Patent ID: 7830578
Filing Date: 2010-11-09
Classification: G02B,G03H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a means for generating a large plurality of interspersed output light sources from an input light beam of wavelength λ, at least some of the large plurality of interspersed output light sources having a first one of at least two phases fixed with respect to the phases of each other of the large plurality of interspersed output light sources, and at least some of the large plurality of interspersed output light sources having a second one of the at least two phases; and a controller for separately controlling the amplitude of each of the large plurality of interspersed fixed phase output light sources; wherein the large plurality of interspersed output light sources produce a large plurality of diffracting output light beams which combine to form an output light beam having amplitudes of real and imaginary parts of the output light beam controlled by the controller in a spatial and time resolved manner over the cross section of the output light beam; wherein the controller for separately controlling the amplitude of each of the large plurality of interspersed output light beams is an array of micromirrors; and wherein each reflecting surface of each of the micromirrors in a first state is coplanar with either a first plane or a second plane, the first and the second plane spaced a distance apart of approximately λ/8; wherein the reflecting surfaces of each micromirror in the first state in one of the two planes are arranged randomly or pseudorandomly in an array.