Patent ID: 6313820
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: G09G

Abstract:
A method of operating a ferroelectric liquid crystal-based spatial light modulator in a non-DC-Balanced mode, the method comprising:A) providing a spatial light modulator including a transparent electrode, a pixellated electrode, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the transparent electrode and the pixellated electrode;B) illuminating the spatial light modulator with a light source;C) setting a portion of the pixellated electrode to a high drive signal level during a first portion of illuminated time;D) setting the portion of the pixellated electrode to a low drive signal level during a second portion of illuminated time;E) maintaining the transparent electrode at a first voltage potential between the high drive signal and the low drive signal during the first and second portions of illuminated time;F) darkening the spatial light modulator;G) setting the voltage of the transparent electrode voltage potential to a positive spiking voltage exceeding the first voltage potential for a first portion of darkened time;H) lowering the transparent electrode voltage potential to a negative spiking voltage below the first voltage potential for a second portion of darkened time; andI) repeating steps B) through I).