected with one another, with a polarization rotator array sandwiched between any two adjacent crystal segments.

Abstract: A photonic band gap structure device and method for delaying photonic signals of a predetermined frequency and a predetermined bandwidth by a predetermined delay is provided. A Fabry-Perot delay line device has several regions of periodically alternating refractive material layers which exhibit a series of photonic band gaps and a periodicity defect region, interposed between the regions of periodically alternating refractive material layers. The Fabry-Perot delay line device imparts a predetermined delay to photonic signals that pass therethrough. The introduction of the periodicity defect region into this photonic band gap structure creates a sharp transmission resonance within the corresponding photonic band gap of the structure and causes at least an order of magnitude improvement in photonic signal delay for a band-edge delay line device of similar size. Variable photonic delays to multiple photonic signals are also generated by this Fabry-Perot delay line device.

Abstract: A beamsplitter/staggerer (24) for multi-beam laser printers is disclosed. The multi-beam laser printer is comprised of the beamsplitter/staggerer (24), a spatial light modulator (16) having at least two rows of staggered modulator pixel elements (19), and an illumination system comprised of a laser array (10) and an optical system (13) which provides a narrow line of laser light. The beamsplitter/staggerer is adapted to split the narrow line of laser light into at least two parallel lines of light, and to split each of the parallel lines of light into regions, such that substantially all of the light from the illumination system falls onto each of the modulator pixel elements (19) in each of the rows. In one embodiment, the beamsplitter/staggerer comprises a pattern of reflecting areas (26) and transmitting areas (27) wherein a shape of the regions defined by the beamsplitter/staggerer matches a shape of the modulator pixel elements (19).

Abstract: In an individual identification apparatus, a hologram 11 recorded on a card is irradiated with laser light to read out a fingerprint image of a specific person. A finger of an arbitrary person to be identified with the specific person is irradiated with laser light to obtain a fingerprint image. Thus obtained fingerprint images are jointly written in a first SLM. Then, the joint image is read out and Fourier transformed to obtain a Joint Fourier Transform image, which is then written in a second SLM. The Joint Fourier Transform image is then read out and Fourier transformed to obtain a pair of output correlation peaks. A photodetector detects the intensity of the output correlation peaks and outputs a signal indicative of the intensity. A threshold processor compares the value of the signal with a predetermined threshold value to positively or negatively identify the arbitrary person with the specific person.

Abstract: An ladder-structured variable delay device for providing variable true time delay to multiple optical beams simultaneously. The device comprises multiple basic units stacked on top of each other resembling a ladder. Each basic unit comprises a polarization sensitive corner reflector formed by two polarization beamsplitters and a polarization rotator array placed parallel to the hypotenuse of the corner reflector. Controlling an array element of the polarization rotator array causes an optical beam passing through the array element to either go up to a basic unit above it or reflect back towards output. The beams going higher on the "ladder" experience longer optical path delay. Finally, the ladder-structured variable device can be cascaded with another multi-channel delay device to form a new device which combines the advantages of the two individual devices. This programmable optic device has the properties of high packing density, low loss, easy fabrication, and virtually infinite bandwidth.

Abstract: A projective display system includes a light source, a display surface, and a two dimensional light modulator array in an optical path between the light source and the display surface. The two dimensional light modulator array has a plurality of light modulators arranged in rows to modulate light from the light source, with at least one row being susceptible to failure. To compensate for any failed rows, an optical element redirects modulated light from presenting a first row of virtual pixels on the display surface to substantially occupy a second row of virtual pixels on the display surface. In conjunction with various image processing techniques for deblurring, this permits partial or complete correction for faulty rows of light modulators.

Abstract: A display system attached to a fixed substrate includes a two-dimensional light modulator array having a plurality of light modulators arranged in a first row and a second row, with the first row at a first row position with respect to the fixed substrate and the second row at a second row position with respect to the fixed substrate. A mechanically movable element such as a rotary stepper or piezovibrator attaches the two-dimensional light modulator array to the fixed substrate. The movable element is operated to move the first row from its first row position to substantially occupy the second row position. In conjunction with various image processing deblurring and rescaling techniques, this effectively distributes light between adjacent rows to compensate for failure of one or more light modulators in a row.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a first diffraction grating for separating a light flux of a wide wavelength band into light fluxes of given wavelength bands. The optical modulator further includes an optical modulation element for modulating the separated light fluxes through corresponding picture elements, respectively, and outputting them. The optical modulator further includes a second diffraction grating for synthesizing the modulated light fluxes outputted from the optical modulation element, wherein the first diffraction grating, the optical modulation element and the second diffraction grating are integrally structured.