Integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light

Claim 2

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators comprising: an array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels formed on a substrate with each pixel including a control circuit formed in the substrate, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate, a mirror positioned on the substrate in overlying relationship to the control circuit, and spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the mirror so that light passing through the spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the spatial light modulator material; a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels; a mounting support including an electrical portion and an optical waveguide portion, with the optical waveguide portion having a light input surface, a light output surface, and a mirrored surface for directing light from the light input surface toward the light output surface, the polarizing layer and the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels being mounted on the light input surface of the mounting support; a light source mounted in the mirrored surface of the optical waveguide portion and positioned to direct light through the polarizing layer and onto the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels with the light source spaced from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels, so that light from the light source substantially evenly illuminates the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels, the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels being positioned so that reflected light from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels is directed through the polarizing layer, into the light input surface and onto the mirrored surface through the optical portion; and a diffuser mounted in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support to form an image plane for reflected light from the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels.

Claim 3

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support is optically clear plastic.

Claim 4

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 2 wherein the optically clear plastic has a temperature coefficient of expansion that is substantially similar to the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels' temperature coefficient of expansion.

Claim 5

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support is molded optically clear plastic.

Claim 6

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode.

Claim 7

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 5 wherein the light source includes at least two light emitting diodes, each of which emit a different color of light.

Claim 8

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 wherein the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support includes a molded optically clear plastic and the light source is a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded in the optically clear plastic.

Claim 9

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 where, in the array of reflective spatial light modulator pixels, the layer of spatial light modulator material is a continuous layer across the entire array and each control circuit for each pixel formed in the substrate includes one contact, the array further including an optically clear contact positioned on an opposite side of the continuous layer with the one contact and the optically clear contact defining a pixel within the continuous layer.

Claim 10

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 8 wherein the spatial light modulator material includes liquid crystal material.

Claim 11

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 8 wherein the liquid crystal material includes ferroelectric light crystal material.

Claim 12

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 8 wherein the optically clear contact for each pixel is formed in a layer if indium-tin-oxide deposited in overlying relationship to the continuous layer of spatial light modulator material.

Claim 13

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 8 wherein the mirror positioned on the substrate is a polished pad of metal, one for each pixel, which pad of metal also forms the one contact included in the control circuit.

Claim 14

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 10 wherein the polished pad of metal for each pixel is a polished pad of aluminum.

Claim 15

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrical portion of the mounting support includes leads formed in the electrical portion so as to be in electrical contact with the control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate of each control circuit and the leads further extend to an external portion of the housing to form external contacts for the control circuits.

Claim 16

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 14 wherein the electrical portion of the mounting support is molded and the leads are a leadframe molded into the electrical portion of the mounting support.

Claim 17

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising: a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact mirror positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact mirror defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact mirrors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, and an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel; a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack; a mounting support including an electrical portion and an optical waveguide portion, with the optical waveguide portion having a light input surface, a light output surface, and a mirrored surface for directing light from the light input surface toward the light output surface, the polarizing layer and the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being mounted on the light input surface of the mounting support; a light source mounted in the mirrored surface of the optical waveguide portion and positioned to direct light through the polarizing layer and onto the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack with the light source spaced from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, so that light from the light source substantially evenly illuminates the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, the array of reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being positioned so that reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack is directed through the polarizing layer, into the light input surface and onto the mirrored surface through the optical portion; and a diffuser mounted in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support to form an image plane for reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack.

Claim 18

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising: a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact mirror positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact mirror defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact mirrors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, and an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel; a light polarizing layer positioned in overlying relationship to the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack; a mounting support including an electrical portion and an optical waveguide portion, with the optical waveguide portion having a light input surface, a light output surface, and a mirrored surface for directing light from the light input surface toward the light output surface, the polarizing layer and the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being mounted on the light input surface of the mounting support; a light source mounted in the mirrored surface of the optical waveguide portion and positioned to direct light through the polarizing layer and onto the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack with the light source spaced from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, so that light from the light source substantially evenly illuminates the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, the array of reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being positioned so that reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack is directed through the polarizing layer, into the light input surface and onto the mirrored surface through the optical portion; and a diffuser mounted in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support to form an image plane for reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack.

Claim 19

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 16 wherein the layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is contained within a closed cavity having internal opposed flat surfaces, the electrical contact mirrors are affixed to one of the internal surfaces and the electrically conductive optically transparent layer is affixed to the other of the internal surfaces.

Claim 20

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 17 wherein the closed cavity is defined by a surface of the substrate, a spacer affixed to the surface of the substrate and a glass plate affixed over the spacer.

Claim 21

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising: a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact mirror positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact mirror defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact mirrors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel, and the layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material being contained within a closed cavity having internal opposed flat surfaces and defined by a surface of the substrate, a spacer affixed to the surface of the substrate and a glass plate affixed over the spacer with the electrical contact mirrors affixed to one of the internal surfaces and the electrically conductive optically transparent layer affixed to the other of the internal surfaces; a light polarizing layer; a mounting support including an electrical portion and an optical waveguide portion, with the optical waveguide portion having a light input surface, a light output surface, and a mirrored surface for directing light from the light input surface toward the light output surface, the polarizing layer and the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being mounted on the light input surface of the mounting support; a light source mounted in the mirrored surface of the optical waveguide portion and positioned to direct light through the polarizing layer and onto the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack with the light source spaced from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, so that light from the light source substantially evenly illuminates the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, the array of reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being positioned so that reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack is directed through the polarizing layer, into the light input surface and onto the mirrored surface through the optical portion; a diffuser mounted in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support to form an image plane for reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack; and the electrical portion of the mounting support including leads formed in the electrical portion so as to be in electrical contact with the control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate of each control circuit and the leads further extend to an external portion of the mounting support to form external contacts for the control circuits.

Claim 22

An integrated electro-optic package for reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulators comprising: a reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack including a substrate with a plurality of control circuits formed therein, each control circuit including control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate and an electrical contact mirror positioned on the substrate, each electrical contact mirror defining a pixel and a first electrical contact for the pixel, a layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material positioned in overlying relationship to the electrical contact mirrors so that light passing through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material is reflected back through the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material, an electrically conductive optically transparent layer of material positioned on an opposite surface of the liquid crystal spatial light modulator material to form a second electrical contact for each pixel, and the layer of liquid crystal spatial light modulator material being contained within a closed cavity having internal opposed flat surfaces and defined by a surface of the substrate, a spacer affixed to the surface of the substrate and a glass plate affixed over the spacer with the electrical contact mirrors affixed to one of the internal surfaces and the electrically conductive optically transparent layer affixed to the other of the internal surfaces; a light polarizing layer; a mounting support including an electrical portion and an optical waveguide portion, with the optical waveguide portion having a light input surface, a light output surface, and a mirrored surface for directing light from the light input surface toward the light output surface, the polarizing layer and the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being mounted on the light input surface of the mounting support; a light source mounted in the mirrored surface of the optical waveguide portion and positioned to direct light through the polarizing layer and onto the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack with the light source spaced from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, so that light from the light source substantially evenly illuminates the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack, the array of reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack being positioned so that reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack is directed through the polarizing layer, into the light input surface and onto the mirrored surface through the optical portion; a diffuser mounted in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support to form an image plane for reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator stack; and the electrical portion of the mounting support including leads formed in the electrical portion so as to be in electrical contact with the control terminals adjacent an outer edge of the substrate of each control circuit and the leads further extend to an external portion of the mounting support to form external contacts for the control circuits.

Claim 25

A method of fabricating an integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 20 wherein the step of diffusing includes mounting a diffuser in overlying relationship to the light output surface of the mounting support to form an image plane for light reflected from the stack and passing through the polarizing layer and the optical waveguide portion of the mounting support.

Claim 26

A method of fabricating an integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 20 wherein the step of forming a mounting support includes molding the mounting support from plastic.

Claim 27

A method of fabricating an integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 22 wherein the step of molding the mounting support from plastic includes a step of molding a leadframe into the plastic to form the plurality of electrical leads.

Claim 28

A method of fabricating an integrated electro-optic package for reflective spatial light modulators as claimed in claim 23 wherein the step of molding the mounting support from plastic and the step of mounting a light source in the mirrored surface include forming the mounting support with an angled surface spaced from the light input surface and in a generally opposed relationship thereto and positioning at least one light emitting diode and forming a mirror on the angled surface.