grating light valve

Using grating light valve (GLV) technology, picture elements ( pixel s) are formed
on the surface of a silicon chip and become the source for display projection on
anything from an auditorium scrreen down to a handheld computer display. Using
GLV, displays of the future may cost much less, require less space, and make high-
resolution images possible in handheld personal communication devices. GLV was
developed by David Bloom together with his students at Stanford University. Bloom
has since founded Silicon Light Machines, which is developing the technology
further.

GLV uses micro-electromechanical systems ( MEMS ) technology and optical physics

to vary how light is reflected from each of multiple ribbon-like structures that
represent a particular "image point" or pixel. The ribbons can move a tiny
distance, changing the wavelength of reflected light. Grayscale tones are achieved
partly by varying the speed at which given pixels are switched on and off. The
resulting image can be projected in a large auditorium with a bright light source
or on a small appliance using low-power LEDs as a light source