Nano-stamping to create two different gratings to modulate light in amplitude and phase via liquid crystals
AssigneeSysview Technology, Inc.
InventorsDarwin Hu, Cheng Hsing Liao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Architecture and designs of modulating both amplitude and phase at the same time in spatial light modulation are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, nano-imprinting lithograph (NIL) and E-beam are used to create micro structures (transparent) as alignment cells. A first group of the alignment cells are oriented in a first direction and a second group of the alignment cells are oriented in a second direction, light going through the first group of the alignment cells is modulated in amplitude thereof and the light going through the second group of the alignment cells is modulated in phase thereof, all via the liquid crystals and at the same time.
Claims19
A spatial light modulator comprising:
- a layer of liquid crystals, with a predefined thickness, sandwiched between a transparent electrode layer and a reflecting electrode layer, wherein the reflecting electrode comprises an array of pixel electrodes, each controlling one of pixels in two-dimensional (2D) array, and is built on a silicon substrate;
- and
- at least a first layer of grating attached to the layer of liquid crystals, wherein the first layer of grating is formed by a layer of transparent material imprinted with a stamp, wherein the first layer of grating includes a shallow or short-pitch grating for liquid crystal alignment superimposed onto a deeper or large-pitch grating so as to cause light modulations in amplitude and phase.
A method in a spatial light modulator, the method comprising:
- providing a layer of monomer liquid on a transparent substrate;
- pressing a stamper onto the monomer liquid to create imprints in the monomer liquid;
- curing the monomer liquid to create the first layer of grating with a short-pitch grating and a large-pitch grating;
- and
- forming on top of the first layer of grating a layer of liquid crystals, with a predefined thickness, wherein light is modulated in amplitude and phase with the short-pitch grating and the large-pitch grating via the liquid crystals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.