Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller

Details Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller

2005-06-28

2005-06-28

Schwartz, Jordan M. (Department: 2873)

Optical: systems and elements

Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels

By surface composed of lenticular elements

C359S621000, C359S622000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06912090

ABSTRACT:
An adjustable compound optical microlens apparatus comprises first and second microlenses that are separated from one another along their optical axes. At least one of the microlenses is movable relative to the other. In a preferred embodiment, one microlens is stationary, the other movable. A MEMS controller electrically controls the position of the movable microlens relative to the stationary microlens, or the positions of at least two movable microlenses relative to one another. In accordance with one embodiment of our invention, an array of such microlens apparatuses is also contemplated, especially for applications such optical switches and routers. In accordance with another embodiment of our invention, the apparatus functions as an optical filter or dispersion compensator. Also described is method of compensating for variations in an optical parameter (e.g., effective focal length) of such an apparatus in an array.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5286338 (1994-02-01), Feldblum et al.
patent: 5734490 (1998-03-01), Rabarot et al.
patent: 5805352 (1998-09-01), Kawamura
patent: 5909321 (1999-06-01), Kuno et al.
patent: 5923480 (1999-07-01), Labeye
patent: 6091537 (2000-07-01), Sun et al.
patent: 6091549 (2000-07-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 6577793 (2003-06-01), Vaganov
patent: 6636653 (2003-10-01), Miracky et al.
patent: 2001/0055119 (2001-12-01), Wood et al.
patent: 2003/0076754 (2003-04-01), Matsui
patent: 2004/0042085 (2004-03-01), Hough
patent: 0201274 (2002-01-01), None
L. Erdmann et al.,Technique for monolithic fabrication of silicon microlenses with selectable rim angles, Opt. Eng., vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 1094-1098 (Apr. 1997).
R. A. Miller et al.,Micromachined electromagnetic scanning mirrors, Opt. Eng., vol. 36, No. 5, pp. 1399-1407 (May 1997).
C. A. Bolle,Method for Compensating for Nonuniform Etch Profiles, U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/010570, filed on Nov. 13, 2001 and assigned to the assignee hereof (no copy enclosed).
L. Erdmann et al., “Technique for monolithic fabrication of silicon microlenses with selectable rim angles,”Opt. Eng., vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 1094-1098 (Apr. 1997).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable compound microlens apparatus with MEMS controller will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3474135