Virtual image phase array
First Claim
1. A virtual image phase array (VIPA) comprising:
- a transparent support substrate;
a first reflective coating on a first reflective surface of the transparent support substrate;
a second reflective surface substantially parallel to the first reflective surface and separated by a gap from the first reflective coating;
wherein the transparent support substrate and the first reflective coating include a beveled edge at a same acute angle from both the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface, the beveled edge comprising an edge of the first reflective coating flat with an edge of the transparent support substrate, the beveled edge forming a narrow beveled transition region in the first reflective coating wherein the thickness of the first reflective coating decreases toward the edge thereof;
wherein the transparent support substrate is configured to receive input light at the beveled edge, andwherein the beveled edge is configured to allow the input light incident thereon to propagate through the beveled edge toward the second reflecting surface at an angle of incidence of 5°
or less for bouncing between the first and second reflective surfaces multiple times while avoiding the transition region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual image phase array (VIPA) includes two parallel surfaces, a first highly-reflective surface with a highly-reflective coating, and a second partially-reflective surface. The first highly-reflective surface also requires an input zone with an anti-reflection coating, which abuts the highly-reflective coating, with a transition zone therebetween. Light enters the VIPA through the input zone, and reflects back and forth between the highly and partially reflective surfaces, gradually leaking out through the partially reflective surface. To minimize the transition zone and thereby minimize the input angle of incidence and maximize the number of reflections per unit of length, the substrate coated with the highly-reflective coating is subsequently polished at an acute angle resulting in the transition zone having the same sharp angle.
4 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A virtual image phase array (VIPA) comprising:
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a transparent support substrate; a first reflective coating on a first reflective surface of the transparent support substrate; a second reflective surface substantially parallel to the first reflective surface and separated by a gap from the first reflective coating; wherein the transparent support substrate and the first reflective coating include a beveled edge at a same acute angle from both the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface, the beveled edge comprising an edge of the first reflective coating flat with an edge of the transparent support substrate, the beveled edge forming a narrow beveled transition region in the first reflective coating wherein the thickness of the first reflective coating decreases toward the edge thereof; wherein the transparent support substrate is configured to receive input light at the beveled edge, and wherein the beveled edge is configured to allow the input light incident thereon to propagate through the beveled edge toward the second reflecting surface at an angle of incidence of 5°
or less for bouncing between the first and second reflective surfaces multiple times while avoiding the transition region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of fabricating a virtual image phase array (VIPA) comprising:
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providing a first support substrate with a first surface and an end; providing a first reflective coating on the first surface of the first support substrate; providing a second reflective coating substantially parallel to the first reflective coating with a gap therebetween; polishing the end of the first support substrate, with the first reflecting coating thereon, at an acute angle forming a beveled edge of the first support substrate and a beveled edge of the first reflective coating flat with the beveled edge of the first support substrate, thereby forming a narrow beveled transition region in the first reflecting coating at the beveled edge thereof and prior to the polishing, mounting a mounting substrate flat upon the first reflective coating so as to sandwich the first reflective coating between the first support substrate and the mounting substrate; wherein the polishing comprises polishing both the end of the first support substrate and an end of the mounting substrate at the same time, thereby forming the beveled edge of the first reflective coating flat with a beveled edge of the mounting substrate. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification