Optical waveguides – Optical waveguide sensor
Reexamination Certificate
2005-02-15
2005-02-15
Healy, Brian M. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Optical waveguide sensor
C385S031000, C385S043000, C385S033000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06856712
ABSTRACT:
Small, rugged scanners micro-fabricated from commercial optical fibers to form waveguides or other structures. The scanning waveguide has a distal portion on which is formed a non-linear taper with a diameter that decreases toward a distal end. Optionally, a hinge portion having a reduced diameter can be formed in the distal portion, improving the scanning properties of the waveguide. A micro-lens can be integrally formed at the distal tip of the waveguide with either a droplet of an optical adhesive, or by using an energy beam to melt the material of the waveguide to form a droplet. The droplet is shaped with an externally applied force. When mechanically driven in vibratory resonance, the tip of the optical waveguides moves in linear or two-dimensional scan patterns of relatively high amplitude and frequency, and large field of view. The scanner can be used either for image acquisition or image display.
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Brown Chris M.
Fauver Mark E.
Reinhall Per G.
Seibel Eric J.
Smithwick Quinn Y. J.
Anderson Ronald M.
Healy Brian M.
University of Washington
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