Tunable micro-lens array

Details Tunable micro-lens array Tunable micro-lens array

2006-02-14

2006-02-14

Mack, Ricky (Department: 2873)

Optical: systems and elements

Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels

By surface composed of lenticular elements

C359S620000, C359S290000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06999238

ABSTRACT:
A tunable micro-lens and micro-lens array for use in optical communications are disclosed. The micro-lens uses thermo optical material and a temperature controller to adjust the temperature and, hence, the index of refraction of the thermo optical material. In one embodiment, a single temperature controller is used to maintain an array of micro-lenses at a desired temperature. In an alternate embodiment, the individual lenses in an array are separately tunable. The invention may be used with either 2D or 3D lenses, and is well suited for use with existing planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology.

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