Abstract: A dual view display system that includes a display device and a first louver device. The display device is configured to display a first image at a display location to a first person at a first location and display a second image at the display location to a second person at a second location. The first louver device configured to substantially restrict a first field of view of the first image to the first person. The system may also include a second louver device configured to substantially restrict a second field of view of the second image to the second person. Such an arrangement restricts the fields of view so that, for example, a vehicle driver can not lean over and view something intended only for a vehicle passenger, such as a movie.

Abstract: A method and to an apparatus for structuring a radiation-sensitive material are disclosed. The method can include using a dynamic mask to generate a first radiation pattern in a layer of the radiation-sensitive material, where the first radiation pattern has a thickness that is at most 50% of the thickness of the layer of the radiation-sensitive material. The method can also include using the dynamic mask to generate a second radiation pattern in the layer of the radiation-sensitive material. The dynamic mask can be configured to change its structure dynamically, and the first radiation pattern can be different from the second radiation pattern.

Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.

Abstract: A slow light system includes a substrate and a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer having a graded grating structure formed at a surface thereof, wherein the grating depth of the grating structure is sized such that surface-plasmon polariton dispersion behavior of the grating structure differs at different respective locations along the grating structure. Different wavelengths of incident light waves can be slowed at the respective locations along the grating structure.

Abstract: In a conventional optical signal processing device, a confocal optical system is configured in which a focusing lens is positioned at a substantially-intermediate point of a free space optical path. Thus, the free space optical system had a long length. It has been difficult to reduce the size of the entire device. The optical signal processing device of the present invention uses a lens layout configuration different from the confocal optical system to thereby significantly reduce the length of the system. The optical signal processing device consists of the first focusing lens positioned in the close vicinity of a signal processing device, and the second focusing lens positioned in the vicinity of a dispersing element. A distance between the dispersing element and the signal processing device is approximately a focal length of the first focusing lens. Compared with the conventional technique, the length of the optical path can be halved.

Abstract: A dual view or two-sided display system to display two different images in substantially opposite direction using a single transparent display to time-multiplex the images and two shutter devices to alternately block each side from being viewed according to the image being displayed. The system includes reflective devices between each side of the transparent display and the two shutter devices so light can be reflected from one side of the transparent display to the other side of the transparent display in order to supplement the light intensity of the image being displayed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mirror device that includes a mirror element which further comprising an elastic hinge and a mirror and which modulates incident light emitted from a light source, a device substrate on which a drive circuit for driving the mirror element is placed, a package substrate which is made of transparent glass or a silicon material and on which the device substrate is placed, a metallic thermal transfer path connected to the device substrate, and a cover glass connected to the package substrate so that the device substrate is covered.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a laser capable of generating a laser signal; structure for conditioning the laser signal; and structure for varying the beamwidth of the laser signal as it is scanned into the field of view.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are used to control a polarization state of a radiation beam. A polarization control unit is configured to modulate a polarization state of at least a part of a radiation beam. A determination arrangement is configured to subsequently determine the polarization state of the at least a part of the radiation beam. A feedback unit is configured to provide signals to the polarization control arrangement based on at least the determined polarization state in order to correct for deviation in the polarization state of the part of the radiation beam from a desired polarization state. For example, the correction may ensure that the polarization state of the part of the radiation beam is at, or returns to, the desired polarization state.

Abstract: An active optical device is provided. The active optical device includes an optically variable layer having a refractive index which changes according to temperature; and a temperature control unit that controls a temperature of one or more regions of the optically variable layer.

Abstract: A laser projector display module for a handheld device may include an electronics module, a miniaturized light source module electrically connected with the electronics module, a scanner module electrically connected with the electronics module, and an optical assembly configured to direct light from the light source onto the scanner module. The scanner module and the light source module may abut the electronics module.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing color shift in a display includes an interferometric modulator display configured to reflect light from at least one light source and through at least one converging optical element in an optical path from the light source to a viewer via the display. In one embodiment, the converging optical element comprises a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical deflection device includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an upper surface region and a plurality of drive devices within one or more portions of the semiconductor substrate. The upper surface region includes one or more patterned structure regions and at least one open region to expose a portion of the upper surface region to form a resulting surface region. The method also includes forming a planarizing material overlying the resulting surface region to fill the at least one open region and cause formation of an upper planarized layer using the fill material. The method further includes forming a thickness of silicon material at a temperature of less than 300° C. to maintain a state of the planarizing material.

Abstract: Described herein is the use of a fast-scanning optical phase array (OPA) within an electronic beam-steering-based aperture.

Abstract: A reflective display, comprising a plurality of pixels (10), each having a first electrode, a light-modifying layer (12), and a second electrode (3; 16) arranged to enable formation of an electric field in the light-modifying layer (12) through application of a voltage between the electrodes. The pixel (10) further includes an active portion (16) which is switchable between light-modifying states by means of said electric field, and an inactive portion (17). The inactive portion (17) is arranged for reflecting light so as to direct at least a fraction of incoming light (20) impinging on the inactive portion (17) towards the active portion (16). As a result, a contrast ratio of the reflective display is improved, since light is now directed from the inactive portion towards the active portion and thus contributes to the displayed image as observed by a viewer.

Abstract: An interferometric modulator (“IMOD”) display utilizes ambient light and incorporates touch sensing without reducing the amount of ambient light that reaches the MEMS modulators, and without introducing any optical distortion or loss of performance. Electrodes for touch sensing are located at a back glass of the inteferometric display, and are used in conjunction with electrodes whose primary function is to activate the pixels of the MEMS display, in order to sense a touch. The touch deflects the IMOD layers and is sensed through the various display layers at the rear of the display.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method are disclosed. The image display apparatus includes a light source unit to include at least one light source, an optical unit to generate a directional light using a light projected from the light source unit, a variable diffuser unit to control diffusion of the directional light, a pixel unit to selectively generate one of two-dimensional (2D) images and three-dimensional (3D) images to correspond to the control of the variable diffuser unit, and a vertical diffusion unit to diffuse the 3D images in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A display system includes a coherent light source that can emit a coherent light beam, a de-speckling device configured to distort a wavefront of the coherent light beam to produce a distorted coherent light beam, and a two-dimensional array of light modulators that can selectively modulate the distorted coherent light beam to select a plurality of pixels for display.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for delayed optical router based on slow light and nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes are presented, in which three laser pulses interact with a three-level nonlinear optical medium composing two closely spaced ground states and an excited state. The delayed optical routing mechanism is based on a slow light phenomenon, in which a group velocity of an incoming input signal pulse is slowed down due to quantum coherence induced refractive index change. The two-photon coherence induced on the ground states via electromagnetically induced transparency is optically recovered via nondegenerate four-wave mixing processes. The nondegenerate four-wave mixing generation is enhanced owing to absorption cancellation. In this case, the individual pulse switching/routing time is limited by the coherence decay time that is much faster than population decay time, where the population decay-time is a limiting factor of conventional switching devices.

Abstract: A micromirror device includes an elastic hinge for supporting a mirror on a substrate, and an address electrode for deflecting the mirror. The device further includes a protective layer and an oriented monolayer laid to cover a stopper also functioning as an address electrode provided below the mirror and between the mirror and the substrate.

Abstract: A pixel structure of a display device disposed on a substrate includes a plurality of sub-pixel structure. Each sub-pixel structure includes a light-absorption region, a reflection region, a first electrode disposed in the light-absorption region, a second electrode disposed in the reflection region, and a plurality of charge-carrying balls disposed over the first electrode and the second electrode. Each of the charge-carrying balls includes a white portion and a black portion. The white portion has a first conductivity type, and the black portion has second conductivity type.

Abstract: Anti-stiction systems may include one or more anti-stiction electrodes driven to provide an electrical force that counteracts a stiction force acting upon a moveable portion of an interferometric modulator. The anti-stiction electrode(s) may be disposed on a back glass or on another such substrate. The anti-stiction electrode(s) may be configured to apply an electrical force to substantially all of the interferometric modulators in a display device at once and/or may be configured to apply an electrical force only to a selected area. In some embodiments, the sum of an anti-stiction electrical force and a mechanical restoring force of a moveable part of an interferometric modulator is sufficient to counteract a stiction force.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first substrate made of thin plastic sheet; a second substrate made of thin plastic sheet opposing the first substrate; a chamber formed between portions of the first and second substrates; and a sealing structure configured to seal the chamber at the interface between the first and second substrates, wherein the sealing structure surrounds the chamber and comprises a recess formed in one of the substrates and a protrusion formed on the other of the substrates, the protrusion engaging the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus to modify an incident free space electromagnetic wave includes a block of an artificially structured material having an adjustable spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters (e.g., ?, ?, ?, ?, and n). A controller applies control signals to dynamically adjust the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters in the material to introduce a time-varying path delay d(t) in the modified electromagnetic wave relative to the incident electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein.

Abstract: A display apparatus (20) includes an electromagnetic radiation source (22) and digital micro-mirror device (21) having a plurality of micro-mirror elements on a surface thereof. The electromagnetic radiation source (22) is arranged to illuminate the digital micro-mirror device (21) and at least one micro-mirror element of the digital micro-mirror device (21) either reflects electromagnetic radiation along a primary path (23) to an exit lens (23) to form a desired image to be viewed by an operator or along a secondary path (25) to an electromagnetic radiation dump (26). The digital micro-mirror device (21) is also operable to generate a test image at the electromagnetic radiation dump (26) at a predetermined time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for generating the color white in displays created from interferometric modulators and more specifically, to the generation of the color white through the use of reflected light at two wavelengths. In one embodiment, a display device displays the color white. The color white is generated by reflecting light from two pluralities of interferometric modulator types. The first modulator type reflects colored light at a specific wavelength. The second modulator type reflects colored light selected to be at a wavelength complementary to the first. The combined light reflected from the two types appears white in the display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for testing the electrical characteristics of reflective displays, including interferometric modulator displays. In one embodiment, a controlled voltage is applied to conductive leads in the display and the resulting current is measured. The voltage may be controlled so as to ensure that interferometric modulators do not actuate during the resistance measurements. Also disclosed are methods for conditioning interferometric modulator display by applying a voltage waveform that causes actuation of interferometric modulators in the display.

Abstract: A transflective display includes pixels each including a reflective (R) sub-pixel, a transmissive (T) sub-pixel, and electrodes having features to cause multiple domains to form in a liquid crystal layer of the R sub-pixel and the T sub-pixel. The electrodes in the R sub-pixels have features that are different from features of the electrodes in the T sub-pixel to cause the liquid crystal layer in the R sub-pixel to have an optical phase retardation that is between 20% to 80% of an optical phase retardation of the liquid crystal layer in the T sub-pixel. The R sub-pixel and the T sub-pixel have substantially the same cell gap and are driven by the same pixel voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driving a display of MEMS devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display includes an array comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators, and a driving circuit coupled to said array, said driving circuit configured to provide actuation signals to drive said array based on a temperature of the display. In another embodiment, a method of driving an array having a plurality of interferometric modulators configured into a display is disclosed, where the method includes sensing the temperature at a predetermined location in display, communicating a signal based on the sensed temperature to a display driver, generating an actuation signal to drive said display based on the received signal, and providing the actuation signal to the array.

Abstract: Broad band white color can be achieved in MEMS display devices by incorporating a material having an extinction coefficient (k) below a threshold value for wavelength of light within an operative optical range of the interferometric modulator. One embodiment provides a method of making the MEMS display device comprising depositing said material over at least a portion of a transparent substrate, depositing a dielectric layer over the layer of material, forming a sacrificial layer over the dielectric, depositing an electrically conductive layer on the sacrificial layer, and forming a cavity by removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer. The suitable material may comprise germanium, germanium alloy of various compositions, doped germanium or doped germanium-containing alloys, and may be deposited over the transparent substrate, incorporated within the transparent substrate or the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods to improve SLMs, in particular to reflecting micromechanical SLMs, for applications with simple system architecture, high precision, high power handling capability, high throughput, and/or high optical processing capability. Applications include optical data processing, image projection, lithography, image enhancement, holography, optical metrology, coherence and wavefront control, and adaptive optics. A particular aspect of the invention is the achromatization of diffractive SLMs so they can be used with multiple wavelengths sequentially, simultaneously or as a result of spectral broadening in very short pulses.

Abstract: Reflective, low-cost display pixels and displays incorporating magneto-optical elements wherein an externally applied magnetic field is perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the magneto-optical elements and parallel to a viewing plane of a display made from these elements. The display elements have a restricted rotation about their long axis which can be actuated by an external magnetic field to produce a bistable, electronically writable image. In addition, architectural modifications to this arrangement can be made such that the power required to write the image to such a display is decreased, overall display efficiency is increased and cross-talk between pixels is nearly eliminated.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for reducing speckle noise in images, such as images of objects illuminated by coherent light sources and images of objects illuminated by interferometric fringe patterns. According to one method, an object is illuminated with a structured illumination pattern of coherent radiation projected along a projection axis. An angular orientation of the projection axis is modulated over an angular range during an image acquisition interval. Advantageously, shape features of the structured illumination pattern projected onto the surface of the object remain unchanged during image acquisition and the acquired images exhibit reduced speckle noise. The structured illumination pattern can be a fringe pattern such as an interferometric fringe pattern generated by a 3D metrology system used to determine surface information for the illuminated object.

Abstract: An optical device suitable for forming a pixel in a video display. The optical device includes a first layer having a first refractive index; a second layer over the first layer, the second layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index; and a third layer over the second layer, the third layer having a third refractive index larger than the second refractive index; and a fourth layer that is at least partially optically absorptive, wherein the optical stack and the fourth layer are a first distance from one another when the device is in a first state and are a second distance from one another when the device is in a second state, the first distance different from the second distance.

Abstract: An acousto-optical component is suggested, in particular for use in the beam path of an optical arrangement, preferably of a microscope, with a crystal for the passage of light. Sound waves are generated via an electrical transducer and passed through the crystal. The sound waves passing through the crystal affect the optical properties of the crystal and therefore the light passing through the crystal. For exerting a variable influence on the light passing through the crystal, the sound waves passing through the crystal, or the acoustic field in the crystal, are/is variable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: a light source or light sources for emitting a luminous flux or luminous fluxes having a plurality of colors; a spatial light modulator for modulating the luminous flux(es) having a plurality of colors incoming from the light sources; and controller for processing video image input data, which is input, and controlling the light source(s) and the spatial light modulator, wherein the controller generates a plurality of video image signals of colors constituting a video image based on the video image input data, and controls the light source(s) so as to cause the light source(s) having at least two colors, from among the light source(s) having a plurality of colors, to perform pulse emission in sequence and modulate the pulse emission during a period shorter than a modulation period controlled under the spatial light modulator is with the video image signal of one color from among the video image signals.

Abstract: A system for delivering optical power over optical conduits includes at least one optical power source delivering multiple optical power forms to multiple outlet nodes in a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for accomplishing a optical direct write phase shift lithography. A lithography system and method are provided wherein a mirror array is configured to generate vortex phase shift optical patterns that are directed onto a photosensitive layer of a substrate. The lithography methods and systems facilitate pattern transfer using such vortex phase shift exposure patterns.

Abstract: A display substrate includes an insulation substrate, a gate line formed on the insulation substrate, a data line formed on the insulation substrate and crossing the gate line, a switching element formed on the insulation substrate and electrically connected to the gate line and the data line, and a pixel electrode formed on the insulation substrate. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the switching element and includes a reflective electrode layer which reflects light and an absorption electrode layer which absorbs light.

Abstract: Modulator devices are selectably adjustable between at least two states, wherein the transmission and/or reflection of particular wavelengths of light are modified. Certain modulator devices are substantially uniformly adjustable over a wide range of wavelengths, including visible and infrared wavelengths. Other modulator devices are adjustable over visible wavelengths without significantly affecting infrared wavelengths. In addition, the modulator devices may be used in conjunction with fixed thin film reflective structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a display is provided and includes a plurality of interferometric display elements. The display further includes at least one diffuser. Optical properties of the diffuser are selected to reduce color shift of the display when viewed from at least one angle.

Abstract: The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for MEMS actuated displays that can be driven at high speeds and at low voltages for improved image quality and reduced power consumption.

Abstract: A package structure and method for packaging a MEMS device is described. In one embodiment, the MEMS base device can include a substrate having a MEMS device formed thereon, a backplate, an exposed or activated desiccant disposed between the backplate and the transparent substrate, and a cover at least partially encapsulating said desiccant. In another embodiment, a MEMS display device can be manufactured by contacting the substrate and/or backplate with a cover which at least partially encapsulates a desiccant, joining the backplate and the substrate to form a package, and exposing or activating the desiccant.

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 synthesis of arrays of DNA probes sequences, polypeptides, and the like is carried out using a patterning process on an active surface of a substrate. An image is projected onto the active surface of the substrate utilizing reflective projection optics. The projection optics project a light image onto the active surface of the substrate to deprotect linker molecules thereon. A first level of bases may then be applied to the substrate, followed by development steps, and subsequent exposure of the substrate utilizing a different light image, with further repeats until the elements of a two dimensional array on the substrate surface have an appropriate base bound thereto.

Abstract: In a conventional optical signal processing device, a confocal optical system is configured in which a focusing lens is positioned at a substantially-intermediate point of a free space optical path. Thus, the free space optical system had a long length. It has been difficult to reduce the size of the entire device. The optical signal processing device of the present invention uses a lens layout configuration different from the confocal optical system to thereby significantly reduce the length of the system. The optical signal processing device consists of the first focusing lens positioned in the close vicinity of a signal processing device, and the second focusing lens positioned in the vicinity of a dispersing element. A distance between the dispersing element and the signal processing device is approximately a focal length of the first focusing lens. Compared with the conventional technique, the length of the optical path can be halved.

Abstract: A line-like (line) laser beam flux irradiating apparatus includes a laser source which emits a divergent laser beam flux, a conversion lens which converts the divergent laser beam flux to a parallel laser beam flux, a first lens which forms a first line-like laser beam flux, a second lens which forms a second line-like laser beam flux intersecting the first line-like laser beam flux, and a reflective optical system having a first reflective surface which reflects the parallel laser beam flux toward the first lens and a second reflective surface which reflects the parallel laser beam flux toward the second lens. The parallel laser beam flux is simultaneously guided to the first and second reflective surfaces so as to form a cross-wise line-like laser beam flux on the same plane by the cooperation of the first line-like laser beam flux and the second line-like laser beam flux.

Abstract: A device manufacturing method comprising applying patterns to a plurality of arrays of individually controllable elements, such that they modulate a beam of radiation, and projecting the modulated beam of radiation onto a substrate. The patterns applied to the arrays of individually controllable elements are arranged such that pre-determined amounts of background radiation are included in the modulated beam of radiation. The pre-determined amounts of background radiation being different for different locations on the arrays.