| 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. |