Optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control

• US 20020186483A1
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nanogear Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nanogear Incorporated
• Inventors: Fling, John J., Hagelin, Paul Merritt
• Granted Patent: US 6,598,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/876
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means

Abstract

An optical mirror system with multi-axis rotational control is disclosed. The mirror system includes an optical surface assembly, and at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly. The at least one leg assembly supports the optical surface above a substrate. A system and method in accordance with the present invention can operate with many different actuator mechanisms, including but not limited to, electrostatic, thermal, piezoelectric, and magnetic. An optical mirror system in accordance with the present invention accommodates large mirrors and rotation angles. Scanning mirrors can be made with this technique using standard surface-micromachining processes, or a deep RIE etch process. A device in accordance with the present invention meets the requirements for a directly scalable, high port count optical switch, utilizing a two mirror per optical I/O port configuration. An optical mirror in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in, but is not limited to, the following applications: optical add-drop multiplexers, wavelength routers, free-space optical interconnects, chip-level optical I/O, optical scanning displays, optical scanner (bar-codes, micro cameras), optical storage read/write heads, laser printers, medical replacement for glasses (incorporated with adaptive optics), medical diagnostic equipment, optical scanning for security applications.

Claims

1. An optical mirror system comprising:

an optical surface assembly; and

at least one leg assembly coupled to the optical surface assembly for supporting the optical surface above a substrate.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the optical surface assembly comprises a support plate coupled to the at least one leg assembly and an optical surface coupled to the support plate.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one leg assembly comprises:

a leg portion;

a connector coupled to the leg portion and the optical surface; and

an anchor coupled to the leg portion for coupling the leg portion to the substrate.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the leg is coupled to the anchor via flexible beams.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein an actuator is coupled to the leg portion for the actuator for moving the leg portion to allow for the rotation of the optical surface.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the actuator comprises parallel plate electrodes.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the actuator comprises electrostatic drives.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the leg portion is flexible.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein the connector is flexible.

10. An optical mirror system comprising:

an optical surface; and

a plurality of leg assemblies coupled to the optical surface for supporting the optical surface above a substrate, wherein each of the leg assemblies includes a leg portion, a connector coupled to the leg portion, and the optical surface and an anchor coupled to the leg portion for coupling the leg portion to the substrate.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the leg portion is coupled to the anchor via flexible beams.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein an actuator is coupled to the leg portion for the actuator for moving the leg portion to allow for the rotation of the optical surface.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the actuator comprises parallel plate electrodes.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the actuator comprises vertical electrostatic drives.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the leg portion is flexible.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the connector is flexible.