Patent ID: 6195195
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
Delay apparatus comprising:a laser;a modulator for modulating an output beam from the laser using an applied input signal;injection optics for collimating the modulated laser beam;a delay element for controllably delaying the modulated laser beam that comprises a plurality of fixed retroreflectors, a plurality of moveable retroreflectors disposed on a moveable armature comprising a permanent magnet, a coil disposed on a spring and coupled to the permanent magnet, and a damping device for suppressing mechanical oscillation of the retroreflectors mounted to the moveable armature;a delay control current source coupled to the coil for supplying current to the coil to control movement of the plurality of moveable retroreflectors and thus the amount of delay experienced by the modulated laser beam; anda detector disposed to receive the delayed modulated laser beam and recover the input signal to provide a delayed output signal from the delay element.