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: A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical device, which has supporting parts and operative parts, includes providing a first semiconductor wafer, having a first layer of semiconductor material and a second layer of semiconductor material arranged on top of the first layer, forming first supporting parts and first operative parts of the device in the second layer, forming temporary anchors in the first layer, and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, with the second layer facing the second wafer. After bonding the first wafer and the second wafer together, second supporting parts and second operative parts of said device are formed in the first layer. The temporary anchors are removed from the first layer to free the operative parts formed therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker diffuser. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.

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 microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.

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: A plasmonic logic device can include a dielectric substrate, and first and second metallic input strips that are placed on the substrate. The input metallic strips can be made of different metals that support propagation of surface plasmons at different frequencies. The input metallic strips can be separated by a predetermined gap that causes for the surface plasmons to constructively combine or destructively cancel each other, according to the gap distances and strip materials chosen, to accomplish the desired logic function. A metallic output strip can be placed on the substrate at a distance from the metallic input strips that allows for selective propagation to accomplish different logic functions. The metallic output strip can further be chosen from a material that allows for propagation of surface plasmons over a broad frequency range to allow for evanescent coupling of a surface plasmon from the metallic input strips.

Abstract: A plasmonic transistor device includes an electro-optic substrate and a conductive layer placed on said electro-optic substrate to establish an interface therebetween. The first conductive layer and electro-optics substrate are made of materials that are suitable for transmission of a surface plasmon along the interface. The conductive layer is further formed with a source input grating and a drain output grating, for establishing the surface plasmon. A means for varying the electro-optic substrate permittivity, such as a light source or voltage source, is connected to the electro-optic substrate. Selective manipulation of the varying means allows the user to selectively increase or decrease the substrate permittivity. Control of the substrate permittivity further allows the user to control surface plasmon propagation from the source input grating along the interface to a drain output grating, to achieve a transistor-like effect for the surface plasmon.

Abstract: A transparent smart light source capable of adjusting an illumination direction is provided. The transparent smart light source includes a reflectance/transmittance tunable device that adjusts an illumination direction by reflecting or transmitting light emitted from a transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) according to applied voltage, and thus can simply adjust the illumination direction according to purpose. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent optical loss in an unnecessary direction, and power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, the transparent smart light source can serve as a curtain blocking out external light, as well as a lighting device, and also can be combined with a solar cell to generate electric power.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized 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: 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: An electrowetting display device includes a first and a second transparent substrates, multiple partition walls, a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, and a phosphor layer. The non-polar liquid is opaque and immiscible with the polar liquid. The phosphor layer is formed on at least one of the first and the second transparent substrates. The phosphor layer comprises a first part that transforms the short-wavelength light into red light, a second part that transforms the short-wavelength light into green light, and a third part that transforms the short-wavelength light into blue light or allows the short-wavelength light to pass therethrough without transformation. Each of the first, the second, and the third parts is corresponding to one pixel unit.

Abstract: In a reflective a display device based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g. oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate, in which picture elements are separated by areas (13) having a hydrophilic surface dyes (or sometimes pigments) are added to the oil (usually hydrocarbon but also possibly silicone or fluorocarbon), to provide sufficient optical intensity.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: An interferometric light modulating device having two viewing surfaces is provided. In some embodiments, the device can generate two distinct images, one on each side of the device, simultaneously.

Abstract: An illumination device is provided and has a light guide plate, a light source and a light modulator, wherein the light modulator has a pair of transparent substrates a pair of electrodes and a light modulator layer. The light modulator layer includes a first region being changed between a transparent state and a scatterable state depending on intensity of an electric field, and a second region being more transparent than the first region in a scatterable state at an electric field having a certain intensity, the electric field being applied when the first region is changed between the transparent state and the scatterable state, and an occupancy rate of the first region in the light modulator layer is increased with increase in distance from the light source.

Abstract: An optical deflector includes multiple voltage-dependent refractive boundaries. Light passes through the refractive boundaries and accumulates a deflection angle. An electrode placed to apply a voltage to the boundaries may be non-uniform to modulate a wavefront as it passes. A scanning laser projector includes the optical deflector to modulate laser light.

Abstract: An optical modulation element unit is disclosed which employs a film-type optical function member and a reflective optical modulation element and allows dust prevention for the reflective optical modulation element while preventing an increased number of parts other than optically required parts. The optical modulation element unit includes a light-transmissive substrate, a film-type optical function member attached to the light-transmissive substrate, a reflective optical modulation element separately placed from the light-transmissive substrate, a cover member which surrounds a space between the light-transmissive substrate and the reflective optical modulation element, and a holding member which holds the light-transmissive substrate. The holding member has a guide portion which guides an air flow to a space along a surface of the light-transmissive substrate, the surface being a surface on the side opposite to the reflective optical modulation element.

Abstract: An adaptive plasma optics cell includes a housing defining a chamber, and a gas disposed within the housing chamber. A first light transmissive electrode layer is coupled to a first side of the housing and a first light transmissive dielectric layer is coupled between the first light transmissive electrode layer and the housing chamber. A second electrode layer is coupled to a second side of the housing such that the housing chamber is at least partially disposed between the first and second electrode layers and a second dielectric layer coupled between the second electrode layer electrode and the housing chamber. In operation, a power supply is controlled such that the power supply selectively supplies an electric signal sufficient to cause the gas to generate a plasma having a desired plasma gradient.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a substrate, a movable element over the substrate, and an actuation electrode above the movable element. The movable element includes a deformable layer and a reflective element. The deformable layer is spaced from the reflective element.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: A reflective spatial light modulator device features two pairs of electrodes formed on different metallization layers. Elevation of the upper electrode pair reduces its distance from the overlying reflecting surface, thereby requiring a smaller applied voltage to generate an equivalent electrostatic attractive force for altering or maintaining physical orientation of the reflecting surface relative to incident light. In one embodiment, the reduced distance between the electrode and reflecting surface allows operation at lower voltages, reducing the possibility of breakdown and avoiding the need for complex device designs to eliminate such breakdown. In another embodiment, the reduced distance between the electrode and the reflecting surface allows the use of stiffer hinges for the reflecting surface, thereby increasing the speed of device operation. Other embodiments can employ both reduced voltage operation and the use of stiffer hinge structures.

Abstract: Beam steering systems and methods are disclosed according to various embodiments. A beam steering system may include a laser that produces a beam of light. The beam of light may then be directed through a piezoelectric tube that includes a light guide and one or more piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with the light source, such that the beam of light is conducted through the light guide. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with a scanning optical element that includes an optical element and a steering device. A controller may be communicatively coupled with the light source, the piezoelectric tube and the scanning optical element. The controller may include instructions to dither the beam of light with the piezoelectric tube and/or instructions to steer the beam of light with the scanning optical element.

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: Scan line position error resulting in banding, bow, skew, etc. is corrected by way of an agile beam steering mirror assembly in a ROS printing system and the like. The agile beam steering mirror system comprises a piezoelectric bending actuator fixedly mounted to a substrate at a proximate end thereof. A mirror structure is mounted at a free distal end of the bending actuator. Voltage applied to the bending actuator causes rotation of the mirror to thereby correct for positional errors of the scan line. Correction waveforms may be stored in control memory associated with the agile beam steering mirror assembly. A capacitive sensing circuit using a sensing electrode located beneath the free end of the bending actuator may be used in a feedback arrangement to determine and control mirror position.

Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a partially reflective and partially transmissive layer and a movable functional element. The movable functional element includes a patterned flexible dielectric layer and a reflective layer mechanically coupled to the flexible dielectric layer. The patterned flexible dielectric layer is configured to flex in response to voltages applied to the partially reflective and partially transmissive layer to move the functional element in a direction generally perpendicular to the partially reflective and partially transmissive layer. The reflective layer is situated between the flexible dielectric layer and the partially reflective and partially transmissive layer.

Abstract: An iterferometric modulator array is configured to reflect a broad band spectrum of optical wavelengths by arranging a reflector and a partially transparent substrate in a non-parallel relationship.

Abstract: A micromechanical device and system utilizing a supplemental reset pulse to ensure deflectable members deflect to the desired position. After loading data into a micromechanical device, a reset pulse is used to position the deflectable member to a position indicated by the data. A supplemental reset pulse is then applied to ensure the deflectable member is driven to the position indicated by the data. The method and system are also used to ensure the deflectable members are driven to a neutral position.

Abstract: A stereo projection optical system includes a first polarizing beam splitter, a transmission-type light modulator positioned to receive the first polarized light component from the first polarizing light splitter and an image assimilator positioned to receive an emergent light of the transmission-type light modulator. The image assimilator includes a second polarized light splitter and first, second reflective spatial light modulators. The stereo projection optical systems provide viewers three-dimensional images formed by two alternative polarization light beams whose polarizations are perpendicular to each other utilizing the transmission-type light modulators to form “3-D” images.

Abstract: Improvements in an interferometric modulator that has a cavity defined by two walls.

Abstract: A light valve unit may include a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer disposed on opposite sides of each other with respect to a plurality of cells in which at least some of the cells include a first material and a second material. The first material may have a lower light transmissivity property than the second material and a position of the first material within a corresponding cell may be changeable responsive to application of an electric field between the first and second conductive layers. The second conductive layer may include at least two electrodes and a gap defined between the two electrodes. A portion of the light valve unit adjacent to the gap may be configured to have a transmissivity that is substantially less than transmissivity of a portion of the light valve unit adjacent to cells across which the electric field is applied, but greater than or equal to transmissivity of a portion of the light valve unit adjacent to cells across which the electric field is not applied.

Abstract: An optical modulation element unit is disclosed which employs a film-type optical function member and a reflective optical modulation element and allows dust prevention for the reflective optical modulation element while preventing an increased number of parts other than optically required parts. The optical modulation element unit includes a light-transmissive substrate, a film-type optical function member attached to the light-transmissive substrate, a reflective optical modulation element separately placed from the light-transmissive substrate, a cover member which surrounds a space between the light-transmissive substrate and the reflective optical modulation element, and a holding member which holds the light-transmissive substrate. The holding member has a guide portion which guides an air flow to a space along a surface of the light-transmissive substrate, the surface being a surface on the side opposite to the reflective optical modulation element.

Abstract: Beam deflection devices and methods using piezoelectric tube resonance. A beam deflection device may include a laser that produces a beam of light. The beam of light may then be directed through a piezoelectric tube that includes a light guide and one or more piezoelectric elements. The device may also have an optical tip that extends axially from the end of the piezoelectric tube. The piezoelectric tube is coupled with the light source, such that the beam of light is conducted through the light guide and optionally the optical tip. A controller may be communicatively coupled with the light source and the piezoelectric tube. The controller may include instructions to activate the piezoelectric tube at a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric tube, the light guide, and/or the optical tip. The controller may include instructions to activate one or more of the piezoelectric elements at a different power level.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical structure system according to the present invention includes: a movable structure 5, at least a portion of the movable structure 5 being formed of a single-crystalline material; an elastic supporting member 10 for supporting the movable structure 5; a stationary electrode section 13, 25 at least partially opposing the movable structure 5; and a base 22 which has a circuit section and to which the stationary electrode 13, 25 is affixed. The stationary electrode section 13, 25 includes a first electrode layer (upper stationary electrode layer) 13 positioned relative to the movable structure 5 and a second electrode layer (lower stationary electrode layer) 25 positioned relative to the base 22, the first electrode layer 13 and the second electrode layer 25 being bonded to each other via adhesion layers 15 and 16.

Abstract: An optical isolation structure is incorporated into a display between the display elements and the transparent substrate for the display elements. The optical isolation structure reflects light rays within the substrate that impact the structure at high angles relative to normal to the structure, thereby permitting the substrate to be used as an integrated light guide for distributing light over the display from a light source on the edge of the substrate. The optical isolation structure may include a single layer having an index of refraction less than the substrate or a plurality of thin-film interference layers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact, sub-wavelength optical resonators. In one aspect, an optical resonator comprises two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned and configured to form a resonant cavity. The resonator also includes a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures. The resonant cavity is configured with a cavity length that can support resonance with electromagnetic radiation having a fundamental wavelength that is more than twice the cavity length.

Abstract: An apparatus for all-optical deflection of an incident optical signal beam, the apparatus comprising: a photorefractive semiconductor crystal; and an electric field source, for applying an electric field across the crystal either through electrodes or by positioning the crystal at a place where an electric field is present. In another embodiment of the invention a second optical beam source, for illuminating the crystal with a background optical beam. The apparatus is used for steering the signal beam, lensing it or for other applications.

Abstract: This application describes a tunable photonic crystal device based on the electrical actuation of photonic crystal films.

Abstract: A method for packaging a display device and the device obtained thereof are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises providing a substrate. The method further comprises manufacturing an array of display elements on a back side of the substrate, the array comprising a plurality of posts between the display elements connecting electrodes of the display elements. The method further comprises providing a back plate. The method further comprises sealing the back plate to the back side of the substrate, wherein one or more posts are in contact with the back plate after sealing the back plate to the back side of the substrate.

Abstract: A display device includes the following elements. A display has a display area and includes an electro-optic layer and a light-reflecting layer reflecting light emitted from the electro-optic layer to the viewing side of the display device, the light-reflecting layer being arranged in the display area. A plate-shaped exterior has a frame area including a portion located outside the periphery of the display. An antireflective plate continuously covers both of the display area and the frame area. The antireflective plate prevents external light, which enters the viewing side of the display device and is reflected by the light-reflecting layer or the frame area, from emerging on the viewing side.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes at least one electrode, a first reflective layer, and a movable reflective element. The movable reflective element includes a flexible dielectric layer and a second reflective layer mechanically coupled to the flexible dielectric layer. The flexible dielectric layer flexes in response to voltages applied to the at least one electrode to move the reflective element in a direction generally perpendicular to the first reflective layer.

Abstract: An optical isolation structure is incorporated into a display between the display elements and the transparent substrate for the display elements. The optical isolation structure reflects light rays within the substrate that impact the structure at high angles relative to normal to the structure, thereby permitting the substrate to be used as an integrated light guide for distributing light over the display from a light source on the edge of the substrate. The optical isolation structure may include a single layer having an index of refraction less than the substrate or a plurality of thin-film interference layers.

Abstract: A beam scanning-type display device used as a head-mounted display (HMD) or a head-up display (HUD) includes a light source (101) which emits a beam, a scanning unit (103) which performs scanning using the beam emitted from the light source (101), a deflecting unit (104) which deflects the beam used for the scanning by the scanning unit (103) in the direction toward an eye of a user, and a wavefront shape changing unit (102) which changes the wavefront shape of the beam from the light source (101) so that the beam spot size falls within the predetermined allowable range, and emits the beam to the wavefront shape changing unit (102).

Abstract: Interferometric modulators having a separable modulator architecture are disclosed having a reflective layer suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The interferometric modulators have one or more anti-tilt members that inhibit undesirable movement of the reflective layer, such as curling and/or tilting. The stabilization of the reflective layer by the anti-tilt members can improve the quality of the optical output of the interferometric modulators, as well as displays comprising such interferometric modulators.

Abstract: A method of illuminating at least two illumination points by means of at least one spatial light modulator, said at least one spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of light modulators, whereby a predefined amount of energy transmitted to said points is at least partly controlled by varying the number of said light modulators illuminating said point.

Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.

Abstract: A three-dimensional optical mouse device with a Micromirror Array Lens (MMAL) is provided. To have the three-dimensional optical mouse system, a three-dimensional imaging device is used for detecting the motion of optical pointer or fingers of the user and gives a location of the pointer to computer working as a pointing device in three-dimension. This three-dimensional pointing system uses three-dimensional imaging device using MMAL with variable focal length.