US4626920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state light modulator structure
Assignee: New York Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1984-01-30
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2004-01-30
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to improvements in an apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal. A semiconductor device is provided, the device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon. An elastomer layer is disposed on the semiconductor device, over the array of charge storage electrodes. The elastomer layer has a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one times the average spacing between charge storage electrodes. At least one conductive layer is disposed over the elastomer layer. The semiconductor device is responsive to the input video signal to selectively apply voltages between the charge storage electrodes and the at least one conductive layer to cause deformations of the conductive layer and the elastomer layer. An optical subsystem is provided for converting deformations of the at least one conductive layer into an image, for example using a Schleirin optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a plastic pellicle layer is disposed between the elastomer layer and the at least one conductive layer. This plastic pellicle layer is useful during the fabrication of the device, and also serves to protect the at least one conductive layer against elements in the elastomer layer that might have a degrading effect thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Glenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, comprising: a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes, and having a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one times the average spacing between charge storage electrodes; at least one conductive layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said at least one conductive layer to cause deformations of the metal layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of said at least one conductive layer into an image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, comprising: a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes, and having a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one times the average spacing between charge storage electrodes; at least one conductive layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said at least one conductive layer to cause deformations of the metal layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of said at least one conductive layer into an image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the thickness of said elastomer layer is about one-half the average spacing between charge storage electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the elastomer layer has a compliance in the range 3 to 30 mm penetration on a universal penetrometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein the elastomer layer has a compliance in the range 3 to 30 mm penetration on a universal penetrometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said elastomer layer comprises silicone gel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said elastomer layer comprises silicone gel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said elastomer layer comprises silicone gel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein a plastic pellicle layer is disposed between said elastomer layer and said at least one conductive layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein a plastic pellicle layer is disposed between said elastomer layer and said at least one conductive layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein a plastic pellicle layer is disposed between said elastomer layer and said at least one conductive layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein said pellicle thickness is less than about two microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein said pellicle thickness is less than about two microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein said pellicle thickness is less than about two microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said at least one conductive layer comprises a layer of silver covering a layer of gold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein said at least one conductive layer comprises a layer of silver covering a layer of gold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein said at least one conductive layer comprises a layer of silver covering a layer of gold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said at least one conductive layer comprises a layer of silver covering a layer of gold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
For use in an apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, the apparatus including a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes; a conductive layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said conductive layer to cause deformations of the conductive layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of the conductive layer into an image; the improvement comprising: said elastomer layer having a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one-times the average spacing between said charge storage electrodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
For use in an apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, the apparatus including a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes; a conductive layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said conductive layer to cause deformations of the conductive layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of the conductive layer into an image; the improvement comprising: said elastomer layer having a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one-times the average spacing between said charge storage electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 18, wherein the thickness of said elastomer layer is about one-half the average spacing between charge storage electrodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 18, wherein the elastomer layer has a compliance in the range 3 to 30 mm penetration on a universal penetrometer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 19, wherein the elastomer layer has a compliance in the range 3 to 30 mm penetration on a universal penetrometer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 20, wherein said elastomer layer comprises silicone gel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 21, wherein said elastomer layer comprises silicone gel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, comprising: a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer of silicone gel disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes; a plastic pellicle layer disposed over said elastomer layer; at least one conductive metal layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said at least one metal layer to cause deformations of the metal layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of said at least one conductive layer into an image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal, comprising: a semiconductor device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon; an elastomer layer of silicone gel disposed on said semiconductor device over said array of electrodes; a plastic pellicle layer disposed over said elastomer layer; at least one conductive metal layer disposed over said elastomer layer; said semiconductor device being responsive to said input video signal to selectively apply voltages between said charge storage electrodes and said at least one metal layer to cause deformations of the metal layer and the elastomer layer; and an optical subsystem for converting deformations of said at least one conductive layer into an image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said at least one metal layer comprises a layer of silver covering a layer of gold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said elastomer layer has a compliance in the range 3 to 30 mm penetration on a universal penetrometer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3882271A
Cited
US4119368A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-01 | 1990-06-02 | 1990-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-01 | 1994-06-02 | 1994-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-01 | 1998-06-02 | 1998-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |