Electrostatically-controllable diffraction grating
US6664706B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB81B2203/053
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides an electrostatically-controllable diffraction grating including a plurality of electrically isolated and stationary electrodes disposed on a substrate. At least one row of a plurality of interconnected actuation elements is provided, with each actuation element suspended, by a corresponding mechanically constrained support region, over the substrate by a vertical actuation gap and including a conducting actuation region connected to the corresponding support region and disposed in a selected correspondence with at least one substrate electrode. A mirror element is provided, for at least one actuation element in at least one row of actuation elements, including an optically reflecting upper surface, and being vertically suspended over a corresponding actuation element by a mechanically constrained mirror support region that is connected to the corresponding actuation element and that defines a vertical mirror gap. A mirror deflection region connected to the mirror support region and is free to be deflected through the mirror gap. The mirror gap is less than the actuation gap of a corresponding actuation element and is selected to produce controlled and stable …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.