Light modulator with specific electrode configurations

Abstract

A light modulator for modulating a beam of light of wavelength .lambda. including a substrate, a fixed electrode formed over the substrate and arranged to reflect light; an insulative transparent layer defining a modulating region formed over the fixed electrode wherein the height of the insulative transparent layer is substantially an odd multiple of .lambda./n4, where n is the refractive index of the insulative transparent layer; the plurality of electrodes having a coiled portion disposed adjacent to the modulating region and effective in a first configuration wherein the coiled portion remains coiled and in a second flat configuration in response to a voltage applied between the plurality of electrodes and the fixed electrode for uncoiling the coiled portion so that it is in the second flat configuration over the modulating region; a top surface of the plurality of electrodes being made of a reflective material; and applying a voltage across the plurality of electrodes and the fixed electrode to uncoil the coiled portion so that it is in the second flat configuration and its top surface is arranged to reflect light illuminating the modulating region so that light reflected from the top surface of the plurality of electrodes interferes with the light reflected from the fixed electrode to modulate the light which illuminates the light modulating region.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.