Mechanical grating device

US6252697A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Gilbert A. Hawkins · Mendon, US
• John A. Lebens · Rush, US
• Constantine N. Anagnostopoulos · Mendon, US
• John C. Brazas, Jr. · Hilton, US
• Brian E. Kruschwitz · Rochester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B26/0808
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A mechanical grating device for diffracting an incident light beam has a base which defines a surface. A spacer layer is provided above the base, said spacer layer defining an upper surface of said spacer layer. A longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, said channel having a first and second opposing side walls and a bottom. The side walls are substantially vertically disposed with respect to the bottom, and said channel having a constant cross section along the entire length of the mechanical grating device. A plurality of spaced apart deformable ribbon elements are disposed parallel to each other and span the channel. The deformable ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel.