Texas Instruments Corporation

Benjamin Lowell Lee

Walter Marvin Duncan

Claude E Tew

Terry Alan Bartlett

David Mehrl

Paul Lawrence Rancuret

Elisabeth Marley Koontz

Kun Cindy Pan

Bryce Daniel Sawyers

Terry A Barlett

A system comprises two or more light sources comprising a first light source and a second light source, each light source of the two or more light sources configured to provide light of a particular wavelength, wherein a first wavelength of a first light provided by the first light source differs from a second wavelength of a second light provided by the second light source, and wherein the first light has a first radiant energy that experiences roll-off. The system further comprises a controller configured to modulate an attribute of each light source to compensate for the roll-off, the modulation comprising modulating an attribute of the first light source, and the modulation further comprising modulating an attribute of the second light source, the modulation of the second attribute being different from the modulation of the first attribute.

Color splitting method for light sources

The present application describes a system and method for determining characteristics (e.g., exact band location, orientation and height and the spot shape and size of a single wavelength and the like) of an optical signal projected on a spatial light modulator. In an embodiment, images with sharper edges (i.e. clear boundary between 'on' pixels and 'off' pixels) on the spatial light modulator are used to obtain spectral information from a referenced broadband source. The spectral information can be used to determine the desired characteristics of optical signals projected on the spatial light modulator.

Method and system for determining characteristics of optical signals on spatial light modulator surfaces

A method for assuring a blazed condition in a DMD device used in telecommunications applications. By meeting certain conditions in the fabrication and operation of the DMD, the device can achieve a blazed condition and be very effective in switching near monochromatic spatially coherent light, thereby opening up a whole new application field for such devices. This method determines the optimal pixel pitch and mirror tilt angle for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light to assure blazed operating conditions. The Fraunhofer envelope is determined by convolving the Fourier transforms of the mirror aperture and the delta function at the center of each mirror and then aligning the center of this envelope with a diffraction order to provide a blazed condition. The method of the present invention presents a formula for precisely determining the mirror pitch and tilt angle to assure that a blazed condition exists for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light. Considerations for the special case, know as Littrow conditions, where the incident and the reflected light transverse the same path, are also given. This case is particularly attractive for fiber optic/telecommunication applications since the same optics can be used for incoming and outgoing (reflected) light.

Two-dimensional blazed MEMS granting

A method to improve an extinction ratio of an optical device, the method includes positioning at least a majority of a plurality of micro-mirrors in an off-state position. A mirror assembly includes the plurality of micro-mirrors. The method also includes selectively positioning at least one of the plurality of micro-mirrors in an on-state position. In one particular embodiment, the at least one of the plurality of micro-mirrors positioned in the on-state position operates to improve an extinction ratio of an optical device.

Method to improve an extinction ratio of an optical device

Disclosed is a method for generating patterns to be used in a spatial light modulator having a plurality of pixels. The method includes generating an optical pattern to be placed upon the pixels of the spatial light modulator, applying the optical pattern to the pixels of the spatial light modulator, measuring the optical performance of the plurality of pixels having the optical pattern applied to it, comparing the measured optical performance to a target optical performance, and adjusting the optical pattern applied to the plurality of pixels to form another optical pattern that more closely achieves the target optical performance.

Generation of digital patterns for spatial light modulation

Two-dimensional blazed MEMS grating

A method and system for indirectly measuring the tilt angle of micromirrors in a micromirror array. The method and system aims a coherent light beam through an aperture in a screen so that it reflects off of the surface of the micromirror array and creates a pattern of reflected light on the screen. The micromirror array is loaded with a pattern that has a uniform power spectral density (such as a random, aperiodic pattern or a frequency chirped sinusoidal spatial pattern) whereby certain micromirrors will be placed in the &ldquo;on&rdquo; position and the other micromirrors will be placed in the &ldquo;off&rdquo; position. By loading the micromirror array with a pattern having a uniform power spectral density distribution, the discrete nature of the resulting diffraction pattern is reduced and a pair of &lsqb;sin(x)/x&rsqb; patterns will be generated on the screen. These &lsqb;sin(x)/x&rsqb; patterns can be used to measure a variety of characteristics of the micromirrors, such as tilt angle, &ldquo;roll&rdquo;, and deformation of the mirrors as they are tilted.

Growing community of inventors

Duncanville, TX, United States of America

Benjamin Lowell Lee