Electrocapillary devices

Details Electrocapillary devices Electrocapillary devices

1984-10-10

1986-04-22

Arnold, Bruce Y.

350360, G02B 2602

Patent

active

045838240

ABSTRACT:
Bistable electrocapillary devices useful as optical devices, which can be arranged in arrays to provide optical displays, use mercury/electrolyte interfaces which may be located in reservoirs in the form of narrow parallel gaps between an insulating sheet and glass plates. The gaps are connected by a capillary which extends through the sheet. A variable radius circular mirror is formed by the surface of the mercury where it contacts the glass sheets. A potential is applied briefly (as a pulse) across the interface to switch the mercury between two stable states. The diameter of the mirror is thereby also switched between two stable values. Light reflected from the mirror is modulated by variations in the mirror diameter. A panel display utilizes an arrangement of devices forming an array of mirrors which modulate light reflected therefrom to form an image in accordance with switching signals applied to the devices of the array.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3008374 (1961-11-01), Kreisman
patent: 3889080 (1975-06-01), Lucian
patent: 4395775 (1983-07-01), Roberts et al.
Lea, M. C., "Optical Modulators Based on Electrocapillarity", Optics Letters, vol. 6, No. 8, pp. 395-397, Aug. 1981.
Beni G. et al., "Electrowetting Displays"; Applied Phys. Lett. (4), Feb. 15, 1981, pp. 207-209.
Jackel, J. L. et al., "Electrowetting Switch for Multimode Optical Fibers", Applied Optics vol. 22, No. 11, pp. 1765-1770, Jun. 1, 1983.
Jackel, J. L. et al., "Electrowetting Optical Switch" Appl. Phys. Lett. 40(1), Jan. 1, 1982, pp. 4-6.
Beni, G. et al., "Continuous Electrowetting Effect" Appl. Phys. Lett. 40(10) May 15, 1982, pp. 912-914.
Beni, G. et al., "Dynamics of Electrowetting Displays", J. Appl. Phys. 52(10), Oct. 1981, pp. 6011-6015.

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