Patent ID: 8363298
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a diffraction grating comprising dielectric optical material with an index of refraction n and comprising a first surface with a structure having a structure height h and a structure period d, and a second surface; wherein the first surface is covered by hydrophobic material which reduces wettability of the diffraction grating for pre-selected liquids; a uniform liquid layer with the index of refraction k comprised of one of said pre-selected liquids, wherein said indexes of refraction n and k are substantially equal, said uniform liquid layer is disposed on said first surface of said diffraction grating, wherein parameters of said apparatus are chosen such that: an electrode layer of electrically conducting material formed on said second surface, configured to create said electric field; and means for varying said predetermined electric field, for further changing the predetermined value by which said uniform liquid layer enters said air pocket area causing a further change of the diffraction efficiency of the diffraction grating, therefore varying the optical intensity of the optical beam propagating through or reflected from the optical device.