Conformable electrodes for proximity coupled electro-optic devices
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsRobert A. Sprague, William D. Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The electrodes of a proximity coupled, multigate electro-optic light valve are overcoated with a soft, conformable composition which flows in its solid state to conform to the electro-optic element of the light valve when the electrodes are pressed thereagainst. For example, standard semiconductor fabrication techniques may be utilized to fabricate a suitably patterned set of electrically independent, elongated electrical conductors on a silicon integrated circuit, and those conductors are, in turn, overcoated with a high dielectric constant, conformable material, such as indium or aluminum.
Claims3
In a multigate electro-optic light valve having an electro-optic element, and a plurality of individually addressable electrodes engaged with said electro-optic element for proximity coupling electric fields into said electro-optic element;
- the improvement wherein
- said electrodes include elongated electrical conductors and a relatively soft overcoating deposited on said conductors, said overcoating being selected so that it flows in its solid state to cause said electrodes to conform to said electro-optic element, thereby providing generally uniform surface contact between said electrodes and said electro-optic element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.