Patent ID: 7484857

Claim:
A retroreflector, comprising: a first non-deformable mirror to provide reflection of light back to a source thereof; and a deformable mirror having a first state to provide reflection of light back to the source thereof and a second state to provide misdirection of light to prevent the reflection of light back to the source thereof; said deformable mirror including a plurality of MEMS devices, each having a reflective surface thereon, such that when said deformable mirror is in the first state, each reflective surface is in a first position to form a reflective surface that provides reflection of light back to the source thereof; said plurality of MEMS devices each including, a substrate, a flexible membrane attached at least one end to a surface of the substrate and having said reflective surface thereon, said flexible membrane having a movable portion, said flexible membrane being configured such that, in a first state, said movable portion of said flexible membrane is disposed to form a reflective surface that provides reflection of light back to the source thereof; and, in a second state, said movable portion of said flexible membrane is disposed to form a reflective surface that scatters light to prevent the reflection of light back to the source thereof, an electrode to cause said movable portion of said flexible membrane to flatten so as to be in the first state, and a plurality of dimples formed on said movable portion of said flexible membrane such that when said movable portion of said flexible membrane is in the first state, the dimples formed on said movable portion of said flexible membrane contact the substrate, said plurality of dimples forming a non co-linear pattern.