Patent ID: 7173764
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a first nanomechanical near-field grating, said first nanomechanical near-field grating comprising a linear arrangement of at least a plurality of first apertures, wherein: a first sub-grating comprising a plurality of regularly-spaced first line-elements, wherein said regular-spacing defines a first period aligned with a first axis, and wherein said first line-elements lie substantially in a first plane, and further wherein said first line-elements have a width and thickness less than or equal to said first operating wavelength; a second sub-grating comprising a plurality of regularly-spaced unit-cells, wherein said regular-spacing defines a second period aligned with a second axis, and wherein each said unit-cell comprises at least one second line-element, and wherein said second line-elements lie substantially in a second plane which is vertically separated from the first plane, and further wherein said second line-elements have a width and thickness less than or equal to said first operating wavelength; at least one support for supporting one of said first sub-grating and said second sub-grating, wherein one of either said first sub-grating is movable along said first axis and said second sub-grating is movable along said second axis; and wherein said first aria and said second axis are in at least partially overlapping relation to one another; and wherein at least one of said first period and said second period have a value larger than said operating wavelength.