Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller
US6912090B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/0068
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An adjustable compound optical microlens apparatus comprises first and second microlenses that are separated from one another along their optical axes. At least one of the microlenses is movable relative to the other. In a preferred embodiment, one microlens is stationary, the other movable. A MEMS controller electrically controls the position of the movable microlens relative to the stationary microlens, or the positions of at least two movable microlenses relative to one another. In accordance with one embodiment of our invention, an array of such microlens apparatuses is also contemplated, especially for applications such optical switches and routers. In accordance with another embodiment of our invention, the apparatus functions as an optical filter or dispersion compensator. Also described is method of compensating for variations in an optical parameter (e.g., effective focal length) of such an apparatus in an array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.