Patent ID: 8087811

Claim:
A display comprising: (a) an optical waveguide for receiving and distributing light, having an upper surface and a spaced-apart lower surface, a plurality of light exit facets extending downwardly from said upper-surface and a plurality of recessed light reflecting facets interleaved with said light exit facets, said recessed light reflecting facets including a fixed electrode for electrostatic activation, and (b) a plurality of micro-mechanical picture elements disposed proximate said upper surface of said waveguide each adapted to modulate light exiting from a selected one of said light exit facets, and wherein most light exiting each said light exit facet of said optical waveguide is selectively directed to the viewer or to a light absorber, wherein each of said micro-mechanical picture elements includes a tilting micro-mirror having a tilt axis substantially parallel to a selected one of said light exit facets of said waveguide and actuated by an electrostatic force to selectively tilt said micro-mirror against a selected one of said recessed light reflecting facets.