JP2014240860A - Spatial light modulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spatial light modulator capable of three-dimensional display of a dynamic image using magnetic thin wires.SOLUTION: Magnetic thin wires 1A1-1A4 into which a right-eye image for 3D display is written (change to a prescribed direction of magnetization) and magnetic thin wires 1B1-1B4 into which a left-eye image for 3D display is written appear alternately in the width direction of the magnetic thin wires. A write of the right-eye image and a write of the left-eye image to each magnetic thin wire are performed simultaneously for one frame each. When both of the writes are finished, a light-shielding plate 111 is moved in a Y direction, whereby one frame of image for the right-eye image first and then one frame of image for the left-eye image are displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a spatial light modulator that emits incident light by spatially modulating the phase and amplitude of the light by a magneto-optic effect.

  A spatial light modulator is an apparatus that uses optical elements (light modulation elements) as pixels and arranges them two-dimensionally in a matrix to spatially modulate the phase, amplitude, etc. of light. Display technology and recording technology Widely used in such fields. Conventionally, liquid crystal has been used as a spatial light modulator, but in recent years, a magneto-optical spatial light modulator using a magneto-optical material that is expected to be capable of high-speed processing and pixel miniaturization of 1 μm or less. Development is underway.

  In a magneto-optical spatial light modulator (hereinafter simply referred to as “spatial light modulator”), when light incident on a magnetic material is transmitted, the direction of polarization of the light is changed (rotated) and emitted. We are using. In addition, when the incident light is reflected, the Kerr effect is used in which the direction of polarization is changed (rotating). Among the magnetic materials, a magneto-optical material having a particularly large effect is used. For example, the magnetization direction of the light modulation element in a pixel (selected pixel) to be displayed brightly is different from the magnetization direction of the light modulation element in other pixels (non-selected pixels). As a result, the light emitted from the selected pixel and the light emitted from the non-selected pixel cause a difference in the rotation angle (rotation angle) of the polarized light, and the light is selected via a polarizer that transmits polarized light in a specific direction. Display only pixels brightly. As means for changing the magnetization direction of such a light modulation element, in addition to a magnetic field application method for applying a magnetic field to the light modulation element, in recent years, a spin injection method for injecting spin by supplying a current to the light modulation element is available. Are known.

  By the way, the present applicant has proposed the technique of Patent Document 1 as such a spatial light modulator. That is, in Patent Document 1, since the moving speed of the domain wall in the magnetic thin wire is as high as several tens m / s to 250 m / s, one continuous light modulation element in one row of the spatial light modulator is provided. It consists of magnetic wires. Then, a technique has been proposed in which the data of all the pixels in the one row is rewritten one by one in the magnetic thin line.

  More specifically, this spatial light modulator has a pixel by arranging a plurality of magnetic thin lines in which a necessary number of pixels are continuously provided in the thin line direction, with a region divided by a unit length in the thin line direction as a pixel. An array is formed. In addition, a data writing unit provided on, for example, one end side of each magnetic wire, and a scanning current source connected between both ends of each magnetic wire are further provided. Each magnetic fine line has a writing area provided on one end side in the fine line direction divided in the fine line direction in addition to a pixel area which is an area in which pixels are provided. Then, in the magnetic domain formed by changing the writing area in the target pixel by the data writing unit, the scanning current source supplies a direct current pulse current to the magnetic thin line in the thin line direction. Thereby, it can move along the thin line direction together with the domain wall that divides the magnetic domain, and can reach the target pixel.

JP 2012-128396 A

However, in the technique of displaying an image using magnetic thin lines like the technique of Patent Document 1, no means has been proposed for enabling a 3D display of a moving image.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spatial light modulator that can display a moving image in 3D using magnetic thin wires.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the spatial light modulator of the present invention includes a magnetic thin line formed by forming a magnetic film in a thin line shape, and a plurality of pixels arranged in a line in the thin line direction. A plurality of pixel arrays, and a pixel driving unit that sets each of the pixels of the pixel array in one of two different magnetization directions based on pixel data input to the pixel of the image data. The pixel driving unit includes a writing unit, a current supply unit, an image data receiving unit, a dividing unit, and a control unit.

According to such a configuration, the pixel driving unit causes the magnetic thin line in the writing unit to have a predetermined magnetization direction in the writing region provided at a predetermined position. In the current supply unit, a pulse current that intermittently moves the magnetic domains formed in the magnetic wire in the direction of the wire is supplied to each of the magnetic wires. Further, the image data receiving unit receives right-eye image data and left-eye image data for displaying a 3D image, respectively. In addition, the dividing unit divides the image data so that the received image data for the right eye and the received image data for the left eye are alternately arranged in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic fine line. Also, in the control unit, when the current in the pulse current supplied to the magnetic thin line is stopped, the pixel that is input to a predetermined pixel in the image data after the magnetic thin line is divided in the writing area by controlling the writing unit In addition to the magnetization direction based on the data, the current supply unit is controlled so that the magnetic domain formed in the writing region reaches a predetermined pixel in the thin line direction.
Therefore, since the spatial light modulator can display the image data for the right eye and the image data for the left eye on the pixel array, the moving image can be displayed in 3D using the magnetic thin line.

In the above-described configuration, the light-shielding device that shields light other than the light emitted from the magnetic thin-line pixels every other column, and the switching that switches the light-shielding device in two stages so that light can be emitted sequentially from the magnetic thin wires every other column. And a synchronization signal output unit that outputs a synchronization signal in accordance with the two-stage switching timing by the switching unit.
According to such a configuration, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye are alternately displayed on the pixel array, the glasses for 3D display are driven with the synchronization signal, and the right eye sees only the image for the right eye, The left eye can see only the image for the left eye, and the moving image can be displayed in 3D.

In the above configuration, the light-shielding device is provided on the pixel array and has a light-shielding plate in which a plurality of slits are alternately formed in the parallel direction of the magnetic thin wires, and the light-shielding plate in the parallel direction of the magnetic thin wires. And a light shielding plate driving unit that shields light other than the light emitted from the pixels of each column every other column by the shielding unit by moving in the parallel direction.
According to such a configuration, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye can be sequentially displayed by the movement of the light shielding plate in the arrangement direction of the magnetic thin wires.

In the above configuration, the light shielding plate driving unit may be a piezo element that moves the light shielding plate in the parallel direction of the magnetic thin wires.
According to such a configuration, the light shielding plate can be finely driven at high speed by using the piezoelectric element.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the spatial light modulator which can display a moving image 3D using a magnetic thin wire can be provided.

It is explanatory drawing of the light modulation part of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and a light-shielding apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the light-shielding apparatus of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the arrangement | sequence of the magnetic fine wire of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of a magnetic fine wire explaining the composition of the spatial light modulator concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the light modulation part of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the drive system of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the pixel column data generation part of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the image display apparatus using the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the electrical connection of the control system of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for driving a spatial light modulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the image (a) displayed with the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and image data (b). It is explanatory drawing of the image (a) displayed with the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and image data (b). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the image displayed with the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the subroutine of steps S120 and S130 of FIG. It is a timing chart explaining the drive method of the spatial light modulator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the case of this embodiment, (b) is the case of the other example of this embodiment, (c). Is the drive timing of the light shielding plate, (d) is the synchronization signal A, and (e) is the synchronization signal B.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The illustrations in the XYZ directions, which are appropriately included in the drawings after FIG. 1, correspond to the respective drawings. Note that the X direction is the row direction of the magnetic wires 1 described later, the Y direction is the column direction of the magnetic wires 1, and the Z direction is the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 2 described later.

(Overview of spatial light modulator configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the spatial light modulator 10 of this embodiment includes a light modulation unit 20, a light shielding device 110, and a pixel driving unit (FIG. 6).
The light modulation unit 20 includes a substrate 2 on which eight magnetic thin wires 1 (1A1, 1B1, 1A2, 1B2, 1A3, 1B3, 1A4, 1B4) are provided in this example. Each magnetic thin line 1 is formed by forming a magnetic film in a thin line shape, and a plurality of pixels 4 (FIG. 5) are arranged in a line in the thin line direction (X direction) at a predetermined position. A plurality of the fine magnetic wires 1 are arranged in the orthogonal direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the fine wire direction. As a result, a pixel array 40 (FIG. 5) in which the pixels 4 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix is configured.

  In the pixel array 40, each of the pixels 4 (FIG. 5) in the eight magnetic thin wires 1 (1A1, 1B1,..., 1A4, 1B4) is included in the pixel of the image data by the pixel driving unit 30 (FIG. 6). 4 is set to one of two different magnetization directions based on the pixel data input to 4. That is, each of the pixels 4 (FIG. 5) is set to one of two different magnetization directions based on one frame of right-eye image data for displaying a 3D moving image and one frame of left-eye image data. .

The spatial light modulator 10 of the present embodiment supports 3D display of images as will be described in detail later. Therefore, the magnetic thin wires 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4 correspond to the image data for the right eye of 3D display (display of each frame thereof), and the magnetic thin wires 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, 1B4 correspond to the image data for the left eye (of (Display of each frame). Each magnetic thin line 1 corresponds to each line of each frame so that the right-eye image (one frame) and the left-eye image (one frame) alternate for each line in the arrangement direction. Yes. That is, the magnetic thin wires 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, and 1A4 correspond to the first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line of one frame of the right-eye image, respectively. The magnetic thin wires 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, and 1B4 correspond to the first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line of one frame of the left-eye image, respectively. Each magnetic wire 1 is arranged in the order of magnetic wires 1A1, 1B1, 1A2, 1B2, 1A3, 1B3, 1A4, and 1B4 from the top to the bottom in the Y direction of FIG.
In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the description will be made assuming that eight magnetic wires 1 are provided. However, in practice, for example, when displaying an image of Super Hi-Vision (registered trademark), about 4000 magnetic thin wires 1 are required for displaying one frame of image, so about 8000 magnetic thin wires for two frames are required. 1 is required.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light shielding device 110 includes a light shielding plate 111, a piezo element 114, and a driving power source 122.
As shown in FIG. 1, the light shielding plate 111 is provided on the light modulation unit 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light shielding plate 111 has four slits 115 having the length direction as the X direction and the width direction as the Y direction. A portion between adjacent slits 115 forms a light shielding portion 116. The interval between adjacent slits 115 is the interval between two adjacent magnetic thin wires 1 with one magnetic wire 1 in between.
A piezo element 114 serving as a light shielding plate driving unit is provided on the light shielding plate 111. The piezo element 114 continuously reciprocates the light shielding plate 111 in the Y direction. The light shielding plate 111 is driven by the piezo element 114 to emit light from the magnetic thin wire 1 corresponding to one frame through the slit 115, and the magnetic thin wire 1 corresponding to the other frame is shielded by the light shielding unit 116. .
The AC drive power supply 122 supplies AC power for driving the piezo element 114 as described above to the piezo element 114.

In the light shielding device 110, when the light shielding plate 111 is moved upward in the Y direction in FIG. 2, the slits 115 are opened on the magnetic fine wires 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4 corresponding to the frame of the right eye image, and the magnetic fine wires. The light from 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4 is emitted. Further, the magnetic thin lines 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, and 1B4 corresponding to the frame of the left-eye image are shielded by the light shielding unit 116. On the contrary, when the light shielding plate 111 is moved downward in the Y direction in FIG. 2, the slits 115 are opened on the magnetic thin wires 1B1, 1B2, 1B3, 1B4 corresponding to the frame of the image for the left eye, and the magnetic thin wires 1B1, 1B1, The light from 1B2, 1B3, 1B4 is emitted. Further, the magnetic thin lines 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, and 1A4 corresponding to the frame of the right-eye image are shielded by the light shielding unit 116.
As described above, the light shielding device 110 switches the image display based on the change in the magnetization direction of the magnetic wire 1 in two stages so as to sequentially display one frame of the right-eye image and one frame of the left-eye image.

The pixel drive unit 30 (FIG. 6) of the spatial light modulator 10 shown in FIG. 6 is based on the image data of two frames in total, one frame for the right eye image data and one frame for the left eye image data. Each pixel has a function of changing one of two different magnetization directions.
More specifically, the pixel drive unit 30 is connected to both ends of each magnetic wire 1 and is a scanning that serves as a current supply unit that supplies a pulse current to the magnetic wire 1 from the scanning current source 8 (FIGS. 3 and 4). A current supply unit 80 (see FIG. 6) is provided. In addition, the pixel driving unit 30 selects one of two directions (a predetermined one direction and its direction) with different magnetization directions in a limited region (the writing region 1w (FIG. 3)) of the magnetic wire 1 for each magnetic wire 1. A data writing unit 50 is provided as a writing unit in any one of two different directions. As shown in FIG. 6, the spatial light modulator 10 further includes a writing / current control unit 90 serving as a control unit that controls operations of the scanning current supply unit 80 and the data writing unit 50. In addition, the pixel column data generation unit 99 of the writing / current control unit 90 includes an image data receiving unit 991 (FIG. 7) serving as an image data receiving unit.
The outline of the spatial light modulator 10 is as described above. Hereinafter, the detailed configuration and operation of each part of the spatial light modulator 10 will be sequentially described.

(Pixel array)
As shown in FIG. 5, the pixel array 40 is formed by forming a magnetic film in a thin line shape, and a plurality (eight) of magnetic thin lines in which a plurality (eight) pixels 4 are arranged in a line in the thin line direction. 1 is provided. The eight magnetic fine wires 1 are arranged on the substrate 2 in a direction perpendicular to the fine wire direction.
As shown in FIG. 3, the eight magnetic fine wires 1 are grouped for every other magnetic fine wire 1. That is, the group A to which the four odd-numbered magnetic wires 1 (1A1 to 1A4) from the top in the Y direction belong and the group B to which the four even-numbered magnetic wires 1 (1B1 to 1B4) from the top in the Y direction belong. It is.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnetic thin wire 1 has eight pixels 4 arranged in one row (one row), with one pixel 4 being a region partitioned by a predetermined unit length L _b in the thin wire direction. Are continuously provided in the thin line direction, and one of the magnetization directions is indicated for each pixel 4. That is, the magnetic wire 1 is formed by dividing the magnetic domain in the direction of the wire. Further, in the magnetic thin wire 1, a region in which all (eight in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) pixels 4 are provided is referred to as a pixel region 1px. The optical modulation unit 20 includes eight magnetic thin wires 1 in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the pixels 4 (pixel array 40) arranged in 64 two-dimensional matrix of 8 columns × 8 rows. It will be equipped with. In this example, the light modulation unit 20 (pixel array 40) shows an example in which the row direction (X direction) is the thin line direction of the magnetic thin line 1. In the present embodiment, the pixel 4 refers to a means for displaying an image with light / dark binary values (1 bit).

  The magnetic thin wire 1 is formed by forming a magnetic body into a thin wire shape that is sufficiently long with respect to the thickness and width. As shown in FIG. 5, in the light modulation unit 20, the magnetic thin wires 1, 1,... Are formed on the substrate 2 in parallel with each other with the insulating layer 6 interposed therebetween when viewed downward in the Z direction in FIG. As described above, the magnetic thin line 1 includes a region to be the pixel 4, and in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the pixel region 1px in which eight pixels 4 are continuously provided in the thin line direction is a portion that performs light modulation. . The pixel region 1px is an incident region of light in the magnetic wire 1, and when light incident on the pixel region 1px is transmitted through or reflected from the magnetic wire 1, the pixel region 1px differs depending on the magnetization direction in the pixel 4 for each pixel 4. It is modulated into light rotated at one of two angles. Further, the magnetic thin line 1 is provided with a writing area 1w in an area separated in the thin line direction outside the pixel area 1px (on the left side in the X direction of the pixel area 1px in FIG. 5). The writing area 1 w is an area that is changed by the data writing unit 50 in the same magnetization direction as one of the target pixels 4 provided on the magnetic thin wire 1. In the magnetic thin line 1, a magnetic domain having the same magnetization direction as the upward or downward magnetization direction of the target pixel 4 is formed in the writing region 1w, and this magnetic domain is moved in the thin line direction to reach the target pixel 4 in the pixel region 1px. As a result, the pixel 4 has a target magnetization direction. In the present embodiment, such an operation (pixel driving) is performed in parallel in each of the plurality of magnetic thin wires 1 arranged in parallel as shown in FIG.

The writing area 1w is an area partitioned in the thin line direction set to limit the magnetic thin line 1 to this area and change it in the same magnetization direction as each pixel 4 provided in the magnetic thin line 1. Therefore, at least in this region, the structure corresponding to the writing method can be used to change the magnetic fine wire 1 to the target magnetization direction upward or downward (appropriately “write”). And
In this embodiment, the spin transfer magnetization reversal method is applied as the write method. By forming the spin injection magnetization reversal element structure in the write region 1w, the magnetic wire 1 can be brought into the target magnetization direction by spin injection magnetization reversal (for details, refer to the aforementioned Patent Document 1).
In addition to the spin injection magnetization reversal method, the magnetic wire 1 may be set to a target magnetization direction by a current magnetic field using a magnetic head, a coil, or the like used in a known hard disk drive device.

(Scanning current supply unit (current supply unit))
As shown in FIG. 6, the pixel drive unit 30 has a function of setting each of the pixels 4 of the pixel array 40 to one of two different magnetization directions based on the pixel data input to the pixel 4 in the image data. .
The pixel driving unit 30 includes a scanning current supply unit 80 serving as a current supply unit, a data writing unit 50 serving as a writing unit, and a writing / current control unit 90 serving as a control unit. Further, the pixel column data generation unit 99 of the writing / current control unit 90 includes an image data receiving unit 991 serving as an image data receiving unit (FIG. 7).
First, the scanning current supply unit 80 serving as a current supply unit applies a scanning current Isc that is a pulse current that intermittently moves the magnetic domain walls that define the magnetic domains formed in the magnetic thin wire 1 in the direction of the thin wire. It has a function to supply.
As shown in FIG. 5, the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 are terminals for supplying a current to the magnetic thin wire 1 in one direction as a pair of electrodes, and are connected to both ends of the magnetic thin wire 1. .

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanning current supply unit 80 (FIG. 6) is connected to both ends of each magnetic wire 1 of the light modulation unit 20 via a positive electrode 31 and a negative electrode 32 (see FIG. 5). The scanning current source 8 is provided as a pulse current source. Further, a direct current (scanning current Isc (FIG. 6)) is supplied as a pulse current to the magnetic thin wire 1 from the positive electrode 31 to the negative electrode 32, that is, in one direction in the thin wire direction. When the scanning current Isc is supplied to the magnetic wire 1 from the positive electrode 31 side to the negative electrode 32 side, the domain wall passes through the magnetic wire 1 due to electrons e ⁻ flowing in the magnetic wire 1 in the opposite direction. It moves along the thin line direction from the negative electrode 32 side to the positive electrode 31 side. As a result, the magnetic domains partitioned by the domain wall also move together. Therefore, the magnetic domain formed in the writing region 1w of the magnetic fine wire 1 moves to the pixel region 1px along the fine wire direction. Further, by supplying the scanning current Isc as a pulse current, the magnetic domain is intermittently moved (shifted) in the magnetic wire 1, so that it moves in units of one pixel 4 and the target pixel in the pixel region 1 px. 4 can be reached.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanning current supply unit 80 connects all eight magnetic wires 1 of the light modulation unit 20 to the scanning current source 8 in parallel at both ends, for example, so as to share a common pulse current. Supply at the same time.

(Data writer (writer))
The data writing unit 50 serving as a writing unit has a function of causing the magnetic thin wire 1 to have a predetermined magnetization direction in the writing region 1w provided at a position designated in advance as described above.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the data writing unit 50 is provided for each magnetic wire 1 of the light modulation unit 20, and makes the magnetic wire 1 have a target magnetization direction in the writing region 1w. As shown in FIG. 6, the data writing unit 50 includes a write current source 5 connected to an electrode (not shown) provided in the write region 1 w of the magnetic wire 1. The write current source 5 can supply a direct current Iw as a write current + Iw or −Iw by inverting the direct current Iw to the spin injection magnetization reversal element structure in the write region 1w. The data writing unit 50 is controlled by the writing / current control unit 90 to supply the current Iw in any desired direction. That is, the write current source 5 shows three outputs of + Iw, 0, and −Iw when the current supply stop (OFF state) is included.
As shown in FIG. 6, also in the data writing unit 50, the magnetic wires 1 are grouped into a group A of magnetic wires 1A1 to 1A4 and a group B of magnetic wires 1B1 to 1B4. That is, the data writing units 50A1 to 50A4 are grouped into the group A and the data writing units 50B1 to 50B4 are grouped into a group B.

(Write / current control unit (control unit))
The writing / current control unit 90 serving as a control unit performs the following control when the current in the pulse current from the scanning current supply unit 80 (scanning current source 8) supplied to the magnetic wire 1 is stopped. That is, the write / current control unit 90 controls the data write unit 50 to write the magnetic thin wire 1 in the write region 1w in a predetermined area of the image data (described later) divided by the pixel column data generation unit 99. The magnetization direction is set based on the pixel data input to the pixel 4. At the same time, the writing / current control unit 90 controls the scanning current supply unit 80 so that the magnetic domains formed in the writing region 1 w reach the predetermined pixels 4.
As shown in FIG. 6, the writing / current control unit 90 includes a pixel column data generation unit 99 that generates pixel column data by dividing image data input from the outside into data for one line. Further, the write / current control unit 90 includes pixel column control units 9, 9,... For causing the data writing unit 50 to write pixel column data to the magnetic thin wire 1, and a counter TCNT. Therefore, the pixel column control unit 9 is provided with eight as many as the number of rows of the pixel array 40, that is, the number of the magnetic thin wires 1, and each controls the data writing unit 50 that writes to the specific magnetic thin wire 1.

A detailed configuration of the pixel column data generation unit 99 will be described later.
The pixel column control unit 9 corresponds to the group A of the data writing units 50A1 to 50A4 and the group B of the data writing units 50B1 to 50B4, and the pixel column control unit 9A1 to 9A4. Groups 9B1 to 9B4 are grouped.
The write / current control unit 90 further includes a counter TCNT so that the pixel column control unit 9 is synchronized with the pulse current supplied to the magnetic thin wire 1 by the scanning current supply unit 80 (the scanning current source 8 thereof). In addition, the data writing unit 50 is controlled. That is, although details will be described later, the writing / current control unit 90 controls the data writing unit 50 to stop the magnetic thin line 1 from being set to a predetermined pixel in the writing region 1w when supply of the pulse current from the scanning current source 8 is stopped. The magnetization direction is based on the data. As a result, the write / current control unit 90 controls the data writing unit 50 to make the magnetic wire 1 have a predetermined magnetization direction in the writing region 1w when supply of the pulse current from the scanning current supply unit 80 is stopped. At the same time, the write / current control unit 90 controls the scanning current supply unit 80 to cause the magnetic domain formed in the write region 1 w to reach the predetermined pixel 4. In addition, the detailed operation of the write / current control unit 90 will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Pixel string data generation unit (image data reception unit, division unit)
As shown in FIG. 7, the pixel column data generation unit 99 includes an image data reception unit 991 and line division units 992A and 992B.
The image data receiving unit 991 receives right-eye image data and left-eye image data, respectively. That is, in the present embodiment, since the moving image is displayed in 3D on the image display device 200, the image data for 3D display input from the outside, such as the database DB (FIG. 6), the right-eye image data for 3D display, The image data receiving unit 991 receives the left-eye image data. That is, the image data receiving unit 991 includes a right-eye image data receiving unit 991A and a left-eye image data receiving unit 991B. The right-eye image data for 3D display is received by the right-eye image data receiving unit 991A, and the left-eye image data is received by the left-eye image data receiving unit 991B.

As described above, the right-eye image data and the left-eye image data are received by the right-eye image data receiving unit 991A and the left-eye image data receiving unit 991B, respectively. The line dividing units 992A and 992B allocate the image data to the magnetic thin wire 1 so that the image data for the right eye and the left eye are alternately arranged in the orthogonal direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the thin wire direction of the magnetic thin wire 1. Divide like so.
That is, the line dividing unit 992A divides the right-eye image data received by the right-eye image data receiving unit 991A into image data for each line, and outputs the image data of each line to the pixel column control units 9A1 to 9A4. Then, the data writing units 50A1 to 50A4 can write the image data of each line to the magnetic thin wires 1A1 to 1A4, respectively. Similarly, the line dividing unit 992B divides the left-eye image data received by the left-eye image data receiving unit 991B into image data for each line, and outputs the image data of each line to the pixel column control units 9B1 to 9B4. . Then, the image data of each line can be written to the magnetic thin wires 1B1 to 1B4 by the data writing units 50B1 to 50B4. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously write the image data for the right eye and the image data for the left eye alternately on every magnetic thin line 1 of the pixel array 40 every other column.

  In the following, the writing by the data writing unit 50 and the shift movement of the magnetic domain and the domain wall by the scanning current source 8 are repeated to record an image on all the pixels 4 of each magnetic wire 1. , It may be expressed simply as “recording once”. That is, making all the pixels 4 of each magnetic wire 1 in the above-described predetermined magnetization direction according to image data is called one recording.

(Shading device)
The light shielding device 110 has a function of transmitting light emitted from the pixels 4 of the magnetic thin wires 1 of each column every other column and shielding light emitted from the other magnetic thin wires 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light shielding device 110 of this example includes a light shielding plate 111, a piezo element 114, a drive power source 122, an elastic member 112, and a support member 113.
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding device 110 is provided so as to surround the light shielding plate 111 and the light shielding plate 111, and the frame that elastically supports the light shielding plate 111 with a plurality of elastic members 112. The support member 113 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 1, the light shielding device 110 is provided so that the light shielding plate 111 covers the pixel array 40 of the light modulation unit 20. Specifically, in this example, the light shielding device 110 is provided on the pixel array 40 and includes a light shielding plate 111 in which a plurality of slits 115 are formed in the arrangement direction of the magnetic wires 1, and four slits 115 are formed in this example. ing.
A piezo element 114 that drives the light shielding plate 111 is provided, for example, below the light shielding plate 111.

As described above, when one recording is completed simultaneously for all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4, 1B1,..., 1B4, the image data for the right eye and the image data for the left eye are written into the pixel array 40 (FIG. 5). It becomes the state.
However, if the light modulation unit 20 is irradiated with laser light as it is, a bright and dark image in which the right-eye image and the left-eye image are mixed is output. Therefore, by using the light shielding device 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image of the right eye image data is displayed first, and then the image of the left eye image data can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding device 110 is provided so as to surround the light shielding plate 111 and the light shielding plate 111, and has a frame shape that elastically supports the light shielding plate 111 with a plurality of elastic members 112. And a support member 113. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the light shielding device 110 is provided so that the light shielding plate 111 covers the pixel array 40 of the light modulation unit 20. A piezo element 114 serving as a light shielding plate driving unit that drives the light shielding plate 111 is provided, for example, below the light shielding plate 111.
Next, the light shielding plate 111, the piezo element 114, and the image display control unit 210 (FIG. 9) will be described in detail.

(Shading plate)
The light shielding plate 111 is a member provided on the pixel array 40 and having a plurality of slits 115 formed in the arrangement direction of the magnetic thin wires 1.
More specifically, the light shielding plate 111 is formed with a plurality of slits 115 and light shielding portions 116 corresponding to the magnetic wires 1. As described above, for example, in order to display an image of Super Hi-Vision (registered trademark), about 8000 magnetic thin wires 1 are necessary. In order to form such a light shielding plate 111, in particular, the fine slit 115 and the light shielding portion 116 so as to be able to cope with such a large number of magnetic thin wires 1, for example, a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technique is used. it can.

(Piezo element (shading plate drive))
The piezo element 114 serving as the light shielding plate driving unit has a function of reciprocating the light shielding plate 111 in the arrangement direction (Y direction) of the magnetic thin wires 1.
Two electrodes 121 and 121 are provided on the piezo element 114 serving as a light shielding plate driving unit, and an AC driving power source 122 is connected to the two electrodes 121 and 121. When the piezo element 114 is driven by the AC voltage of the drive power supply 122, the piezo element 114 vibrates, and the light shielding plate 111 reciprocates in the arrangement direction (Y direction) of the magnetic thin wires 1 due to the vibration. When the light shielding plate 111 is moved upward in the Y direction in FIG. 10 by driving the piezo element 114, slits 115 are opened for all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the group A displaying the image of the right eye image data. And emits light. Further, all the magnetic fine wires 1B1,..., 1B4 of the even group B are shielded by the light shielding portion 116. On the other hand, when the light shield 116 moves downward in the Y direction in FIG. 10 by driving the piezo element 114, all the magnetic thin wires 1B1,..., 1B4 of the group B displaying the image of the left-eye image data are displayed. The slit 115 opens to emit light. Further, all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the odd group A are shielded by the light shielding portion 116.
In this way, by driving the light shielding plate 111 with the piezo element 114, the image of the right-eye image data is first displayed by the magnetic thin line 1 of the group A, and then the image data for the left eye is displayed by the magnetic thin line 1 of the group B. An image can be displayed.

(Image display control unit (switching unit))
As shown in FIG. 9, the image display control unit 210 and the drive circuit 220 serving as a switching unit have a function of switching the light shielding device 100 in two stages so that light is emitted sequentially from the magnetic thin wire 1 of each column every other column. Have. Thereby, the light-shielding device 110 is switched in two stages so that the right-eye image and the left-eye image are sequentially displayed for each frame. Specifically, the piezo element 114 is driven, and the light shielding plate 111 is driven in two stages in the Y direction.

(Glasses for 3D images)
In the image display apparatus 200 to be described later with reference to FIG. 8, 3D image glasses 230 (FIG. 9) are used to enable 3D display of moving images. The 3D image glasses 230 are shutter type glasses, for example, and have a configuration in which the right eye side and the left eye side are individually opened and closed by a drive signal. That is, when the right eye image is viewed with the right eye, the right eye side shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 is opened, and the left eye side shutter is closed. When viewing the left-eye image with the left eye, the left-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 is opened and the right-eye shutter is closed. Since a more specific structure of the shutter-type 3D image glasses 230 is known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Image display device)
Next, the image display apparatus 200 to which the spatial light modulator 10 according to the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The image display apparatus 200 includes a spatial light modulator 10, polarizers PFi and Pfo, an optical system OPS, a detector PD, and a half mirror HM.
In the image display apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, the spatial light modulator 10 is a reflection type, and the magnetic wire 1 that becomes the light modulation unit 20 is made of a perpendicular magnetic anisotropic material, and the magnetization direction is upward or downward. For the sake of illustration, the image display device 200 has the following configuration, for example.
That is, an optical system OPS including a light source that irradiates light (laser light) toward the pixel array 40 is disposed immediately above the pixel array 40 (FIG. 5) of the spatial light modulator 10. In addition, a polarizer PFi that arranges the light emitted from the optical system OPS into one specific polarization component before entering the pixel array 40 is disposed. Further, the half that transmits the polarized light (incident polarized light) that is transmitted through the polarizer PFi and is incident on the pixel array 40 and that is reflected by the pixel array 40 and is emitted toward the right side in the X direction in FIG. A mirror HM is arranged. Further, on the right side of the half mirror HM above the pixel array 40 (above the Y direction), a polarizer PFo that shields light of a specific polarization component from the light that is reflected by the half mirror HM and polarized light A detector PD that detects light transmitted through the child PFo is disposed.

  The optical system OPS includes, for example, a laser light source, a beam expander that is optically connected to the laser light source and expands the entire surface of the pixel array 40 with laser light, and a lens that converts the expanded laser light into parallel light. (Not shown). Since the light (laser light) emitted from the optical system OPS includes various polarization components, this light is transmitted through the polarizer PFi in front of the pixel array 40 to be one polarization component light (polarized light). To do. The polarizers PFi and Pfo are polarizing plates, respectively, and the detector PD is an image display means such as a screen.

  The optical system OPS irradiates the parallel laser light so as to enter the pixel array 40 perpendicularly to the film surface (at an incident angle of 0 °). The laser light passes through the polarizer PFi to become polarized light (incident polarized light), passes through the half mirror HM, and enters from the upper side of the pixel array 40 toward all the pixels 4, that is, the magnetic thin wires 1. Incident polarized light is reflected by the magnetic wire 1 and is emitted from the pixel array 40 as outgoing polarized light. Since the incident angle is 0 °, the outgoing polarized light has the same optical path as the incident polarized light. Therefore, a half mirror HM inclined by 45 ° with respect to the pixel array 40 is disposed between the polarizer PFi and the pixel array 40, and the outgoing polarized light is reflected to the side (right side in the X direction), thereby being emitted. Only polarized light reaches the polarizer PFo. The polarizer PFo shields specific polarized light out of all outgoing polarized light, and light transmitted through the polarizer PFo enters the detector PD. In addition, it is good also as a structure which does not arrange | position the half mirror HM so that incident polarized light may be inclined and may enter into the pixel array 40 (incident angle> 0 °), and the emitted polarized light may not overlap with the optical path. However, since the magneto-optical effect is higher as the incident direction is closer to the magnetization direction, the incident angle is preferably within about 30 °.

When the light is reflected by the magnetic wire 1, the direction of the polarization is the same angle in one direction and the opposite direction corresponding to the magnetization direction in the region where the light of the magnetic wire 1 is incident due to the magneto-optic effect. Rotate (rotate). In FIG. 8, light is rotated at an angle θ _k due to the Kerr effect when reflected by the magnetic wire 1, and the light reflected by the region showing the upward magnetization direction is reflected by + θ _k and the region showing the downward magnetization direction. The light is rotated by -θ _k . The polarizer PFo blocks light that has been rotated by -θ _k with respect to incident polarized light. Therefore, the outgoing polarized light reflected by the region (magnetic domain) in the downward magnetization direction is shielded by the polarizer PFo, whereas the outgoing polarized light reflected by the magnetic domain in the upward magnetization direction passes through the polarizer PFo and is detected by the detector PD. Is irradiated. Therefore, the light emitted from one magnetic wire 1 is displayed on the detection unit PD in a pattern that is divided into bright and dark (black and white) for each magnetic domain formed in the magnetic wire 1. Therefore, in one magnetic thin wire 1, a magnetic domain is formed as a target magnetization direction, either upward or downward, for each pixel 4 partitioned in the thin wire direction, so that each pixel 4 is bright / dark (white / dark). A black image can be displayed.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of a control system for displaying an image on the image display apparatus 200. This control system includes a switching unit that controls image display of the image display apparatus 200 and an image display control unit 210 that serves as a synchronization signal output unit. The image display control unit 210 includes a pixel driving unit 30, a driving circuit 220 for the piezo element 114 having the driving power source 122 described above, a lighting circuit 240 for lighting and driving the optical system OPS, and 3D image glasses 230. A driving circuit 250 for driving is connected.
The image display control unit 210 serving as a switching unit has a function of switching the light shielding device 110 in two stages so that one frame of the right-eye image and one frame of the left-eye image are sequentially displayed in this order. Specifically, timing control of each part is performed, such as driving the piezo element 114 and driving the light shielding plate 111 in two stages in the Y direction.
The image display control unit 210 serves as a synchronization signal output unit. In other words, the image display control unit 210 outputs a synchronization signal for driving the right-eye shutter and the left-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 in accordance with the timing of switching the light shielding plate 111 in the Y direction as described above. Output by the drive circuit 250.
The image display control unit 210 performs timing control such that the image display control unit 210, the piezo element 114, the optical system OPS, and the 3D image glasses 230 are synchronized with each other.

[Operation of spatial light modulator and image display device]
The operations of the spatial light modulator 10 and the image display apparatus 200 configured as described above will be described.
(Processing of image display control unit)
The processing performed by the image display control unit 210 is as shown in FIG. First, the writing / current control unit 90 of the pixel driving unit 30 (FIG. 6) requests moving image data (right-eye image data and left-eye image data) from an external database DB or the like (S100). Then, this is received by the right-eye image data receiving unit 991A and the left-eye image data receiving unit 991B (step S110). Next, one image of one screen (one frame) of image data for the right eye is recorded once on all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the group A (step S120). This is performed by the line dividing units 992A, 992B, the pixel column control unit 9 (9A1, 9B1,..., 9A4, 9B4) and the data writing unit 50 (50A1, 50B1,..., 50A4, 50B4) shown in FIG. Simultaneously with step S120, an image for one screen (one frame) of image data for the left eye is recorded once on all the magnetic thin lines 1B1,..., 1B4 of the even group B (step S130).
Steps S120 and S130 in this case are executed simultaneously in parallel, and specific processing contents (subroutines) executed in the respective steps will be described later. Through steps S120 and S130 executed simultaneously in parallel, one recording of the image data for each frame of the right-eye image data and the left-eye image data for each magnetic wire 1 is completed.

  Thereafter, the right eye image is displayed by the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the group A in which the right eye image data is recorded once (step S140). This image display is performed by the image display control unit 210 in FIG. 9 controlling the drive power supply 122 of the drive circuit 220 to drive the piezo element 114. That is, by moving the light shielding plate 111 upward in the Y direction in FIG. 2, light is transmitted from the magnetic thin wires 1A1,. At this time, all the magnetic thin wires 1B1,..., 1B4 of the group B are shielded by the light shielding portion 116. Then, when the slit 115 is open to all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the group A, the lighting system 240 (FIG. 9) turns on the optical system OPS, and the right eye image is detected by the detector PD. (FIG. 8).

  In addition, a synchronization signal for driving the 3D image glasses 230 (FIG. 9) is output to the drive circuit 250 in synchronization with the movement of the light shielding plate 111. That is, at the timing when the right-eye image is displayed on the detector PD (FIG. 5), the synchronization signal A (described later) for opening the right-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 is turned ON, and the right-eye shutter is opened. At this time, the synchronization signal B (described later) for opening the left-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 remains OFF, and the left-eye shutter remains closed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the image for the left eye is displayed with each magnetic thin line 1 of the even-numbered group B where the image data for the left eye is recorded once (step S150). This image display is performed by the image display control unit 210 controlling the drive power supply 122 of the drive circuit 220. That is, by driving the piezo element 114 and moving the light shielding plate 111 downward in the Y direction in FIG. 2, light is transmitted from the magnetic thin wires 1B1,..., 1B4 of the group B through the slit 115. To do. At this time, all the magnetic thin wires 1A1,..., 1A4 of the group A are shielded by the light shielding portion 116. Then, when the slit 115 is opened for all the magnetic thin wires 1B1,..., 1B4 of the group B, the optical system OPS is turned on by the lighting circuit 240, and the left-eye image is displayed on the detector PD ( FIG. 8).

In addition, a synchronization signal for driving the 3D image glasses 230 is output to the drive circuit 250 in synchronization with the movement of the light shielding plate 111. That is, at the timing when the left-eye image is displayed on the detector PD, the synchronization signal B (described later) for opening the left-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 is turned on to open the left-eye shutter. At this time, the synchronization signal A (described later) for opening the right-eye shutter of the 3D image glasses 230 remains OFF, and the right-eye shutter remains closed.
By repeating the above processing, the user can see the first frame of the right-eye image only with the right eye, and then can see the first frame of the left-eye image with only the left eye. Next, the second frame of the right image can be viewed with only the right eye, and then the second frame of the left image can be viewed with only the left eye. And since such a thing can be performed continuously, it becomes possible to see a moving image by 3D display.

Next, the processes executed in steps S120 and S130 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 4, the pixel driving method in the spatial light modulator 10 according to the present embodiment supplies a pulse current to the magnetic thin wires 1, 1,. The shift is performed intermittently. Then, the data writing unit 50 writes data in the writing area 1w of each magnetic wire 1 while performing the shift movement.
The pixel driving method in the spatial light modulator 10 described below is such that, for each piece of image data stored in the database DB, right-eye and left-eye image data for one frame is input to the writing / current control unit 90. This is a procedure until one recording is performed on the pixel array 40.

(image data)
FIGS. 11B and 12B show examples of the above-described right-eye image data F1 and left-eye image data F2, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B, the image data F1 and F2 are data in which the pixel 4 displayed in black is represented by “1” and the pixel 4 displayed in white is represented by “0”. (Pixel data) is used. Then, eight of these are arranged horizontally (in the line direction), and 12-digit data with a row address for identifying each line of 4-digit data is arranged for four lines. Such image data F1 and F2 are, for example, an original image (not shown) that matches the configuration of the pixel array 40 of the spatial light modulator 10 in the horizontal direction Nh rows × vertical direction Nv columns (8 rows × 4 columns) of bitmap data f1 and f2 (see FIGS. 11A and 12A). Then, the pixel 4 can be generated by converting the black to “1” and the white to “0”. Such an image data generation function may be built in the spatial light modulator 10.
FIG. 13 shows a state where the above-described one-time recording (steps S120 and S130) is performed based on the right-eye and left-eye image data F1 and F2. The pixel 4 displayed in black in FIG. 13 corresponds to the pixel data “1”, and the other pixels 4 correspond to the pixel data “0”.

(Details of one record)
The subroutine for the one-time recording (steps S120 and S130) based on the image data F1 and F2 is as shown in FIG. 12 in both steps S120 and S130.
As shown in FIG. 14, the pixel column data generation unit 99 (FIG. 6) of the write / current control unit 90 transmits output commands for the image data F1 and F2 of the frame of the right-eye image and the left-eye image to the database DB. (Step S10). As a result, the image data F1 and F2 of the frame for the right eye image and the left eye image are input to the right eye image data receiving unit 991A and the left eye image data receiving unit 991B of the image data receiving unit 991 (Yes in step S20). ). Then, in the line dividing units 992A and 992B, the image data F1 and F2 are respectively divided into one line, and Nv (= 4) composed of Nh (= 8) data in each frame, a total of 8 pixels. Column data is generated (step S31). The pixel column data is distributed and output one by one to the pixel column control units 9 (9A1 to 9A4, 9B1 to 9B4) based on the row address (step S32). Next, the writing / current control unit 90 transmits a command to the scanning current supply unit 80 to start supplying the pulse current to the magnetic wire 1, and the scanning current supply unit 80 turns the scanning current source 8 on. Turn on and start supplying pulse current (step S50). The scanning current supply unit 80 further outputs a pulse signal having the same timing as the pulse current to the writing / current control unit 90. Then, the writing / current control unit 90 starts writing pixel column data to the pixel 4 (magnetic thin wire 1) (step S60).

That is, individual pixel column data is input to each pixel column control unit 9 (step S61). On the other hand, the counter TCNT starts counting from 1 with transmission of a pulse current supply start command to the scanning current supply unit 80. Start (step S62). Then, each pixel column control unit 9 outputs the first data that is the same as the count value i in the pixel column data to the corresponding data writing unit 50. When the binary data “0” or “1” is input, the data writing unit 50 writes the magnetic thin wire 1 in the writing area 1w (step S63). Next, in the current supply of the first pulse width of the pulse current, the magnetic wire 1, the distance the magnetic domain formed in the unit length L _b (FIG. 5) by shifting movement (step S64). In the present embodiment, the unit length L _b of the distance shifted moved to the current supply time required for the (moving time) and the pulse width. Next, the count value i is determined (step S65), and the count is incremented by 1 until it reaches Nh (= 8) (step S66), while data writing (step S63) and magnetic domain shift movement (step S64). repeat.

After writing based on the Nh (= 8) th pixel data (step S63) (Yes in step S65), the process proceeds to step S70. At this time, in the magnetic wire 1, the area written based on the last data has left the writing area 1 w but has not reached the pixel area 1 px (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the magnetic domain shift is further performed by supplying a pulse current until this region reaches the pixel region 1px (step S70). In the present embodiment, for example, because between the write area 1w and the pixel region 1px is twice the unit length L _b, to supply the two pulse current. Finally, a command is sent to the scanning current supply unit 80 to stop the supply of the pulse current, and the scanning current supply unit 80 turns off the scanning current source 8 and stops the supply of the pulse current (step S80). Thus, each magnetic thin wire 1 is all write data is continuous in the area of each unit length L _b of the pixel column data, further that the writing area reach all the pixel region 1px ing. That is, one recording is completed.

  In the above-described processing, when the scanning current Isc (FIG. 6) by the scanning current source 8 is stopped (OFF) in one magnetic domain shift movement (step S64), the i-th data writing (step S63), In other words, data writing (spin injection magnetization reversal) is performed in the data writing unit 50 by the output of the write current + Iw or −Iw (FIG. 6) from the write current source 5. In addition, since the detailed structure and operation of the optical modulation unit 20 and the details of the timing of the scanning current Isc and the writing current + Iw or -Iw are known in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Operation timing of each part)
The operation timing of each part by the processing of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In each example of FIG. 15, the time allotted to the processing related to the display of each frame of the image is 16.7 ms, for example, and the time required to record one frame of image data on the magnetic thin wire 1 once For example, 100 μs.
FIG. 15A shows a case where the process of FIG. 10 described above is performed. The image for one frame of the image for the right eye and the image for one frame of the image for the left eye are recorded once in parallel with each magnetic wire 1 as described above, and the time required for the recording is 100 μs. After “recording once” for one frame image of the right eye image and one frame image of the left eye image, “display” one frame image of the right eye image, and then for the left eye “Display” the image for one frame of the image. Such processing is performed continuously.

  FIG. 15B is another example with respect to FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 15A, it takes time to record one frame image of each of the right-eye image and the left-eye image within one time of 16.7 ms allocated to the processing related to the display of one frame of the right-eye image. Is being used. The time of 16.7 ms allocated to the processing relating to the display of one frame of the left-eye image is dedicated only to the display of the left-eye image. Therefore, the display time of the right-eye image is different from the display time of the left-eye image. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 15B, compared with the case of FIG. 15A, the time required for displaying the left eye image is extended, the time required for displaying the right eye image is shortened, and the right eye image is displayed. The time required to display the image for the left-eye image is made equal.

FIG. 15C shows an example of driving timing of the light shielding plate 111 in the case of FIG. 15C, the H level indicates a state in which the light shielding plate 111 is moved upward in the Y direction in FIG. 2 and each slit 115 is in a position opened with respect to the magnetic wires 1A1,..., 1A4. . The L level indicates a state in which the light shielding plate 111 is moved downward in the Y direction in FIG. 2 and each slit 115 is in a position opened with respect to the magnetic thin wires 1B1,.
In this way, the display time of the frame of the right eye image and the left eye image can be divided by the light shielding plate 111. Therefore, if the 3D image glasses 230 are used as described later, the user converts the right eye image into the left eye image. It is possible to prevent the image for the left eye from being viewed with the right eye.

  FIGS. 15D and 15E show the timings of the synchronization signals A and B output from the image display control unit 210 (FIG. 9) to the drive circuit 250 of the 3D image glasses 230, respectively. The synchronization signals A and B correspond to the example of FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 15B, the synchronization signal A is turned ON in synchronization with the timing of “displaying” one frame image of the right-eye image. Thus, the shutter on the right eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 is opened so that the user can see the right eye image with the right eye. In this case, the synchronization signal B is turned OFF, and the shutter on the left eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 is kept closed so that the user does not see the right eye image with the left eye.

  Further, the synchronization signal B is turned ON in synchronization with the timing of “displaying” one frame image of the left-eye image. Thus, the shutter on the left eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 is opened so that the user can see the left eye image with the left eye. In this case, the synchronization signal A is turned OFF, and the shutter on the right eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 is kept closed so that the user does not see the left eye image with the right eye.

In this way, by driving the spatial light modulator 10 at the timing shown in FIG. 15, the user views the first frame of the right-eye image only with the right eye, and then the first frame of the left-eye image. It can be seen only with the left eye. Thereafter, the second frame of the right image can be viewed only with the right eye, and then the second frame of the left image can be viewed with only the left eye. And a user can perform such a thing continuously and can see a moving image by 3D display.
15 (d) and 15 (e) show examples of the synchronization signals A and B corresponding to FIG. 15 (b), they may be made to correspond to FIG. 15 (a).
Thus, according to the spatial light modulator 10 of the present embodiment, a spatial light modulator that can display a moving image in 3D using the magnetic wire 1 can be provided.
Further, by the operation of the light shielding plate 111 and the output of the synchronization signals A and B to the driving circuit 250, the right eye image can be viewed only by the right eye, and the left eye image can be viewed only by the left eye. It is possible to prevent the right eye image and the left eye image from being mixed and viewed with both eyes.

Further, an actuator other than the piezo element 114 may be used as an actuator for driving the light shielding plate 111. However, in the case of the piezo element 114, for example, the display of the right-eye image and the left-eye image can be switched in a very short time of about several μs, and the adjacent right-eye magnetic thin wire 1 and left-eye magnetic thin wire 1 are switched. It is also possible to cope with a slight position movement of a distance corresponding to the interval. Therefore, the piezo element 114 is suitable as an actuator that drives the light shielding plate 111.
Various devices can be applied to the light shielding device 110 as long as the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye can be selectively displayed and the other can be shielded.

In the above example, the recording of the right eye image and the left eye image in one frame each is performed by sequentially shifting the magnetic domain and the domain wall from the left side to the right side in the X direction in FIG. One recording of one of the image for use and the image for the left eye may be performed from the right side to the left side in the X direction. In this case, the image data of each line of the right-eye image or the left-eye image that shifts the magnetic domains and domain walls from the right side to the left side may be rearranged by a first-in last-out circuit or the like.
Further, in the above example, the 3D image glasses 230 are shutter type glasses, and the example in which the image display apparatus 200 side and the 3D image glasses 230 are synchronized with the synchronization signals A and B has been described.

However, various types of 3D image glasses 230 for the user to view a 3D image can be used. For example, a linear polarization filter method can be used. In the image display device 200, the right-eye image is horizontally polarized, and the left-eye image is linearly polarized. By applying horizontal polarization to the right eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 and linear polarization to the left eye side, only the right eye image can be seen on the right eye side of the 3D image glasses 230 and the left eye image can be seen on the left eye side. Can only be seen.
If such a linear polarization filter type 3D image glasses 230 are used, the light shielding device 110 and the output of the synchronization signals A and B can be made unnecessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnetic wire 1px Pixel area 1w Writing area 4 Pixel 8 Scanning current source (current supply part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Spatial light modulator 30 Pixel drive part 40 Pixel array 50 Data writing part (writing part)
90 Write / Current Control Unit (Control Unit)
110 light shielding device 111 light shielding plate 114 piezo element (light shielding plate driving unit)
115 Slit 200 Image display control unit (switching unit, synchronization signal output unit)
991 Image data receiver

Claims (4)

A pixel array comprising a plurality of magnetic thin lines formed by forming a magnetic film in a thin line and having a plurality of pixels arranged in a line in the thin line direction; and a plurality of arranged in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the thin line direction;
A pixel driving unit that sets each of the pixels of the pixel array in one of two different magnetization directions based on pixel data input to the pixel of the image data,
The pixel driving unit includes a writing unit configured to cause the magnetic thin wire to have a predetermined magnetization direction in a writing region provided in a predetermined position;
A current supply unit that supplies a pulse current that intermittently moves a magnetic domain formed in the magnetic wire to the magnetic wire;
An image data receiving unit that respectively receives image data for the right eye and image data for the left eye for 3D image display;
A dividing unit that divides the image data so as to be allocated to the magnetic fine wires so that the received image data for the right eye and the image data for the left eye are alternately arranged in the orthogonal direction of the magnetic fine wires;
Pixel data that is input to a predetermined pixel of the divided image data in the writing area by controlling the writing unit when the current in the pulse current supplied to the magnetic thin line is stopped And a control unit that controls the current supply unit to cause the magnetic domain formed in the writing region to reach the predetermined pixel in the thin line direction. A featured spatial light modulator. A light-shielding device that shields light other than the light emitted from the magnetic thin-line pixels in each column every other column;
A switching unit that switches the light-shielding device in two stages so that light is emitted sequentially from the magnetic thin wires in each row every other row;
The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, further comprising: a synchronization signal output unit that outputs a synchronization signal in accordance with a switching timing of two stages by the switching unit. The light shielding device is provided on the pixel array, and a light shielding plate in which a plurality of slits are formed in the arrangement direction of the magnetic thin wires,
A light-shielding plate driving unit that shields light other than the light emitted from the pixels in each column by the light-shielding plate by moving the light-shielding plate in the orthogonal direction of the magnetic thin wires. The spatial light modulator according to claim 2, wherein   The spatial light modulator according to claim 3, wherein the light shielding plate driving unit is a piezo element that moves the light shielding plate in an arrangement direction of the magnetic thin wires.

Images