Interferometric modulator display (IMOD)[1] is an electrically switched display composed of miniature Fabry-Perot interferometers (etalons) that are switched on and off with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
An etalon reflects light at a specific wavelength and gives pure, bright colors while consuming no power. Qualcomm has commercialized the technology in a number of portable electronic devices, under the trademarked name "mirasol".[2] IMOD technology was developed for use in mobile phones[1] and other portable devices.
An IMOD element is composed of subpixels that are actually individual Fabry-Perot interferometers (etalons), like the scales in butterfly wings. An etalon consists of two mirrors, one opaque and one half-silvered, with an air gap of an exact distance between them. This distance determines the wavelength that the etalon amplifies by constructive interference. As the light is "selected" from incoming light, the display is actually brighter in bright sunlight. In contrast, a back-lit LCD display suffers from incoming light. The etalon is switched off by bringing the mirrors very close together, pushing the reflected wavelength into the invisible ultraviolet range. A microelectromechanical device moves the lower, opaque mirror to achieve this.