Invention:
This technology uses photonic crystals on rotary microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to achieve continuous amplitude and phase modulations in digital micromirror devices (DMDs) and other spatial light modulators (SLMs). By incorporating guided mode resonance (GMR) in photonic crystals and utilizing anisotropic and geometric phase metasurfaces, the invention achieves precise, continuous control over the amplitude and phase of reflected light. As the MEMS rotates, the polarization component of the incident light that excites the guided mode resonance (GMR) changes. This change in polarization alters the resonance condition, thereby varying the amplitude of the reflected light. The GMR's dependency on polarization provides a precise mechanism to modulate the amplitude continuously as the rotation angle changes. This technology holds significant potential for applications in high-resolution displays, adaptive optics, optical communication, and advanced imaging.
Background:
Traditionally, DMDs operate in a binary fashion, where individual mirrors are rapidly switched on and off at high speed to achieve a range of perceived light intensities. This traditional approach consumes excessive power and requires more complex electronic setups than the continuous modulation method utilized by this technology. This limitation poses challenges in fields requiring fine-tuned optical control, such as adaptive optics and advanced imaging. To overcome these inefficiencies, this technology achieves continuous amplitude and phase modulation, making possible cheaper and less complex displays and projectors.
Applications:
- Optical communication systems
- Consumer electronics
- High-resolution displays
- Adaptive optics
- Biomedical imaging
- Aerospace
- Automotive
Advantages:
- Higher efficiency
- Increased optical precision
- Enhanced modulation control
