Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrowetting display panel which can achieve full-color display, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; a plurality of baffle walls disposed on the second substrate and defining a plurality of sub-pixels; an opaque insulating layer disposed on the second substrate, the opaque insulating layer comprising a dielectric layer and opaque liquid elements disposed on the dielectric layer, the opaque insulating layer being capable of displaying black or white under an action of an electric field; a plurality of colored liquid elements corresponding to the individual sub-pixels respectively and disposed between the opaque insulating layer and the first substrate, the colored liquid elements being an electric-conductive or polar light-transmissive color solution.

Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method of forming a pixel includes depositing a black mask on a substrate, depositing an optical stack over the black mask, and forming a mechanical layer over the optical stack. The black mask is disposed along at least a portion of a side of the pixel, and the mechanical layer defines a cavity between the mechanical layer and the optical stack. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a cap layer, and the dielectric layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the cap layer. The method further includes forming a notch in the dielectric layer of the mechanical layer along the side of the pixel so as to reduce the overlap of the dielectric layer with the black mask along the side of the pixel.

Abstract: A display element (10) comprises a light modulating layer (40) for absorbing light in a colour waveband, and a reflector layer (16), substantially parallel to the light modulating layer (40), for selectively reflecting light in the colour waveband, and transmitting at least some non-reflected light. One of the light modulating layer (40) and the reflector layer (16) is fixed and the other of the light modulating layer (40) and the reflector layer (16) is movable. The relative positions of the light modulating layer (40) and the reflector layer (16) can be interchanged. In a first state of the display element (10) the light modulating layer (40) is in front of the reflector layer (16) in an incident light path so as to absorb incident light in the colour waveband. In a second state of the display element (10) the reflector layer (16) is in front of the light modulating layer (40) in the incident light path so as to reflect incident light in the colour waveband.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a projector comprising a polarizer-free display device. Such a projector is more energy efficient while the switching speed is not compromised. The display device may be an electrophoretic display capable of lateral switching of the charged pigment particles in the display fluid, or an electrowetting display.

Abstract: An optical device compensates for decreased transmission of light caused by gaps between mirrors of a MEMS array. The optical device employs MEMS mirrors having non-reflecting regions on them disposed such that reflecting regions of the MEMS mirrors have substantially the same optical throughput, or an additional optical element having increased transmission at those spatial positions where light impinging on the gaps passes through. Alternatively, the optical device may employ a filter having spectral transmission characteristic with increased transmission at those wavelengths of dispersed light that impinge on the gaps.

Abstract: An electro-wetting transmissive and interference display device with adjustable function includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode and an droplet disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, wherein the lower electrode, the droplet and the upper electrode are disposed on a substrate, and the droplet is enclosed between the lower electrode and the upper electrode by an ink jet printing method.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses for providing a boron nitride layer in a cavity of an optical electromechanical systems (EMS) device. The boron nitride layer can be deposited, for example using ALD, after removal of the sacrificial layer to define an EMS cavity. The boron nitride layer may reduce stiction between a first and second electrode structure of the EMS device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film stack with surface-conditioning buffer layers. In one aspect, the thin film stack includes a plurality of thin film layers each having a thickness greater than about 10 nm and a plurality of surface-conditioning buffer layers each having a thickness between about 1 nm and about 10 nm. The surface-conditioning buffer layers are alternatingly disposed between the thin film layers. Each of the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed with the same or substantially the same thickness and composition. In some implementations, the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed by atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a MEMS device formed of a first conductive material. A trench may be formed in the MEMS device. A layer of non-conductive material may be formed in the trench. A second conductive material may be formed upon the non-conductive material.

Abstract: The current disclosure shows how to make a fast switching array of mirrors for projection displays. Because the mirror does not have a via in the middle connecting to the underlying spring support, there is an improved contrast ratio that results from not having light scatter off the legs or vias like existing technologies. Because there are no supporting contacts, the mirror can be made smaller making smaller pixels that can be used to make higher density displays. In addition, because there is not restoring force from any supporting spring support, the mirror stays in place facing one or other direction due to adhesion. This means there is no need to use a voltage to hold the mirror in position. This means that less power is required to run the display.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device including a first base substrate, a second base substrate facing the first base substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first base substrate, a second electrode disposed on the second base substrate to face the first electrode, a partition wall disposed between the first and second electrodes to define a receiving area, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first electrode, a hydrophilic layer disposed on the second electrode, and first and second fluids accommodated in the receiving area and immiscible with each other. At least one of the first fluid and the second fluid has a polarity. The hydrophilic layer allows droplets separated from a hydrophobic fluid of the first and second fluids to be merged with the hydrophobic fluid. Accordingly, a change in amount of the fluids in each pixel is prevented.

Abstract: An interference modulator (IMod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on continuous web fed process.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing white light color output from an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with reduced likelihood of stiction. In one aspect, interferometric modulators are configured to provide a white color output while having a non-zero modulator gap dimension. Such a feature can reduce problems associated with zero modulator gap dimensions such as stiction. Various methodologies can be used to yield such a non-zero modulator gap and a white color output. In some implementations, for example, an optical element that introduced wavelength dependent phase shift is used. In some implementations this wavelength dependent phase shifting optical element includes a stack of color filters, a hologram, a diffraction grating, or layers of material having specific thicknesses and wavelength dependent indices of refraction.

Abstract: The invention includes a composite material for use in a security device including a radiation diffracting component that exhibits a first optical effect and a photochromic component that exhibits a second optical effect. The composite material is particularly suited for use in authenticating articles, such as currency.

Abstract: A display including a pixel array substrate, an opposite substrate and a fluid medium is provided. The pixel array substrate includes a first substrate including pixel regions and pixel structures disposed in the pixel regions. Each pixel region includes a distribution region of pixel electrode and a non-electrode region. A pixel electrode of the pixel structure is disposed in the distribution region of pixel electrode and has at least one slit extending from the non-electrode region toward the distribution region of pixel electrode. The opposite substrate includes a second substrate and a common electrode disposed on the second substrate and contacting a polar fluid. The fluid medium includes the polar fluid and a non-polar fluid and flows between the pixel array substrate and the opposite substrate. The non-polar fluid is contracted toward the non-electrode region when a voltage difference is generated between the pixel and the common electrodes.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a first base substrate, a second base substrate facing the first base substrate, an electrowetting layer that includes a first fluid and an electrically conducting second fluid that are immiscible with each other, black partition walls disposed on the first base substrate to partition a display area into pixel areas, and an electronic device that applies a voltage to the electrowetting layer to control the electrowetting layer. The partition walls restrict a flow of at least one of the first fluid or the second fluid.

Abstract: A diffractive MicroElectroMechanical systems and a method of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: depositing a sacrificial layer onto a substrate; depositing a first structural layer on the sacrificial layer and patterning the structural layer to form a patterned structural layer including plurality of actuators; conformably depositing a sacrificial film on the patterned structural layer; depositing a second structural layer on the sacrificial film; planarizing the second structural layer to expose the sacrificial film and the plurality of actuators; and removing the sacrificial layer and sacrificial film to release the plurality of actuators, each of the plurality of actuators separated from the second structural layer by a thickness of the conformal sacrificial film. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for an optical component that masks non-active portions of a display and provides an electrical path for one or more display circuits. In one embodiment an optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements on the substrate, each optical element having an optical characteristic which changes in response to a voltage applied to the optical element, and a light-absorbing, electrically-conductive optical mask disposed on the substrate and offset from the plurality of optical elements, the optical mask electrically coupled to one or more of the optical elements to provide electrical paths for applying voltages to the optical elements. In another embodiment, a method of providing an electrical signal to optical elements of a display comprises electrically coupling an electrically-conductive light-absorbing mask to one or more optical elements, and applying a voltage to the mask to activate the one or more optical elements.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device and manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method comprises forming pixel electrodes on a substrate, forming an insulation layer on the pixel electrodes, applying light through a mask to expose portions of the insulation layer, developing the insulation layer to at least partially remove the exposed portions of the insulation layer, wherein the developing forms a water repellent layer on the pixel electrodes and partitioning walls on the water repellent layer, and forming an oil layer between the partitioning walls and on the water repellent layer. The water repellent layer and the sides of the partitioning walls are hydrophobic. Upper surfaces of the partitioning walls are hydrophilic. The partition walls are thicker than the water repellent layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a new type of phase screen, i.e., an opto-electronic device that can convert a distorted incoming optical wavefront into a plane wave or, conversely, transform a plane wave into a prescribed varying output wavefront. The basic concept involves novel binary all-digital MEMS interferometer configurations that can be used to create controlled and arbitrary optical wavefront using only 0,1 amplitude changes followed by differential propagation distances to convert these amplitude variations into controllable and/or continuous phase variations. Clustered pixel notions, such as Floyd-Steinberg, Stucki or other algorithms useful in digital half-tone printing, are simultaneously employed to create controllable grey-level variations as well as continuous phase variations. Desired grey-levels can be obtained wherein each pixel is formed by, e.g., a 3×3 or 5×5 cluster of mirrors.

Abstract: System and method for simultaneous display of multiple images using a single light modulator array. A preferred embodiment comprises a light source that produces a light with desired spectral characteristics, a color filter optically coupled to the light source, and an array of light modulators optically coupled to the color filter. The color filter filters light from the light source to produce light of desired wavelengths and the array of light modulators simultaneously displays multiple images onto a display plane. Portions of the array of light modulators are designed so that each portion can independently display an image and the light source provides needed light to display the image.

Abstract: A variable optical device array includes: a transparent substrate; an addressing layer including an electrode wire arranged on the transparent substrate; a barrier wall portion disposed on the addressing layer to define cell regions and including conductive barrier walls that are electrically connected to the electrode wire, wherein pairs of the conductive barrier walls are arranged to form double walls; an insulation material filling a region between each pair of conductive barrier walls; a conductive first fluid and a nonconductive second fluid disposed in each of the cell regions, wherein the first and second fluids are not mixed; an insulation coating layer disposed on a top surface of each of the conductive barrier walls and on side surfaces of each of the cell regions; a transparent electrode layer covering the cell regions; and a voltage applying unit to apply a voltage between the transparent electrode layer and the addressing layer.

Abstract: A hydrophobic dielectric film for electrowetting, which can drive a conductive liquid by using a low voltage and containing a vinylidene fluoride based polymer.

Abstract: Microstructured hybrid actuator assemblies in which microactuators carrying designed surface properties to be revealed upon actuation are embedded in a layer of responsive materials. The microactuators in a microactuator array reversibly change their configuration in response to a change in the environment without requiring an external power source to switch their optical properties.

Abstract: There is provided a cell driven by an electric field including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from each other and an actuator moving between the first electrode and the second electrode. The actuator does not have permanent electric charges and a DC voltage or a pulse voltage is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A bistable electrowetting picture element that has both stable “On” and “Off” states in which no power is consumed, and a switching voltage threshold is disclosed. Displays using such picture elements may be either passive or active matrix addressed. A picture element contains two immiscible, fluids within a space between two surfaces. One of the fluids is an electro-conductive, polar liquid, such as to water. The other fluid is a non-polar liquid such as silicone oil. The picture element is electrically switchable between two states, both of which are maintained without a voltage being applied. In one state the light absorbing, non-polar liquid adjoins a region of one of the surfaces, while in the second state it adjoins another region on the other surface. The region adjoined to in the second state differs in area from the region adjoined to in the first state, thereby providing “On” and “Off” states.

Abstract: A changeable liquid lens array and a method of manufacturing the same. The changeable liquid lens array includes a substrate, a plurality of partition walls arrayed on the substrate and having a fluid travel path, cells defined by the plurality of partition walls, a first fluid comprised in the cells, a second fluid arranged on the first fluid, a first electrode arranged on at least one side surface of each of the partition walls, and a second electrode disposed to be separate from the partition walls. A shape of shape of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid changes based on a voltage that is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An optical cell may include a first port coupled to a second port by an optical path. The optical cell may also include a compensator disposed in the optical path. The compensator may be rotatable about an axis. Rotating the compensator about the axis may vary a distance that the optical path passes through the compensator thereby changing the optical path length of the optical path.

Abstract: A display element comprises a reservoir and a channel connected to the reservoir. The channel extends across an area including a visible area of the display element, and the reservoir is substantially outside the visible area. The display element further comprises at least one electrode and a luminescent fluid in the reservoir and movable, by means of signals applied to the at least one electrode, between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the luminescent fluid is substantially contained in the reservoir outside the visible area and in the second position, the luminescent fluid extends along the channel to occupy the visible area. The luminescent fluid absorbs light in a first color waveband and converts the absorbed light to light in a second color waveband different from the first color waveband.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for electromechanical systems devices with improved electrical properties and device life span. In one aspect, a conformal antistiction layer is formed within a cavity of an electromechanical systems apparatus over a roughened surface. The conformal antistiction layer can include a dielectric layer. The conformal antistiction layer can include a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formed over the dielectric layer. The conformal antistiction layer can replicate the roughness of the surface that it is deposited on.

Abstract: A DND chip is disclosed. In one aspect, the chip includes a 2D DND array of DND elements logically arranged in rows and columns, and a DND driver architecture for actuating the DND elements. The DND driver has a set of first drive lines along the rows and a set of second drive lines along the columns, a set of first line drivers for each biasing one line from the set of first drive lines and a set of second line drivers for each biasing a line from the set of second drive lines. A plurality of second line drivers are spatially grouped together to serve a block of DND elements, and that plurality of second line drivers are spatially covered substantially completely by at least some DND elements of the block of DND elements. A holographic visualization system including the DND chip is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for 3-D display based on random constructive interference. It produces a number of discrete secondary light sources by using an amplitude-phase-modulator-array, which helps to create 3-D images by means of constructive interference. Next it employs a random-secondary-light-source-generator-array to shift the position of each secondary light source to a random place, eliminating multiple images due to high order diffraction. It could be constructed with low resolution liquid crystal screens to realize large size real-time color 3-D display, which could widely be applied to 3-D computer or TV screens, 3-D human-machine interaction, machine vision, and so on.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for illumination systems with one or more reflective structures over a light guide. In one aspect, each reflective structure can have an absorber structure with a width greater than a width of the reflective structure. The absorber structure can have overhanging portions that are in parallel with and laterally protrude past one or more edges of the reflective structure, or the absorber structure can have enclosing portions that substantially enclose the reflective structure. The reflective structures can include light-turning features, such as facets, and/or conductive wires, such as touch sensor wires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection apparatus that includes a mirror element and a drive circuit for driving a laser light source for projecting an illumination light. The projection apparatus further includes mirror device for modulating the illumination light and a projection lens for projecting the modulated light from the mirror element. The mirror device is disposed on a device substrate and packaged in a package substrate made of a transparent silicon material with a metallic thermal transfer path connected to the device substrate and a cover glass covering the package substrate. The distance between the mirror and the bottom surface of the cover glass is larger than the focal length of the projection lens.

Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.

Abstract: An optical phase shifter according to the invention includes the thermo-optical element of which a refractive index with respect to an input optical signal changes dependently on temperature; a temperature change section, having contact with one end of the thermo-optical element and of which a temperature changes so that a temperature of the thermo-optical element becomes a desired temperature; a heat dissipation section being disposed on an opposite side of the thermo-optical element with respect to the temperature change section and going into a state of thermal equilibrium at a temperature different from the temperature of the temperature change section; and a temperature buffer section, being disposed between the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, having contact with the temperature change section and the heat dissipation section, and having a heat resistance greater than that of the heat dissipation section.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, a medium layer, a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and a molecular chain layer. The medium layer is disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate. The medium layer includes a first medium and a second medium separated from each other. The first medium is a light transmission medium, and the second medium is a light-shielding medium. The lower electrode is disposed between the medium layer and the lower substrate. The molecular chain layer is disposed between the medium layer and the lower electrode. The molecular chain layer includes molecular chains. Each molecular chain has a first section and a second section. The first section is used to attract the first medium or repel the second medium. The second section is used to attract the second medium or repel the first medium.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a first substrate comprising a wall pattern surrounding a pixel electrode disposed in a display area of the first substrate, a spaced apart second substrate comprising a common electrode and a dam member disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The dam member has sealable openings (a.k.a. sealable dam spillways) through which there is discharged an excess portion of an excessively supplied wetting layer, the discharge of the excess occurring while the first and second substrates are brought together about top and bottom portions of a sealing ring that seals them together.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a black matrix that includes a plurality of openings corresponding to pixels, respectively, a first extension portion extending in a driving direction of an electrowetting layer, the driving direction being a direction in which motion of the electrowetting layer is induced when a voltage difference is applied between a common electrode and a pixel electrode, and a partition wall that partitions the pixels. The first extension portion includes first and second areas respectively extending in opposite directions to each other and a third area having a width substantially the same as a width of the partition wall. The first area has a width less than about half of a first length corresponding to a length extending between both sides of each pixel in the driving direction, and the second area has a width less than the width of the first area.

Abstract: A display device comprising a pixel, where the pixel includes: (a) a polar fluid that is at least one of colored and black, (b) a non-polar fluid that is at least one of transparent and translucent, (c) a first substrate, (d) a second substrate arranged relative to the first substrate to define a channel occupied by the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid, wherein at least one of the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid is visible through at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate, (e) a reflector having a plurality of features, comprising at least one of concavities and projections, that alter an angle of reflected light from a specular reflection to provide the appearance of at least one of a diffuse reflection and a non-metallic reflection, where the reflector includes a hydrophobic coating causing the polar fluid that is at least one of colored and black to be non-wetting to the hydrophobic coating in the presence of the non-polar fluid, the display device also including a plurality of el

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrowetting display device includes a preliminary partition wall pattern formed on a lower substrate on which a pixel electrode of an oxide series and an insulation layer are formed. The preliminary partition wall pattern is disposed along a boundary of the pixel electrode. A water-repellent layer including a self-assembled monolayer having a hydrophobic property is formed on the lower substrate. A portion of the preliminary partition wall pattern and the water-repellent layer formed on the preliminary partition wall pattern are removed to form a partition wall pattern on the insulation layer and to form a water-repellent pattern on the pixel electrode and the insulation layer between partition walls of the partition wall patterns. A fluid layer is formed on the lower substrate on which the water-repellent pattern is formed. The lower substrate and an upper substrate are combined with each other.

Abstract: In embodiments of active reflective surfaces, an imaging structure includes a circuit control layer that controls pixel activation to emit light. A reflective layer of the imaging structure reflects input light from an illumination source. An active color conversion material that is formed on the reflective layer converts the input light to the emitted light. The active color conversion material can be implemented as a phosphorus material or quantum dot material that converts the input light to the emitted light, and in embodiments, the active color conversion material is laminated directly on the reflective layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light modulator including a substrate having a surface and a modulation assembly coupled to the substrate that includes a modulation element and a first compliant beam. The first compliant beam includes a first segment that extend away from a first anchor and a second segment that extends back towards the first anchor. The length of the first segment is different than the length of the second segment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for thin film switching devices, such as thin film transistors and thin film diodes, which are integrated in a display apparatus. In one aspect, a thin film switching device is positioned on a rear side of an electromechanical systems (EMS) display element formed over a substrate and is in electrical communication with the EMS display element. In another aspect, the thin film switching device is positioned between the EMS display element and the substrate. A planar layer is disposed between the EMS display element and the thin film switching device, with the planar layer having a planar surface.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus which involve selectively removing a sacrificial portion of molybdenum (Mo) relative to other structural materials in a self-limiting manner. The Mo is only partially removed, leaving behind a remaining portion of molybdenum. The self-limiting etch can form an internal cavity by removing only a portion of a Mo layer between electromechanical systems electrodes. The remaining Mo can serve as a support structure between the electrodes.

Abstract: As for the method that modulates optical path length by the position of reflection plane of light, the movement of the position-movable plate in micrometer-size electromechanical device can be restricted by the stopping plates placed above and below the edge of the position-movable plate, the distance between the stopping plates may be set depending on the desired amount in modulating the optical path length. The voltage differential in the device is operable to create electrostatic attraction, to perform transition movement of the position-movable plate between the stopping plates, the light reflector connected to the position-movable plate takes at least two states in positioning, enabling to modulate the optical path length of reflected light by the light reflector with high reproducibility and high accuracy.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving brightness, contrast, and viewable angle of a reflective display. In one aspect, a display includes a diffuser including a topographical pattern that is different in different areas of the display and a planarization layer over the diffuser. The diffuser is configured to scatter incident light to a different range of angles for different areas of the display.

Abstract: An electrowetting display includes first and second substrates facing each other, an electrowetting layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a hydrophobic barrier layer. The electrowetting layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and includes a first fluid and a second fluid, and the first fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate, and the second electrode forms an electric field in cooperation with the first electrode to control a position of the first fluid. The hydrophobic barrier layer is disposed between the first substrate and the electrowetting layer to cover the first electrode and includes a first surface making contact with the first electrode and a second surface having a hydrophobicity stronger than a hydrophobicity of the first surface and making contact with the electrowetting layer.

Abstract: The visible spectrum modulator makes use of thin film conductive oxides and air gaps to reflect colors of certain wavelengths, achieving transparency due to the transparent nature of conductive oxides and via electrostatic pull-in to reduce the air gaps.