SHUTTER ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING OUT-OF-PLANE MOTION RESTRICTION FEATURES

This disclosure provides systems and apparatus for restricting out-of-plane motion during light modulator operation. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a light modulator that has a conductive movable light blocking component supported over a light blocking layer. The light modulator includes an electrostatic actuator that has a drive electrode configured to move the light blocking component laterally with respect to an aperture formed through the light blocking layer. The light modulator further includes an elongated electrode separate from the drive electrode and electrically isolated from the movable light blocking component. The elongated electrode extends alongside a path traveled by the movable light blocking component for substantially the entire length of the path.