Patent ID: 8284489
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for spectrally filtering at least one input beam, comprising: a spectrally dispersive element configured to disperse spectral components of the at least one input beam at different respective angles in a spectral plane; one or more optical elements, including at least a first optical element having first and second non-parallel surfaces through which the dispersed spectral components pass, configured to change at least some angles of propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components so that a maximum angular separation among the propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components changes, with the first optical element configured to substantially preserve collimation of the dispersed spectral components over an entire propagation path between the first and second non-parallel surfaces; and a single reflective surface configured to receive a plurality of the dispersed spectral components in which central rays of the spectral components are incident at different points on the single reflective surface, and to tilt to select at least one and fewer than all of the received dispersed spectral components to be directed to a selected output path.