Enhance thermal stability through optical segmentation

An optical device comprising a segmented reflective ribbon structure with an active area for reflecting light, the active area comprising a plurality of reflective regions separated by gaps, wherein the gaps are 10 or less percent of the total active area of the ribbon.

A system comprising a light modulator, the light modulator comprising a plurality of movable segmented reflective ribbon structures for moving a distance of an integral multiple of a quarter of a predetermined wavelength to switch between the conditions for constructive and destructive interference with an incident light source having the predetermined wavelength, wherein the segmented reflective ribbon structures comprise a plurality of reflective surface segments formed from a first material and second material distributed in an alternating fashion.

A method of making a thermally stable segmented reflective surface on a micro structure comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a reflective surface on the micro-structure;
• b. patterning the reflective surface to form reflective segments and gaps.

A system comprising

• a. means to generate a light beam with a selected wavelength;
• and
• b. means to modulate the light from the light beam, the means to modulate the light from the light beam comprising a plurality of ribbons with patterned reflective surfaces, wherein each reflective surface comprises highly reflective segments separated by gap sections, whereby a portion of the plurality of ribbons are selectively moved to modulate light from the light beam with the light beam incident on the reflective surfaces.