Etalon has recently demonstrated a fundamentally new display technology based on Microelectromechanical (MEM) Structures which affords high performance in harsh environments utilizing low cost, mature process technology. Relying on interference, these interferometric modulators (IMods) are simple membrane structures whose colors change when deformed electrostatically. IMods have already demonstrated drive voltages of 35 volts, response times of 20 usecs, and hysteresis. The latter results from its inherent electro- mechanical behavior and precludes the need an active matrix. IMods can be designed to switch from any color to black, or any other color, with theoretical pixel contrast ratios costs, the IMod is being developed as the core for a new generation of full- color, video rate, reflective FPDs. Their low-cost, power consumption, and ruggedness, make these displays promising candidates for HMD applications with stringent environmental requirements. High ambient performance, and the ability to easily scale in size also opens up reflective displays for cockpits and other large area direct view applications. The goal of this effort will be to perform a comprehensive manufacturing analysis to assess the costs of fabricating IMod based displays. Optionally, a small demonstrator display will be fabricated and characterized.
Benefits: The development of low power, high performance, color, reflective displays could significantly expand the usefulness of portable electronic devices of all kinds. In existing products such as PDAs, cell-phones and organizers, functionality would be drastically increased with the use of high quality, color FPDs. Furthermore, devices that were once the stuff of science-fiction could be practically enabled - like the Dick Tracy TV watch and the Dynabook handheld computing pad.
Keywords: interference flat panel display MEMS micromechanical
