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:
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:
Disclosed herein is a micromirror array device that comprises an array of reflective deflectable mirror plates each being associated with one single addressing electrode to be deflected to an ON state angle. A light transmissive electrode is disposed proximate to the mirror plates for deflecting the mirror plates to a non-zero OFF angle. The mirror plates are arranged in the array with a center-to-centre distance of 10.17 microns or less.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a micromirror device having in-plane deformable hinge to which a deflectable and reflective mirror plate is attached. The mirror plate rotates to different angles in response to an electrostatic field established between the mirror plate and an addressing electrode associated with the mirror plate.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a micromirror array device package having a light absorbing material disposed within the package for reducing undesired light scattering. The light absorbing material can be deposited as a thin film (or strip, frame, segments or a combination thereof), or as a vertical wall insert between the micromirror array device and a cover substrate of the package.
Abstract:
A micromirror array comprises micromirrors of different properties for use particularly in display systems. Micromirrors of different properties can be arranged within the micromirror array according to a predetermined pattern, or randomly. However, it is advantageous to arrange the micromirrors with different properties within the micromirror array neither in complete order nor complete in random.
Abstract:
The micromirror of the present invention comprises a mirror plate having thereon a cavity allowing deformation of a hinge attached to the mirror plate and deflection of the mirror plate in operation.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a microstructure device comprising multiple substrates with the components of the device formed on the substrates. In order to maintain uniformity of the gap between the substrates, a plurality of pillars is provided and distributed in the gap so as to prevent decrease of the gap size. The increase of the gap size can be prevented by bonding the pillars to the components of the microstructure. Alternatively, the increase of the gap size can be prevented by maintaining the pressure inside the gap below the pressure under which the microstructure will be in operation. Electrical contact of the substrates on which the micromirrors and electrodes are formed can be made through many ways, such as electrical contact areas, electrical contact pads and electrical contact springs.
Abstract:
A spatial light modulator is disclosed, along with a method for making such a modulator that comprises an array of micromirror devices. The center-to-center distance and the gap between adjacent micromirror devices are determined corresponding to the light source being used so as to optimize optical efficiency and performance quality. The micromirror device comprises a hinge support formed on a substrate and a hinge that is held by the hinge support. A mirror plate is connected to the hinge via a contact, and the distance between the mirror plate and the hinge is determined according to desired maximum rotation angle of the mirror plate, the optimum gap and pitch between the adjacent micromirrors.In a method of fabricating such spatial light modulator, one sacrificial layer is deposited on a substrate followed by forming the mirror plates, and another sacrificial layer is deposited on the mirror plates followed by forming the hinge supports. The two sacrificial layers are removed via the small gap between adjacent mirror devices with spontaneous vapor phase chemical etchant. Also disclosed is a projection system that comprises such a spatial light modulator, as well as a light source, condensing optics, wherein light from the light source is focused onto the array of micromirrors, projection optics for projecting light selectively reflected from the array of micromirrors onto a target, and a controller for selectively actuating the micromirrors in the array.
Abstract:
A method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed, where a final release step is performed just prior to a wafer bonding step to protect the MEMS device from contamination, physical contact, or other deleterious external events. Without additional changes to the MEMS structure between release and wafer bonding and singulation, except for an optional stiction treatment, the MEMS device is best protected and overall process flow is improved. The method is applicable to the production of any MEMS device and is particularly beneficial in the making of fragile micromirrors.