Patent ID: 6806997
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light comprising:a. a plurality of elements, each element including a first end, a second end, a first linear side, a second linear side, and a light reflective planar surface with the light reflective planar surfaces of the plurality of elements lying in one or more parallel planes, wherein the plurality of elements are arranged parallel to each other and further wherein the light reflective planar surface of each of the plurality of elements includes a first non-linear side and a second non-linear side; and b. a support structure coupled to each end of the plurality of elements to maintain a position of each element relative to each other and to enable movement of selective ones of the plurality of elements in a direction normal to the one or more parallel planes of the plurality of elements, and between a first modulator configuration wherein the plurality of elements act to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second modulator configuration wherein the plurality of elements act to diffract the incident beam of light.