Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a first layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of a substrate of a semiconductor device and a first non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the dielectric material. The first layer of dielectric material and the first non-conductive layer of metal act as an optical trap for electromagnetic radiation received by the first non-conductive layer of metal. In particular embodiments, the semiconductor device may further comprise a second layer of dielectric material disposed upon an upper surface of the first non-conductive layer of metal and a second non-conductive layer of metal disposed upon an upper surface of the second layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surface analyzer system comprises a radiation targeting assembly to target radiation onto an edge surface of a wafer, the radiation targeting assembly comprising a first expanded paraboloid or expanded ellipsoid reflector positioned adjacent the edge surface of the wafer, a reflected radiation collecting assembly that collects radiation reflected from the surface, a signal processing module to generate surface parameter data from the reflected radiation, and a defect detection module to analyze the surface parameter data to detect a defect on the surface.

Abstract: An electro-optical modulator device and method are provided. The device comprises a light modulator unit having a first Cathode for exposing to input light; and an electric field source configured to create an electric field affecting a change in the refractive index of the first Cathode, thereby effecting a change in the propagation of light reflected from or transmitted through the first Cathode, said light from the first Cathode enabling to affect the operation of an external light sensitive electronic device.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a display section for displaying image information by being subjected to a voltage and/or an electric field, a writing section for writing the image information into the display section, and a reading section for optically reading the image information displayed on the display section. As the display section, a flexible display section such as an electronic sheet is adopted in the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: In a microelectromechanical device array including an array of devices arranged at least one of one-dimensionally and two-dimensionally each of which includes a movable portion that is supported to be elastically deformed and that has a movable electrode on at least one part thereof and fixed electrodes that are disposed to face the movable portion and by which the movable portion is moved to one of at least two different positions, hold electrodes are disposed beside the fixed electrodes, and a hold voltage is applied to the hold electrodes and before rewriting an address voltage that is applied to the fixed electrodes so as to fix the position state of the movable portion.

Abstract: A display having a plurality of reflective display elements. In one embodiment, the display elements comprise at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas. In one embodiment, at least two of the sizes of the active areas are different with respect to each other, e.g., they are non-uniform in size. The interferometric modulators have a plurality of states, wherein selected ones of the interferometric modulators are configured to be actuated depending differing electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators. The electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators are different at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of the electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device comprising an integrated post and deformable layer. In some embodiments, the transition between the post and deformable layer comprises substantially a single arcuate or convex surface, thereby providing a mechanically robust structure. Some embodiments provide a method for fabricating a MEMS device comprising the use of a self-planarizing sacrificial material, which provides a surface conducive to the formation of a relatively uniform deformable layer thereon.

Abstract: A nano-optic device comprises a plurality of subwavelength apertures in a metal film or between metal islands. The device is adapted to shape a radiation beam transmitted there through. For example, beam shaping includes at least one of beam focusing, beam bending and beam collimating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pixel unit scanning-based display apparatus, in which diffracted beams having a plurality of diffraction orders, formed from a single beam through diffraction, are used to display images in such a manner that each pixel can from a plurality of dots on a screen by vibrating the diffracted light generated in pixels.

Abstract: A micro mirror device is described. The device has a tiltable mirror plate with a reflective surface configured to reflect incident light to form a reflected light beam. A controller is configured to cause the mirror plate to tilt from an un-tilted position to an “off” position, a first “on” position, or a second “on” position. An opaque aperture structure is configured to block substantially all of a reflected light beam from reaching a display surface when the mirror plate is tilted to the “off” position, allow a first portion of a reflected light beam to pass through when the mirror plate is tilted to the first “on” position and allow a second portion of a reflected light beam to pass through when the mirror plate is tilted to the second “on” position. The tilting positions determine a brightness of display pixels.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of reflecting light is disclosed including providing an element having a surface having an edge on which the element is capable of rolling and selectively reflecting light by rolling the surface such that a reflective element associated with the surface selectively reflects light to a desired location.

Abstract: Materials and structures whose index of refraction can be tuned over a broad range of negative and positive values by applying above band-gap photons to a structure with a strip line element, a split ring resonator element, and a substrate, at least one of which is a photoconductive semiconductor material. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include applying above band-gap photons to different numbers of elements. In another embodiment, a structure includes a photoconductive semiconductor wafer, the wafer operable to receive above band-gap photons at an excitation frequency in an excitation pattern on a surface of the wafer, the excitation patterns generating an effective negative index of refraction. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include projecting different numbers of elements on the wafer. The resonant frequency of the structure is tuned by changing the size of the split ring resonator excitation patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for controlling propagation of incident radiation are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a composite material operable to exhibit at least one of a negative effective permittivity and a negative effective permeability for incident radiation at an operating frequency. The composite material comprises electromagnetically reactive cells of small dimension relative to a wavelength of the incident radiation. Each of the electromagnetically reactive cells comprises first and second electromagnetically reactive segments microelectromechanically movable relative to each other according to an applied control signal such that at least one of a capacitive and inductive property of the electromagnetically reactive cells is temporally controllable according to the applied control signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a process of forming a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the addition of a gas-phase lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a lower surface, and a substrate portion comprising a cavity having an opening on the lower surface, a substrate comprising an upper surface, a hinge support post in connection with the substrate, and a hinge component supported by the hinge support post and in connection with the mirror plate, and one or more landing tips configured to contact the lower surface of the mirror plate to limit rotation of the mirror plate. The hinge component includes a protrusion that is anchored in a hole in the top surface of the hinge support post and the hinge component is configured to extend into the cavity to facilitate rotation of the mirror plate.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the embodiment, an optical device has a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element for inputting wavelength multiplexed light, the wavelength multiplexed light including a plurality of light channels which is arranged on predetermined frequency interval, the first optical element outputting an angular dispersion light in parallel, the angular dispersion light being arranged positions of the light channels on different interval spaces, respectively. The second optical element for receiving the angular dispersion light from the first optical element and for changing positions in accordance with the light channels on different interval spaces into on predetermined interval space.

Abstract: A fiber-optical, wavelength selective switch, especially for channel routing with equalization and blocking applications. The input signals are converted to light beams having predefined polarizations (41). The beams are then laterally expanded (43), and then undergo spatial dispersion in the beam expansion plane. The different wavelength components are directed through a polarization rotation device, pixilated along the wavelength dispersion direction such that each pixel operates on a separate wavelength. Each beam is passed into a pixilated beam steering array (48), for directing each wavelength to a desired output port. The beam steering devices can be MEMS-based or Liquid crystal-based, or an LCOS array. When the appropriate voltage is applied to a pixel and its associated beam steering element, the polarization of the light passing through the pixel is rotated and the beam steered to couple to the selected output port.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical optical display devices is provided. An optical layer is disposed on a substrate. A plurality of posts are disposed on the optical layer. A reflective layer is disposed on the plurality of posts. A flexible layer is disposed on the reflective layer, wherein edge of the reflective layer is separated from edge of the flexible layer by a distance equal to or smaller than about 2 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed are a piezoelectric driving device and a driving method thereof, and an optical modulating device using the same. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the optical modulating device can include an optical modulator, having a piezoelectric element causing a displacement object to be displaced by being contracted or expanded according to a supplied driving voltage; and a driving unit, generating the driving voltage to be supplied to the piezoelectric element. Here, the driving voltage can be a square-wave signal having a shorter reset time than a minimum reaction time necessary to allow the displacement object to be displaced.

Abstract: A processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) is used to dynamically generate patterns and/or sequences of patterns for a spatial light modulator (SLM), such as a micromirror device, for the purpose of processing light. The combination of the processor and modulator has afforded optical signal processing in the digital domain and programmability that cannot be achieved with conventional analog optical computing.

Abstract: Producing complicated effects based on image processing operations. The image processing operations are defined for a processor which may be different than the processor which is actually used. The processor that is actually used runs an interpreter that interprets the information into its own language, and then runs the image processing. The actual information is formed according to a plurality of layers which are combined in some way so that each layer can effect the layers below it. For example, the layers may add to, subtract from, or form transparency to the layer below it or make color filtering the layer below it. This enables many different effects computed and precompiled for a hypothetical processor, and a different processor can be used to combine and render those effects.

Abstract: A display system includes a light source and a first optical system coupled to the light source and adapted to provide an illumination beam along an illumination path. The display system also includes a spatial light modulator positioned in the illumination path. The spatial light modulator includes a semiconductor substrate including a plurality of electrode devices and a hinge structure coupled to the semiconductor substrate. The hinge structure includes silicon material. The spatial light modulator also includes a mirror post coupled to the hinge structure and extending to a predetermined distance from the semiconductor substrate and a mirror plate coupled to the mirror post and overlying the plurality of electrode devices. The display system further includes a second optical system coupled to the spatial light modulator and adapted to project an image onto a projection surface.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus including a reflecting mirror reflecting light, partition walls, the walls and the reflecting mirror defining a plurality of air chambers, and a regulator regulating air pressure in at least one of the air chambers. With this configuration, the front surface of the reflecting mirror is deformed into a smooth shape so as to correct optical aberration.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a substrate; a hinge in connection with the substrate; a mirror plate that is connected with the hinge and is configured to tilt about the hinge; and a piezoelectric device coupled with the substrate. The piezoelectric device is configured to produce an acoustic wave to assist the separation between the mirror plate and the object.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of spacers distributed within the interior of the array. The display apparatus may also include a reflective aperture layer disposed on a front facing surface of a substrate included in the display apparatus.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a regenerating protective coating is formed on at least one surface of an interior cavity of a MEMS device. Particular embodiments provide a regenerating protective coating on one or more mirror surfaces of an interferometric light modulation device, also known as an iMoD in some embodiments. The protective coating can be regenerated through the addition of heat or energy to the protective coating.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems element array device in which plural micro-electro-mechanical systems elements each having a movable portion are arranged in an array, said movable portion being to be displaced by a physical force which is generated by applying an electric signal to a conductive portion, and each of said micro-electro-mechanical systems elements drives and displaces said movable portion of said micro-electro-mechanical systems element on the basis of a displacement data for said micro-electro-mechanical systems element, wherein said device comprises: an electric signal generating unit as defined herein; a switching unit as defined herein; and a selecting unit as defined herein.

Abstract: A MEMS device is electrically actuated with a voltage placed across a first electrode (702) and a moveable material (714). The device may be maintained in an actuated state by latch electrodes (730a, 730b) that are separate from the first electrode.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a lower surface, and a cavity having an opening on the lower surface; a substrate comprising an upper surface, a hinge support post in connection with the upper surface, and a hinge component supported by the hinge support post and in connection with the mirror plate; and a landing tip having a laterally extended upper portion and a vertically extended lower portion in connection with the substrate and the vertically extended lower portion. The laterally extended upper portion can contact the lower surface of the mirror plate to limit the rotation of the mirror plate. The hinge component extends into the cavity and can facilitate a rotation of the mirror plate.

Abstract: Methods of providing duplex free-space optical, communication comprising receiving a time-shift keying (TSK) encoded signal and selectively re-modulating—and optionally retro-reflecting—received TSK pulses so as to transmit an on-off keying (OOK) signal. Related apparatus and signals are also provided.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display apparatus includes a source of illumination for emitting light, an imaging system for imaging the source of illumination at a viewing region, a spatial light modulator for modulating light from the source of illumination with two-dimensional images, and a control unit for controlling a relative position of the “active” source of illumination related to the imaging system. The stereoscopic display apparatus further includes a controller to vary the relative position of the “active” source of illumination in three directions which are orthogonal to each other, without physically moving a light source for inducing the source of illumination to emit light.

Abstract: A micro-display has a device chip with a transparent layer overlying one or more micro-electromechanical system devices. A transparent cover overlies the transparent layer. An index-of-refraction-matching medium is interposed between the transparent layer and the transparent cover. An index of refraction of the index-of-refraction-matching medium is substantially equal to an index of refraction of the transparent layer and the transparent cover.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator is disclosed, along with methods for making such a modulator. The spatial light modulator comprises an array of micromirrors each having a hinge and a micromirror plate held via a hinge on a substrate, the micromirror plate being attached to the hinge such that the micromirror plate can rotate along a rotation axis and the hinge structure is located between the micromirror plate and the light source. The mirror plate is formed between the hinge and the substrate on which the hinge is formed. As a result, the hinge is exposed to the incident light during the operation.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: An optical phase modulator made of lithium niobate or the like phase-modulates the output light of a single-wavelength laser light source 20 that emits CW light, and the phase-modulated light is inputted to a dispersion medium 22. The positive chirp and negative chirp of light to which frequency chirp is applied by phase modulation draw near in the dispersion medium and an optical pulse is generated.

Abstract: A MEMS-based reader has an extended range of working distances for reading bar code symbols. A digitizer resolves the edges of bar code symbols when located at far-away distances from the reader within the working range. The digitizer includes a differentiator for differentiating the analog signal to generate a first derivative signal, a peak detector for detecting voltage peaks in the first derivative signal, and a comparator for comparing voltage drops after the voltage peaks with a predetermined voltage value, and for determining the presence of each edge when each voltage drop at least equals, and preferably exceeds, the predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: System and method for maximizing image quality by eliminating vias on a reflective surface. A preferred embodiment comprises depositing a first portion of a mirror surface over a support surface, applying a protective coating on the mirror surface, and then inverting the via. The preferred embodiment also comprises removing a portion of the inverted via and then depositing a second portion of the mirror surface. The remaining portion of the inverted via fills the via and provides a level surface for the depositing of the second portion of the mirror surface, reducing the amount of light scattered by the via.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical manipulation system (10) for generation of a plurality of optical traps for manipulation of micro-objects including nano-objects using electromagnetic radiation forces in a micro-object manipulation volume (14), the system comprising a spatially modulated light source (16) for emission of a first light beam (24) with a spatially an adjustable spatial light modulator (26) for generating a second (28) and a third (30) modulated light beam, the second intensity modulated light beam propagating towards a first deflector (32) for deflection of the second light beam towards the micro-object manipulation volume (14), and the third intensity modulated light beam propagating towards a second deflector (34) for deflection of the third light beam towards the same volume (14).

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a spatial light modulator with high contrast are described. Light absorbing materials are used within a chamber that houses a spatial light modulator. The light absorbing materials absorb reflected light that is not intended for forming a part of a display image. The light absorbing material can form an aperture layer, wherein light to form the display image is transmitted through an opening in the aperture layer. An array of spatial light modulators can be within the housing and dummy spatial light modulators may be formed to enable easy alignment of the array with the opening in the aperture layer.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a lower surface having a conductive surface portion, and a substrate portion having a first cavity having an opening on the lower surface, a second cavity in the substrate portion, and a membrane over the second cavity. The modulator includes a substrate comprising an upper surface, a hinge support post in connection with the upper surface, a hinge component supported by the hinge support post and in connection with the mirror plate to facilitate a rotation of the mirror plate, and an upright landing tip in connection with the upper surface of the substrate. The hinge component is extends into the first cavity. The upright landing tip is configured to contact the membrane over the second cavity in the substrate portion of the mirror plate to stop the rotation of the mirror plate at a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.

Abstract: A control substrate of spatial light modulator for a bi-directional micro mirror array includes a plurality of unit cells, each includes a common electrode at a fixed constant potential and an addressing electrode under the mirror plate on opposite sides of a pivot point of the mirror hinge, a pair of micro landing tips, a single CMOS transistor electrically connected to a storage capacitor, and a word-line/bit-line interconnection structure for communicating signals.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method for non-contact collapsing of a porous material on a nonporous substrate.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes a display layer of a multiplicity of individual microcapsules containing a display medium therein and conductive substrates, at least one of the conductive substrates being transparent, wherein the display layer is located in between the conductive substrates, and wherein the display medium includes one or more set of colored particles in a dielectric fluid and has an electric conductivity of about 10?11 to about 10?15 S/m. The microcapsules may be made by encapsulating the display medium in the wall forming material of the microcapsules, and for example a complex coacervation process may be used.

Abstract: A light deflector can be driven by a low voltage by reducing contact area with a plate shape member and other members. The light deflector can be driven by a low voltage by reducing a contact area with a plate shape member and other members. More particularly, a frictional force and fixing strength are reduced at a contact area with a control member deployed around a plate shape member and the plate shape member. The fixing strength is reduced at a contact area with a fulcrum member and the plate shape member. Also, the fixing strength is reduced at a contact area with a substrate (or an insulation layer on a substrate) and the plate shape member.

Abstract: A display member having improved optical contrast and brightness. The display member includes bichromal capsules, an absorptive layer, an adhesive layer, a substrate and a top layer. The bichromal capsules form a close-packed monolayer configuration positioned on the absorptive layer. The adhesive layer is adjacent to the absorptive layer. The absorptive layer is formed on the substrate. The top layer is formed adjacent the adhesive layer. A method for producing a display member with high optical contrast and brightness. The method includes forming an absorptive layer on a substrate. A close-packed monolayer configuration of bichromal capsules is formed on the absorptive layer by exposing the absorptive layer to a plurality of bichromal capsules. A top layer is formed adjacent the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A line scanned display system includes at least three different colors of illumination provided by one or more light sources, and at least one directional illumination optical system for directing the three different colors of illumination. Also in the system is a bilinear array, having two linear arrays of light modulating devices, situated on a common substrate for receiving and modulating two different colors of illumination at any one time that are obtained from the three different colors of illumination. Finally, a lens for creating line images of the two linear arrays on a screen and a scanning mirror for scanning the line images across the screen to form an area image complete the system.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an array of micromirror devices each of which has a reflective and deflectable mirror plates. The mirror plates are moved between an ON and OFF state during operation, wherein the OFF state is a state wherein the mirror plate is not parallel to the substrate on which the mirror plate is formed. The micromirror device may have an ON state stopper for limiting the rotation of the mirror plate at the ON state angle, but does not have an OFF state stopper. The non-zero OFF state is achieved by attaching the mirror plate to a deformable hinge held by a hinge support that is curved at the natural resting state.

Abstract: An AOTF control apparatus, which applies an RF signal to an AOTF to allow a selected light to pass through the AOTF, includes: a first calculating unit calculating a relationship between a frequency of the RF signal and a wavelength of the selected light based on a frequency of the RF signal that allows a reference light to pass through the AOTF; and a second calculating unit calculating a relationship between a power of the RF signal and an attenuation amount of the selected light based on an input/output power of the reference signal at the input/output of the AOTF.