Walter N Duncan

US Patent:

6746886, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Mar 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/101669

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX
Simon Joshua Jacobs - Lucas TX
Michael R. Douglass - Plano TX
Richard O. Gale - Allen TX

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01L 2156

US Classification:

438 27, 438 25, 438 26, 438 49, 438116

Abstract:

A process for protecting a MEMS device used in a UV illuminated application from damage due to a photochemical activation between the UV flux and package gas constituents, formed from the out-gassing of various lubricants and passivants put in the device package to prevent sticking of the MEMS devices moving parts. This process coats the exposed surfaces of the MEMS device and packages optical window surfaces with a metal-halide film to eliminate this photochemical activation and therefore significantly extend the reliability and lifetime of the MEMS device.

US Patent:

6943950, Sep 13, 2005

Filed:

Aug 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/923911

Inventors:

Benjamin L. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Claude E. Tew - Dallas TX, US
Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B005/18

US Classification:

359571, 359290

Abstract:

A method for assuring a blazed condition in a DMD device used in telecommunications applications. By meeting certain conditions in the fabrication and operation of the DMD, the device can achieve a blazed condition and be very effective in switching near monochromatic spatially coherent light, thereby opening up a whole new application field for such devices. This method determines the optimal pixel pitch and mirror tilt angle for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light to assure blazed operating conditions. The Fraunhofer envelope is determined by convolving the Fourier transforms of the mirror aperture and the delta function at the center of each mirror and then aligning the center of this envelope with a diffraction order to provide a blazed condition. The method of the present invention presents a formula for precisely determining the mirror pitch and tilt angle to assure that a blazed condition exists for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light. Considerations for the special case, know as Littrow conditions, where the incident and the reflected light transverse the same path, are also given.

US Patent:

7184201, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Nov 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/980363

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02F 1/00

US Classification:

359321, 359291, 359290

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a digital micro-mirror device having improved contrast and a method for the same are provided. The digital micro-mirror device includes a plurality of current-carrying conductors on an upper surface of a substrate, each current-carrying conductor having an upper surface; a low-reflectivity metal disposed upon the upper surfaces of the current-carrying conductors; first and second micro-mirrors forming an aperture above the substrate; and wherein the low-reflectivity metal disposed upon on the upper surfaces of the current-carrying conductors reduces reflection of light received through the aperture by the current-carrying conductors.

US Patent:

7443567, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Oct 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/586361

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02F 1/11
G02F 1/33

US Classification:

359285, 359305

Abstract:

A method of processing light includes generating a beam of light and periodically diffracting the beam of light by an acoustooptic cell to produce diffracted light having at least one direction change from the generated light. The method further includes spatially integrating the diffracted light and providing the spatially integrated light to a spatial light modulator.

US Patent:

7458691, Dec 2, 2008

Filed:

Jun 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/160128

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G03B 21/26
G03B 21/28
G02B 5/32
G02B 27/44
G02B 27/46
G03H 1/02
G09G 3/14
G09G 3/32
G01J 3/28

US Classification:

353 94, 353 37, 353121, 359 15, 359 27, 359563, 359558, 345 46, 345 82, 356328

Abstract:

Described is an optical device for combining multiple light sources in an optical projection system. One embodiment of the optical device includes at least two light sources having first and second wavelengths, and an optical element for substantially diffracting the first and second wavelengths of the two light sources and combining them into a single beam of light.

US Patent:

7630135, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Sep 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/224336

Inventors:

Benjamin L. Lee - Dallas TX, US
Claude E. Tew - Dallas TX, US
Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instrument Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G02B 5/18
H04J 14/02

US Classification:

359573, 359571, 398 84, 398 87

Abstract:

A method for assuring a blazed condition in a DMD device used in telecommunications applications. By meeting certain conditions in the fabrication and operation of the DMD, the device can achieve a blazed condition and be very effective in switching near monochromatic spatially coherent light, thereby opening up a whole new application field for such devices. This method determines the optimal pixel pitch and mirror tilt angle for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light to assure blazed operating conditions. The Fraunhofer envelope is determined by convolving the Fourier transforms of the mirror aperture and the delta function at the center of each mirror and then aligning the center of this envelope with a diffraction order to provide a blazed condition. The method of the present invention presents a formula for precisely determining the mirror pitch and tilt angle to assure that a blazed condition exists for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light. Considerations for the special case, know as Littrow conditions, where the incident and the reflected light transverse the same path, are also given.

US Patent:

7763949, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Apr 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/833527

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US
Simon Joshua Jacobs - Lucas TX, US
Michael R. Douglass - Plano TX, US
Richard O. Gale - Allen TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01L 21/56

US Classification:

257434, 257 98, 257E29324, 438 48

Abstract:

A process for protecting a MEMS device used in a UV illuminated application from damage due to a photochemical activation between the UV flux and package gas constituents, formed from the out-gassing of various lubricants and passivants put in the device package to prevent sticking of the MEMS device's moving parts. This process coats the exposed surfaces of the MEMS device and package's optical window surfaces with a metal-halide film to eliminate this photochemical activation and therefore significantly extend the reliability and lifetime of the MEMS device.

US Patent:

7901106, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/618473

Inventors:

Walter M. Duncan - Dallas TX, US
Michael Mignardi - Richardson TX, US
John David Jackson - Euless TX, US

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

F21V 9/00

US Classification:

362231, 362551, 362555

Abstract:

The disclosure in one aspect provides an illuminator that includes a plurality of segmented diodes to generate a plurality of light beams. In another aspect, the illuminator may independently control current to some or all of the diodes.