Optical apparatus with reduced effect of mirror edge diffraction
US7539371B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3594
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A micromirror for use in an optical apparatus may comprise a reflective portion, configured to be rotatable about a switching axis and an attenuation axis that is different from the switching axis. The reflective portion may include an edge that is substantially parallel to the attenuation axis. The edge may include one or more edge features that protrude above a plane of the micromirror surface and/or are submerged below the plane of the micromirror surface, and/or have an edge shape that deviates from a straight line. Alternatively, an array of micromirrors may have mirrors characterized by sawtooth features disposed along edges that are substantially parallel to the attenuation axis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.