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US 12,523,895 B2Granted
Advanced spatial light modulators, associated systems and methods
AssigneeSyght, Inc.
InventorsCharles C. Partee, Kevin D. McKinstry, Michael G. Machado
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.
Claims30
A spatial light modulator system, comprising:
- a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, each optical concentrator including a planar concentrator input area and a concentrator output area that is smaller than the planar concentrator input area such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam received at the planar concentrator input area into the concentrator output area;
- a modulation layer including an array of light modulators with each light modulator having a modulator input area that is supported in optical communication with the concentrator output area of one of the optical concentrators for modulating said portion of the input light beam and said light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer based on a ratio of the planar concentrator input area to the modulator input area to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators in the array of light modulators, each light modulator including a modulator core including a Faraday material formed as a Faraday post having opposing ends such that a first end of the Faraday post defines the modulator input area confronting the concentrator output area of a given one of the optical concentrators;
- an electrically conductive coil surrounding the Faraday post;
- and
- a waveguide interposed between the modulator core and the electrically conductive coil.
2 more elements
A spatial light modulator system, comprising:
- a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, each optical concentrator including a planar concentrator input area and a concentrator output area that is smaller than the planar concentrator input area such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam received at the planar concentrator input area into the concentrator output area;
- and
- a modulation layer including an array of light modulators with each light modulator having a modulator input area that is supported in optical communication with the concentrator output area of one of the optical concentrators for modulating said portion of the input light beam and said light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer based on a ratio of the planar concentrator input area to the modulator input area to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators in the array of light modulators, each light modulator including a modulator core including a Faraday material having first and second opposing ends;
- a coil surrounding each modulator core and supported within at least one of said gaps for producing a magnetic flus through the Faraday material to control a magnetic state of the Faraday material responsive to control signals;
- a flux return system including an arrangement of soft magnetic material to provide a flux return path external to the modulator core of each light modulator and extending between the first end of the Faraday material and the second end of the Faraday material and further including a first flux return sheet defining a first plurality of modulator core apertures receiving the array of light modulators such that the first flux return sheet is in magnetic flux communication with the first end of the Faraday material of each light modulator.
2 more elements
A method for producing a spatial light modulator system, said method comprising:
- forming a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, each optical concentrator including a planar concentrator input area and a concentrator output area that is smaller than the planar concentrator input area such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam received at the planar concentrator input area into the concentrator output area;
- arranging a modulation layer to include an array of light modulators with each light modulator having a modulator input area that is supported in optical communication with the concentrator output area of one of the optical concentrators for modulating said portion of the input light beam and said light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer based on a ratio of the planar concentrator input area to the modulator input area to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators in the array of light modulators with each light modulator including a modulator core including a Faraday material formed as a Faraday post having opposing ends such that a first end of the Faraday post defines the modulator input area confronting the concentrator output area of a given one of the optical concentrators;
- surrounding the Faraday post with an electrically conductive coil;
- and
- interposing a waveguide between the modulator core and the electrically conductive coil.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.