Patent ID: 7180652

Claim:
An electrooptic device comprising: a. an electrically conductive substrate having a surface S 1 , b. a movable membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface s 2 , the movable membrane comprising a single crystal silicon layer with a thickness in the range 1000–5000 Angstroms, c. a laser for directing light onto the movable membrane, the light having a wavelength λ, d. a support for positioning the movable membrane at a first position spaced from said substrate by an air gap d 1 between surface s 1 and s 2 , and e. bias means for applying an electrical bias across the air gap to move the movable membrane from the first position to a second position spaced from said substrate by an air gap d 2 between surface s 1 and s 2 , where d 2 –d 1 is in the approximate range 1500 to 5000 angstroms and where the change from the first to the second position causes a change in the amount of light from said laser that is reflected from the movable membrane.