Patent · US Expired

Multimirror stack for vertical integration of MEMS devices in two-position retroreflectors

US6439728B1 · kind B1 · utility

50Cited by
8References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 2001
Grant dateAug 27, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B26/0833
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A retroreflector is provided with a substrate over which a moveable micromirror is formed. The moveable micromirror is adapted to be tilted into at least two distinct positions. A multimirror stack is also positioned on the substrate. The multimirror stack includes multiple fixed structures bonded together. Each of the fixed structures has a reflective surface, and the multimirror stack is configured with respect to the moveable micromirror to provide retroreflection paths. An optical ray incident at a predetermined angle with respect to the substrate is subjected to retroreflection for at least two distinct positions of the moveable micromirror. Each retroreflection includes a reflection off the moveable micromirror and a reflection off one of the fixed structures.

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