Silicon Light Machines And Sony Corporation Work To Advance The Development Of Grating Light Valveô (GLVô) Technology

SLM Exclusively Licenses Its GLV Technology To Sony For Display Applications

17-Jul-00

Sony Corporation and Silicon Light Machines, developer of a silicon-based digital display technology used in high-performance imaging applications, announced an exclusive licensing agreement for Silicon Light Machinesí Grating Light Valveô (GLVô) technology to accelerate its development for successful market introduction. The two companies will now concentrate their efforts in their respective fields of strength. Sony will focus on GLV-based display systems, and will be entitled to the exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights for GLV devices and GLV products for most display applications. SLM will now focus its efforts to develop products for other imaging applications and the rapidly growing field of optical communications.First patented at Stanford University, the GLV technology is based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques and simple optical principles that leverage the wavelike properties of light. Ribbon structures are formed on the surface of a silicon wafer using standard semiconductor production equipment. In response to electrical signals, these structures can be moved up or down, altering the reflective properties of the chipís surface, thereby re-directing light to switch a pixel on or off.Sony will apply the GLV technology to realize large-scale projector systems that utilize lasers as a light source. GLV components will be used to precisely diffract laser beams onto the screen to recreate images that are bright, high in contrast and supreme in color reproduction. GLV devices offer a relatively simple solution for large-scale projectors when compared to other types of display components that use a two-dimensional array to recreate the entire image area. Instead, GLV components generate a vertical line of 1080 pixels only, which are scanned horizontally by a mirror to recreate the entire image of 1920 x 1080 pixels at the rate of 60 frames per second.In the initial six months of the agreement, SLM will conduct a transfer program of GLV technology to Sony. After that time, Sony will initially concentrate its efforts to develop GLV-based front projectors for the industrial market, then work to develop GLV-based rear projectors for the consumer market. ""This licensing agreement with Sony is a charge forward for our team. We think that Sonyís significant demonstration of interest in our unique GLV technology and Scanned Linear Architecture represents a strong endorsement by the worldís best authority on display quality,"" said Dave Corbin, Silicon Light Machineís President and CEO. ""Sony is the best possible partner to advance all of our hard work to the next level. Meanwhile, we can apply the unique optical micro-machining talents of our engineering team toward other killer applications."" ""As part of Sonyís venture to realize next-generation display devices, we are delighted to have this opportunity to develop GLV devices for applications such as digital cinema and home theatre,"" said Suehiro Nakamura, Corporate Senior Executive Vice President, Sony Corporation. ""We believe the GLV technology has the potential to become one of the key components for future large-scale projection displays that offer unprecedented image quality.""About The Grating Light Valve (GLV) TechnologyFirst patented at Stanford University, the GLV technology is based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques and simple optical principles that leverage the wavelike properties of light. Ribbon structures are formed on the surface of a silicon wafer using standard semiconductor production equipment. In response to electrical signals, these structures can be moved up or down, altering the reflective properties of the chipís surface, thereby re-directing light to switch a pixel on or off.MEMS technology has been gaining visibility in recent months based on increasing market acceptance for projection display and fiber-optic communications applications. Optical MEMS technology allows for very tight integration of silicon-based logic and drive circuitry with light switching and routing capabilities. These capabilities can create cost-effective, high-performance and reliable optical products by leveraging standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques.Especially promising is Silicon Light Machinesí small, linear display device based on the GLV technology. Each pixel in a linear GLV array is capable of reproducing precise grayscale values at the rate of millions of times per second - thousands of times faster than any other light modulator technology. This fundamental performance of the GLV technology is at the heart of Silicon Light Machinesí scanned linear GLV array architecture, which can cost-effectively create very high-resolution images. Silicon Light Machines has successfully demonstrated this promising new architecture in a front-projection display system prototype and is now applying the technology to certain high-performance print and optical communications applications.About Silicon Light MachinesSilicon Light Machines is a privately held company backed by the Mayfield Fund, Institutional Venture Partners, Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, Cypress Semiconductor and individual investors. For more information about Silicon Light Machines, the GLV technology and the Scanned Linear GLV Architecture, visit www.siliconlight.com. About Sony CorporationSony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be a leading broadband entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of more than $63 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. Sony's home page is http://www.world.sony.com.

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