Patent · US Active

Asymmetric deformable diffractive grating modulator

US11681155B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 4, 2020
Grant dateJun 20, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB81B2201/047
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A micro-electromechanical structure for modulating light beams includes multiple asymmetric deformable diffractive elements, each having an L-shaped cross section, split pedestal and flexible reflective member. The reflective member has an elongated shape, and a supported part and unsupported part. The split pedestal extends along the long dimension of the supported part of the reflective member and is anchored to a substrate which supports one or more electrodes or serves as an electrode. The diffractive element is movable between a non-energized position wherein the diffractive element acts to reflect a beam of light as a planar mirror, to an energized position wherein upon application of an electrostatic force, the diffractive element flexes independently about an axis parallel to the long dimension of each reflective member to vary a curvature of the reflective member to form a blazed grating.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.