Patent ID: 6501600
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: G02B,H01S

Abstract:
A controllable diffractive element, comprising:a substrate with at least a portion being substantially reflective; a membrane with with a front surface, a back surface, the membrane including a plurality of first apertures extending from the front to the back surface, at least a portion of the front surface being substantially reflective, wherein the membrane has an X axis and a Y axis defining a membrane plane, the plurality of first apertures being positioned sufficiently symmetrically along the X and Y axes to provide diffraction of the light incident on the membrane and substrate that is selectably independent of a polarization state of the light incident on the membrane and substrate; and at least one anchor coupling the membrane and the substrate at a first distance in a passive state, wherein in an active state an application of a force to the membrane modifies the first distance and provides a controllable diffraction of light that is incident on the substrate and the membrane.