Display device having an array of spatial light modulators with integrated color filters

An interferometric modulator configured to output multiple lines in a range of wavelengths that are visible to a human eye, the modulator comprising:

• a partially reflective surface;
• a reflective surface located with respect to the partially reflective surface such that a gap therebetween is sufficiently large so that light output from the interferometric modulator has a spectrum including multiple lines;
• and
• a filter configured to transmit wavelengths of light that are only within a desired range of wavelengths, wherein the filter is disposed so as to receive light reflected from at least one of the surfaces such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.

An interferometric modulator comprising:

• a partially reflective surface;
• a reflective surface;
• a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces;
• and
• a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a gap distance is the distance between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface;
• wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently small such that when the modulator is in a closed state interference of a large range of wavelengths of visible light is frustrated so that the modulator reflects visible light, and wherein when the modulator is in an open state the gap distance is sufficiently large to cause destructive interference, such that the modulator substantially inhibits reflection of visible light.

A low-capacitance interferometric modulator comprising:

• a reflective surface;
• a partially reflective surface, said reflecting surface and said partially reflecting surface movable with respect to each other to provide an open state and a closed state for said interferometric modulator;
• and
• a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, the thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently large to cause reflectivity lines at about 370 nanometers and about 730 nanometers when the modulator is in the closed state.

A method of manufacturing a display region comprising:

• fabricating an array of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable surface so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines;
• fabricating a color filter that is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter;
• and
• coupling the color filter to at least one of the display elements so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter.

A display region, manufactured by the process of:

• fabricating an array of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines;
• fabricating a color filter that is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter;
• and
• coupling the color filter to at least one of the display elements so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter.

A display comprising:

• an array of interferometric modulators each comprising
• a partially reflective surface comprising a transparent conductor layer and a partially reflective layer;
• a reflective surface;
• a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces;
• and
• a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red;
• and
• at least one color filter disposed so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.

A method of manufacturing a display, the method comprising:

• fabricating an array of interferometric modulators each comprising a partially reflective surface, a reflective surface, a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, and a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red;
• and
• fabricating at least one color filter so that the color filter transmits light within a range of wavelengths selected to include at least one of the following:
• red wavelengths, green wavelengths, and blue wavelengths;
• and
• positioning the color filter so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.

A display manufacturing by the process:

• fabricating an array of interferometric modulators each comprising a partially reflective surface, a reflective surface, a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, and a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red;
• and
• fabricating at least one color filter so that the color filter transmits light within a range of wavelengths selected to include at least one of the following:
• red wavelengths, green wavelengths, and blue wavelengths;
• and
• positioning the color filter so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.

An interferometric modulator comprising:

• means for partially reflecting light;
• means for reflecting light, wherein the means for partially reflecting and the means for reflecting are configured so as to provide a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines;
• and
• means for filtering only a desired one of the multiple lines for viewing by a human eye.