The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1998
Edward P Furlani, Lancaster, NY (US);
William J Grande, Pittsford, NY (US);
Thomas M Stephany, Churchville, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
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.