Optical switch with moveable holographic optical element
US7003187B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4214
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical switch formed of a holographic optical element (HOE) disposed above a top surface of a substrate and moveable relative thereto is shown. Light is traveling through the substrate under total internal reflection, which creates an evanescent field extending beyond the reflecting surfaces of the substrate. The HOE is characterized, in one embodiment, by being formed from a plurality of strips that are moveable between a first position in which the strips are above the evanescent field and a second position in which the strips are inside the evanescent field. In the first position, the light in the substrate propagates unaffected by the HOE in a primary direction of propagation. In the second position, the light in the substrate is altered by the HOE and made to propagate in a reflected direction oblique to that of the primary direction of propagation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.