Patent ID: 7206118
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An open hole-based diffractive light modulator, comprising: (a) a base member; (b) a first ribbon-shaped reflective part supported by the base member, comprising: (c) a second reflective part located between the first reflective part and the base member, said second reflective part: (d) an actuating unit for moving the intermediate portion of the first reflective part relative to the second reflective part to change the intensity of diffracted light which is formed using light reflected from the first reflective part and the second reflective part, wherein the actuating unit comprises a piezoelectric layer which is positioned at a first location other than the location of the intermediate portion of the first reflective part, said piezoelectric layer operable to shrink and expand so as to provide an actuating force in a direction lateral to the first reflective part when voltage is applied to opposite sides of the piezoelectric layer.