Patent ID: 7239001
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: G01J,G02B

Abstract:
1. A tunable optical filtering component for receiving incident light, rejecting undesired wavelength bands and allowing free passage of a selected wavelength band towards a downstream device which will use light in the selected wavelength band, said unable optical component comprising: a tunable optical filter made in a micro-machined monolithic structure, the micro-machined monolithic structure including: a light detection element having low light absorption for the selected wavelength band, said light detection element placed downstream of the tunable optical filter in the direction of incident light, said component further comprising: circuitry for receiving an electrical signal from an output of the light detection element and for slaving a tuning control input of the filter to tune the filter on one wavelength of light transmitted through the filter, whereby light passing through the detection element is transmitted to said downstream device for use in said downstream device without being significantly absorbed in said detection device.