Arrays of nanometer thick buckiling membranes used as a voltage-controllable reflective display.

Reflective displays, which work by reflecting specific wavelengths of ambient light back at an observer, hold unique advantages. For instance, they can use low power while operating in bright environments and individual pixels can display customizable colors. While many reflected display technologies exist, they are often limited by complex fabrication or large pixel pitches on the order of hundreds of micrometers. Here we demonstrate a new approach to reflective displays based on buckling, nanometer-thick actuators. Each pixel is made from a partially transparent actuator clamped on all sides above a mirror. The actuator can buckle in response to voltage signals with a deflection on the order of the wavelength of visible light, making a voltage controllable optical resonator. We show pixel fabrication is compatible with CMOS processing, high yield, and that pixels as small as 15 microns on a side, selectively reflect colors across the visible spectrum.