FIELD: physics.
SUBSTANCE: optical device has a substrate, one or more interferometric light-modulating elements lying on the substrate. Each inteferometric light-modulating element has an optical characteristic which varies with voltage applied across that element, and an electrically conductive optical mask lying on the substrate and away from the inteferometric light-modulating elements. The mask is electrically connected to the interferometric light-modulating elements to provide one or more electrical paths for applying voltage across the said interferometric light-modulating elements. The mask has a first reflecting layer and a second reflecting layer which can interferometrically modulate light.
EFFECT: increased contrast, prevention of reflection of ambient light from any structures in the masked zones.
38 cl, 30 dwg
