Patent ID: 7553684
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating an interferometric modulator, comprising: forming an optical stack on a transparent substrate using at least a first patterning fabrication process; forming a supporting structure over the substrate; and forming an upper mirror layer over the optical stack and supporting structure using at least a second patterning fabrication process; wherein a cavity is formed by at least one surface of the optical stack, the supporting structure and the upper mirror layer, where movement of a portion of the upper mirror layer into the cavity changes the optical properties perceived from a surface of the substrate in a controllable and predictable manner, and wherein at least one of the first and second fabrication processes comprises a lift-off process; wherein forming the upper mirror layer over the optical stack comprises depositing a sacrificial layer between the optical stack and the upper mirror layer; and wherein the lift-off process comprises lifting off at least a portion of the optical stack along with at least a portion of the sacrificial layer.