Patent ID: 7164522
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A spatial light modulator comprising: a substrate; a movable member provided above the substrate so as to hang across the substrate in a displaceable manner, wherein at least a portion of the movable member is a conductive section; an optical functional film that follows displacement of the movable member, the optical functional film being fixed to the movable member, wherein the optical functional film may be formed integrally with or separately from the movable member; and a fixed drive electrode disposed outside a range of rotational path within which mechanical displacement of the movable member becomes feasible, so as to cause displacement and driving of the movable member, wherein electrostatic attracting force is exerted between the movable member and the fixed drive electrode by a drive voltage application to at least one of the conductive section of said movable member and the fixed drive electrode, and the movable member is actuated and displaced with respect to the fixed drive electrode while maintaining the movable member in a non-contact state and then brought to a standstill, so as to modulate light radiated on the optical function film, wherein the movable member further comprises a beam, the beam being provided above the substrate so as to hang across the substrate, wherein the optical function film can be rotationally displaced by torsion of the beam; and wherein the fixed drive electrode is disposed outside of a range of rotational path of the movable member defined by the torsion of the beam, and the optical function film is pivotally displaced by the drive voltage application.