Switchable Zero Order Diffraction Gratings as Light Valves.

Abstract

The motivation of this work is to produce line-addressable arrays of independently switchable light valves for flat-panel video displays. In addition, such light valves would be useful as spatial light modulators in optical signal processing. The principle of the light valves is based on the switching of the zero order of diffraction. Two gratings are fabricated face-to-face and displaced with respect to one another by half of one period. The displacement may be produced by using the strong piezoelectric properties of PVF2 or, alternatively, by using electrostatic forces. The goal of this project is to build a fast, lockable, miniature light valve which is compatible with fabrication into arrays.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 30, 1983
Accession Number
ADA133010

Entities

People

  • John Melngailis

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Diffraction
  • Displacement
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrodes
  • Etching
  • Fabrication
  • Generators
  • Gratings (Spectra)
  • Information Science
  • Massachusetts
  • Military Research
  • Modulators
  • Optical Modulators
  • Optical Properties
  • Reactive Ion Etching
  • Signal Processing

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.