Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam

A color display system comprising:

• a. a multi-frequency light source for forming a multi-frequency light beam;
• b. a plurality of optical devices, each mounted to receive the light beam wherein each of the optical devices is selectably configurable to diffract a particular frequency of the light beam in a same predetermined direction for forming a plurality of diffracted beams;
• and
• c. an optical collection system mounted to receive the diffracted beams for forming an image.

At least two modulators for modulating an incident beam of light, each comprising:

• a. a plurality of elongated elements, each including a light reflective planar surface, the elements being arranged parallel to each other and with the light reflective surfaces of the elements lying in at least one parallel plane;
• b. means for supporting the elements in a relation to one another such that the elements in each modulator are spaced at a predetermined grating period;
• and
• c. means for moving a first set of the elements in a direction normal to said planes and relative to a second set of the elements, and between a first modulator configuration wherein said first and second sets act to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second modulator configuration wherein said first and second sets diffract the incident beam of light as it is reflected from the surfaces of the elements wherein each modulator has a different grating period such that a first modulator diffracts a first frequency of light from the incident beam of light in a predetermined direction and a second modulator diffracts a second frequency of light from the incident light in the predetermined direction for allowing perception of a color which is intermediate to colors corresponding with the first and second frequencies.

A color display system comprising:

• a. a multi-frequency light source for forming a multi-frequency light beam;
• and
• b. at least two modulators for modulating an incident beam of light, each comprising:
• (1) a plurality of elongated elements, each including a light reflective planar surface, the elements being arranged parallel to each other and with the light reflective surfaces of the elements lying in at least one parallel plane;
• (2) means for supporting the elements in a relation to one another such that the elements in each modulator are spaced at a predetermined grating period;
• and
• (3) means for moving a first set of the elements in a direction normal to said planes and relative to a second set of the elements, and between a first modulator configuration wherein said first and second sets act to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second modulator configuration wherein said first and second sets diffract the incident beam of light as it is reflected from the surfaces of the elements
• wherein each modulator has a different grating period such that a first modulator diffracts a first frequency of light from the incident beam of light in a predetermined direction and a second modulator diffracts a second frequency of light from the incident beam of light in the predetermined direction for allowing perception of a color which is intermediate to colors corresponding with the first and the second frequencies.

A device for modulating an incident beam of light for forming color, the incident beam including a plurality of frequencies, the device comprising:

• a. a plurality of diffraction gratings;
• and
• b. means for selectively configuring each grating to diffract the incident beam of light;
• wherein each diffraction grating is configured to diffract a predetermined frequency of light in a same predetermined direction for spatially directing each predetermined frequency of light diffracted by each diffraction grating for allowing perception of color which is intermediate to colors of a frequency of light from each of the diffraction gratings.