PIECEWISE LINEAR SPATIAL PHASE MODULATOR USING DUAL-MODE MICROMIRROR ARRAYS FOR TEMPORAL AND DIFFRACTIVE FOURIER OPTICS
First Claim
1. A spatial light phase modulator, wherein the spatial light phase modulator can perform piecewise linear phase modulation of a light beam, comprising:
- a linear array of movable micromirrors; and
an array of actuators, wherein an actuator of the array of actuators is movably coupled to a micromirror of the linear array of movable micromirrors, and wherein the actuator can move the micromirror both vertically and rotationally.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a spatial light phase modulator, which can perform piecewise linear phase modulation of a light beam. This spatial light phase modulator includes an array of movable micromirrors and an array of actuators. Each actuator of the array of actuators is movably coupled to one micromirror of the array of movable micromirrors and can move the micromirror both vertically and rotationally. Additionally, the present invention provides an optical function generator that is a femtosecond pulse shaper. This optical function generator includes a diffraction grating that disperses an input pulse into a dispersed spectrum, a lens assembly to focus the dispersed spectrum onto a micromirror array, and the micromirror array to provide spatial filtering to the dispersed spectrum to provide the filtered spectrum.
82 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A spatial light phase modulator, wherein the spatial light phase modulator can perform piecewise linear phase modulation of a light beam, comprising:
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a linear array of movable micromirrors; and
an array of actuators, wherein an actuator of the array of actuators is movably coupled to a micromirror of the linear array of movable micromirrors, and wherein the actuator can move the micromirror both vertically and rotationally. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An optical function generator, wherein the optical function generator is a femtosecond pulse shaper, comprising:
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a diffraction grating, wherein the diffraction grating disperses an input pulse into a dispersed spectrum;
a lens assembly; and
a micromirror array;
wherein the lens assembly focuses the dispersed spectrum onto the micromirror array, and wherein the micromirror array provides spatial filtering to the dispersed spectrum to provide a filtered spectrum. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A two-dimensional coherent mirror array, comprising:
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a two-dimensional micromirror array; and
a plurality of actuators movably coupled to the two-dimensional micromirror array, wherein a micromirror of the two-dimensional micromirror array is movably coupled to a triad of actuators of the plurality of actuators, and wherein the triad of actuators are positioned such that the micromirror can be elevated and tilted in any direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A programmable micromirror array, comprising:
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an at least one movable micromirror;
a first movable comb fixedly coupled to a first edge of a movable micromirror within the at least one movable micromirror; and
a second movable comb fixedly coupled to a second edge opposite of the first edge of the movable micromirror;
wherein the first movable comb and the second movable comb form a movable portion of an interdigitated actuator; and
wherein the movable portion of the interdigitated actuator can apply vertical and rotational motions to the movable micromirror. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A two-dimensional programmable micromirror array, comprising:
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a plurality of movable micromirrors, wherein a micromirror of the plurality of movable micromirrors includes a hexagonal shape;
a first movable actuator fixedly coupled to a first edge of the micromirror;
a second movable actuator fixedly coupled to a second edge of the micromirror; and
a third movable actuator fixedly coupled to a third edge of the micromirror;
wherein the first movable actuator, the second movable actuator, and the third movable actuator are fixedly coupled to alternating edges of the micromirror, and wherein the first movable actuator, the second movable actuator, and the third movable actuator act in concert to apply vertical and two-dimensional rotational motions to the micromirror. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for creating a programmable micromirror, comprising:
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receiving a substrate;
applying an insulating layer on the substrate;
depositing a plurality of lower actuators on the insulating layer;
applying a first sacrificial layer over the plurality of lower actuators and exposed portions of the insulating layer;
depositing a mirror assembly on the first sacrificial layer;
applying a second sacrificial layer over the mirror assembly and exposed portions of the first sacrificial layer;
creating a plurality of voids through the first sacrificial layer and the second sacrificial layer, wherein the insulating layer is exposed through the plurality of voids;
depositing a plurality of upper actuators on exposed portions of the insulating layer; and
removing the first sacrificial layer and the second sacrificial layer. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification