Interferometric modulator display
The interferometric modulator display (IMOD, "screen with interferometric modulator") is a type of digital display . The technology is based on the principle of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer and was developed by the US company Qualcomm . The devices equipped with this technology were sold under the trade name Mirasol. The displays belong to the group of reflective displays, as they are not self-luminous (see also electronic paper ).
functionality
The display consists of two reflective layers, the distance between which can be changed electrostatically . The distance between the layers is very small. Optical interference occurs between the layers . By changing the distance, constructive or destructive interference can be generated for a certain light wavelength range . A pixel of a certain color either becomes visible (constructive interference) or remains dark (destructive interference).
Advantages and disadvantages
The display offers certain advantages over classic liquid crystal displays , but also modern OLED displays. On the one hand, the expected energy requirement is very low. Once the reflective sheets are in their desired position, their state is stable; that is, they do not require any further energy as long as the image to be displayed does not change. According to the manufacturer, Mirasol displays are even more energy efficient than comparable e-ink displays . Furthermore, no background lighting is required, since the ambient light is sufficient in normal surroundings. However, this is disadvantageous for applications in dark or poorly lit environments, since the optional use of backlighting is not possible.
According to the manufacturer, the display is very fast, especially compared to liquid crystal displays (switching time less than a microsecond ). The manufacturer also advertises with particularly good readability in a bright environment, since the ambient light is used to display the image and does not represent an interference light as with other types of display.
An economic advantage is that existing production systems for flat screens can be converted to IMOD production at relatively low cost.
reception
The computer magazine Chip named Miralsol one of two “Innovations of the Year” in 2010 (the other was the expansion of Long Term Evolution , LTE, by Deutsche Telekom).
See also
Web links
- Interferometric Modulator (IMOD). Technology Overview . Qualcomm, 2007, accessed February 27, 2010 (PDF)
- Comparison between Mirasol and OLED displays on Beyond Print
Individual evidence
- ↑ SlashGear: Qualcomm mirasol color ereader hands-on. January 8, 2010, accessed September 30, 2010 .
- ↑ CHIP Awards 2010: Award for the trendsetter of the year - picture 4 ( Memento from May 19, 2014 in the Internet Archive ). chip.de