By Reflection Patents (Class 359/318)
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Patent number: 7126741Abstract: A light modulator assembly includes a substrate, a micro-electro mechanical semiconductor device (MEMS device) formed on the substrate, and a temperature control device coupled to the substrate and configured to maintain the MEMS device at or above an elevated threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: William R. Wagner, Winthrop D. Childers
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Patent number: 7113339Abstract: The interferometric modulator of the invention includes a transparent substrate (refractive index: n0) 12, an optical thin film (complex index of refraction: N1=n1?i·k1) 13 provided on the transparent substrate 12, and an absorber layer (complex index of refraction: Ns=ns?i·ks) 14 opposed to the optical thin film 13, the distance of a gap to the optical thin film 13 being variable, wherein the relation n1>n0, k1?0 and ns>n0 is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Kazuhiko Tsuda
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Patent number: 7106495Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflection film in which the heights of a plurality of convex portions or the depths of concave portions formed on a base material are specified to be substantially the same. The two-dimensional shapes of the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are specified to be the two-dimensional shapes of independent circles and polygons, or of either of them. In addition, the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are arranged in the direction of the plane on a random basis. The substrate is formed using a mask in which light transmission portions or light non-transmission portions are formed in units of dots, the number thereof being smaller than the number of dot regions. The dots are arranged irregularly in each of the units, and a plurality of units are included.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Otake, Mutsumi Matsuo, Tadashi Tsuyuki
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Patent number: 7099064Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electrostatic-type variable diffractive light modulator, which includes lower micromirrors that are provided on a glass substrate to be spaced apart from each other, and actuates upper micromirrors that are spaced apart from the substrate by an electrostatic actuating method, thus allowing the upper and lower micromirrors to diffract incident light entering a lower portion of the substrate, and a method of manufacturing the electrostatic-type variable diffractive light modulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoon-Shik Hong, Dong-Ho Shin, Jong-Hyeong Song, Yoon-Joon Choi, Yurlov Victor
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Patent number: 7085036Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflection film in which the heights of a plurality of convex portions or the depths of concave portions formed on a base material are specified to be substantially the same. The two-dimensional shapes of the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are specified to be the two-dimensional shapes of independent circles and polygons, or of either of them. In addition, the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are arranged in the direction of the plane on a random basis. The substrate is formed using a mask in which light transmission portions or light non-transmission portions are formed in units of dots, the number thereof being smaller than the number of dot regions. The dots are arranged irregularly in each of the units, and a plurality of units are included.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Otake, Mutsumi Matsuo, Tadashi Tsuyuki
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Patent number: 7046422Abstract: A reflection-type light modulating array element has: a substrate; a movable member provided with a beam body provided on the substrate through a first gap, a light reflector capable of rotational displacement by twisting of the beam body, and an electrically conducting part formed at least in a partial portion of the movable member; a lower electrode provided on a substrate side to face the movable member through the first gap, and an upper electrode provided on a side opposite to the lower electrode to face the movable member through a second gap, and thereby the movable member is between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, wherein a voltage is applied to the upper electrode, the lower electrode and the electrically conducting part to cause an rocking displacement of the light reflector and thereby deflect a reflection direction of a light.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Katsuto Sumi
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Patent number: 7042643Abstract: An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope. In another aspect, a structure for modulating light comprises modulators of light each including an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: IDC, LLCInventor: Mark W. Miles
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Patent number: 7042625Abstract: Disclosed is a light modulator having a digital micro blaze diffraction grating. In the light modulator, a fine protrusion is formed on an edge of a lower surface of a diffraction member so that a reflective surface inclines due to the fine protrusion when the diffraction member is drawn downward.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoon Shik Hong, Dong Ho Shin, Seung Heon Han, Yoon Joon Choi
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Patent number: 7027369Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus (10) for reading data from a plurality of tracks of an optical disc (34) at the same time by focussing spots (M, . . . ) of each light beam on a plurality of tracks, passing the reflected light beams of spots (M, . . . ) sequentially through an objective lens (30), a collimator lens (28), and a focus adjusting lens (50) in this order, and detecting the reflected light beams with photodiodes (52M, . . . ) disposed along a photodiode light reception plane (68). In order to make each reflected light become incident upon each photodiode (52M, . . . ), a case (72) and a bracket (78) are separated from a chassis (70), and support the focus adjusting lens (50) and the photodiodes (52M, . . . ) respectively. The case (72) and bracket (78) are made so that they can be fixed to the chassis (70) at optional positions in a predetermined area along a direction of the optical axis (66).Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha KenwoodInventors: Hiroshi Miyazawa, Hidemi Tachizawa
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Patent number: 7000291Abstract: A money clip comprising a generally flat housing having an internal cavity and an elastic band secured to the housing for encircling and holding a wad a paper money between the band and housing. A magnifying glass is normally concealed within the cavity and is pivotally connected to the housing. The magnifying glass may be manually swung outwardly and inwardly of the cavity, to a location adjacent the housing, through an opening formed in the housing. The magnifying glass may be swung outwardly of the housing temporarily and by manually holding the clip with magnifying glass positioned over an object the print on the object may be read by the user, without disturbing the wad of paper money held by the money clip. Thereafter, the magnifying glass may be swung back into the housing cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Inventor: Edward A. Fuller
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Patent number: 6995898Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflecting film in which the depths of a plurality of concave portions formed on the surface of the base or the heights of a plurality of convex portions formed on the surface of the base are substantially equal, the planar shapes of the plurality of concave portions or the convex portions are overlapped circles and overlapped polygons, or any one of the aforesaid circles and polygons, and a plurality of concave portions or convex portions are randomly arranged over a plane, the substrate with the light reflecting film being prepared by using a mask comprising light-transmitting parts or non-light-transmitting parts formed by a plurality of dots less than the number of the dot regions as one unit, in which the light-transmitting parts or the non-light-transmitting parts are randomly arranged in the unit, and a plurality of the one unit is repeated.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshihiro Otake, Mutsumi Matsuo, Tadashi Tsuyuki
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Patent number: 6963441Abstract: An electro-optically deactivated transmissive material comprises a plurality of chemicals which are sufficient, in combination, to enable formation of an electro-optic material having an index of refraction that is responsive to an electric field. The chemicals are combined with a glassifier so as to form a transmissive material that is less responsive to the electric field than said electro-optic material. The deactivated material has substantially the same refractive index as the electro-optic material in the absence of an electric field. In a preferred embodiment, the deactivated material is arranged with active material to form an optical switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Teloptics, CorporationInventor: Gene H. Haertling
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Patent number: 6947205Abstract: An electric field activated bi-stable molecular system configured within an electric field generated by a pair of electrodes is provided for use, e.g., as electronic ink or other visual displays. The molecular system has at least one rotor portion connected to at least one stator portion, wherein the rotor portion rotates with respect to the stator portion between at least two different states upon application of the electric field, thereby inducing a band gap change in the molecular system, wherein in a first state, there is extended conjugation throughout the major portion of the molecular system, resulting in a relatively smaller band gap, and wherein in a second state, the extended conjugation is destroyed, resulting in a relatively larger band gap. A primary advantage of the molecular system is improved contrast. Because the colorant of the present invention is molecular and thus effectively monoplanar, there should be no backside reflection or scattering from the colorant.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.Inventors: Xiao-An Zhang, R. Stanley Williams, Kent D. Vincent
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Patent number: 6897994Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes an illumination source, a diffractive modulator, imaging optics, and a coherence reduction system. The illumination source is for producing an illumination field. The diffractive modulator is for receiving the at least partially coherent illumination field and producing a modulated illumination field. The imaging optics are for directing the modulated illumination field toward an imaging surface. The coherence of one of the illumination field and the modulated illumination field is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Agfa CorporationInventors: Ralph Thoma, Volker Melzer, Ronian Siew, Tobias Damm, Peter Mueller
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Patent number: 6891987Abstract: A true-time delay feeder for multiple aperture beam steering devices. The feeder comprises a plurality of tunable time delay modules. The tunable time delay modules provide different delays to different beamlets without changing the spectrum of each beamlet. The tunable true-time delay modules provide for temporal synchronization and spatial coherence of the beam front.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Stanislav I. Ionov, David S. Sumida
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Patent number: 6862125Abstract: A single-compartment reversible mirror device having a solution of aprotic molten salt, at least one soluble metal-containing species comprising metal capable of being electrodeposited, and at least one anodic compound capable of being oxidized was prepared. The aprotic molten salt is liquid at room temperature and includes lithium and/or quaternary ammonium cations, and anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). A method for preparing substantially pure molten salts is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Benjamin P. Warner, T. Mark McCleskey, Anthony K. Burrell, Simon B. Hall
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Patent number: 6829079Abstract: An optical path control apparatus includes a first substrate. A second substrate is movably provided for the first substrate. A mirror section is provided on the second substrate. A driving section moves the second substrate such that a first optical path of input light to the mirror section is optically connected to one of a plurality of second optical paths.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Mikio Oda, Mitsuru Yamamoto, Hikaru Kouta, Yasuhiro Sasaki, Sakae Kitajo, Yuzo Shimada
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Patent number: 6801681Abstract: An optical switch is fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) techniques. A thin mirror is fabricated in the major plane of the substrate and rotates about an axis perpendicular to the major plane to move into and out of an optical beam path. The mirror surface is open for chemical polishing and deposition, resulting in a high-quality mirror. In one embodiment, the backside of the mirror is patterned with reinforcing ribs. In another embodiment, a two-sided mirror is fabricated.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Patrick E. Feierabend, John S. Foster, Bryant P. Hichwa, Richard T. Martin, Paul J. Rubel, Kimon Rybnicek, John W. Stocker, Jeffery F. Summers
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Patent number: 6791757Abstract: An apparatus for filtering electromagnetic waves and sensing deposition of chemical species, the apparatus having a substrate having a surface relief structure containing at least one dielectric body with physical dimensions smaller than the wavelength of the filtered electromagnetic waves, such structures repeated in a two dimensional array covering at least a portion of the surface of the first substrate. The apparatus may include one, two, or more such arrays, spaced from one another to create one or more cavities between the arrays.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: CoHo Holdings, LLCInventors: Douglas S. Hobbs, James J. Cowan
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Patent number: 6781730Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for spectral grooming of light having a multiple spectral bands. The light is received at an input port and encounters an optical train disposed between the input port and at least one output port. The optical train provides optical paths for routing the spectral bands and includes a dispersive element disposed to intercept light traveling from the input port. An attenuation mechanism is provided for independently attenuating the individual spectral bands. The attenuation mechanism has multiple configurable attenuation elements disposed so that each spectral band is attenuated in accordance with a state of one of the configurable attenuation elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: PTS CorporationInventors: Samuel P. Weaver, Anthony W. Sarto
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Patent number: 6757095Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method for transmitting optical signals modulates an optical property of the semiconductor structure to selectively transmit portions of an externally supplied light beam as optical signals. The use of the externally supplied light beam eliminates the need to fabricate a light emitting device onto the semiconductor structure. Thus, the semiconductor structure can be based on an indirect bandgap material such as silicon. Consequently, the semiconductor structure can be readily integrated into a conventional silicon-based integrated circuit using conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Ken A. Nishimura
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Patent number: 6710758Abstract: A reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a first substrate, a second substrate and an electro-optic material positioned between the first and second substrates. The first substrate includes a reflective ground layer that acts as a continuous first electrode and the second substrate includes a pixel layer having a plurality of pixel elements formed in a pattern. The pixel elements are formed of a transparent conductive material and are separated by inter-pixel regions formed of a non-conductive material. A transmissivity of the electro-optic material in a vicinity of each of the plurality of pixel elements is controlled by a potential difference applied between the first electrode and a respective one of the pixel elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Lisa A. Caracci, John P. Kondis, Robert G. Lindquist, Rui-Qing Ma, Carina R. Reisin, Bradley A. Scott
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Patent number: 6686580Abstract: An image sensor package includes a substrate and an image sensor coupled to the substrate. The image sensor includes an upper surface having an active area. A reflector lid is coupled to the substrate. The reflector lid has a first panel having a planar surface. The planar surface is at least partially reflective and is angled relative to the upper surface of the image sensor to reflect electromagnetic radiation to the active area of image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Amkor Technology, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Glenn, Steven Webster, Roy Dale Hollaway
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Patent number: 6646782Abstract: An all solid-state light valve and tunable filter that uses color-selective absorption at a metal-dielectric interface by surface plasmons. The solid-state surface plasmon light valve and tunable filter comprises a substrate, a bottom electrode, a solid-state electro-optic material, and a top electrode through which electromagnetic radiation may pass through and whose optical properties may be modified by suitable modulation of an electrical bias, i.e., an applied voltage between the top and bottom electrodes. The bottom electrode must be specifically fabricated using a refractory metal to allow the formation of the solid-state electro-optic material.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Stephen D. Russell, Randy L. Shimabukuro
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Patent number: 6643054Abstract: A beam deflector 1 for a beam of light 9 comprises: a first plate of electro-optical material disposed between a pair of electrode arrangements and a pair of plano-parallel mirrors, the refractive index of the electro-optical material being variable by the application of electric voltages, wherein a first mirror of the pair facing towards the incident light has a lower reflectivity than the second mirror, the first or second mirrors comprising a plurality of dielectric layers having refractive indices different from each other. Further, a switching system comprises: a plurality of terminals (53) for optical signals and beam deflectors (1) allocated to each other in pairs, each beam deflector being controllable such that it deflects the light beam (9) directed thereto into a selectable direction in order for the beam to enter at least one selected terminal end (55).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-StiftungInventor: Kai Weidlich
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Patent number: 6639713Abstract: An apparatus at least partially intercepts a plurality of light beams propagating along a respective plurality of beam paths. The apparatus includes a single crystal silicon substrate and an array including a plurality of modules. Each module includes a reflector comprising single crystal silicon and a reflector surface lying in a reflector plane substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface. Each module further includes a reflector support which mounts the reflector to move substantially within the reflector plane with a displacement component along the surface normal direction of the substrate surface. Each module further includes a reflector driver responsive to electrical current to selectively move the reflector between a first position and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Umachines, Inc.Inventors: Chen-Wei Chiu, Aramais Avakian, Tom Tsao, Fukang Jiang, Jeff Dickson, Yu-Chong Tai
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Patent number: 6614574Abstract: A light modulating switch (210) including a switching element (218) having a first portion (226) of electro-optic material to which first and second electrodes (213, 224) are associated. A second portion (228) is composed of material having an index of refraction matching that of the first portion (226) when no voltage is applied to electro-optically activate the first portion (226), but the index of refraction of the second portion (228) is less than the index of refraction of the first portion (226) when the first portion (226) is electro-optically activated by application of voltage to the electrodes (213, 224).Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Teloptics CorporationInventor: Alexander B. Romanovsky
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Patent number: 6608621Abstract: An image displaying method and apparatus is provided which can display an image at a high luminance. A first horizontal line image signal is written in a write memory, read in parallel from a read memory during a horizontal blanking period next to the horizontal image signal period, and amplified to thereafter perform modulation. The first horizontal line image signal is displayed at least until the next horizontal image signal line period terminates. The above operations are sequentially repeated to scan all horizontal lines.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Noritaka Mochizuki
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Patent number: 6552842Abstract: A reflective coherent spatial light modulator (RCSLM) includes a subwavelength resonant grating structure (SWS), the SWS including at least one subwavelength resonant grating layer (SWL) have a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels. Each pixel represents an area capable of individual control of its reflective response. A structure for modulating the resonant reflective response of at least one pixel is provided. The structure for modulating can include at least one electro-optic layer in optical contact with the SWS. The RCSLM is scalable in both pixel size and wavelength. A method for forming a RCSLM includes the steps of selecting a waveguide material and forming a SWS in the waveguide material, the SWS formed from at least one SWL, the SWL having a plurality of areas defining a plurality of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: John T. Simpson, Roger K. Richards, Donald P. Hutchinson, Marcus L. Simpson
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Patent number: 6522471Abstract: A system of beam narrowing for resolution enhancement produces a narrowed beam for use in surface imaging. The system of beam narrowing for resolution enhancement uses a Fabry-Perot cavity to sharpen the intensity profile of a light source imaged through the system. The optical distance between reflective surfaces forming the Fabry-Perot cavity is tuned to select one of the surfaces as a target surface. The beam width is thereby optimized to a minimum width at the selected target surface. Multiple Fabry-Perot cavities can be cascaded by interposing one or more additional partly reflective surfaces between a first surface and a second underlying surface. The optical distances between all of the surfaces are tuned to select a target surface. The beam width is optimized at the selected target surface to produce a beam narrower than the beam produced by a single Fabry-Perot cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Z Tek Inc.Inventor: Bryan Kevin Clark
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Patent number: 6522446Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of anisometrically shaped metal particles in liquid light valve suspensions, light valve films and light valves. The anisometric metal particles may have various geometric shapes including, for example, fibrils, and an average length in the range between about 1 micron and 50 nanometers.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Research Frontiers IncorporatedInventor: Robert L. Saxe
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Publication number: 20030011870Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflection film in which the heights of a plurality of convex portions or the depths of concave portions formed on a base material are specified to be substantially the same. The two-dimensional shapes of the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are specified to be the two-dimensional shapes of independent circles and polygons, or of either of them. In addition, the plurality of convex portions or concave portions are arranged in the direction of the plane on a random basis. The substrate is formed using a mask in which light transmission portions or light non-transmission portions are formed in units of dots, the number thereof being smaller than the number of dot regions. The dots are arranged irregularly in each of the units, and a plurality of units are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Toshihiro Otake, Mutsumi Matsuo, Tadashi Tsuyuki
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Patent number: 6505939Abstract: Projection system comprising at least two light sources, a projection lens and a spatial light modulator located between the light sources and the projection lens, which light modulator comprises a plurality of light-deflection devices each provided with an element which is tiltable about a tilt axis. The light sources are arranged with respect to the spatial light modulator in such a way that, in operation, the centers of the light beams coming from the light sources and projected on each element are located on a projection line which extends substantially parallel to the tilt axis of the element.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Serge Joel Armand Bierhuizen, Marten Sikkens, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman
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Patent number: 6504644Abstract: An apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to radiation, such as a photomask, a display panel or a microoptical device. The apparatus includes a radiation source, a spatial modulator (SLM) having a multitude of modulating elements (pixels), a projection system, an electronic data processing and delivery system controlling said modulator, a precision mechanical system for moving said workpiece and an electronic control system. Specifically, the drive signals can set the pixels in a number of states larger than two, and intermediate modulation states are used for pixels along edges of pattern features. The design of the modulating elements and the exposure method create, for differently placed and/or differently oriented edges in the pattern, a symmetry in the aperture stop of the projection system.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems ABInventor: Torbjorn Sandstrom
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Patent number: 6487000Abstract: A microelectromechanical structure, usable in an optical switch for directing a light beam towards one of two light guide elements, including: a mirror element, rotatably movable; an actuator, which can translate; and a motion conversion assembly, arranged between the mirror element and the actuator. The motion conversion assembly includes a projection integral with the mirror element and elastic engagement elements integral with the actuator and elastically loaded towards the projection. The elastic engagement elements are formed by metal plates fixed to the actuator at one of their ends and engaging the projection with an abutting edge countershaped with respect to the projection.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Bruno Murari
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Publication number: 20020135864Abstract: An apparatus at least partially intercepts a plurality of light beams propagating along a respective plurality of beam paths. The apparatus includes a single crystal silicon substrate and an array including a plurality of modules. Each module includes a reflector comprising single crystal silicon and a reflector surface lying in a reflector plane substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface. Each module further includes a reflector support which mounts the reflector to move substantially within the reflector plane with a displacement component along the surface normal direction of the substrate surface. Each module further includes a reflector driver responsive to electrical current to selectively move the reflector between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Chen-Wei Chiu, Aramais Avakian, Tom Tsao, Fukang Jiang, Jeff Dickson, Yu-Chong Tai
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Patent number: 6441947Abstract: An optical beam steerer includes one or more layers of electro-optically active material in which is formed a chirped distributed Bragg reflector. An electric field generated across the electro-optically active material in the direction of propagation of the chirped distributed Bragg reflector causes the index of refraction within the material to change. The electric field varies in a direction normal to the direction of propagation of the chirped distributed Bragg reflector which causes a variation in the local index of refraction proportional to the strength of the electric field. Changes in the index of refraction cause the wavefront of the incident optical beam to experience different delays such that the incident optical beam is reflected out of the beam steerer at an angle that is tangential to the direction of variation of the applied electric field. Two dimensional beam steering is provided by the creation of two electric fields that are orthogonal to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Stanislav I. Ionov
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Publication number: 20020109900Abstract: A reset driving scheme for adressing a switching mirror display (20) enables current to flow in two directions through the switching elements (30). The display is forced into a predefined state and drives the display into the other optical states by using an adressable TFT (31) providing a continous current. A circuit that fulfils these requirements is indicated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Mark Thomas Johnson, Iain Mcintosh Hunter, Steven Charles Deane
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Patent number: 6373620Abstract: A light beam deflector comprising a modified asymmetric Fabry-Perot (Gires-Tournois) etalon having a back reflecting and electrically conducting mirror and a front partially transmitting mirror spaced apart by an electro-optic material, there also being a transparent sheet resistor between the electro-optic material and the front mirror. The invention further comprises a pair of electrodes contacting two generally parallel edges of the transparent sheet resistor so that if different voltages are applied between the electrodes with respect to the back conducting mirror, a front to back electric field which varies in a linear manner from one electrode to the other will be produced.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Corning Applied Technologies CorporationInventor: Feiling Wang
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Patent number: 6369933Abstract: An optical correlator includes a first reflective mode spatial light modulator for inputting an input image and a second reflective mode spatial light modulator for inputting a reference image for comparing with the input image. The optical correlator also includes an optics arrangement for (i) directing light into the first spatial light modulator, (ii) directing light along a first optical path from the first spatial light modulator into the second spatial light modulator, and (iii) directing light along a second optical path from the second spatial light modulator into an image plane. The optics arrangement includes a first lens having a focal length f1 and a second lens having a focal length f2. The first lens is positioned substantially adjacent the first spatial light modulator and the second lens is positioned substantially adjacent the second spatial light modulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Display tech, IncInventor: Michael J. O'Callaghan
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Patent number: 6356377Abstract: A variable optical delay line using MEMS devices. A reflector on a micro machine linear rack is positioned and spaced from an input source and/or an output to receive and reflect input light waves toward the output. The distance between the reflector and the input and output is variable and thereby enables selective path delay compensation of the input light wave signals. Other disclosed embodiments utilize pivoting MEMS mirrors and selective adjustment of the mirror pivot angles to provide the selective path delay compensation required in a light wave system.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignees: Agere Systems Guardian Corp., Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: David John Bishop, Randy Clinton Giles
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Publication number: 20020008899Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a light reflective film which can prevent moire fringes from occurring. A rough face in which a plurality of rows of pyramidal convex portions that are linearly continuous are adjacently formed in parallel with one another is formed on one face of a die film. The rows of convex portions that are linearly continuous are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an edge of the die film. An optical film is produced by transferring the die film. A light reflective film is produced by vapor-depositing a light reflection film on the optical film. In a liquid crystal display panel having the light reflective film, the pitch of occurring moire fringes becomes so small that the moire fringes cannot be visually seen, and moire fringes can be prevented from occurring.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Mitsuhiro Tanaka, Yuji Saai
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Publication number: 20020001120Abstract: An optical modulation element is capable of forming a reflective diffraction grating in which heights of a plurality of elements each having a reflecting surface periodically change. The reflecting surfaces of at least one of the plurality of elements are driven in a direction of height by piezoelectric elements. The plurality of elements each having the surface as the reflecting surface are two-dimensionally arrayed by juxtaposing long sides. A rear surface side of an effective reflecting portion of each of the elements is fixed to the piezoelectric element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventor: Noritaka Mochizuki
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Patent number: 6317251Abstract: A light beam deflector comprising a modified asymmetric Fabry-Perot (Gires-Tournois) etalon having a back reflecting and electrically conducting mirror and a front partially transmitting mirror spaced apart by an electro-optic material, there also being a transparent sheet resistor between the electro-optic material and the front mirror. The invention further comprises a pair of electrodes contacting two generally parallel edges of the transparent sheet resistor so that if different voltages are applied between the electrodes with respect to the back conducting mirror, a front to back electric field which varies in a linear manner from one electrode to the other will be produced.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Corning Applied Technologies CorporationInventor: Feiling Wang
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Patent number: 6215579Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating an incident light beam for forming a two-dimensional projection image. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated elements each having a reflective surface. The elongated elements are suspended substantially parallel to each other above a substrate with their respective ends supported, forming a column of adjacent reflecting surfaces grouped according to display elements. Alternate ones of each group are deformable by a applying a voltage with respect to the substrate. An approximately flat center section of each deformed element is substantially parallel to and a predetermined distance from a center section of each undeformed element. Limiting the predetermined distance avoids hysteresis in deforming the elements and avoids adhesion of the elements to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Silicon Light MachinesInventors: David M. Bloom, Asif Godil
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Patent number: 6185031Abstract: The invention provides an optical switching method and apparatus by which the response time of a variation in refractive index of light can be further reduced. An electric field applied to a light passing element made of a substance containing conjugated system electrons is controlled to vary the condition of electrons of the substance of the light passing element to vary the refractive index of the light passing element. Then, the outgoing direction of light introduced into the light passing element is controlled to deflect the outgoing light from the light passing element, and the deflected outgoing light is introduced so as to be irradiated upon a selected control object element to control the control object element.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masataka Shingu, Hisayoshi Yamoto, Tohru Sugimoto
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Patent number: 6169624Abstract: Micromachined grating modulators which exhibit achromatic behavior are described. One embodiment includes narrow and wide ribbons suspended above a substrate and alternatingly interleaved with each other. Narrow and wide reflective surfaces are formed on the narrow and wide ribbons. Compensating reflective surfaces are formed in the gaps between and beneath the ribbons. The width of the ribbons as well as the width of the gaps and the compensating reflecting surfaces are designed so that incident optical beam can be modulated or attenuated in an achromatic fashion.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Inventors: Asif A. Godil, David M. Bloom
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Patent number: 6104525Abstract: An inventive array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors includes an active matrix, a passivation layer, an etchant stopping layer and an array of M.times.N actuating structures. The active matrix includes a substrate, an array of M.times.N transistors, an adhesion layer, a diffusion barrier layer, an array of M.times.N connecting terminals and a stress balancing layer. The passivation layer is formed on top of the active matrix and the etchant stopping layer is formed on top of the passivation layer. The array of M.times.N actuating structures includes a first thin film electrode, a thin film electrodisplacive member, a second thin film electrode, an elastic member and a conduit. The diffusion barrier layer located between the substrate and the connecting terminal prevents diffusion of silicon (Si) from the substrate to the connecting terminals.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dong-Hoon Min
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Patent number: 6094293Abstract: An optical switch includes a light emitter for emitting light and light receivers. A reflector is used for changing a path of light emitted from the light emitter. The reflector is held by a permanent magnet having first and second magnetic poles of opposite polarities. A supporting member is provided for the reflector and the first permanent magnet so that the reflector and the first permanent magnet can move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the reflector and the first permanent magnet interact so the emitted light travels into one light receiver of the light receivers. On the other hand, in the second position, the reflector and the first permanent magnet interact so the emitted light travels into another of the light receivers. The switch further includes an electromagnet for generating first and second magnetic fields selectively for moving the reflector and the first permanent magnet between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Yokoyama, Munehisa Takeda, Hitoshi Ota, Aritomo Uemura, Tadayoshi Kitayama
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Patent number: 6052217Abstract: Thin film AMA and method for manufacturing the thin film AMA are disclosed. The thin film AMA has an active matrix, a supporting member, actuating parts, a reflecting member, and a flatness enhancing member. The flatness enhancing member such as the stress balancing layer or the stiffening member is formed beneath the reflecting member in order to enhance the flatness of the reflecting member without a bending of the reflecting member. Therefore, the reflecting member can have the level surface by the flatness enhancing member though the deformation stress such as residual stress is generated in the reflecting member during forming the reflecting member, so the light efficiency is enhanced and the quality of the picture projected onto the screen is increased.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co. Ltd.Inventor: Kyu-Ho Hwang