A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced-apart elements, each of which includes a light-reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light-reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation the light-reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of the respective elements is equal to m/4 × the wavelength of the incident beam of light, wherein m equals an even whole number or zero when the elements are in the first configuration and m equals an odd whole number when the elements are in the second configuration.

Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam

A display system for providing a two dimensional image includes an essentially one dimensional light valve array. The diffractive light valve array includes modulator elements which diffract or reflect light incident thereon to an extent determined by an image element to be represented. The display system is arranged such diffracted light from the light-valve array passes through a magnifying lens and is separated from the reflected light from the array. A magnified virtual image of the array formed by the diffracted light is viewed through the magnifying lens. A scanning arrangement between the viewer and the magnifying lens scans the image of the light-valve array across the field of view of the viewer sufficiently quickly that the viewer perceives the scanned image as a two-dimensional image. In another arrangement a printer is formed by scanning a real image of the diffractive light valve array over a printing or recording medium.

Display device incorporating one-dimensional grating light-valve array

The current invention provides for encapsulated release structures, intermediates thereof and methods for their fabrication. The multi-layer structure has a capping layer, that preferably comprises silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride, and which is formed over an etch resistant substrate. A patterned device layer, preferably comprising silicon nitride, is embedded in a sacrificial material, preferably comprising polysilicon, and is disposed between the etch resistant substrate and the capping layer. Access trenches or holes are formed in to capping layer and the sacrificial material are selectively etched through the access trenches, such that portions of the device layer are release from sacrificial material. The etchant preferably comprises a noble gas fluoride NGF 2x (wherein Ng=Xe, Kr or Ar: and where x=1, 2 or 3). After etching that sacrificial material, the access trenches are sealed to encapsulate released portions the device layer between the etch resistant substrate and the capping layer. The current invention is particularly useful for fabricating MEMS devices, multiple cavity devices and devices with multiple release features.

Microelectronic mechanical system and methods

A diffraction grating light valve modulates an incident beam of light. A plurality of elongated elements each have a reflective surface. The elongated elements are suspended with their respective ends substantially coplanar. Alternate ones of the elongated elements are electrically coupled for receiving a first bias voltage. The interdigitated elongated elements are electrically coupled for receiving a second bias voltage. By applying an appropriate first and second biasing voltages, all the reflective surfaces can be maintained in a first plane. When all the elongated elements are in the first plane, the diffraction grating light valve reflects the beam of light. A predetermined group of the elongated elements, preferably alternate ones, are deformable to be substantially coplanar in a second plane which is parallel to the first plane. When the predetermined group of elements is in the second plane, the diffraction grating light valve diffracts the beam of light.

Flat diffraction grating light valve

A method and apparatus of hermetically passivating a semiconductor device includes sealing a lid directly onto a semiconductor substrate. An active device is formed on the surface of the substrate and is surrounded by a substantially planar lid sealing region, which in turn is surrounded by bonding pads. A first layer of solderable material is formed on the lid sealing region. A lid is provided which has a second layer of solderable material in a configuration corresponding to the first layer. A solder is provided between the first layer and second layer of solderable materials. In the preferred embodiment, the solder is formed over the second layer. Heat is provided to hermetically join the lid to the semiconductor device without requiring a conventional package. Preferably the first and second layers are sandwiches of conventionally known solderable materials which can be processed using conventional semiconductor techniques. An angle between the lid and the semiconductor device can be controlled by adjusting relative widths of one or both the layers of solderable materials.

Method of and apparatus for sealing an hermetic lid to a semiconductor die

A switching regulator power supply operates at a high frequency with a low loss, light weight ferrite core transformer The transformer primary is selectively connected across a DC source of rectified AC power for a predetermined time to provide energy storage followed by a predetermined time period of disconnect to provide energy transfer by way of transformer flyback The energy storage and energy transfer cycles are initiated by a novel, self-starting timing circuit The power parameters in at least one of a plurality of secondary windings are sensed and compared with a reference standard Any error, in the form of a pulse-width-modulated pulse is coupled back to a primary control for adjustment of the energy storage time period The coupling is done through a sealed opto-electronic coupler, this providing a DC coupling

Switching regulator power supply

A self-referencing power converter operates at a high frequency with a low loss, light weight ferrite core transformer. The transformer primary is selectively connected across a DC source of rectified AC power to provide energy storage followed by a predetermined time period of disconnect to provide energy transfer by way of transformer flyback. The energy storage cycle begins when the voltage across the primary winding of the transformer does not exceed a predetermined value and the predetermined time period of disconnect has ended. A current sensing circuit senses the current flowing through the primary winding, permitting such current to flow until a power reference is reached. A comparison circuit in the transformer secondary compares a reference voltage with an operating voltage and returns any error voltage to the primary circuit, the error voltage then being used to set the power reference.

Self-referencing power converter

Test system for automatically making static and dynamic tests on an electronic device

A circuit having a gated, symmetrical switch is provided for insertion between an AC source of power and a load, and prevents a surge current from entering the load when the AC input is initially applied. A symmetrical negative resistance device that begins conducting at a prescribed voltage and remains on as a constant voltage regulator until the AC input voltage drops below a sustaining value is connected to provide the prescribed voltage to the gate control of the gated symmetrical switch. An RC circuit controls the length of time required for the AC input voltage to reach the prescribed voltage at the input to the symmetrical negative resistance device. At least part of the resistance in the RC circuit is of the negative temperature coefficient type, resulting in the resistance value decreasing as the temperature of the negative temperature coefficient device increases, thereby shortening the time after which the prescribed voltage to the symmetrical negative resistance device is applied.

William E Bray

Papers

Switching regulator power supply

Self-referencing power converter

Test system for automatically making static and dynamic tests on an electronic device

Electronic variac surge current limiting circuit

Universal electronic test system for automatically making static and dynamic tests on an electronic device