Electrostatically-actuated tunable optical components using entropic materials
US6519074B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B2290/25
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cost-effective tunable optical component uses entropic, rather than enthalpic, materials to provide a compliant member that supports the optical element and is driven by an electrostatic actuator. Entropic materials exhibit an entropic plateau region over a wide frequency range with a Young's modulus much lower than enthalpic materials, linear elastic behavior over a wide deformation range, and, in certain geometries, energy and stress behavior that tend to stabilize the optical element during deformation. The compliant member can be configured in a variety of geometries including compression, tension, tensile/compressive and shear and of a variety of materials including elastomers, aerogels or other long chained polymers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.