Electrostatically-actuated tunable optical components using entropic materials
First Claim
1. A tunable optical component, comprising:
- a counter electrode;
a movable optical element;
a compliant member that supports the movable optical element, said compliant member being formed of a material that exhibits an entropic plateau region; and
an electrostatic actuator for applying an electrostatic force that deforms the compliant member and moves the optical element as a function of an electric command signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cost-effective tunable optical component uses entropic, rather than enthalpic, materials to provide a compliant member that supports the optical element and is driven by an electrostatic actuator. Entropic materials exhibit an entropic plateau region over a wide frequency range with a Young'"'"'s modulus much lower than enthalpic materials, linear elastic behavior over a wide deformation range, and, in certain geometries, energy and stress behavior that tend to stabilize the optical element during deformation. The compliant member can be configured in a variety of geometries including compression, tension, tensile/compressive and shear and of a variety of materials including elastomers, aerogels or other long chained polymers.
50 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A tunable optical component, comprising:
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a counter electrode;
a movable optical element;
a compliant member that supports the movable optical element, said compliant member being formed of a material that exhibits an entropic plateau region; and
an electrostatic actuator for applying an electrostatic force that deforms the compliant member and moves the optical element as a function of an electric command signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification