Light Valve System with Gap Maintenance System

A method of forming a light valve, comprising:

• providing a liquid crystal layer having first and second sides;
• applying a plurality of laser transparent aperture support structures into the liquid crystal layer;
• positioning a first electrode on a first semiconductor layer to form a first substrate;
• contacting the first semiconductor layer with the first side of the liquid crystal layer;
• positioning a second transparent electrode on a second semiconductor layer to form a second substrate;
• and
• contacting the second semiconductor layer with the second side of the liquid crystal layer.

An additive manufacturing system, comprising:

• a laser system;
• a powder bed;
• a light valve positioned to pattern light received from the laser system and direct the patterned light to the powder bed, wherein the light valve further comprises
• a liquid crystal layer having a first and a second side;
• a first substrate positioned in contact with the first side of the liquid crystal layer, with the first substrate having and a first semiconductor layer;
• and
• a second substrate positioned in contact with the second side of the liquid crystal layer, with the second substrate having a second semiconductor transparent electrode layer and a second semiconductor layer;
• and
• a plurality of laser transparent aperture support structures positioned within the liquid crystal layer to contact both the first and the second substrate.

A light valve, comprising:

• a liquid crystal layer having a first and a second side;
• a first substrate positioned in contact with the first side of the liquid crystal layer, with the first substrate having a first semiconductor layer;
• a second substrate positioned in contact with the second side of the liquid crystal layer, with the second substrate having a second semiconductor transparent electrode layer and a second semiconductor layer;
• and wherein
• the liquid crystal layer is within a uniform gap contacting both the first and the second substrate.