Patent ID: 6967757

Claim:
A microelectromechanical apparatus for redirecting incident light, comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a first electrostatic actuator formed on the substrate and comprising a first beam supported above the substrate for movement towards the substrate in response to a first actuation voltage provided to the first electrostatic actuator; (c) a second electrostatic actuator comprising a second beam formed above the first electrostatic actuator and attached thereto, with the second beam being moveable towards the substrate in response to movement of the first beam, and with the second electrostatic actuator providing a further movement of the second beam towards the substrate in response to a second actuation voltage provided to the second electrostatic actuator; and (d) a plate formed above the second electrostatic actuator and attached thereto, with the plate having a surface for reflecting the incident light to generate a reflected light component having a phase shift or a change in an angle of propagation which depends upon a movement of the plate produced by one or both of the first and second electrostatic actuators.