Optical retro-reflective apparatus with modulation capability
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of retro-reflecting and modulating an optical beam comprising:
- a. providing a retro-reflecting structure having at least one moveable optical element for selectively reflecting the optical beam impinging the retro-reflecting structure, the moveable optical element having the moveable optical element having a first position in which the retro-reflecting structure retro-reflects the optical beam and having a second position in which the retro-reflecting structure does not retro-reflect the optical beam, the first and second positions being spaced by a distance less than a wavelength of the optical beam; and
b. moving said at least one moveable optical element in response to a modulation signal to thereby modulate the optical beam as a modulated retro-reflected beam.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical MEMS retro-reflective apparatus with modulation capability having a retro-reflecting structure including a pair of reflective surfaces; and a MEMS device for moving at least one of the reflective surfaces of said pair of reflective surfaces relative to another one of the reflective surfaces of said pair of reflective surfaces a distance which causes the pair of reflective surfaces to switch between a reflective mode of operation and a transmissive mode of operation. A substrate and a moveable grating structure may be substituted for the reflective surfaces.
35 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method of retro-reflecting and modulating an optical beam comprising:
-
a. providing a retro-reflecting structure having at least one moveable optical element for selectively reflecting the optical beam impinging the retro-reflecting structure, the moveable optical element having the moveable optical element having a first position in which the retro-reflecting structure retro-reflects the optical beam and having a second position in which the retro-reflecting structure does not retro-reflect the optical beam, the first and second positions being spaced by a distance less than a wavelength of the optical beam; and b. moving said at least one moveable optical element in response to a modulation signal to thereby modulate the optical beam as a modulated retro-reflected beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of controllably retro-reflecting light, the method comprising;
-
providing a plurality of mirrored surfaces arranged orthogonally with respect to each other and wherein at least one of said mirrored surfaces is physically controlled for modifying reflection characteristics of said at least one of said mirrored surfaces whereby a beam of light is retro-reflected by the retroreflector when said at least one of said mirrored surfaces is in a first light reflecting mode and wherein said beam of light is not retro-reflected by the retroreflector when said at least one of said mirrored surfaces is in a second light reflecting mode; and physically controlling the at least one of said mirrored surfaces in response to a modulation signal to modulate said light. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification