Patent ID: 7298539

Claim:
A spatial light modulator, the spatial light modulator comprising: a first substrate comprising a plurality of electrically activated electrodes and a bias grid; a standoff structure coupled to the first substrate, the standoff structure comprising: a central portion projecting to a first height above the first substrate, and an extension portion projecting to a second height above the first substrate, the extension portion including two sets of lateral extension arms coupled to and extending away from the central section, each set comprising at least two arms coupled to the first substrate and defining a cavity region bounded on two sides by the at least two arms and a third side by the first substrate, wherein the second height is less than the first height; a mirror plate comprising: a central contact structure integrally formed with the central portion of the standoff structure, a torsion beam coplanar with the central contact structure and free from contact with the standoff structure, and a reflective surface coupled to the torsion beam and free from contact with the standoff structure.